Connector apparatus and method for connecting the same

• US 6,897,374 B2
• Filed: 10/31/2003
• Issued: 05/24/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/21/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Colder Products Company (Dover Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Colder Products Company (Dover Corporation)
• Inventors: Meyer, David W., deCler, Charles Peter, Garber, Richard Stewart
• Primary Examiner(s): Reichard, Dean A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nino, Adolfo
• Application Number:
  US10/698,992
• Publication Number:
  US 20040169368A1
• Time in Patent Office: 571 Days
• Field of Search: 174/47, 137/177, 137/251.1, 137/798, 455/66
• US Class Current: 174/47
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/348 by interrogating an information transmitter, e.g. a transponder B67D7/145 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 2201/10 Indicators for correct coupling
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 2201/60 Identification or marking
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/0841 by means of a transversally slidable locking member surrounding the tube
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/3021 Discriminating outlet for liquid

Abstract

A connector apparatus for controlling fluid dispensing/transmission that includes a control component for communication between couplers thereof. A first coupler has a transmitter, and is releasably connected with a mating reader coupler that has a transmitter and fluid control device to exchange information with the transmitter of the first coupler. The transmitters communicate and are operated by wireless means such as by RF devices. Upon confirming that the first coupler is properly coupled to the mating coupler and that the first coupler has a proper identification, the fluid control device controls fluid flow, using the transmitters of the first coupler and the mating reader coupler, under predetermined parameters, e.g., pressure, temperature, duration, and flow rate, as indicated in the first coupler.

Claims

1. A connector apparatus, comprising:

a first coupler including a first wireless transmitter attached to the first coupler; and

a second coupler releasably connected with the first coupler, the second coupler including a second wireless transmitter attached to the second coupler;

wherein the first and second transmitters of the first and second couplers are constructed and arranged to communicate when the first and second couplers are in a pre-coupled position defined by the first coupler being partially inserted into the second coupler; and

wherein the second coupler is in communication with the first coupler when the first and second couplers are in a connected state.

2. The connector apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first coupler is an RF coupler suitable for connection with a source, and the second coupler is a reader coupler suitable for connection with a line.

3. The connector apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first and second couplers each include at least one antenna connected thereon to enable communication between the first and second couplers.

4. The connector apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first wireless transmitter of the first coupler is an RFID tag, the RFID tag including coded information therein.

5. The connector apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second wireless transmitter of the second coupler includes a reader circuit having a data communication module.

6. The connector apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the data communication module comprises:

a first transceiver transmitting and receiving data from the first transmitter of the first coupler, the first transceiver being operatively connected with a second transceiver, the second transceiver transmitting and receiving data from the first transceiver and transmitting data to and from processing equipment;

a microcontroller operatively connected with both the first and second transceivers, the microcontroller establishing and controlling communication between the first transceiver and the second transceiver; and

an DC/DC converter, the DC/DC converter providing a power supply.

7. The connector apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the first transceiver operates at a frequency of at least 13 MHz in communicating with the first transmitter of the first coupler.

8. The connector apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the first transceiver is a circuit operating in a range less than 5 cm in communicating with the first transmitter or the first coupler.

9. The connector apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pre-coupled position is defined by the first coupler being oriented and positioned at least partially engaged with the second coupler and the first coupler and the second coupler resembling a one to one relationship at a single time such that the second coupler is prevented from connecting and communicating with another coupler unless the first coupler is removed from the pre-coupled position.

10. The connector apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first and second couplers are electrical couplers.

11. The connector apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first and second couplers are fluid couplers.

12. A coupler, comprising:

a body including first and second ends defining an opening longitudinally therethrough; and

an RFID tag mounted on the body, the RFID tag enabling RF signal transmission to and from the RFID tag, the RFID tag being constructed and arranged such that communication is enabled with a piece of equipment when the body is at least partially engaged with the piece of equipment in a pre-coupled position, the pre-coupled position being defined by the body being partially inserted into the piece of equipment.

13. The coupler according to claim 12, wherein the coupler is an electrical coupler.

14. The coupler according to claim 12, wherein the coupler is a fluid coupler.

15. A reader coupler, comprising:

a body including first and second ends defining an opening longitudinally therethrough; and

a reader circuit mounted on the body, the reader circuit enabling signal transmission to and from the reader circuit and interrogation of a mating coupler with transmitter in determining a positive connection, the reader circuit being constructed and arranged such that interrogation is enabled with the mating coupler when the body is at least partially engaged with the mating coupler in a pre-coupled position, the pre-coupled position being defined by the body being oriented and positioned where the mating coupler is partially inserted into the reader coupler.

16. The reader coupler according to claim 15, wherein the reader coupler is an electrical coupler.

17. The reader coupler according to claim 15, wherein the reader coupler is a fluid coupler.