Apparatus for reducing the fluid pressure within a hydraulic circuit

• US 6,641,109 B1
• Filed: 01/14/2002
• Issued: 11/04/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/14/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Clark T. Twiestmeyer
• Original Assignee: Clark T. Twiestmeyer
• Inventors: Twiestmeyer, Clark T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hirsch, Paul J.
• Application Number:
  US10/046,570
• Time in Patent Office: 659 Days
• Field of Search: 251/148-152, 251/149.6
• US Class Current: 251/149.6
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/23 by means of balls

Abstract

An auxiliary coupler element has been provided for reducing the fluid pressure within a hydraulic circuit. The auxiliary coupler element includes first and second ends which are in fluid communication with each other with the first end of the auxiliary coupler element being adapted to detachably receive a conventional male coupler element of a hydraulic hose extending from a hydraulic cylinder or circuit. A hydraulic fluid reservoir is in communication with the interior of the auxiliary coupler element. An actuator rod threadably extends into the auxiliary coupler element and is threadably moved from a retracted position to an extended position. When the conventional male coupler element has been inserted into the auxiliary coupler element, the actuator is threadably moved to its extended position which causes the check valve ball of the male coupler element to unseat from its valve seat, thereby permitting hydraulic fluid from the circuit to bypass the check valve ball and to be collected in the fluid reservoir of the auxiliary coupler element. When sufficient hydraulic fluid has been removed from the hydraulic circuit to reduce the hydraulic pressure therein, the actuator is threadably moved to its retracted position, thereby permitting the check valve ball of the male coupler element to close. The male coupler element may then be disconnected or decoupled from the auxiliary coupler element. The male coupler element may then easily be connected to a conventional female coupler element since pressure against the ball check valve therein has been reduced.

Claims

1. An apparatus for reducing the fluid pressure within a hydraulic line or circuit having a male coupler element including a normally closed, check valve ball, comprising:

an auxiliary coupler element having a first end and a second end which are in fluid communication with each other;

said first end of said auxiliary coupler element including a female coupler portion adapted to detachably receive the male coupler element therein so that the male coupler element is detachably coupled to said auxiliary coupler element;

a hydraulic fluid reclaiming reservoir in fluid communication with said auxiliary coupler element;

a selectively movable actuator extending into said auxiliary coupler element for selective engagement with the check valve ball in the male coupler element when the coupler elements are coupled together so that the check valve ball may be at least partially opened to permit a portion of the hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic line to bypass the check valve ball and to flow into said reclaiming reservoir thereby reducing the fluid pressure within the hydraulic line.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said actuator comprises an elongated rod threadably mounted in said auxiliary coupler element.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said reclaiming reservoir comprises an elongated, hollow tube which extends from said auxiliary coupler element.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said tube has a selectively closable discharge end.