Low-Spill Coupling Assembly

• US 20150090915A1
• Filed: 12/11/2014
• Published: 04/02/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Colder Products Company (Dover Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Colder Products Company (Dover Corporation)
• Inventors: Vranish, David J.
• Granted Patent: US 11,067,210 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 251/149.6
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 27/073 one of the cooperating surfaces forming the sealing means
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/34 at least one of the lift valves being of the sleeve type, i.e. a sleeve is telescoped over an inner cylindrical wall
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/413 the lift valve being of the sleeve type, i.e. a sleeve being telescoped over an inner cylindrical wall
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87957 Valves actuate each other

Abstract

A coupling system includes a female coupling device, the female coupling device including a first main body with a first front face, the first front face defining a first opening leading into a first fluid passageway; a stem having a stem head positioned within a sleeve; a first spring positioned about the stem that biases the sleeve into a closed position; a first seal that seals between the main body and the sleeve; a second seal that seals between the sleeve and the stem head; and a third seal that is positioned at the opening of the main body.

Claims

1. A coupling system, comprising:

a female coupling device, the female coupling device including;

a first main body with a first front face, the first front face defining a first opening leading into a first fluid passageway;

a stem having a stem head positioned within a sleeve;

a first spring positioned about the stem that biases the sleeve into a closed position;

a first seal that seals between the main body and the sleeve;

a second seal that seals between the sleeve and the stem head; and

a third seal that is positioned at the opening of the main body;

a male coupling device, the male coupling device including;

a second main body with a second front face, the second front face defining a second opening leading into a second fluid passageway;

a valve member and a second spring positioned within the second fluid passageway; and

a major seal that seals between the second main body and the valve member;

wherein the second main body of the male coupling device is capable of being inserted into the first opening of the first main body of the female coupling device so that the first seal and the third seal of the female coupling device engage the second main body of the male coupling device; and

wherein the sleeve and the valve member are displaced against the first and second springs such that the second seal and the major seal are disengaged so that fluid flows through the first and second fluid passageways.

2. The coupling system of claim 1, further comprising a clip member slidably mounted on the female coupling device, the clip member slidable between a coupled position wherein the clip member engages the mating male coupling device and an uncoupled position wherein the clip member is disengaged from the mating male coupling device.

3. The coupling system of claim 1, wherein the third seal is capable of sealing against the second main body of the male coupling device so that a fluid-tight configuration is created.

4. The coupling system of claim 1, wherein the male coupling device is capable of being pulled out of the female coupling device for release therefrom.

5. The coupling system of claim 1, wherein the female coupling device includes a termination coupled to the first main body of the female coupling device using a coupling technique.

6. The coupling system of claim 3, wherein the shoulder engages a surface formed by the second main body to limit further travel of the valve member in a direction toward the second front face.

7. The coupling system of claim 5, wherein the coupling technique is selected from the group consisting of sonic welding, staking, press-fitting, threading, and mixtures thereof.

8. A female coupling device, comprising:

a main body having a front face, the front face defining an opening leading into a fluid passageway;

a stem having a stem head positioned within a sleeve;

a spring positioned about the stem that biases the sleeve into a closed position;

a first seal that seals between the main body and the sleeve;

a second seal that seals between the sleeve and the stem head; and

a third seal that is positioned at the opening of the main body to seal against a mating male coupling device;

wherein the male coupling device is capable of being inserted into the opening of the main body of the female coupling device.

9. The female coupling device of claim 8, wherein the female coupling device includes a termination coupled to the main body of the female coupling device using a coupling technique.

10. The female coupling device of claim 9, wherein the coupling technique is selected from the group consisting of sonic welding, staking, press-fitting, threading, and mixtures thereof

11. A female coupling device, comprising:

a main body having a front face, the front face defining an opening leading into a fluid passageway;

a stem having a stem head positioned within a sleeve;

a spring positioned about the stem that biases the sleeve into a closed position;

a first seal that seals between the main body and the sleeve;

a second seal that seals between the sleeve and the stem head;

a third seal that is positioned at the opening of the main body to seal against a mating male coupling device; and

a clip member slidably mounted on the female coupling device, the clip member slidable between a coupled position wherein the clip member engages the mating male coupling device and an uncoupled position wherein the clip member is disengaged from the mating male coupling device.

12. The female coupling device of claim 11, wherein the clip member includes a spring, the clip member being biased toward the coupled position by the spring.

13. The female coupling device of claim 11, wherein the clip member includes a plate portion, the plate portion defining an aperture alignable with the mating male coupling device.

14. The female coupling device of claim 11, further including a termination that is capable of being coupled to another component.

15. The female coupling device of claim 13, wherein the clip member further includes a tab portion, the tab portion provides a surface for a user to press down on the clip member to place the clip member in the uncoupled position when inserting the mating male coupling device in the opening of the female coupling device.

16. The female coupling device of claim 14, wherein the component is a fluid line or device.

17. A coupling system, comprising:

a female coupling device, the female coupling device including;

a first main body with a first front face, the first front face defining a first opening leading into a first fluid passageway;

a stem having a stem head positioned within a sleeve;

a first spring positioned about the stem that biases the sleeve into a closed position;

a first seal that seals between the main body and the sleeve;

a second seal that seals between the sleeve and the stem head;

a third seal that is positioned at the opening of the main body; and

a clip member slidably mounted on the female coupling device;

a male coupling device, the male coupling device including;

a second main body with a second front face, the second front face defining a second opening leading into a second fluid passageway;

a valve member and a second spring positioned within the second fluid passageway; and

a major seal that seals between the second main body and the valve member;

wherein the clip member is slidable between a coupled position wherein the clip member engages the male coupling device and an uncoupled position wherein the clip member is disengaged from the male coupling device;

wherein the second main body of the male coupling device is capable of being inserted into the first opening of the first main body of the female coupling device so that the first seal and the third seal of the female coupling device engage the second main body of the male coupling device; and

wherein the sleeve and the valve member are displaced against the first and second springs such that the second seal and the major seal are disengaged so that fluid flows through the first and second fluid passageways.

18. The coupling system of claim 17, wherein the third seal is capable of sealing against the second main body of the male coupling device so that a fluid-tight configuration is created.

19. The coupling system of claim 17, wherein the male coupling device further includes a shoulder on the valve member.

20. The coupling system of claim 19, wherein the shoulder engages a surface formed by the second main body to limit further travel of the valve member in a direction toward the second front face.