WO1995033158A1 - Valve coupling assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

A valve coupling assembly (A) comprises two interconnecting coupling halves (1, 9) each incorporating a main valve (3, 13) and valve head guide (2, 14), that are coupled together by a separate removable clamping mechanism (27). An atmospheric vent (7, 8) to a valve head guide (2) enables high pressure operation without mechanical difficulty. The assembly (A) may include a third valve in the form of a check valve (15) which is operable automatically during coupling of the two halves (1, 9) by the clamping mechanism (27), which includes a handle (33) operating a rigid bar (34) linking a pair of stirrups (28, 29) connected to a respective one of the couplings (1, 9). By moving the handles (33) back and forth through an over centre action the valves (3, 13, 15) are opened and closed as required.

Description

Valve coupling assembly

The present invention relates to a valve coupling assembly, particularly although not exclusively, for connecting a flexible hose to another such hose or a fixed fitting.

Hoses of the kind mentioned above are well known as a means of carrying products and/or supplying services. In many situations, such as in the filling of a tank whether fixed or forming part of a vehicle, it is necessary to form a connection or coupling with another such hose or other fixed fitting. Coupling assemblies have, of course, been proposed in the past; however, they all suffer to a greater of lesser extent with disadvantages stemming from the considerations set out below.

Hence, where the product to be carried by the hose is dangerous, for example one or any combination of toxic, flammable, or environmentally hazardous etc., then it is highly desirable that the possibility of release of the product during coupling operations be minimised. The problem of release is particularly acute where the product is, for instance, gaseous and under high pressure which incidentally gives rise to a further problem of the inherent mechanical difficulty in making or breaking a coupling, or operating a valve, especially manually, when high pressures exist within the product.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a solution to the problems set out above and which overcomes the disadvantages of prior art coupling assemblies through, for example, preventing product loss on connection or disconnection of the coupling assembly. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a coupling having an improved valve arrangement whereby the pressure or head loss in the coupling is minimised.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a coupling which is simple and rapid to connect and disconnect.

According to the invention there is provided a valved coupling assembly for use in the transport of fluid, comprising: first and second coupling members of generally tubular form arranged coaxially and each having its outer end adapted for connection to a hose line or the like; each coupling member having a valve seat at its inner end and housing a valve member which is carried on a stem which is urged by biasing means to a valve-closed position, one of the stems being of fixed length and the other being compressible, and the valve members having complementary faces; the arrangement being such that, when the complementary faces of the valve members are urged into contact and the valve members are moved by operating means, the valve member carried on the fixed-length stem displaces the other valve member from its valve seat and is displaced from its own valve seat to open the assembly for passage to fluid, and minimal loss of fluid occurs whenever said assembly is coupled or uncoupled.

Preferably, at least one coupling further includes a check valve seat and a check valve member urged into sealing engagement therewith, and a check valve operating member. The operating member may include manually operable means to unseat said check valve. Advantageously, the main valve of the first coupling member is fixed and may have an axially extending stem on which the check valve may be slidingly carried. The stem may be hollow to house a check valve operating spindle operable by a plunger which forms part of said second coupling member.

In order to reduce the mechanical difficulty experienced when the coupling needs to be made or broken under pressure, vent means may be provided.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a clamping mechanism, comprising a handle operating a rigid bar which links a pair of stirrups, each connectable to a respective one of said couplings, said stirrups being movable towards and away from each other through an over-centre action of said handle.

The stirrups may be formed to allow axial rotation of said mechanism about said coupling. Advantageously, the mechanism is removable although it could be fixed to one or both of said couplings if required. To provide additional rigidity to the mechanism, an additional slider bar may link the stirrups.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a cross-sectional side view of a coupling assembly according to the invention, shown in a valves- closed position with a clamping mechanism omitted for clarity;

Figure 2 is a similar view of the coupling assembly of Figure 1 in an valves-open position;

Figure 3a is a cross-sectional side view of a first half-coupling of the coupling of Figure 1, with plunger and seal omitted for clarity;

Figure 3b is an end view of the half-coupling of Figure 3a, in the direction of arrow X; Figure 4a is a cross-sectional side view of a second half-coupling of the coupling of Figure 1, with the check valve spring omitted for clarity;

Figure 4b is an end view of the half-coupling of Figure 4a, in the direction of arrow Y;

Figure 5 is a side view of a clamp-operating handle shown secured to the coupling of Figure l;

Figure 6 is a similar but partially sectional view corresponding to that of Figure 5, of the handle and coupling in a valves-closed position;

Figure 7 is a view similar to that of Figure 6, showing the handle and valves in an open position;

Figure 8 is view similar to that of Figure 6 but from the opposite side, showing a variant of the clamp-operating handle.

