US 12,169,039 B2
Tamper-resistant hydraulic connections
Eric Sorosiak, Liberty Township, OH (US); and William Delaney, Indianapolis, IN (US)
Assigned to ThyssenKrupp Bilstein of America Inc., Hamilton, OH (US); and thyssenkrupp AG, Essen (DE)
Filed by ThyssenKrupp Bilstein of America Inc., Hamilton, OH (US); and thyssenkrupp AG, Essen (DE)
Filed on Jan. 27, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/102,186.
Prior Publication US 2024/0255085 A1, Aug. 1, 2024
Int. Cl. F16L 37/252 (2006.01)
CPC F16L 37/252 (2013.01) 6 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A tamper-resistant hydraulic connection comprising:
a fitting that includes:
a passage that extends longitudinally for transmitting hydraulic fluid,
a flange,
a head that is longitudinally spaced apart from the flange, and
a central body disposed longitudinally between the head and the flange, wherein the head includes a plurality of lobes that protrude radially relative to the central body;
a port that includes a central opening that extends longitudinally and is configured to transmit hydraulic fluid, wherein the lobes of the head are configured to be retained in respective pockets within the central opening, wherein the pockets are configured to prevent the head from rotating and are configured to prevent the head from retreating from the central opening, wherein the fitting and the port are configured to create a fluid-tight connection; and
an elastic member that is configured to be compressed longitudinally between the flange of the fitting and the port when the tamper-resistant hydraulic connection is fully assembled;
wherein a first of the lobes has a different profile than a second and a third of the lobes such that the fitting can only be inserted into the central opening of the port at a single angular position relative to the port;
wherein the profile of the first of the lobes has a different radius of curvature than the second and the third of the lobes.