The present disclosure relates to a coupling. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a coupling, with a swivel, for a supply fluid and a return fluid.

Background

Many hydraulic tools driven by hydraulic fluid require couplings. Such couplings supply hydraulic fluid to a hydraulic tool and return the hydraulic fluid from the tool to a fluid supply. A drawback with couplings, especially coaxial couplings, is that, if a cold hydraulic tool with a nipple (the male part, not coupled together with the coupling, the female part) is left in the sun, then the hydraulic oil in the nipple and tool expands and the enclosed pressure increases. This pressure can be up to a few hundred bars, which makes coupling together by hand force impossible without the use of special tools, etc. to discharge the pressure into the open air. This adversely affects the use and the operation of the tool and its coupling. US6089265 may be useful for understanding this disclosure.

A further drawback with known coaxial couplings is that, since the coupling (the female part) is pressurized, when a pressurized supply fluid is connected to the female part, a quick-fit coupling can not be connected without manually applying a large force. This can result in that a connection with the tool can not be made and the tool can therefore not be used.

A further technical problem is that couplings for a hydraulic tool do not allow much movement or freedom of the hydraulic supply hoses. When the hoses are coupled to the hydraulic tool, then the hoses can prevent the hydraulic tool from reaching or operating at the necessary location. Further problems arise when the hoses are under pressure of the hydraulic fluid and can not be moved easily or at all. A coupling that allows the hoses to be moved in relation to the hydraulic tool is desirable.

A further technical problem is that any coupling part must also fit and work together with already existing tools and existing hose kits. It is desirable that parts of the coupling are not expensive to produce. It is further a technical problem to avoid cumbersome arrangement and/or arrangements that are expensive to manufacture. Summary of the Invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide a coupling for a supply fluid and a return fluid. This object can be achieved by the features as defined by the independent claims. Further enhancements are characterized by the dependent claims.

According to one embodiment, a coupling for a supply fluid and a return fluid is disclosed. The coupling comprises a swivel part (300), a first part (100), and a second part (200). The swivel part (300) comprises a rotational axis (350) and a swivel part first channel (320) inside the swivel part (300) for the supply fluid. The first part (100) comprises a first opening (1 10) for the swivel part (300), a first part first channel (120) for the supply fluid, and a first part second channel (130) for the return fluid. The first part (100) being configured to receive the supply fluid and to return the return fluid. The second part (200) comprises a second opening (210) for the swivel part (300), a second part first channel (220) for the supply fluid, and a second part second channel (230) for the return fluid. The second part being configured to receive a rotatable coupling (400). The swivel part (300) arranging the first part (100) and the second part (200) rotatably relative to each other. The first opening (1 10) holding substantially a continuous half of the swivel part (300) and the second opening (210) holding substantially the other continuous half of the swivel part (300).

According to one embodiment, the coupling further comprises a swivel part second channel (330) for the return fluid. The swivel part second channel (330) being around the swivel part and inside one or both of the first part (100) and second part (200), wherein the swivel part channel (320) channels the supply fluid inside the swivel part (300) and the swivel part second channel (330) channels the return fluid outside the swivel part (300). Hereby the flow of the fluid in the swivel part (300) is coaxial, while the flow of fluid in the first part (100) and the second part (200) is not coaxial.

According to one embodiment, the swivel part (300) comprises a first swivel part (301 ) and a second swivel part (302) connectable to each other, for supporting the first part (100) and the second part (200) rotatably to each other. According to one embodiment, a rotation axis (250) of the second part (200) for the rotatable coupling (400) is substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis (350) of the swivel part (300). According to one embodiment, the swivel part (300) comprises one or more first radial openings (322) in the swivel part (300) for the supply fluid to enter the swivel part first channel (320). The one or more first radial openings (322) being in fluid communication with the first part first channel (120) for the supply fluid. The swivel part (300) comprises one or more second radial openings (324) in the swivel part (300) for the supply fluid to exit the swivel part first channel (320). The one or more second radial openings (324) being in fluid communication with the second part first channel (220) for the supply fluid.

According to one embodiment, the coupling is a torque wrench coupling. Preferably the coupling is for a high pressure supply fluid, e.g. above 250 bar. According to one embodiment, the coupling is configured for a supply fluid having a higher pressure than the return fluid by channelling the supply fluid through the swivel part first channel (320).

According to one embodiment, a tool comprises a coupling according to any one of the embodiments disclosed herein. Preferably, the rotatable coupling is connectable with a nipple, the nipple being directly arranged in the tool.

According to at least one embodiment, a coupling that allows the hoses to be moved in relation to the hydraulic tool is provided. Embodiments of the coupling fit and work together with already existing tools, couplings, and hose kits. The parts of the coupling are not expensive to produce. At least one embodiment avoids cumbersome arrangement and/or arrangements that are expensive to manufacture.

