Quick connect coupling for a heat exchanger

• US 6,848,723 B2
• Filed: 01/22/2003
• Issued: 02/01/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/30/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Modine Manufacturing Company
• Original Assignee: Modine Manufacturing Company
• Inventors: Lamich, Bernhard
• Primary Examiner(s): Hewitt, James M.
• Application Number:
  US10/349,057
• Publication Number:
  US 20030141047A1
• Time in Patent Office: 741 Days
• Field of Search: 285/305, 285/309, 285/321, 285/921, 285/257
• US Class Current: 285/319
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/0885 with access to the split elastic ring from a radial or tangential opening in the coupling
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 9/0246 Arrangements for connecting header boxes with flow lines
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 9/0258 of quick acting type, e.g. with snap action
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 285/921 Snap-fit

Abstract

A quick connect coupling for connecting a fluid conduit to a header tank includes first and second engaged and sealed coupling parts. The first coupling part includes a radially inner hollow cylindrical wall with a radially outer surface and diametrically opposite, axially directed fingers spaced radially outward of the cylindrical wall and attached thereto. The second coupling part includes a generally circular radially inner wall sized to be axially received between the cylindrical wall and the fingers and has an interior surface facing the radially outer surface of the cylindrical wall. A radially inwardly opening groove is located in the interior surface and a circular seal is disposed therein to sealingly engage the radially outer surface of the cylindrical wall when the coupling is assembled. The second coupling part also includes a radially outer wall sized to fit about the sides of the fingers and a retaining clip carried by the radially outer wall and extends through slots to enter grooves in the outer surfaces of the fingers to effectuate assembly of the two coupling parts.

Claims

1. A coupling for connecting a fluid conduit to the header tank of a heat exchanger by relative axial movement, comprising:

a first coupling part on one of said header tank and said conduit;

a second coupling part on the other of said header tank and said conduit and sealingly coupled to said first coupling part;

said first coupling part including a radially inner, hollow cylindrical wall defining an axis and a radially outer surface, diametrically opposite, axially directed fingers spaced radially outward of said cylindrical wall and attached thereto, and radially outwardly opening grooves or slots in sides of said fingers remote from said cylindrical wall and generally transverse to said axis;

said second coupling part including a generally circular radially inner wall sized to be axially received between said cylindrical wall and said fingers and having an interior surface facing the radially outer surface of said cylindrical wall, a radially inwardly opening groove in said interior surface, a circular seal in said radially inwardly opening groove and sealingly engageable with the radially outer surface of said cylindrical wall when said coupling is assembled, a radially outer wall sized to fit about said sides of said fingers, and slots in said radially outer wall generally transverse to said axis and alignable with said radially outwardly opening grooves; and

a retaining clip disposed in said slots and entering said circumferentially directed grooves when said coupling is assembled.

2. The coupling of claim 1 wherein said fingers are arcuate about said axis and concave in the direction of said axis and said radially outer wall includes diametrically opposite arcuate sections concave in the direction of said axis.

3. The coupling of claim 1 including a plastic tank for a heat exchanger wherein one of said coupling parts is plastic and formed integrally with said tank.

4. The coupling of claim 3 wherein said one of said coupling parts is said first coupling part and said hollow cylindrical wall opens to the interior of said tank through a wall thereof and said fingers extend from said wall.

5. The coupling of claim 1 including a metal tank and said first coupling part is on said metal tank, said hollow cylindrical wall being formed in a wall of said tank and said fingers being formed in an additional part fitted and secured to said tank about hollow cylindrical wall.

6. The coupling of claim 5 wherein said additional part is shaped to be complementary to the shape of the tank at the hollow cylindrical wall so as to be fitted on the tank and secured thereto by a metallurgical bond.

7. A coupling for connecting a fluid conduit to the header tank of a heat exchanger by relative axial movement, comprising:

a first coupling part on one of said header tank and said conduit;

a second coupling part on the other of said header tank and said conduit and sealingly coupled to said first coupling part;

said first coupling part including a radially inner, hollow cylindrical wall defining an axis and a radially outer surface, and diametrically opposite, axially directed fingers spaced radially outward of said cylindrical wall and attached thereto;

said second coupling part including a generally circular radially inner wall sized to be axially received between said cylindrical wall and said fingers and having an interior surface facing the radially outer surface of said cylindrical wall, a radially inwardly opening groove in said interior surface, a circular seal in said radially inwardly opening groove and sealingly engageable with the radially outer surface of said cylindrical wall when said coupling is assembled, a radially outer wall sized to fit about said sides of said fingers; and

a retaining means for engaging said axially directed fingers and said radially outer wall to hold the coupling parts in assembled relation.