Sequenced Ball Valve Coupling

• US 20130000763A1
• Filed: 06/29/2012
• Published: 01/03/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/01/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Original Assignee: Eaton Corp. (Wisconsin) (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Inventors: Haunhorst, Gregory Alan, Taras, Stephen Carl
• Granted Patent: US 8,967,177 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 137/614.01
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/36 with two lift valves being actuated to initiate the flow through the coupling after the two coupling parts are locked against withdrawal
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/373 with two taps or cocks
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0508 Ball valve or rotary ball valve
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87933 Common joint and valve seat faces, or sections joined by closing members
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87973 Coupling interlocked with valve, or closure or actuator

Abstract

Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a valve assembly. The valve assembly includes a body that defines a bore that extends through the body. A ball valve assembly is engaged to the body. The ball valve assembly includes a ball valve disposed in the bore the body and an actuator that extends through the body. The ball valve defines a passage through the ball valve. The actuator is engaged to the ball valve and includes a plurality of teeth. A sleeve is disposed about the body. The sleeve is configured for at least partial rotation about the body. The sleeve includes a gear protrusion that has a plurality of teeth. The plurality of teeth engages the plurality of teeth of the actuator during rotation of the sleeve to actuate the ball valve between an open position and a closed position.

Claims

1. A fluid coupling assembly comprising:

a first valve assembly having a first body defining a bore that extends through the first body;

a first ball valve assembly engaged to the first body, the first ball valve assembly having;

a first ball valve disposed in the bore of the first body, the first ball valve defining a passage through the first ball valve;

a first actuator being engaged to the first ball valve and extending through the first body, the first actuator having a plurality of teeth;

a second valve assembly selectively engaged to the first valve assembly, the second valve assembly having;

a second body defining a bore that extends through the second body;

a second ball valve assembly engaged to the second body, the second ball valve assembly having;

a second ball valve disposed in the bore of the second body, the second ball valve defining a passage through the second ball valve;

a second actuator being engaged to the second ball valve and extending through the second body, the second actuator having a plurality of teeth;

a sleeve disposed about the second body, the sleeve being configured for at least partial rotation about the second body, the sleeve having a gear protrusion including a first plurality of teeth and a second plurality of teeth, the first plurality of teeth engaging the plurality of teeth of the first actuator during only a first portion of rotation of the sleeve, the second plurality of teeth engaging the plurality of teeth of the second actuator during only a second portion of rotation of the sleeve.

2. The fluid coupling assembly of claim 1, wherein the sleeve is configured for axial movement from a first axial position to a second axial position for disconnecting the first and second valve assemblies.

3. The fluid coupling assembly of claim 2, wherein the sleeve is biased to the first axial position by a spring.

4. The fluid coupling assembly of claim 1, wherein the gear protrusion is disposed between the first and second actuators.

5. The fluid coupling assembly of claim 1, wherein the first plurality of teeth extends outwardly in a first direction and the second plurality of teeth extends outwardly in a second direction, the second direction being opposite the first direction.

6. The fluid coupling assembly of claim 1, wherein the sleeve defines a first slot that extends in a circumferential direction, the second actuator being disposed in the first slot.

7. The fluid coupling assembly of claim 1, wherein the second valve assembly includes a locking mechanism that is adapted to retain the sleeve in a rotary position.

8. The fluid coupling assembly of claim 7, wherein the locking mechanism includes a pin that extends radially outward from the second body.

9. The fluid coupling assembly of claim 8, wherein the sleeve defines a second slot that receives the front portion of the pin.

10. The fluid coupling assembly of claim 1, wherein the first valve assembly includes a first fitting engaged to the first body.

11. The fluid coupling assembly of claim 10, wherein the second valve assembly includes a second fitting engaged to the second body.

12. A valve assembly comprising:

a body defining a bore that extends through the body;

a ball valve assembly engaged to the body, the ball valve assembly having;

a ball valve disposed in the bore of the body, the ball valve defining a passage through the ball valve;

an actuator being engaged to the ball valve and extending through the body, the actuator having a plurality of teeth;

a sleeve disposed about the body, the sleeve being configured for at least partial rotation about the body, the sleeve having a gear protrusion including a plurality of teeth, the plurality of teeth of the sleeve engaging the plurality of teeth of the actuator during rotation of the sleeve to actuate the ball valve between an open position and a closed position.

13. The valve assembly of claim 12, wherein the sleeve defines a first slot that extends in a circumferential direction, the actuator being disposed in the first slot.

14. The valve assembly of claim 13, further comprising a locking mechanism that is adapted to retain the sleeve in a rotary position.

15. The valve assembly of claim 14, wherein the locking mechanism includes a pin that extends radially outward from the second body.

16. The valve assembly of claim 15, wherein the sleeve defines a second slot that receives a front portion of the pin.

17. A method for assembling a fluid coupling assembly, the method comprising:

providing a first valve assembly including;

a first body having a first axial end portion and an oppositely disposed second axial end portion, the first body defining a bore;

a first ball valve assembly disposed in the bore;

a fitting engaged to the second axial end portion of the first body;

providing a second valve assembly including;

a second body having a first axial end portion and an oppositely disposed second axial end portion, the second body defining a bore;

a second ball valve assembly disposed in the bore;

a fitting engaged to the second axial end portion;

a sleeve defining a bore, wherein the second body is disposed in the bore of the sleeve;

inserting the first axial end portion of the first body of the first valve assembly into the first axial end portion of the second body of the second valve assembly;

rotating the sleeve about the second body to actuate the first and second ball valve assemblies between an open position and a closed position.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising pulling the sleeve in an axial direction toward the second axial end portion of the second body before inserting the first axial end portion of the first body into the first axial end portion of the second body.

20. The method of claim 17, further comprising depressing a pin of a locking mechanism of the second valve assembly before rotating the sleeve about the second body.

18. The method of claim 176, wherein the actuation of the first and second ball valve assemblies is sequential.