# US 12,759,492 B2 · Fluidic connection including a padlock connection mechanism for an anode water separator drain module > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,759,492 B2 - Document ID: US12759492B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 19/044,324 - Filed: 2025-02-03 - Published: 2026-08-06 - Granted: 2026-10-13 - Earliest claimed: 2025-02-03 - Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Applicants: GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Inventors: Calvin K. Hutchins; Phani Krishna Nathani - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12759492B2 ## CPC - B60R 16/08: fluid - F16L 33/30: comprising parts inside the hoses only (F16L33/24 takes precedence) - H01M 8/04156: {with product water removal} - H01M 2250/20: Fuel cells in motive systems, e.g. vehicle, ship, plane - B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - F16L: PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL - H01M: PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY ## Abstract A fluidic connection includes a first member including a first fluid passage and a first mounting member. The first fluid passage extends along a first axis, and the first mounting member is arranged alongside and spaced from the first fluid passage along a second axis. The first mounting member includes a first fastener passage that extends along a third axis that is distinct from the first and second axes. A second member includes a second fluid passage and second mounting member. The second fluid passage includes a first passage portion extending along the first axis and a second passage portion extending along a fourth axis that is distinct from the first axis. The second mounting member includes a second fastener passage that extends along the third axis. The second fastener passage is aligned with the first fastener passage when the second passage portion is connected with the first fluid passage. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system including a fluidic connection comprising: a first member including a first fluid passage and a first mounting member, the first fluid passage extending along a first axis, and the first mounting member being arranged alongside and spaced from the first fluid passage along a second axis distinct from the first axis, the first mounting member including a first fastener passage that extends along a third axis that is distinct from the first axis and the second axis; and a second member including a second fluid passage and second mounting member, the second fluid passage including a first passage portion aligned with the first axis and a second passage portion extending along a fourth axis that is distinct from the first axis, the second mounting member including a second fastener passage that extends along the third axis that is substantially perpendicular relative to the first axis and the second axis, the second fastener passage being aligned with the first fastener passage when the first passage portion is received by and in fluid communication with the first fluid passage. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein the first fluid passage includes a terminal end, the first fastener passage being spaced from the terminal end along the first axis. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The system according to claim 2, further comprising a step defined between the first mounting member and the first fluid passage. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein the first mounting member includes a first wall portion and a second wall portion spaced from the first wall portion by a gap having a first dimension, the first fastener passage including a first fastener passage portion formed in the first wall portion and a second fastener passage portion formed in the second wall portion. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The system according to claim 4, wherein the second mounting member defines a tab having a second dimension that is smaller than the first dimension, the second mounting member being configured to reside in the gap between the first wall portion and the second wall portion when the second fluid passage is fluidically connected with the first fluid passage. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The system according to claim 5, further comprising a fastener passing through the first wall portion, the second wall portion and the tab to secure the second member to the first member. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein the first mounting member includes a first wall portion including the first fastener passage and the second mounting member includes a tab including the second fastener passage, the first fastener passage being aligned with the second fastener passage with the first fluid passage is coupled with the second fluid passage. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The system according to claim 7, wherein the first fastener passage includes a plurality of threads configured to engage with a fastener. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein the second fluid passage comprises a nipple including an O-ring configured to nest within the first fluid passage. ### Claim 10 A method of creating a fluidic connection comprising: inserting a first fluid passage portion of a second fluid passage of a second member into a first fluid passage of a first member, the first fluid passage and the first fluid passage portion extending along a first axis, the second fluid passage including a second passage portion that extends along a second axis that is distinct from the first axis; and aligning a first fastener passage formed in a first mounting member of the first member with a second fastener passage formed in a second mounting member of the second member; passing a fastener along a third axis through the first fastener passage and the second fastener passage; and securing the fastener to one of the first mounting member and the second mounting member, wherein aligning the first fastener passage with the second fastener passage includes inserting a tab including the second fastener passage into a gap defined between a first wall portion having a first fastener passage portion and a second wall portion having a second fastener passage portion, the first fastener passage portion and the second fastener passage portion forming the first fastener passage. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein securing the fastener includes engaging a first plurality of threads on the fastener with a second plurality of threads provided in the second fastener passage portion. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein engaging the first plurality of threads on the fastener with the second plurality of threads includes threading the first plurality of threads into a threaded bushing. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein passing the fastener along the third axis through the first fastener passage and the second fastener passage includes supporting the fastener with a bushing installed in the first fastener passage portion. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein aligning the first fastener passage with the second fastener passage includes positioning a tab of the second member against a first wall portion of the first member. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein aligning the first fastener passage with the second fastener passage includes seating the second fluid passage in the first fluid passage. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein seating the second fluid passage in the first fluid passage includes passing a nipple including an O-ring into the first fluid passage, the O-ring forming a seal against the first member. ### Claim 17 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein passing the fastener through the first fastener passage and the second fastener passage includes guiding the fastener along an axis that is substantially perpendicular relative to the first axis. ### Claim 18 A vehicle comprising: a body defining a passenger compartment; a motor supported in the body; and a padlock connection mechanism for establishing a fluidic connection in the vehicle, the padlock connection mechanism comprising: a first vehicle member including a first fluid passage and a first mounting member, the first fluid passage extending along a first axis, and the first mounting member being arranged alongside and spaced from the first fluid passage along a second axis distinct from the first axis, the first mounting member including a first fastener passage that extends along a third axis that is distinct from the first axis and the second axis; and a second vehicle member including a second fluid passage and second mounting member, the second fluid passage including a first passage portion aligned with the first axis and a second passage portion extending along a fourth axis that is distinct from the first axis the second mounting member including a second fastener passage that extends along the third axis, that is substantially perpendicular relative to the first axis and the second axis, the second fastener passage being aligned with the first fastener passage when the first passage portion is received by and in fluid communication with the first fluid passage. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The vehicle according to claim 18, wherein the first fluid passage includes a terminal end, the first fastener passage being spaced from the terminal end along the first axis. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The vehicle according to claim 19, further comprising a step defined between the first mounting member and the first fluid passage.