Title of Invention	TUBING CONNECTION KIT AND METHOD
Abstract	The present invention relates to a kit of parts for use in fabricating an air-conditioning system comprising a tubing component (1') having at least two in-line sections with different external diameters and a set of connection means (3), each connection means having dimensions such that it may be joined to the tubing component at a respective section and enable connection to a pipe of substantially the same diameter as the respective section. A method of connecting a tubing component to a pipe of an air-conditioning system is also disclosed..

Title of Invention

TUBING CONNECTION KIT AND METHOD

Abstract

The present invention relates to a kit of parts for use in fabricating an air-conditioning system comprising a tubing component (1') having at least two in-line sections with different external diameters and a set of connection means (3), each connection means having dimensions such that it may be joined to the tubing component at a respective section and enable connection to a pipe of substantially the same diameter as the respective section. A method of connecting a tubing component to a pipe of an air-conditioning system is also disclosed..

Full Text	This invention concerns the connection of tubing components to pipes, and has particular relevance to air-conditioning systems. The global market for air-conditioning systems has risen dramatically in the last decade and looks set to continue to expand, for example into Eastern Europe. Currently, the most advanced air-conditioning system in common use is the VRV or Variable Refrigerant Volume system. This system comes in two types: "cooling only" which is a two-pipe system, or a three pipe system which performs cooling and heating providing heating through recognised heat-pump technology. A network of pipes is installed around the building to supply refrigerant to the relevant cooling coils ("air handlers") in the required areas. Figure 1 shows a known apparatus for assembly into such a network. A metal tubing component 1 is shown as a bifurcated Y-shaped junction to be connected to a metal pipe 2. The tube component 1 comprises several sections of different diameter, for example the first branch of the junction has two in-line sections X1 and X2, while the second branch has three in-line sections: Y1, Y2 and Y3 to enable the component to be fitted to various standard, i.e. commercially accepted, sizes of pipe 2. When the component is to be fitted, the diameter of pipe 2 is determined and the correct diameter section of the component 1 is used to enable the pipe 2 to be accommodated within the section. In the figure shown, section X2 has the correct diameter to allow pipe 2 to be inserted within it. If however pipe 2 was wider, then section X1 would have to be used. In that case, the component would be cut off at section X1 to allow insertion of the pipe 2. To fix the pipe 2 within the end section of component 1, the pipe and section are welded together. This is a cumbersome operation, especially since it is necessary to purge the weld region with nitrogen in order to prevent oxidation of the metal. Accordingly, the connection of tubing component 1 to pipe 2 is intricate and subsequently expensive and prone to error and fire risk, and takes an excessively long time to complete. It is an object of the present invention to provide a connection kit and method which overcome the above problems. This is achieved by the use of cold jointing means with a correspondingly resized tubing component. In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a kit of parts for use in fabricating an air-conditioning system comprising a tubing component having at least two in-line sections with different external diameters and a set of connection means, each connection means having dimensions such that it may be joined to the tubing component at a respective section and enable connection to a pipe of substantially the same diameter as the respective section. Preferably, each connection means comprises a locking ring. In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of connecting a tubing component to a pipe of an air-conditioning system comprising the steps of: providing a tubing component with at least two in-line sections with different external diameters; selecting a section with substantially the same diameter as the pipe; if the selected section is not at an end of the tubing component, cutting the tubing component in the vicinity of the selected section so that the selected section is at an end of the tubing component; providing a set of connection means in a range of sizes; selecting a connection means of suitable dimensions for joining to the selected section; and joining the selected connection means both to the tubing component at the selected section and to the pipe. Preferably, each connection means comprises a locking ring. The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the following figures in the accompanying drawings, in which :- Figure 1 shows a conventional pipe assembly; Figure 2 shows unconnected apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 3 shows the apparatus of the embodiment in a connected state. Referring now to Figures 2 and 3, an assembly is shown according to an embodiment of the invention. Starting with Figure 2, again it is desired to connect a tubing component 1' to a pipe 2. The tubing component 1' again comprises several sections of various external diameters, for example the in-line sections X1', X2', X3' and X4' of a first branch and in-line sections Y1', Y2' and Y3' of a second branch. However, with this embodiment the diameters of the sections are set to be standard, i.e. commercially accepted and available, sizes. Since the pipe 2 is also of a standard diameter, it is possible to select a section which has the same diameter as the pipe 2. In the example shown in the figure, section X2' has the same diameter as the pipe, and therefore the component is cut at section X2' as shown. Clearly it is also possible to select a section of the second branch to enable this branch to be connected also. Connection between the component 1' and pipe 2 is achieved by use of a connection means 3, which in the present embodiment comprises a locking ring. A suitable locking ring for this purpose is for example manufactured by Vulkan Lokring, Rohrverbindungen GmbH & Co. KG of Heme, Germany. Connection is achieved by inserting the ends of the pipe and component into the locking ring as shown, the ends being covered with a sealing preparation beforehand if necessary. A compression device is then used to squeeze the two end rings 4 of the locking ring together, which compresses the ends and holds them tightly and sealingly within the connection means. The compression device will preferably comprise a manually operable tool, which uses a ratchet arrangement to assist the user in forcing the rings together. A powered compression device is also available, and both of these devices are manufactured by Vulkan Lokring for example. The connected assembly is shown in Figure 3. The advantage of using such a connection means is that the join can be done cold, i.e. without welding, thus reducing the complexity, time and cost of the assembly operation. Furthermore, no expensive or complex equipment is needed to fit the connection means. A plurality of connection means of different sizes will be provided, allowing the tubing component to be fitted to a variety of sizes of pipe by appropriate selection of component width section and connection means. Although the invention has been described with reference to the embodiments above, there are many other modifications and alternatives possible within the scope of the claims. For example, any suitable cold connection means may be used in place of the locking ring. We Claim : 1. A kit of parts for use in fabricating an air-conditioning system comprising a tubing component having at least two in-line sections with different external diameters and a set of connection means, each connection means having dimensions such that it may be joined to the tubing component at a respective section and enable connection to a pipe of substantially the same diameter as the respective section. 2. A kit as claimed in claim 1, wherein each connection means comprises a locking ring. 3. A method of connecting a tubing component to a pipe of an air-conditioning system comprising the steps of: providing a tubing component with at least two in-line sections with different external diameters; selecting a section with substantially the same diameter as the pipe; if the selected section is not at an end of the tubing component, cutting the tubing component in the vicinity of the selected section so that the selected section is at an end of the tubing component; providing a set of connection means in a range of sizes; selecting a connection means of suitable dimensions for joining to the selected section; and joining the selected connection means both to the tubing component at the selected section and to the pipe. 4. A method as claimed in claim 3, wherein each connection means comprises a locking ring. 5. A kit of parts as hereinbefore described with reference to the figures. 6. A method of connecting a tubing component to a pipe as hereinbefore described with reference to the figures. The present invention relates to a kit of parts for use in fabricating an air-conditioning system comprising a tubing component (1') having at least two in-line sections with different external diameters and a set of connection means (3), each connection means having dimensions such that it may be joined to the tubing component at a respective section and enable connection to a pipe of substantially the same diameter as the respective section. A method of connecting a tubing component to a pipe of an air-conditioning system is also disclosed..

