Isolation device and fluid connection

• US 6,209,927 B1
• Filed: 09/10/1999
• Issued: 04/03/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 09/10/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Carrier Corporation (Carrier Global Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Carrier Corporation (Carrier Global Corporation)
• Inventors: Clancy, Tracey A., Laub, James S., Marks, Patrick C., Katra, Thomas S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nicholson, Eric K.
• Application Number:
  US09/393,485
• Time in Patent Office: 571 Days
• Field of Search: 285/49, 285/225, 285/229, 285/298, 92/96, 92/103 M, 92/105
• US Class Current: 285/49
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 15/06 with metal springs with rubber springs also F16F15/08
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 23/22 made exclusively of a material other than metal

Abstract

A metal diaphragm is provided which acts as a spring while defining a flow path. A restraint limits upward movement of the diaphragm during transient motion. Downward movement is resisted by a Belleville spring.

Claims

1. An isolation device and fluid connection for fluidly connecting a first and a second structural member wherein said first structural member is supported by said second structural member and said first and second structural members are in a system requiring fluid communication between said first and second structural members comprising:

a first supporting member having an opening therein and a first and second side with said first side adapted to engage said first structural member in a fluid tight relationship;

a second supporting member;

said first supporting member being of varying axial extent with an outer portion being of greatest axial extent and with an intermediate portion being of least axial extent such that said portion of least axial extent permits flexure, and with an inner portion normally spaced from said second supporting member;

said second supporting member having an opening therein and a first and a second side with said first side of said second supporting member adapted to engage said outer portion of said second side of said first supporting member in a fluid tight relationship and second side of said second member adapted to engage said second structural member in a fluid tight relationship;

a resilient member located between said first and second supporting members and biasing said inner portion of said first supporting member away from said second supporting member;

a restraint axially separated from said intermediate portion of said first supporting member so as to limit movement of said first supporting member in a direction away from said second supporting member.

2. The isolation device and fluid connection of claim 1 wherein said resilient member is a Belleville spring.

3. The isolation device and fluid connection of claim 2 wherein said Belleville spring has a spring constant much greater than that of said intermediate portion of said first supporting member.

4. The isolation device and fluid connection of claim 1 further including means for securing said first and second structural members together with said first and second supporting members therebetween.