GB2532040A - A pressurised fluid coupler - Google Patents
A pressurised fluid coupler Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2532040A GB2532040A GB1419779.2A GB201419779A GB2532040A GB 2532040 A GB2532040 A GB 2532040A GB 201419779 A GB201419779 A GB 201419779A GB 2532040 A GB2532040 A GB 2532040A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- pressurised fluid
- coupler
- body assembly
- female body
- locking
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16L37/00—Couplings of the quick-acting type
- F16L37/02—Couplings of the quick-acting type in which the connection is maintained only by friction of the parts being joined
- F16L37/04—Couplings of the quick-acting type in which the connection is maintained only by friction of the parts being joined with an elastic outer part pressing against an inner part by reason of its elasticity
- F16L37/06—Couplings of the quick-acting type in which the connection is maintained only by friction of the parts being joined with an elastic outer part pressing against an inner part by reason of its elasticity tightened by fluid pressure
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16L37/00—Couplings of the quick-acting type
- F16L37/22—Couplings of the quick-acting type in which the connection is maintained by means of balls, rollers or helical springs under radial pressure between the parts
- F16L37/23—Couplings of the quick-acting type in which the connection is maintained by means of balls, rollers or helical springs under radial pressure between the parts by means of balls
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16L37/00—Couplings of the quick-acting type
- F16L37/28—Couplings of the quick-acting type with fluid cut-off means
- F16L37/30—Couplings of the quick-acting type with fluid cut-off means with fluid cut-off means in each of two pipe-end fittings
- F16L37/32—Couplings of the quick-acting type with fluid cut-off means with fluid cut-off means in each of two pipe-end fittings at least one of two lift valves being opened automatically when the coupling is applied
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
- Quick-Acting Or Multi-Walled Pipe Joints (AREA)
Abstract
A pressurised fluid coupler 10 comprises male and female parts 12 and 14 respectively, operable to couple to each other to provide a fluid connection between the two parts. Upon insertion of part 12 into bore 36 a raised portion 24 of the male portion pushes a bush 52 located in the female portion against a spring 60. As the couplings further engage, a relieved or cut out portion 28 passes beneath a series of locking balls 88 allowing the balls to fall into the groove 28. A spring biased locking sleeve 72 then contacts and constrains the locking balls in place by the action of fluid pressure biasing the sleeve into the locked position. As long as the coupling is pressurised this prevents uncoupling of the male and female parts 12 and 14. In an alternative embodiment the coupling may be fitted with a shut off valve.
Description
Title: A pressurised fluid coupler
Description:
This invention relates to fluid couplers and particularly to quick connect-quick disconnect high-pressure fluid couplers and more particularly to quick connect-quick disconnect high-pressure fluid couplers having locking mechanisms.
Various different types of quick connect-quick disconnect type fluid couplers are known. Such couplers typically have a male part on one end, which is sealingly received in a female body component on the other end and locked in a connected mode using latching devices such as detent spring elements, catches, spring biased detent balls, activated by camming surfaces or bayonet locking systems.
However, known couplers of this type are disadvantaged because even though some couplers have locking mechanisms, the male and female parts can still be de-coupled when pressurised fluid is passing through the coupler. This is undesirable in the industry and in many circumstances it is potentially dangerous irrespective of whether the de-coupling is intentional or accidental.
An objective of the present invention is to provide a coupling which overcomes the disadvantages of known couplers.
Various aspects of the invention are set forth in the appendent claims.
According to the present invention there is provided a pressurised fluid coupler comprising a male part and a female body assembly, operable to couple to each other to provide a fluid connection therebetween, and locking means operable to resist de-coupling of the male part and female body assembly, wherein the locking means is activated by the pressure of the fluid flowing through the coupler.
The locking means advantageously comprises a first lock having a disposed on the female body assembly open to receive a portion of the pressurised fluid passing through the coupling.
The locking means advantageously comprises a locking sleeve, disposed on the female body assembly and having a back portion disposed within and slidable relative to the locking aperture.
The female body assembly advantageously comprises a back end portion and wherein the aperture is formed in the back end portion.
The locking aperture advantageously comprises a radially extending aperture portion and a longitudinally extending aperture portion.
The back end portion of the locking sleeve is advantageously disposed within the longitudinally extending aperture portion.
The radially extending aperture portion and the longitudinally extending aperture portion are advantageously annually formed within the end portion of the coupler.
The locking means advantageously comprises a second lock which may comprise a locking ball which, when the coupler is in an unconnected mode, is disposed between the locking sleeve and a bush in the female body assembly, and, when the coupler is in a connected mode, is disposed between the locking sleeve and a ball receiver, disposed on the male part.
