RAPID-CONNECT COUPLER WITH VENT-HOLES
First Claim
1. A coupling apparatus, comprising:
- a coupler body having an aperture and configured to convey a fluid; and
a vent apparatus disposed on the aperture of the coupler body and configured to allow fluid inside the coupler body to be evacuated when the coupler body transitions between a coupled configuration to a de-coupled configuration.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An embodiment includes a coupling system having a rapid-connect coupler configured to engage a male fuel receptacle to convey a fluid. The coupling system may be configured to transition between a coupled configuration and a de-coupled configuration. When transitioning between configurations, significant pressure may build up inside various coupling orifices such that when a disconnection procedure is invoked, the pressure may cause significant forces to push the rapid-connect coupler off of the male receptacle. This may lead to damage and injury. Thus, coupling system may further include vent holes configured to allow pressure inside to be relieved when transitioning from the coupled configuration to the de-coupled configuration.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A coupling apparatus, comprising:
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a coupler body having an aperture and configured to convey a fluid; and a vent apparatus disposed on the aperture of the coupler body and configured to allow fluid inside the coupler body to be evacuated when the coupler body transitions between a coupled configuration to a de-coupled configuration. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A rapid-connect coupler system, comprising:
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a first coupler having a first aperture configured to convey a fluid; and a first vent disposed on the first aperture of the first coupler and configured to allow fluid inside the first coupler to be removed through the first vent when the first coupler transitions between a coupled configuration to a de-coupled configuration; and a second coupler configured to engage the first coupler body in the coupled configuration - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method;
- comprising;
decoupling a rapid-connect coupler from a male fuel receptacle, the rapid-connect coupler and male fuel receptacle forming a pressurized coupling configured to convey fluid from rapid-connect coupler to the male fuel receptacle; and evacuating fluid from the pressurized coupling through vent holes in male fuel receptacle during the decoupling. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
- comprising;
Specification