Full Text

This invention concerns the connection of tubing components to pipes, and has particular
relevance to air-conditioning systems.
The global market for air-conditioning systems has risen dramatically in the last decade and
looks set to continue to expand, for example into Eastern Europe. Currently, the most advanced
air-conditioning system in common use is the VRV or Variable Refrigerant Volume system.
This system comes in two types: "cooling only" which is a two-pipe system, or a three pipe
system which performs cooling and heating providing heating through recognised heat-pump
technology.
A network of pipes is installed around the building to supply refrigerant to the relevant cooling
coils ("air handlers") in the required areas. Figure 1 shows a known apparatus for assembly into
such a network. A metal tubing component 1 is shown as a bifurcated Y-shaped junction to be
connected to a metal pipe 2. The tube component 1 comprises several sections of different
diameter, for example the first branch of the junction has two in-line sections X1 and X2, while
the second branch has three in-line sections: Y1, Y2 and Y3 to enable the component to be fitted
to various standard, i.e. commercially accepted, sizes of pipe 2. When the component is to be
fitted, the diameter of pipe 2 is determined and the correct diameter section of the component 1
is used to enable the pipe 2 to be accommodated within the section. In the figure shown, section
X2 has the correct diameter to allow pipe 2 to be inserted within it. If however pipe 2 was wider,
then section X1 would have to be used. In that case, the component would be cut off at section
X1 to allow insertion of the pipe 2. To fix the pipe 2 within the end section of component 1, the
pipe and section are welded together. This is a cumbersome operation, especially since it is
necessary to purge the weld region with nitrogen in order to prevent oxidation of the metal.
Accordingly, the connection of tubing component 1 to pipe 2 is intricate and subsequently
expensive and prone to error and fire risk, and takes an excessively long time to complete.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a connection kit and method which overcome
the above problems. This is achieved by the use of cold jointing means with a correspondingly
resized tubing component.

