RAPID-CONNECT COUPLER WITH VENT-STOP

• US 20160047505A1
• Filed: 10/30/2015
• Published: 02/18/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/21/2011
• 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 9,857,010 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/12 using hooks, pawls or other movable or insertable locking members F16L37/084 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/23 by means of balls
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/35 at least one of the valves having an axial bore
• 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 37/42 the valve having an axial bore communicating with lateral apertures
• 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 137/0402 Cleaning, repairing, or assembling
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/598 With repair, tapping, assembly, or disassembly means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87957 Valves actuate each other

Abstract

An embodiment includes a rapid-connect coupler including a coupler body configured to convey a fluid; a coupling head at a first end of and communicating with the coupler body, the coupling head configured to transition between a coupled configuration and a de-coupled configuration. The coupler may further include a stop apparatus configured to allow the coupling head to transition from the de-coupled configuration to the coupled configuration without obstruction, and the stop apparatus may be configured to provide a hard-stop as the coupling head transitions from the coupled configuration to the de-coupled configuration.

Claims

1. A rapid-connect coupler for use in connection with a receptacle, the rapid-connect coupler comprising:

a coupler body configured to convey a fluid;

a coupling head disposed towards a first end of the coupler body and configured to move in a first direction and a second direction, opposite to the first direction, along the coupler body, and wherein the coupling head is movable between a coupled configuration where the coupling head is configured to couple with the receptacle and communicate the fluid with the receptacle, and a de-coupled configuration, where the coupling head is capable of being disconnected from the receptacle to prevent fluid communication between the receptacle and the coupling head;

a stop position disposed along the coupler body, where the coupling head is capable of achieving a hard-stop;

a handle configured to transition the coupling head between the coupled configuration and the de-coupled configuration; and

a stop apparatus configured to enable the coupling head to move in the first direction without achieving the hard-stop at the stop position, and further configured to enable the coupling head to move in the second direction until the coupling head achieves the hard-stop at the stop position.

2. The rapid-connect coupler of claim 1, wherein the coupling head is configured to transition into a semi-coupled configuration between the coupled configuration and the de-coupled configuration when stopped at the stop position along the coupler body, and the coupling head is configured to enable venting of the fluid when in the semi-coupled configuration.

3. The rapid-connect coupler of claim 1, wherein the coupling head is configured to engage the hard-stop at the stop position when moving in the second direction after being in the coupled configuration and prior to transitioning to the de-coupled configuration.

4. The rapid-connect coupler of claim 3, wherein the coupling head is configured to move in the first direction from the de-coupled configuration until reaching the coupled configuration.

5. The rapid-connect coupler of claim 4, further comprising a sleeve having openings to direct a path of the fluid during venting, and the coupling head is configured to vent the fluid through the sleeve.

6. The rapid-connect coupler of claim 1, wherein the coupling head is configured to transition into a semi-coupled configuration between the coupled configuration and the de-coupled configuration when stopped at the stop position along the coupler body, and the coupling head is configured to enable venting of the fluid when in the semi-coupled configuration.

7. The rapid-connect coupler of claim 6, wherein the stop apparatus comprises a stop-release configured to release the coupling head from the hard-stop at the stop position so that the coupling head is enabled to transition from the semi-coupled configuration to the de-coupled configuration.

8. A rapid-connect coupler for use in connection with a receptacle, the rapid-connect coupler comprising:

a coupler body configured to convey a fluid from a first coupler body end to a second coupler body end;

a probe assembly configured to translate within the coupler body;

a coupling head disposed at a first end of the probe assembly and configured to move in a first direction and a second direction, opposite to the first direction, along the coupler body, and wherein the coupling head is movable between a coupled configuration where the coupling head is configured to couple with the receptacle and communicate the fluid with the receptacle, and a de-coupled configuration, where the coupling head is configured to cease fluid communication between the receptacle and the coupling head; and

a stop position disposed along the probe assembly, where the coupling head is capable of achieving a hard-stop;

a stop apparatus configured to enable the coupling head to move in the first direction without achieving the hard-stop at the stop position, and further configured to enable the coupling head to move in the second direction until the coupling head achieves the hard-stop at the stop position.

9. The rapid-connect coupler of claim 8, wherein the stop apparatus is configured to enable the hard-stop at the stop position by selectively arresting translation of the probe assembly.

10. The rapid-connect coupler of claim 9, wherein the coupling head transitions into a semi-coupled configuration at the stop position, wherein the rapid-connect coupler is prevented from de-coupling from the receptacle in the semi-coupled configuration and the fluid is vented from the rapid-connect coupler when in the semi-coupled configuration.

11. The rapid-connect coupler of claim 10, wherein the stop apparatus comprises a stop-release configured to release the coupling head from the hard-stop at the stop position so that the coupling head is enabled to transition the semi-coupled configuration to the de-coupled configuration.

12. The rapid-connect coupler of claim 11, wherein the coupling head is configured to vent the fluid through a sleeve having openings to direct a path of the fluid.

13. The rapid-connect coupler of claim 8, wherein the coupling head is configured to engage the hard-stop at the stop position when moving in the second direction after being in the coupled configuration and prior to transitioning to the de-coupled configuration.

14. A rapid-connect coupler for use in connection with a receptacle, the rapid-connect coupler comprising:

a coupler body configured to convey a fluid;

a probe assembly configured to translate within the coupler body;

a coupling head disposed towards a first coupler body end and configured to translate between a coupled configuration and a de-coupled configuration;

a stop position disposed along the coupler body, where the coupling head is capable of achieving a hard-stop between the coupled configuration and the de-coupled configuration; and

a stop apparatus configured to enable the coupling head to move in a first direction without achieving the hard-stop at the stop position, and further configured to enable the coupling head to move in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, until the coupling head achieves the hard-stop at the stop position.

15. The rapid-connect coupler of claim 14, further comprising a handle configured to transition the coupling head between the coupled configuration and the de-coupled configuration.

16. The rapid-connect coupler of claim 14, wherein the stop apparatus enables the hard-stop at the stop position by selectively arresting translation of the probe assembly.

17. The rapid-connect coupler of claim 14, wherein the coupler body transitions into a semi-coupled configuration at the stop position between the coupled configuration and the de-coupled configuration, wherein the coupling head is configured to partially de-couple with the receptacle and vent the fluid when the coupling head is in the semi-coupled configuration.

18. The rapid-connect coupler of claim 17, further comprising a handle configured to transition the coupling head between the coupled configuration and the de-coupled configuration.

19. The rapid-connect coupler of claim 18, wherein the stop apparatus comprises a stop-release configured to release the coupling head from the hard-stop at the stop position so that the coupling head is enabled to transition to the de-coupled configuration after the semi-coupled configuration.

20. The rapid-connect coupler of claim 19, wherein the coupling head is configured to vent the fluid through a sleeve having openings to direct a path of the fluid during venting.