US3847413A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Quick release coupling
Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corp
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Filing: 1973-10-23
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Granted: 1974-11-12
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Expires: 1993-10-23
Abstract
Abstract The invention is a pipe or hose coupling which is held engaged by a source of fluid pressure. On release of the fluid pressure, the coupling disengages instantly. Coupling and decoupling is accomplished by the advancement or retraction of a piston which on advancement forces ball elements into detents and on retraction removes the ball elements from the detents. The ball elements are a part of the female coupling element and the detents are in the peripheral surface of the male coupling element.
Inventors
- 👤 D Gurley
- 👤 J Chisholm
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 09:37
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L37/00; F16L37/22; F16L37/23; F16L37/002; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S285/00; Y10S285/92
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
261 words
Quick release coupling apparatus comprising male and female coupling members, said coupling members each being adapted to be attached at one end to a line member, said female member having an attachment section including inner and outer peripheral tubular walls, closed ends, and an advanceable and retractable generally tubular piston disposed in sealing contact with and within the space defined by said inner and outer walls and closed ends, means for limiting rotary motion of said piston, said inner peripheral wall having an array of bores extending therethrough, said bores being of smaller diameter at the side of said inner peripheral wall which is adapted to receive said male coupling member, said piston having an array of grooves in its inner surface, said grooves being disposed over said bores when said piston is in its retracted position, and a plurality of balls, one of said balls being disposed in each of said bores, the maximum diameter of said balls exceeding the smaller diameter of said bores, remotely controllable hydraulic advancing and spring loaded retracting means for advancing and retracting said piston whereby said grooves therein may be misaligned or aligned with said balls, said male member having an outer peripheral part shaped to mate with the inner peripheral wall of said female part, said outer peripheral part having at least a plurality of depressed surface parts which are aligned with said bores of said female part when said male and female members are mated, the depth of said depressed surface parts being a minor fraction of the daimeter of said balls.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
261 words
Quick release coupling apparatus comprising male and female coupling members, said coupling members each being adapted to be attached at one end to a line member, said female member having an attachment section including inner and outer peripheral tubular walls, closed ends, and an advanceable and retractable generally tubular piston disposed in sealing contact with and within the space defined by said inner and outer walls and closed ends, means for limiting rotary motion of said piston, said inner peripheral wall having an array of bores extending therethrough, said bores being of smaller diameter at the side of said inner peripheral wall which is adapted to receive said male coupling member, said piston having an array of grooves in its inner surface, said grooves being disposed over said bores when said piston is in its retracted position, and a plurality of balls, one of said balls being disposed in each of said bores, the maximum diameter of said balls exceeding the smaller diameter of said bores, remotely controllable hydraulic advancing and spring loaded retracting means for advancing and retracting said piston whereby said grooves therein may be misaligned or aligned with said balls, said male member having an outer peripheral part shaped to mate with the inner peripheral wall of said female part, said outer peripheral part having at least a plurality of depressed surface parts which are aligned with said bores of said female part when said male and female members are mated, the depth of said depressed surface parts being a minor fraction of the daimeter of said balls.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 where said depressed surface parts have side walls having the same radius of curvature as do said balls.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein the depth of said grooves exceeds the depth of said depressed surface parts.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein means are provided for maintaining said piston in a constant radial relationship with respect to said array 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) | 1977-11-11 | 1978-05-13 | 1978-11-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-11-11 | 1982-05-13 | 1982-11-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-11-11 | 1986-05-13 | 1986-11-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |