Positive locking fitting assembly

• US 6,883,836 B2
• Filed: 01/17/2003
• Issued: 04/26/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/17/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Original Assignee: Stanley Aviation Corp. (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Inventors: Darby, Thomas B., Vaughan, Anthony W., Keenan, Daniel E., Breay, Clifton P.
• Primary Examiner(s): DUNWOODY, AARON M
• Application Number:
  US10/347,096
• Publication Number:
  US 20040140667A1
• Time in Patent Office: 830 Days
• Field of Search: 285/19, 285/31, 285/66, 285/121.4, 285/128.1, 285/139.1, 285/145.4, 285/223, 285/298, 285/302, 285/371, 285/398, 285/233, 285/234, 285/189, 285/206, 285/207, 285/208, 285/20, 285/56, 285/388, 285/387, 285/386
• US Class Current: 285/189
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 2201/20 Safety or protective couplings
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 25/01 specially adapted for realising electrical conduction between the two pipe ends of the joint or between parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 41/005 adjustable and comprising a hollow threaded part in an opening
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 5/025 the pipe being movable F16L5/10 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 5/06 by means of a swivel nut compressing a ring or sleeve

Abstract

A positive locking fitting assembly is provided for interconnecting two adjacent structures, such as two modular components of an aircraft. The fitting assembly includes a pair of couplers which attach to the respective modular components, and a transfer tube which interconnects the couplers. Each coupler has a positive locking feature which prevents inadvertent uncoupling during operation. A plurality of redundant seals are incorporated throughout the construction of the fitting assembly which ensures a leak proof relationship not only between the joined pair of modular components, but also through the structure of the elements of the fitting assembly itself.

Claims

1. A positive locking fitting assembly for interconnecting a pair of modular components, said assembly comprising:

(a) a pair of couplers spaced from one another and each coupler connected to a corresponding modular component, each coupler comprising;

(i) a modular fitting attached to the corresponding modular component, said modular fitting having a first end residing adjacent an inner surface of the modular component, and a second threaded end residing adjacent an outer surface of the corresponding modular component;

(ii) a jam nut threadably received over said second threaded end of said modular fitting, said jam nut having a first locking means disposed thereon;

(iii) a lock nut positioned adjacent said jam nut, said lock nut having a second complementary locking means that contacts said first locking means to place said lock nut in a locked position, said lock nut being biased to facilitate locking of said second complementary locking means with said first locking means, and said second complementary locking means not contacting said first locking means when said lock nut is in an unlocked position;

(b) a transfer tube placed between said pair of couplers and spanning a gap between the modular components; and

(c) means for sealing said transfer tube against said pair of couplers.

2. An assembly, as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

a pair of adjacent tubes connected to said pair of couplers wherein one adjacent tube extends beyond one end of said transfer tube, and the other tube of said pair of adjacent tubes extends beyond an opposite end of said transfer tube.

3. A method of interconnecting a pair of structures spaced from one another by a gap, said method comprising the steps of:

connecting a pair of modular fittings to said pair of structures, said modular fittings when connected, having respective first ends placed adjacent one another, and said modular fittings having respective second ends extending away from one another, each said second end being threaded;

providing a pair of jam nuts and threading one jam nut over a first set of threads of each said second end of said pair of modular fittings;

providing a pair of locking nuts and threading a first locking nut over a second set of threads of one of said modular fittings and rotating the first locking nut until the first locking nut is placed in a positive locking relationship with one of said jam nuts wherein said one jam nut has a first locking means and said first locking nut has a second complementary locking means that contacts said first locking means of said one jam nut;

inserting a transfer tube through the other jam nut of said pair of jam nuts and through the other modular fitting of said pair of modular fittings to span the transfer tube between the respective first ends of the modular fittings; and

threading a second locking nut over a second set of threads of the other modular fittings and rotating the second locking nut until the second locking nut is placed in a positive locking relationship with said other jam nut wherein said other jam nut has a first locking means and said second locking nut has a second complementary locking means for releasable contact with said first locking means of said other jam nut.

