Quick Connector for Hydraulic Hose Coupling

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016273693-A1
Application number	US-201514658974-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 cylindrical collar surrounding the female fitting, male fitting, and first and second elastomeric seals.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A hydraulic fluid line coupling system, comprising:
a female fitting; a male fitting received in the female fitting; and a collar surrounding the female fitting and male fitting.

2 . The hydraulic fluid line coupling system of claim 1 , wherein the first and second elastomeric seals circumscribe an inner core of the female fitting.

3 . The hydraulic fluid line coupling system of claim 1 , wherein the female fitting includes a plurality of flexible fingers.

4 . The hydraulic fluid line coupling system of claim 3 , wherein the female fitting includes a cylindrical proximal end and a cylindrical distal end, the plurality of flexible fingers from the cylindrical extending from the proximal end toward the cylindrical distal end.

5 . The hydraulic fluid line coupling system of claim 4 , wherein the cylindrical distal end includes first and second circumferential radial grooves receiving first and second elastomeric seals.

6 . The hydraulic fluid line coupling system of claim 4 , wherein the male fitting includes a plurality of circumferential external grooves and the fingers include a plurality of radially inwardly directed barbs, the barbs being received in the plurality of circumferential external grooves in the male fitting.

7 . The hydraulic fluid line coupling system of claim 6 , wherein the cylindrical collar includes a pair of radially inwardly directed detents at first and second ends of the cylindrical collar, the detents being spaced to longitudinally flank the plurality of fingers on the female fitting.

8 . The hydraulic fluid line coupling system of claim 4 , wherein the female fitting further includes a radially outwardly directed shoulder, the distal end of the male fitting engaging the radially outwardly directed shoulder of the female fitting.

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

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 collar.

11 . The method of claim 10 , further including circumscribing the male fitting with the first and second elastomeric rings.

12 . The method of claim 11 , further including extending a plurality of fingers from the female fitting to define a receiving space between the fingers and a center core of the female fitting, and wherein inserting the male fitting involves sliding the male fitting into the receiving space.

13 . The method of claim 12 , further including providing a plurality of radially inwardly directed barbs on the plurality of fingers, and providing a plurality of circumferential extended grooves in the male fitting, and the method further includes positioning the plurality of barbs in the plurality of circumferential external grooves of the male fitting.

14 . The method of claim 13 , further including providing a pair of radially inwardly directed detents in the collar and the securing step involves sliding the collar over the female fitting until the detents longitudinally flank the plurality of fingers on the female fitting.

15 . The method of claim 13 , further including providing a radially inwardly directed shoulder on the female fitting, and the inserting step involves sliding the male fitting into the female fitting until a distal end of the male fitting engages the radially inwardly directed shoulder of the female fittings.

16 . The method of claim 15 , further including providing a radially outwardly directed shoulder on the male fitting, and the inserting step involves sliding the male fitting until a distal end of the female fitting engages the radially outwardly directed shoulder of male fitting.

17 . 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; and 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 receiving the male fitting, first and second elastomeric seals between the female fitting and the male fitting, and a surrounding the female fitting, male fitting, first elastomeric seal and second elastomeric seal.

18 . The machine of claim 17 , wherein the female fitting includes an inner core having first and second circumferential grooves receiving the first and second elastomeric seals.

19 . The machine of claim 18 , wherein the female fitting further includes a plurality of flexible fingers positioned relative to the inner core to define a receiving space for the male fitting.

20 . The machine of claim 19 , wherein the plurality of finger includes a plurality of inwardly directed barbs, and the male fitting includes a plurality of circumferential external grooves, the plurality of inwardly directed barbs being received in the plurality of circumferential external grooves in the male fitting.

Assignees

• Caterpillar Inc

Inventors

• Considine Jr Patrick E
• Rempert Carl H

Classifications

• F16L37/04 Primary

  with an elastic outer part pressing against an inner part by reason of its elasticity (with locking members F16L37/08) · CPC title

• F04B17/05 Primary

  driven by internal-combustion engines · CPC title

• F16L37/138

  using an axially movable sleeve · CPC title

• F16L37/133 Primary

  using flexible hooks {(F16L37/1215 takes precedence)} · CPC title