Connection State Sensing for Coupling Device

• US 20070209716A1
• Filed: 03/13/2007
• Published: 09/13/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Colder Products Company (Dover Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Colder Products Company (Dover Corporation)
• Inventors: Rankin, William John
• Granted Patent: US 7,841,357 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 137/554
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 37/0033 using a permanent magnet, e.g. in combination with a reed relays
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 37/0041 for measuring valve parameters F16K37/0033 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 2201/10 Indicators for correct coupling
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/0841 by means of a transversally slidable locking member surrounding the tube
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/42 the valve having an axial bore communicating with lateral apertures
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 7/1844 Monitoring or fail-safe circuits for relays H01H47/002
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0318 Processes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8242 Electrical

Abstract

A coupling device includes a main body defining a fluid flow passage, and a valve member moveable between an unconnected state and a connected state. The coupling device also includes a magnet coupled to the valve member, and a sensor coupled to the main body, the sensor being configured to sense a change in a magnetic flux of the magnet as the valve member moves between the unconnected state and the connected state to determine a connection state of the coupling device.

Claims

1. A coupling device, comprising:

a main body defining a fluid flow passage;

a valve member moveable between an unconnected state and a connected state;

a magnet coupled to one of the valve member or the main body; and

a sensor coupled to an other of the valve member or the main body, the sensor being configured to sense a change in a magnetic flux of the magnet as the valve member moves between the unconnected state and the connected state to estimate a connection state of the coupling device.

2. The coupling device of claim 1, wherein the sensor is configured to measure an angle of the magnetic flux to estimate the connection state.

3. The coupling device of claim 1, wherein the sensor is configured to estimate a plurality of connection states.

4. The coupling device of claim 3, wherein the plurality of connection states includes the unconnected state, the connected state, and a partially connected state.

5. The coupling device of claim 1, wherein the sensor is configured to estimate a position of the valve member relative to the main body.

6. The coupling device of claim 1, further comprising a transceiver configured to transmit a signal indicating the connection state of the coupling device.

7. A fluid coupling system, the system comprising:

a first coupling device connected to a source of a fluid;

a second coupling device connected to a destination of the fluid, the second coupling device including;

a main body defining a fluid flow passage;

a spring;

a valve member moveable by the spring between an unconnected state and a connected state;

a magnet coupled to the valve member; and

a sensor coupled to the main body, the sensor being configured to sense a change in a magnetic flux of the magnet as the valve member moves between the unconnected state and the connected state to estimate a connection state of the second coupling device;

wherein the first coupling device is connected to the second coupling device so that the valve member is pushed into the main body from the unconnected state to the connected state; and

wherein the sensor senses the change in the magnetic flux as the valve member moves between the unconnected state and the connected state.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the sensor is configured to measure an angle of the magnetic flux to estimate the connection state.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein the sensor is configured to estimate a plurality of connection states.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the plurality of connection states includes the unconnected state, the connected state, and a partially connected state.

11. The system of claim 7, wherein the sensor is configured to estimate a position of the valve member relative to the main body.

12. The system of claim 7, further comprising a transceiver configured to transmit a signal indicating the connection state of the second coupling device.

13. The system of claim 12, further comprising a host controller, wherein the host controller is configured to receive the signal indicating the connection state of the second coupling device, and wherein the host controller controls the fluid flowing from the source based on the connection state of the second coupling device.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the transceiver transmits the connection state to the host controller using a wired or wireless connection.

15. A method of estimating a connection state of a coupling device, the method comprising:

positioning a magnet on a first component of the coupling device;

positioning a sensor on a second component of the coupling device;

allowing the first component to move relative to the second component as the coupling device is connected; and

estimating the connection state of the coupling device by measuring a change in an angle of a magnetic flux of the magnet.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

coupling the magnet to a valve of the coupling device; and

coupling the sensor to a housing of the coupling device.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the step of estimating further comprises estimating a position of the valve relative to the housing.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of estimating further comprising estimating a plurality of connection states.

19. The method of claim 15, further comprising transmitting the connection state.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the step of transmitting further comprises transmitting the connection state to a host controller.