4. In subcombination, a coupler for providing a sealed connection across an opening of a structure, said subcombination comprising:

a modular fitting attached to the structure at the opening, said modular fitting having a first end residing adjacent one side of the structure, and having a second threaded end residing adjacent an opposite side of the structure;

a jam nut threadably received over the second threaded end of said modular fitting, said jam nut having a first locking means thereon;

a lock nut positioned adjacent said jam nut, said lock nut having a second complementary locking means that contacts said first locking means, said lock nut being biased to lock said second complementary locking means with said first locking means;

a transfer tube placed through said modular fitting and said transfer tube spanning beyond both sides of the structure; and

means for sealing said transfer tube against said modular fitting.

5. A positive locking fitting assembly for interconnecting openings formed on a pair of structures separated by a gap, said assembly comprising:

(a) a coupler attached to each structure, each coupler comprising;

(i) a modular fitting inserted through the opening in the structure, said modular fitting having a first end positioned against an inner surface of the structure, and a second threaded end extending beyond an outer surface of the structure;

(ii) a jam nut threadably received over said second threaded end of said modular fitting, said jam nut having a first locking means disposed thereon;

(iii) a lock nut positioned adjacent said jam nut, said lock nut having a second complementary locking means for releasable engagement with said first locking means, said lock nut including a spring to bias said lock nut wherein said spring causes said second complementary locking means to lock with said first locking means when said first and second locking means are engaged;

(b) a transfer tube placed between said pair of couplers and spanning the gap between the structures; and

(c) means for sealing said transfer tube against said pair of couplers thereby providing a leakproof path between the openings of the structures.

6. An assembly, as claimed in claim 5, wherein:

said modular fitting further includes a flange formed at said first end thereof which contacts the inner surface of said structure, and a seal positioned around a periphery of said flange thereby providing a fluid tight seal at said first end of said modular fitting with respect to said inner surface of the structure.

7. An assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein:

said second end of said modular fitting includes a first set of threads having a first diameter for receiving said jam nut thereon, and further includes a second set of threads having a smaller second diameter and spaced from said first set of threads for receiving said lock nut thereon.

8. An assembly, as claimed in claim 5, wherein:

said jam nut includes an annular slot formed thereon to receive a tolerance damper seal therein, said tolerance damper being placed against the outer surface of said structure thereby providing a fluid tight seal between the outer surface and said jam nut.

9. An assembly, as claimed in claim 7, wherein:

said coupler further includes a primary seal mounted over said modular fitting between said first and second set of threads, wherein said primary seal contacts said lock nut when said lock nut is attached to said jam nut, said primary seal thereby providing a fluid tight seal between an outer surface of the jam nut and an inner surface of the lock nut.

10. An assembly, as claimed in claim 5, wherein:

said lock nut further includes a lock ring having a plurality of spaced projections formed on an inner surface thereof and extending radially inward, and said lock nut further including a nut body having a plurality of spaced slots formed on an outer peripheral surface thereof wherein said lock ring is received over said nut body and said spaced projections are aligned with and received in said spaced slots thereby preventing rotation of the nut body within the lock ring.

11. An assembly, as claimed in claim 10, wherein:

said second complementary locking means is formed on said lock ring on a transverse face thereof, said second complementary locking means including a plurality of spaced notches.

12. An assembly, as claimed in claim 10, wherein:

said first locking means includes a plurality of spaced projections formed on an outer surface of said jam nut.

13. An assembly, as claimed in claim 5, wherein:

said first complementary locking means includes a plurality of spaced projections formed on an outer surface of said jam nut, and said second complementary locking means includes a plurality of spaced notches formed on said lock ring wherein said plurality of spaced projections are received in said plurality of spaced notches when said coupler is placed in a locked position.

14. An assembly, as claimed in claim 5, wherein said lock nut further includes:

a lock ring;

a nut body received in said lock ring;

a bonding spring inserted within said lock ring and abutting said nut body; and

a split retainer attached between said lock ring and said nut body, and securing said bonding spring in a space defined between said lock ring and said nut body wherein said bonding spring provides an axial biasing force, said lock ring being axially translatable with respect to said nut body within a predetermined range of axial displacement.

15. An assembly, as claimed in claim 5, further including:

an adjacent tube connected to said modular fitting, said adjacent tube including a tube body, an o-ring secured to an end of said adjacent tube and sealed within said second end of said modular fitting; and

a retainer ring circumferentially surrounding said adjacent tube and positioned between said adjacent tube and said lock nut thereby preventing axial translation of said adjacent tube with respect to said lock nut.

