MODULAR CONNECTOR

• US 20090001714A1
• Filed: 08/27/2007
• Published: 01/01/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fastest, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Fastest, Inc.
• Inventors: DANIELSON, Robert
• Granted Patent: US 8,087,436 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 285/119
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 21/04 in which sealing rings are compressed by axially-movable members for joints using a threaded member F16L19/07; quick acting couplings F16L37/00; devices for covering leaks from inside a pipe F16L55/162
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/002 which can be controlled at a distance
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/025 with an inner elastic part pressed against an outer part by reason of its elasticity
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/05 tightened by the pressure of a mechanical element
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/138 using an axially movable sleeve
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/62 pneumatically or hydraulically actuated
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 285/92 Remotely controlled

Abstract

A modular connector system that permits changes to the connector, for example changes in the type of connection interface that is used and/or changes in the type of actuator that is used to actuate the connector. By making parts of the connector changeable, the connector can be changed so as to be able to connect to different fluid systems. This eliminates the need to have separate connectors for different fluid systems.

Claims

1. A modular connector system for connecting a first fluid system to a second fluid system, comprising:

a connector body having a connector end and an actuator end; and

a plurality of connector units each of which includes a connection mechanism that detachably connects the respective connector unit to the connector end of the connector body, and the connection mechanisms of the connector units connect the connector units to the connector end in the same manner.

2. The modular connector system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of actuator units each of which includes a connection mechanism that detachably connects the respective actuator unit to the actuator end of the connector body, and the connection mechanisms of the actuator units connect the actuator units to the actuator end in the same manner.

3. The modular connector system of claim 2, wherein the connector end and the actuator end include threads, and the connection mechanisms of the connector units and the connection mechanisms of the actuator units comprise threads that are engageable with the threads on the connector end and the actuator end, respectively.

4. The modular connector system of claim 1, wherein the connector units are configured to at least one of:

seal with the second fluid system, and seal and grip with the second fluid system.

5. The modular connector system of claim 2, wherein the actuator units comprise one or more of a manual actuator, an electric actuator, and a fluid actuated actuator.

6. The modular connector system of claim 3, wherein the threads of the connection mechanisms of the actuator units are disposed on a hexagonal nut.

7. A connector body of a modular connector system, comprising:

a generally hollow sleeve having a connector end and an actuator end, threads at the connector end that enable connection to a connector unit and threads at the actuator end that enable connection to an actuator unit; and

a piston slidably disposed within the sleeve so that the piston and the sleeve can move relative to one another.

8. The connector body of claim 7, wherein the piston includes an axial fluid passageway and a radial fluid passageway, and the sleeve includes a slot formed therethrough that is aligned with the radial fluid passageway.

9. A plurality of actuator units useable in a modular connector system to actuate the connector system, each actuator unit comprising:

an actuation mechanism;

a connection mechanism that detachably connects the respective actuator unit to an actuator end of a connector body,

and the connection mechanisms connect the actuator units to the actuator end in the same manner.

10. The actuator units of claim 9, wherein the actuation mechanisms comprise one or more of a manual actuator, an electric actuator, or a fluid actuated actuator.

11. The actuator unit of claim 9, wherein the connection mechanisms comprise threads.

12. The actuator unit claim 11, wherein the threads of each connection mechanism are disposed on a hexagonal nut.

13. A plurality of connector units useable in a modular connector system to connect the connector system to a fluid system, each connector unit comprising:

means for connecting to the fluid system;

a connection mechanism that detachably connects the respective connector unit to a connector end of a connector body,

and the connection mechanisms connect the connector units to the connector end in the same manner.

14. The connector units of claim 13, wherein the means for connecting comprises at least one of:

a mechanism to seal with the fluid system, and a mechanism to seal and grip with the fluid system.

15. The connector units of claim 13, wherein the connection mechanisms comprises threads.

16. A flexible drive useable in a modular connector system to interconnect a connector body and a connector unit, comprising:

an elongated, hollow flexible tube with a first end and a second end;

a connection mechanism at the first end of the tube for detachably connecting the tube to the connector body; and

a connection mechanism at the second end of the tube for detachably connecting the tube to the connector unit.

17. The flexible drive of claim 16, further comprising an elongated, flexible shaft disposed within the tube.

18. The flexible drive of claim 16, wherein the shaft is axially movable relative to the tube.

19. The flexible drive of claim 16, further comprising a space defined between the tube and the shaft for receiving hydraulic fluid.

20. The flexible drive of claim 16, further comprising a fitting connected to the second end of the tube through which process fluid can flow.

21. A method, comprising:

at least one of;

providing a connector body that is useable in a modular connector system for connecting a first fluid system to a second fluid system;

providing a connector unit that is detachably connectable to the connector body to connect the connector system to the second fluid system; and

providing an actuator unit that is detachably connectable to the connector body to actuate the connector unit.

22. The method of claim 21, comprising two or more of providing a connector body, providing a connector unit, and providing an actuator unit.

23. The method of claim 21, comprising providing a connector body, a connector unit, and an actuator unit.