US3729023A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Coupling assembly
Assignee: Hansen Manufacturing Co Inc
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Filing: 1972-01-26
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Granted: 1973-04-24
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Expires: 1992-01-26
Abstract
Abstract An improved coupling includes a shut-off and velocity control valve assembly which blocks fluid flow upon disconnection of the coupling and whenever the velocity of fluid flow through the coupling exceeds a predetermined rate. The shut-off and velocity control valve assembly includes a main valve which is operated from an open condition to a closed condition in response to a predetermined pressure differential across the main valve. Therefore, the main valve closes when the coupling is disconnected and one side of the main valve is exposed to atmospheric pressure. The main valve also closes if an excessive amount of fluid is exhausted due to a rupturing of a conduit or a malfunction of equipment associated with the coupling. A pilot valve effects operation of the main valve to the open condition upon connection of the coupling by enabling fluid to flow from a high pressure side to a low pressure side of the main valve to thereby reduce the pressure differential across the main valve. Full flow is re-established through the main valve upon opening of the main valve by a biasing spring after the pressure differential across the main valve has been reduced.
Inventors
- 👤 H Hammond
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 00:12
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L37/00; F16L37/28; F16L37/30; F16L37/22; F16L37/23; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/8593; Y10T137/87917; Y10T137/87925; Y10T137/87941; Y10T137/87949
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
142 words
A coupling element for use in a coupling assembly which is operable between a connected condition and a disconnected condition, said coupling element comprising a body, first valve means disposed in said body and operable from an open condition to a closed condition in response to a predetermined pressure differential across said first valve means, passage means for enabling fluid to flow between opposite sides of said first valve means to tend to reduce the fluid pressure differential across said first valve means when said first valve means is in the closed condition, second valve means disposed in said body and operable between a closed condition blocking fluid flow through said passage means and an open condition enabling fluid to flow through said passage means, and actuator means for operating said second valve means from the closed condition to the open condition.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
142 words
A coupling element for use in a coupling assembly which is operable between a connected condition and a disconnected condition, said coupling element comprising a body, first valve means disposed in said body and operable from an open condition to a closed condition in response to a predetermined pressure differential across said first valve means, passage means for enabling fluid to flow between opposite sides of said first valve means to tend to reduce the fluid pressure differential across said first valve means when said first valve means is in the closed condition, second valve means disposed in said body and operable between a closed condition blocking fluid flow through said passage means and an open condition enabling fluid to flow through said passage means, and actuator means for operating said second valve means from the closed condition to the open condition.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
A coupling element as set forth in claim 1 wherein said actuator means includes means for operating said second valve means from the closed condition to the open condition in response to operation of the coupling assembly from the disconnected condition to the connected condition.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
A coupling element as set forth in claim 1 further including conduit means extendiNg through said first and second valve means for conducting a second fluid to a fluid activated device connected in fluid communication with said coupling element.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
A coupling element as set forth in claim 1 further including spring means for applying a biasing force to said first valve means urging said first valve means from the closed condition toward the open condition upon opening of said second valve means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
A coupling element as set forth in claim 4 wherein said body includes means defining a chamber having a longitudinally extending central axis, said first and second valve means, actuator means and spring means being disposed in said chamber in a coaxial relationship with its central axis.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
217 words
A coupling element as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first valve means includes a main valve seat and a main valve member movable between a closed position disposed in sealing engagement with said main valve seat and an open position spaced from said main valve seat, said main valve member having an upstream surface exposable to a fluid pressure force tending to urge said main valve member against said main valve seat when said main valve member is in the closed position, said main valve member having a downstream surface which is exposable to a fluid pressure force tending to urge said main valve member away from said main valve seat, said passage means extending through said main valve member between said upstream and downstream surfaces, said second valve means including a pilot valve seat formed on said main valve member adjacent to said upstream surface at one end of said passage means and a pilot valve member extending through said passage means and having a face surface which is movable between a closed position disposed in abutting engagement with said pilot valve seat and an open position spaced from said pilot valve seat, said actuator means including a slide member disposed downstream of said main valve member and connected with said pilot valve member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
53 words
A coupling element as set forth in claim 6 further including spring means for urging said pilot valve seat and face surface into abutting engagement and for urging said main valve member to move from the closed position to the open position upon movement of said pilot valve member to the open position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
A coupling element as set forth in claim 7 wherein said main valve member, pilot valve member, and spring means are disposed in a coaxial relationship with each other.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
75 words
A coupling element as set forth in claim 7 wherein said body includes wall means defining a longitudinally extending chamber and said slide member includes a central portion connected to said pilot valve member and disposed along the longitudinal axis of said chamber, said slide member including guide surface means disposed in engagement with said wall means and connected with said central portion for guiding movement of said slide member relative to said wall means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
177 words
A coupling assembly for use in connecting a pair of conduits in fluid communication with each other, said coupling assembly comprising a plug element adapted to be connected with one of the conduits, a socket element adapted to be connected with the other conduit, said plug and socket elements being movable relative to each other between a disconnected condition in which said plug and socket elements are spaced apart and a connected condition in which said plug element is received in said socket element, and valve means for blocking fluid flow from at least one of the conduits when said plug and socket elements are in the disconnected condition, for enabling fluid to flow from the one conduit to the other conduit in response to movement of said plug and socket elements from the disconnected condition to the connected condition, and for blocking fluid flow from the one conduit to the other conduit in response to a predetermined velocity of fluid flow through said valve means when said plug and socket elements are in the connected condition.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
177 words
A coupling assembly for use in connecting a pair of conduits in fluid communication with each other, said coupling assembly comprising a plug element adapted to be connected with one of the conduits, a socket element adapted to be connected with the other conduit, said plug and socket elements being movable relative to each other between a disconnected condition in which said plug and socket elements are spaced apart and a connected condition in which said plug element is received in said socket element, and valve means for blocking fluid flow from at least one of the conduits when said plug and socket elements are in the disconnected condition, for enabling fluid to flow from the one conduit to the other conduit in response to movement of said plug and socket elements from the disconnected condition to the connected condition, and for blocking fluid flow from the one conduit to the other conduit in response to a predetermined velocity of fluid flow through said valve means when said plug and socket elements are in the connected condition.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
86 words
A couPling assembly as set forth in claim 10 wherein said valve means includes a main valve operable from an open condition to a closed condition in response to a predetermined pressure differential across said main valve, a pilot valve operable from a closed condition to an open condition connecting opposite sides of said main valve in fluid communication with each other, and actuator means for operating said pilot valve to the open condition upon movement of said plug and socket elements to the connected condition.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
41 words
A coupling assembly as set forth in claim 10 further including conduit means in said socket element and in said plug element for conducting a second fluid through said coupling assembly to a fluid actuated device connected with said coupling assembly.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
125 words
A coupling assembly as set forth in claim 10 wherein said valve means includes a main valve seat, a main valve member movable relative to said main valve seat between a closed position engaging said main valve seat and an open position spaced from said main valve seat, actuator means for effecting movement of said main valve member from the closed position to the open position in response to movement of said plug and socket elements to the connected condition, and means supporting said main valve member for movement from the open position to the closed position in response to a predetermined velocity of fluid flow through said valve means when said valve means when said plug and socket elements are in the connected condition.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
68 words
A coupling assembly as set forth in claim 13 further including check valve means disposed downstream of said main valve member when said plug and socket elements are in the connected condition, said check valve means being operable from a closed position to an open position under the influence of fluid pressure transmitted from upstream of said main valve member to enable fluid to flow between the conduits.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-04-23 | 1976-10-23 | 1977-04-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-04-23 | 1980-10-23 | 1981-04-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-04-23 | 1984-10-23 | 1985-04-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |