Pressurized fluid coupler with anti-recoil feature and methods

• US 20070001143A1
• Filed: 04/18/2006
• Published: 01/04/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: Macro Technologies, LLC (Dover Corporation)
• Inventors: Konishi, M. Howard, Huncovsky, Edwin
• Granted Patent: US 7,841,580 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 251/149.800
• 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

Abstract

The invention is directed to apparatus and methods for reducing recoil during uncoupling of pressurized couplers. The apparatus includes a male: a female component; and a check valve fluidly disposed between a proximal end and a distal end within one of the male component or female component. When the component including the check valve is pressurized, the check valve assumes a normally closed state. Upon coupling of the male component with the female component, the check valve is caused to open through the interaction of a probe linked to the check valve which contacts a portion of the opposing coupler, thereby opening the check valve and permitting pressurized fluid flow between the two components. At least one radially directed port fluidly couples the interface between the male and female couplers with the environment, which may be formed in one or both couplers.

Claims

1. A coupler fitting for high pressure fluids comprising:

a body defining a passage from a proximal end to a distal end and including a first cavity;

a normally closed check valve operable by a force directed towards the proximal end of the body and occupying the first cavity;

a probe exposed at a proximal end to the check valve and extending at a distal end past the first cavity; and

a collar at least partially surrounding the body and at least partially defining a second cavity into which the distal end of the probe extends, wherein a fluid pathway is created between the second cavity and the environment through at least one radially extending port defined by the collar.

3. The coupler fitting of claim 1 wherein the probe defines a fluid conduit between the check valve and the second cavity.

4. The coupler fitting of claim 1 further comprising a translatable hat to protect the probe when the coupler fitting is not in use.

5. The coupler fitting of claim 4 wherein the hat comprises an axially aligned opening through which the distal end of the probe may pass.

6. The coupler fitting of claim 4 wherein the hat is biased away from the proximal end of the probe by a spring.

7. The coupler fitting of claim 6 wherein the spring is in compressive contact with a portion of the hat and with a portion of the body, and wherein over extension of the hat is prevented by an abutting relationship between the hat and the collar.

8. The coupler fitting of claim 1 wherein the collar further comprises an engagement means for securingly connecting the coupler fitting to another coupler fitting.

9. The coupler fitting of claim 8 wherein the engagement means comprises at least one captive ball that is radially translatable between a first position wherein a portion of the at least one ball is within the boundaries of the second cavity and a second position wherein no portion of the at least one ball is within the boundaries of the second cavity.

2. A method for mitigating a recoil effect between a male coupler fitting and a female coupler fitting upon disconnection, comprising:

sealing a source of pressurized fluid; and

bleeding any pressurized fluid existing between the male and female coupler fittings in a direction not equal to an axial direction of the coupler fittings.

10. A coupler fitting for high pressure fluids comprising:

a body defining a passage from a proximal end to a distal end and including a first cavity;

a seat for receiving a probe wherein the seat has a proximal portion exposed to the proximal end of the body and a face exposed to the distal end of the body, and wherein the seat is disposed substantially within the first cavity; and

at least one fluid pathway defined by the body and fluidly coupling the first cavity with the environment through at least one radially extending port.