This disclosure generally relates to a rapid-connect coupler configured to deliver cold fluid to a receptacle (e.g., a fuel tank).
Cold fluids at cryogenic temperatures (e.g., less than −150° C.) pose special handling problems, principally because the temperature of such fluids may quickly cool any valve or coupler through which they flow. When such a coupler is used to transfer a cryogenic fluid, freeze-up problems may occur if the transfer takes place in a moist or high-humidity environment. Water within or immediately outside of the coupler may freeze, thereby impeding subsequent movement of mechanical parts within the coupler. Successive transfers from a single coupler to multiple receptacles may compound the problem.
Additionally, when de-coupling a coupler and receptacle, some amount of fluid venting to ambient is necessary. If the vented fluid is at high pressure, the venting may cause the coupler to forcefully eject from the receptacle.
This application is defined by the appended claims. The description summarizes aspects of the embodiments and should not be used to limit the claims. Other implementations are contemplated in accordance with the techniques described herein, as will be apparent upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description, and such implementations are intended to be within the scope of this application.
An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a rapid-connect coupler including a vent stop assembly that includes a release lever, release spring, latch pawl, latch spring, catch, and reset cam. The latch pawl may be configured to engage with a probe flange of a probe to implement a hard stop of the probe translating within the rapid-connect coupler. The catch may be configured to hold the latch pawl in an “up” position.
According to some embodiments, a rapid-connect coupler including a housing body, a probe, a handle assembly, and a stop vent assembly is disclosed. The probe may be configured to translate within the housing body. The handle assembly may be coupled to the housing body and the probe, and the handle assembly may be configured to cause the probe to translate within the housing body. The stop vent assembly may be configured to enable the rapid-connect coupler to transition from a decoupled configuration to a coupled configuration without a hard stop, and configured to enable the rapid-connect coupler to transition to a venting configuration between transitioning from the decoupled configuration to the coupled configuration.
The rapid-connect coupler may further include a vent stop apparatus configured to allow a coupling head of the rapid-connect coupler to transition from a decoupled configuration to a coupled configuration without obstruction. The vent stop apparatus may further be configured to provide a hard-stop at a venting position as the coupling head transitions from the coupled configuration to the decoupled configuration.
According to some embodiments, a rapid connect coupler consistent with the present disclosure may include a housing, a probe configured to translate within the housing, retaining objects, a slideable sleeve configured to cause radial translation of the retaining objects, a poppet and a valve seat located inside of the probe, the poppet configured to translate with respect to the probe, a handle assembly configured to cause the probe to translate within the housing body, a stop assembly configured to selectively arrest the translation of the probe. The stop assembly can include: a pawl configured to occupy both an active position and an inactive position, wherein the inactive position arrests the translation of the probe; a catch fixed to the housing and configured to hold the probe in the inactive position; a lever configured to engage the pawl; a spring fixed to both the housing and the lever and configured to bias the pawl to the inactive position via the lever; and a cam configured to disengage the pawl from the catch and cause the pawl to occupy the active position.
According to some embodiments, a rapid connect coupler consistent with the present disclosure includes a housing; a probe configured to translate in a longitudinal direction within the housing; a handle assembly configured to cause the probe to translate within the housing, wherein the handle assembly is movable between a first position corresponding to a decoupled position where the fluid holding tank is disconnected from the receptacle and a second position corresponding to a coupled position where the fluid holding tank is connected to the receptacle and a third position corresponding to a venting position where the fluid holding tank is connected to the receptacle and venting of fluid is enabled; and a stop assembly configured to selectively arrest the translation of the probe in a first translation direction when the handle assembly is moved from the second position to the third position.
According to additional embodiments, a rapid connect coupler consistent with the present disclosure includes a housing body; a probe configured to translate within the housing body; a plurality of retaining objects; a slidable sleeve configured to cause radial translation of the plurality of retaining objects with respect to the housing body; a poppet and a valve seat located inside of the probe, the poppet configured to translate with respect to the probe; a handle assembly configured to cause the probe to translate within the housing body; and a stop assembly configured to selectively arrest the translation of the probe, the stop assembly including: a pawl configured to occupy both an active position and an inactive position, wherein the inactive position arrests the translation of the probe; a catch fixed to the housing body and configured to hold the probe in the inactive position; a lever configured to engage the pawl; a spring fixed to both the housing body and the lever and configured to bias the pawl to the inactive position via the lever; and a cam configured to disengage the pawl from the catch and cause the pawl to occupy the active position.
