Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
2~S8~
The invention relates to cou~lings in general,
and more particularly to improvements in couplings which
can be utilized with advanta~e to establish a sealing
connection between the terminal portion of a hose or
another flexible first tubular component and the terminal
portion of a nipple or another rigid or suhstantially
rigid second tubular component which is insertable into
the terminal portion of the first tubular component.
Still more particularly, the invention relates to
improvements in couplings wherein the terminal portion of
the second tuhular component is provided with one or more
annular external retainers in the form of ring-shaped
ribs or the like. The invention also relates to a method
of making the above outlined coupling.
It is already known to establish a sealing
connection hetween a flexible hose, which is made of
ethylene propylene terpolymer and has one or more inserts
of textile material or the like, and a metallic pipe. The
terminal portion of the pipe is inserted into the terminal
portion of the hose, and the terminal portion of the hose
is thereupon surrounded by a clamp which is tightened to
urge the internal surface of the hose into sealing
engagement with the external surface of the pipe. Such
couplings are sa-tisfactory at room temperature and at
certain other temperatures above the freezing point;
however, they are likely to permit leakage of confined
fluid if the latter is maintained at an elevated pressure
while the temperature around the coupling drops below
or well ~elow 0C. The reason is that the material of the
hose between the clamp and the ad~acent portion of the pipe
~ 3~ ~
shrinks as the temperature of the coupling decreases, and
this brings about a reduction or termination of sealing
engagement hetween the internal surace of the hose and the
external surface of the pipe. In other words, the thickness
of that part of the hose which is confined within the
clamp decreases to such an extent that it is less than the
radial distance between the internal surface of the clamp
and the external surface of the pipe, i.e., the afore-
mentioned part of the hose ceases to sealingly engage the
external surface of the pipe and the confined fluid is
free to escape into the surrounding atmosphere. Leakage
of confined fluid can take place even if pronounced
cooling results in some or even pronounced contraction
of that part of the hose which is surrounded by the clamp.
If the material of the hose retains at least some
elasticit~ in spite of pronounced cooling, the confined
fluid causes the hose to expand against the internal
surface of the clamp and to thus establish a path for the
escape of fluid from the interior of -the composite conduit
including the pipe and the hose. If the temperature rises,
the terminal portion of the hose ~xpands and the part of
the hose hetween the clamp and the pipe reestablishes a
sealing connection to ~revent further escape of confined
fluid.
~ nother drawback of heretofore known couplings
of the above outlined character is that the terminal portion
of the hose is likely to undergo permanent deformation if
the temperature around and/or within such terminal portion
rises to or above 90C. Lack of ade~uate elasticity of
the material of the hose is highly undesirable because
- 3 -
this can lead to the development of leaks even at
temperatures above the fxeezing point.
German Utility Model No. 19 51 368 of Daimler-
senz Aktiengesellschaft (publishea September 4, 1963)
discloses a hose coupling wherein the hose is desiyned to
stand elevated pressures of 200-300 atmo~spheres and is to
convey a fluid whose temperature fluctuates within a
range of up to 140C. The publication discloses the
use of a sealing compound, such as silicon rubber, which
is self hardening to exhibit a shore hardness of
approximately 70. Other characteristics of the sealing
compound are not discussed.
One feature of the present invention residès in
the provislon of a couplin~ which comprises a first
tubular component having a deformable first terminal
portion, a second tubular component having a second
terminal portion provided with at least one annular
external retainer and received in the first terminal
~ortion, and a suhstantially sleeve-like layer between
the two terminal portions. ~he layer consists of a
sealin~ material whose sealing characteristics remain
at least suhstantially intact or acceptable at temperatures
within the ~ntire range of between approximately +260C
and -80C, at least within the entire range of between
approximately`~l40C and -40C.
The couplin~ preferably further comprises a
clamp which surrounds the first terminal portion. The
at least one annular retainer is then disposed between
the free end of the second terminal portion (such free
3~ end is located within the first tubular component) and
- 4 -
the clamp.
The layer is or can be elastic, and the irst
terminal portion preferably consists of a material which
does not exhiblt a tendency to adhere -to the sealing
material.
