Multi-claw hydraulic coupler

Abstract

A multi-claw hydraulic coupler, suitable for connecting or separating a first pipe fitting and a second pipe fitting, includes a sleeve, a rotating ring, several claws, several hydraulic dampers, and a hydraulic cylinder. The rotating ring is sleeved on the sleeve and has a first connecting portion and several second connecting portions. Several claws are pivotally connected to the sleeve, each having a claw portion, a handle portion, and a support portion. The hydraulic dampers connect the second connecting portions to the handle portions. The hydraulic cylinder connects the first connecting portions to the sleeve. By extending and retracting the hydraulic cylinder, the rotating ring rotates, which in turn drives the hydraulic dampers to push and pull the claw handle portions, causing the claw portions to simultaneously open or grip the second pipe fitting with the support portions as fulcrums. This achieves the effect of quickly and synchronously clamping or releasing two pipe fittings with a single power source.

Description

Multi-claw hydraulic coupler Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a pipe fitting connection device, and more particularly to a multi-claw hydraulic coupler used in industrial pipelines or fluid transmission lines, which utilizes a hydraulic system to drive the rapid docking and disconnection of pipe fittings. Prior Technology

[0002] Pipeline transportation plays an indispensable role in modern industry, widely used in petroleum, chemical, natural gas, water resource treatment, and various fluid transmission systems. To facilitate pipeline laying, maintenance, and replacement, pipeline systems typically incorporate multiple pipe joints, allowing for the assembly and disassembly of adjacent pipe sections. However, ensuring the high-pressure fluid inside the pipe does not leak requires extremely high connection strength and tightness from the pipe joints, posing a severe challenge to the coupling structure of the pipe fittings.

[0003] Traditional pipe couplings typically use multiple independent fasteners, bolts, or flange clamps to connect two pipe fittings. During the connection process, workers must manually or with auxiliary tools install each fastener or bolt into position. This method of connecting two pipe fittings with multiple independent fasteners means that each fastener must be individually locked or unlocked.

[0004] However, the process of locking or unlocking these multiple independent fasteners one by one is very time-consuming and labor-intensive. Especially in large pipelines or industrial applications that require frequent disassembly and assembly, the cumbersome loading and unloading steps not only significantly increase the cost of manual labor, but also greatly reduce the efficiency of pipeline maintenance or emergency repairs, making it difficult to meet the demands of modern industry for automation and high efficiency.

[0005] Furthermore, when securing multiple fasteners, there are often strict requirements regarding the order of tightening. If the fasteners are not tightened evenly along a diagonal or specific sequence, uneven stress on the flange surface can easily occur, leading to poor sealing between the two pipe fittings. Once the sealing is compromised, the pipeline is prone to leakage when subjected to high-pressure fluid, potentially causing serious industrial accidents and environmental pollution. Therefore, designing a coupler that can quickly, synchronously, and evenly apply force to connect pipe fittings is a technical challenge that the relevant industry urgently needs to overcome. Summary of the Invention

[0006] In view of the lack of the above-mentioned prior art, the main purpose of this invention is to provide a multi-claw hydraulic coupler that uses a single drive source in conjunction with a ring linkage mechanism to achieve the function of multi-point synchronous clamping or release, so as to improve the shortcomings of traditional multi-fasteners that need to be locked one by one and have uneven force.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, this invention provides a multi-claw hydraulic coupler suitable for connecting or separating a first pipe fitting and a second pipe fitting, comprising: a sleeve adapted to be fixed to the first pipe fitting and having a head flange; a rotating ring rotatably fitted onto the sleeve and having a first connecting portion and several second connecting portions; several claws, each having a claw portion, a handle portion, and a support portion located between the claw portion and the handle portion, each support portion being pivotally connected to the sleeve; and several hydraulic... The damper, each of the hydraulic dampers having its two ends connected to one of the second connecting parts and the corresponding handle of the hook; and a hydraulic cylinder having its two ends connected to the first connecting part and the sleeve; wherein, when the hydraulic cylinder extends and retracts, it drives the rotating ring to rotate relative to the sleeve, thereby causing the hydraulic dampers to push and pull the handles of the hooks, so that the claws of the hooks open or grip the head flange synchronously with the support as the fulcrum, for releasing or clamping the second pipe fitting.

