Quick-coupling device

• US 5,996,624 A
• Filed: 02/21/1997
• Issued: 12/07/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 02/23/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dart Engineering AG
• Original Assignee: Dart Engineering AG
• Inventors: Ekman, Thure
• Primary Examiner(s): LEE, KEVIN L
• Application Number:
  US08/805,025
• Time in Patent Office: 1,019 Days
• Field of Search: 137/614.03, 137/614.04, 137/614.05, 137/614
• US Class Current: 137/614.03
• 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 137/87949 Linear motion of flow path sections operates both
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87957 Valves actuate each other

Abstract

A quick coupling includes a frame and a valve body which is arranged to be longitudinally displaceable in the frame. An inner sleeve is arranged in the frame to be displaceable relative to both the frame and the valve body. The valve body is centered in the frame with the aid of the bearing unit projecting inwards from the sleeve. The bearing unit is provided with one or more cavities or holes allowing working media to flow through. A rear seal is provided in a seat arranged behind the inner sleeve. A pressure eliminator is also provided behind the inner sleeve.

Claims

1. A quick-coupling comprising first and second parts which can be coupled together, said first part comprising:

a frame;

a valve body arranged in said frame to be longitudinally displaceable with respect to said frame;

an inner sleeve arranged in said frame to be longitudinally displaceable with respect to both said frame and said valve body;

a bearing unit arranged in said frame, said bearing unit projecting inwards from said inner sleeve and supporting said valve body so that said valve body is substantially centered in said frame, said bearing unit having at least one hole which allows working medium to flow through;

a seat arranged in said frame behind said inner sleeve;

a rear seal arranged in said seat; and

a first pressure eliminator arranged in said frame behind said inner sleeve.

2. The quick coupling of claim 1 wherein said inner sleeve has an extension section on its side portion facing the mating end of said first part, said extension section extending parallel to an activation section on said second part during coupling of said first and second parts, wherein said activation and extension sections are sealed with a sealing element.

3. The quick coupling of claim 2 wherein said activation section has an outwardly narrowing surface and a shoulder, said sealing element bearing against an inner surface on said shoulder during sealing.

4. The quick-coupling of claim 1 further comprising:

a first spring element acting on a portion of said inner sleeve facing said frame; and

a second spring element acting on said bearing unit whereby said bearing unit actuates said valve body to its starting position.

5. The quick coupling of claim 1 wherein said inner sleeve is adapted to allow said working medium to flow through in a substantially straight path via an inside surface of said inner sleeve.

6. The quick coupling of claim 1 wherein said inner sleeve is placed in a female coupling part.

7. The quick-coupling of claim 1 wherein said inner sleeve further comprises a protective sleeve arranged to prevent foreign particles from penetrating into the coupling part.

8. The quick-coupling of claim 1 wherein a front surface area of said inner sleeve which cooperates with said second part during coupling essentially corresponds to a rear surface area of said inner sleeve which is acted upon by said working medium.

9. A quick-coupling comprising first and second parts which can be coupled together, said first part comprising:

a first frame;

a first valve body arranged in said first frame to be longitudinally displaceable with respect to said first frame;

an inner sleeve arranged in said first frame to be longitudinally displaceable with respect to said first frame and said first valve body;

a bearing unit in said first frame, said bearing unit projecting inwards from said inner sleeve and supporting said first valve body so that said first valve body is substantially centered in said first frame, said bearing unit having at least one hole which allows working medium to flow through;

said second part comprising;

a second frame;

a second valve body arranged in said second frame to be longitudinally displaceable with respect to said second frame, said second valve body cooperating with said first valve body during coupling of said first and second parts;

a central unit arranged in said second frame to be longitudinally displaceable with respect to said second frame, said central unit defining a second space therein and a first space between said central unit and said second frame, a second valve unit being displaceable into said second space whereby the displacement of said second valve body is not dependent on a pressure of the working medium is said first space.

10. The quick coupling of claim 9 further comprising:

second rear sealing members arranged behind said central unit; and

a second pressure eliminator arranged on said second rear sealing members.

11. A quick-coupling comprising first and second parts which can be coupled together, said first part comprising:

a frame;

a valve body arranged in said frame to be longitudinally displaceable with respect to said frame;

an inner sleeve arranged in said frame to be longitudinally displaceable with respect to said frame and said valve body;

said inner sleeve having a bearing portion projecting inward from said inner sleeve and supporting said valve body so that said valve body is substantially centered in said frame, said bearing portion having a plurality of holes around its circumference which allow working medium to flow through;

a first spring acting on said inner sleeve to hold said inner sleeve in a starting position;

a second spring acting on said bearing portion, said second spring being arranged behind said bearing portion.