WO2013158445A1

WO2013158445A1 - Connector assembly with a check valve

Info

Publication number: WO2013158445A1
Application number: PCT/US2013/036058
Authority: WO
Inventors: Justin L. Gauthier; Matthew D. Lutzke
Original assignee: A. Raymond Et Cie
Priority date: 2012-04-17
Filing date: 2013-04-11
Publication date: 2013-10-24

Abstract

A connector assembly (20) includes a coupling housing (22) extending between a first coupling end (24) and a second coupling end (26), and a fluid quick connector (34) is disposed about one of the coupling ends (24, 26). The coupling housing (22) defines a coupling passageway (28) extending between the coupling ends (24, 26) and a check valve (52) is disposed within the coupling passageway (28). The check valve (52) includes a locking barb (66) extending outwardly from a check valve housing (54) to establish a compression fit between the check valve housing (54) and the coupling housing (22) when the check valve (52) is disposed within the coupling passageway (28). The check valve (52) also includes a rib (68) extending outwardly from the check valve housing (54) and disposed in abutting relationship with the coupling housing (22) to align the check valve (52) within the coupling passageway (28).

Description

CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY WITH A CHECK VALVE

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This PCT Patent Application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application serial number 61/625,329 filed April 17, 2012, the entire disclosure of the application being considered part of the disclosure of this application, and hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

[0002] A connector assembly capable of easy assembly and installation wherein the connector assembly establishes fluid communication between a first fluid line and a second fluid line.

2. Description of the Prior Art

[0003] The connector assemblies to which the subject invention pertains are assemblies which include a coupling housing extending along a coupling axis between a first coupling end and a second coupling end with a fluid quick connector disposed about one of the coupling ends for securing a fluid line to the coupling housing. The coupling housing defines a coupling passageway extending along the coupling axis between the coupling ends to establishing fluid communication between the first and second fluid lines.

[0004] Although the prior art assemblies are able to establish fluid communication between a first fluid line and a second fluid line, there remains a need for a quick connector assembly which provides for improved control of the fluid communication between the fluid lines. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The invention provides for a check valve disposed within the coupling passageway of the connector assembly between the first coupling end and the second coupling end. One of the main advantages of the subject invention is the reduction or elimination of backflow into one of the first and second fluid lines when fluid flow from the respective fluid line ceases. The check valve also prevents fluid pressure spikes from reaching a fluid delivery system which delivers fluid to the connector assembly from the respective fluid line. The elimination of the pressure spikes helps to prevent damage to the fluid delivery system. The incorporation of a check valve into a connector assembly having a fluid quick connector disposed about one of the coupling ends also allows a check valve to be quickly and easily placed in communication with the fluid lines, leading to reduced assembly and manufacturing costs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated, as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

[0007] Figure 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of a linear connector assembly illustrating a check valve disposed within a coupling passageway of the connector assembly;

[0008] Figure 1A is a magnified view of a portion of Figure 1;

[0009] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the linear connector assembly shown in

Figure 1;

[0010] Figure 3 is an end view of the linear connector assembly shown in Figures 1 and 2; [0011] Figure 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of an 1-shaped connector assembly illustrating the check valve disposed within the coupling passageway of the connector assembly;

[0012] Figure 4A is a magnified view of a portion of Figure 4;

[0013] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the 1-shaped connector assembly shown in

Figure 4;

[0014] Figure 6 is an end view of the 1-shaped connector assembly shown in Figures

4 and 5;

[0015] Figure 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of a linear connector assembly illustrating a reverse arrangement of the check valve arrangement shown in Figure 1 ;

[0016] Figure 7 A is a magnified view of a portion of Figure 7; and

[0017] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the check valve shown in Figures 1, 4 and 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ENABLING EMBODIMENTS

[0018] Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views, a connector assembly 20 for establishing fluid communication between a first fluid line (not shown) and a second fluid line (not shown) is generally illustrated in Figures 1-7. The connector assembly 20 includes a coupling housing 22 extending along a coupling axis A between a first coupling end 24 and a second coupling end 26. The coupling housing 22 defines a coupling passageway 28 extending along the coupling axis A between the coupling ends 24, 26. The coupling passageway 28 has a first orifice 30 disposed adjacent the first coupling end 24 for receiving the first fluid line to dispose the first fluid line in the coupling passageway 28 and a second orifice 32 disposed adjacent the second end 26 for establishing communication with the second fluid line to move a fluid through the connector assembly 20. Although the coupling ends 24, 26 are illustrated as male and female type connections, the connector assembly 20 could be formed using any type of connection means for coupling a fluid line to the coupling ends 24, 26.