16. A positive locking fitting assembly for interconnecting openings formed on a pair of structures separated by a gap, said assembly comprising:

(a) a coupler attached to each structure, each coupler comprising;

(i) a first coupler part inserted through and secured to the opening in the structure, said first coupler part having a first end attached to an inner surface of the structure, and a second end extending beyond an outer surface of the structure;

(ii) a second coupler part threadably received over said second end of said first coupler part;

(iii) means for releasably locking said second part on said first part, said means for releasably locking being activated by a predetermined amount of rotation of said second coupler part with respect to said first coupler part;

(b) a transfer tube placed between said couplers and spanning the gap between the structures;

(c) means for sealing said transfer tube against said couplers thereby providing a leak proof path between the openings of the structures; and

(d) an adjacent tube attached to and sealed with each coupler thereby extending the leak proof path beyond said transfer tube in both directions.

17. A fitting assembly for interconnecting openings formed on a pair of adjacent structures separated by a gap, said assembly comprising:

a fluid conveying conduit;

means attached to each structure at said openings for releasably and sealingly receiving the fluid conveying conduit at both ends of said means for receiving, said fluid conveying conduit including a pair of adjacent tubes which extend away from outer sides of said structures, and said fluid conveying conduit further including a transfer tube which spans said gap, said transfer tube and said adjacent tubes forming a continuous leak proof path extending beyond ends of said transfer tube;

said means for receiving including means for releasably locking integrated with said means for receiving wherein said means for receiving may be assembled and disassembled, disassembly allowing access to said transfer tube and said adjacent tubes; and

wherein said means for releasably locking when locked prevents access to remove said transfer tube and said adjacent tubes.

18. An assembly, as claimed in claim 17, wherein:

said means for receiving includes a pair of couplers attached to said pair of adjacent structures, each of said couplers having a first part which is received through one opening formed in one of said adjacent structures and a second part which is threadably received over the first part, said means for releasably locking being incorporated on both said first and second parts.

19. A positive locking fitting assembly for interconnecting a pair of modular components, said assembly comprising:

(a) a pair of couplers spaced from one another and each coupler connected to a corresponding modular component, each coupler comprising;

(i) a modular fitting attached to the corresponding modular component, said modular fitting having a first end residing adjacent an inner surface of the modular component, and a second threaded end residing adjacent an outer surface of the corresponding modular component;

(ii) a jam nut threadably received over said second threaded end of said modular fitting, said jam nut having a first locking means disposed thereon;

(iii) a lock nut positioned adjacent said jam nut, said lock nut having a second complementary locking means for releasable engagement with said first locking means, said lock nut being biased to lock said second complementary locking means with said first locking means;

(b) a transfer tube placed between said pair of couplers and spanning a gap between the modular components;

(c) means for sealing said transfer tube against said pair of couplers; and

a pair of adjacent tubes connected to said pair of couplers wherein one adjacent tube extends beyond one end of said transfer tube, and the other tube of said pair of adjacent tubes extends beyond an opposite end of said transfer tube.

20. A positive locking fitting assembly for interconnecting openings formed on a pair of structures separated by a gap, said assembly comprising:

(a) a coupler attached to each structure, each coupler comprising;

(i) a modular fitting inserted through the opening in the structure, said modular fitting having a first end positioned against an inner surface of the structure, and a second threaded end extending beyond an outer surface of the structure;

(ii) a jam nut threadably received over said second threaded end of said modular fitting, said jam nut having a first locking means disposed thereon;

(iii) a lock nut positioned adjacent said jam nut, said lock nut having a second complementary locking means for releasable engagement with said first locking means, said lock nut being biased to lock said second complementary locking means with said first locking means;

(b) a transfer tube placed between said pair of couplers and spanning the gap between the structures;

(c) means for sealing said transfer tube against said pair of couplers thereby providing a leakproof path between the openings of the structures; and

said second end of said modular fitting includes a first set of threads having a first diameter for receiving said jam nut thereon, and further includes a second set of threads having a smaller second diameter and spaced from said first set of threads for receiving said lock nut thereon.

22. An assembly, as claimed in claim 20, wherein:

said coupler further includes a primary seal mounted over said modular fitting between said first and second set of threads, wherein said primary seal contacts said lock nut when said lock nut is attached to said jam nut, said primary seal thereby providing a fluid tight seal between an outer surface of the jam nut and an inner surface of the lock nut.

