Pipe accessory support collar and assembly consisting of such a collar and a measuring probe

Abstract

Pipe Accessory Support Collar and Assembly Forming Such a Collar and a Measuring Probe. The pipe accessory support collar comprises two half-collars assembled in a detachable manner (CH2, CB2), one of the half-collars (CH2) having a through-hole for mounting the accessory (PA). According to the invention, the collar includes assembly and closure means made of a material having a detachable hinge (AF, AA) and a clip-on locking mechanism (CL, GD) formed in the half-collars. Fig. 5

Description

Title of the invention: COLLAR FOR SUPPORTING AN ACCESSORY ON A PIPELINE AND FORMED ASSEMBLY OF SUCH A COLLAR AND A MEASURING PROBE

[0001] The present invention relates generally to the mounting on a pipeline of an accessory such as a measuring accessory, in particular in water treatment equipment for swimming pools and spas. More particularly, the invention relates to an accessory support collar, as well as an assembly formed of such a collar and a measuring probe mounted thereon.

[0002] In the state of the art, an accessory support collar is known comprising two half-collars assembled to each other by screw-nut assemblies, such as the CAI collar shown in [Fig.l]. The prior art CAI collar here supports a measuring probe SM (see Figs.2 and 3). The assembly of the measuring probe SM on the CAI collar is shown in detail in Figs.2 to 4.

[0003] As clearly visible in [Fig.l], the CAI collar comprises a low half-collar CB1 and a high half-collar CH1 which are mounted astride a pipe (not shown) and grip it. Four screw-nut assemblies VE are provided for mounting and tightening the CAI collar on the pipe. Also referring to Figs.2 and 3, the high half-collar CH1 comprises a well PT intended to receive an accessory for equipping the pipe, in the form here of a pH measuring probe SM, also called “pH probe” hereinafter, which is used for measuring the pH of swimming pool water. The well PT is a through-hole and allows the insertion of a measuring head of the probe SM into the pipe, via an orifice (not shown) drilled in the pipe opposite the well PT.The seal at the contact surface between the half-collars CB1, CH1, and the pipe is typically obtained by means of a seal (not shown) housed in a circular groove RC of the upper half-collar CH1 and arranged to surround the orifice drilled in the pipe for the insertion of the probe SM. A Teflon tape wrapped around the pipe on either side of the insertion orifice of the probe SM can also be used to ensure the seal.

[0004] Briefly, the SM probe has a generally circular cylindrical shape and comprises in particular a probe head TS, a tubular casing ET and an electrical connection cord CE extending from the head TS. The tubular casing ET contains a glass measuring electrode EM, an electrolytic liquid solution and a reference electrode (not shown). The tubular casing ET is hermetically sealed. The glass measuring electrode EM is located at one end of the SM probe, the other end of which is the probe head TS which covers the electrical connections of the electrodes with the CE electrical cord.

[0005] The SM probe is mounted in the PT well by means of an insertion probe holder PS, as shown in Figs. 2 to 4, which ensures the mechanical retention of the SM probe at its tubular casing ET, as well as sealing. The PS probe holder screws into a female thread of the PT well and holds the SM probe in a fixed position suitable for measurement. The EM glass measuring electrode is thus immersed in the water circulating in the pipe, so as to measure the pH thereof.

[0006] As seen in Figs. 3 and 4, the PS probe holder comprises a plurality of parts including a male RM connector, standardized G1 / 2, a female EF nut, a sealing O-ring JT, as well as a claw washer RG and a seating ring BG. The male RM connector is screwed into the well PT by a first threaded portion typically coated with a sealing Teflon tape. The nut EF, the O-ring JT, the washer RG and the seating ring BG are placed on the tubular casing ET of the SM probe, as shown in [Fig.3], and the latter is then inserted into the pipeline via a central hole in the RM connector. The SM probe is fixed in position by tightening the female nut EF on a second threaded portion of the male RM connector. The claw washer RG prevents any non-return movement of the SM probe once the nut EF is tightened. The BG seating ring is inserted between the JT seal and the RG washer, thus ensuring proper seating of the RG washer and protection of the JT seal from the claws of the RG washer.

