U.S. patent number 3,662,450 [Application Number 05/031,711] was granted by the patent office on 1972-05-16 for hand-portable press for swagable pipe coupling.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Dresser Industries, Inc.. Invention is credited to George D. Kish, Robert P. Montesi, Gerald B. Smith.
United States Patent |
3,662,450 |
Kish , et al. |
May 16, 1972 |
HAND-PORTABLE PRESS FOR SWAGABLE PIPE COUPLING
Abstract
A hand-portable press having hydraulically extendable shoe
forming dies for swaging a pipe coupling into pipe joint formation
with a contained pipe section. Each die is separately mounted for
articulated movement on the inward end of a hydraulically moveable
piston and is arcuate on its innermost face with which swaging is
effected. Application of hydraulic pressure, by means of a portable
hand pump, forces each piston and shoe die thereon inwardly until
concentrically uniform swaging of a coupling into a pressure tight
pipe joint with contained pipe is effected.
Inventors: |
Kish; George D. (Derrick City,
PA), Montesi; Robert P. (Bradford, PA), Smith; Gerald
B. (Bradford, PA) |
Assignee: |
Dresser Industries, Inc.
(Dallas, TX)
|
Family
ID: |
21860994 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/031,711 |
Filed: |
April 24, 1970 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
29/237; 72/402;
29/516 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16L
13/142 (20130101); B21D 39/046 (20130101); Y10T
29/5367 (20150115); Y10T 29/49927 (20150115) |
Current International
Class: |
B21D
39/04 (20060101); F16L 13/14 (20060101); B23p
019/04 () |
Field of
Search: |
;72/402
;29/237,243.52 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Juhasz; Andrew R.
Assistant Examiner: Koczo, Jr.; Michael
Claims
The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or
privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
1. A hand-portable swaging press for swagable pipe couplings
comprising in combination:
a. a support frame generally forming an enclosure in which to
encircle a pipe coupling and pipe to be coupled;
b. fluid inlet means in said frame for receiving pressurized
hydraulic fluid;
c. a plurality of hydraulically operable pistons angularly
displaced symmetrically about said frame in fluid communication
with said fluid inlet means, said pistons each being hydraulically
movable concomitantly between a first position maintained in the
absence of pressurized hydraulic fluid received at said inlet means
to a second position projecting relatively inward of said formed
enclosure in response to pressurized hydraulic fluid received at
said inlet means;
d. a die shoe on the inward end of each of said pistons, each of
said shoes having a die-swaging face of arcuate formation and being
maintained at a location displaced from a swagable portion of pipe
coupling in said enclosure when said piston is in said first
position and swageably engaging against the coupling portion when
said piston is caused to move to said second position; and
e. means mounting the die shoes to their respective pistons in a
manner providing for relative articulated movement
therebetween.
2. A swaging press according to claim 1 including a manually
operable hydraulic hand pump having its outlet connected to said
fluid means.
3. A swaging press according to claim 1 in which said frame is
comprised of a plurality of elongated links interconnectable at
their ends.
4. A swaging press according to claim 1 in which each piston of
said plurality has a hydraulically responsive area substantially
greater than the effective area of die swaging face of the die
mounted thereon.
5. A swaging press according to claim 4 in which the ratio of said
responsive piston area to said die face area is at least 11/2 to
1.
6. A swaging press according to claim 1 in which said mounting
means comprises a ball and socket joint with one of said shoe and
piston having an at least partially spherical projection and the
other having an at least partially spherical recess for receivably
engaging said projection.
7. A swaging press according to claim 6 including biasing means
maintaining engagement between each of said shoe and piston and
generally urging said shoe to a predetermined alignment
therebetween.
8. A swaging press according to claim 6 in which at least one shoe
of said plurality includes index means extending radially inward
thereof to engage a reference recess surface on a coupling
periphery for generally locating said shoes axially relative to the
swagable portion of a received coupling.
