Hydraulic sleeve for hydraulic coupling

• US 5,988,216 A
• Filed: 04/24/1998
• Issued: 11/23/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 04/26/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gustav Schumacher
• Original Assignee: Gustav Schumacher
• Inventors: Schumacher, Gustav
• Primary Examiner(s): CHAMBERS, A MICHAEL
• Application Number:
  US09/066,202
• Time in Patent Office: 578 Days
• Field of Search: 137/614, 137/614.05, 137/614.06
• US Class Current: 137/614.05
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/36 with two lift valves being actuated to initiate the flow through the coupling after the two coupling parts are locked against withdrawal
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87925 Separable flow path section, valve or closure in each
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87965 Valve- or closure-operated by coupling motion

Abstract

A coupling sleeve (1) for a hydraulic coupling has a member to receive and arrest a coupling plug. To open the plug valve of the coupling plug, a switching pin (16) is provided which passes through the valve body (9) of the coupling sleeve (1). In the open position, the pin (16) projects beyond the end face (12) into the receiving means (6). If the switching member (30) is opened by mistake, and it is to be returned to its closed position, the switching pin (16) must move into the starting position against the pressure in the sleeve chamber (37). To accomplish this movement, the switching pin (16) has an opening valve. The opening valve has an opening valve body (21) arranged in a through-channel (17) in the switching pin (16). The through-channel effects a connection between the receiving means (6) and the sleeve chamber (37) when the switching member (30) is returned into a closed position. Thus, the switching member (30) is able to return against the pressure building up in the sleeve chamber (37).

Claims

1. A coupling sleeve for a hydraulic coupling comprising:

receiving means for receiving and arresting a coupling plug with a plug valve;

a valve seat and a valve body, said valve body movable relative to said valve seat along a longitudinal axis into an open position or closed position, a closing spring loads said valve body towards the closed position;

a switching pin for opening the plug valve in the coupling plug, said switching pin passes through the valve body in the direction of the longitudinal axis, said switching pin leaves said valve body through a through-bore in the direction of said receiving means;

a sleeve valve, a sleeve chamber positioned between said sleeve valve, and said valve seat for the valve body;

a switching member pivotably settable between two positions for establishing a connection between a pressure agent connection at the sleeve end and the coupling plug, said switching member with the coupling plug arrested in the receiving means sets the valve body against the force of the closing spring to the coupling plug and the switching member, with the coupling plug being arrested in the receiving means sets the valve body against the force of the closing spring, to switch the sleeve valve into the open position and to move the switching pin into the receiving means against the force of an opening spring loading said switching pin for opening the plug valve and said switching member, in a pivoted position corresponding to the open position and with the coupling plug in the uncoupled position, enable automatic transfer of the valve body and sleeve valve into a closed position; and

said switching pin having a through-channel which is open towards its end face facing the coupling plug end and said through-channel towards the sleeve chamber includes an opening valve, said opening valve comprises a valve seat and an opening valve body which is loaded by a pressure spring against pressure in the sleeve chamber towards establishing contact with the valve seat and said valve body is associated with a soft seal arranged in the region of the through-bore and said soft seal having a sealing effect relative to the pin portion of the switching pin, which pin portion projects from the valve body.

2. A coupling sleeve according to claim 1, wherein the switching pin comprises a bore, said bore together with a sleeve arranged in said bore, form a receiving chamber for the opening valve body and for the pressure spring loading said opening valve body, and said sleeve includes the valve seat for the opening valve body.

3. A coupling sleeve according to claim 2, wherein the sleeve is provided with a collar, the collar has a free end face with an opening to the through-channel towards the sleeve chamber and said free end face serves as a contact face for switching faces of the switching member, and said collar supports the opening spring.

4. A coupling sleeve according to claim 1, wherein the switching pin, together with the opening spring, are positioned in a bore portion of the valve body, from which bore portion the through-bore at the sleeve chamber end starts.

5. A coupling sleeve according to claim 4, wherein the soft seal is received in a recess between the bore portion and the through-bore and is supported by a disc, said disc supporting the opening spring.