[0019] The first coupling end 24 of the coupling housing 22 includes a fluid quick connector 34 being generally U-shaped and movable between an extended position and a pushed-in position for securing the first fluid line in the received position. The preferred embodiment of the quick connector 34 is the P2L^® Quick Connector design as disclosed in U.S. Patent 7,445,249 assigned to A. Raymond & CIE. However, any variation of a quick connector can be substituted for the preferred embodiment without departing from the scope of the invention. The second coupling end 26 of the coupling housing 22 includes a barbed stem 36 for retaining the second fluid line about the second orifice 32. The barbed stem 36 includes an o-ring 38 for sealing fluid communication between the barbed stem 36 and the second fluid line. As best shown in Figures 1-2 and 7, the barbed stem 36 is disposed along the coupling axis A to define a linear-shaped connector assembly 20. However, as best shown in Figures 4-6, the barbed stem 36 can also be disposed transverse to the coupling axis A to define an 1-shaped connector assembly 20. Although only a linear and 1-shaped connector assembly 20 are shown in the Figures, the barbed stem 36 can have a variety of other shapes to accommodate receiving and retaining the second fluid line. As a result, the connector assembly 20 can also have a variety of other shapes without departing from the scope of the subject invention.

[0020] As best shown in Figures 1, 4 and 7, the coupling passageway 22 is counterbored 40 to define a first shoulder 42 extending radially outwardly from the coupling passageway 28. A first sealing ring 44 is disposed in the counterbore 40 and in abutting relationship with the first shoulder 42. An intermediate ring 46 and a second sealing ring 48 are serially disposed in the counterbore 40 between the first sealing ring 44 and the receiving orifice 34 for collectively establishing sealed relationship with the first fluid line in the received position. A housing washer 50 is disposed in the counterbore 40 next adjacent the second sealing ring 48 for securing the rings 44, 46, 48 in the counterbore 40.

[0021] As best shown in Figures 1, 4 and 7, the connector assembly 20 includes a check valve 52 disposed within the coupling passageway 28 and aligned on the coupling axis A between the first coupling end 24 and the second coupling end 26. As best shown in Figure 8, the check valve 52 includes a check valve housing 54 which extends from a first check valve end 56 to a second check valve end 58 and defines a check valve passageway 60 extending therebetween. The check valve housing 54 defines a check valve inlet 62 disposed about the first check valve end 54 and defines a check valve outlet 64 disposed between the first and second check valve ends 56, 58 for allowing fluid to move through the check valve 52. As previously mentioned, the connector assembly 20 establishes fluid communication between a first fluid line and a second fluid line, and thus during operation, fluid moves through the connector assembly 20 along the coupling passageway 28 and through the check valve 52 along the check valve passageway 60 from the check valve inlet 62 towards the check valve outlet 64.

[0022] When the check valve 52 is disposed within the coupling passageway 28, the check valve housing 54 establishes a compression fit with the coupling housing 22 to secure the check valve 52 within the connector assembly 20 and prevent movement of the check valve 52 during operation. As best shown in Figures 1A, 4A, and 7A, in the preferred embodiment the check valve 52 includes a locking barb 66 extending outwardly from the check valve housing 54 and flared towards to the second check valve end 54 to establish the compression fit. Although not expressly illustrated, the locking barb 66 could also be flared towards the first check valve end 54 to accommodate a different arrangement of the check valve 52 within the coupling passageway 28. In operation, when the check valve 52 is inserted into the coupling passageway 28, the locking barb 66 displaces or pushes away the material which defines the coupling passageway 28 to dig the locking barb 66 into the coupling housing 22 and secure the check valve 52 within the connector assembly 20. The locking barb 66 keeps the check valve 52 from shifting within the coupling passageway 28 along the coupling axis A.

[0023] As best shown in Figures 1, 4, 7, and 8, the check valve 52 also includes a rib 68 extending outwardly from the check valve housing 54 and disposed adjacent to the locking barb 66. The rib 68 engages or is disposed in abutting relationship with the coupling housing 22 to maintain alignment of the check valve 52 about the coupling axis A. Put another way, the engagement of the rib 68 with the coupling housing 22 keeps the check valve 52 from shifting up or down within the coupling passageway 28 relative to the coupling axis A.

[0024] Although the check valve 52 is illustrated as having only one locking barb 66 and one rib 66, the check valve 52 could also be formed using any number or combination of locking barbs 66 and/or ribs 68 to establish the compression fit of the check valve 52 within the coupling passageway 28 and keep the check valve 52 along about the coupling axis A. Further, although the check valve housing 54 is described and shown as

establishing a compression fit with the coupling housing 22, the check valve housing 54 could also be disposed in mechanical interlocking relationship with the coupling housing 22 to secure the check valve 52 within the connector assembly 20 and prevent movement of the check valve 52 during operation.

[0025] As best shown in Figures 1, 4, and 7, the coupling housing 22 defines a second shoulder 70 disposed adjacent the second coupling end 26 and which extends radially outwardly from the coupling passageway 28, and one of the first check valve end 56 or the second check valve end 58 is disposed in abutting relationship with the second shoulder 70 when the check valve housing 54 and the coupling housing 22 are disposed in interlocking relationship. As best shown in Figures 1 and 4, the first check valve end 56 is disposed in abutting relationship with the second shoulder 70 in one arrangement of the check valve 52 within the coupling passageway 28. As best shown in Figure 7, the second check valve end 58 is disposed in abutting relationship with the second shoulder 70 in a reverse arrangement of the check valve 52 within the coupling passageway 28. The second shoulder 70 acts to prevent movement of the check valve 52 during operation, particularly when the fluid flows through the connector assembly 20 from the first coupling end 24 to the second coupling end 26. As also best shown in Figure 1, 4, and 7, at least a portion of the check valve housing 54 is disposed in abutting relationship with the coupling housing 22 along the coupling passageway 28 to establish sealed fluid communication between the coupling passageway 28 and the check valve passageway 60. Put another way, the abutting relationship of the check valve housing 54 and the coupling housing 22 forces the fluid passing through the coupling passageway 28 to pass through the check valve passageway 60.

[0026] In the preferred embodiment, the check valve 52 is a ball check valve. Thus, as best shown in Figure 8, the preferred embodiment of the check valve 52 also includes a ball 72 disposed within the check valve passageway 60 and a spring 74 is disposed between the second check valve end 58 and the ball 72 for urging the ball 72 towards the first check valve end 56 to block the check valve outlet 64 and establish a seal of the check valve 52. In the preferred embodiment, a check valve washer 76 is disposed adjacent the second check valve end 58 to secure the spring 74 between the ball 72 and the second check valve end 58. During operation, as fluid enters the coupling passageway 28 of the connector assembly 20 from one of the first and second fluid lines, the fluid will fill and thus pressurize the coupling passageway 28. This fluid and fluid pressure will also fill the check valve passageway 60 and act upon the ball 72 of the check valve 52 such that the check valve 52 will open and allow fluid to pass along the check valve passageway 60. Put another way, the fluid pressure within the coupling passageway 28 and the check valve passageway 60 will urge the ball 72 towards the second check valve end 58 to compress the spring 74 and allow fluid to pass serially through the check valve inlet 62, the check valve passageway 60 and the check valve outlet 64. When entry of fluid from one of the first and second fluid lines ceases, the fluid pressure within the coupling passageway 28 will also correspondingly reduce and thus cause the spring 74 to urge the ball 72 back toward the first check valve end 56 to block the check valve outlet 64 and seal the check valve 52.

Accordingly, the check valve 52 reduces or eliminates backflow of the fluid when flow ceases, and also prevents pressure spikes within the fluid lines. Since one of the first and second fluid lines is connected to a fluid delivery system (not shown), the reduction or prevention of pressure spikes in the fluid lines also effectively prevents the pressure spikes from reaching the fluid delivery system and thus prevents damage to the fluid delivery system.