The layer can extend all the way or nearly all
the way from the free end of the first terminal portion
to the at least one annular retainer.
The sealing material can be selected in such a
way that it adheres to the second terminal portion. For
example, the sealing material can constitute a hardened
originally highly viscous substance.
The first terminal portion (or the entire first
tubular component) can be made of a material inclùding
EPDM and silicon rubher~ and such first terminal portion
can contain at least one reinforci~g layer of filamentary
material (e~g., one or more layers of tex~ile material).
The second terminal portion (or the entire second
tubular component) can be made of a metallic or rigid plastic
material. A presently preferred plastic material is polyamide,
The sealing material can be selected from the
group consisting of synthetic rubber and fluoroelastomers.
The synthetic rubher is or can be silicon rubber.
Another feature of the present invention resides
in the provision of a method o-f es-tablishing a sealing
connection between a first tubular component hàving a
deformable first terminal portion and a second tubular
component having a second tubular portion provided with at
least one annular external retainer and having an open end
ad~acent the at least one retainer. The method comprises
the steps of applying around the second kerminal portion
a mass of hardenable viscous sealin~ material whose
sealàng characteristics remain at least substantially
unchanged or at least acceptable within the entire range
of at least between approximately -40C and ~140C so
that the at least one retainer is located bekween the
open end of the second terminal portion and the applied
mass, and introducing the second terminal portion into
the first terminal portion. The introducing step is
or can be carried out prior to hardening of the material
of the mass.
The method can further comprise the step of
converting an effective amount of sealing material into
a layer prior ko hardenlng of the sealing material. The
introducing~step is or can be carried out subsequent to
the converting skep and subse~uent to hardening of the
sealing material,
The sealing material can be selected from the
group consisting of synthetic rubber and fluoroelastomers.
The synthetic rubber is preferably silicon rubber.
The first terminal portion or the entire first
tubular component can consist of a material which is
selected rom the group consisting of EPDM and silicon
rubber.
A further feature of the invention resides in
the provision of a method of establishing a sealing
connection batwe~n a firsk tubular component (e.g., a
hose) having a deformable first terminal portion and a
second tubular component (e.~., a pipe~ having a second
terminal portion provided with at least one external
- 6 -
retainer ancl having a Eree end. The method comprises the
steps of establishing an annular space arownd the second
terminal portion at suGh location that the at least one
retainer is located between the annular space and the
free end of the second terminal portion, introducing (e.g.,
injecting) into the annular space a hardenable (settable)
viscous sealing material having sealing characteristics
which remain at least substantially intact (or at :Least
acceptable) at temperatures within the entire range of
between approximately -80C and *260~C (at least within
the entire range of between approximately -40C and
-~-140C) so that the introduced material forms a ~L.
suhstantiaily tubular laye,r which preferably adheres to
: the external surface of the second~tubular portion, and
inserting the at least one retainer, the layer and the
second terminal portion into the first'terminal portion.
The establishing step can include placing a tubular shaping
or spr~adin~ tool or mold around the second terminal
portion, and such method further comprises the step of
remo~-ing the tool prior to the inser~ing step. The method
: can also cdmprise the ste~ of causing or permitting the
sealing material to sat prior to the inserting step. The
first termihal portion can consist of or can contain a
: material which is se~ected rom the group consisting of
: EPDM and silicon ru~ber, he second terminal portion can
consist of or can contain a metallic or plas~ic material
~e.~ olvamide), and the sealing material can be sel~cted
from the group consisting of silicon rubber and fluoro-
elastomers.
The novel ~eatures which are considered as
~3~8~
characteristic of the invention are set forth in
particular i.n the appended claims. The improved
coupling itself, however, both as to its construction
and the mode of making the same! together with additional
features and advantages thereof, will be best understood
upon perusal of the following detailed description of
certain presently preferred specific embodiments with
reference to the accompanying drawing.
FIG. 1 is a fragmentary partly elevational
and partly axial sectional view of the tubular components
of the novel hose coupling prior to introduction of the
terminal portion of the ri.gid tubular component into the
terminal portion of the flexible tubular component;
- 7a -
~3 ~
FIG. 2 is a fragmentary axial sectional view
of the assembled coupling;
FIG. 3 is a similar fragmentary axial sectional
view of a modified fully assembled coupling; and
FIG. 4 is a fragmentary axial sectional view of
the rigid tubular component and of a tool which is used
to shape sealing material prior to introduction of the
terminal portion of the rigid tubular component into the
flexible tubular component.
FIG. 1 shows one terminal portion 3a of a
first tubular component 3 which constitutes a normally
flexible hose, and one terminal portion la of a second
tubular component 1 which constitutes a ri~id metallic
pipe. The terminal portion la;has a free end lb and is
provided with a single external annular retainer 2 in
the form of a circumferentiallv complete rib. A ring-
shaped mass 4 of sealing material surrounds the terminal
portion la and is applled at a lacation such that the
retainer 2 is located be~ween the mass 4 and the free end
lb. The mass 4 consists of a highly viscous hardenable
- sealin~ material which preferably exhibits a pronounced
tendency to adhere to the metallic material of the
terminal portion la while exhibiting a much less pronounced
tendency (or ~o tendency at all) to adhere to the material
of the terminal portion 3a,
In order to assemble the coupling, the terminal
portion la is introduced into the terminal portion 3a
whereby the latter spreads the material of the mass 4 to
convert it into a relatively thin elongated sleeve-like
layer 4a ~see FIG. 2) which preferably extends from the
_ ~ _
retainer 2 and all the way or substantially all the way to
the free end 3b of the terminal portion 3a. The last step
o completihg the assemhly of the coupling includes the
application of a clamping device 5 (hereinafter called clamp
for short) which includes a relatively wide strap 6 with two
radially outwardly extending end portions 7 (only one shown
in FI~. 2). The end portions 7 are urged toward or against
each other by one or more fasteners 8, e.g., a bolt and nut,
a screw or the like.
The material of the mass 4 and of the layer 4a is
silicon rubber whose sealing characteristics remain at least
substantially unchanged within a wide range of temperatures,
such as ~ithin the entire range of between approximately
-80C and ~260~Cr and at least within the entire range of
between -40C and ~140C.- The material of the mass 4 can be
a heat-pol~marizable silicon rubber which is vulcanized with
peroxides at 200C. ~owever, it is equally possible to
employ a cold-vulcaniæable sllicon rubber. A cold vulcaniz-
able silicon rubber can constitute a solvent-free p~ste-like
twin-component mass with one or more specific cross-linking
agents or a single-component mass which is adapted to be
cross-linked under the influence of air. In accordance
with a presently preferred embodiment, the mass 4 and the
layer 4a can consist of dimethyl polysiloxane with cross-
linking a~ent and one or more special fillers.
As shown, the tubular component 1 is made of a
metallic material. The hose 3 is made of ethylane propylene
terpolymer (EPDM) with one or more reinforGing inserts of
filamentary material (e.g., a fabric, not shown).
As can be seen in FIG. l, the mass 4 is applied
5f~3
in such ~uantity that it forms a ring having an outer
diameter which at least approximates but can exceed the
outer diameter of the retainer 2. The material of the
mass 4 is tough (highly vlscous), and such material is
applled to the external surface of the terminal portion
la c].ose to the retainer 2 so that it is located between
the retainer and the locus of application of the strap 6
of the clamp 5 when the coupling is fully assembled in a
manner as shown in FIG. 2~ As already explained above,
the terminal portion 3a of the hose 3 is slipped over the
terminal ~ortion la prior to setting of the material of the
mass 4. This ensures that the sealing material acts as a
lubricant to facilitate application of the hose onto the
pipe. Moreover, this entails conversion of the ring-shaped
mass 4 into the sleeve-like layer 4a of constant or
nearly constant thickness which strongly adheres to the
external surface of thé terminal portion la all the way
from the retainer 2 to the free end 3b of the terminal
portion 3a. Thus, the terminal portion 3a does not or
need not contact the terminal portion la between the free
end 3b and the top land of the retainer 2. The clamp 5
is applied subseqllent to setting of the material of the
la~er 4a, and the fastener or fasteners 8 are tightened
to ensure that the internal surface of the strap 6
bears against the external surface of adjacent part of
terminal portion 3a so that the latter is urged against
the external surface of the sleeve-like layer 4a.
