Automatically-operated self-sealing zero-spillage fluid coupling device
First Claim
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1. A fluid coupling device, comprising:
- a first section having a first housing and having a first valve element operatively arranged therein for rotation relative thereto between a flow-preventing position and a flow-permitting position, said first valve element being angularly biased toward said flow-preventing position;
a second section having a second housing and having a second valve element operatively arranged therein for rotation relative thereto between a flow-preventing position and a flow-permitting position, said second valve element being angularly biased toward said flow-preventing position;
said sections being selectively movable linearly toward one another between successive first, second and third relative positions between said housings;
one of said valve elements having a recess arranged to face the other of said valve elements when said housings are in said first relative position;
the other of said valve elements having a portion arranged within said one valve element recess when said housings are in said first relative position; and
a sequencing mechanism for first rotating said other valve element from said flow-preventing position to said flow-permitting position when said housings are moved from said first relative position to said second relative position, and for thereafter rotating said one valve element from said flow-preventing position to said flow-permitting position when said housings are further moved from said second relative position to said third relative position, said sequencing mechanism including a first spring operatively arranged to act between said first housing and said first valve element for urging said first valve element to rotate toward its flow-preventing position;
whereby a full flow passage through said device will be established when said sections are in said third relative position.
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Abstract
A fluid coupling device have separable male and female sections. Each section has a ball valve mounted for rotational and axial movement relative to a housing. When the sections are joined together, each ball valve rotates automatically to a flow-permitting position. When the sections are separated, each ball valve rotates automatically to a flow-preventing position. The ball valves interfit with one another so that a minimum volume of fluid is lost when the sections are separated.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A fluid coupling device, comprising:
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a first section having a first housing and having a first valve element operatively arranged therein for rotation relative thereto between a flow-preventing position and a flow-permitting position, said first valve element being angularly biased toward said flow-preventing position; a second section having a second housing and having a second valve element operatively arranged therein for rotation relative thereto between a flow-preventing position and a flow-permitting position, said second valve element being angularly biased toward said flow-preventing position; said sections being selectively movable linearly toward one another between successive first, second and third relative positions between said housings; one of said valve elements having a recess arranged to face the other of said valve elements when said housings are in said first relative position; the other of said valve elements having a portion arranged within said one valve element recess when said housings are in said first relative position; and a sequencing mechanism for first rotating said other valve element from said flow-preventing position to said flow-permitting position when said housings are moved from said first relative position to said second relative position, and for thereafter rotating said one valve element from said flow-preventing position to said flow-permitting position when said housings are further moved from said second relative position to said third relative position, said sequencing mechanism including a first spring operatively arranged to act between said first housing and said first valve element for urging said first valve element to rotate toward its flow-preventing position; whereby a full flow passage through said device will be established when said sections are in said third relative position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification