Hose coupler for transferring fluids from a machine

#The present disclosure relates generally to a hose coupler, more particularly, to a hose coupler for transferring fluids from a machine.

#An industrial machine, for example, excavator, shovel, continuous miner, loader, truck, etc., includes an engine that provides power for propelling the machine and for operation of one or more work tools of the machine. The fuel supplied to the engine often passes through a filter system that traps and removes particulates and/or water in the fuel. It is necessary to periodically drain the water accumulated in the filter system. It may also sometimes be necessary to drain the fuel from a tank or from other components associated with the engine, for example, to facilitate maintenance or repairs on the engine.

#Operation of the engine and/or the machine also requires a variety of fluids other than fuel. For example, the engine requires engine lubricant for lubrication of its moving parts, and coolant to cool various engine components. Likewise the machine may require transmission fluid to lubricate components of a transmission connecting the engine with wheels or tracked undercarriages of the machine, brake fluid to activate brakes on the wheels, and/or hydraulic fluid to actuate work tools associated with the machine etc. The fluids required for engine and/or machine operation (e.g. coolant, lubricant, transmission fluid, brake fluid, hydraulic fluid, etc.) may accumulate debris and may degrade or decompose over time. As a result one or more of these fluids may have to be periodically drained and replaced. A hose may be attached to a port of the machine to transfer the fluid from the machine into a fluid storage tank. To prevent spills or leaks, and to safely remove the fluid from the machine, it may be desirable to ensure that the drain hose does not disconnect from the port, while the fluid is being drained.

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hose coupler assembly connected to a port of a tank storing a fluid;

#FIG. 2 is an illustration of an exemplary disclosed hose coupler assembly;

#FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary disclosed hose coupler assembly of FIG. 2;

#FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary hose coupler assembly 10 connected to port 12 of tank 14, which may store a fluid associated with a machine (not shown). For example, tank 14 may store water, fuel, lubricant, coolant, transmission fluid, brake fluid, hydraulic fluid, or any other type of fluid associated with the machine. Port 12 may allow fluid stored in tank 14 to be drained from tank 14. It is also contemplated that port 12 may allow fluid to be transferred into tank 14. Port 12 may include knob 16, which may be configured to control a rate of flow of the fluid through port 12. As illustrated in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1, knob 16 may include projections 18 separated by recessed portions 20. Knob 16 may be rotatable in a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction to open or close port 12 to regulate the flow of fluid through port 12. Hose coupler assembly 10 may include hose coupler 22 and clip 24. In one exemplary embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 1, clip 24 may engage with projections 18 of knob 16 to attach hose coupler 22 to port 12.

#FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary hose coupler assembly 30. Like hose coupler assembly 10, hose coupler assembly 30 may be attached to port 12 (see FIG. 1). Hose coupler assembly 30 may include hose coupler 32 and clip 34. Hose coupler 32 may include coupler body 36, which may extend from proximal end 38 to distal end 40. Coupler body 36 may include coupler bore 42, which may extend through a length of coupler body 36, from proximal end 38 to distal end 40. Coupler body 36 and coupler bore 42 may be generally concentrically disposed about longitudinal axis 44. Hose coupler 32 may include flange 46 disposed adjacent distal end 40. In one exemplary embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 2, flange 46 may project radially outward from coupler body 36 and may circumscribe coupler body 36. Flange 46 may have a generally annular shape and may be disposed generally perpendicular to longitudinal axis 44. It is contemplated, however, that flange 46 may be disposed at an angle other than about 90° relative to longitudinal axis 44. Although flange 46 has been illustrated in FIG. 2 as having a generally circular perimeter 48, it is contemplated that perimeter 48 of flange 46 may have an elliptical, triangular, square, or any type of shape known in the art.

#As used in this disclosure, the terms “about” and “generally” indicate typical manufacturing tolerances and dimensional rounding. Thus, for example, generally circular or cylindrical suggests that a radius may vary within typical machining and manufacturing tolerances, for example, within ±0.1 mm. Likewise the term about suggests that an angle of inclination may vary within typical machining and manufacturing tolerances, for example, within ±1°. The phrase “generally perpendicular” as used in this disclosure suggests that the angle between two features lies within 90°±1°. Further, a surface disclosed as being generally conical may have its largest radius exceed its smallest radius by at least an order of magnitude greater than the machining or manufacturing tolerances, for example, by at least 1 mm, and/or an angle of inclination greater than 1°.