Modular connector
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A modular connector system for connecting a first fluid system to a second fluid system, comprising:
- a connector body having a generally hollow sleeve with a connector end and an actuator end, the connector end and the actuator end have threaded surfaces, and a piston slidably disposed within the sleeve so that the piston and the sleeve can move relative to one another, the piston having a first axial end and a second axial end;
the piston includes an axial fluid passageway and a radial fluid passageway, the axial fluid passageway extending from the radial fluid passageway to the first axial end of the piston, and a fitting is fixed to the radial fluid passageway and projects from the piston beyond an exterior surface of the sleeve for connection to the first fluid system, and the piston is not sealed with the sleeve by a sealing member between the radial fluid passageway and the actuator end;
the second axial end of the piston includes an internally threaded hollow portion located on a central axis of the piston that does not extend into the axial fluid passageway and the radial fluid passageway;
a plurality of actuator units, each actuator unit including a portion that is threadably connectable to the internally threaded hollow portion;
a plurality of connector units each of which includes a threaded connection mechanism that detachably connects the respective connector unit to the connector end of the sleeve; and
the threaded surface at the connector end of the connector body hollow sleeve enables connection to the threaded connection mechanism of one of the connector units and the threaded surface at the actuator end of the connector body hollow sleeve enables connection to a respective one of the actuator units.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A modular connector system that permits changes to the connector, for example changes in the type of connection interface that is used and/or changes in the type of actuator that is used to actuate the connector. By making parts of the connector changeable, the connector can be changed so as to be able to connect to different fluid systems. This eliminates the need to have separate connectors for different fluid systems.
16 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A modular connector system for connecting a first fluid system to a second fluid system, comprising:
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a connector body having a generally hollow sleeve with a connector end and an actuator end, the connector end and the actuator end have threaded surfaces, and a piston slidably disposed within the sleeve so that the piston and the sleeve can move relative to one another, the piston having a first axial end and a second axial end; the piston includes an axial fluid passageway and a radial fluid passageway, the axial fluid passageway extending from the radial fluid passageway to the first axial end of the piston, and a fitting is fixed to the radial fluid passageway and projects from the piston beyond an exterior surface of the sleeve for connection to the first fluid system, and the piston is not sealed with the sleeve by a sealing member between the radial fluid passageway and the actuator end; the second axial end of the piston includes an internally threaded hollow portion located on a central axis of the piston that does not extend into the axial fluid passageway and the radial fluid passageway; a plurality of actuator units, each actuator unit including a portion that is threadably connectable to the internally threaded hollow portion; a plurality of connector units each of which includes a threaded connection mechanism that detachably connects the respective connector unit to the connector end of the sleeve; and the threaded surface at the connector end of the connector body hollow sleeve enables connection to the threaded connection mechanism of one of the connector units and the threaded surface at the actuator end of the connector body hollow sleeve enables connection to a respective one of the actuator units. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A modular connector system for connecting a first fluid system to a second fluid system, the modular connector system comprising:
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a connector body having; a sleeve having a connector end and an actuator end, threads at the connector end that enable connection to a connector unit and threads at the actuator end that enable connection to an actuator unit; and a piston slidably disposed within the sleeve so that the piston and the sleeve can move relative to one another, the piston includes a first axial end and a second axial end, the piston includes an axial fluid passageway and a radial fluid passageway, the axial fluid passageway extending from the radial fluid passageway to the first axial end of the piston, and a fitting is fixed to the radial fluid passageway and projects from the piston beyond an exterior surface of the sleeve for connection to the first fluid system, and the second axial end of the piston includes an internally threaded hollow portion located on a central axis of the piston that does not extend into the axial fluid passageway and the radial fluid passageway; a plurality of connector units each of which includes; a means for connecting to the second fluid system, a connection mechanism that detachably connects the respective connector unit to the connector end of the connector body; and the connection mechanism of each of the connector units connect the connector units to the connector end in the same manner; a plurality of actuator units each of which includes; an actuation mechanism; a connection mechanism that detachably connects the respective actuator unit to the actuator end of the connector body; the connection mechanism of each of the actuator units connect the actuator units to the actuator end in the same manner, and a portion that is threadably connectable to the internally threaded hollow portion of the piston at the second axial end; and optionally a plurality of flexible drives each of which is configured to connect the connector body with one of the connector units, each flexible drive includes; an elongated, hollow flexible tube with a first end and a second end; a connection mechanism at the first end of the tube for detachably connecting the tube to the connector end of the connector body; and a connection mechanism at the second end of the tube for detachably connecting the tube to the connection mechanism of one of the connector units.
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Specification