# US 10,865,927 B2 · Low engagement force fluid coupling > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,865,927 B2 - Document ID: US10865927B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/278,867 - Filed: 2019-02-19 - Published: 2019-08-29 - Granted: 2020-12-15 - Earliest claimed: 2018-02-26 - Assignees: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited - Applicants: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited - Inventors: James W. Reinholdt - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10865927B2 ## CPC - F16L 37/34: at least one of the lift valves being of the sleeve type, i.e. a sleeve being telescoped over an inner cylindrical wall - B64D 39/04: Adaptations of hose construction - B64D 39/06: Connecting hose to aircraft; Disconnecting hose therefrom - F16L 37/38: with fluid cut-off means in only one of two pipe-end fittings - F16L 37/52: Universal joints, i.e. with a mechanical connection allowing angular movement or adjustment of the axes of the parts in any direction - F16L: PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL - B64D: EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT ## Abstract A fluid coupling includes an inlet housing member, an outlet housing member rotatably connected with the inlet housing member to define a chamber, a regulator assembly disposed in the chamber and connected to the outlet housing member, a main poppet configured to control fluid flow between the inlet housing member and the outlet housing member, and/or a pilot poppet configured to selectively permit fluid flow through the main poppet. The outlet housing member may be configured to mate with and at least partially receive a nozzle. The regulator assembly may include a regulator housing and a regulator. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A fluid coupling, comprising: an inlet housing member; an outlet housing member rotatably connected with the inlet housing member to define a chamber, the outlet housing member configured to connect or mate with and at least partially receive a fluid nozzle; a regulator assembly disposed in the chamber and connected to the outlet housing member, the regulator assembly including a regulator housing and a regulator; a main poppet configured to control fluid flow between the inlet housing member and the outlet housing member; and a pilot poppet configured to selectively permit fluid flow through the main poppet; wherein the regulator, the main poppet, and the pilot poppet close in the same direction. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The fluid coupling of claim 1, including: a channel connected to or formed with one of the regulator housing and the inlet housing member; and a pin connected to the other of the inlet housing member and the regulator housing; wherein the pin is disposed at least partially in the channel to restrict rotation of the inlet housing member relative to the outlet housing member about a longitudinal axis of the fluid coupling. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The fluid coupling of claim 1, wherein, in an open position of the main poppet, the main poppet and the pilot poppet are disposed in the regulator. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The fluid coupling of claim 1, including one or more ambient air ports. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The fluid coupling of claim 4, wherein at least one of the one or more ambient air ports is disposed at least partially in the outlet housing member and in a poppet cage. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The fluid coupling of claim 1, including a poppet cage disposed in the chamber. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The fluid coupling of claim 6, wherein the poppet cage includes a seat and the main poppet is configured to selectively sealingly engage the seat. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The fluid coupling of claim 6, wherein the pilot poppet, the main poppet, and the regulator are configured to move relative to the poppet cage. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) The fluid coupling of claim 6, wherein the poppet cage is fixed to the outlet housing member. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The fluid coupling of claim 1, wherein the regulator assembly includes one or more regulator springs configured to bias the regulator away from the outlet housing member. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The fluid coupling of claim 1, wherein the regulator housing includes a forward regulator housing member and an aft regulator housing member connected in a substantially spherical configuration. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The fluid coupling of claim 1, wherein a length of the inlet housing member is within 10% of the length of the outlet housing member. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The fluid coupling of claim 1, wherein a maximum diameter of the outlet housing member is disposed proximate the inlet housing member. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The fluid coupling of claim 1, including a main poppet spring configured to bias the main poppet closed, a pilot poppet spring configured to bias the pilot poppet closed, and a regulator spring configured to bias the regulator open. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The fluid coupling of claim 1, including a poppet cage connected to the outlet housing member; a poppet sleeve connected to the poppet cage; and a poppet housing connected to the poppet cage. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The fluid coupling of claim 15, wherein the regulator is configured to move along the poppet housing. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The fluid coupling of claim 15, including: a main poppet spring configured to bias the main poppet closed; a pilot poppet spring configured to bias the pilot poppet closed; and a regulator spring configured to bias the regulator open; wherein the main poppet spring is connected between the poppet housing and the poppet sleeve; the pilot poppet spring is connected between the poppet sleeve and the pilot poppet; and the regulator spring is connected between the regulator and the poppet housing. ### Claim 18 A fluid coupling, comprising: an inlet housing member; an outlet housing member rotatably connected with the inlet housing member to define a chamber, the outlet housing member configured to connect or mate with and at least partially receive a fluid nozzle; a regulator assembly disposed in the chamber and connected to the outlet housing member, the regulator assembly including a regulator housing and a regulator; a main poppet configured to control fluid flow between the inlet housing member and the outlet housing member; and a pilot poppet configured to selectively permit fluid flow through the main poppet; wherein, in an open position of the main poppet, the main poppet and the pilot poppet are disposed in the regulator. ### Claim 19 A fluid coupling, comprising: an inlet housing member; an outlet housing member rotatably connected with the inlet housing member to define a chamber, the outlet housing member configured to connect or mate with and at least partially receive a fluid nozzle; a regulator assembly disposed in the chamber and connected to the outlet housing member, the regulator assembly including a regulator housing and a regulator; a main poppet configured to control fluid flow between the inlet housing member and the outlet housing member; a pilot poppet configured to selectively permit fluid flow through the main poppet; and a poppet cage disposed in the chamber and fixed to the outlet housing member.