Frangible connectors

• US 5,419,354 A
• Filed: 11/23/1992
• Issued: 05/30/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 12/14/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Witold Krynicki
• Original Assignee: Witold Krynicki
• Inventors: Krynicki, Witold
• Primary Examiner(s): RIVELL, JOHN A
• Application Number:
  US07/979,844
• Time in Patent Office: 918 Days
• Field of Search: 137/1, 137/614.06, 251/149.7, 285/9.1
• US Class Current: 137/1
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 17/40 with a fracturing member, e.g. fracturing diaphragm, glass, fusible joint valves opening on surplus pressure F16K17/14
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/367 with two gate valves or sliding valves
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 55/1007 Couplings closed automatically when broken
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0318 Processes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0777 With second control
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/1654 Separable valve coupling or conduit
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/1662 Tensile or sheer pin or bolt
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/1963 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87925 Separable flow path section, valve or closure in each
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87973 Coupling interlocked with valve, or closure or actuator

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for controlling a fluid passage provide at least one sliding gate movable transversely to that fluid passage. The fluid passage or the gate is maintained open in a first position of the gate, and is closed in a second position of that gate. A detent detains the gate in one of its first and second positions against a bias acting continuously on that gate. Upon release from that detent, the gate slides by virtue of its bias to the other of its first and second positions. The gate and fluid passage may be incorporated in a frangible connection and the gate may be released from its detent for automatic closure by its bias upon breakage of that frangible connection. Alternatively, the gate may be provided with a slanted surface which abuts another slanted surface around the fluid passage in the first position of the gate.

Claims

1. A method of releasably connecting matching first and second bodies of a connector to each other, comprising in combination the steps of:

establishing a magnetic circuit through parts of said first and second bodies and channeling said magnetic circuit through pole pieces obtaining a positive breakaway threshold;

releasably retaining said first and second bodies in matching relationship with said magnetic circuit; and

selectively breaking said first and second bodies away from each other by breaking said magnetic circuit;

incorporating a valve and a fluid passage in said connector;

employing said magnetic circuit for releasably retaining said first and second bodies in matching relationship with said fluid passage intact; and

closing said fluid passage with said valve upon said breaking of first and second bodies away from each other;

providing said valve with a sliding gate movable transversely to said fluid passage in said connector;

maintaining said fluid passage open with said gate in a first position of said gate;

closing said fluid passage with said gate in a second position of said gate;

providing a detent and detaining said gate with said detent in an open position against a bias acting continuously on said gate;

releasing said sliding gate from said detent upon movement of said first and second bodies away from each other for sliding movement of said sliding gate transversely to said fluid passage;

sliding said gate by virtue of said bias to a closed position; and

sealing said gate to said fluid passage in said closed position of said gate.

2. A method as in claim 1, including the step of:

selectively releasing said first and second bodies from each other by shunting said magnetic circuit.

3. Apparatus for releasably connecting matching first and second bodies of a connector to each other, comprising in combination;

a magnetic circuit extending through parts of said first and second bodies; and

means for selectively breaking said first and second bodies away from each other by breaking said magnetic circuit;

a valve and a fluid passage in said connector;

said valve being a sliding gate adapted for movement transversely to said fluid passage in said connector; and

said apparatus includes means including a detent for detaining said gate in an open position against a bias acting continuously on said gate; and

means for closing said fluid passage with said valve upon breaking of said first and second bodies away from each other.

4. Apparatus as in claim 3, wherein:

said parts include pole pieces.

5. Apparatus as in claim 3, including:

selectively shunting said magnetic circuit.