The female body assembly advantageously comprises first biasing means operable, in an unconnected mode, to bias the bush to underlie the ball and second biasing means operable, in a connected mode, to bias the locking ball into the ball receiver.
The male part advantageously comprises a bush engagement member and, upon connection of the male part and female body assembly, the bush engagement member engages and pushes the bush against the bias of the first biasing means until the bush reveals the ball to the ball receiver into which it falls to allow the locking sleeve to be biased by the second biasing means to move the ball into the ball receiver and retain it therein to lock the male part and the female body assembly in a connected mode.
In the locked connected mode, the locking aperture is advantageously operable to receive pressurised fluid to provide a force active on the locking sleeve to maintain the locking sleeve in the locked position and thereby prevent decoupling of the male part and the female body assembly when the pressurised fluid is flowing through the coupling.
Preferred embodiments of the present invention shall now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a cross-section view through a coupler, in an un-coupled mode, according to the present invention; and Figure 2 is a cross-section view through the coupler of Figure 1, in a coupled mode The coupler of Figures 1 and 2 is shown without a valve. However, the present invention is also applicable to valved couplers or other types of couplers in which locking of the male part and female body component in a connected mode is advantageous and/or desirable.
Referring to Figure 1, a coupler 10 comprises a male part 12 and a female body assembly 14 is shown in a disconnected mode. The male part 12 has a bore 15 extending therethrough and has a back end portion 16 and a front end portion 18 of reduced diameter.
The male part back end portion has a back end portion seal 20.
The front end portion 18 has a raised portion 22 formed around its outer circumference to provide a bush engagement member 24 and a region of reduced diameter 26 formed around its circumference to provide a locking ball receiver 28.
The female body assembly 14 has a back end portion 30 and a front end portion 32 having a cylindrical wall 34 forming an inner bore 36. The inner bore 36 extends through the length of the female body assembly 14 and is suitably dimensioned to receive the front end 18 of the male part 12 in a sealing connection.
The cylindrical wall 34 has a front end 38, intermediate portion 39 and a back end 40. The front end 38 is formed as a region of increased diameter 42 and has a sleeve receiving surface 44, formed circumferencially around its external surface, which extends into a region of further increased diameter to form a sleeve abutment 46 at its peripheral end 48.
A locking ball aperture 50 extends radially through cylindrical wall 33.
The female body assembly 14 also has a bush 52, a seal 54 and a spring engaging spacer 56, all of which are disposed coaxially around the circumference of the bore 36.
A spring base ring 58 is also disposed coaxially around the circumference of the bore 36 and positioned axially at the interface between the back end portion 30 and the front end portion 32. A spring 60 extends from the spring base ring 58 through the front end portion 32 of the bore 36 and engages the spring engaging spacer 56 which in turn engages the seal 54 and bush 52, such that, in an unconnected mode, they are biased towards the male part receiving end.
A locking aperture 62 is formed in the back end portion 30 and comprises a radial aperture portion 64, extending radially from and open to the bore 36, and a longitudinal aperture portion 66 in fluid communication with the radial aperture portion 64 and opening external to the bore 36. The longitudinal aperture portion 66 has a seal 68.
In alternative embodiment the radial aperture portion 64 may be replaced with a aperture formed at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the coupler, provided it is able to receive pressurised fluid and deliver the received pressurised fluid to the longitudinal aperture portion 66.
A biasing wall 70 extends from the back end portion 30 to radially overlie the back end 40 of the cylindrical wall 34.
A locking sleeve 72 has a front end 74, having a locking ball portion 76, an intermediate portion, having a spring engaging abutment 78, and a back portion 80 suitably dimensioned for engagement with the locking aperture 62.
The locking sleeve 72 is disposed such that, with the intermediate portion 39 of the cylindrical wall 34 and the biasing wall 70, its intermediate portion 78 forms a biasing chamber 82, and with the locking ball aperture 50 and the bush 52, its front end forms a locking ball chamber 84.
A locking spring 86 is disposed in the biasing chamber 82. In a disconnected mode, the locking spring 86 is in compression between the end of the biasing wall 70 and the spring engaging abutment 78 by means of a locking ball 88 which engages the locking sleeve 72 to resist the biasing force urging the locking sleeve 72 towards the front end of the female body assembly 14.
The back portion 80 of the locking sleeve 72 is disposed within the longitudinal aperture portion 66 of the locking aperture 62 such that it is in a slidably sealed relationship with the locking aperture 62 by means of the seal 68.
Referring also to Figure 2, in use, upon connecting the male part 12 and the female body assembly 14, the front portion 18 of the male part 12 is pushed into the bore 36 in which the bush engagement member 24, of the male part 12, engages the bush 52, of the female body assembly 14, and overcomes the biasing force of the spring 60 such that the bush 52 is displaced along the bore 36 towards the back end 30.
