Patent Application
20140261741
Cold fluids at cryogenic temperatures (e.g., less than −150° C.) pose special handling problems, principally because the temperature of such fluids may quickly lower the temperature of any valve or coupling through which they flow.
When such a coupling is used to transfer a cryogenic fluid, freeze-up problems may occur if the transfer takes place in a moist or high-humidity environment. Any water within, or immediately outside of, the coupling will quickly freeze, thereby potentially impeding subsequent movement of mechanical parts within the coupling. Moreover, successive transfers from a fluid source with the same pre-chilled coupling half to mating coupling halves communicating with different receptacles at warmer ambient temperatures, have been known to result in freeze-up and leakage because of ice formation at the sealing surfaces.
These problems are present in the area of liquefied natural gas (LNG). In order for LNG to be considered as a viable alternative automotive fuel, it must be easily transferred to the vehicle in which it will be used. In addition, it may be desirable for fuel storage tanks on such vehicles be refilled as quickly as possible. This leads to the prospect of multiple quickly-successive short-duration transfers of LNG, at cryogenic temperatures, between a chilled nozzle and a warm receptacle in a potentially-moist environment.
Additionally, when de-coupling a nozzle and receptacle, there may be gas present between the connection that must be vented as de-coupling occurs. Such remainder gas may be at high pressure, and may cause a forceful de-coupling, which can result in injury to users and equipment.
An embodiment of the present disclosure includes a rapid-connect coupling system including a male fueling receptacle configured to convey a fluid. The male fueling receptacle further includes aligned holes near an isolation seal configured to provide protection to the seal when seating and unseating to a rapid-connect coupler body.
The present subject matter disclosure will be described by way of exemplary embodiments but not limitations, illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like references denote similar elements, and in which:
Illustrative embodiments presented herein include, but are not limited to, systems and methods for providing a rapid-connect gas coupler.
Various aspects of the illustrative embodiments will be described using terms commonly employed by those skilled in the art to convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein may be practiced with only some of the described aspects. For purposes of explanation, specific numbers, materials and configurations are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the illustrative embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein may be practiced without the specific details. In other instances, well-known features are omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the illustrative embodiments.
As discussed herein, the rapid-connect coupler 101 may be operable to couple with the male fueling receptacle 201. For example, the rapid-connect coupler 101 may be placed on the male fueling receptacle 201 while in a first configuration, put into a second configuration to lock the rapid-connect coupler 101 on the male fueling receptacle 201, and then returned to the first configuration to release the rapid-connect coupler 101 from the male fueling receptacle 201.
For example, referring to
The rapid-connect coupler 101 may generally comprises a first architecture 103, (for example a sleeve 105 as shown in
In this embodiment, the first architecture 102 comprises a sleeve 105, one or more drive pins 110, and a probe assembly 115, which includes a coupling end 120. The one or more drive pins 110 extends through a respective drive slot 140 defined by a portion of the second architecture 103.
The second architecture 103 comprises a ball cage 125, which defines a coupling orifice 130 having a coupling orifice housing 120 and includes one or more balls 145. Within the coupling orifice 130 resides a female poppet assembly 135, which is biased by a poppet assembly spring 180, and the female poppet assembly 135 further comprises a retainer 140, and seal assembly 160. The second architecture 103 further comprises one or more guide pins 150, and a housing barrel 155. In an embodiment, the one or more guide pins 150 may be configured to provide a positive guide the second architecture 103 about the female poppet assembly 135. Additionally, in an embodiment, the second architecture 102 or portions thereof may be removable, and may be configured for easy and swift removal and replacement, which may be required due to damage or maintenance needs.
The second architecture 103 of the rapid-connect coupler 101 further comprises one or more venting holes 104 that are disposed within a venting channel 105. The venting channel 105 may comprise a groove that is formed on the inside of the coupling orifice housing 120 These venting holes 104 may be aligned about the coupling orifice housing 120. In the embodiment shown, there are five pairs of venting holes circumferentially disposed about coupling orifice housing 120 in line with the venting channel 105. Thus, one can see a first pair of venting holes aligned at the top (e.g., at 0 degrees) and at the bottom (e.g., 180 degrees) of the cross sectional view. Additional pairs of venting holes are spaced evenly about the 360 degrees of the coupling orifice housing 120. The venting holes 104 in the rapid connect coupler are discussed in greater detail below.
Similarly, the male coupling body 210 also includes venting holes 221 disposed within a venting channel 222 that is similar to the venting channel 105 of the coupling orifice housing 120. In the embodiment shown in
When the rapid-connect coupler 101 is moved to the second configuration, this causes the sleeve 105 to slide over the balls 145, which pushes the balls 145 into the recess 225 behind the lip 220 and then locks the balls 145 in a position wherein the balls 145 extend into the female coupling orifice 130 in the recess 225 of the male coupling body 210. Accordingly, the male coupling body 210 may be locked within the female coupling orifice 130.
Additionally, in such a configuration the male and female poppet 240, 135 may be operable to allow fluid (e.g., liquid natural gas) to pass from the rapid-connect coupler 101 into male coupling body 210. Also, the sealing assembly 160 may be operable to provide a seal by bearing against the interior surface of the male coupling body 210 within the male poppet orifice 230. In an embodiment the sealing assembly 160 may be a two piece seal with an energizing spring.
Additionally, while embodiments of a system 100 as shown in
Turning attention to the next figure,
As the first and second handle 330A, 330B rotate between the A and B configurations, for example, the first architecture 102 and a second architecture 103 move relative to each other along the central axis X. The probe assembly 115 translates within the housing barrel 155, and is biased by a probe spring 165. Additionally, the ball cage 125 is operable to translate within the sleeve 105. For example,
Still referring to
During the venting, any pressurized buildup of gases or liquid may be expelled from the coupling orifice 130 on the rapid-connect coupler 101 via venting holes 104 and/or from the poppet orifice 230 via the venting holes 221 from the male fueling receptacle 201 side. Accordingly, in an embodiment, the rapid-connect coupler 101 may remain substantially coupled to the male fueling receptacle 201 while in configuration C, but still allow the rapid-connect coupler 101 to vent via vent holes 104 and 221. The venting holes 221 at the male fuel receptacle may be substantially aligned with the venting holes 104 of the rapid-connect coupler so as to assist with allowing pressure to be relieved or may be offset so as to assist with arresting the velocity of escaping gas or liquid. The specific nature and shape of venting holes 104 or 221 is described below with respect to
Further, one hole 221 has been shown in an exploded view such that the interior end of the hole 221 is shown to have a recess 390. That is, a groove is formed at the interior end of the venting channel 220 as well as the hole 221 as cut into the male coupling body 210. The recess 390 comprises a first face at a first angle with respect to the aperture 395 and a second face and a second angle with respect to the aperture 395. This recess 390 assists with prolonging the life of the seal when engaged and disengaged over repeated uses during the life of the apparatus. With the venting channel 222, pressure may be relieved more equally through all of the holes 221 simultaneously. This is because a small cavity is formed that surrounds the circumference of the aperture such that each of the venting holes 221 are in fluid communication with each other when sealing and unsealing. In this manner, the venting holes 221 act together as a system with the venting channel as opposed to six separate venting holes 221.
Additionally, although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art and others, that a wide variety of alternate and/or equivalent implementations may be substituted for the specific embodiment shown and described without departing from the scope of the embodiments described herein. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the embodiment discussed herein. While various embodiments have been illustrated and described, as noted above, many changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the embodiments described herein.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/785,382 filed on Mar. 14, 2013, which application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes. This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/426377, entitled RAPID-CONNECT COUPLER WITH VENT-STOP filed Mar. 21, 2012, and which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61785382 | Mar 2013 | US |
