U.S. patent application number 13/035651 was filed with the patent office on 2012-08-30 for crimping apparatus.
This patent application is currently assigned to MANULI RUBBER INDUSTRIES S.P.A.. Invention is credited to Loic Boussard, Paolo Seghi.
Application Number | 20120216591 13/035651 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46717656 |
Filed Date | 2012-08-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120216591 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Seghi; Paolo ; et
al. |
August 30, 2012 |
Crimping Apparatus
Abstract
An apparatus for crimping an end fitting onto a flexible
drilling hose is described. The apparatus includes a frame
supporting a plurality of crimping dies arranged in a circular
pattern and extending along a radial axis from a common
longitudinal axis. The frame is manually movable along a linear
slideway parallel to said longitudinal axis to position said
crimping dies with respect to the assembly to be crimped.
Inventors: |
Seghi; Paolo; (Milano,
IT) ; Boussard; Loic; (Bouguenais, FR) |
Assignee: |
MANULI RUBBER INDUSTRIES
S.P.A.
Milano
IT
|
Family ID: |
46717656 |
Appl. No.: |
13/035651 |
Filed: |
February 25, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
72/402 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B21D 39/048
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
72/402 |
International
Class: |
B21D 39/04 20060101
B21D039/04 |
Claims
1. An apparatus for crimping a fitting onto a flexible hose, the
apparatus comprising a frame supporting a plurality of crimping
dies, said crimping dies being arranged in an annular pattern, each
of said crimping dies extending along a radial axis from a common
longitudinal axis, each of said crimping dies having a first end
configured to provide a desired crimp pattern, said crimping dies
moving radially with respect to said frame throughout a crimping
operation, said frame being movably coupled to a guide arrangement
in a positioning direction parallel to said longitudinal axis to
position said crimping dies with respect to the assembly to be
crimped.
2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said guide
arrangement comprises a slideway to which said frame is slidably
coupled.
3. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said slideway
comprises a linear slideway parallel to said longitudinal axis.
4. An apparatus according to claim 3, comprising an anvil
arrangement and an holding arrangement, said anvil arrangement
being supported by said frame, said anvil arrangement being
selectively movable with respect to said frame between an uncrimp
configuration and a crimp configuration, each of said crimping dies
having a second end opposite said first end, said second end being
configured for slidable contact with said anvil arrangement, said
anvil arrangement having an anvil cam portion in contact with die
cam portions of said second ends of said crimping dies throughout a
crimping operation, said die cam portions being arranged at a
predetermined angle relative to the corresponding crimping die
radial axis, said die cam portions being urged against said anvil
cam portion by spring means, said crimping dies being arranged in a
circular pattern and being moved under force from said anvil
arrangement maintaining a concentric crimp throughout a crimping
operation, said longitudinal axis being horizontal, said holding
arrangement being configured to hang the assembly to be crimped in
a suspended manner so as to adjust the position of the assembly to
be crimped with respect to said crimping dies in a vertical plane
normal to said longitudinal axis.
5. An apparatus according to claim 1, comprising an anvil
arrangement supported by said frame, said anvil arrangement being
selectively movable with respect to said frame between an uncrimp
configuration and a crimp configuration, each of said crimping dies
having a second end opposite said first end, said second end being
configured for slidable contact with said anvil arrangement, said
anvil arrangement having an anvil cam portion in contact with die
cam portions of said second ends of said crimping dies throughout a
crimping operation, said die cam portions being disposed at a
predetermined angle relative to the corresponding crimping die
radial axis, said crimping dies being arranged in a circular
pattern and moving under force from said anvil arrangement
maintaining a concentric crimp throughout a crimping operation.
6. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said anvil
arrangement is movable with respect to said frame between the
uncrimp and crimp configurations in a direction parallel to said
longitudinal axis.
7. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said die cam portions
are urged against said anvil cam portion by spring means.
8. An apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a base for
supporting said frame, said guide arrangement comprising a
slideway, said frame being slidably coupled to said slideway, said
slideway being rigidly connected to said base.
9. An apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a base for
supporting said frame, said guide arrangement comprising a slideway
rigidly connected to said base, said slideway comprising a rail,
said frame being provided with wheels coupled with said rail.
10. An apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a holding
arrangement configured to support the assembly to be crimped so as
the position thereof is adjustable along a plane that is normal to
said longitudinal axis.
11. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said longitudinal
axis is substantially horizontal and said holding arrangement is
configured to hang the assembly to be crimped in a suspended
manner.
12. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said crimping dies
are movable radially with respect to said frame under force from an
actuating device at least partially supported by said frame.
13. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said frame is
movable in said positioning direction under manual force from an
operator.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The present developments relate generally to apparatuses
used to crimp a fitting on a flexible high-pressure hose and the
like. More specifically, the developments relate to crimping
apparatuses that actuate a plurality of crimping dies to a desired
crimp diameter on the fitting.
[0002] In particular reference is made to a crimping apparatus for
crimping a ferrule on a hose provided with an insert, in order to
realize a connection system for the hose without any leakage. More
particularly reference is made to a radial crimping apparatus that
permits axial hose assemblies (end to end) to be crimped. In
particular the crimp may be concentric throughout the entire crimp
operation.
[0003] Specifically, but not exclusively, the developments can be
usefully applied for crimping flexible high-pressure hose
assemblies, for example drilling hose assemblies. More
specifically, the developments can be used to crimp large bore hose
assemblies (e.g. hose assemblies with internal diameter larger than
about 5 cm).
[0004] It is known that a flexible hose, which is normally used to
transport a fluid, can be connected to an end fitting by crimping a
portion of the end fitting over the hose. The end fitting typically
comprises an inner portion interposed within the hose and an outer
portion (ferrule) that is crimped in a binding connection with the
hose. The crimp operation comprises plastically deforming the outer
portion. A prior crimp apparatus typically includes multiple dies.
In the known crimping technique to connect a metal ferrule on a
flexible high-pressure hose, generally eight dies move in radial
direction onto the hose fitting, wherein the final diameter of the
ferrule is adjusted with the same dies. Through this technology,
the tolerances of the different parts (ferrule, hose, etc.) can be
compensated.
[0005] Prior developments include--see for example each of patent
publications WO 2007/110736 and WO 2007/012411--an apparatus for
crimping a fitting onto a flexible hose, wherein a frame supports a
plurality of crimping dies arranged in an annular pattern; each die
extends along a radial axis from a common longitudinal axis and has
a first end configured to provide a desired crimp pattern; the
crimping dies move radially with respect to the frame throughout a
crimping operation.
[0006] The crimping apparatus of this known type is heavy equipment
that is generally fixed on the floor. In use, the hose together
with the ferrule and the insert are introduced into the crimping
head. For small hose sizes, for example up to about 5 cm, the hose
weight is reasonable and therefore the assembly can be easily
manually handled by an operator. However, for hose internal
diameters larger than about 5 cm, the hoses become very heavy and
specific tools are required to handle the hoses and position them
into the crimping head. This occurs, for example, in drilling hose
assembling operations where large bore hoses and very long length
assemblies, which are difficult to move, are involved. These known
tools include lifting equipment for pushing the hose inside the
crimping head. This positioning operation can be quite problematic
and difficult in order to achieve a correct relative arrangement
between the crimping head and the object to be crimped.
[0007] Improvements to the apparatuses and techniques used to crimp
a ferrule on a flexible hose are desirable.
SUMMARY
[0008] An aspect of the present developments is to provide a
crimping apparatus able to correctly position the object to be
crimped with respect to the crimping means.
[0009] An advantage may include making a crimping apparatus able to
crimp a metal ferrule on a flexible hose provided with an insert,
with relatively high reliability and accuracy.
[0010] Another advantage may include realizing a crimping apparatus
that is suitable for relatively large bore hose fittings (in
particular with hoses having internal diameter larger than about 5
cm), e.g. drilling hose fittings.
[0011] Another possible advantage may give rise to a crimping
apparatus that is constructionally simple and cheap.
[0012] A still further possible advantage may provide a crimping
apparatus that is able to realize a connection system for a
flexible hose without any leakage.
[0013] An advantage may make a crimping apparatus that is able to
eliminate the difficulties linked to introducing the flexible hose
into the crimping head.
[0014] An advantage may provide for correctly positioning the
ferrule with respect to the crimping head in easy and fast
manner.
[0015] An advantage may include provision for correctly positioning
the ferrule at the centre of the crimping head, or at the
position-mark predisposed on the dies of the crimping head.
[0016] An advantage may give rise to a crimping apparatus that is
suitable for crimping a ferrule generally made of metal onto a hose
generally made of a material comprising rubber and/or thermoplastic
material. The hose may be reinforced, for example by means of steel
wires and/or steel cord and/or textile reinforcement.
[0017] Another advantage may provide a crimping apparatus that is
able, particularly thanks to its architecture, to compensate the
movement of the crimping dies (especially the linear movement along
the central axis of the crimping dies) during the crimping
operation.
[0018] An advantage may provide for compensating the increasing
length of the ferrule, due to its deformation, during the crimping
of the ferrule onto the hose.
[0019] Such aspects and advantages, and still others, may be
achieved by the crimping apparatus and the use thereof according to
one or more of the appended claims.
[0020] A crimping apparatus may be configured so that the crimping
head can be easily moved in order to adjust the relative position
between the crimping head and the object to be crimped. The object
to be crimped generally include an assembly having a (metal)
ferrule that is mounted on the end of a long length (e.g. longer
than 10 m, or longer than 20 m, or longer than 30 m), large bore
hose (e.g. internal diameter larger than 5 cm), which is heavy to
be moved and hard to be correctly positioned.
[0021] The crimping head may be coupled to a guide arrangement
fixed to a base of the apparatus so as to be movable with respect
to the base in order to adjust the position of the crimping head.
The crimping apparatus may be configured to move the crimping head
in a direction that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the
crimping head around which the crimping dies are circumferentially
arranged. An advantage may be that the crimping head can be easily
moved, for example in a totally manual way.
[0022] The crimping apparatus may be used for crimping an end
fitting onto a flexible drilling hose. The crimping apparatus may
include a frame supporting a plurality of crimping dies arranged in
a circular pattern and extending along a radial axis from a common
longitudinal axis. The frame may be (manually) moved along a linear
slideway parallel to the longitudinal axis in order to position the
crimping dies with respect to the assembly to be crimped.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] The present developments can be better understood and
implemented with reference to the attached drawings that illustrate
an implementation thereof by way of non-limiting example. The
drawings, which are a part of the description, illustrate several
aspects of the present developments and together with the detailed
description, serve to explain the principles of the present
developments. A brief description of the drawings is as
follows.
[0024] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a crimping apparatus
according to the present developments.
[0025] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a detail of FIG. 1.
[0026] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a detail of FIG. 2.
[0027] FIG. 4 is a schematic section in a vertical plane of the
apparatus of FIG. 1.
[0028] FIG. 5 is a schematic section of the assembly to be crimped
by the apparatus of FIG. 4.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0029] Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary aspects of
the presently-described developments which are illustrated in the
accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference
numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same
or like parts.
[0030] FIGS. 1 to 4 illustrate a crimping apparatus 1 according to
the present developments, while FIG. 5 shows schematically an
exemplary object 2 to be crimped. The object 2 includes an end
fitting typically used to terminate a (flexible high-pressure)
hose. The end fitting may include a tubular element 3 having an end
portion inserted into an end portion of the hose 4. A ferrule 5,
e.g. a metal ferrule, may be used to connect the tubular element 3
with the end of the hose 4. The ferrule 5 may comprise an annular
clamp that is configured to hold together and attach the hose end
and the fitting by deforming the ferrule to permanently tighten it
onto the parts that it holds. The ferrule 5 is therefore
mechanically deformed and compressed (crimped) tightly around the
ends to be connected. The crimping is accomplished with the
crimping apparatus 1. The crimping force will be exerted on an
external surface 6 of the ferrule 5. The finished crimped
connection will be fluid-tight. The finished crimped connection
will have a fluid-tight annular zone 7 between an internal surface
of the hose and an external surface of the tubular element 3
inserted into the hose end.
[0031] The hose 4 may be, as in the exemplary implementation shown
in FIG. 1, a drilling hose that can reach 30 meter length and more
than 400 kg weight. In FIG. 1 a conveying arrangement of known type
(e.g. an arrangement with several carriages) to transport a
drilling hose is shown.
[0032] With reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, the crimping apparatus 1 for
attaching end fittings on to high pressure hoses and the like
includes a plurality of crimping dies 8. The crimping dies 8 are
arranged in an annular (circular) pattern. The crimping dies 8 are
spaced about a crimp area 9. Each crimping die 8 may extend along a
radial axis from a common longitudinal axis X (FIG. 4 shows a three
dimensional Cartesian coordinate system with axes X, Y, Z). Each
crimping die 8 may have a first end configured to provide a desired
crimp pattern in the crimp area 9.
[0033] As in the exemplary implementation shown in the drawings,
there may be eight crimping dies 8 uniformly spaced about the
(circular) crimp area 9, or at about 45 DEG between adjacent dies.
Each crimping die 8 may have substantially the same radial length.
Each crimping die 8 may be radially opposite another of the
crimping dies.
[0034] The crimping apparatus 1 may also include an anvil
arrangement which may be conveniently connected to an actuating
device (not shown) such as a pneumatic or hydraulic ram or other
suitable device. The actuating device may include a linear mover
selectively providing a linear force parallel to the (horizontal)
axis X. The anvil arrangement may include a base plate 10 and an
anvil ring 11. At least one of the components of the anvil
arrangement may be selectively coupled to the linear mover. The
crimping dies 8 may be interposed between the base plate 10 and the
anvil ring 11. The anvil ring 11 defines a generally frusto-conical
surface 12. The base plate 10 defines an aperture. The longitudinal
axis X extends through the (central) aperture.
[0035] The crimping apparatus 1 includes a frame 13 that may
support the plurality of crimping dies 8 and/or the anvil
arrangement. The crimping dies 8 may be movable radially with
respect to the frame 13 throughout a crimping operation.
[0036] The frame 13 is movable in a positioning direction parallel
to the longitudinal axis X to (axially) position the crimping dies
8 with respect to the assembly to be crimped. The actuating device
may be partially or entirely supported by the frame 13.
[0037] The anvil arrangement may be selectively movable with
respect to the frame 13 between an uncrimp configuration and a
crimp configuration. With reference to the specific embodiment, in
the uncrimp configuration the base plate 10 and the anvil ring 11
are relatively spaced apart. In the crimp configuration the base
plate 10 and the anvil ring 11 are relatively closer one to the
other. The anvil arrangement is movable between the uncrimp and
crimp configurations in a direction parallel to the longitudinal
axis X. The anvil ring 11 may be, for example, moved by the
actuating device in the direction parallel to the axis X.
[0038] Each crimping die 8 may have a second end opposite the first
end. Each second end may be configured for slidable contact with
the anvil arrangement. In particular the anvil arrangement may have
an anvil cam portion (comprising the frusto-conical surface 12 in
the specific implementation) in contact with die cam portions 14 of
the crimping dies during a crimping operation. Each die cam portion
14 may be located on the second end of the respective crimping die
8. The second die end of each crimping die 8 may have a
substantially flat die cam portion 14 which engages the operatively
associated anvil cam portion (frusto-conical surface 12). The
substantially flat die cam portions 14 on the second ends of the
crimping dies are all arranged at a predetermined angle relative to
the corresponding crimping die radial axis. The frusto-conical cam
surface 12 is inclined at the same angle.
[0039] As in the exemplary implementation, the frame 13 may be
slidably coupled to a linear slideway 15 parallel to the
longitudinal axis X. The linear slideway 15 may include a rail. The
linear slideway 15 may be fixed to the floor. In particular the
slideway may be associated (e.g. rigidly connected) to a base 19 of
the apparatus. The base 19 may be fixed to the floor. The frame 13
may be configured so as to be movable, by sliding along the linear
slideway 15, in the positioning direction under manual force from
an operator. The frame may be provided with wheels coupled to the
slideway. In particular the frame 13 may be provided with wheels
slidably coupled to a rail.
[0040] As in the exemplary implementation shown in the drawings,
the anvil arrangement (particularly the base plate 10 and/or the
anvil ring 11) may be supported by the frame 13.
[0041] Each die cam portion 14 may be orientated at a predetermined
angle relative to the corresponding crimping die radial axis. The
die cam portions 14 are urged against the anvil cam portion
(surface 12) by spring means that may operate between the crimping
dies 8 and the frame 13 or the anvil arrangement. The crimping dies
8 are moved under force from the anvil arrangement. When the anvil
arrangement is moved by the actuating device from the uncrimp
configuration towards the crimp configuration, the crimping dies 8
are radially inwardly moved in virtue of the cam engagement so as
to reach the desired crimp diameter of the crimp area 9. The
crimping dies 8 may be moved by the anvil arrangement maintaining a
concentric crimp throughout a crimping operation. In the exemplar
implementation the anvil arrangement is configured so as to be in a
terminal crimp configuration when the crimping dies 8 are arranged
in a circular pattern with a diameter larger than 5 cm, or larger
than 7 cm, or larger than 9 cm. The increasing length of the
ferrule due to its deformation during the crimping operation can be
compensated. The tolerances of the various parts of the assembly
can be compensated. The crimping apparatus permits an easy check of
the crimp diameter after the crimping operation.
