Hex swaged fluid coupling and method of making same

Abstract

A method of making a fluid coupling includes a step of providing a cylindrical stem having a fluid conduit therethrough. The method also includes a step of placing a hollow shell over a first end of the stem. The method also includes a step of die swaging the shell to the stem at an attachment location along a length of the stem, wherein the die swaging step includes forming a tool engaging hexagonal shape on an outer surface of the shell at the attachment location.

1 . A method of making a fluid coupling, comprising:
 providing a cylindrical stem having a fluid conduit therethrough;   placing a hollow shell over a first end of the stem; and   die swaging the shell to the stem at an attachment location along a length of the stem, wherein the die swaging step includes forming a tool engaging hexagonal shape on an outer surface of the shell at the attachment location.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the providing step further includes providing a nut on a second end of the stem for engaging an equipment connection. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , further including:
 providing a fluid hose having a first end for receiving the first end of the stem, wherein the hollow shell is configured to receive the first end of the hose.   
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the die swaging step further includes at least two die pieces engaging the outer surface of the shell. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the die swaging step further includes at least six die pieces engaging the outer surface of the shell. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the placing step further includes machining the shell from a bar of round stock, wherein a first end of the shell has an outer diameter less than an outer diameter of a second end of the shell. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the placing step further includes machining a step portion at the first end of the shell. 
   
   
       8 . A fluid coupling, comprising:
 a cylindrical stem having a fluid conduit therethrough;   a hollow shell provided over a first end of the stem; and   a tool engaging hexagonal shape on an outer surface of the shell at an attachment location of the shell to the stem.   
   
   
       9 . The fluid coupling of  claim 8 , further including a nut provided on a second end of the stem. 
   
   
       10 . The fluid coupling of  claim 8 , wherein at least one of an internal surface of the shell and an external surface of the first end of the stem includes at least one annular projection. 
   
   
       11 . The fluid coupling of  claim 10 , further including a fluid hose attached to the fluid coupling, wherein a first end of the fluid hose is configured to receive the first end of the stem and the shell is configured to receive the first end of the fluid hose. 
   
   
       12 . The fluid coupling of  claim 11 , wherein the fluid hose meets Society of Automotive Engineer (SAE) standard J517. 
   
   
       13 . The fluid coupling of  claim 12 , wherein the fluid hose is at least one of 100R1, 100R2, 100R3, 100R6, 100R7, 100R12, 100R14, 100R15, 100R16, and 100R17. 
   
   
       14 . The fluid coupling of  claim 11 , wherein the fluid hose meets Deutsches Institut fur Normung (DIN) standard 20023. 
   
   
       15 . The fluid coupling of  claim 11 , wherein a diameter of an internal surface of the fluid hose is about ¼ inch. 
   
   
       16 . The fluid coupling of  claim 11 , wherein a diameter of an internal surface of the fluid hose is about ⅜ inch. 
   
   
       17 . The fluid coupling of  claim 11 , wherein a diameter of an internal surface of the fluid hose is about ½ inch. 
   
   
       18 . The fluid coupling of  claim 11 , wherein a second end of the fluid hose is attached to a second fluid coupling. 
   
   
       19 . The fluid coupling of  claim 8 , wherein the tool engaging hexagonal shape includes six non-continguous flats having rounded portions therebetween. 
   
   
       20 . The fluid coupling of  claim 8 , wherein the tool engaging hexagonal shape has a ratio of a peak to peak measurement to a flat to flat measurement of less than about 1.1.