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Two-way uncoupling valve assembly

  • US 4,541,457 A
  • Filed: 02/24/1984
  • Issued: 09/17/1985
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/17/1982
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A two-way uncoupling valve assembly for use in a fluid line, the flow of fluid generally being in a downstream direction, the coupling assembly comprising:

  • (a) a female coupling member having a front end and a back end, said female coupling member defining a path for the flow of fluid therethrough;

    (b) a male coupling member having a front end and a back end and defining a path for the flow of fluid therethrough, the front end of said male coupling member facing the front end of said female coupling member, said male coupling member including a hollow tubular portion, said tubular portion being constructed and arranged for removable insertion into the front end of said female coupling member, said female coupling member defining an axial tubular bore within which said tubular portion of said male coupling member is concentrically received, said tubular portion of said male coupling member including a seal about its circumference for providing a fluid-tight seal between the outside surface on said tubular portion and the inside surface of said tubular bore of said female coupling member upon insertion of said male coupling member into said female coupling member;

    (c) a valve assembly adapted for reciprocating longitudinal axial movement within the tubular bore of said female coupling member between a front end position and a back end position, said valve assembly being constructed and arranged for engaging said male coupling member upon insertion of said male coupling member into said female coupling member a predetermined distance whereby said valve assembly is caused to move toward the back end of said female coupling member into said back end position thereby enabling fluid flow from said male coupling member through said female coupling member, said valve assembly including means for sealing off the fluid flow path through said female coupling member when said valve assembly is in said front end position;

    (d) locking means proximate the front end of said female coupling member for releasably locking said male coupling member in said female coupling member when said valve assembly is in said back end position, said locking means being activated upon insertion of said male coupling member a predetermined distance into said female coupling member;

    (e) release means interconnected to said locking means for deactivating said locking means whereby said male coupling member is released by said locking means;

    (f) biasing means adapted for biasing said valve assembly toward the front end of said female coupling member into said front end position whereby when said male coupling member is released by deactivating said locking means, said valve assembly is biased into said front end position forcing said male coupling member in a downstream direction and preventing the flow of fluid through said female coupling member; and

    (g) threaded coupling means for removably coupling said male coupling member to said female coupling member in a coupled state, said threaded coupling means enabling axial movement of said male coupling member to provide for axial movement of said valve assembly within said female coupling member between said back end position and said front end position while in said coupled state.

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