For a better understanding of the disclosure, reference may be made to embodiments shown in the drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, and related elements may be omitted so as to emphasize and clearly illustrate the novel features described herein. In addition, system components can be variously arranged, as known in the art. In the figures, like referenced numerals may refer to like parts throughout the different figures unless otherwise specified. It should be understood that for clarity in certain cross-sectional views, certain elements are not shown in cross-section, as doing so would not assist in the understanding of the invention.
While the features, methods, devices, and systems described herein may be embodied in various forms, there are shown in the drawings, and will hereinafter be described, some exemplary and non-limiting embodiments. Not all of the depicted components described in this disclosure may be required, however, and some implementations may include additional, different, or fewer components from those expressly described in this disclosure. Variations in the arrangement and type of the components may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims as set forth herein. As stated above, it should be understood that for clarity in certain cross-sectional views, certain elements are not shown in cross-section, as doing so would not assist in the understanding of the invention.
A first poppet assembly 235 resides within coupling orifice 230 and may be biased by a poppet assembly spring 280. The first poppet assembly 235 further comprises a retainer 240 and a seal assembly 260. The second structure may further include one or more guide pins 250, and a housing barrel 255. In an embodiment, the one or more guide pins 250 center probe assembly 215 along the longitudinal central axis of housing barrel 255. Additionally, in an embodiment, the second structure, or portions thereof, may be removable and configured for easy and swift removal and replacement, which may be required due to damage or maintenance needs. Certain portions of the design described herein are similar to that disclosed in commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 9,194,524, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
Rapid-connect coupler 100 further includes a first handle 130A and a second handle 130B.
As handles 130A and 130B rotate, enabling the rapid-connect coupler 100 to transition between the A and B configurations, the first structure longitudinally translates relative to the second structure along the central axis X. More specifically, rotation of handles 130A and 130B from their positions in configuration A to their positions in configuration B delivers longitudinal force to probe assembly 215, via link assemblies 275. This longitudinal force opposes a counter-biasing force of probe spring 265, enabling longitudinal translation of probe assembly 215 in housing barrel 255. Sleeve 205 longitudinally translates with probe assembly 215 by virtue of drive pins 210. In
Rapid-connect coupler 100 is configured to couple with fueling receptacle 400. Referring to
Once first poppet assembly 235 bears against hard stop 650 (labeled in
In configuration A, when coupling body 410 is received within first coupling orifice 230, the lip 420 pushes the one or more balls 245 radially outward in their slots 910 (see
In configuration B, the second poppet assembly 440 and the first poppet assembly 235 may be operable to enable fluid flow from the rapid-connect coupler 100 into coupling body 410. As discussed above, seal 260 seals against the interior circumference of the coupling body 410 within the second poppet orifice 430. In an embodiment the seal assembly 260 is a two piece seal including an energizing spring.
When the rapid-connect coupler 100 is released from fueling receptacle 400, fluid (e.g. liquid natural gas), may vent from rapid-connect coupler 100 as the connection with fueling receptacle 400 is broken. The fluid vents through slots 635 in receptacle 400 and slots 630 in coupler 100. In some embodiments, venting occurs when seal 260 longitudinally retreats past slots 635, thus exposing second poppet orifice 430 to ambient atmosphere.
It is desirable to allow rapid-connect coupler 100 to vent before rapid-connect coupler 100 is fully disengaged from fueling receptacle 400 because venting can generate a substantial propulsive force on one or more of the coupler 100 and the receptacle 400. In an embodiment, the rapid-connect coupler 100 applies a positive stop in configuration C, which enables the rapid-connect coupler 100 to vent before it is fully disengaged from fueling receptacle 400.
After venting has been completed, a user may actuate the vent stop assembly to fully retract probe assembly 215 (and therefore sleeve 205). Now lip 420 exerts a radial force on balls 245, causing balls 245 to radially translate and disengage from groove 425. Once this has occurred, the user may retract coupler 100 from receptacle 400. In various embodiments, the balls 245 are spherical, made of a metal, and sized for an interference fit within slots 910. The spherical shape of the balls 245 advantageously release from grooves 425 more efficiently than other shapes. Also, spherical balls 245 tend to release ice efficiently.