21. A positive locking fitting assembly for interconnecting openings formed on a pair of structures separated by a gap, said assembly comprising:

(a) a coupler attached to each structure, each coupler comprising;

(i) a modular fitting inserted through the opening in the structure, said modular fitting having a first end positioned against an inner surface of the structure, and a second threaded end extending beyond an outer surface of the structure;

(ii) a jam nut threadably received over said second threaded end of said modular fitting, said jam nut having a first locking means disposed thereon;

(iii) a lock nut positioned adjacent said jam nut, said lock nut having a second complementary locking means for releasable engagement with said first locking means, said lock nut being biased to lock said second complementary locking means with said first locking means;

(b) a transfer tube placed between said pair of couplers and spanning the gap between the structures;

(c) means for sealing said transfer tube against said pair of couplers thereby providing a leakproof path between the openings of the structures; and

said jam nut includes an annular slot formed thereon to receive a tolerance damper seal therein, said tolerance damper being placed against the outer surface of said structure thereby providing a fluid tight seal between the outer surface and said jam nut.

23. A positive locking fitting assembly for interconnecting openings formed on a pair of structures separated by a gap, said assembly comprising:

(a) a coupler attached to each structure, each coupler comprising;

(i) a modular fitting inserted through the opening in the structure, said modular fitting having a first end positioned against an inner surface of the structure, and a second threaded end extending beyond an outer surface of the structure;

(ii) a jam nut threadably received over said second threaded end of said modular fitting, said jam nut having a first locking means disposed thereon;

(iii) a lock nut positioned adjacent said jam nut, said lock nut having a second complementary locking means for releasable engagement with said first locking means, said lock nut being biased to lock said second complementary locking means with said first locking means;

(b) a transfer tube placed between said pair of couplers and spanning the gap between the structures;

(c) means for sealing said transfer tube against said pair of couplers thereby providing a leakproof path between the openings of the structures; and

said lock nut further includes a lock ring having a plurality of spaced projections formed on an inner surface thereof and extending radially inward, and said lock nut further including a nut body having a plurality of spaced slots formed on an outer peripheral surface thereof wherein said lock ring is received over said nut body and said spaced projections are aligned with and received in said spaced slots thereby preventing rotation of the nut body within the lock ring.

24. An assembly, as claimed in claim 23, wherein:

said second complementary locking means is formed on said lock ring on a transverse face thereof, said second complementary locking means including a plurality of spaced notches.

25. An assembly, as claimed in claim 23, wherein:

said first locking means includes a plurality of spaced projections formed on an outer surface of said jam nut.

26. A positive locking fitting assembly for interconnecting openings formed on a pair of structures separated by a gap, said assembly comprising:

(a) a coupler attached to each structure, each coupler comprising;

(i) a modular fitting inserted through the opening in the structure, said modular fitting having a first end positioned against an inner surface of the structure, and a second threaded end extending beyond an outer surface of the structure;

(ii) a jam nut threadably received over said second threaded end of said modular fitting, said jam nut having a first locking means disposed thereon;

(iii) a lock nut positioned adjacent said jam nut, said lock nut having a second complementary locking means for releasable engagement with said first locking means, said lock nut being biased to lock said second complementary locking means with said first locking means;

(b) a transfer tube placed between said pair of couplers and spanning the gap between the structures;

(c) means for sealing said transfer tube against said pair of couplers thereby providing a leakproof path between the openings of the structures; and

said first complementary locking means includes a plurality of spaced projections formed on an outer surface of said jam nut, and said second complementary locking means includes a plurality of spaced notches formed on said lock ring wherein said plurality of spaced projections are received in said plurality of spaced notches when said coupler is placed in a locked position.

27. A positive locking fitting assembly for interconnecting openings formed on a pair of structures separated by a gap, said assembly comprising:

(a) a coupler attached to each structure, each coupler comprising;

(i) a modular fitting inserted through the opening in the structure, said modular fitting having a first end positioned against an inner surface of the structure, and a second threaded end extending beyond an outer surface of the structure;

(ii) a jam nut threadably received over said second threaded end of said modular fitting, said jam nut having a first locking means disposed thereon;

(iii) a lock nut positioned adjacent said jam nut, said lock nut having a second complementary locking means for releasable engagement with said first locking means, said lock nut being biased to lock said second complementary locking means with said first locking means, said lock nut further including a lock ring, a nut body received in said lock ring, a bonding spring inserted within said lock ring and abutting said nut body, and a split retainer attached between said lock ring and said nut body, and securing said bonding spring in a space defined between said lock ring and said nut body wherein said bonding spring provides an axial biasing force, said lock ring being axially translatable with respect to said nut body within a predetermined range of axial displacement;

(b) a transfer tube placed between said pair of couplers and spanning the gap between the structures; and

(c) means for sealing said transfer tube against said pair of couplers thereby providing a leakproof path between the openings of the structures.

