DEVICE FOR COUPLING TWO PIPES OF A RUN OF PIPING COMPRISING A SET OF FRUSTOCONICAL FLANGES, AND PIPING COMPRISING THE COUPLING DEVICE

• US 20200132232A1
• Filed: 10/23/2019
• Published: 04/30/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 10/25/2018
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Airbus Operations SAS (Airbus SE)
• Original Assignee: Airbus Operations SAS (Airbus SE)
• Inventors: BROHAN, Didier
• Granted Patent: US 11,680,668 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 27/04 with partly spherical engaging surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 27/06 with special sealing means between the engaging surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 27/067 the sealing means being actuated by the medium pressure
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 27/0812 with slide bearings

Abstract

A coupling device configured to couple first and second pipes, which comprises a first part coupled to the first pipe and which has a first contact surface, a second part coupled to the second pipe, separate from the first part, and which has a second contact surface configured to collaborate with the first contact surface, at least one clamp comprising at least one clamping jaw comprising a groove, configured to collaborate with the first and second parts, which has a cross section such that a concentric tightening of the clamp causes the first and second contact surfaces to be kept pressed against one another. Thus, the coupling device makes it possible to obtain a ball joint type connection between the first and second pipes.

Claims

1. A coupling device intended for coupling first and second pipes of a run of piping, the coupling device comprising:

a first part, configured to be coupled to the first pipe, as well as a second part configured to be coupled to the second pipe,

the first part comprising a first flange which widens in the direction of the second part in operation and which has a first contact surface,

the second part comprising a second contact surface, which widens in a same direction as the first contact surface, configured to collaborate with the first contact surface,

the coupling device comprising at least one seal interposed between the first and second parts as well as at least one clamp to keep the first and second contact surfaces pressed against one another while allowing them to slip relative to one another,

wherein the clamp comprises at least one clamping jaw comprising a groove, configured to collaborate with the first and second parts, which has a cross section such that a concentric tightening of the clamp causes the first and second contact surfaces to be kept pressed against one another.

2. The coupling device according to claim 1, wherein the first contact surface has a concave spherical shape and wherein the second contact surface has a convex spherical shape, the concave and convex spherical shapes of the first and second contact surfaces having substantially the same radius.

3. The coupling device according to claim 1, wherein, of the first and second contact surfaces, at least one comprises a housing configured to house the seal.

4. The coupling device according to claim 1, wherein the second part comprises second and third flanges which exhibit a joining zone and which form a U-shaped or V-shaped cross section, the second flange comprising the second contact surface.

5. The coupling device according to claim 3,

wherein the second part comprises second and third flanges which exhibit a joining zone and which form a U-shaped or V-shaped cross section, the second flange comprising the second contact surface, and

wherein the housing is positioned on the second contact surface, near a free first end of the second flange.

6. The coupling device according to claim 4, wherein the first flange has a free end distant from a second end of the second flange in a state of rest.

7. The coupling device according to claim 6, wherein the free end of the first flange is positioned approximately equidistant from the housing and from the second end of the second flange.

8. The coupling device according to claim 1, wherein, of the first and second contact surfaces, at least one comprises a coating made of a material which encourages a slipping of the first and second contact surfaces against one another.

9. The coupling device according to claim 8, wherein the first flange comprises a coating made of a material that encourages slippage between the first flange and the clamp.

10. The coupling device according to claim 4, wherein the groove has a first flank configured to be in contact with an external surface of the first flange and a second flank configured to be in contact with an external surface of the third flange.

11. The coupling device according to claim 10, wherein the first part comprises a first pipe configured to connect the first flange and the first pipe, and wherein the first flank is dimensioned so that, in a state of rest, the first flank is distant from the first pipe.

12. The coupling device according to claim 10,

wherein the joining zone joining the second and third flanges has a substantially cylindrical external surface, and

wherein each clamping jaw comprises a central portion, connecting the first and second flanks, which has a substantially cylindrical internal surface configured to bear against the external surface of the joining zone when the clamp is clamped tight in operation.

13. The coupling device according to claim 10, wherein the first flank of the clamping jaw and the external surface of the first flange have collaborating concave and convex spherical shapes.

14. An aircraft piping comprising at least one coupling device according to claim 1.