Quick connect fluid coupling

• US 8,662,108 B2
• Filed: 02/18/2011
• Issued: 03/04/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/18/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Danfoss A/S
• Original Assignee: Eaton Corp. (Wisconsin) (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Inventors: Haunhorst, Gregory A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Schneider, Craig
• Assistant Examiner(s): PRICE, CRAIG JAMES
• Application Number:
  US13/030,763
• Publication Number:
  US 20120211107A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,110 Days
• Field of Search: 137/614.01, 137/614.04, 137/614.06, 137/614.11, 137/383, 137/384.2, 137/384.4, 137/385, 137/864, 137/865, 137/866, 137/627.5, 137/628, 137/630, 137/630.14, 251101-116, 251/149.9, 251/149.1, 251/248, 251/249, 251/249.5, 251/250, 251/250.5
• US Class Current: 137/614.01
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/0841 by means of a transversally slidable locking member surrounding the tube
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/36 with two lift valves being actuated to initiate the flow through the coupling after the two coupling parts are locked against withdrawal
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/373 with two taps or cocks
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87933 Common joint and valve seat faces, or sections joined by closing members
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87973 Coupling interlocked with valve, or closure or actuator

Abstract

A full flow quick connect fluid coupling that reduces spillage using a convex and a concave ball valve mounted each in a separate coupling body that are joined together where the ball valves seal together and are sequentially rotated using one activation lever to first rotate a first ball valve 90 degrees and then rotating a second ball valve 90 degrees using a gear drive mechanism. A handle button release lock and a secondary handle lock ensure that the valves are not opened until the bodies are joined and locked together in sealing engagement. A lock mechanism is used to lock the bodies together and to provide a lock tab that prevents the ball valves from being opened until the lock mechanism is closed.

Claims

1. A quick connect coupling comprising:

a first ball valve contained within a first coupling body;

a second ball valve contained within a second coupling body where said first ball valve and said second ball valve can be substantially sequentially rotated from a closed position to an open position within said first and second coupling bodies respectively;

a drive disc rotatably connected to said first ball valve;

a driven disc rotatably connected to said second ball valve;

an activation handle extending from said first drive disc;

a segment of drive gear teeth formed on said drive disc;

a segment of driven gear teeth formed on said driven disc, said driven gear teeth formed to mesh with said drive gear teeth, where said drive gear teeth are positioned on said drive disc and said driven gear teeth are positioned on said driven disc so that said drive gear teeth mesh with said driven gear teeth when said first ball valve is in substantially open position and said second ball valve is between open and closed positions.

2. The quick connect coupling of claim 1 further comprising a handle lock mounted to said handle for preventing said handle from being rotated when said first coupling body is not attached to said second coupling body.

3. The quick connect coupling of claim 1 further comprising a check ball held in said handle, said check ball spring loaded to extend outward from said handle.

4. The quick connect coupling of claim 3 further comprising a base plate, said base plate having at least one depression detent for receiving said spring loaded check valve.

5. The quick connect coupling of claim 1 further comprising a base plate, said base plate having at least one detent ledge, and a lock pin held within and extending from said handle, said lock pin extending to couple said handle with said drive disc until said lock pin drops across said plate ledge.

6. The quick connect coupling of claim 1 further comprising a plate lock where said plate lock has an opening having a larger diameter and an opening having a smaller diameter where said larger diameter opening overlaps with said smaller diameter opening.

7. The quick connect coupling of claim 6 further comprising a lock pin slidably attached to said first coupling body where said pin engages said lock plate.

8. The quick connect coupling of claim 7 where said lock pin engages said lock plate when said lock plate is in an open position.

9. The quick connect coupling of claim 8 where said lock pin is biased towards said lock plate.

10. A quick connect coupling comprising:

a first ball valve contained within a first coupling body;

a second ball valve contained within a second coupling body where said first ball valve and said second ball valve can be substantially sequentially rotated from a closed position to an open position within said first and second coupling bodies respectively;

a drive disc rotatably connected to said first ball valve;

a driven disc rotatably connected to said second ball valve;

an activation handle extending from said first drive disc having a handle lock pin;

a segment of drive gear teeth formed on said drive disc;

a segment of driven gear teeth formed on said driven disc, said driven gear teeth formed to mesh with said drive gear teeth, where said drive gear teeth are positioned on said drive disc and said driven gear teeth are positioned on said driven disc so that said drive gear teeth mesh with said driver driven gear teeth when said first ball valve is in substantially open position and said second ball valve is between open and closed positions; and

wherein said handle lock pin couples said drive disc to said first ball valve when said first ball valve is in said closed position until rotated into said open position.

11. The quick connect coupling of claim 10 further comprising a lock plate for locking said first coupling body to said second coupling body, said lock plate having a larger diameter opening overlapping a smaller diameter opening where said larger diameter opening allows either said first or second coupling body to pass therethrough and where said smaller diameter opening engages a slot formed in either the first or second coupling body.

12. The quick connect coupling of claim 11 further comprising a spring for biasing said lock plate towards a locked position.

13. The quick connect coupling of claim 10 wherein said handle lock pin is spring biased.