As discussed above, rapid-connect coupler 100 is configured to generate a positive stop at configuration C via a vent stop assembly.
Latch pawl 520 is rotatably mounted on rod 521 and is rotatable between a “down” position where its front edge 523 engages with probe flange 290 to provide the hard stop that arrests translation of probe assembly 215 at configuration C, as shown in
When rapid-connect coupler 100 is in configuration A, as illustrated in
As illustrated in
Alternatively, according to some embodiments, latch pawl 520 may be configured to include a top opening (not illustrated) having latch pin 522 extending across it such that latch pawl 520 may be configured to engage latch pin 522 through the top opening without contacting latch pawl 520 directly.
By configuring catch 510 to hold latch pawl 520 in the “up” position, the front edge 523 of latch pawl 520 does not contact probe flange 290 as probe assembly 215 translates forward towards coupler head section 101 as rapid-connect coupler 100 transitions from configuration A (i.e., the decoupled state) to configuration B (i.e., coupled state). The angled shape of latch pawl 520 also aids in preventing a hard stop of probe assembly 215 during such movement.
Reset cam 530 translates with probe assembly 215 and begins engagement with latch pawl 520 as rapid-connect coupler 100 transitions to configuration B, as shown in
As rapid-connect coupler 100 transitions from configuration A to configuration B, handles 130A and 130B rotate toward coupler head section 101. The forward rotation of handles 130A and 130B rotates links 275, thus longitudinally translating probe assembly 215 from within housing barrel 255 into a coupled engagement with fueling receptacle 400. The translation of probe assembly 215 causes reset cam 530 to translate forward to engage latch pawl 520. By engaging latch pawl 520, reset cam 530 releases latch pawl 520 from its up position and rotates latch pawl 520 to its “down” position (shown in
When handles 130A and 130B rotate away from coupler head section 101, rapid-connect coupler 100 transitions from configuration B to configuration C, which is shown in
Latch pawl 520 may be released from its hard stop engagement with probe flange 290 via release lever 501. The user may release latch pawl 520 after proper venting has been accomplished.
If a part in the coupler 100 becomes stuck due to freezing, it may be necessary to longitudinally agitate (i.e., push and pull) rapid-connect coupler 100 to fully de-couple from fueling receptacle 400. More specifically, a user may need to apply force to handles 130 until the ice breaks and the probe assembly 215 is free to move. In these cases, it may be advantageous or necessary to eliminate the hard stop provided by pawl 520. Catch 510 is configured to provide sufficient upward holding force (e.g., frictional force) on latch pawl 520 in order to keep latch pawl 520 in the “up” position while the rapid-connect coupler is being agitated. By using catch 510 to help maintain the latch pawl 520 in the “up” position, the risk of latch pawl 520 falling down and re-engaging with probe flange 290 to provide the hard stop as rapid-connect coupler 100 is being agitated back and forth may be reduced, or even eliminated.
Typically a user will understand the rapid-connect coupler 100 needs to be longitudinally agitated following the completion of a venting process when coupler 100 is in configuration C of
Additionally, in some embodiments as depicted in
The balls 245 are further sized to protrude from the slots 910 in the radial direction.
More specifically, the sleeve 105 causes the balls 245 to radially protrude from an inner circumference of ball cage 225. When sleeve 105 does not cover slots 910, lip 420 causes the balls to radially protrude from an outer circumference of ball cage 225. In
It should be noted that in the description and drawings, like or substantially similar elements may be labeled with the same reference numerals. However, sometimes these elements may be labeled with differing numbers or serial numbers in cases where such labeling facilitates a more clear description. Additionally, the drawings set forth herein are not necessarily drawn to scale, and in some instances proportions may have been exaggerated to more clearly depict certain features. As stated above, this specification is intended to be taken as a whole and interpreted in accordance with the principles of the invention as taught herein and understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.
While specific embodiments of the invention have been described in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and alternatives to those details could be developed in light of the overall teachings of the disclosure. Accordingly, the particular arrangements disclosed are meant to be illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of the invention which is to be given the full breadth of the appended claims and any equivalent thereof.
