US4002186A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Quick disconnect coupling
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
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Filing: 1975-10-10
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Granted: 1977-01-11
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Expires: 1995-10-10
Abstract
Abstract A quick disconnect coupling that may be used in fluid systems for fast coction or disconnection of hoses or hoses to pipes. The coupling is especially useful where it is necessary to avoid any leakage or spillage. The coupling employs a female section and a male section wherein both sections employ O-ring joints that permit easy hand tight assembly and disassembly without any leakage. The O-ring joints permit considerable variation in clearance between mating flanges and thus permit the use of removable locking rings to lock the flanges and prevent their relative rotation. The female section employs a ball bearing mounted rotatable nut that permits rapid connection and disconnection without spillage. The rotatable nut has minimum axial movement that permits a close diameter tolerance so that longitudinal or lateral relative motion between the female and male members will not result in leakage. Also the degree of rotation of the rotatable nut permits flow rate regulation of the fluid passing through the coupling. An internal valve actuating system permits rapid and positive actuation and provides for a double seal in the fully open position. Sealing end caps are also employed to prevent contamination from entering the disconnected female and male sections and also provide further sealing to prevent leakage.
Inventors
- 👤 David O. Fink
- 👤 Stanley R. McCrary
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 02:46
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L29/00; F16L29/04; F16L55/00; F16L55/10; F16L55/115; F16L55/1152; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/8593; Y10T137/87917; Y10T137/87925; Y10T137/87941; Y10T137/87949
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
347 words
A quick disconnect coupling comprising: a. a female section and a male section; b. said female section including a cylindrical member, a fitting member, a rotatable nut and a spring loaded valve; c. said cylindrical member having a first section at one end and a second section at the other end; d. said first section including an interior cylindrical surface and an adjacent flange; e. said fitting member including an exterior cylindrical surface and an adjacent flange; f. said interior cylindrical surface having a larger diameter than said exterior cylindrical surface and being positioned exterior of and co-extensive with respect to said exterior cylindrical surface; g. a cylindrical groove formed inwardly from said exterior cylinder surface and positioned a predetermined distance from the flange of said fitting member; h. a circular seal positioned in said groove and slidably engaging said interior cylindrical surface; i. said second section of said cylindrical member including an exterior cylindrical surface, an interior cylindrical surface, and a circular shoulder depending from the end of said second section, said circular shoulder having a diameter that is less than the diameter of said second exterior surface of said second section; j. said rotatable nut including an interior cylindrical surface at one end and female threads at the other end, a first cylindrical bearing race formed outwardly from said interior cylindrical surface of said rotatable nut, said cylindrical member having a second cylindrical bearing race formed inwardly from said second exterior cylindrical surface, said first and second bearing races being adjacent and filled with bearing balls, said interior cylindrical surface of said rotatable nut having a diameter of from about 1 to 5 thousandths of an inch greater than said exterior cylindrical surface of said second section; k. said spring loaded valve including a cylindrical seal, said valve being positioned within said cylindrical member and having said seal in slidable engagement with said interior cylindrical surface of said second section; l. said male member including a circular seal for engaging said circular shoulder; and m. means for engaging said female section and said male section.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
347 words
A quick disconnect coupling comprising: a. a female section and a male section; b. said female section including a cylindrical member, a fitting member, a rotatable nut and a spring loaded valve; c. said cylindrical member having a first section at one end and a second section at the other end; d. said first section including an interior cylindrical surface and an adjacent flange; e. said fitting member including an exterior cylindrical surface and an adjacent flange; f. said interior cylindrical surface having a larger diameter than said exterior cylindrical surface and being positioned exterior of and co-extensive with respect to said exterior cylindrical surface; g. a cylindrical groove formed inwardly from said exterior cylinder surface and positioned a predetermined distance from the flange of said fitting member; h. a circular seal positioned in said groove and slidably engaging said interior cylindrical surface; i. said second section of said cylindrical member including an exterior cylindrical surface, an interior cylindrical surface, and a circular shoulder depending from the end of said second section, said circular shoulder having a diameter that is less than the diameter of said second exterior surface of said second section; j. said rotatable nut including an interior cylindrical surface at one end and female threads at the other end, a first cylindrical bearing race formed outwardly from said interior cylindrical surface of said rotatable nut, said cylindrical member having a second cylindrical bearing race formed inwardly from said second exterior cylindrical surface, said first and second bearing races being adjacent and filled with bearing balls, said interior cylindrical surface of said rotatable nut having a diameter of from about 1 to 5 thousandths of an inch greater than said exterior cylindrical surface of said second section; k. said spring loaded valve including a cylindrical seal, said valve being positioned within said cylindrical member and having said seal in slidable engagement with said interior cylindrical surface of said second section; l. said male member including a circular seal for engaging said circular shoulder; and m. means for engaging said female section and said male section.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
121 words
The coupling of claim 1 wherein: a. said male member includes a cylindrical member, a fitting member and a spring loaded valve; b. said cylindrical member having an interior cylindrical surface and an adjacent flange at one end; c. said fitting member including an exterior cylindrical surface and an adjacent flange at one end; d. said interior cylindrical surface having a larger diameter than said exterior cylindrical surface and being positioned exterior of and co-extensive with respect to said exterior cylindrical surface; e. a cylindrical groove formed inwardly from said external cylindrical surface and positioned a predetermined distance from the flange of said fitting member; and f. a circular seal positioned in said groove and slidably engaging said interior cylindrical surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The coupling of claim 2 wherein: a. the other end of said cylindrical member includes male threads; and b. said male threads having a diameter and thread size for cooperating with said female threads of said rotatable nut.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-01-11 | 1980-07-12 | 1981-01-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-01-11 | 1984-07-12 | 1985-01-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-01-11 | 1988-07-12 | 1989-01-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |