Fluid handling – Systems – Flow path with serial valves and/or closures
Patent
1989-11-08
1990-07-31
Fox, John C.
Fluid handling
Systems
Flow path with serial valves and/or closures
137614, 13761411, F16L 2900
Patent
active
049443291
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates generally to fluid coupling devices of the quick-disconnect type or otherwise, and, more particularly, to an improved coupling device having: (1) at least two rotary valve elements in at least one of the coupling sections which are operatively arranged to be sequentially rotated between flow-preventing and flow-permitting positions when the coupling sections are joined together, and/or (2) a docking mechanism pivotally mounted on at least one of the sections for accommodating a misalignment of the flow passageways when the two coupling sections are initially connected.
BACKGROUND ART
Fluid coupling devices are well known. In general, these devices commonly have male and female coupling sections which may be selectively joined together to establish a flow passageway therethrough. Often, the two sections are releasably held together by a quick-disconnect mechanism.
In many of the devices, each coupling section is provided with a valve element which is arranged to move automatically from a flow-preventing position to a flow-permitting position when the sections are joined together, and which is arranged to move automatically back to a flow-preventing position when the sections are physically separated. The valve element is often a poppet-type element, which is spring-biased to move toward a seat. However, in this type of device, even when the poppet is held open, the tortuous flow path around the poppet constitutes an obstruction to flow, and produces an accompanying pressure drop.
In another type of device, the valve element is rotatable between such flow-preventing and flow-permitting positions. While the actuating mechanism for selectively rotating the valve element is perhaps somewhat more complicated, those devices offer the advantage of a straight-through minimal restriction to flow and, hence, less of a pressure drop thereacross. Examples of such devices having rotatable ball-type valve elements are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,440,946 (Hansen), 3,078,068 (Romey), 3,159,180 (Courdot et al.) 3,423,063 (German), 3,618,892 (Sciuto), 4,181,149 (Cox), 4,438,779 (Allread), 4,445,664 (Allread), 4,473,211 (Fremy), 4,627,598 (Fremy), and 4,664,149 (Fremy).
In many of these types of devices, one coupling section is adapted to be moved axially toward the other during the connection sequence. Hence, if the respective axes of the two sections are initially misaligned, the operator must further manipulate the two sections in search of an axially-aligned position in addition to attempting to push them together. Moreover, in certain applications there is a need for increased fluid-tight integrity of the seal when the two coupling sections are separated.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides, in one aspect, an improvement in a fluid coupling section (e.g., 20 or 21) having a body (e.g., 25) provided with a flow passageway therethrough (e.g., within members 26,29), and having an actuating member (e.g., 34) mounted for movement relative to the body between two extreme positions. The improvement comprises: at least two valve elements (e.g., 30,31) operatively arranged in the flow passageway, each of the elements being mounted for selective rotation between a flow-preventing position (e.g., as shown in FIG. 14) and a flow-permitting position (e.g., as shown in FIG. 17), each of the elements being in its flow-preventing position when the actuating member is in one of the extreme positions (e.g., as shown in FIG. 14) and being in its alternative flow-permitting position when the actuating member is in the other of the extreme positions (e.g., as shown in FIG. 17); and an actuating mechanism (e.g., 26,28,29) for selectively rotating each of the valve elements from its flow-preventing position to its flow-permitting position when the actuating member is moved from the one extreme position to the other extreme position; whereby, when the actuating member is in the one extreme position, the valve elements will reduntantly close the flow passageway.
In another aspect
REFERENCES:
patent: 3528447 (1970-09-01), Kulb
Cardin Joseph M.
Fremy Raoul
Griffin Patrick K.
Fox John C.
Moog Inc.
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