In displacing the bush 52, the locking ball receiver 28, of the male part 12, moves into its place such that the locking ball 88 drops radially into the locking ball receiver 28. In the locking ball receiver 28 the locking ball 88 is disposed partially within the diameter of the bore 36 and, as such, the locking sleeve 72 rides over the locking ball 88, on a cam 90, urged by the biasing force of the locking spring 86 towards the front end of the female body assembly 14, such that the front end 74, of the locking sleeve 72, overlies and the sleeve receiving surface 44 and abuts the sleeve abutment 46 of the front end 38 of the cylindrical wall 34.
In this arrangement a raised portion on the underside of the locking sleeve 72 extends into the locking ball aperture 50 to maintain the position of the locking ball 88 in the locking ball receiver 28.
In this arrangement the male part 12 and the female body assembly 14 are connected and pressurised fluid can be passed through the bore, 15 and 36, of the coupler 10. As the pressurised fluid passes through the bore 36, of the female body assembly 14, locking aperture 62 receives a portion of the pressurised fluid through the radial aperture portion 64 and thereby the longitudinal aperture portion 66 is filled with the pressurised fluid. The pressurised fluid in the longitudinal aperture portion 66 exerts a force on the locking sleeve 72 such that the locking sleeve 72 is locked in the connected position until no pressurised fluid passes through the bore 36 of the coupler 10. As such, it is not possible for the male part 12 and the female body assembly 14 to be de-coupled whilst pressurised fluid in the bore 36 of the coupler 10.
Referring to Figures 3 and 4, a second embodiment of a coupler 110, according to the present invention, is similar to the first embodiment, except the female body assembly 114 also has a valve 194, wherein, in a de-coupled mode, the valve seals the bore 136 of the female body assembly 112 using a seal 196, to prevent any fluid exiting the female body assembly. The valve 194 operates in the same way as valves in known couplers, wherein the valve 194 is displaced by the insertion of the male part 112, from a closed sealing position into an open position to allow the flow of fluid through the coupler 110.
In order to accommodate the valve 194, the locking aperture 162 is formed from an axially extending aperture portion 164 and a separate longitudinally extending aperture portion 166. The axially extending aperture portion 164 and the longitudinally extending aperture portion 166 are joined by way of a region of increased internal diameter 198 at the back portion 180 of the locking sleeve 172.
Annular seals 200 and 202 are provided to ensure that fluid is maintained within the locking aperture 162.
As can be seen in Figure 4, in a coupled mode the locking sleeve 172 is biased into a locked position in the same manner as described in relation to the first embodiment. In use, as pressurised fluid is passed through the coupler 110, a portion of the pressurised fluid enters the locking aperture 162 which maintains the locking sleeve 172 in the locked position until there is no pressurised fluid flowing through the coupling 110.
The coupler, according to the present invention is for use with any pressurised fluid and therefore has applications in a broad range of industries including manufacturing, food processing, medical and healthcare, chemical, oil and safety services, for example, in providing safe and reliable coupling and provision of pressurised fluids including in, for example, breathing apparatus.
The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiments, which are merely exemplary of the invention. For example, the shape and configuration of the various elements of the invention may be changes, as might their materials of manufacture.
Claims (11)
- CLAIMS1. A pressurised fluid coupler comprising a male part and a female body assembly, operable to couple to each other to provide a fluid connection therebetween, and locking means operable to resist de-coupling of the male part and female body assembly, wherein the locking means is activated by the pressure of the fluid flowing through the coupler.
- 2. A pressurised fluid coupler as claimed in claim 1, wherein the locking means comprises a first lock having a aperture disposed on the female body assembly open to receive a portion of the pressurised fluid passing through the coupling.
- 3. A pressurised fluid coupler as claimed in claim 2, wherein the locking means comprises a locking sleeve, disposed on the female body assembly and having an end portion disposed within and slidable relative to the aperture.
- 4. A pressurised fluid coupler as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein the female body assembly comprises an end portion and wherein the aperture is formed in the end portion.
- 5. A pressurised fluid coupler as claimed in claims 3 or 4, wherein the aperture comprises a radially extending aperture portion and a longitudinally extending aperture portion.
- 6. A pressurised fluid coupler as claimed in claim 5, wherein the end portion of the locking sleeve is disposed within the longitudinally extending aperture portion.
- 7. A pressurised fluid coupler as claimed in claim 5 or 6, wherein the radially extending aperture portion and the longitudinally extending aperture portion are annually formed within the end portion of the coupler.
