Dual seal coupling

• US 5,123,446 A
• Filed: 07/05/1991
• Issued: 06/23/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 07/05/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Aeroquip Corporation (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Original Assignee: Aeroquip Corporation (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Inventors: Haunhorst, Gregory A., Fuerst, Phillip G.
• Primary Examiner(s): CHAMBERS, A MICHAEL
• Application Number:
  US07/726,031
• Time in Patent Office: 354 Days
• Field of Search: 137/614.03, 137/614.04, 137/614, 137/614.02, 251/149.8
• US Class Current: 137/614.02
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/23 by means of balls
• 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: Y10T 137/87925 Separable flow path section, valve or closure in each
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87941 Each valve and/or closure operated by coupling motion
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87949 Linear motion of flow path sections operates both

Abstract

A sealing system for high pressure fluid couplings wherein male and female valved coupling parts are interconnected while under fluid pressure, the sealing system including a pair of diverse characteristic seal rings axially spaced in the direction of relative coupling part movement. The seal ring closest to the pressurized medium is semi-rigid to prevent blow-out from its recess during coupling disconnection and interconnection while the second seal ring is of greater elasticity and sealability to prevent leakage. The axial spacing between the seal rings permits adequate internal support for the second seal prior to the opening of the coupling parts'"'"' valves.

Claims

1. A dual seal system for fluid couplings consisting of first and second interconnectable parts wherein each of the parts includes a coupling connection end, an axial passage and at least one of the parts includes a self-sealing valve within its passage adapted to open upon interconnection of the parts, first sealing means defined upon the first part sealingly cooperating with a sealing surface defined on the second part upon interconnection of the parts, the improvement comprising the first sealing means defined in the first part passage comprising a first annular recess defined in the first part passage axially spaced from the first part connection end concentric to and intersecting the first part passage, a second annular recess defined in the first part passage between said first recess and said first part connection end spaced from and separate from said first recess and concentric to and intersecting the first part passage, a first annular seal ring located within said first recess adapted to engage the second part sealing surface when the parts are interconnected, a second annular seal ring located within said second recess adapted to engage the second part sealing surface when the parts are interconnected, said first seal ring including a stiff semi-rigid material to resist inadvertent displacement from said first recess by pressurized medium flow through the first part passage, said second seal ring being formed of a flexible elastomeric material of greater flexibility and resiliency than said first ring semi-rigid material to provide superior fluid sealing characteristics, said first seal ring protecting said second seal ring from exposure to high pressurized fluid flow during connection and disconnection of the first and second parts.

2. In a dual seal system for fluid couplings as in claim 1, said first seal ring including an inner ring of semi-rigid synthetic material and an outer ring circumscribing said inner ring of flexible elastomeric material.

3. In a dual seal system for fluid couplings as in claim 2, said outer ring comprising an O-ring.

4. In a dual seal system for fluid couplings as in claim 3, said inner ring being formed of polytetrafluoroethylene.

5. In a dual seal system for fluid couplings as in claim 1, said second seal ring comprising an O-ring.

6. A dual seal system for fluid couplings consisting of first and second interconnectable parts wherein the first part includes an elongated body having an axial passage intersecting an inner conduit connection end and an outer second part connection end, the passage adjacent the first part outer end comprising an axially extending poppet valve receiving surface, a poppet valve mounted within the body passage axially displaceable therein between open and closed positions and having a sealing surface received within the valve receiving surface at the valve closed position and removed from the valve receiving surface at the open position, the improvement comprising, a first annular recess defined in the first part body axially spaced from the first part outer end concentric to and intersecting the poppet valve receiving surface, a second annular recess defined in the first part body axially located between said first recess and the first part outer end separate from said first recess and concentric to and intersecting the poppet valve receiving surface, a first annular seal ring located within said first recess adapted to sealingly engage the poppet valve sealing surface when the poppet valve is in the closed position, a second annular seal ring located within said second recess adapted to sealingly engage the poppet valve sealing surface when the poppet valve is in the closed position, said first seal ring including a stiff semi-rigid material to resist inadvertent displacement from said first recess by pressurized medium flow through the first part passage, said second seal ring being formed of a flexible elastomeric material of greater flexibility and resiliency than said first ring semi-rigid material to provide superior fluid sealing characteristics, said first seal ring protecting said second seal ring from exposure to high pressurized fluid flow during connection and disconnection of the first and second parts.