[0008] Using the aforementioned technical means, the multi-claw hydraulic coupler of this invention has the following advantages: 1. Simplified components: A single hydraulic cylinder can simultaneously control multiple claws to connect or separate the first and second pipe fittings synchronously, effectively reducing the number of drive components and the complexity of the system. 2. Quick connection or separation of two pipe fittings: A single stroke (extend or retract) of a single hydraulic cylinder can instantly and synchronously achieve the connection or separation of the first and second pipe fittings through the linkage of the rotating ring and the hydraulic damper, greatly shortening the working time and ensuring uniform force on the periphery of the pipe fittings. Simple Explanation of the Diagram

[0009] Figure 1 is a view before this creation.

[0010] Figure 2 is a side view of this work.

[0011] Figure 3 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the angle of the sleeve tail with each of the hooks in an open state.

[0012] Figure 4 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the sleeve tail angle during the intermediate stroke stage when the various claws of this invention are in a tightly gripping state.

[0013] Figure 5 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the sleeve tail angle during the final stroke stage when the various claws of this invention are in a tightly gripping state.

[0014] Figure 6 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the sleeve head angle when the two fittings are separated in this invention.

[0015] Figure 7 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the sleeve head angle when the hooks of this invention are in an open state when the two pipe fittings are joined.

[0016] Figure 8 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the sleeve head angle during the intermediate stage when the hooks of the two fittings are tightly gripping each other.

[0017] Figure 9 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the sleeve head angle in the final state of the two pipe fittings being joined together, with each hook gripping the other. Implementation

[0018] To enable your review committee to gain a deeper understanding of the features, purpose, and function of this creation, a detailed explanation is provided below with accompanying drawings. It should be noted that in the following description, directional terms (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, etc.) are used solely for illustrative purposes and are not intended to limit the actual application of this creation. Furthermore, the dimensions, proportions, and geometric shapes of the components are drawn for ease of understanding; those with ordinary knowledge in the relevant technical field may adjust them according to actual needs without departing from the spirit of this creation.

[0019] Please refer to Figures 1 to 9. This invention provides a multi-claw hydraulic coupler suitable for connecting or separating a first pipe fitting 10 and a second pipe fitting 20. The overall structure of the multi-claw hydraulic coupler mainly includes: a sleeve 100, a rotating ring 200, several claws 300, several hydraulic dampers 400, and a hydraulic cylinder 500. Through the interlocking relationship between these components, the purpose of synchronously driving multiple peripheral clamping components with a single power source is achieved.

[0020] First, referring to Figure 2, the sleeve 100 serves as the base of this invention. The sleeve 100 is generally a hollow tubular structure, having a head 110, a tail 120, and a body 130 located between the head 110 and the tail 120. The head 110 faces the second pipe fitting 20 to be joined, and its end face has an outwardly radially extending head flange 111. The tail 120 is directly or indirectly fixed to the end face of the first pipe fitting 10. The outer peripheral surface of the body 130 can be considered a guide surface or a bearing surface for assembling subsequent moving components. The hollow channel of the sleeve 100 communicates with the interior of the first pipe fitting 10 to allow fluid passage.

[0021] Next, referring to Figures 1 and 3, the rotating ring 200 is sleeved around the body 130 near the tail 120 of the sleeve 100. The rotating ring 200 and the body 130 of the sleeve 100 have appropriate tolerances or are equipped with bearing slide rail assemblies, allowing it to smoothly rotate radially around the central axis of the sleeve 100 (i.e., rotate at a small angle around the outer circumference of the sleeve 100). A first connecting seat 210 protrudes outward from the annular surface of the rotating ring 200 to receive the main driving force; simultaneously, several second connecting seats 220 protrude from the annular surface of the rotating ring 200. These second connecting seats 220 are arranged in a ring array and evenly distributed at equal angles on the outer circumference of the rotating ring 200. With this design, when the rotating ring 200 is subjected to force and rotates, each second connecting seat 220 will synchronously displace with the same arc length and angle around the central axis of the sleeve 100.

[0022] Furthermore, these claws 300 correspond to the number of the aforementioned second connecting seats 220, and are evenly distributed and arranged around the head 110 of the sleeve 100. Each claw 300 has a claw portion 310, a handle portion 320, and a support portion 330. The support portion 330 is disposed between the claw portion 310 and the handle portion 320. In order to generate a lever effect, the handle portion 320, the claw portion 310, and the support portion 330 are not geometrically located on the same straight line, but are slightly angled or "L"-shaped / curved. The support portion 330, as the fulcrum of the lever, is pivotally connected to the pivot lug protruding from the outer edge of the body 130 of the sleeve 100 via a pivot or pivot pin. With this pivot structure, when an external force pushes or pulls the handle 320 (i.e. the point of force application), the pawl 300 will swing around the support 330 as the center of rotation, thereby causing the pawl 310 (i.e. the point of resistance) at the other end to move closer to (causing a clamping action) or away from (causing a releasing action) the head 110 end face of the sleeve 100.