[0027] As noted above, the entry of fluid into the connector assembly 20 occurs from either the first or the second fluid lines, and thus fluid enters the connector assembly 20 either at the first coupling end 24 or the second coupling end 26 respectively. If entry of fluid into the connector assembly 20 is to occur at the first coupling end 24, the check valve 52 is disposed in the coupling passageway 28 such that the check valve inlet 62 is disposed adjacent the first coupling end 24 of the connector assembly 20 and the second check valve end 58 is disposed adjacent the second coupling end 26 of the connector assembly 20. This arrangement of the check valve 52 is best shown in Figure 7. If entry of fluid into the connector assembly 20 is to occur at the second coupling end 28, the check valve 52 is disposed in the coupling passageway 28 such that the check valve inlet 62 is disposed adjacent the second coupling end 28 of the connector assembly 20 and the second check valve end 58 is disposed adjacent the first coupling end 26 of the connector assembly 20. This arrangement of the check valve 52 is best shown in Figures 1 and 4.

[0028] The disposition of the check valve 52 in the coupling passageway 28 of the connector assembly 20 is effective at maintaining and controlling fluid pressure within the coupling passageway 28 between the first and second fluid lines, and thus provides for improved control of the fluid communication between the first fluid line and the second line. In addition, the incorporation of the check valve 52 into the connector assembly 20 reduces assembly time and manufacturing costs. For example, the incorporation of a check valve 52 into a connector assembly 20 which has a fluid quick connector 34 disposed about one of the coupling ends 24, 26 facilitates the quick and easy placement of the check valve 52 in communication with the fluid lines. Further, the incorporation of the check valve 52 into the connector assembly 20 eliminates the need for a manual installation of a check valve into one of the first and second fluid lines. Additionally, since additional parts or assembly operations are not required to place a check valve 52 in communication with the fluid lines, over costs are reduced for the customer.

[0029] Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings and may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described while within the scope of the appended claims. These antecedent recitations should be interpreted to cover any combination in which the inventive novelty exercises its utility.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

Claim 1. A connector assembly for establishing fluid communication between a first fluid line and a second fluid line, said assembly comprising:

a coupling housing extending between a first coupling end and a second coupling end;

a fluid quick connector disposed about one of said coupling ends;

said coupling housing defining a coupling passageway extending between said coupling ends; and

a check valve disposed within said coupling passageway for controlling fluid communication along said coupling passageway between said coupling ends.

Claim 2. A quick connector assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said check valve includes a check valve housing extending from a first check valve end to a second check valve end and said check valve includes a locking barb extending outwardly from said check valve housing to establish a compression fit between said check valve housing and said coupling housing.

Claim 3. A quick connector assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein said locking barb is flared towards said second check valve end.

Claim 4. A quick connector assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein said locking barb is flared towards said first check valve end.

Claim 5. A quick connector assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein said check valve includes a rib extending outwardly from said check valve housing and disposed in abutting relationship with said coupling housing.

Claim 6. A quick connector assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said check valve is a ball check valve.

Claim 7. A quick connector assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein first check valve end of said check valve housing defines a check valve inlet.

Claim 8. A quick connector assembly as set forth in claim 7 wherein said first check valve end of said check valve is disposed adjacent said first coupling end of said connector assembly.

Claim 9. A quick connector assembly as set forth in claim 7 wherein said first check valve end of said check valve is disposed adjacent said second coupling end of said connector assembly.

Claim 10. A quick connector assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein said coupling housing defines a shoulder disposed adjacent said second coupling end and one of said first check valve end or said second check valve end of said check valve is disposed in abutting relationship with said shoulder.

Claim 11. A quick connector assembly as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a barbed stem disposed about said other of said coupling ends.

Claim 12. A quick connector assembly as set forth in claim 11 wherein said coupling housing and said barbed stem extend along a coupling axis.

Claim 13. A quick connector assembly as set forth in claim 11 wherein said coupling housing extends along a coupling axis and said barbed stem is disposed transverse to said coupling axis.