[0007] The prior art accessory support collar described above and the assembly formed by this collar and the measuring probe mounted thereon have several disadvantages, in particular those indicated below:

[0008] The screw-nut assemblies used for assembling and tightening the two half-clamps on the pipeline oxidize over time, which poses problems of disassembly and durability.

[0009] The tightening force exerted with the screw-nut assemblies is not controlled and excessive tightening can lead to long-term breakage of the accessory support collar.

[0010] The central axis of the well is perpendicular to the central axis of the collar corresponding to the longitudinal axis of the pipeline. This poses a problem of mounting the pH probe on vertical portions of the pipeline, because the pH probe must be inclined upwards by at least approximately 5 degrees relative to the horizontal.

[0011] The accessory support collar is not optimized in terms of costs, in particular, with regard to the number of parts, material and process costs, as well as installation and after-sales intervention costs.

[0012] In the insertion probe holder used for mounting the pH probe, the sealing of the mounting of the male connector in the well of the collar is done with a Teflon tape, which can cause mechanical stress in the event of excess tape thickness and lead to part breakage. Furthermore, the use of a claw washer for a pH probe anti-return device has the disadvantage of possible alteration of the tubular casing of the probe when tightening the probe holder.

[0013] Like the collar, the insertion probe holder is not optimized. The number of parts that compose it is too large, which impacts its cost and the assembly / disassembly times during installation and intervention.

[0014] The invention aims to provide a solution to the drawbacks set out above of the prior art.

[0015] According to a first aspect, the invention relates to a collar for supporting an accessory on a pipeline comprising two half-collars assembled in a removable manner, one of the half-collars comprising a through-hole for mounting the accessory. According to the invention, the collar comprises assembly and closing means made of a single material comprising a removable articulation and a clip-on closing lock formed in the half-collars.

[0016] According to a particular characteristic, the clip-on closure lock comprises a closure pawl formed in one of the half-collars and a closure striker formed in the other of the half-collars, the pawl and the striker having a plurality of locking teeth arranged so as to provide two levels of locking.

[0017] According to another particular characteristic, the two locking levels comprise a first level of pre-holding the collar in position on the pipe and a second level of strong tightening of the collar on the pipe.

[0018] According to yet another particular characteristic, the half-collars comprise tool supports in the form of a recess and / or a protruding portion, located at the level of the clip-on closing lock and intended for tightening the collar on the pipe using a tool.

[0019] According to yet another particular characteristic, the removable articulation comprises several female articulation elements formed in one of the half-collars and an articulation axis formed in the other of the half-collars, the female articulation elements being partially open and aligned with a spacing between them, the articulation axis having bearing elements sized and spaced so as to be housed between the female articulation elements when the articulation axis is inserted into the female articulation elements.

[0020] According to yet another particular characteristic, the half-collar not comprising the through-hole for mounting the accessory comprises a hole forming a drilling guide intended to facilitate the installation of the collar on a pipeline.

[0021] According to yet another particular characteristic, the half-collar not comprising the through-hole for mounting the accessory comprises assembly elements indexed mortise-and-tenon type joints made from one material, arranged in such a way as to allow a side-by-side, removable and aligned assembly of two identical half-collars.

[0022] According to yet another particular characteristic, the collar is made of plastic material, by injection molding.

[0023] According to yet another particular characteristic, the accessory mounting through-well is inclined at a predetermined angle relative to a perpendicular to a longitudinal central axis of the collar. This characteristic is advantageous, because it allows, thanks to the collar of the invention, to install a pH measuring probe on a vertical portion of the pipeline.

[0024] According to another aspect, the invention relates to an assembly comprising an accessory support collar as briefly described above and a measuring probe mounted on the collar. In accordance with the invention, this assembly also comprises a screwable connection formed from a single piece and sealing means equipping the measuring probe, which are arranged so as to ensure, by means of a stuffing box, a sealed mounting and a mechanical fixing of the probe on the collar, by tightening the connection in an accessory mounting well of the collar. The mechanical fixing of the measuring probe thus obtained is sufficient, in particular, to prevent it from moving back under the effect of the water pressure in the pipe.

