GB1482197A - Couplings for units such as pipes and the like - Google Patents

Abstract

1482197 Pipe couplings FPT INDUSTRIES Ltd 8 Oct 1974 [11 Oct 1973] 47643/73 Heading F2G A coupling for joining two units, e.g. pipes comprises a plug 11 and socket 19 attached respectively by screwthreads 12, 20 to the units, the socket 19 including an outer cylindrical sleeve 34 housing a camming sleeve 36 and a connection sleeve 25 within the camming sleeve carrying steel balls 26 for engagement with circumferential groove 15 on plug 11, the connection sleeve 25 being axially slidable relative to outer sleeve 34 and to camming sleeve 36; a compression spring 41 located between camming sleeve 36 and washer 31 which by pressing against flange 29 urges connection sleeve 25 away from the free end of socket 19 and a compression spring 42 located between flange 33 and washer 30 which by pressing against flange 29 urges connection sleeve 25 towards the free end of socket 19, the plug 11 having tapered lead 13 which engages balls 26 and thereby on applying an axial pushing pressure moves connection sleeve 25 inwards compressing spring 42 until balls 26 register with recess 38 in camming sleeve 36 allowing the balls to move radially outwards and travel along portion 14 of plug 11 to enter groove 15 and on removal of the pushing pressure allowing the parts to stabilize in the connected position. By applying an axial load in the opposite direction to overcome the force of spring 41 connections 25 moves so that balls 26 register with recess 39 in camming sleeve 36, the balls moving radially outwards freeing plug 11 from socket 19. By selecting the strength of spring 41 the axial force required to separate the plug and socket is determined. The strength of spring 42 determines the force required to connect the plug and socket, the circlip 32 and washers 30, 31 preventing springs 41, 42 from contributing to each other's loading. Valve 23 on elongated spigot 21 in socket 19 and valve 17 on plug 11 are urged by springs 24, 18 respectively to close bores 22, 16 when plug 11 and socket 19 are separated and are arranged to open when the plug and socket are connected. In a second embodiment, Fig. 5, using an identical plug, the socket 44 does not have an elongated spigot and the connection sleeve 45 carrying balls 26 is supported by and moves axially in the bore of socket 44 and in the bore of camming sleeve 36 carried by outer cylinder sleeve 43. The bore of connection sleeve 45 houses valve 23. Springs 41, 42 respectively have the same function as in the first embodiment but spring 42 is arranged so that it can expand to its free length when socket 44 is stabilized in either the connected or separated condition. In a third embodiment similar to the second embodiment ducts are provided in the socket to interconnect the spaces between the sleeves and the bore of the socket to equalize the pressures therein.