[0023] In the power transmission stage, this invention incorporates several hydraulic dampers 400, the number of which corresponds to the number of the second connecting seats 220 and the hooks 300. Each hydraulic damper 400 essentially serves as a combination of a connecting rod and a buffer element, with its two ends pivotally connected to the second connecting seat 220 on the rotating ring 200 and the corresponding handle 320 of the hook 300. The introduction of the hydraulic damper 400 is a crucial element of this invention. It not only converts the rotational motion of the rotating ring 200 into linear displacement of the handle 320 of the hook 300, but also, due to its internal fluid or spring buffering characteristics, absorbs the impact force during operation. More importantly, when multiple claws 300 are clamping the flange face of the second pipe fitting 20, if the flange face has a slight thickness error or uneven surface, the hydraulic damper 400 can provide elastic compensation to ensure that each claw 300 can reliably apply gripping force, achieving perfect uniform force and high airtightness.

[0024] The core powering the entire system is the hydraulic cylinder 500. The hydraulic cylinder 500 includes a cylinder tube 510 with an internal hydraulic chamber and a piston rod 520 that reciprocates linearly relative to the cylinder tube 510. To smoothly convert the linear motion into the circular motion of the rotating ring 200, this invention provides freedom in the design of the hydraulic cylinder 500's contacts. Specifically, one end of the cylinder tube 510 (or the lug of its housing) is oscillatingly connected (e.g., via a universal joint or ball bearing pin) to the first connecting seat 210 of the rotating ring 200; while the movable end of the piston rod 520 is oscillatingly connected to the fixed seat () of the tail 120 of the sleeve 100. Of course, the connection positions of the cylinder tube 510 and the piston rod 520 can also be interchanged, and the physical effect of their relative motion remains the same.

[0025] Please refer to Figures 3, 6, and 7 to understand the operation process of the "open state" of this invention. When the operator intends to separate the two pipes (i.e., the first pipe 10 and the second pipe 20) or prepares to push the second pipe 20 into the docking position, the control system (not shown) injects hydraulic oil into the hydraulic cylinder 500, causing the piston rod 520 to extend to its "maximum stroke position". At this time, since the end of the piston rod 520 is fixed to the tail 120 of the sleeve 100 (for example, fixed to a fixed seat protruding from the tail 120), the cylinder tube 510 is pushed outward, thereby pushing the first connecting seat 210 connected to it. After the first connecting seat 210 is subjected to force, it drives the entire rotating ring 200 to rotate in one direction around the central axis of the sleeve 100. Once the rotating ring 200 rotates, all the second connecting seats 220 on it also rotate and displace synchronously. At this time, the relative distance between the second connecting seat 220 and the handle 320 of the hook 300 increases, thus stretching each of the hydraulic dampers 400. The hydraulic dampers 400 then pull back the handle 320 of each hook 300. Based on the aforementioned leverage effect, when the handle 320 is pulled backward, the front claw 310 will flip outward with the support 330 as the fulcrum, ultimately causing all claws 310 to open synchronously and move away from the head flange of the sleeve 100. In this state, the end flange of the second pipe fitting 20 can be unobstructed and abut against the head flange of the sleeve 100.

[0026] Please refer to Figures 4, 5, 8, and 9 for a clearer understanding of the "grip state" operation process of this invention. Once the end flange of the second pipe fitting 20 is properly aligned and abuts against the head flange of the sleeve 100, the operator uses the hydraulic system to reverse the operation, causing the hydraulic cylinder 500 to contract and move the piston rod 520 to its "shortest stroke position." During contraction, the cylinder tube 510 pulls the first connecting seat 210 in the opposite direction, thereby causing the rotating ring 200 to reverse (as shown in the middle stroke stage of Figures 4 and 8). The reverse rotation of the rotating ring 200 causes each of the second connecting seats 220 to move synchronously towards the claw 300. At this time, each hydraulic damper 400 is gradually compressed, pushing outward the handle 320 of each claw 300. Based on the lever principle, when the handle 320 is pushed forward, the front claw 310 rotates inward around the support 330. In the final state (as shown in Figures 5 and 9), the claws 310 of all the hooks 300 will simultaneously grip and forcefully press against the back side of the end flange of the second pipe fitting 20, firmly clamping the end flange of the second pipe fitting 20 between its own claws 310 and the head flange of the sleeve 100.

