| High-pressure fluid-flow system having compact two-bolt and four-bolt flanged and modular connectors -> Monitor Keywords |
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High-pressure fluid-flow system having compact two-bolt and four-bolt flanged and modular connectorsRelated Patent Categories: Electrical Connectors, Having Or Providing Inductive Or Capacitive ShieldHigh-pressure fluid-flow system having compact two-bolt and four-bolt flanged and modular connectors description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070178764, High-pressure fluid-flow system having compact two-bolt and four-bolt flanged and modular connectors. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATION [0001] This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/778,445, filed Feb. 13, 2004, which is a division of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/061,005, filed Jan. 30, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,715,798, which is a division of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/177,771, filed Oct. 23, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,467,820. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to a compact, mechanically-connected, fluid-flow system having compact port-face tube, pipe and hose connectors. More particularly, the system has compact two-bolt and four-bolt flanged and modular connectors which meet or exceed the working pressure specified in SAE standard J518 and which fit within the minimum pad width specified in SAE standard J518. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Four-bolt, split-flange connectors, such as illustrated in SAE standard J518, are known for connecting tube, pipe, hose or the like to a fluid-flow port face on an adapter plate, pump, or the like. These connectors are intended for use in hydraulic systems, or in industrial and commercial products, where it is desired to avoid the use of threaded connectors. [0004] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 (prior art), known split-flange connectors 8 have a flanged head fitting 10, two split-flange clamp halves 18, and four bolts 14 which are inserted through the clamp halves 18 and into threaded apertures 22 in the face plate 24. The bolts 14 properly align the connector 8 with the port 6. The four-bolt, split-flange connector 8 may optionally include lock washers 16 and an O-ring seal 20 on its port face mating surface. [0005] In mechanical, fluid-flow systems, it is common to design several fluid-flow ports 6 adjacent one another. The proximity with which fluid-flow ports 6 may be arranged is directly related to the diameter of the port and the widthwise and lengthwise dimensions of the prior art split-flange connectors 8. The Engineering Society for Advancing Mobility Land Sea Air and Space (SAE) has developed a standard which covers the specifications for the flanged head 10 and split-flange clamp halves 18 applicable to the aforementioned prior art four-bolt, split-flange hydraulic connectors 8. [0006] SAE standard J518 covers complete general and dimensional specifications for the port 6, flange head 10 and split-flange clamp halves 18 applicable to four-bolt, split-flange type tube, pipe and hose connectors. In addition to specifying the dimensions of four-bolt hydraulic flanged connectors and port dimensions for bolted flange connectors, SAE standard J518 specifies the material, finish, workmanship, material properties (minimum yield and minimum elongation), and maximum working pressure. Code 61 of SAE standard J518 recites the dimensions of standard pressure hydraulic flanged connectors while Code 62 recites the dimensions of high pressure hydraulic flanged connectors. [0007] The minimum and recommended dimensions between adjacent fluid-flow ports 6 for bolted flange connectors are specified in SAE standard J518 with reference to a drawing reproduced substantially herein as FIG. 3. SAE standard J518 specifies dimensions BB, CC, and DD as the minimum vertical and horizontal distances between the center of adjacent fluid-flow ports 6. The recommended distances BB, CC, and DD are based on the recommended dimensions of the above-described four-bolt hydraulic flanged connectors and factor in a 0.06 inch clearance between flanges, dimensionally on the high limit, when the same size flanges are used on adjacent ports. SAE standard J518 also specifies the minimum pad width EE of the port face for both the standard pressure series Code 61 and high pressure series Code 62. [0008] As used herein, the term "pad" refers to the surface of a block, pump, or the like immediately surrounding a port 6 to which a flanged hydraulic connector is attached. As used herein, the term "footprint" is used to describe the projected area of the mounting surface of the connector which abuts the "pad" of the block, pump, etc. [0009] Referring to FIGS. 1-3 (prior art), the recommended pad width FF of the hydraulic flanged connector is much wider than the minimum pad width EE. In order to design a high-pressure fluid flow system more compact than the prior art, it would be desirable to provide a flanged connector having a widthwise dimension which is equal to or less than the minimum pad width EE so that the port dimensions CC and DD can be reduced. [0010] In order to satisfy the aforementioned objects, the widthwise dimension of prior art two-bolt or four-bolt, split-flange connectors cannot simply be reduced. A reduction in the widthwise dimension would likely reduce the maximum working pressure of the connector below the value specified in SAE standard J518. Therefore, it is a further object of the invention to provide a compact connector which requires only the minimum pad width EE but which also meets or exceeds the working pressure specified in SAE standard J518. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0011] The present invention provides a flanged connector having a widthwise dimension W which is less than the recommended pad width FF, preferably equal to or less than the minimum pad width EE, so that the port dimensions CC and DD can be reduced, and which also can meet or exceed the working pressure specified in SAE standard J518. [0012] A one-piece, flanged fluid-flow connector of the invention can be used for connecting tube, pipe, hose or the like to a port face having a port diameter D1. The connector has an overall length L1. [0013] The flanged connector has base portion having a height H, width W, a generally-flat port face mounting surface on one end, a generally cylindrical connection piece at the other end, and a reinforcement portion intermediate the port face mounting surface and the connection piece. The port face mounting surface may have an annular recess formed therein which is designed to receive an "O"-ring to seal the connector on a desired port face. The reinforcement portion may comprise a generally-conical, rectangular or ribbed extension. [0014] A central, elongate, cylindrical channel extends lengthwise through the connector. The central channel has a nominal port diameter D1 at the port face mounting surface. [0015] The base has a maximum width W which is less than the minimum pad width FF, preferably less than or equal to the minimum pad width EE, specified in SAE standard J518 corresponding to the nominal port diameter D1 of the connector. [0016] A generally-cylindrical connection piece is fixed to and extends from the reinforcement portion. The connection piece has means for interconnecting with a variety of elements such as a tube extension, hose, or pipe. The connection piece may have a variable length depending on the intended element to which the connector is attached. The connection piece may have a threaded outer or other surface for releasable interconnection with the desired tube, pipe, hose or the like. Alternatively, the connection piece may be permanently connected to a tube, pipe or the like by, for example, brazing, welding or swaging. The connection piece may be straight or bent to change the direction of fluid flow. The connection piece has a length L2. [0017] A plurality of tabs are fixed to and extend outwardly from the base portion. Each of the tabs has an aperture extending therethrough. In a preferred embodiment, the (two-bolt) connector has two tabs diametrically opposed from one another on opposed sides of the central port. Alternatively, the (four-bolt) connector has two pair of tabs, each pair of tabs diametrically opposed from one another on opposed sides of the central port. The apertures are spaced apart a distance Z from one another in the two-bolt connector. The heightwise and widthwise spacing between apertures in the four-bolt connector are equal to Q and GG, respectively, as defined in SAE standard J518. [0018] The tabs have a flat face surrounding the apertures on which the heads of fastening bolts are torqued. Preferably, the flat face comprises a semi-circular cut-out in the reinforcement portion in the area proximate the aperture. [0019] The connector is manufactured from a high-strength structural material such as steel, iron or aluminum, or composite, preferably a medium carbon steel. [0020] The dimensions of the connector are preferably selected such that W.ltoreq.EE, D1.ltoreq.A, and Z=(Q.sup.2+GG.sup.2).sup.1/2 wherein EE, A, Q, O and GG are defined in SAE standard J518. The connector has nested horizontal and vertical port dimensions bb, cc, and dd corresponding to nested horizontal and vertical port dimensions BB, CC, and DD in SAE standard J518. In the two-bolt embodiment, the dimension H is approximately equal to but slightly larger than the dimension O defined in SAE standard J518; the dimension bb is at least 15% smaller than the dimension BB; the dimension cc is smaller than the dimension CC; and, the dimension dd being at least 20% smaller than the dimension DD. In the four-bolt embodiment, the dimension H is equal to or less than the dimension O defined in SAE standard J518; cc is smaller than the dimension CC and the dimension dd is at least 20% smaller than the dimension DD. 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