9. A swaging press according to claim 7 in which at least one shoe
of said plurality includes index means extending radially inward
thereof to engage a reference recess surface on a coupling
periphery for generally locating said shoes axially relative to the
swagable portion of a received coupling.
10. A swaging press according to claim 9 in which each of said
shoes includes said index means.
11. A swaging press according to claim 9 including a plurality of
outriggers angularly displaced about one end of said frame and each
projecting inwardly of said formed enclosure to a termination
radially adjacent a coupling or pipe periphery thereat for
generally effecting an axial coalignment with a received coupling
and pipe thereat.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
"Swagable Pipe Coupling," Ser. No. 860,527, filed Sept. 24, 1969,
in the name of G. D. Kish and incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. The field of art to which the invention pertains includes the
art of pipe joining apparatus and more specifically to such
apparatus for effecting a pipe joint between a coupling and
contained pipe by inward metal working or deforming of the coupling
member against the pipe.
2. The use of couplings and the like for forming of pipe joints is
well known. Conventionally, a pressure tight seal between joined
pipe sections is formed by means of couplings which employ bolting,
threading, or even mechanical crimping. Recently there has been
discovered a tubular coupling member, as disclosed in the aforesaid
Kish application, and which when uniformly swaged concentrically
inward is permanently deformed compressing a gasket into a pressure
tight joint with contained pipe thereat.
While hydraulic tools capable of deforming swagable type couplings
are known, as exemplified by Smith et al., U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,818,435
and 1,890,016, such tools are characterized by weight and bulk
which render them relatively immovable and difficult to maneuver
without the aid of an associated supporting structure such as a
hoist or the like. Fabrication of pipe joints with such prior tools
has consequently been limited to either shop or job site conditions
at which the required supporting structure can be readily
available. Since literally thousands of pipe joints are for
installations located in field trenches or the like or in otherwise
sufficiently remote areas to which transportation of such tools is
most difficult if not impossible, the use of these prior tools has
been severely limited consequently imposing a corresponding
limitation on use of the swagable couplings. Moreover, because of
relative immobility of these prior tools, direct labor costs
attributable to joint formation under adverse conditions such as
those described, have long been regarded as excessive if not
prohibitive. As a natural result of these high installation costs,
the swagable coupling has been at a competitive disadvantage since
it is not uncommon to resort to less desirable but less costly
joints such as those previously named. Thus, while desirability for
using swagable coupling members has been established from the
viewpoint of both convenience and cost, it has at the same time
been recognized that optimum commercial success of the coupling is
dependent on a more ready availability of a tool providing low cost
joint formation under more universal conditions of use.
SUMMARY
This invention relates to a novel hand-portable, easily wieldable
swaging press for inwardly deforming a coupling member, of a type
disclosed in the aforementioned application of Kish, until a
pressure tight joint is formed with contained pipe. When
constructed in accordance herewith, the press is hydraulically
operated by a hand actuated hydraulic pump connected thereto such
that the press and pump have a combined carrying weight of
approximately 35 pounds. Since such weight can be easily carried
and managed by the average workman over long distances, the tool is
dependably available on job sites wherever located as to overcome a
major handicap of similar purpose tools in the prior art. Not only
is the tool hereof increasingly available as compared to tools of
the prior art, but by virtue of construction features employing an
articulated mounting between the swaging die and associated piston,
reliability and uniformity of swaging necessary to ensure proper
joint formation is substantially enhanced.
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a novel press
for deforming a swagable pipe coupling member into a pressure-tight
pipe joint with contained pipe.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a press as in
the aforesaid object which is hand portable rendering it more
universally available on job sites than were such similar purpose
tools of the prior art.
It is a still further object of the invention to provide a
hand-portable coupling swaging press which is relatively more
reliable in operation for ensuring proper coupling deformation to
substantially enhance utility of such coupling members and
contribute to uniformly consistent low cost joint formation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a coupled pipe joint as formed by
the press in accordance herewith;
FIG. 2 is front exterior assembly of the press and a connected
hydraulic hand pump;
FIG. 3 is an exterior assembly of the press as in FIG. 2 opened to
receive a coupling and pipe to be joined;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged overall assembly of the press in inoperative
relation partly in section to facilitate understanding of its
operating components;
FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, enlarged view illustrating the shoe die
and supporting piston in their most inner extended position;
FIGS. 6 and 7 are enlarged sections in coupling forming relation
taken along the lines 6--6 and 7--7 of FIGS. 4 and 5,
respectively;
FIG. 8 is a side elevation as viewed along the lines 8--8 of FIG.
4;
FIG. 9 is a sectional elevation, through the latch plate as taken
along the lines 9--9 of FIG. 4; and
FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along the lines 10--10 of FIG.
4.
Referring first to FIG. 1, there is shown swagable coupling
designated 10, which has been deformed by means of a press in
accordance herewith to form a coupled joint with pipe sections 11
and 12.
The press hereof, designated 15 which will now be described with
reference to FIGS. 2-4, is operable by means of a hand pumped
hydraulic ram 16 connected thereto via conduits 17, 18 and 19. Ram
16 is of a type commerically available and is operated for
generating hydraulic pressure by means of a hand actuated pump
lever 20. Knobbed screw 21, when rotated counter-clockwise as
viewed in FIG. 2, permits generated pressure to be released. A
pressure gauge 22 directly connected to line 17 is sensitive to
pressure levels generated by ram 16 and is watched by the operator
as an indication of when joint formation is completed as will be
discussed below.
Forming the principal supporting structure of the press is a frame
comprising a plurality o interconnectable elongaged link members
26, 27, 28 and 29 which together provide an enclosure within which
the other components are operable. Each link member, as can be
understood with reference also to FIG. 8, is bifurcated at each end
forming intervening spaces 30 and 31 to accommodate hydraulic
piping and necked down at one end as compared to the other in order
to accommodate an interfit with the complementary end of the
adjacent link with which it is to be connected. A removable pin 32
secured to handle 34 connects links 28 to 29, while secured pins 33
join links 27 to 28 and 26 to 29 and a secured pivot pin 35
providing a pivot axis for opening the press connects links 26 to
27.
Grip handles 40 and 41, having finger grips 42, enable ready
carrying or opening of the press by an operator as required. When
the press is closed the opposing ends of handles 40 and 41 abut
(see also FIG. 9). At the same time a latch plate 43 secured by
means of cap screw 47 in recess 44 between bosses 45 and 46 of
handle 40 extends into recess 51 between bosses 49 and 50 of handle
41. In this relation the tongue end of latch plate 43 is
resiliently retained by a ball detent 55 urged downwardly by means
of compressed spring 56 and acting to define the closed relation of
the press for receiving pin 32.
To open the press as in FIG. 3 for receiving a pipe section 11 or
12 and a coupling 10, arm 34 and pivot pin 32 are first removed by
laterally withdrawing the latter. By pulling grip handles 40 and 41
in opposing directions, latch plate 43 is then unsnapped from
detent 55 and the units separate by pivoting about the axis of pin
35 until opened the required extent. Thereafter the unit is
reclosed with pin 32 reinserted placing the press in condition to
begin a swaging operation.
Receiving pressured hydraulic fluid from ram 16 via conduits 18 and
19 are elongated guard arms 60 and 61 secured to the backside of
links 26 and 27 respectively and each having a centrally open inlet
bore 62 in which to receive the connecting end 63 of the fluid
supplying conduit. A spring 64 coiled about each conduit end and
engaged in helix grooves 65 of the bore wall provides oriented
flexibility of the conduit at the point of connection. Hydraulic
fluid available at connection 63 is then supplied to each of links
26-29 through elbow 71 and connector 70 into tapped inlet socket 68
formed in the central portion 67 of the adjacent link. In turn
links 28 and 29 receive fluid via intermediate piping connection 74
series connected to their inlet sockets 68 from tapped outlet
sockets 69 of links 26 and 27 respectively.
Openly communicating with each of sockets 68 and 69 in central link
portion 67 is a bored cylinder 77 for containing a piston 90 and
extending with its axis oriented radially inward of the press and
laterally offset from the longitudinal direction of the link. As
can be appreciated, the axes of all cylinders are angularly
displaced symetrically about the frame 90.degree. to each other.
Inwardly depending in each cylinder is a boss 78 coaxially bored at
79 and counterbored at 80 to contain a pin 81 projecting downward
beyond the boss a distance determined by the adjustable setting of
set screw 82. Annular resilient 0-ring 85 and back-up ring 86 each
contained in annular pin recess 87 ensure against leakage of
hydraulic fluid past the pin.
Piston 90 is contained in cylinder 77 for movement in a radial
direction toward and away from the press center. Near the rear or
upper end of the piston is an annular groove 91 in which is
contained an annular 0-ring 92 and annular backup-ring 93 providing
for sliding seal engagement against the cylinder wall. As can be
best seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, the piston backside where exposed to
hydraulic fluid is hollowed at 96 and terminates in a drill-tip
apex 97 at which to engage the end of pin 81. The projection extent
of pin 81 when bearing against apex 97 thereby defines the
innermost piston position ensuring an open clearance 98 through
which fluid communication is maintained at all times between inlet
and outlet sockets 68 and 69 for supplying fluid to links 27 and 29
via connections 74. The innermost piston face 100 is spherically
shaped for a projected complementary fit into spherical recess 101
of shoe forming die 102 effecting a ball and socket mount enabling
articulated or a degree of universal movement therebetween. Annular
wiper blade 94 prevents dirt from becoming lodged between the
piston and cylinder wall as the piston is withdrawn from its
extended position of FIG. 5 to its normally inoperative position of
FIG. 4.
Each die shoe 102, as can be seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, is comprised of
a body section 111, the upper portion of which contains recess 101
and the lower portion of which contains arcuate forming face 112.
Tightly mounting shoe recess 101 against piston 90 while permitting
slideable engagement with piston face 100 is a retainer strap 106
encircling the die at the underside of die shoulder 107. The straps
in turn connect at opposite ends to coil springs 108 secured at
their free ends in a stationary pocket 109. By means of this
connection shoe 102 is mounted constantly spring biased toward an
axial alignment against the piston but still has the freedom of
articulation for reasons as will be explained. At the same time
springs 108 provide a spring return of piston and shoe to the
relation of FIG. 4 when pressure is released from the relation of
FIG. 5.
Die forming face 112 represents an angular extent of substantially
90.degree. for the diameter which occurs when all four shoes are
fully extended in the manner of FIG. 5 to then form a substantially
continuous circular swaging surface between adjacent shoes. For
swaging of coupling members adapted for nominal 2 inch pipe size,
the initial unextended inner diameter formed by the separated shoe
faces 102 as in FIG. 4 is on the order of approximately three
inches. It should be noted at this point that the rear piston area
against which hydraulic fluid is operatively effective is
substantially greater than the face forming area of its attached
die shoe in order to minimize the pressure magnitude required to
effect swaging. While the area relationship is subject to variance
as a function of material and/or design choices, in a preferred
press embodiment for two inch size pipe, the ratio of piston to
shoe area is approximately at least 11/2 to 1.
Aiding in initial axial indexing or orientation of the shoes to the
deformable coupling section, as can be seen with reference to FIGS.
6 and 7, are radially inward extending rear bumper 113 and front
bumper 114. The bumpers are commonly secured to rear and front shoe
faces 115 and 116 respectively by means of encircling bumper plate
117 tied in position by wire wrap 118. As shown in FIG. 6, rear
bumper 113 extends inwardly of the shoe wall thereat to be received
within provided annular coupling recess 119. Outriggers 124,
centrally secured to each link at the inboard end of the press and
each displaced at approximately right angles to the adjacent
outriggers, extend inwardly to a terminal edge 125 slightly
displaced from the peripheral coupling surface 126 thereat. In this
arrangement the outriggers provide both a visual indication to an
operator of substantial coaxial press orientation with respect to
the coupling and to prevent signficant angular dislocation or
misalignment of the press on the coupling when swaging begins. Each
outrigger 124 includes a pair of slots 127 permitting adjustable
pre-setting by means of bolts 128. A pair of stop plates 134 at the
opposite outboard press end beyond the coupling likewise extend
radially inward to near engaging pipe surface 135 further aiding to
prevent press misalignment on the coupling when initiating the
swaging cycle.
For operating the press, the assembly of FIG. 2 is first brought on
a job site at which a coupling member 10 containing a gasket 13 is
to be joined to pipe sections 11 and/or 12. Handle 34 and pin 32
are removed enabling the press to be thrown open in the manner of
FIG. 3 whereupon the press can be placed in surrounding relation to
the coupling and pipe section previously set in joint forming
relation. The press is then closed until latch 43 receives ball
detent 55 after which handle 34 and pin 32 are reinserted locking
the press into its operative relation. After axially indexing the
press by means of rear bumpers 113, outriggers 124 and stop plates
134 the swaging operation is ready to begin.
Swaging is initiated by an operator hand pumping ram handle 20 to
generate fluid pressure for exerting against each piston 90. As the
pressure level builds up all shoes 102 concomitantly begin to move
radially inward until engaging the coupling periphery contained
generally between the bumpers 113 and 114. Continued pumping
further increases the applied pressure which on reaching the yield
point of the coupling wall begins concentric swaging deformation
thereof uniformly inward toward the pipe. As the coupling
constricts, gasket 13 is uniformly compressed into a pressure tight
relation between the pipe periphery and the inner surface of the
coupling. When sufficient swaging has occurred, the joint formation
is completed. While the pressure magnitude required to effect
swaging varies with coupling material properties in turn affected
by its diameter, it has been found with a piston to shoe area ratio
as described above, approximately 7,000 psig is required for
nominal 2 inch pipe size. This can be readily sensed by an operator
visually watching gauge 22 until 7,000 psig appears thereon upon
which knob 21 is opened to release the generated pressure by
permitting return of fluid to ram 16. Following release of pressure
the pistons and shoes enjoy a spring return after which the press
is removed by again withdrawing pin 16. The operator is then ready
to proceed to the next joint location and repeat the operating
cycle.
By the above description there is disclosed a novel hand-portable
press for swaging of coupling joints enabling more universal press
application under field conditions previously regarded as
unsuitable for forming of such joints. The press is highly reliable
and extremely fast enabling a complete joint formation on the order
of about an average 4 minutes per joint. Because of articulating
swivel movement afforded in the shoe to piston mount, the need for
a heavy side frame to resist side thrust is eliminated and the
frame need only be adequate to resist radial thrust. Since the
forming dies are not fixedly secured to their associated piston
face, any binding of the latter which could otherwise occur from
unequal loading is clearly avoided while permitting use of
relatively short pistons which can be easily centered. Should the
press not be initially squared with the coupling, articulating
movement of the shoe will still ensure uniform constriction against
the coupling. While in a preferred embodiment, the press has been
described as having inboard and outboard ends which are different
in construction as not to permit interchangeable orientation
relative to the coupling, it is obvious that such interchangeable
orientation could be provided by having similar construction
details at both ends thereof.
Since many changes could be made in the above construction and many
apparently widely different embodiments of this invention could be
made without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that
all matter contained in the drawings and specifications shall be
interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
* * * * *