US 2015/0308599 A1 · MULTI-COUPLING WITH SERVICEABLE LOCKING MECHANISM

Abstract

A multi-coupling includes a fixed plate and a free plate, and a primary locking mechanism for locking the free plate to the fixed plate aligned to form multiple fluid passages through the multi-coupling. The primary locking mechanism may include a drive screw secured to the fixed plate engaged with a drive nut secured to the free plate, and a clam shell securing mechanism that secures the drive screw to the fixed plate. The clam shell halves are moveable to release the drive screw from the fixed plate independently of releasing drive screw from the drive nut. The multi-coupling further may include satellite locking mechanisms in combination with the primary locking mechanism. The satellite locking mechanisms may include satellite securing mechanisms that are moveable to release the satellite locking mechanism from the fixed plate. The locking mechanisms are removable while retaining the fixed plate fixed to base equipment.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A multi-coupling comprising:

a fixed plate including a first set of a plurality of fluid holes for communicating fluid through the fixed plate;
a free plate including a second set of a plurality of fluid holes for communicating fluid through the free plate;
and
a primary locking mechanism for locking the free plate to the fixed plate with the first and second sets of fluid holes being aligned to form a plurality of fluid passages through the multi-coupling;
wherein the primary locking mechanism comprises:
a first primary coupler secured to the fixed plate that is engaged with a second primary coupler secured to the free plate;
and
a primary securing mechanism that secures the first primary coupler to the fixed plate, and the primary securing mechanism is moveable to release the first primary coupler from the fixed plate independently of releasing the first primary coupler from the second primary coupler.

5 more elements

A method of servicing a multi-coupling, wherein the multi-coupling comprises:

a fixed plate including a first set of a plurality of fluid holes for communicating fluid through the fixed plate;
a free plate including a second set of a plurality of fluid holes for communicating fluid through the free plate;
and
a primary locking mechanism for locking the free plate to the fixed plate with the first and second sets of fluid holes being aligned to form a plurality of fluid passages through the multi-coupling;
wherein the primary locking mechanism comprises:
a first primary coupler secured to the fixed plate that is engaged with a second primary coupler secured to the free plate;
and
a primary securing mechanism that secures the first primary coupler to the fixed plate;
the method of servicing the multi-coupling comprising the step of moving the primary securing mechanism to release the first primary coupler from the fixed plate independently of releasing the first primary coupler from the second primary coupler.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Multi-coupling with serviceable locking mechanism

Life of this patent

Multi-coupling with serviceable locking mechanism

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20