RAPID-CONNECT COUPLER

• US 20150362111A1
• Filed: 08/24/2015
• Published: 12/17/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 08/10/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Engineered Controls International LLC (Engineered Controls International Holdings LLC)
• Original Assignee: Engineered Controls International LLC (Engineered Controls International Holdings LLC)
• Inventors: Konishi, Howard M.
• Granted Patent: US 9,732,893 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 21/08 with additional locking means F16L17/035, F16L17/04, F16L21/04, F16L21/06 take precedence; screwed joints F16L19/08; couplings of the quick-acting type F16L37/00
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/096 by means of hooks hinged about an axis
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/1215 using hooks provided with a screw-thread adapted to engage and mesh with an appropriate corresponding part
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/23 by means of balls
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/40 with a lift valve being opened automatically when the coupling is applied
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 55/07 Arrangement or mounting of devices, e.g. valves, for venting or aerating or draining apparatus for draining F16T
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/037 Quick connecting means, e.g. couplings
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7856 Valve seat formed on or carried by a coupling element

Abstract

A rapid-connect gas coupler is shown and described herein. In an embodiment, the rapid-connect gas coupler includes a spring-loaded probe within a probe cavity, which is defined by a housing and one or more latch segment. The probe can engage with a gas connector, which causes the latch segment to engage and couple with the gas connector.

Claims

1. A rapid-connect coupling apparatus for coupling a fuel source coupling to a fuel tank receiving connector, comprising:

a housing defining, at least in part, a probe cavity;

a probe configured to translate within the probe cavity;

a latch assembly pivotally coupled to the housing, wherein the latch assembly is configured to pivot about a pivot point with respect to the housing based on a translation of the probe within the probe cavity; and

a sleeve configured to cause a first latch end of the latch assembly to pivot and disengage from the probe as the sleeve translates about the housing.

2. The rapid-connect coupling apparatus of claim 1, wherein the latch assembly comprises a plurality of latch segments.

3. The rapid-connect coupling apparatus of claim 2, wherein each latch segment comprises a threaded portion at the first latch end.

4. The rapid-connect coupling apparatus of claim 3, wherein each latch segment includes a second latch end configured to engage a notch portion of the probe as the probe translates within the probe cavity.

5. The rapid-connect coupling apparatus of claim 2, wherein the plurality of latch segments are configured to rotate about the pivot point when a second latch end engages a notch portion of the probe.

6. The rapid-connect coupling apparatus of claim 2, wherein the plurality of latch segments are positioned around a circumference of the probe.

7. The rapid-connect coupling apparatus of claim 1, wherein the latch assembly comprises a plurality of latch segments, each latch segment including a first end configured to contact the probe when the rapid-connect coupling apparatus is in a non-coupled state and configured to disengage from the probe when the rapid-connect coupling apparatus is in a coupled state.

8. The rapid-connect coupling apparatus of claim 7, wherein the plurality of latch segments are configured to grip an outer portion of the fuel tank receiving connector when the first end disengages the probe when the rapid-connect coupling apparatus is in the coupled state.

9. The rapid-connect coupling apparatus of claim 1, wherein the probe comprises a notch portion, and a second latch end of the latch assembly is configured to engage the notch portion as the first latch end disengages from the probe.

10. A rapid-connect coupling apparatus for coupling with a connector, comprising:

a probe configured to translate within a probe cavity;

at least one latch segment having a first latch end disposed in contact with the probe when the rapid-connect coupling apparatus is in a non-coupled state with the connector;

a sleeve configured to cause the first latch end of the at least one latch segment to disengage from the probe when the sleeve slides in a first direction, and cause the first latch end of the at least one latch segment to engage an outer portion of the connector when the sleeve slides in a second direction.

11. The rapid-connect coupling apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a check valve actuating apparatus disposed within a portion of the probe cavity and extending from the first probe end.

12. The rapid-connect coupling apparatus of claim 11, wherein the check valve actuating apparatus is removable via one end of the housing.

13. The rapid-connect coupling apparatus of claim 11, wherein the check valve actuating apparatus is biased by a spring and a portion of the check valve actuating apparatus is operable to retract within the probe.

14. The rapid-connect coupling apparatus of claim 11, wherein the check valve actuating apparatus is configured to be locked in a retracted position.

15. The rapid-connect coupling apparatus of claim 10, wherein each latch segment comprises a threaded portion at the first latch end.

16. The rapid-connect coupling apparatus of claim 10, wherein each latch segment comprises a second latch end opposite the first latch end, and the second latch end is configured to engage a notch portion of the probe as the probe translates within the probe cavity in the first direction.

17. The rapid-connect coupling apparatus of claim 16, wherein the second latch end is configured to transition out of the notch portion as the probe translates within the probe cavity in the second direction.

18. The rapid-connect coupling apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a ball cam surrounding a portion of the probe within the probe cavity.

19. The rapid-connect coupling apparatus of claim 18, wherein the ball cam is configured to slide along a length of the probe.

20. A rapid-connect coupling apparatus, comprising:

a probe configured to translate within a probe cavity;

a fluid passageway defined by at least an interior of the probe, the fluid passageway configured to communicate fluid between a first probe end and a second probe end; and

a latch assembly configured to pivot about a pivot point with respect to a housing based on a translation of the probe within the probe cavity.