[0042] The anvil arrangement is forced to the crimp configuration
so that the crimping dies 8 will be all moved towards the central
crimp area 9. The crimping dies 8 may be moved at the same rate,
maintaining concentricity at each point during a crimping cycle.
The crimping dies 8 may have substantially the same dimensions and
may be interchangeable. The final crimp diameter can be easily
adjusted by selecting the appropriate radial length of the dies 8.
The apparatus may include a control unit configured to control the
operation of the apparatus. In particular the control unit may be
configured to control the final crimp diameter. The control unit
may be operatively associated to a position sensor configured to
detect the position (in the X-axis) of the crimping dies, or the
object to be crimped, or to detect the relative position (in the
X-axis) between the crimping dies and the object to be crimped. The
position sensor may include, for example, a dimensional or distance
measurement device, e.g. an electronic Vernier measuring
device.
[0043] The crimping apparatus 1 may include a holding arrangement
configured to hang the assembly to be crimped (the ferrule 5 with
the tubular element 3 and the end of the hose 4) in a suspended
manner so as to adjust the position of the assembly to be crimped
with respect to the crimping dies 8 in a vertical plane that is
normal to the longitudinal axis X. The vertical plane is parallel
to a plane defined by the axes Y, Z. The holding arrangement may
include, as in the exemplar implementation, a portal structure 16
and a lifting device 17, e.g. a lifting pulley device. The lifting
device 17 may be configured to lift in a suspended manner the
assembly to be crimped. The lifting device 17 is able to vary the
position of the assembly to be crimped along the vertical
plane.
[0044] The frame 13 may be coupled to the linear slideway 15, as in
the exemplar implementation, by means of wheels 18.
[0045] In use, the positioning of the object to be crimped with
respect to the crimping dies 8 along the axes Y and Z is performed
by the holding arrangement, whilst the positioning along the axis X
is made by axially moving the crimping head formed by the frame 13
and the crimping dies 8, and eventually by the anvil arrangement
and/or the actuating device thereof.
[0046] Thanks to the above arrangement and use, the positioning in
the X axis can be accurate. In particular a precision of at least
about +/-2.5 mm, and even better, may be easily achieved in the X
axis. It is observed that, whatever the diameter of the hose 4, in
particular for large bore hoses (e.g. internal diameter larger than
5 cm, or larger than 7 cm, or larger than 9 cm), there is no need
for the hose to be pulled along the X axis in order to adjust the X
positioning. Thanks to the possibility of positioning in the X
direction the crimping head (and/or the whole crimping apparatus),
the hose can be positioned, eventually, only in the Y, Z plane. The
crimping head positioning in the X direction may be performed with
a manual moving of the crimping head (in particular of the frame
13) on its base (linear slideway 15 or rail or base 19) instead of
moving the heavy hose itself.
[0047] The drawings show only one example of a crimping apparatus
according to the present developments. The example should not be
viewed in a limited way to a certain number of dies or angle of
orientation. The symmetrical orientation of the dies may be used to
simplify the design of the crimping apparatus. The crimping dies
may be of substantially the same radial length. The crimping dies
may be provided with a flat die cam surface. The orientation of the
cam surfaces may be selected relative to the corresponding crimping
die radial axis on which it exerts force to provide uniform rates
of moving of the dies. The crimping head may be coupled to an
external support (e.g. the floor-standing base 19 or basement of
the crimping apparatus) by means of a linear slideway, although
other coupling means can be used to move the crimping head in order
to adjust its position along the X direction. The crimping head may
be movably coupled to an external support by means of wheels and
rail, or a ram, or a saddle and the like.
[0048] The embodiments of the present developments disclosed herein
have been discussed for the purpose of familiarizing the reader
with novel aspects of the present developments. Although specific
embodiments have been shown and described, many changes,
modifications, and substitutions may be made by one having skill in
the art without unnecessarily departing from the present
developments. Having described specific aspects and embodiments of
the present developments, modifications of the disclosed concepts
may readily occur to one skilled in the art. It is intended that
such modifications be included within the scope of the claims which
are appended hereto.
* * * * *