[0025] According to a particular embodiment, the probe is typically a pH measuring probe.

[0026] Other advantages and characteristics of the present invention will appear more clearly on reading the detailed description below of several particular embodiments of the invention, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

[0027] [Fig-1] [Fig. 1] is a perspective view of the prior art pipeline accessory support collar.

[0028] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a perspective view of a top half-collar of the collar of the prior art of [Fig.l], with a pH probe mounted in a well of the half-collar.

[0029] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a perspective view showing the sealed mounting of the pH probe in the well of the half-collar of [Fig.2], by means of a prior art probe connector, called an insertion probe holder, comprising a plurality of parts.

[0030] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a perspective view showing in detail the probe connection of the prior art used in the assembly of [Fig.3].

[0031] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] is a perspective view of a support collar of pipe accessory according to the invention, in an open state.

[0032] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] is a side view of the accessory support collar of the [Fig.5], in a closed state.

[0033] [Fig.7] [Fig.7] is another side view of the accessory support collar of [Fig.5], in a closed state.

[0034] [Fig.8] [Fig.8] is a front view of the accessory support collar of [Fig.5], in a closed state.

[0035] [Fig.9] [Fig.9] is a perspective view of the accessory support collar of [Fig.5] to which a lower half-collar of another identical collar is assembled, by mortise-and-tenon type elements.

[0036] [Fig. 10] [Fig. 10] is a perspective view of an assembly formed of an accessory support collar according to the invention and a pH measuring probe.

[0037] [Fig. 11] [Fig. 11] is a front view of the assembly of [Fig. 10].

[0038] [Fig. 12] [Fig. 12] is a longitudinal sectional view of the assembly of [Fig. 10].

[0039] [Fig. 13] [Fig. 13] is a perspective view of a probe connector used in the invention for mounting the pH measuring probe in the collar of the assembly [Fig. 10].

[0040] Generally speaking, it will be noted that the spatial reference system considered in the present patent application for the accessory support collar and for the assembly formed of the collar and a measuring probe is the orthogonal spatial reference system XYZ shown in Figs. 5 to 13. In this orthogonal spatial reference system XYZ, the axes X, Y and Z correspond respectively to a longitudinal horizontal axis, a transverse horizontal axis and a vertical axis.

[0041] With reference to Figs. 5 to 9 and 10 to 13, a particular embodiment CA2 of an accessory support collar according to the invention is described below, as well as an ECS assembly formed of the collar CA2 and a pH probe designated SM.

[0042] As clearly visible in Figs. 5 to 9, the accessory support collar CA2 is of the removable articulation type and comprises a top half-collar CH2 and a bottom half-collar CB2, each configured in a semicircle. In the following description and all of the figures, the collar CA2 is considered in a spatial arrangement such that the closing plane of the half-collars CH2, CB2, is located in the XY plane, with a longitudinal central axis AL aligned in X.

[0043] The half-collars CH2, CB2, are manufactured by injection molding, typically in plastic material, as two separate parts intended to be assembled. The upper half-collar CH2 comprises assembly and closing means in the form of several female articulation elements AF and a closing pawl CL, as well as the accessory mounting well PA. The lower half-collar CB2 comprises other assembly and closing means in the form of a hinge pin AA and a closing striker GD, male TE and female MO elements of the tenon-mortise type and a drill hole TG. The female articulation elements AF and the hinge pin AA cooperate to form the removable joint above mentioned. The CL closing pawl and the GD closing strike cooperate to form a clip-on closing lock.

[0044] In the high half-collar CH2, the female articulation elements AF are similar and three in number in this embodiment. As best seen in [Fig.9], the female articulation elements AF are aligned in X, with a regular spacing, and are partially open from the top to be able to introduce the articulation axis AA. Reinforcing ribs NE are provided for the mechanical robustness of the female articulation elements AF. The spacing of the female articulation elements AF provides clearances in which load-bearing elements EP of the articulation axis AA are housed, visible in [Fig.6].

[0045] The CL closing ratchet typically comprises several teeth which are here arranged in two parallel rows aligned in an X, so as to provide two levels of closure, namely, a first level of pre-holding in position and a second level of strong tightening guaranteeing the desired mechanical fixing and sealing.

