Self-crimping fill tube assembly

• US 20090165424A1
• Filed: 12/28/2007
• Published: 07/02/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rosemount Incorporated (Emerson Electric Company)
• Original Assignee: Rosemount Incorporated (Emerson Electric Company)
• Inventors: Lutz, Mark A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,099,856 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 53/289
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 13/025 using diaphragms
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 19/0007 Fluidic connecting means
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 19/0645 using isolation membranes, specially adapted for protection
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53039 with control means energized in response to activator stimulated by condition sensor

Abstract

A crimping system for a fill tube of an industrial process transmitter system comprises a collar, a fill tube and crimp jaws. The collar comprises a passageway for receiving the fill tube, and a seat surrounding the passageway. The fill tube extends through the passageway and seat of the collar. The crimp jaws are positioned within the seat to surround the fill tube, and are inserted into the seat to crimp the fill tube.

Claims

1. A crimping system for a fill tube of an industrial process transmitter system, the crimping system comprising:

a collar comprising;

a passageway for receiving a fill tube; and

a seat surrounding the passageway;

a fill tube extending through the passageway and seat of the collar; and

crimp jaws surrounding the fill tube and inserted into and disposed within the seat to crimp closed the fill tube.

2. The crimping system of claim 1 wherein:

the seat includes a conically shaped inner diameter; and

the plurality of crimp jaws collectively comprise a conically shaped outer diameter matching that of the seat.

3. The crimping system of claim 2 wherein the conically shaped outer diameter of the collective crimp jaws includes a surface contour.

4. The crimping system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of crimp jaws comprises a first crimp jaw and a second crimp jaw.

5. The crimping system of claim 4 wherein:

the first crimp jaw includes a first inner diameter channel; and

the second crimp jaw includes a second inner diameter channel; and

wherein the fill tube is crushed between the first and second inner diameter channels such that flattened walls of the fill tube are pushed against each other.

6. The crimping system of claim 5 wherein the first and second inner diameter channels form a slot having a thickness corresponding to approximately twice a thickness of a wall of the fill tube.

7. The crimping system of claim 5 wherein the first and second inner diameter channels form a rectangular shaped channel having flared ends.

8. The crimping system of claim 5 wherein the first and second inner diameter channels form a slot having a crimping bulge for imparting compression into the flattened walls of the fill tube that are pushed against each other.

9. The crimping system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of crimping jaws are rigidly fixed to the collar after insertion into the seat.

10. The crimping system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of crimp jaws is recessed within the seat below a top surface of the collar.

11. The crimping system of claim 10 and further comprising a dome positioned over the plurality of crimping jaws and the collar.

12. The crimping system of claim 1 and further comprising a bushing connected to an end of the fill tube.

13. The crimping system of claim 1 wherein the fill tube includes a bend on one side of the passageway.

14. The crimping system of claim 1 wherein the collar includes a plurality of mounting bores extending through the collar generally perpendicular to the passageway.

15. The crimping system of claim 1 wherein each of the crimp jaws further includes a plating of low friction material.

16. The crimping system of claim 1 wherein an end of the fill tube crimped with the crimp jaws is sealed with a weld.

17. The crimping system of claim 1 and further comprising:

a sensor for measuring a pressure of an industrial process fluid and generating a sensor signal that is a function of the measured pressure;

transmitter electronics connected to the sensor for conditioning the sensor signal and producing a transmitter output representative of the measured pressure.

a hydraulic passageway for providing a communication channel between the process fluid and the sensor;

a capillary extending from the hydraulic passageway; and

wherein the fill tube extends from within the capillary to outside of the capillary and the collar is positioned on the portion of the fill tube outside the hydraulic passageway.

18. The crimping system of claim 1 and further comprising:

a capillary tube for connecting to an industrial process transmitter at a first end;

a remote seal for connecting to a second end of the capillary tube, the remote seal comprising;

an isolation diaphragm for contacting a process fluid; and

a pocket positioned between the isolation diaphragm and the second end of the capillary tube to form a diaphragm recess; and

wherein a first end of the fill tube is fluidly linked with the pocket and a second end of the fill tube extends out of the capillary passageway such that the collar is positioned on the second end of the fill tube.

19. A method for crimping a fill tube in an industrial process control system, the method comprising:

extending a first end of a fill tube into a fill fluid reservoir;

extending a second end of the fill tube from the reservoir;

fitting a collar around the second end of the fill tube, wherein the collar includes a conically shaped seat;

placing crimp jaws around the second end of the fill tube; and

pushing the crimp jaws into the seat so as to pinch closed the second end of the fill tube.

20. The method of claim 19 and further comprising the step of bending the fill tube between the first and second ends before fitting the collar around the second end of the fill tube.

21. The method of claim 19 and further comprising the step of removing a portion of the second end of the fill tube extending beyond the plurality of crimp jaws after the fill tube is pinched closed.

22. The method of claim 21 and further comprising the step of placing a weld at an exposed end of the fill tube where the second end is removed.

23. The method of claim 19 and further comprising the step of rigidly securing the crimp jaws to the collar after the fill tube is pinched closed.

24. The method of claim 19 wherein the crimp jaws are pushed into the seat such that the crimp jaws are within the outer bounds of the collar.