[0027] A detailed analysis of the above embodiments clearly shows that the multi-claw hydraulic coupler of this invention cleverly transforms linear hydraulic drive into circumferential synchronous linkage, thereby achieving the purpose of synchronous opening and closing of multiple claws. Compared with the previous technology that required locking individual fasteners one by one, this invention only requires operating a single hydraulic cylinder to complete a single stroke (extend or retract), which can instantly complete the synchronous operation of all claws, greatly improving the efficiency of pipeline assembly or disassembly. At the same time, thanks to the linkage mechanism between the rotating ring and the hydraulic damper, the force and timing of each claw clamping the flange surface are consistent, completely eliminating the uneven force and leakage risks caused by traditional manual operation.

[0028] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of this invention and is not intended to limit the scope of this invention. All equivalent variations and modifications made to the shape, structure, features, and spirit described in the claims of this invention should be included within the scope of the claims of this invention.

[0029] 10: First fitting

[0030] 20: Second fitting

[0031] 100: Sleeve

[0032] 110: Head

[0033] 111: Head flange

[0034] 120: Tail

[0035] 121: Fixed base

[0036] 130: Body

[0037] 200: Rotating ring

[0038] 210: First connecting seat

[0039] 220: Second connecting seat

[0040] 300: Claw

[0041] 310:Claw

[0042] 320: Handle

[0043] 330: Support section

[0044] 400: Hydraulic damper

[0045] 500: Hydraulic Cylinder

[0046] 510: Cylinder tube

[0047] 520: Piston rod

Claims

1. A multi-claw hydraulic coupler, suitable for connecting or separating a first pipe fitting and a second pipe fitting, comprising: a sleeve adapted to be fixed to the first pipe fitting and having a head flange; a rotating ring rotatably fitted onto the sleeve and having a first connecting portion and a plurality of second connecting portions; a plurality of claws, each having a claw portion, a handle portion, and a support portion located between the claw portion and the handle portion, each support portion being pivotally connected to the sleeve; a plurality of hydraulic dampers, each hydraulic damper having its two ends respectively connected to one of the second connecting portions and the handle portion of the corresponding claw; and a hydraulic cylinder having its two ends respectively connected to the first connecting portion and the sleeve; wherein, When the hydraulic cylinder extends and retracts, it drives the rotating ring to rotate relative to the sleeve, which in turn drives the hydraulic dampers to push and pull the handles of the hooks, so that the claws of the hooks open or grip the head flange synchronously with the support as the fulcrum, so as to release or clamp the second pipe fitting.

2. The multi-claw hydraulic coupler as described in claim 1, wherein the sleeve has a head, a tail and a body located between the head and the tail, the head flange is located on the end face of the head, the tail is adapted to be fixed to the first pipe, and the rotating ring is sleeved on the body.

3. The multi-claw hydraulic coupler as described in claim 2, wherein the outer edge of the body of the sleeve is provided with a plurality of pivot lugs corresponding to the number of claws, and the support portion of each claw is pivotally connected to the corresponding pivot lug via a pivot.

4. The multi-claw hydraulic coupler as described in claim 1, wherein the second connecting portions are evenly distributed at equal angles on the ring surface of the rotating ring.

5. The multi-claw hydraulic coupler as described in claim 1, wherein the handle, the claw, and the support of each claw are not located on the same straight line to generate a lever effect.

6. The multi-claw hydraulic coupler as described in claim 1, wherein the hydraulic cylinder includes a cylinder tube and a piston rod, the cylinder tube being oscillatingly connected to the first connecting portion, and the movable end of the piston rod being oscillatingly connected to the sleeve.

7. The multi-claw hydraulic coupler as described in claim 6, wherein the cylinder tube and the movable end of the piston rod are respectively pivotally connected to the first connecting portion and the sleeve via a universal joint or a ball bearing.

8. The multi-claw hydraulic coupler as described in claim 1, wherein each of the hydraulic dampers comprises an outer tube, an inner rod slidably sleeved on the outer tube, and an elastic buffer disposed between the outer tube and the inner rod.

9. The multi-claw hydraulic coupler as described in claim 1, wherein the radial protrusion length of the first connecting portion is greater than the radial protrusion length of each of the second connecting portions.

10. The multi-claw hydraulic coupler as described in claim 1, wherein a bearing or a slide rail assembly is further provided between the rotating ring and the sleeve.

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