Compact fluid couplings

A fluid coupling system for liquid cooling of computer electronics, comprising:

• a female coupling device defining an internal space and comprising:
• a first housing portion that defines a front opening into the internal space of the female coupling device;
• a second housing portion that defines rear opening into the internal space of the female coupling device, the rear opening being positioned closer to a rearmost end of the female coupling device than to a frontmost end of the female coupling device;
• and
• a valve assembly positioned within the internal space of the female coupling device and comprising:
• a valve stem, a valve sleeve that is movable relative to valve stem, and a valve spring extending rearwardly from the valve sleeve toward a rear end of the valve stem, wherein the valve assembly is adjustable between:
• (i) a first arrangement in which a fluid flow path between the first and second end openings is open, and (ii) a second arrangement in which the valve assembly blocks the fluid flow path,
• wherein the rear opening is laterally offset from the valve stem such that the rearmost end of female coupling device is closer to the rear end of the valve stem than to the rear opening.