Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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CRIMPING APPARATUS
[0001] This application claims priority based on United
States Patent Application 13/035,651 entitled "CRIMPING
APPARATUS" filed February 25, 2011, which is herein
incorporated by reference.
Background of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates generally to
apparatuses used to crimp a fitting on a flexible high-
pressure hose and the like. More specifically, the invention
relates to crimping apparatuses that actuate a plurality of
crimping dies to a desired crimp diameter on the fitting.
[0003] 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.
[0004] Specifically, but not exclusively, the invention
can be usefully applied for crimping flexible high-pressure
hose assemblies, for example drilling hose assemblies. More
specifically, the invention can be used to crimp large bore
hose assemblies (e.g. hose assemblies with internal diameter
larger than about 5 cm).
[0005] 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 art crimp apparatus typically comprises multiple
dies. In the known crimping technique to connect a metal
ferrule on a flexible high-pressure hose, generally eight
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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.
[0006] The prior art comprises - 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.
[0007] The crimping apparatus. of this known type is a
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 comprise a 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.
[0008] Improvements to the apparatuses and techniques used
to crimp a ferrule on a flexible hose are desirable.
Summary of the Invention
[0009] An object of the invention is to provide a crimping
apparatus able to correctly position the object to be crimped
with respect to the crimping means.
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[0010] An advantage is to make a crimping apparatus able
to crimp a metal ferrule on a flexible hose provided with an
insert, with relatively high reliability and accuracy.
[0011] An advantage is to realize 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.
[0012] An advantage is giving rise to a crimping apparatus
that is constructionally simple and cheap.
[0013] An advantage is to provide a crimping apparatus
that is able to realize a connection system for a flexible
hose without any leakage.
[0014] An advantage is to make a crimping apparatus that
is able to eliminate the difficulties linked to introducing
the flexible hose into the crimping head.
[0015] An advantage is to correctly position the ferrule
with respect to the crimping head in easy and fast manner.
[0016] An advantage is to correctly position the ferrule
at the centre of the crimping head, or at the position-mark
predisposed on the dies of the crimping head.
[0017] An advantage is giving 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.
[0018] An advantage is to 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.
[0019] An advantage is to compensate the increasing length
of the ferrule, due to its deformation, during the crimping
of the ferrule onto the hose.
[0020] Such objects and advantages, and still others, are
achieved by the crimping apparatus and the use thereof
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according to one or more of the appended claims.
[0021] The crimping apparatus is 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 consists of an
assembly comprising 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.
[0022] 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 is that the crimping head can be easily moved, for
example in a totally manual way.
[0023] The crimping apparatus may be used for crimping an
end fitting onto a flexible drilling hose. The crimping
apparatus may comprise 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
[0024] The invention can be better understood and
implemented with reference to the attached drawings that
illustrate an embodiment thereof by way of non-limiting
example. The drawings, which constitute a part of the
description, illustrate several aspects of the invention and
together with the detailed description, serve to explain the
principles of the invention. A brief description of the
drawings is as follows.
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[0025] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a crimping
apparatus according to the present invention.
[0026] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a detail of FIG. 1.
[0027] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a detail of FIG. 2.
[0028] FIG. 4 is a schematic section in a vertical plane
of the apparatus of FIG. 1.
[0029] FIG. 5 is a schematic section of the assembly to be
crimped by the apparatus of FIG. 4.
Detailed Description
[0030] Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary
aspects of the present invention 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.
[0031] FIGG. 1 to 4 illustrate a crimping apparatus 1
according to the present invention, while FIG. 5 shows
schematically an exemplary object 2 to be crimped. The object
2 comprises an end fitting typically used to terminate a
(flexible high-pressure) hose. The end fitting may comprise 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 S. 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.
[0032] The hose 4 may be, as in the exemplary embodiment
shown in FIG. 1, a drilling hose that can reach 30 meter
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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.
[0033] With reference to FIGG. 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.
[0034] As in the exemplary embodiment 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.
[0035] 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 comprise 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.
[0036] The crimping apparatus 1 comprises 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.
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[0037] 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.
[0038] 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.
[0039] 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 embodiment) 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.
[0040] As in the exemplary embodiment, the frame 13 may be
slidably coupled to a linear slideway 15 parallel to the
longitudinal axis X. The linear slideway 15 may comprise a
rail. The linear slideway 15 may be fixed to the floor. In
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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.
[0041] As in the exemplary embodiment 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.
[0042] Each die cam portion 14 is 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 exemplary embodiment 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.
[0043] The anvil arrangement is forced to the crimp
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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 comprise 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
comprise, for example, a dimensional or distance measurement
device, e.g. an electronic Vernier measuring device.
[0044] The crimping apparatus 1 comprises 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 comprise, as in the
exemplary embodiment, 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.
[0045] The frame 13 may be coupled to the linear slideway
15, as in the exemplary embodiment, by means of wheels 18.
[0046] 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
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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.
[0047] 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.
[0048] The drawings show only one example of a crimping
apparatus according to the present invention. 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
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external support by means of wheels and rail, or a ram, or a
saddle and the like.
[0049] The embodiments of the inventions disclosed herein
have been discussed for the purpose of familiarizing the
reader with novel aspects of the present invention. 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 invention. Having described specific aspects and
embodiments of the present invention, 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.
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