Coupling device comprising a leakage groove

• US 7,150,473 B2
• Filed: 05/15/2004
• Issued: 12/19/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/15/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Volvo Lastvagnar AB (AB Volvo)
• Original Assignee: Volvo Lastvagnar AB (AB Volvo)
• Inventors: Eriksson, Stefan, Sandborn, Mats
• Primary Examiner(s): DUNWOODY, AARON M
• Application Number:
  US10/709,586
• Publication Number:
  US 20050017504A1
• Time in Patent Office: 948 Days
• Field of Search: 285/13, 285/14, 285/345, 285/346, 285/924, 285/93, 277/608, 277/613
• US Class Current: 285/14
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 2201/10 Indicators for correct coupling
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 2201/30 Detecting leaks
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 2201/80 Dust covers
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/08 in which the connection between abutting or axially overlapping ends is maintained by locking members F16L37/22 - F16L37/26 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 285/924 Vented

Abstract

Method and arrangement for providing a coupling device for conduits of pressurized media which consists of (includes) at least two coupling parts (1, 2) that are possible to couple to each other in the shape of a female part and a male part which is insertable into the female part. A locking device is arranged to hold the coupling parts completely coupled in a locking position. The locking device comprises a locking member (11) positioned at one of the coupling parts (2) which in a locking position attaches into a recess (12) in the other coupling part. A sealing member (6) in the locking position achieves sealing between the coupling parts. The other coupling part (1) exhibits a further recess (16) in which the locking member can be brought to locking of the coupling parts (1, 2) in an outer locking position when the two coupling parts are coupled to each other. In the outer locking position there is incomplete sealing with the two coupling parts being locked so that they are prevented from coming apart but are incompletely coupled together and allowed to be brought together to said locking position for the complete coupling of the coupling parts. In the presence of pressurized media, this enables an indication that the outer locking position has been assumed due to the presence of leakage of pressurized media. The leakage is obtained via a leakage groove (20) which is angled towards the radial plane of the coupling parts. The leakage groove can thus be made by means of rotating machining.

Claims

1. A coupling device for conduits of pressurized media, said coupling device comprising:

two coupling parts, each having a casing surface, couplable together as a female part (1) and a male part (2) which is insertable into the female part;

a locking device arranged to allow coupling of the male part with the female part and to, in an inner locking position, hold the coupling parts coupled together, the locking device comprises at least one locking member at one of the coupling parts that is arranged to, in said locking position, attach into a recess in the other coupling part with one or several sealing members being arranged to, in said locking position, achieve sealing engagement between the coupling parts, with the second coupling part having a further recess in which said locking member is brought into locking engagement of the coupling parts in an outer locking position at the coupling of the two coupling parts with each other, and in which outer locking position an incomplete sealing is achieved and in which the two coupling parts are locked and incompletely coupled together and thereby being prevented from coming apart and being allowed to be brought together to said inner locking position for a complete coupling of the coupling parts by means of which, in the presence of a pressurized media, an indication can be obtained that the outer locking position has been assumed due to the presence of leakage of pressurized media, and wherein the casing surface of one of the coupling parts exhibits a leakage groove which runs at an acute angle (v) towards a radial plane of the coupling part the leakage groove having an axial inner end and an axial outer end, and is so positioned that in the inner locking position the leakage groove is positioned axially outside of the sealing member and in the outer locking position the axial inner end of the leakage groove is positioned axially inside of the sealing member and the axial outer end of the leakage groove is positioned axially outside of the sealing member by means of which pressurized media can pass by the sealing member wherein the leakage groove consists of a spiral-shaped groove.

2. The coupling device as recited claim 1, wherein the leakage indication consists of an audible leakage sound.

3. The coupling device as recited in claim 1, wherein the leakage groove is arranged in a radially inward facing casing surface of the female part and the sealing member consists of a sealing ring arranged in a radially outward facing casing surface of the male part.

4. The coupling device as recited in claim 3, wherein the female part, in the casing surface axially outside of the leakage groove, exhibits a conical wall and the male part exhibits, axially outside of said sealing ring, a second sealing ring that in the inner locking position is in sealing contact with the conical wall, and in the outer locking position leaves free passage for pressurized media via a ring shaped gap between the sealing ring and the conical wall.

5. A coupling device for conduits of pressurized media, said coupling device comprising:

two coupling parts, each having a casing surface, couplable together as a female part (1) and a male part (2) which is insertable into the female part;

a locking device arranged to allow coupling of the male part with the female part and to, in an inner locking position, hold the coupling parts coupled together, the locking device comprises at least one locking member at one of the coupling parts that is arranged to, in said locking position, attach into a recess in the other coupling part with one or several sealing members being arranged to, in said locking position, achieve sealing engagement between the coupling parts, with the second coupling part having a further recess in which said locking member is brought into locking engagement of the coupling parts in an outer locking position at the coupling of the two coupling parts with each other, and in which outer locking position an incomplete sealing is achieved and in which the two coupling parts are locked and incompletely coupled together and thereby being prevented from coming apart and being allowed to be brought together to said inner locking position for a complete coupling of the coupling parts by means of which, in the presence of a pressurized media, an indication can be obtained that the outer locking position has been assumed due to the presence of leakage of pressurized media, and wherein the casing surface of one of the coupling parts exhibits a spiral-shaped leakage groove which runs at an acute angle (v) towards a radial plane of the coupling part the leakage groove having an axial inner end and an axial outer end, and is so positioned that in the inner locking position the leakage groove is positioned axially outside of the sealing member and in the outer locking position the axial inner end of the leakage groove is positioned axially inside of the sealing member and the axial outer end of the leakage groove is positioned axially outside of the sealing member by means of which pressurized media can pass by the sealing member.

6. The coupling device as recited in claim 5, wherein a leakage indication consists of an audible leakage sound.

7. The coupling device as recited in claim 5, wherein the leakage groove is arranged in a radially inward facing casing surface of the female part and the sealing member consists of a sealing ring arranged in a radially outward facing casing surface of the male part.

8. The coupling device as recited in claim 7, wherein the female part, in the casing surface axially outside of the leakage groove, exhibits a conical wall and the male part exhibits, axially outside of said sealing ring, a second sealing ring that in the inner locking position is in sealing contact with the conical wall, and in the outer locking position leaves free passage for pressurized media via a ring shaped gap between the sealing ring and the conical wall.