[0046] The accessory mounting well PA, as clearly visible in Figs. 6, 7 and 12, is inclined at an angle AN relative to the Z axis, in the XZ plane. The angle AN is here substantially at least 5 degrees. When the collar CA2 is installed on a vertical portion of the pipe CN, this angle AN provides the desired inclination for the probe SM relative to the horizontal, as indicated above in the description of the state of the art.

[0047] Furthermore, as visible in [Fig.9], the accessory mounting well PA comprises a female thread FL, conforming to the G1 / 2 standard, for mounting the probe SM with a screw connection. A circular groove GC, visible in Figs.5 and 12, is provided for the installation of a sealing gasket JE around the opening of the well PA giving onto the pipe CN.

[0048] In the low half-collar CB2, as seen in Figs. 6 and 9, the articulation axis AA extends longitudinally in X and is connected to the body of the half-collar by the aforementioned bearing elements EP, as well as by lateral bearing elements EPL. These bearing elements EP, EPL, are regularly spaced to allow the assembly of the articulation axis AA with the female articulation elements AF.

[0049] The described architecture of the female articulation elements AF and the articulation axis AA allows complete assembly / disassembly of the half-collars CH2 and CB2, which can be assembled to form the collar CA2 or separated into two separate parts. This disassembly feature provides advantages in terms of repairability at lower cost and additional function attributable to a part, as will become more clearly apparent below. Furthermore, the described architecture of the disassemblable articulation allows a reduction in material, to the benefit of cost optimization, while maintaining excellent mechanical robustness.

[0050] As visible in [Fig.5], the closing latch GD typically comprises several teeth which are here arranged in two parallel rows aligned in X. The closing of the collar CA2 is obtained by the meshing of the teeth of the closing pawl CL and the closing latch GD.

[0051] The first level of closure mentioned above, namely the pre-positioning level, corresponds to a meshing of the teeth of the first row, obtained without tools by a force exerted by hand by an operator. The second level of closure mentioned above, namely the strong tightening level, corresponds to a meshing of the teeth of the second row, obtained by the operator using simple multi-grip pliers. A recess forming a shoulder EC, visible in [Fig. 5], is provided under the closing latch GD to serve as a tightening support for one tooth of the multi-grip pliers, another tightening support for the other tooth of the multi-grip pliers being formed by a protruding flat, PL, above the closing pawl CL. The tools required for closing / opening the collar CA2 are limited to multi-grip pliers for tightening it strongly and a screwdriver to unclip the pawl CL for opening the collar.

[0052] The male element forming a tenon TE and the female element forming a mortise MO included in the lower half-collar CB2 allow a side-by-side, removable and indexed assembly of several half-collars CB2 or collars CA2, as shown in [Fig.9], to obtain a desired alignment.

[0053] The drill hole TG in the half-collar CB2 provides assistance for drilling the pipe CN. Thus, one or more half-collars CB2 assembled by their tenon-mortise elements TE, MO, are arranged on the pipe CN for drilling it at the locations corresponding to the drill holes TG. The diameter of the hole TG indicates that of the drill to be used to drill the pipe CN. The drilled hole is thus suitable for the insertion of the accessory to be installed, here the probe SM.

[0054] The means described above integrated in the half-collar CB2, namely, the tenon-mortise elements TE, MO, and the drilling hole TG, give this part an additional function of alignment and drilling template. With these characteristics, the invention provides a quick and easy installation on the pipeline of the collars and the corresponding accessories supported, with the guarantee of compliance with pre-established assembly specifications.

[0055] Referring now more particularly to Figs. 10 to 13, the ECS assembly according to the invention essentially comprises an accessory support collar CA2, a pH measuring probe SM and a probe connector RS.

[0056] Unlike the prior art, mounting the SM probe on the CA2 collar requires a reduced number of parts. This mounting is of the cable gland type and is made by means of the RS probe connection and sealing means including one or more JO O-rings and one or more RO washers.

[0057] The RS probe connector is a plastic part made by injection molding. As seen in [Fig. 13], the RS probe connector has a central through bore AC provided for a press-fitting of the SM probe. The RS probe connector has a head portion TE, a threaded screw portion PV and a pressing portion PR. The head portion TE has a general external shape of a hexagonal cylinder with recesses to maintain a uniform material thickness. The threaded screw portion PV is standardized G1 / 2. The pressing portion PR is of circular cylindrical shape with smooth surfaces and is provided for the application of the tightening pressure on the means JO, RO, in order to thus obtain the seal by means of a stuffing box.

[0058] Thus, the probe SM is first fitted tightly into the central bore AC of the probe connector RS. The sealing means JO, RO are then placed on the tubular casing ET (see [Fig. 12]) of the probe SM. The tubular casing ET is then introduced into the well PA of the collar CA2. The end of the tubular casing ET enters the pipe CN through the hole drilled opposite the well PA. The assembly of the probe SM is completed by tightening the probe connector RS in the well PA with a wrench, which tightening makes it possible to obtain the desired mechanical fixing and sealing.

[0059] In the embodiment described above, the SM probe is a commercially available off-the-shelf probe and the RS probe connector is then attached to the probe by means of a tightened fitting. Other embodiments may use a specific probe, designed to further optimize costs and the manufacturing process, in which the probe and its connector form a single piece, the connector having been overmolded onto the probe itself and covering the latter on its upper part.

[0060] The invention is not limited to the particular embodiments which have been described here by way of example. Those skilled in the art, depending on the applications of the invention, will be able to make various modifications and variants falling within the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims

Claims

1. Assembly comprising a measuring probe (SM), a support collar (CA2) on the pipe and a screwable connection (RS) for waterproof mounting and mechanical fixing of said probe (SM) on said collar (CA2), said collar comprising two half-collars assembled in a removable manner (CH2, CB2), one of the half-collars (CH2) comprising a through-well (PA) for mounting said probe (SM), characterized in that said collar (CA2) comprises assembly and closing means made of material comprising a removable articulation (AF, AA) and a clip-on closing lock (CL, GD) formed in said half-collars, and in that said assembly also comprises sealing means (JO, RO), equipping said probe (SM), which are arranged with said screwable connection (RS) so as to ensure, by means of a stuffing box, waterproof mounting and mechanical fixing of said probe (SM) on said collar (CA2),by tightening said fitting in said through well (PA).,

2. An assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that said clip-on closure lock comprises a closure pawl (CL) formed in one of said half-collars (CH2) and a closure striker (GD) formed in the other of said half-collars (CB2), said pawl and striker (CL, GD) having a plurality of locking teeth arranged to provide two levels of locking.

3. Assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that said two locking levels comprise a first level of pre-holding in position said collar (CA2) on said pipe (CN) and a second level of strong tightening of said collar (CA2) on said pipe (CN).

4. Assembly according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that said half-collars (CH2, CB2) comprise tool supports in the form of a recess (EC) and / or a protruding portion (PL), located at the level of said clip-on closing lock and intended for tightening said collar (CA2) on said pipe (CN) using a tool.

5. Assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said removable articulation comprises several female articulation elements (AF) formed in one of said half-collars (CH2) and an articulation axis (AA) formed in the other of said half-collars (CB2), said female articulation elements (AF) being par- partially open and aligned with a spacing between them, said articulation axis (AA) having load-bearing elements (EP, EPL) sized and spaced so as to fit between said female articulation elements (AF) when said articulation axis (AA) is inserted into said female articulation elements (AF).

6. Assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the half-collar (CB2) not comprising said through well (PA) comprises a hole forming a drilling guide (TG) intended to facilitate the installation of said collar (CA2) on a pipeline (CN).

7. Assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said half-collar (CB2) not comprising said through well (PA) comprises indexed assembly elements of the tenon-mortise type (TE, MO) made in one piece, arranged so as to allow a side-by-side, removable and aligned assembly of two said identical half-collars (CB2).

8. Assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it is made of plastic material, by injection molding.

9. Assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that said through-well (PA) is inclined at a predetermined angle (AN) relative to a perpendicular to a longitudinal central axis (AL) of said collar (CA2).

10. Assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the measuring probe (SM) is a pH measuring probe.

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