- 8. A pressurised fluid coupler as claimed in claims 2 to 7, wherein the locking means comprises a second lock comprising a ball which, when the coupler is in an unconnected mode, is disposed between the locking sleeve and a bush in the female body assembly, and, when the coupler is in a connected mode, is disposed between the locking sleeve and a ball receiver, disposed on the male part.
- A pressurised fluid coupler as claimed in claim 8, wherein the female body assembly comprises first biasing means operable, in an unconnected mode, to bias the bush to underlie the ball and second biasing means operable, in a connected mode, to bias the ball into the ball receiver.
- 10. A pressurised fluid coupler as claimed in claim 8 and 9, wherein the male part comprises a bush engagement member and, upon connection of the male part and female body assembly, the bush engagement member coaxially engages and pushes the bush against the bias of the first biasing means until the bush reveals the ball to the ball receiver into which it falls to allow the locking sleeve to be biased by the second biasing means to move the ball into the ball receiver and retain it therein to lock the male part and the female body assembly in a connected mode.
- 11. A pressurised fluid coupler as claimed in claim 10, wherein, in the locked connected mode, the aperture is operable to receive pressurised fluid to provide a force active on the locking sleeve to maintain the locking sleeve in the locked position and thereby prevent decoupling of the male part and the female body assembly when the pressurised fluid is flowing through the coupling.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB1419779.2A GB2532040B (en) | 2014-11-06 | 2014-11-06 | A pressurised fluid coupling |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB1419779.2A GB2532040B (en) | 2014-11-06 | 2014-11-06 | A pressurised fluid coupling |
Publications (3)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB201419779D0 GB201419779D0 (en) | 2014-12-24 |
| GB2532040A true GB2532040A (en) | 2016-05-11 |
| GB2532040B GB2532040B (en) | 2020-03-25 |
Family
ID=52118090
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB1419779.2A Expired - Fee Related GB2532040B (en) | 2014-11-06 | 2014-11-06 | A pressurised fluid coupling |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2532040B (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN109899612A (en) * | 2019-03-05 | 2019-06-18 | 宁波天擎航天科技有限公司 | A kind of make and break device |
Citations (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3791411A (en) * | 1972-08-18 | 1974-02-12 | B Bogeskov | Hydraulic coupler |
| US4465097A (en) * | 1981-04-09 | 1984-08-14 | New-Machine Co., Ltd. | Coupling |
| US4688830A (en) * | 1986-06-09 | 1987-08-25 | Fastest, Inc. | Externally threaded quick connect coupling having integral fluid pressure assisted seal |
| US5290009A (en) * | 1991-10-08 | 1994-03-01 | Rectus-Apparatebau, Walker Klein Gmbh | Self-venting, rapid connection-release coupling for compressed gas lines, for example compressed air lines |
| US6568717B1 (en) * | 1998-12-02 | 2003-05-27 | Legris Sa | Ball coupling |
Family Cites Families (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4664148A (en) * | 1986-02-03 | 1987-05-12 | Clevite Industries Inc. | Quick disconnect coupling with a lockable valve actuator |
| US5323812A (en) * | 1993-10-05 | 1994-06-28 | Snap-Tite, Inc. | Pressure-locked coupling |
| DK200400771A (en) * | 2004-05-14 | 2004-05-14 | Hct Tool As | Separate coupling is for transmission of fluid under pressure and comprises a connecting support and a lock cap, lock cap being movable in relation to support |
| ATE529668T1 (en) * | 2005-03-11 | 2011-11-15 | Gates Corp | PRESSURE-ACTIVATED COUPLING OF A RELEASE LOCK |
-
2014
- 2014-11-06 GB GB1419779.2A patent/GB2532040B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Patent Citations (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3791411A (en) * | 1972-08-18 | 1974-02-12 | B Bogeskov | Hydraulic coupler |
| US4465097A (en) * | 1981-04-09 | 1984-08-14 | New-Machine Co., Ltd. | Coupling |
| US4688830A (en) * | 1986-06-09 | 1987-08-25 | Fastest, Inc. | Externally threaded quick connect coupling having integral fluid pressure assisted seal |
| US5290009A (en) * | 1991-10-08 | 1994-03-01 | Rectus-Apparatebau, Walker Klein Gmbh | Self-venting, rapid connection-release coupling for compressed gas lines, for example compressed air lines |
| US6568717B1 (en) * | 1998-12-02 | 2003-05-27 | Legris Sa | Ball coupling |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN109899612A (en) * | 2019-03-05 | 2019-06-18 | 宁波天擎航天科技有限公司 | A kind of make and break device |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB2532040B (en) | 2020-03-25 |
| GB201419779D0 (en) | 2014-12-24 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCNP | Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |
Effective date: 20221106 |