Quick connect coupling with pressure relief

• US 5,087,086 A
• Filed: 05/13/1991
• Issued: 02/11/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 05/13/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: General Motors Corporation (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust)
• Original Assignee: General Motors Corporation (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust)
• Inventors: Snedeker, Clarke R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nicholson, Eric K.
• Application Number:
  US07/699,121
• Time in Patent Office: 274 Days
• Field of Search: 285/361, 285/362, 285/377, 285/376, 285/924, 251/149.6, 137/212
• US Class Current: 285/361
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/107 Bayonet-type couplings
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/113 the male part having lugs on its periphery penetrating into the corresponding slots provided in the female part
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 285/924 Vented

Abstract

A coupling has first and second tube portions joined by a control collar that is rotatable to axially position the first and second tube portions in an installed position, a locked position and in a blow-off position. In the locked position, the tube portions are axially inserted and rotated and locked together by a biasing spring against separation and an O-ring member on one tube portion seals against the other tube portion to seal the tube portions together to prevent fluid leakage therefrom when in their locked position. The other tube portion includes a relief port which is opened for safety blow-off of pressure when the one tube portion is positioned in the blow-off position.

Claims

1. A tube coupling having a first tube and a second tube joined together by axial insertion into one another and relative rotation therebetween characterized by:

said first tube having an outer surface and relief port in the end thereof communicating the interior of said first tube with said outer surface;

a control collar having a flange portion thereon secured to said first tube and a hollow cylindrical portion telescopingly receivable on said second tube and further having cam surface means thereon including a lock portion and a pressure relief portion;

cam follower means on said second tube selectively engageable with said cam surface means at said pressure relief portion and said lock portion when said second tube is inserted into said control collar and rotated with respect to said control collar to axially position said first tube in blow-off and lock positions;

means located within said control collar for applying an outwardly directed biasing force on said second tube when it is inserted into said control collar to hold said cam follower means against said lock portion to prevent separation of said first and second tubes;

said second tube having an annular groove and an O-ring seal supported in said annular groove adapted to engage and seal the outer surface of said first tube for preventing escape of fluid through said relief port when said first tube is in its lock position;

said O-ring seal positioned outboard of said relief port when said first tube is in its blow-off position to relieve pressure from said first and second tubes before they are fully separated.

2. A high pressure tube coupling having a first tube and a second tube characterized by:

said first tube having an outer surface and relief port in the end thereof communicating the interior of said first tube with said outer surface and a lock groove portion in said outer surface;

a control collar having a flange portion thereon seated in said lock groove and a hollow cylindrical portion telescopingly receivable on said second tube and further having a cam groove including an axially disposed entrance end, a relief surface portion and a lock surface portion;

a coil spring located in surrounding relationship to said first tube having one end thereof engaged with said control collar and having the opposite end engaged with said second tube when said second tube is inserted into said control collar and operative to apply an outwardly directed biasing force on said second tube portion;

said second tube portion having an annular groove and an O-ring seal supported in said annular groove adapted to engage and seal the outer surface of said first tube;

cam follower pins on said second tube engageable with said cam groove when said second tube is inserted into said control collar and rotated with respect to said control collar to axially position said first tube in a first full installation position in which said coil spring is fully compressed;

said coil spring operative to hold said second tube in a first axial position in which said relief port is sealed by said O-ring seal and in which said cam follower pins are engaged with said lock surface portion to prevent separation of said first tube from said second tube; and

said cam follower pins engageable with said relief surface portion for positioning said second tube in a partially released position in which said O-ring seal is located axially outwardly of said first tube to open said relief port so as to relieve pressure from within said first and second tubes.

3. A high pressure tube coupling having a first tube and a second tube portion characterized by:

said first tube having an outer surface and relief port in the end thereof communicating the interior of said first hollow male tube portion with said outer surface;

a control collar having a flange portion thereon and a hollow cylindrical portion telescopingly received on said second tube, said control collar further having a cam surface including an entrance portion, a relief portion and a lock portion;

an ambient pressure chamber formed between said first tube portion and said control collar;

biasing means located in said ambient pressure chamber engageable with said second tube when said second tube is inserted into said control collar and operative to apply an outwardly directed biasing force on said second tube;

said second tube having an annular groove on the inboard end thereof and an O-ring seal supported in said annular groove adapted to engage and seal the outer surface of said first tube;

a cam follower on said second tube portion engageable with said cam surface when said second tube is inserted into said control collar and rotatable with respect to said control collar to axially position said first tube in a full installation position in which said biasing means engages said second tube to bias it outwardly of said control collar;

said biasing means operative to hold said second tube in a first axial position in which said first tube has said relief port sealed by said O-ring and in which said cam follower is engaged with said lock portion to prevent separation between said first tube and said second tube; and

said cam follower positioning said second tube in a partially released position in which said O-ring is located axially outwardly of said first tube to allow pressure within said first and second tubes to relieve through said ambient chamber.

4. A high pressure fluid tube coupling having a first hollow male tube portion and a second hollow male tube portion characterized by:

said first hollow male tube portion having an outer surface and relief port in the end thereof communicating the interior of said first hollow male tube portion with said outer surface and an outer annular lock groove formed axially inward of the end thereof;

a control collar having a flange portion thereon seated in said annular lock groove and a hollow cylindrical portion telescopingly received on said second hollow male tube portion and further having a stepped cam surface including an entrance portion, a relief portion and a lock portion;

said stepped cam surface having a first transition segment joining said entrance portion to said relief portion and a second transition segment joining said relief portion to said lock portion;

a coil spring located in surrounding relationship to said first hollow male tube portion having one end thereof engaged with said control collar and having the opposite end engaged with said second hollow male tube portion when said second hollow male tube portion is inserted into said control collar and operative to apply an outwardly directed biasing force on said second hollow male tube portion;

said second hollow male tube portion having an annular groove on the inboard end thereof and an O-ring seal supported in said annular groove adapted to engage and seal the outer surface of said first hollow male tube portion;

cam follower pins on said second hollow male tube portion engageable with said control collar at said cam surface when said second hollow male tube portion is inserted into said control collar and rotatable with respect to said control collar to axially position said first hollow male tube portion in a first full installation position in which said coil spring is fully compressed;

said coil spring operative to hold said second hollow male tube portion in a first axial position in which said first hollow male tube portion has its relief port sealed by said O-ring and in which said cam follower pins are engaged with said lock portion to prevent separation between said first hollow male tube portion and said second hollow male tube portion; and

said cam follower positioning said second hollow male tube portion in a partially released position in which said O-ring is located axially outwardly of said male tube portion to allow pressure within said connected first and second hollow male tube portions to relieve through said relief port for escape between said control collar and said second hollow male tube portion.