Rapid-connect coupler

• US 9,732,893 B2
• Filed: 08/24/2015
• Issued: 08/15/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 08/10/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Engineered Controls International LLC (Engineered Controls International Holdings LLC)
• Original Assignee: Engineered Controls International LLC (Engineered Controls International Holdings LLC)
• Inventors: Konishi, Howard M.
• Primary Examiner(s): McManmon, Mary
• Assistant Examiner(s): Morales, David Colon
• Application Number:
  US14/833,762
• Publication Number:
  US 20150362111A1
• Time in Patent Office: 722 Days
• Field of Search: 2511491, 251149, 2511496, 2511497, 2511498, 2511499
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 21/08 with additional locking means F16L17/035, F16L17/04, F16L21/04, F16L21/06 take precedence; screwed joints F16L19/08; couplings of the quick-acting type F16L37/00
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/096 by means of hooks hinged about an axis
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/1215 using hooks provided with a screw-thread adapted to engage and mesh with an appropriate corresponding part
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/23 by means of balls
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/40 with a lift valve being opened automatically when the coupling is applied
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 55/07 Arrangement or mounting of devices, e.g. valves, for venting or aerating or draining apparatus for draining F16T
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/037 Quick connecting means, e.g. couplings
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7856 Valve seat formed on or carried by a coupling element

Abstract

A rapid-connect gas coupler is shown and described herein. In an embodiment, the rapid-connect gas coupler includes a spring-loaded probe within a probe cavity, which is defined by a housing and one or more latch segment. The probe can engage with a gas connector, which causes the latch segment to engage and couple with the gas connector.

Claims

1. A rapid-connect coupling apparatus for coupling a fuel source coupling to a fuel tank receiving connector, comprising:

a housing defining, at least in part, a probe cavity;

a probe configured to translate within the probe cavity;

a latch assembly pivotably coupled to the housing, wherein the latch assembly is configured to pivot about a pivot point with respect to the housing based on a translation of the probe within the probe cavity, wherein the latch assembly comprises a latch segment, and a first latch end of the latch assembly is a first end of the latch segment;

wherein the latch segment comprises a second latch end configured to engage a notch portion of the probe as the probe translates within the probe cavity, the probe comprises one or more inner surfaces that define at least a portion of a fluid passageway, and the notch portion of the probe is fixed with respect to the one or more inner surfaces; and

a sleeve configured to cause the first latch end of the latch assembly to pivot and disengage from the probe as the sleeve translates about the housing.

2. The rapid-connect coupling apparatus of claim 1, wherein the latch assembly is configured to engage a first surface of the probe and the first surface of the probe is static with respect to the one or more inner surfaces of the probe that define the fluid passageway.

3. The rapid-connect coupling apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first end of the latch segment comprises a threaded portion.

4. A rapid-connect coupling apparatus for coupling a fuel source coupling to a fuel tank receiving connector, comprising:

a housing defining, at least in part, a probe cavity;

a probe configured to translate within the probe cavity;

a latch assembly pivotably coupled to the housing, wherein the latch assembly is configured to pivot about a pivot point with respect to the housing based on a translation of the probe within the probe cavity; and

a sleeve configured to cause a first latch end of the latch assembly to pivot and disengage from the probe as the sleeve translates about the housing,

wherein the latch assembly comprises a latch segment and a pin extending through the latch segment and the housing.

5. The rapid-connect coupling apparatus of claim 4, wherein the latch assembly comprises a first latch segment, the first latch segment is configured to pivot about the pivot point, the rapid-connect coupling apparatus further comprises a plurality of second latch segments, and the plurality of second latch segments are each configured to pivot about respective second pivot points.

6. The rapid-connect coupling apparatus of claim 4, further comprising a plurality of latch segments, each latch segment including a first end configured to contact the probe when the rapid-connect coupling apparatus is in a non-coupled state and configured to disengage from the probe when the rapid-connect coupling apparatus is in a coupled state.

7. The rapid-connect coupling apparatus of claim 6, wherein the plurality of latch segments are configured to grip the fuel tank receiving connector.

8. A rapid-connect coupling apparatus for coupling a fuel source coupling to a fuel tank receiving connector, comprising:

a housing defining, at least in part, a probe cavity;

a probe configured to translate within the probe cavity;

a latch assembly pivotably coupled to the housing, wherein the latch assembly is configured to pivot about a pivot point with respect to the housing based on a translation of the probe within the probe cavity; and

a sleeve configured to cause a first latch end of the latch assembly to pivot and disengage from the probe as the sleeve translates about the housing,

wherein the probe comprises a notch portion, and a second latch end of the latch assembly is configured to engage the notch portion after the first latch end disengages from the probe.

9. A rapid-connect coupling apparatus for coupling with a connector, comprising:

a housing defining a probe cavity;

a probe comprising one or more inner surfaces that define a closed perimeter of a fluid passageway, the one or more inner surfaces being configured to translate within the probe cavity;

at least one latch segment having a first latch end disposed in contact with a first surface of the probe when the rapid-connect coupling apparatus is in a non-coupled state, the first surface of the probe being fixed with respect to the one or more inner surfaces of the probe that define the fluid passageway;

a sleeve configured to contact the at least one latch segment; and

a check valve actuating apparatus disposed within a portion of the probe cavity and extending from a first end of the probe.

10. The rapid-connect coupling apparatus of claim 9, wherein the check valve actuating apparatus is removable via one end of the housing.

11. The rapid-connect coupling apparatus of claim 9, wherein the check valve actuating apparatus is biased by a spring and a portion of the check valve actuating apparatus is operable to retract within the probe.

12. The rapid-connect coupling apparatus of claim 9, wherein the check valve actuating apparatus is configured to be locked in a retracted position.

13. The rapid-connect coupling apparatus of claim 9, wherein each latch segment comprises a threaded portion at the first latch end.

14. A rapid-connect coupling apparatus for coupling with a connector, comprising:

a housing defining a probe cavity;

a probe comprising one or more inner surfaces that define a closed perimeter of a fluid passageway, the one or more inner surfaces being configured to translate within the probe cavity;

at least one latch segment having a first latch end disposed in contact with a first surface of the probe when the rapid-connect coupling apparatus is in a non-coupled state, the first surface of the probe being fixed with respect to the one or more inner surfaces of the probe that define the fluid passageway; and

a sleeve configured to contact the at least one latch segment;

wherein each latch segment comprises a second latch end opposite the first latch end, and the second latch end is configured to engage a notch portion of the probe.

15. The rapid-connect coupling apparatus of claim 14, wherein the second latch end is configured to transition out of the notch portion as the probe translates within the probe cavity.

16. A rapid-connect coupling apparatus for coupling with a connector, comprising:

a housing defining a probe cavity;

a probe comprising one or more inner surfaces that define a closed perimeter of a fluid passageway, the one or more inner surfaces being configured to translate within the probe cavity;

at least one latch segment having a first latch end disposed in contact with a first surface of the probe when the rapid-connect coupling apparatus is in a non-coupled state, the first surface of the probe being fixed with respect to the one or more inner surfaces of the probe that define the fluid passageway;

a sleeve configured to contact the at least one latch segment; and

a ball cam surrounding a portion of the probe within the probe cavity.

17. The rapid-connect coupling apparatus of claim 16, wherein the ball cam is configured to slide along the probe.