At least one of the above embodiments provides one or more solutions to the problems and disadvantages with the background art. Other technical advantages of the present disclosure will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art from the following description and claims. Various embodiments of the present application obtain only a subset of the advantages set forth. No one advantage is critical to the embodiments. Any claimed embodiment may be technically combined with any other claimed embodiment(s). Brief Description of the Drawings

The accompanying drawings illustrate presently exemplary embodiments of the disclosure and serve to explain, by way of example, the principles of the disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of a swivel according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure; FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic illustration of a swivel according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic illustration of a swivel according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic illustration of a swivel according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure; and

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic illustration of a swivel according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. Detailed Description

Fig 1 shows a coupling according to one embodiment with a swivel (100, 200, 300) and a rotatable coupling (400). The swivel rotates about a rotation axis (350) and the rotatable coupling (400) rotates about a rotation axis (250). The two rotation axes may be perpendicular. The coupling allows in this way movement and freedom between hydraulic hoses and a hydraulic tool, i.e. the hoses will not be in the way for operating the tool. The hydraulic hoses may be connected to the swivel and the rotatable coupling may be connected to the tool. The rotatable coupling may be a coaxial coupling. The coupling may be for a supply fluid and a return fluid. The fluid may be a hydraulic fluid. The coupling may be used for connecting a hydraulic tool with a hydraulic fluid supply. Such hydraulic fluid may be supplied to the hydraulic tool and returned to the hydraulic fluid supply.

With reference to Figs 2 and 3, according to one embodiment, the coupling may comprise a swivel part (300). The swivel part (300) may comprise a rotational axis (350) and a swivel part first channel (320) inside the swivel part (300) for the supply fluid. The swivel part first channel (320) may be completely within the swivel part (300). The swivel part first channel (320) may be for the supply fluid, having a higher pressure than the return fluid. In this way leakage is effectively prevented, rotational movement of the swivel is made easier, and reduction of stress caused by the pressurised fluid is reduced.

The coupling may comprise a first part (100) comprising a first opening (1 10) for the swivel part (300), a first part first channel (120) for the supply fluid, and a first part second channel (130) for the return fluid. The first part (100) may be configured to receive the supply fluid and to return the return fluid. This may be done by connecting hydraulic hoses from a supply to the first part (100). Two parallel quick-fit couplings are illustrated as examples for this in Figs 1 -5. A coaxial coupling may be used instead for the first part (100) to connect to a supply fluid.

The coupling may comprise a second part (200) comprising a second opening (210) for the swivel part (300), a second part first channel (220) for the supply fluid, and a second part second channel (230) for the return fluid. The second part (200) may be configured to receive a rotatable coupling (400). The rotatable coupling (400) may be a coaxial coupling and connectable with a nipple in the hydraulic tool.

The coupling may be further configured such that the swivel part (300) arranges the first part (100) and the second part (200) rotatably relative to each other. In this way the two parts are held together. The swivel part (300) is connecting, holding, the first part (100) and the second part (200) rotatably relative to each other. The first opening (1 10) holding substantially a continuous half of the swivel part (300) and the second opening (210) holding substantially the other continuous half of the swivel part (300). The first opening (1 10) is so to say accommodating, taking up, about half the swivel part (300) and the second opening (210) is accommodating, taking up, about the other half of the swivel part (300). Since the first opening (1 10) is configured for holding substantially half the swivel part (300) and the second opening (210) is configured for holding substantially the other half of the swivel part (300), the first part (100) and second part (200) are rotatably held together.

According to one embodiment, the coupling further comprises a swivel part second channel (330) for the return fluid. The swivel part second channel (330) may be formed around the swivel part (300) and inside one or both of the first part (100) and second part (200). The swivel part second channel (330) may thus be formed completely around, on the outside of, the swivel part (300) and inside one or both of the first part (100) and second part (200). In this way the swivel part channel (320) channels the supply fluid inside the swivel part (300) and the swivel part second channel (330) channels the return fluid outside the swivel part (300). This is shown in Figs 3 and 5. Naturally the supply and return fluids could be channelled vice versa.

According to one embodiment, the swivel part (300) comprises a first swivel part (301 ) and a second swivel part (302) connectable to each other. There may be, for example, a threaded engagement between the first swivel part (301 ) and the second swivel part (302) to connect the two. In this way the swivel part supports, holds, the first part (100) and the second part (200) together and allow them to rotate relatively. According to one embodiment shown in Fig 5, the first swivel part (301 ) and the second swivel part (302) may have about the same length and be connectable to each other by a threaded engagement. According to one embodiment shown in Fig 7, the first swivel part (301 ) may be like a nut and the second swivel part (302) may be stretching through the whole length of the first part (100) and the second part (200). The first swivel part (301 ) and the second swivel part (302) may be connectable to each other by a threaded engagement.

According to one embodiment, a rotation axis (250) of the second part (200) for the rotatable coupling (400) is substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis (350) of the swivel part (300). The rotation axis (250) of the rotatable coupling (400) goes through the second part (200) and allows the second part (200) to rotate via the rotatable coupling (400) around the rotation axis (250).

According to one embodiment, as shown in Figs 1-3, the coupling may further comprise one or more supports (170) for supporting the first part (100) and the second part (200) rotatably to each other. The one or more supports (170) may be on one or both sides of the swivel, connecting, for example a side of, the first part (100) with the swivel part (300) and/or connecting the second part (200) with the swivel part (300). Hereby the coaxial arrangement of the swivel is assisted. However, the support may not be necessary, especially if the bearings between the swivel part (300) and the first part (100) and the second part (200) are stiff enough.

According to one embodiment, as shown in Figs 3 and 5, the swivel part (300) comprises one or more first radial openings (322) in the swivel part (300) for the supply fluid to enter the swivel part first channel (320). The one or more first radial openings (322) being in fluid communication with the first part first channel (120) for the supply fluid. The swivel part (300) may further comprise one or more second radial openings (324) in the swivel part (300) for the supply fluid to exit the swivel part first channel (320). The one or more second radial openings (324) being in fluid communication with the second part first channel (220) for the supply fluid. In this way a fluid, supply or return fluid, may flow through the first part first channel (120), through the one or more first radial openings (322), through the swivel part first channel (320), through the one or more second radial openings (324), and through the second part first channel (220). This flow is shown by solid arrows in Fig 3. Furthermore, a fluid, supply or return fluid, may flow through the second part second channel (230), through the swivel part second channel (330), and through the first part second channel (130). This flow is shown by hashed arrows in Fig 3. The two flows are also present in Fig 5, but not marked by arrows. This channelling of the fluid allows two fluids to be connected to the tool by the coupling.

According to one embodiment, the second part (200) is configured for removably receiving the rotatable coupling (400). The rotatable coupling (400) may be configured for delivering the supply fluid, for receiving the return fluid, and for direct or indirect coupling to a tool, preferably a hydraulic tool, such as a torque wrench tool. According to one embodiment, the coupling is a torque wrench coupling. Preferably the nipple for the rotatable coupling is arranged directly in the tool so that the coupling can be connected and the tool thereby received hydraulic power.

According to one embodiment, the coupling is for a high pressure supply fluid. The fluid, hydraulic fluid may be supplied with a pressure of 70 bar or more, or 100 bar or more, or 200 bar or more, or 250 bar or more, 300 bar or more, 400 bar or more, 500 bar or more. The specific configuration of the coupling claimed balances the high pressure fluid flow through the coupling, allows for the coupling to swivel even under high pressure supply, allows for a compact coupling, reduces stress, and/or allows an easy and robust manufacturing. Additionally, the coupling allows for coupling parts to fit and work together with already existing tools, couplings, and hose kits. The parts of the coupling are not expensive to produce. The coupling avoids cumbersome arrangement or arrangements that are expensive to manufacture.

According to one embodiment, the coupling comprises an adapter for twin hoses or a coaxial hose for the supply and return fluids. The coaxial hose is not shown in the figures.

According to one embodiment, the coupling is configured for a supply fluid having a higher pressure than the return fluid. This configuration is made by channelling the supply fluid through the swivel part first channel (320). That is to say, the supply fluid is channelled through the first part first channel (120), through the one or more first radial openings (322), through the swivel part first channel (320), through the one or more second radial openings (324), and through the second part first channel (220). This specific configuration of the coupling claimed balances the high pressure fluid flow through the coupling. This provides a coupling with no leakages and a safe coupling. According to one embodiment, a tool comprises a coupling according to any one of the embodiments described above. Preferably, such a tool comprises that the rotatable coupling (400) of the coupling is connectable with a nipple, the nipple being directly arranged in the tool. The tool may be a hydraulic tool, such as a torque wrench tool.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.

List of elements Coupling

100 first part

1 10 first opening

120 first part first channel

130 first part second channel

170 one or more supports

200 second part

210 second opening

220 second part first channel

230 second part second channel 250 rotation axis of second part

300 swivel part

301 first swivel part

302 second swivel part

320 swivel part first channel

322 one or more first radial openings

324 one or more second radial openings 330 swivel part second channel 350 rotation axis of swivel part

400 rotatable coupling