The coupling assembly A shown in the Figures, comprises a first half-coupling body 1 and a second half- coupling body 9. In use, an adaptor end 10 of the second body 9 is normally secured, via a screw thread, or otherwise, to a free end of a flexible hose (not shown), whilst the first body 1 has an end fitting 38 which is similarly connected, in use, to a hose or fixed fitting (not shown) .

Referring in particular to Figure 3, the first half- coupling body 1 is provided with an external circumferential flange and slot 30 for receiving a stirrup of a removable coupling and clamping mechanism 27 (described further below). The body 1 has a bore within which is held a spider 2 incorporating a seal 6. An axially extending portion of the spider or valve guide 2 carries a compression spring 4 and a valve 3. The valve 3 is biased into a spaced-apart relationship with the spider 2 by the spring 4, such that the valve 3 closes the bore in combination with a further seal 5 which seats in the bore. A valve chamber space 37 defined by axial bores in the stem of the valve 3, and guide 2, is provided behind the valve head 3. The valve chamber 37 communicates with a main body vent 8, and thus to the atmosphere, via a diametrical bore or vent 7 in the spider 2 which itself communicates with main vent 8 via the threaded end fitting 38.

Figure 4 shows the second half-coupling body 9 and its adaptor end 10 each having a bore. The adaptor end 10 is provided with an external circumferential slot 31 for another stirrup-forming part of the removable coupling and clamping mechanism 27 (described below), and incorporates a fixed valve slide guide 11 and spider 11A. The spider 11A terminates at one end in a fixed, main valve head 13 and optionally incorporates an axial guide tube 14 which houses an operating spindle 16 for an optional check valve 15. The check valve 15 is itself sealingly and slidingly carried on the other end of the spider 11A and is held closed within the bore by a check valve compression spring 21.

A valve slide body 12 is carried on the valve slide guide 11 and is urged by a compression spring 17 away from the adaptor end 10. A number of different seals are provided. Hence, a seal 18 is provided between the slide body 12 and the slide guide 11, a seal 19 is carried on the main valve head 13, and within the terminal portion of the valve slide body 12 there is provided a coupling engagement seal 24. Finally, a bump ring 23 protects the second half body against damage should it be handled roughly, for example dragged along the ground on the end of a disconnected hose.

In use, the second half-coupling body or half 9 is brought in to nominal contact and engagement with the first half-coupling body or half 1, as shown in Figure 1, whereby the coupling engagement seal 24 is activated as shoulders 25 and 26 establish the initial alignment of the coupling halves 1,9.

Then, as illustrated in Figure 5, the removable clamping mechanism 27 having a handle 33 and a bracing pin 32, is placed in position over the nominally engaged coupling halves 1,9. Stirrups 28 and 29 are then inserted into the slots 30 and 31, respectively. In this way, the two coupling halves 1,9 are secured, whilst the valve heads are still closed (see Figure 6).

Referring to Figure 7, the coupling halves 1,9 are drawn into full engagement by rotating the handle 33 over centre, to bring the stirrups closer together, the action of the stirrups being aided by the bracing pin 32. Once the coupling halves 1,9 are locked together in this position by the coupling mechanism, a full flow path is established between the now-connected and sealed coupling halves 1,9.

The creation of the full flow path results from the opening of three separate valve heads within the connected coupling halves 1,9. The process of closing the flow path may, of course, be understood to be the opposite to the sequence of opening described below.

The second main coupling body 9 moves as one with its main valve head 13, seal 19, guide tube 14 and spider 11, in a sliding action over the first body 1 is drawn by the action of the coupling clamping mechanism. In the course of this action, the first valve body and head 3 are engaged by the second main valve head 13 and is thrust back on to its fixed spider and guide 2, thereby compressing springs 4 and 17 and holding valve heads 3 and 13 in close engagement while seals 5 and 19 move out of their respective sealing engagements to open up the flow path 34. At the same time as the aforementioned sliding action of the half couplings 1,9, the check valve plunger 2A is caused to protrude through the head of the valve body 3, while still in engagement with its cooperating seal 2B, into the space 36 within the guide tube 14 behind the check valve operating spindle 16. After a predetermined distance of axial movement, the plunger moves into engagement with the check valve operating spindle 16, and continued axial movement causes the spindle to open the check valve 15 against its spring 21, so completing the full flow path 34. The initial free movement of the check valve plunger according to its length, stroke and space 36, provides for the initial opening of the coupling valves 3 and 13 at the over centre position of the clamping mechanism 27 before the check valve is opened.

In a non-illustrated variant of the first half coupling (1) , the check valve plunger 2A is omitted from the construction; instead, the valve head 3 is made solid. Space 36 is occupied by a grub screw which, on being screwed in, would serve to drive the check valve operating spindle 16 and check valve 15 into the open position.

It should also be noted that the provision of the check valve 15 allows dismantling of the coupling body 9 for maintenance or repair because the check valve head, in the closed position, occludes the bore in the adaptor end 10.

