QUICK-FIT HYDRAULIC OR HYDRODYNAMIC COUPLING FOR PRESSURISED FLUIDS

• US 20160061370A1
• Filed: 12/17/2013
• Published: 03/03/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 04/05/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alfagomma S.p.A.
• Original Assignee: Alfagomma S.p.A.
• Inventors: GENNASIO, Enrico, MAZZOLI, Stefano, DOI, Rinaldo
• Granted Patent: US 9,879,811 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/12 actuated by fluid fluid-actuated lift valves F16K1/126 ; fluid-actuated check valves F16K15/00; fluid-actuated safety valves F16K17/00
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 19/0206 the collar not being integral with the pipe
• 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 29/007 Joints with cut-off devices controlled separately takes precedence; operating means for cut-off devices in general F16K31/00
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/18 Joints tightened by eccentrics or rotatable cams
• 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 37/56 for double-walled or multi-channel pipes or pipe assemblies

Abstract

The quick-fit coupling (1) for pressurised fluid comprises a valve body (3) extending along a longitudinal axis (L) and having an axial cavity (4) wherein a shutter stem (5) is axially movable with respect to the valve body in contrast to and by action of at least one elastic element (6) between a position for opening and a position for closing an axial passage of fluid through said cavity (4), the stem (5) being configured so as to be subjected by the fluid present in the cavity (4) to a resultant force having a substantially null component at least in an axial direction.

Claims

1. A quick-fit coupling for pressurised fluid, comprising a valve body extending along a longitudinal axis (L) and having an axial cavity wherein a shutter stem is axially movable with respect to the valve body in contrast to and by action of at least one elastic element between a position for opening and a position for closing an axial passage of fluid through said cavity, wherein said stem is configured so as to be subjected by the fluid present in said cavity to a resultant force having a substantially null component at least in an axial direction.

2. The quick-fit coupling for pressurised fluid according to claim 1, wherein said stem is configured so as to be subjected by the fluid present in said cavity to a resultant force having a substantially null component in a radial direction.

3. The quick-fit coupling for pressurised fluid according to claim 1, wherein at least the lateral delimitation surface of the stem directly exposed to the pressure of the fluid is cylinder-shaped.

4. The quick-fit coupling for pressurised fluid according to claim 1, wherein said stem has an internal axial cavity wherein said elastic element is positioned.

5. The quick-fit coupling for pressurised fluid according to claim 4, wherein said internal axial cavity is closed by a cap at the head end of said stem.

6. The quick-fit coupling for pressurised fluid according to claim 1, wherein said valve body has a guide element wherein said stem is slidingly engaged with the interposition of said elastic element.

7. The quick-fit coupling for pressurised fluid according to claim 6, wherein said elastic element comprises a helical spring.

8. The quick-fit coupling for pressurised fluid according to claim 6, wherein said guide element comprises a first bushing oriented coaxially to the said axis (L), a second bushing coaxial and external to the said first bushing with which it delimits a hollow space wherein said stem is slidingly guided, and a plurality of tabs for the centring of said guide element in said valve body, said tabs extending radially from the base of said second bushing.

9. The quick-fit coupling for pressurised fluid according to claim 8, wherein said tabs are made as a single piece with said second bushing, and said first bushing is made as a distinct separate piece and has a base that extends in the direction of said axis (L) and is hydraulically sealed in a central through hole in said base of said second bushing.

10. The quick-fit coupling for pressurised fluid according to claim 9, wherein said helical spring is positioned in the variable-volume chamber defined by the walls delimiting the cavity of the stem and the cavity of the first bushing.

11. The quick-fit coupling for pressurised fluid according to claim 8, wherein said tabs are fastened between an internal groove on the valve body and an internal groove on an adapter screwed to an external thread of the valve body.

12. A combination of a quick-fit male coupling according to claim 1 and a quick-fit female coupling having a ring nut that is engageable with the valve body of the male coupling for locking the reciprocal connection.

13. The combination according to claim 12, wherein said ring nut can be screwed onto an external thread of said valve body of the male coupling.

14. The combination according to claim 12, wherein said ring nut is translatable for locking at least one ball bearing in an external circumferential race of the valve body of the male coupling.

15. A multi-connection plate having two opposite plate elements mutually constrained in translation, one with respect to the other, a first plate element supporting a plurality of male couplings according to claim 1, a second plate element supporting a plurality of female couplings, each one being engageable by a corresponding male coupling, there being further provided a lever for the reciprocal movement and locking of the plate elements in a position of engagement of the male couplings in the corresponding female couplings.