7. In a dual seal system for fluid couplings as in claim 6, said first seal ring including an inner ring of semi-rigid synthetic material and an outer ring circumscribing said inner ring of flexible elastomeric material.

8. In a dual seal system for fluid couplings as in claim 6, said outer ring comprising an O-ring.

9. In a dual seal system for fluid couplings as in claim 6, said inner ring being formed of polytetrafluoroethylene.

10. In a dual seal system for fluid couplings as in claim 6, said second seal ring comprising an O-ring.

11. A dual seal system for fluid couplings consisting of male and female interconnectable parts wherein each of the parts includes an axial passage intersecting an inner conduit connection end and an outer coupling interconnection end, the male part including a poppet valve axially displaceable within the associated passage between open and closed positions, an annular axially extending cylindrical poppet valve sealing surface defined within the male part passage adjacent the male part outer end receiving a portion of the poppet valve at the closed position thereof, a spring biasing the poppet valve toward the closed position, a valve head concentrically located within and fixed relative to the female part passage at the female part outer end, an annular valve seat defined on the valve head, a valve sleeve mounted within the female part passage selectively axially displaceable between a closed position engaging the valve seat and an open position removed from the valve seat, a cylindrical outer sealing surface defined on the valve sleeve, a spring biasing the valve sleeve toward the closed position, a detent sleeve axially displaceable within the female part passage circumscribing the valve sleeve sealing surface and including an abutment selectively engaging the valve sleeve whereby predetermined axial displacement of the detent sleeve away from the female part outer end displaces the valve sleeve from the closed position to the open position, the detent sleeve having a head positionable adjacent the female part outer end and engageable by the male part outer end during interconnection of the parts, a spring biasing the detent sleeve toward the female part outer end, the diameter of the portion of the poppet valve received within the poppet valve sealing surface, the poppet valve sealing surface and the valve sleeve outer sealing surface being substantially equal whereby upon interconnection of the male and female parts the male part engages the detent sleeve, and the poppet valve sealing surface receives the valve sleeve outer sealing surface, the valve head displaces the poppet valve from the poppet valve sealing surface and the detent sleeve displaces the valve sleeve from the valve head seat, the improvement comprising a first annular recess concentrically defined in the poppet valve sealing surface axially spaced from the male part outer end, a second annular recess concentrically defined in the poppet valve sealing surface between said first recess and the male part outer end, a first annular seal ring located within said first recess adapted to sealingly engage the poppet valve when in the closed position and sealingly engage the valve sleeve sealing surface when the parts are fully interconnected, a second annular seal ring located with said second recess adapted to sealingly engage the poppet valve when in the closed position and sealingly engage the valve sleeve sealing surface when the parts are fully interconnected, said first seal ring including a stiff semi-rigid material to resist inadvertent displacement from said first recess by pressurized medium within the coupling parts, said second seal ring being formed of a flexible elastomeric material of greater flexibility and resiliency than said first ring semi-rigid material to provide superior fluid sealing characteristics, said first seal ring protecting said second seal ring from exposure to high pressurized fluid flow during connection and disconnection of the coupling parts, said first and second recesses being axially spaced sufficiently to permit seating of said second seal ring upon the valve sleeve sealing surface while said first seal ring is engaging the poppet valve and before the valve sleeve disengages the valve seat.

12. In a dual seal system for fluid couplings as in claim 11, said first seal ring including an inner ring of semi-rigid synthetic material and an outer ring circumscribing said inner ring of flexible elastomeric material.

13. In a dual seal system for fluid couplings as in claim 12, said outer ring comprising an O-ring.

14. In a dual seal system for fluid couplings as in claim 12, said inner ring being formed of polytetrafluoroethylene.

15. In a dual seal system for fluid couplings as in claim 11, said second seal ring comprising an O-ring.