During the sliding action of the half-coupling bodies 1,9, the valve chamber space 37 is allowed to vent during its compressive stroke via the guide valve body vent 7 and main body vent 8, through the thread clearances in end fitting 38. Thus, the force required to open the valve body and head 3, particularly against product pressure from within the hose, is greatly reduced by the elimination of back pressure behind the valve head, as the chamber 37 is maintained at atmospheric pressure.

Once in the fully closed and locked position shown in Figure 7, the coupling mechanism 27 cannot be removed without first all the valve members 3, 13, and 15 being closed. Returning the handle 37 to its disengagement position causes the valve members to close in the reverse order for the initial clamping and valve opening sequence. Hence, the check valve is the first to close under the action of spring 21 whilst the subsequent closing of valve member 3 and 13 is completed under the action of springs 4 and 17 respectively. Once full closure of the valve members 3 and 15 is completed, there being no void between the adjoining valve mating faces 38 and 39, the half- couplings 1,9 can finally be separated by hand with virtually no product loss, having first, of course, removed the clamping mechanism 27.

A coupling assembly A as shown in the drawings is primarily used in connecting a fluid supply vessel with a receiving hose. Thus, by taking the clamping mechanism 27 off site, unauthorised reconnection of the half-coupling bodies 1,9 is prevented. It will be appreciated that one or other of the couplings 1,9 may form an integral part of, for example, a fixed fitting.

Figure 8 shows a variant of the clamping mechanism which allows more flexible positioning of the handle to suit an operator. Hence, one stirrup 150 is extended to at least partially, if not completely, encompass one body portion 109, whilst longitudinal location is provided by a lip 160 residing in the groove 131; the mechanism is thus freely rotatable about its longitudinal axis. In use, however, the mechanism must be connected to both coupling halves 1,9 before they are brought into nominal contact.

Claims

Claims :

1. A valved coupling assembly for use in the transport of fluid, comprising: first and second coupling members of generally tubular form arranged coaxially and each having its outer end adapted for connection to a hose line or the like; each coupling member having a valve seat at its inner end and housing a valve member which is carried on a stem which is urged by biasing means to a valve-closed position, one of the stems being of fixed length and the other being compressible, and the valve members having complementary faces; the arrangement being such that, when the complementary faces of the valve members are urged into contact and the valve members are moved by operating means, the valve member carried on the fixed-length stem displaces the other valve member from its valve seat and is displaced from its own valve seat to open the assembly for passage to fluid, and minimal loss of fluid occurs whenever said assembly is coupled or uncoupled.

2. An assembly as claimed in Claim 1, in which the coupling member housing the fixed-length stem further includes an end adaptor.

3. An assembly as claimed in Claim 2, in which a check- valve seats on and is biased into sealing engagement with an annular seat formed in the end adaptor, the check-valve being opened by the actuation means on opening the coupling-member valves.

3. An assembly as claimed in Claim 2 or 3, in which said fixed-length stem is secured coaxially within the end adaptor, the end adaptor being movable to the valves-opened position by the actuating means.

4. An assembly as claimed in any of Claims 2 to 4, in which a protective sleeve movable with the end adaptor surrounds the coupling member.

5. An assembly as claimed in any of Claims 3 to 5, in which the check valve is slidingly carried on the fixed stem.

6. An assembly as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the fixed- length stem is hollow and houses a check-valve operating spindle, movable by a complementary spindle housed in the compressible stem.

7. An assembly as claimed in any preceding Claim, in which the compressible valve stem comprises inner and outer coaxial sleeves which can be telescoped under spring action.

8. An assembly as claimed in any preceding Claim, including a vent to atmosphere for preventing build-up of pressure between the complementary faces of the valve members.

9. An assembly as claimed in any preceding Claim, in which the actuating means comprises a clamping mechanism which includes a handle operating a rigid bar which links a pair of stirrups each connectable to a respective one of said couplings, said stirrups being movable towards and away from each other through an over-centre action of said handle to respectively open and close the valves.

10. An assembly as claimed in Claim 9, wherein the stirrups allow axial rotation of the clamping mechanism about the assembly.

11. An assembly as claimed in Claim 9 or Claim 10, in which the clamping mechanism is removable from the assembly.

12. An assembly as claimed in Claim 9 or Claim 10, in which the clamping mechanism is fixed to one or both of said couplings.

13. An assembly as claimed in any of Claims 8 to 12, in which a slider bar links the stirrups to provide additional rigidity to the mechanism.

14. An assembly as claimed in any preceding Claim, in which the coupling member is provided with a bump ring.

15. A clamping mechanism for use with the assembly of Claims 1 to 14, comprising a handle operating a rigid bar which links a pair of stirrups, each connectable to a respective one of said couplings, said stirrups being movable towards and away from each other through an over- centre action of said handle.

16. A valved coupling assembly, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

17. A clamping mechanism for a valved coupling assembly, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 5 to 7, or Figure 8 of the accompanying drawings.