Quick Connector for Hydraulic Hose Coupling

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016273688-A1
Application number	US-201514658909-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Mar 16, 2015
Priority date	Mar 16, 2015
Publication date	Sep 22, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A hydraulic fluid line coupling system is disclosed. The coupling may include a female fitting, a male fitting, first and second elastomeric seals between the female fitting and male fitting, and a spring clip securing the male fitting against the female fitting.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A hydraulic fluid line coupling system, comprising:
a female fitting; a male fitting received within the female fitting; and a spring clip securing the male fitting against the female fitting.

2 . The hydraulic fluid line coupling system of claim 1 , further including first and second elastomeric radial seals circumscribing the male fitting.

3 . The hydraulic fluid line coupling system of claim 1 , wherein the female fitting includes externally cylindrical proximal and distal ends, and an externally conical bridge therebetween.

4 . The hydraulic fluid line coupling system of claim 3 , wherein the conical bridge includes first and second internal radial grooves receiving first and second elastomeric radial seals.

5 . The hydraulic fluid line coupling system of claim 4 , wherein the cylindrical distal end includes a third internal radial groove receiving the spring clip.

6 . The hydraulic fluid line coupling system of claim 5 , wherein the male fitting includes a cylindrical proximal end and a cylindrical distal end, the cylindrical distal end being of a smaller diameter than the cylindrical proximal end.

7 . The hydraulic fluid line coupling system of claim 6 , wherein the male fitting further includes a radially outwardly extending rib between the cylindrical distal end and the cylindrical proximal end.

8 . The hydraulic fluid line coupling system of claim 7 , wherein the female fitting distal end further includes a radially inwardly directed shoulder, the radially outwardly directed rib of the male fitting engaging the radially inwardly directed shoulder.

9 . The hydraulic fluid line coupling system of claim 8 , wherein the spring clip engages the male fitting rib against the female fitting shoulder.

10 . A method of sealing a hydraulic fluid line coupling system, comprising;
inserting a male fitting into a female fitting; sealing the male fitting to the female fitting using first and second elastomeric rings; and securing the male fitting to the female fitting using a spring clip.

11 . The method of claim 10 , further including positioning the first and second elastomeric rings circumferentially around the male fitting;

12 . The method of claim 11 , further including receiving the first and second elastomeric rings into first and second circumferential internal grooves provided in the female fitting.

13 . The method of claim 12 , further including receiving the spring clip in a third circumferential internal groove provided in the female fitting.

14 . The method of claim 13 , further including disassembling the hydraulic fluid line coupling system by squeezing the spring clip.

15 . The method of claim 13 , further including engaging a radially outwardly extending rib of the male fitting with a radially inwardly directed shoulder of the female fitting.

16 . A machine, comprising;
a chassis; an engine mounted on the chassis; a hydraulic fluid pump powered by the engine; a hydraulic cylinder in fluid communication with the hydraulic fluid pump; a plurality of hydraulic fluid tubes connecting the hydraulic fluid pump and the hydraulic cylinder; and a hydraulic fluid line coupling system connecting the plurality of hydraulic fluid tubes together, each hydraulic fluid line coupling system including a male fitting, a female fitting, first and second elastomeric seals between the male and female fittings, and a spring clip securing the male fitting against the female fitting.

17 . The machine of claim 16 , wherein the first and second elastomeric seals circumscribe the male fitting.

18 . The machine of claim 17 , wherein the female coupling includes first and second internal radial grooves receiving the first and second elastomeric seals.

19 . The machine of claim 18 , wherein the female coupling further includes a third internal radial groove receiving the spring clip.

20 . The machine of claim 18 , wherein the female coupling further includes a radially inwardly directed circumferential shoulder, and the male fitting further includes a radially outwardly directed circumferential rib, the spring clip forcing the shoulder and rib to engage each other.

Assignees

• Caterpillar Inc

Inventors

• Considine Jr Patrick E
• Rempert Carl H

Classifications

• F16L21/08

  with additional locking means (F16L21/06 takes precedence; couplings of the quick-acting type F16L37/00) · CPC title

• F16L37/14 Primary

  Joints secured by inserting between mating surfaces an element, e.g. a piece of wire, a pin, a chain · CPC title

• F16L21/03 Primary

  placed in the socket before connection ({F16L21/022,} F16L21/025 take precedence) · CPC title

• F16L25/08

  in the form of screws, nails or the like · CPC title

• E02F9/2275

  Hoses and supports therefor and protection therefor · CPC title