MXPA96002085A

MXPA96002085A - Tanks with caps-flow guide to drill to receive coupling

Info

Publication number: MXPA96002085A
Application number: MXPA/A/1996/002085A
Authority: MX
Inventors: C Olson Darwin
Original assignee: Dana Corporation
Priority date: 1995-05-31
Filing date: 1996-05-31
Publication date: 1998-04-01

Abstract

The present invention relates to a plug-in coupled coupling for mounting in a closed orifice having a cylindrical surface, the orifice is through a metal or plastic wall having an outer surface, the improvement comprising: an outer sleeve having a surface external on which at least one tip is placed to couple the surface of the wall of the hole and on which a peripheral seal is placed to seal the hole, and a stop on the coupling to couple the outer surface of the adjacent wall to the retention insert of the coupling hole into the hole where the tip prevents the coupling from being removed and the stop locates the axial position of the coupling with respect to the orifice

Description

TANKS WITH CASOUILLOS-FLOW GUIDE TO DRILL TO RECEIVE COUPLINGS FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to tanks such as compressed gas tanks and fuel tanks that have attached couplings. More particularly, the present invention relates to tanks having a coupling which is connected by thrust through one of its walls.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the manufacture of tanks such as air tanks, other compressed gas tanks and fuel tanks, it is necessary to provide fluid couplings to supply the contents of the tanks for various uses such as operating air brakes or pneumatic tools or for energizing internal combustion engines used in vehicles, or for other purposes. In addition, it may be necessary to attach instruments such as pressure and temperature indicators to these tanks. Typically a tank may have one or more sites in which a fluid coupling is held. These sites may vary according to a consumer order or according to the purpose for which the tank is used. It is common practice to drill holes through the sheet metal used to form the walls of the tank before the walls of the tank are manufactured in a completely closed tank. From a practical point of view, it is impossible to drill holes effectively in a closed tank because there is no access to the interior of the tank to insert a mold against which the punch acts when the holes are made. It is not unusual for consumers to relocate accessory holes in order to make tanks more compatible with altered design criteria. This requires the tank manufacturer to relocate accessory holes on a flat preform before the tank is configured. After the tank has been configured, the orifice may not occur in the finally formed tank where it was supposed to occur or the consumer may change their opinion of the desired location. Normally, it is not just a tank, but many tanks whose upper end with holes not located where the consumer is already specified or may prefer later. Accordingly, it is often desirable to have a completed tank for the consumer for first inspection to form accessory holes. To date, this has not necessarily been very practical because the holes will have to be drilled after the tanks were closed which will result in residues that accumulate in the tank. Waste in a tank can damage equipment that is being operated energized by the fluid spout from the tank. Another problem has arisen with the arrival of "quick connect" couplings in which, instead of threading a coupling to a tank, the couplings are simply pushed to their seat inside a bushing installed on the tank. A prior art method for installing a bushing on a tank is to weld the bushing to the outside of the tank in order to provide a smooth hole into which the quick connect coupling is inserted. It is very important to inspect the weld to ensure that the weld is fluid-tight and that the weld is in good condition, otherwise there is a possibility of fluid leakage or, in the case of tanks containing compressed gas, the possibility of let the welding fly. Inspecting welds to verify their integrity is not a costly, risk-free task. In view of the aforementioned considerations there is a need to improve the techniques for providing tanks with accessory holes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to tanks, such as compressed gas tanks or fuel tanks, wherein the tanks have a wall of a selected material, wherein a hole is provided in the wall to slidably receive a fluid coupling. The coupling is secured in the orifice by radially projecting portions which prevent the removal of the orifice coupling. The improvement to which the invention relates comprises a bushing configured of the same material with which the wall of the tank is manufactured so that the lock is unitary with the wall of the tank and provides an internal surface defining the hole. In order for the hole to receive a substantial portion of the coupling so as to couple retaining and sealing members with the surface of the hole, the hole has an axial length substantially greater than the thickness of the wall and sufficient to couple both retaining members. and sealing. In a further aspect, the present invention relates to a specific method for manufacturing a tank having a wall with a hole disposed therein, wherein the orifice defines a cylindrical wall for receiving a coupling, the coupling has at least one member of retention for retaining the coupling within the hole and a sealing member for sealing with the hole. According to the method, at least one bushing is formed on the tank by drilling flow from a hole at a selected site of the tank wall after the tank wall has been configured in a selected form, which when least it approaches the final shape of the tank. By drilling the orifice flow, the inner wall of the hole is of the same material as that of the selected site. In yet a further aspect, the present invention relates to a coupling that is push-fit to mount in a stepless hole wherein the push-in coupling includes at least one tip for coupling the surface of the hole, a seal for sealing with the hole and a stop to axially place the coupling in the hole.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Various other features and advantages achieved with the present invention will be appreciated much better when it comes to be better understood considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts through the various views. In the drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a cylindrical tank having holes for receiving accessories. Figure 2 is a side view of a spherical tank. Figure 3 is a perspective view of a representative tank of any selected shape having holes for receiving accessories. Figure 4 is a perspective view showing how the bushing of Figure 5 is formed. Figure 5 is a side elevation view of a bushing arranged around one of the holes formed in the tanks shown in Figures 1 to 3 and configured in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