However, it is e~ually within the purview of the invention
to apply and tighten the clamp 5 prior to setting of the
3~ sealing material of the layer 4a,
-- 10 --
8 ~
FIG. 2 shows that the major part of the layer
4a constitutes a relatively thin film of constant or
nearly constant thickness and that the end portion of the
layer 4a adjacent the retainer 2 is thicker so that it
filIs the annular space between the left-hand flank of
the retainer 2 and the adjacent part of internal surface
of the terminal portion 3a. When the hardening or setting
of the sealing material of the layer 4a is completed, the
latter constitutes an elastic sheath or sleeve which
strongly adheres to the external surface of the terminal
portion la but exhibits a much less pronounced tendency
to adhere tor does not adhere at all) to the internal
surface o the terminal portion 3a.
The tubular component 1 can constitute a nipple
which is rigid with the cooling unit for the engine in a
motor ~ehicle. The hose 3 can serve to establish a path
for the flow of coolant between the cooler and the engine
block. It has been ound that, i the improved coupling
is used in a motor vehicle between the cooler and the
engine, the material of the terminal portion 3a of the
hose 3 contracts in response to coollng (e.g./ in winter
while the engine is idle) so that the volume of the
terminal portion 3a decreases. In the absence of the
la~ter 4a, the terminal portion 3a would become disengaged
rom the external surface of the terminal portion la,
i.e., the ~ealing action would no longer exist and the
terminal portion 3a would he loosely held between the
strap 6 of the clamp 5 and the terminal portion la.
However, the layer 4a prevents-~anyleakage of fluid from
the interior of the conduit including the pipe 1 and the
2 ~ 8 3
hose 3, even during the interval immediately following
startin~ of the engine, i~e~, during the initial stage
of pressurization of coolant which flows between the
cooler and the engine block ~namely during that stage
when the coolant is compelled to flow but is yet to be
heated). Such hlghly desirahle sealing action during the
just described stage of operation of the engine is
attributable to the presence of the layer 4a, particularly
of that portion of ~he layer 4a which extends between the
clamp 5 and the retainer 2. The reason is that the layer
4a retains its elasticity at low or very low temperatures,
namely at those temperatures when the elasticity of the
material of the hose 3 is zero or close to zero. Thus,
the layer 4a continues to urge the adjacent part of the
terminal portion 3a into sealing engagement with the
internal surface of the strap 6, and the layer portion
between the strap 6 and the retainer 2 continues to
exhiblt sufficient elasticit~ to sealingly engage the
internal surface of the terminal portion 3a. As the
pressure of fluid in the pipe l and hose 3 rises, the
elastic layer 4a undergoes radial expansion so that the
sealing actiQn of this layer between the retainer 2 and
the strap 6- increases with rising pressure of the confined
fluid. Since the thickness of the layer 4a is normally
more pronounced in the region between the clamp 5 and
the retainer 2, such porti~n of the layer furnishes a
highly satisfactory sealing action which prevents lea~age
of confined fluid at temperatures at which the coupling
would be incapable of confining the fluid if the layer 4a
were omitted.
- 12 -
As the tem~erature of the coniined fluid rises,
the temperature of the coupling also rises~ i.e., the
material of the terminal portion 3a expands and the sealing
action in the region of the clamp 5 becomes even more
satisfactory. This prevents leakage of confined fluid
even if the pressure of such fluid rises sufficiently to
cause the terminal portion 3a to expand radially outwardly
so that it is disengaged from the terminal portion la in
the region to the right of the retainer 2, at the retainer
2 and/or between the retainer 2 and the clamp 5.
An important advantage of a sealing material
which is highly viscous during application of the mass 4
is that such material can fill any and all depressions
(such as axially, circumferentially and/or otherwise
oriented grooves, blind holes and the like) in the
external surface of the terminal portion la during
conversion into the sleeve-like layer 4a of FIG. 2. Thus,
it is not necessary to treat the external surface of the
terminal portion la to a high degree of precision finish
~(in fact, it is not even necessary to remove ~urrs)
because any and aLl unevennesses are compensated for by
the material of the mass 4 which fills such unevennesses
during conversion into the elongated sleeve-like layer 4a
of FIG. 2. Since the material of the sleeve-like layer 4a
adheres to the material of the terminal portion la, fluid
which is confined in the tubular components 1 and 3
cannot escape between the layer 4a and the terminal portion
Ia even if the temperature of the improved coupling is
reduced well below the freezing point, e.g., all the way
to -80C.
- 13 -
$ ~
It will be noted that the sleeve like layer 4a
enhances khe sealing action in the region within the strap
6 of the clamp 5 as well as at both sides of such strap,
especially between the strap and the retainer 2. The
sealing action of that portion of the layer 4a which is
located between the strap 6 and the retainer 2 is
independent of the sealing action of the other portion of
such layer. This is desirable and advantageous for the
aforediscussed reasons, i.e., the layer 4a ensures the
establishment of a satisfactory sealing action when the
temperature of the terminal portion 3a of the hose 3 is so
low that the sealing action between the hose and the strap
6 i5 negligible or nil. At such time, the preferably
; elastomeric layer 4a ensures the establishment of a
reliable sealing action in the region between the strap
6 and the retainer 2. That portion of the layer 4a which
extends between the retainer 2 and the strap 6 compensates
for shrinkage of the sur~rounding part of the terminal
portion 3a and prevents leakag@ of confined fluid even if
the pressure of such fluid happens to rise while the
- temperature of the terminal portion 3a is well below O~C,
e.g., at -40~C~ Under such circumstances, the material
of the layer 4a between the retainer 2 an~ the strap 6
acts not unllke a radially inward extension of the
surrounding part of the terminal portion 3a and enables the
coupling to prevent leakage of confined fluid at temperatures
which are much too low for the establishment of a
satisfactory sealing action by resorting to heretofore
known hose couplings.
The layer 4a is equally useful when the temperature
- 14 -
2 ~ 3
of or at the coupling rises well above 0C, e.g., to
90C or higher. Thus, the material of the laver 4a
tends to expand within the confines of the strap 6 (such
tendency is shared by the m~terial of the termi~al portion
3a) so that the sealing action in the region of the clamp
5 is highly satisfactory. In addition, the material of
the Iayer 4a tends to expand in the region between the
strap 6 and the retainer 2 so that the sealing action of
the coupling is enhanced between the clamp 5 and the free
end Ib of the terminal portion la.
Though it is possible to employ a sleeve-like
layer 4a which is not elastic at all or exhibits a
minimal amount of elasticity, an elastic layer is
preferred at this time because such layer constitutes a
highly effective barrier against leakage of fluid from
the interior of the pipe 1 and hose 3 toward and out-
wardly beyond the clamp 5. Thus~ if the pressure of
confined fluid rises, suc~ fluid might be capable of
flowing around the retainer 2 and of acting upon the
material of the layer 4a between the retainer 2 and the
strap 6. The elas~ic material of the layer 4a yields
radially inwardly and outwardly to bear against the
internal surface of the terminal portion 3a and against the
external surface of the terminal portion la with the
result that it reliably prevents leakage of pressurized
fluid all the way to the strap 6. If the pressure of
confined fluid decreases, the thickness of the layer 4a
between the retainer 2 and the strap 6 also increases to
thus enhance the sealing action in a different way. If
some elastic material of the la~er 4a was expelled from
- 15 -
2 ~ 3
the r~gion at the left-hand flank of the retainer 2 (as
viewed in FIG. 2), such material returns due to elasticity
of the layer 4a and this ensures that the space at the
left-hand flank of the retainer 2 is filled with elastic
sealing material to ensure the establishment of a reliable
sealing action.
