Coupling having means which prevent separation

• US 6,616,196 B1
• Filed: 06/22/2001
• Issued: 09/09/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Erwin Weh, Wolfgang Weh
• Original Assignee: Erwin Weh, Wolfgang Weh
• Inventors: Weh, Wolfgang, Weh, Erwin
• Primary Examiner(s): Browne, Lynne H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Dunwoody, Aaron M
• Application Number:
  US09/700,515
• Time in Patent Office: 809 Days
• Field of Search: 285/318, 285/322, 285/316, 285/124.1, 137/614-1-6
• US Class Current: 285/322
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/127 using hooks hinged about an axis F16L37/1215 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 55/1015 Couplings closed automatically when disengaging force exceeds preselected value F16L55/1007 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87933 Common joint and valve seat faces, or sections joined by closing members

Abstract

A coupling having means which inhibit separation which is provided for transferring fluid, especially for refueling vehicles. The coupling includes a tubular housing, at least one locking element, in particular, a plurality of expandable collects having an engagement profile for connecting to a correspondingly constructed connection nipple. The coupling also includes a piston, which can be displaced relative to the housing and which can be fixed, especially for being placed on the connection nipple. The piston is subject to the action of a spring opposite of the direction of connection in order to adjust the separation prevention force in relation to the housing of the coupling and is mounted such that it can be displaced opposite of the direction of connection in relation to the locked piston in order to release the engagement of the locking element.

Claims

1. A coupling with a safety breaking device for transporting fluids via a fluid line comprising:

a tubular housing connected to the fluid line;

a locking element comprising a plurality of expandable collet jaws;

a connector nipple formed to engage with said collet jaws;

a piston having first and second oppositely directed annular surfaces, said piston being slidably mounted in and guided in at least one sleeve on the inner surface of the housing, said piston and said housing defining an annular pressure-tight, sealed chamber therebetween, whereby said housing is slidable relative to said piston against a closing direction of the coupling to release the engagement of the locking element wherein the effective surface area of the first piston annular surface corresponds to the sum of the surface areas of oppositely facing annular surfaces so as to provide pressure force equalization; and

a compression spring mounted within said annular chamber and in contact with at least one of said piston annular surfaces, whereby said piston is biased against the closing direction by said spring to set a safety breaking force.

2. The coupling according to claim 1, further comprising a radial bore between a fluid passage of the coupling and said annular chamber.

3. The coupling according to claim 1, further comprising a stop sleeve arranged in said annular chamber to limit the axial stroke of said piston.

4. The coupling according to claim 1, further comprising opposed check valves, arranged in said piston and said connector nipple.

5. The coupling according to claim 1, further comprising a return feed line, arranged along said housing, and engaged in a mating part on said connection nipple in the connected position.

6. The coupling according to claim 1, wherein said housing comprises a locking sleeve having a beveled surface opposite an engagement profile of said locking element.