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a kit of parts for use
in fabricating an air-conditioning system comprising a tubing component having at least two
in-line sections with different external diameters and a set of connection means, each
connection means having dimensions such that it may be joined to the tubing component at a
respective section and enable connection to a pipe of substantially the same diameter as the
respective section.
Preferably, each connection means comprises a locking ring.
In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of
connecting a tubing component to a pipe of an air-conditioning system comprising the steps of:
providing a tubing component with at least two in-line sections with different
external diameters;
selecting a section with substantially the same diameter as the pipe;
if the selected section is not at an end of the tubing component, cutting the
tubing component in the vicinity of the selected section so that the selected
section is at an end of the tubing component;
providing a set of connection means in a range of sizes;
selecting a connection means of suitable dimensions for joining to the selected
section; and
joining the selected connection means both to the tubing component at the
selected section and to the pipe.
Preferably, each connection means comprises a locking ring.
The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the following figures
in the accompanying drawings, in which :-
Figure 1 shows a conventional pipe assembly;
Figure 2 shows unconnected apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;
and
Figure 3 shows the apparatus of the embodiment in a connected state.

Referring now to Figures 2 and 3, an assembly is shown according to an embodiment of the
invention. Starting with Figure 2, again it is desired to connect a tubing component 1' to a
pipe 2. The tubing component 1' again comprises several sections of various external
diameters, for example the in-line sections X1', X2', X3' and X4' of a first branch and in-line
sections Y1', Y2' and Y3' of a second branch. However, with this embodiment the diameters of
the sections are set to be standard, i.e. commercially accepted and available, sizes. Since the
pipe 2 is also of a standard diameter, it is possible to select a section which has the same
diameter as the pipe 2. In the example shown in the figure, section X2' has the same diameter
as the pipe, and therefore the component is cut at section X2' as shown. Clearly it is also
possible to select a section of the second branch to enable this branch to be connected also.
Connection between the component 1' and pipe 2 is achieved by use of a connection means 3,
which in the present embodiment comprises a locking ring. A suitable locking ring for this
purpose is for example manufactured by Vulkan Lokring, Rohrverbindungen GmbH & Co.
KG of Heme, Germany. Connection is achieved by inserting the ends of the pipe and
component into the locking ring as shown, the ends being covered with a sealing preparation
beforehand if necessary. A compression device is then used to squeeze the two end rings 4 of
the locking ring together, which compresses the ends and holds them tightly and sealingly
within the connection means. The compression device will preferably comprise a manually
operable tool, which uses a ratchet arrangement to assist the user in forcing the rings
together. A powered compression device is also available, and both of these devices are
manufactured by Vulkan Lokring for example. The connected assembly is shown in Figure
3.
The advantage of using such a connection means is that the join can be done cold, i.e. without
welding, thus reducing the complexity, time and cost of the assembly operation.
Furthermore, no expensive or complex equipment is needed to fit the connection means.
A plurality of connection means of different sizes will be provided, allowing the tubing
component to be fitted to a variety of sizes of pipe by appropriate selection of component
width section and connection means.

Although the invention has been described with reference to the embodiments above, there
are many other modifications and alternatives possible within the scope of the claims. For
example, any suitable cold connection means may be used in place of the locking ring.

We Claim :
1. A kit of parts for use in fabricating an air-conditioning system comprising a tubing
component having at least two in-line sections with different external diameters and a set of
connection means, each connection means having dimensions such that it may be joined to
the tubing component at a respective section and enable connection to a pipe of substantially
the same diameter as the respective section.
2. A kit as claimed in claim 1, wherein each connection means comprises a locking
ring.
3. A method of connecting a tubing component to a pipe of an air-conditioning system
comprising the steps of:
providing a tubing component with at least two in-line sections with different
external diameters;
selecting a section with substantially the same diameter as the pipe;
if the selected section is not at an end of the tubing component, cutting the
tubing component in the vicinity of the selected section so that the selected
section is at an end of the tubing component;
providing a set of connection means in a range of sizes;
selecting a connection means of suitable dimensions for joining to the selected
section; and
joining the selected connection means both to the tubing component at the
selected section and to the pipe.
4. A method as claimed in claim 3, wherein each connection means comprises a locking
ring.
5. A kit of parts as hereinbefore described with reference to the figures.

6. A method of connecting a tubing component to a pipe as hereinbefore described with
reference to the figures.

The present invention relates to a kit of parts for use in fabricating an air-conditioning system
comprising a tubing component (1') having at least two in-line sections with different external
diameters and a set of connection means (3), each connection means having dimensions such that it
may be joined to the tubing component at a respective section and enable connection to a pipe of
substantially the same diameter as the respective section. A method of connecting a tubing component
to a pipe of an air-conditioning system is also disclosed..

TUBING CONNECTION KIT AND METHOD

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