Figure 6 is a side elevational view showing in bushing of Figure 5 receiving a push coupling coupling to form a fluid coupling in accordance with the principles of the present invention; and Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 6, but shows the plug-in coupling of Figure 6 seated in the ferrule of Figure 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring now to Fig. 1, there is shown a cylindrical tank 10 having a cylindrical body portion 12 which practically defines the space within the tank and two plates 14 and 16 which may be flat, convex or concave. Tanks such as tank 10 of figure 1 have holes 18 which may be disposed at various locations 20 on tank walls 12, 14, and 16. The holes 18 are usually provided to receive fluid couplings, which according to the principles of the present invention are preferably quick-connect coupling such as the coupling illustrated in Figure 6. As the sites 20 may vary from place tank to tank or for several tank manufacturers 10, it is preferred that the holes 18 are subsequently formed to configure the tank illustrated in figure 1, rather than making the holes in the flat preforms of sheet material from which the holes are made. circular 14 and 16 and the cylindrical portion 12. Referring now to Figure 2, a tank 20 is shown having a shape that is not necessarily symmetric. Again, the sites 20 on which the holes 18 are located may be disposed at various locations on the walls 29 of the tank 30 and again, according to the present invention, it is desirable that the tank has practically its final shape before The holes 18 are made. Referring now to Figures 3 and 4, the holes 18 are formed in the walls 12, 14, 16 and 29 by the flow drilling process wherein a drill bit 40 is rotated at a very high level. high speed and pressed with high axial force into the wall of tanks 10 or 30 already formed to form a bushing 42 at the selected location. The process of flow drilling is a well-known process described in patents such as US Patents. Nos. 4,428,214 and 4,175,413, these patents are incorporated herein by reference. In addition, flow drilling technology is available from Handler Machinery, Inc. of Northbrook, Illinois, which sells flow drill bits such as the drill 40 shown in Figure 3. Referring now more specifically to the figure 4, it is seen that each of the holes 18 are formed in a hole 44 defined by a cylindrical surface 46 in the bushing 42. The bushing 42, which includes the cylindrical surface 46 and an outer rim 48, is of the same material as the bushing 42. site 20 of hole 18. Site 20 is of the same material as wall 12, 14 to 29 of the tank 10 to 30, respectively where the orifice 18 is formed. Accordingly, each bushing 42 is unitary with the tank wall 10 Á 30 where the hole 18 is formed. the bushing 42, the material of the site 20 is not removed from the wall, but rather is retained and reformed within the bushing 42. Consequently, there is no waste generated by making the holes 18, which residues will necessarily accumulate in the tanks 10 and 30. The material forming the walls 12, 14, 16 A 29 of the tanks 10 and 30, respectively, is preferably a metal such as aluminum or steel, although it can also be made of other materials, such as resins that flow when drilled in order to form ferrules such as the bushing 42. Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, a coupling 50 is shown which is connected by thrust received within the orifice 44 defined by the cylindrical wall 46 of the ferrule. 4 2. These couplings are of the type described in the patent applications of the USA, with serial numbers 08 / 417,836, 08 / 151,880, 08 / 308,895 and 08 / 358,889, filed respectively on April 6, 1995, November 15. of 1993, September 20, 1994 and December 19, 1994; and the US patent. No. 5,230,539 also assigned to the assignee of the present invention and which are incorporated herein by reference. The push-fit coupling 50 of the present invention includes a sleeve 52 having an annular end flange 54 of a diameter larger than the diameter of the orifice 44 such that when the push-in coupling is pushed into the Orifice in the direction of the arrow 56, the tab 54 abuts the outer surface of the frame 48 that is turned away from the wall 12, 14 or 29 of the tank. This limits the movement of the coupling that is pushed for connection within the tank in the direction of the arrow 56 and axially locates the coupling within the hole 44. In order to retain the coupling being pushed to connect within the hole 44 so as to it can not be moved outwards in the direction of the arrow 60, at least one and preferably 2 or more annular tips 62 and 64 are provided on the outer cylindrical surface 65 of the coupling sleeve 52. The annular tips 62 and 64 each have ramp portions 66 and 68, which respectively allow the sleeve 52 to be inserted into the hole 44 and flange portions 70 and 72 extending perpendicular to the direction of the arrows 56 and 60. which provides an interference fit with the cylindrical surface 46 of the hole 44 in order to prevent movement of the coupling 50 in the direction of the arrow 60. In order to seal the outer cylindrical surface 65 of the collar 52 of the coupling 50 which is pushes to connect with the cylindrical wall 46, a toroidal ring 76 is received within an external annular groove 78 in the cylindrical surface 65 of the sleeve 52. Preferably, the groove 78 is disposed between the annular tips 70 and 72 in order to seat the ring 76 toroidal between the tips; however, the toroidal ring may be placed in other locations, such as on either side of the tips 62 and 64 or between the flange 54 and the front surface 49 of the frame 48. Using the arrangement described in Figures 5 and 6 , it is not necessary to provide the tanks 10 and 30 with a separate bushing that is welded or otherwise fixed since the bushing 42 provides essentially the same structure without the added expense and risk of welding a bushing to the tank. From the foregoing description, one skilled in the art can easily contemplate the essential features of this invention, and without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, can make various changes and modifications of the invention to adapt it to various uses and conditions.