28. A positive locking fitting assembly for interconnecting openings formed on a pair of structures separated by a gap, said assembly comprising:

(a) a coupler attached to each structure, each coupler comprising;

(i) a modular fitting inserted through the opening in the structure, said modular fitting having a first end positioned against an inner surface of the structure, and a second threaded end extending beyond an outer surface of the structure;

(ii) a jam nut threadably received over said second threaded end of said modular fitting, said jam nut having a first locking means disposed thereon;

(iii) a lock nut positioned adjacent said jam nut, said lock nut having a second complementary locking means for releasable engagement with said first

(ii) a jam nut received over said second end of said modular fitting, said jam nut having a first locking means formed on an outer surface of said jam nut and spaced from said modular fitting;

(iii) a lock nut positioned adjacent said jam nut and received over said second end of said modular fitting, said lock nut having a second complementary locking means formed on an outer surface thereof that contacts said first locking means;

(b) a transfer tube positioned between said pair of couplers and spanning a gap between the modular components; and

(c) means for sealing said transfer tube against said pair of couplers thereby providing a leak proof path through said transfer tube and said pair of couplers.

29. A positive locking fitting assembly for interconnecting a pair of modular components, said assembly comprising:

(a) a pair of couplers spaced from one another and each coupler connected to a corresponding modular component, each coupler comprising;

(i) a modular fitting attached to the corresponding modular component, said modular fitting having a first end residing adjacent an inner surface of the modular component, and a second threaded end residing adjacent an outer surface of the corresponding modular component;

contacts said first locking means, said lock nut including means for biasing said lock nut thereby enabling said lock nut to be locked with respect to said jam nut;

a transfer tube placed through said modular fitting and said transfer tube spanning beyond at least one side of the structure; and

means for sealing said transfer tube against said modular fitting.

30. In subcombination, a coupler for providing a sealed connection across an opening of a structure, said subcombination comprising:

a modular fitting attached to the structure at the opening, said modular fitting having a first end residing adjacent one side of the structure, and having a second end residing adjacent an opposite side of the structure;

a jam nut threadably received over the second end of the modular fitting, said jam nut having a first locking means disposed thereon and spaced from said modular fitting;

a lock nut received over said modular fitting and positioned adjacent said jam nut, said lock nut having a second complementary locking means disposed thereon that locking means, said lock nut being biased to lock said second complementary locking means with said first locking means;

(b) a transfer tube placed between said pair of couplers and spanning the gap between the structures;

(c) means for sealing said transfer tube against said pair of couplers thereby providing a leakproof path between the openings of the structures;

(d) an adjacent tube connected to said modular fitting, said adjacent tube including a tube body, an o-ring secured to an end of said adjacent tube and sealed within said second end of said modular fitting; and

(e) a retainer ring circumferentially surrounding said adjacent tube and positioned between said adjacent tube and said lock nut thereby preventing axial translation of said adjacent tube with respect to said lock nut.

31. A positive locking fitting assembly for interconnecting openings formed on a pair of structures separated by a gap, said assembly comprising:

(a) a coupler attached to each structure, each coupler comprising;

(i) a first coupler part secured to a corresponding opening in the structure, said first coupler part having a first end attached to the structure, and a second end extending beyond the structure;

(ii) a second coupler part received over said second end of said first coupler part;

(iii) means for releasably locking said second coupler part on said first coupler part, said means for locking including biasing means to bias said first coupler Dart with respect to said second coupler part said means for releasably locking being activated to lock said second coupler part with respect to said first coupler part by rotating said second coupler part a predetermined amount;

(b) a transfer tube placed between said couplers and spanning the gap between the structures; and

(c) means for sealing said transfer tube against said couplers thereby providing a leak proof path between the openings of the structures.