This patent application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/153,399, filed on Apr. 27, 2015, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
430721 | Winkler | Jun 1890 | A |
2070013 | Krannak | Feb 1937 | A |
2259137 | Iftiger, Sr. | Oct 1941 | A |
2323099 | Patten | Jun 1943 | A |
2327714 | Iftiger, Sr. | Aug 1943 | A |
2388179 | Prowd | Oct 1945 | A |
2434167 | Knobblauch | Jan 1948 | A |
2512320 | Fischer | Jun 1950 | A |
2552543 | Earle et al. | May 1951 | A |
2675829 | Livers | Apr 1954 | A |
2797110 | Covington | Jun 1957 | A |
2904351 | Gellett et al. | Sep 1959 | A |
3069127 | Perry et al. | Dec 1962 | A |
3474827 | Rosell | Oct 1969 | A |
3583667 | Amneus, Jr. | Jun 1971 | A |
3589673 | Cruse | Jun 1971 | A |
3674051 | Stratman | Jul 1972 | A |
3680591 | Vik | Aug 1972 | A |
3710823 | Vik | Jan 1973 | A |
3757836 | Masuda | Sep 1973 | A |
3809122 | Berg | May 1974 | A |
3897091 | McMath et al. | Jul 1975 | A |
3913844 | Petrovic | Oct 1975 | A |
3924654 | Buller et al. | Dec 1975 | A |
4124228 | Morrison | Nov 1978 | A |
4181150 | Maldavs | Jan 1980 | A |
4234161 | Wilder et al. | Nov 1980 | A |
4303098 | Shindelar | Dec 1981 | A |
4347870 | Maldavs | Sep 1982 | A |
4366945 | Blauenstein | Jan 1983 | A |
4398561 | Maldavs | Aug 1983 | A |
4437647 | Cruse | Mar 1984 | A |
4541457 | Blenkush | Sep 1985 | A |
4543995 | Weh et al. | Oct 1985 | A |
4552333 | Niemi | Nov 1985 | A |
4676269 | Sarson | Jun 1987 | A |
4716938 | Weh et al. | Jan 1988 | A |
4726390 | Franklin | Feb 1988 | A |
4799512 | Sarson | Jan 1989 | A |
4881573 | Durant et al. | Nov 1989 | A |
4884830 | Meisinger | Dec 1989 | A |
4921282 | Meisinger | May 1990 | A |
5002254 | Belisaire et al. | Mar 1991 | A |
5046523 | Horhota | Sep 1991 | A |
5074332 | Jones | Dec 1991 | A |
5080132 | Manz et al. | Jan 1992 | A |
5092364 | Mullins | Mar 1992 | A |
5127428 | Fahl | Jul 1992 | A |
5129621 | Maiville et al. | Jul 1992 | A |
5139049 | Jensen et al. | Aug 1992 | A |
5161568 | Turvey | Nov 1992 | A |
5205317 | Neuerberg et al. | Apr 1993 | A |
5211197 | Marrison et al. | May 1993 | A |
5255714 | Mullins | Oct 1993 | A |
5265844 | Westfall | Nov 1993 | A |
5289850 | Sarson et al. | Mar 1994 | A |
5290009 | Heilmann | Mar 1994 | A |
5293902 | Lapierie | Mar 1994 | A |
5301723 | Goode | Apr 1994 | A |
5339862 | Haunhorst | Aug 1994 | A |
5363879 | Rhoades | Nov 1994 | A |
5413309 | Giesler | May 1995 | A |
5429155 | Brzyski et al. | Jul 1995 | A |
5439258 | Yates | Aug 1995 | A |
5445358 | Anderson | Aug 1995 | A |
5507530 | Mahaney | Apr 1996 | A |
5535985 | Larbuisson | Jul 1996 | A |
5547166 | Engdahl | Aug 1996 | A |
5564471 | Wilder et al. | Oct 1996 | A |
5575510 | Weh et al. | Nov 1996 | A |
5577706 | King | Nov 1996 | A |
5580099 | Eaton | Dec 1996 | A |
5603353 | Clark et al. | Feb 1997 | A |
5630570 | Lacroix et al. | May 1997 | A |
5649723 | Larsson | Jul 1997 | A |
5671777 | Allen et al. | Sep 1997 | A |
5706967 | Weh et al. | Jan 1998 | A |
5709243 | Wells et al. | Jan 1998 | A |
5788443 | Cabahug | Aug 1998 | A |
5806832 | Larbuisson | Sep 1998 | A |
5884648 | Savage | Mar 1999 | A |
5896889 | Menard | Apr 1999 | A |
5927683 | Weh et al. | Jul 1999 | A |
5937885 | Sampson | Aug 1999 | A |
5950679 | Danielson et al. | Sep 1999 | A |
5967491 | Magnuson et al. | Oct 1999 | A |
5984265 | Engdahl | Nov 1999 | A |
5988697 | Arosio | Nov 1999 | A |
6035894 | Weh et al. | Mar 2000 | A |
6039303 | Danielson et al. | Mar 2000 | A |
6056010 | Wells | May 2000 | A |
6073971 | Weh et al. | Jun 2000 | A |
6073974 | Meisinger et al. | Jun 2000 | A |
6082399 | Nyberg | Jul 2000 | A |
6152496 | Kouda | Nov 2000 | A |
6155294 | Comford et al. | Dec 2000 | A |
6161578 | Braun et al. | Dec 2000 | A |
6202692 | Schumacher | Mar 2001 | B1 |
6257278 | Danielson et al. | Jul 2001 | B1 |
6279874 | Nyberg | Aug 2001 | B1 |
6343630 | Dubinsky | Feb 2002 | B1 |
6375152 | Weh et al. | Apr 2002 | B1 |
6382251 | Hopson | May 2002 | B1 |
6398268 | Takahashi et al. | Jun 2002 | B1 |
6408880 | Kaul | Jun 2002 | B1 |
6412828 | Lacroix et al. | Jul 2002 | B1 |
6499719 | Clancy et al. | Dec 2002 | B1 |
6511100 | Le Clinche | Jan 2003 | B1 |
6637460 | Haunhorst | Oct 2003 | B2 |
6705550 | Bell | Mar 2004 | B2 |
6776187 | Marquis et al. | Aug 2004 | B1 |
6830070 | Mikiya et al. | Dec 2004 | B2 |
6840276 | Zeiber et al. | Jan 2005 | B2 |
6840548 | Lacroix | Jan 2005 | B2 |
6945477 | Lambert et al. | Sep 2005 | B2 |
7040358 | Lacroix et al. | May 2006 | B2 |
7073773 | Nuttall et al. | Jul 2006 | B2 |
7469718 | Lambert et al. | Dec 2008 | B2 |
7497231 | Sasa | Mar 2009 | B2 |
7568737 | Wells et al. | Aug 2009 | B2 |
7753415 | Tiberghien et al. | Jul 2010 | B2 |
7841580 | Konishi et al. | Nov 2010 | B2 |
8056581 | Danielson et al. | Nov 2011 | B2 |
9115838 | Konishi | Aug 2015 | B2 |
20030085574 | Froment et al. | May 2003 | A1 |
20040094956 | Lacroix et al. | May 2004 | A1 |
20070001143 | Konishi et al. | Jan 2007 | A1 |
20070235092 | Danielson et al. | Oct 2007 | A1 |
20080011369 | Matsumoto | Jan 2008 | A1 |
20080128034 | Fahl | Jun 2008 | A1 |
20080185837 | Danielson | Aug 2008 | A1 |
20080265574 | Tiberghien et al. | Oct 2008 | A1 |
20090140519 | Pavnaskar et al. | Jun 2009 | A1 |
20090165870 | Konishi | Jul 2009 | A1 |
20090205722 | Sledz | Aug 2009 | A1 |
20100127198 | Cozza | May 2010 | A1 |
20100148499 | Le Quere | Jun 2010 | A1 |
20110005639 | Weh et al. | Jan 2011 | A1 |
20110186176 | Aehle et al. | Aug 2011 | A1 |
20120280493 | Konishi | Nov 2012 | A1 |
20140261741 | Konishi | Sep 2014 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
2166844 | Jul 1996 | CA |
1502839 | Jun 2004 | CN |
1608910 | Apr 2005 | CN |
101946113 | Jan 2011 | CN |
103547848 | Jan 2014 | CN |
0039977 | Nov 1981 | EP |
2689177 | Jan 2014 | EP |
WO1980001711 | Aug 1980 | WO |
WO1993025838 | Dec 1993 | WO |
WO2003095883 | Nov 2003 | WO |
WO2012129340 | Sep 2012 | WO |
WO2013059748 | Apr 2013 | WO |
Entry |
---|
International Search Report and Written Opinion for PCT/US2016/029583 dated Jul. 5, 2016 (11 pp.). |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20160312939 A1 | Oct 2016 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
62153399 | Apr 2015 | US |