An advanta~e of the feature that the material of
the layer 4a does not tend to adhere to the terminal
portion 3a is that the terminal portion 3a can be more
readily slipped onto the layer 4a prior to application of
the clamp 5. In addition, the terminal portion la and
its sleeve-like layer 4a can be more readily extracted
from the terminal portion 3a as soon as the clamp 5 is
removed or loosened.
Since the layer ~a preferably extends all the
way to the free end 3b of the terminal portion 3a, the
terminal portion la can be readily extracted from the
hose 3, as soon as the clamp 5 is removed or loosened,
because the terminal portion 3a cannot contact the terminal
portion la (excep~ perhaps in the narrow region between
the top land of the retainer 2 and the free end lb). This
is desirable and advantageous because the terminal portion
3a would normally tend to adhere to the termi~al portion
la after a relatively long intervàI of application of the
clamp S. The mass 4 acts not unlike a body of lubricant
during initial application of the terminal portion 3a over
the terminal portion la to thus ensure that the terminal
portion la can be introduced into the hose with a minimum
of effort; at such time, the terminal portion 3a spreads
the material of the mass 4 over the external surface of the
- 16 -
terminal portion la to thus convert the mass into the
sleeve-like layer 4a.
A sealing material which exhibits a preferably
pronounced tendency to adhere to the (metallic or plastic)
material of the terminal portion la exhibits the
additional advantage that the likelihood of leakage of
pressurized fluid from its path in the pipe 1 and hose 3
into the surrounding atmosphere by flowing directly along
-the external surface of the terminal portion la is
practically nil. Once the material of the layer 4a sets,
this layer can be considered an inte~ral part of the
terminal portion la with attendant advantages as regards
the combined sealing action of the parts la and 4a.
Furthermore, the layer 4a then compensates for eventual
unevennesses in the external surface of the terminal
portion la even if the latter was not subjected to any
finishing or precision finishing treatment such as
removal of scale, deburring, polishing, grinding and
the like.
It has been found that the sealing action of
the impro~ed coupling is highly satisfactory if the
terminal portion la is made of a metallic or plastic
material (..i~ the latter instance preferably a polyamide),
if the terminal portion 3a of the hose is made of
.silicon ruhber or EPDM, and if the layer 4a consists of
synthetic rubber or a fluoroelastomer.
It has also been found that the terminal portion
3a is capable of converting the mass 4 into a suhstantially
uniform layer 4a (without pushing a substantial percentage
of the material of the mass 4 in front of its free end 3b)
- 17 -
during insertion of the terminal portion la into the hose
3. This is believed to be attrihutable to the selection
of a highly viscous sealing material which acts as a
lubricant whiIe it is being converted into a sleeve-like
layer that preferably extends all the way from the top
land of the retainer 2 to the free end 3b.
FI~. 3 shows a portion of a modified coupling.
The difference between the couplings of FIGS. 2 and 3 is
that the metallic component li includes a terminal portion
la' with two ~eighboring circumferentially extending
annular external retainers 2 one of which is adjacent the
free end lb' and the other of which is located betw~en the
one retainer and the strap 6 of the clamp 5. The mass of
highly viscous sealing material which is applied to the
exterior of the terminal portion la'- includes a first
section 4~ in the annular depression or valley between the
retainers 2 and a second sec~ion which is converted into
the sleeve-like layer or film 4a' in response to
introduction of the t~rm.inal portion la' into the
terminal portion 3a of the hose 3.
The arrangement may be such that the mass of
sealing material is applied only in the valley between
the two retainers 2 but in such guantity that a certain
percentage of such mass is entrained by the internal
surface of the.terminal portion 3a while the latter is
being slipped onto the terminal portion la' (or while the
terminal portion la' is in the process of being lntroduced
into the terminal portion 3a) so that the thus separated
portion of the mass 4' hetween the retainers 2 forms the
sleeve-like layer or film 4a'. In other words, the valley
2 ~
or groove ~etween the two retainers 2 can serve primarily
as a receptacle for that portion of the (originally much
larger) mass 4' whlch is not converted into the layer 4a'.
This is often desira~le and advantageous because the
provision of a receptacle for surplus sealing material
ensures that the surplus cannot penetrate into the
interior of the conduit (i.e., beyond the free end lb'
of the terminal portion la 7 ) during introduction of the
terminal portion la' into the terminal portion 3a. In
addition, the sealing material which remains between the
retainers 2 contributes to the establishment of an even
more satisfactory and more reliable sealing action within
the desired temperature range.
FIG. 4 shows a substantially cylindrical shaping
or spreading tool 9 which can be utilized to convert one
or more streams or flows of sealing material into a layer
4a even before the terminal portion la of the tubular
component 1 is introduced into the terminal portion 3a
(not shown in FIG. 4) of the hose 3. The internal
surface of the shapihg or spreading tool 9 is configurated
in such a way that it is complementary to the desired
external surface of the layer 4a. The internal surface
is provided with annular boundaries 10 and 11 at the
axial ends of the layer 4a. The tool 9 is preferably
assembled of two or more shells or sections which have
abutting radially and axially extending surfaces and
permit rapid application of the tool over, as well as
rapid disengagement of the tool from, the terminal portion
la of the pi~e 1.
The internal surface of the tool 9 is preferably
- 19 -
coated with a layer of material (indicated by the legend
"FILM"~ which does not adhere to the material of the layer
4a to thus permit rapid separation of the tool from the
finished layer 4a. The material of such layer can be
permitted to set prior to or after insertion of the
terminal portion la into the termlnal portion 3a of a
hose 3. The arranyement is preferahly such that, when
the tool 9 is properlv applied over the terminal portion la,
a re~uisite amount of highly viscous sealing material is
admitted into the annular space between the tool and the
terminal portion la so that the injected material fills
the annular space and forms the layer 4a. In other words,
if one employs the tool 9 or an analogous tool, the
application of a mass 4 can be dispensed with because one
or more streams or flows of injected sealing material
can be directly converted into a sleeve-like layer 4a which
is ready to be surrounded by the terminal portion of a
hose. An opening or inlet for admission of flowable
sealing material into the space between the tool 9 and the
terminal portion la is shown b~ broken lines~ as at 13.
The tool 9 can be provided with one~ two or more openings
or inlets for admission of sealing material.
An advantage of the tool 9 and of the method
which was described with reference to FIG.4 is that the
la~er 4a can be formed in advance, e.g., in the plant
which makes the coolers for the engines of motor vehicles.
This renders it possible to more rapidly assemble the
hose 3 with the terminal portion la of FIG. 4 because the
latter already carries a inished layer 4a which is ready
to enter the terminal portion of the hose prior to
- 20 ~
application of the clamp 5 or another suitable clamp (or
two or more clamps). Application of the sleeve-like layer
4a to the terminal portion la prior to assembling the
~ubular component 1 with another tubular component (such
as the hose 3 of FIGS. 1 to 3) is desirable and advantageous
in many instances, for example~ if the hose 3 is to be
connec~ed to a nipple (1) of a water pump in a motor
vehicle.
The tubular component 1 can constitute a length
of pipe which has two terminal portions each of which is
provided with one or more external retainers 2. This
enables such tubular component to be used as an element of
a coupling between two flexible hoses or the like, i.e.,
each terminal portion of the just described tubular
component with two terminal portions (each having at
lea.st one retainer 2 or an analogous retainer3 can be
introduced into a discrete hose.
The tubular component 1 can also be made of a
rigid or praatically rigid plastic or other material
(e.g., polyamide), i.e., it is not always necessary to
couple the hose 3 to a metallic pipe. Furthermore, the
hose 3 (or at least the terminal portion 3a of this hose3
can be made of the same material as the mass 4, e.g.,
silicon ru~ber, and is ~preferably provided with one or
more reinforcing inserts of filamentary material or the
like~ e.g., with one or more reinrorcing inserts of
textile material. Still further, the sleeve-like layer
can be made of any one of a variety of different materials
including ~ynthetic ru~ber and many others, e.g., a
fluoroelastomer. Suitable elastomers are those known as
~ ~ ~r~ r~
TEFLON (Trademark) and VITON (Trademark) which are made
and sold by DuPont.
'