Claims

R E I V I N D I C A C I O N S 1. - In a tank, such as a tank of compressed gas or a fuel tank, wherein the tank has a wall of a selected material, in which wall is provided a hole to slidably receive a fluid coupling, the coupling is secured in the hole with at least one radially projecting member which prevents the fluid coupling from being removed from the hole and sealed with respect to the hole by a seal, the improvement comprising: a bushing containing the hole, the bushing is configured of the same material from which the wall of the tank is manufactured in order to be unitary with the wall, where the hole defines an internal surface with an axial length practically greater than the thickness of the wall, the axial length is suitable for receiving a substantial portion of the coupling, whereby the substantial coupling portion directly contacts the wall with the members of retention and sealing. 2.- The improvement according to clause 1, where the tank is made of metal. 3.- The improvement according to clause 1, where the gas tank is a tank of compressed air. 4.- The improvement according to clause 1, where the fuel tank is a diesel fuel tank. 5.- The improvement according to clause 1, where the fuel tank is a petrol fuel tank. 6. The improvement according to clause 1, wherein the retaining and sealing means are axially displaced from the coupling and engage with the internal surface of the wall of the hole in axially displaced places. 1. - The improvement according to clause 6, wherein the wall is cylindrical and at least the sealing member is circular. 8.- The improvement according to clause 7, where the sealing member is annular. 9. The improvement according to clause 1, wherein the wall of the tank is formed of a metal selected from the group consisting of steel and aluminum. 10. The improvement according to clause 1, wherein the hole is a hole drilled to flow by flowing the original material to the site of the hole around the flow bore to form a bushing in the wall of the tank. 11. In a method specifically for manufacturing a tank having a tank wall with an orifice disposed therein, the orifice defines a cylindrical wall for receiving a coupling wherein the coupling has at least one retaining member for retaining the coupling within the tank. orifice and at least one sealing member for sealing with the orifice, the improvement comprising the steps of: after the tank has been configured in a selected shape at least approximate to the shape of the tank, forming at least one socket on the tank by drilling a hole in a selected site on the wall of the tank where the inner wall of the hole is the same material as the selected site. 12. The improvement according to clause 11, further comprising the step of: snapping into engagement within the hole with the retention member embedded in the interior wall surface of the hole and the sealing member sealing between the wall surface internal and coupling. 13.- The improvement according to clause 11, where the tank is closed before forming the cap. 14. - The improvement according to clause 11, where the tank is formed of metal. 15. The improvement according to clause 14, wherein the metal is selected from the group of steel and aluminum. 16. The improvement according to clause 15, wherein the tank closes practically completely to provide a completely closed space before forming the cap. 17.- In a coupling that is connected by thrust to mount in a hole without stop having a cylindrical surface, the hole being a hole that passes through a wall having an external surface, the improvement comprising: an outer sleeve having a external surface on which is placed at least one tip to attach the surface of the wall of the hole and on which is placed a perimeter seal to seal the hole; and a stop on the coupling for retained insertion of the coupling into the hole where the tip prevents removal of the coupling and the stop locates the axial position of the coupling with respect to the hole. 18. The improvement according to clause 17, wherein the coupling sleeve is cylindrical and the tip and the peripheral seal are annular. 19. The improvement according to clause 17, wherein the sleeve is cylindrical, there are at least two tips and at least one of them is annular and wherein the seal is a toroidal seal seated in a groove between the tips. 20. The improvement according to clause 19, wherein the stop is an annular flange disposed at one end of the sleeve. SUMMARY Tanks, such as air tanks and other compressed gas tanks as well as fuel tanks, which have ferrules formed by holes drilled to flow in the tanks after the tanks have been configured to practically their final form. The bushings are of the same material and unitary with the walls of the tank and have smooth holes that receive coupling that are connected by thrust. The couplings that are connected by thrust have at least two annular tips that engage with the walls of the bushings with an interference fit in order to prevent them from coming out of the couplings connected by thrust. Couplings that are connected by thrust are sealed with toroidal rings disposed between the tips. The depth of insertion is determined by an annular flange on an external collar of the coupling that is connected by thrust which engages with the external surface of an external enclosure of the bushing.