Valved Connector
AssigneeHewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP
InventorsMichael Scott, Steven J. Dean, Harvey J. Lunsman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Male and female fittings are configured to mate to form a valved connector system. Some embodiments of the female fitting include movable poppet configured to sealingly engage a flared projection within the female fitting. Some embodiments of the male fitting include a male mating aperture, and a movable plug configured to sealingly engage the male mating aperture. When the female fitting is mated with a male fitting, the male fitting forces the poppet to disengage from the flared projection, and the flared projection forces the plug to recede into the male fitting, to open a fluid path through the valved connector system.
Claims20
A valved connector system defining a fluid path therethrough, the system comprising:
- a female barrel comprising a first mating aperture;
- a flared projection suspended within the female barrel and defining a radial volume within the female barrel;
- a poppet disposed within the female barrel so as to be axially movable within the female barrel;
- a male barrel comprising a second mating aperture configured to nestably couple with the first mating aperture;
- and
- a plug movably suspended within the male barrel;
- wherein, when the female barrel and male barrel are nested, the male barrel forces the poppet to disengage from the flared projection so as to open a flow path through the radial volume, and the flared projection forces the plug to recede into the male barrel so as to open the second mating aperture, the female barrel and the male barrel defining a fluid path through the connector system.
A valved fitting for use in a connector system, the fitting comprising:
- a barrel comprising a first mating aperture;
- a flared projection suspended within the barrel and defining a radial volume within the barrel;
- a poppet disposed within the barrel so as to be axially movable along a fluid path;
- and
- the barrel, flared projection, and poppet configured such that, when the barrel is coupled to a second fitting, the second fitting forces the poppet to disengage from the flared projection so as to open a flow path through the radial volume, the barrel defining the fluid path therethrough having a substantially constant cross-section.
A valved connector system comprising:
- a female barrel comprising a first mating aperture;
- a flared projection means suspended within the female barrel for defining a radial volume within the female barrel;
- a poppet means disposed within the female barrel so as to be axially movable along the female barrel for controllably and sealingly engaging the flared projection;
- a male barrel comprising a second mating aperture configured to nestably couple with the first mating aperture;
- and
- a plug means movably suspended within the male barrel for controllably sealing the second mating aperture;
- wherein, when the female barrel and male barrel are nested, the male barrel forces the poppet means to disengage from the flared projection so as to open a flow path through the radial volume, and the flared projection means forces the plug means to recede into the male barrel so as to open the second mating aperture.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.