Pressure reduction system for quick-connects

A pressure reduction system for quick-connects comprising:

• a first and a second quick-connect and a valve;
• the valve comprising:
• a rotatable valve element threadably engaging a valve body;
• the valve body defining a central passageway in fluid connection with an inlet, an outlet and a vent, and further defining a valve seat;
• the rotatable valve element having:
• a shoulder and a partially threaded neck extending from the valve element to threadably engage the valve body, the un-threaded portion of the neck forming a large o-ring channel;
• the neck forming a lip and a protruding tongue with a small o-ring channel formed between the lip and the tongue;
• a large o-ring sized to fit in the large o-ring channel and a small o-ring sized to fit in the small o-ring channel, the large o-ring having a width greater than the small o-ring;
• and
• a vent passageway in fluid communication with a inlet vent positioned in the neck between the lip and the large o-ring and an outlet vent opposite the neck;
• the small o-ring being in contact with the valve seat when the valve is closed, allowing fluid to flow from the valve inlet, through the central passageway to the valve outlet;
• and
• the small o-ring being out of contact with the valve seat when the valve is opened, allowing fluid to flow from the valve inlet, through the central passageway, to the valve vent, across the small o-ring and into the inlet vent, the vent passageway and out the outlet vent;
• the first quick-connect removably attached to the valve and in fluid communication with the valve inlet;
• and
• the second quick-connect removably attached to the valve and in fluid communication with the vent, so the valve can be disconnected and removed from a portion of the first quick-connect and a portion of the second quick-connect.

A method for reducing fluid pressure in a piping system between a quick-connect and a downstream apparatus comprising the following steps:

• closing a valve upstream of a first quick-connect and closing a downstream valve between the first quick-connect and the downstream apparatus to isolate fluid pressure in the piping system;
• opening a bleeder valve positioned between the upstream valve and the downstream valve to reduce the fluid pressure in the piping system and the first quick-connect;
• and
• disconnecting the first quick-connect and disconnecting a second quick-connect allowing the bleeder valve, a portion of the first quick-connect and a portion of the second quick-disconnect to be removed from the piping system.

A pressure reduction system for a quick-connect comprising:

• a quick-connect and a valve;
• the valve comprising:
• a rotatable valve element threadably engaging a valve body;
• the valve body defining a central passageway in fluid connection with an inlet, an outlet and a vent, and further defining a valve seat;
• the rotatable valve element having:
• a shoulder and a partially threaded neck extending from the valve element to threadably engage the valve body, the un-threaded portion of the neck forming a large o-ring channel;
• the neck forming a lip and a protruding tongue with a small o-ring channel formed between the lip and the tongue;
• a large o-ring sized to fit in the large o-ring channel and a small o-ring sized to fit in the small o-ring channel, the large o-ring having a width greater than the small o-ring;
• and
• a vent passageway in fluid communication with a inlet vent positioned in the neck between the lip and the large o-ring and an outlet vent opposite the neck;
• the small o-ring being in contact with the valve seat when the valve is closed, allowing fluid to flow from the valve inlet, through the central passageway to the valve outlet;
• the small o-ring being out of contact with the valve seat when the valve is opened, allowing fluid to flow from the valve inlet, through the central passageway, to the valve vent, across the small o-ring and into the inlet vent, the vent passageway and out the outlet vent;
• and
• the quick-connect removably attached to the valve outlet and in fluid communication with the valve outlet.

A method for reducing fluid pressure in a piping system between a quick-connect and a downstream apparatus comprising the following steps:

• closing a valve upstream of a first quick-connect and closing a downstream valve between the first quick-connect and the downstream apparatus to isolate fluid pressure in the piping system;
• opening a bleeder valve positioned between the upstream valve and the downstream valve to reduce the fluid pressure in the piping system and the quick-connect;
• and
• disconnecting the quick-connect allowing, a portion of the quick-connect, the downstream valve and the downstream apparatus to be removed from the piping system.