MULTI-PORT CONNECTOR FOR FLUID ASSEMBLIES
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A connector for a fluid handling system, the connector comprising:
- a body having an inner chamber, inlet port, and a primary outlet port;
the inlet port and primary outlet port being in open fluid communication with one another such that a first fluid pathway extends between the inlet port and the primary outlet port through the inner chamber; and
at least one auxiliary outlet port, in open fluid communication with the inner chamber of the body and the inlet port such that a second fluid pathway extends between the inlet port and the at least one auxiliary outlet port;
at least a portion of the second fluid pathway extending away from the first fluid pathway at an angle such that the at least one auxiliary outlet port and the inlet port are not coaxially aligned with one another.
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Abstract
A multi-port connector is provided with a body having an inlet port associated with a primary outlet port and a plurality of auxiliary outlet ports. The auxiliary outlet ports may include valve systems for selective fluid engagement with a fluid source. The primary outlet port of the body is valve-free in some embodiments, allowing the connector to be coupled with additional multi-port connectors to form multi-line fluid manifolds.
20 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A connector for a fluid handling system, the connector comprising:
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a body having an inner chamber, inlet port, and a primary outlet port;
the inlet port and primary outlet port being in open fluid communication with one another such that a first fluid pathway extends between the inlet port and the primary outlet port through the inner chamber; andat least one auxiliary outlet port, in open fluid communication with the inner chamber of the body and the inlet port such that a second fluid pathway extends between the inlet port and the at least one auxiliary outlet port; at least a portion of the second fluid pathway extending away from the first fluid pathway at an angle such that the at least one auxiliary outlet port and the inlet port are not coaxially aligned with one another. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A connector system for a fluid handling system, the connector system comprising:
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a first connector comprising; a body having an inner chamber, inlet port, and a primary outlet port;
the inlet port and primary outlet port being in open fluid communication with one another such that a first fluid pathway extends between the inlet port and the primary outlet port through the inner chamber; andat least one auxiliary outlet port, in open fluid communication with the inner chamber of the body and the inlet port such that a second fluid pathway extends between the inlet port and the at least one auxiliary outlet port; at least a portion of the second fluid pathway extending away from the first fluid pathway at an angle such that the at least one auxiliary outlet port and the inlet port are not coaxially aligned with one another; a second connector comprising; a body having an inner chamber, inlet port, and a primary outlet port;
the inlet port and primary outlet port being in open fluid communication with one another such that a first fluid pathway extends between the inlet port and the primary outlet port through the inner chamber; andat least one auxiliary outlet port, in open fluid communication with the inner chamber of the body and the inlet port such that a second fluid pathway extends between the inlet port and the at least one auxiliary outlet port; at least a portion of the second fluid pathway extending away from the first fluid pathway at an angle such that the at least one auxiliary outlet port and the inlet port are not coaxially aligned with one another; the inlet port of the second connector being removably coupled with the outlet port of the first connector such that the first fluid pathway of the first connector and the first fluid pathway of the second connector are coaxial with one another. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A connector for a fluid handling system, the connector comprising:
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a body having an inner chamber, inlet port, and a primary outlet port;
the inlet port and primary outlet port being in open fluid communication with one another such that a first fluid pathway extends between the inlet port and the primary outlet port through the inner chamber;the first fluid pathway extending along a long axis that is coaxially aligned with the inlet port and the primary outlet, such that the inlet port and the primary outlet are positioned opposite one another; and a first auxiliary outlet port, in open fluid communication with the inner chamber of the body and the inlet port such that a second fluid pathway extends between the inlet port and the first auxiliary outlet port; a second auxiliary outlet port, in open fluid communication with the inner chamber of the body and the inlet port such that a third fluid pathway extends between the inlet port and the first auxiliary outlet port; a first valve assembly positioned within the inner chamber of the body, closely adjacent the first auxiliary outlet port;
the first valve assembly being selectively movable between an open position permitting fluid travel along the second fluid pathway and out the first auxiliary port, and a closed position that restricts fluid travel along the second fluid pathway; anda second valve assembly positioned within the inner chamber of the body, closely adjacent the first auxiliary outlet port;
the second assembly being selectively movable between an open position permitting fluid travel along the second fluid pathway and out the first auxiliary port, and a closed position that restricts fluid travel along the second fluid pathway.the first fluid pathway, second fluid pathway, and third fluid pathway, intersect one another at a point downstream from the inlet port, within the inner chamber of the body. the first auxiliary outlet port and second auxiliary outlet port are oriented to face at least partially away from the inlet port such that obtuse angles are created between each of the second fluid pathway and third fluid pathway with a long axis that extends into the body from the inlet port.
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Specification