US3826522A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Quick acting contact coupling
Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
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Filing: 1972-04-28
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Granted: 1974-07-30
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Expires: 1992-04-28
Abstract
Abstract A quick-acting contact coupling for making a fluid-tight connection between a source of pressurized fluid and a work member, such as a fuel pump. A pressure actuated mechanism including a piston member having a contact sealing member connected thereto accomplishes a quick fluid-tight connection between the coupling assembly and the work member without the use of threaded fasteners or connectors. The contact sealing member has a hardened tip portion and a relatively flexible stem portion which allows minute alignment adjustments between the sealing and work members.
Inventors
- 👤 S Dawes
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 10:46
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L39/00; F16L17/00; F16L17/10; F16L37/00; F16L37/56; F16L37/58
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
225 words
A quick-acting contact coupling for simulating the operative sealing connection of a fluid line to a work member having a connector portion including a seat portion which coupliNg comprises; body means adapted to be disposed in spaced relation to such a work member, hollow piston means disposed within said body means for connection to a first source of pressurized fluid, said piston means including a first hollow interior portion in fluid communication with said first source, said piston means being reciprocably mounted within said body means and powered by actuating means for movement between an extended position wherein contact is made between said hollow piston means and said work member and a retracted position wherein said piston means is apart from said work member, and sealing means carried upon a portion of said piston means and being movable therewith for engagement with said seat portion in fluid tight sealing relation therewith when said piston means is moved to said extended position said sealing means comprising a hollow extension member separate from and releasably secured to said portion of said piston means and having contacting surface means for engaging said seat portion in fluid tight sealing relation thereto, said hollow extension member having a second hollow interior portion in direct fluid communication with said first hollow interior portion for communicating said source with said work member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
225 words
A quick-acting contact coupling for simulating the operative sealing connection of a fluid line to a work member having a connector portion including a seat portion which coupliNg comprises; body means adapted to be disposed in spaced relation to such a work member, hollow piston means disposed within said body means for connection to a first source of pressurized fluid, said piston means including a first hollow interior portion in fluid communication with said first source, said piston means being reciprocably mounted within said body means and powered by actuating means for movement between an extended position wherein contact is made between said hollow piston means and said work member and a retracted position wherein said piston means is apart from said work member, and sealing means carried upon a portion of said piston means and being movable therewith for engagement with said seat portion in fluid tight sealing relation therewith when said piston means is moved to said extended position said sealing means comprising a hollow extension member separate from and releasably secured to said portion of said piston means and having contacting surface means for engaging said seat portion in fluid tight sealing relation thereto, said hollow extension member having a second hollow interior portion in direct fluid communication with said first hollow interior portion for communicating said source with said work member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said hollow extension member comprises an elongated tubular probe having a frustoconical end for mounting in sealing engagement upon said hollow piston means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The invention of claim 2 wherein said contacting surface means includes a torus-shaped element formed upon an end portion of said tubular probe which is opposite to said frustoconical mounting end.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
The invention of claim 3 wherein said torus-shaped contacting element is conditioned to a harder metallurgical state than is the remainder of said tubular probe and wherein said tubular probe includes a frustoconical portion immediately adjacent to said torus-shaped element.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
73 words
The invention of claim 4 wherein said torus-shaped contacting element is adapted to engage said seat portion at a first contact point which is axially spaced from a second contact point normally formed between said fluid line and said seat portion such that any mark left on said seat portion by said element will not derogate an operative sealing connection between said fluid line and said seat portion at said second contact point.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
The invention of claim 5 wherein said hollow extension member is readily removable and interchangeable with a plurality of extension members having various sizes and shapes for accommodating work members having various corresponding sizes and shapes.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said actuating means include a source of actuating fluid under pressure which acts upon said piston means to forcibly move said piston means selectively toward said extended position or said retracted position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The invention of claim 7 wherein said actuating means include a second source of pressurized gas for resiliently holding said piston means in said extended position and absorbing any recoil therefrom.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention of claim 7 wherein said body means include conduit means for communicating said fluid under pressure to said piston means for actuation thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
99 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said piston means include a rigid piston member mounted for reciprocation within bore means of said body means, said rigid piston member having annular means mounted thereon for sealing between said piston member and said bore means, said bore means being divided by said sealing means into first and second chambers, said piston member being movable to said extended position upon admission of pressurized fluid to said first chamber while exhausting said second chamber and to said retracted position upon admission of pressurized fluid to said second chamber while exhausting said first chamber.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said body means include a plurality of bores and wherein said piston means include a plurality Of piston members mounted for simultaneous reciprocation within said plurality of bores.
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) | 1977-07-29 | 1978-01-28 | 1978-07-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-07-29 | 1982-01-28 | 1982-07-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-07-29 | 1986-01-28 | 1986-07-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |