# US 2024/0200720 A1 · Fluid distribution assembly > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2024/0200720 A1 - Document ID: US20240200720A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 17/638,692 - Filed: 2020-08-17 - Published: 2024-06-20 - Earliest claimed: 2019-08-27 - Assignees: Caterpillar Global Mining LLC - Applicants: Caterpillar Global Mining LLC - Inventors: Igor STRASHNY; Candace BAUER - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20240200720A1 ## CPC - F16N 25/00: Distributing equipment {with or without proportioning devices} - E02F 9/006: {Pivot joint assemblies (in general F16C11/04)} - E02F 9/2275: {Hoses and supports therefor and protection therefor} - F16N: LUBRICATING - E02F: DREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING (winning peat E21C49/00) ## Abstract The present disclosure is directed towards a fluid distribution assembly. The fluid distribution assembly comprises a distribution device comprising at least one device inlet for receiving fluid and at least one device outlet for directing fluid out of the distribution device. The fluid distribution assembly comprises at least one distribution plate adjacent to the distribution device comprising at least one distribution arrangement for controlling the communication of fluid to and/or from the at least one device inlet and/or outlet. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A fluid distribution assembly comprising: a distribution device comprising at least one device inlet for receiving fluid and at least one device outlet for directing fluid out of the distribution device; and at least one distribution plate adjacent to the distribution device comprising at least one distribution arrangement for controlling the communication of fluid to and/or from the at least one device inlet and/or outlet. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A fluid distribution assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the at least one distribution plate comprises at least one plate passageway and the at least one distribution arrangement comprises at least one combination arrangement configured to combine fluid from a plurality of device outlets and direct the combined fluid through the at least one plate passageway. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) A fluid distribution assembly as claimed in claim 2 wherein the at least one combination arrangement comprises: a combination recess in, and/or combination seal at, a distribution plate inner face, wherein the combination recess extends over and/or the combination seal extends around the plurality of device outlets and the at least one plate passageway extends from the combination recess and/or combination seal to a distribution plate outer face; a combination bore extending from combination bore inlets at the distribution plate inner face, through the distribution plate and to the at least one plate passageway extending to the distribution plate outer face, each combination bore inlet being aligned with a device outlet; and/or a combination recess in, and/or combination seal at, the distribution plate outer face, wherein the combination recess extends over and/or the combination seal extends around a plurality of plate passageways, wherein each plate passageway extends from the distribution plate inner face to the distribution plate outer face and is aligned with a device outlet at the distribution plate inner face. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A fluid distribution assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the at least one distribution arrangement comprises at least one redirection arrangement configured to redirect fluid from at least one device outlet to at least one device inlet. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) A fluid distribution assembly as claimed in claim 4 wherein the at least one redirection arrangement comprises: a redirection recess in and/or a redirection seal at a distribution plate inner face, wherein the redirection recess and/or redirection seal extends over the at least one device outlet and inlet for redirecting fluid therebetween; and/or a redirection bore extending from at least one redirection bore inlet aligned with at least one device outlet, through the distribution plate and to at least one redirection bore outlet aligned with at least one device inlet. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A fluid distribution assembly as claimed in any one of the claim 1 wherein the at least one distribution arrangement comprises at least one blocking arrangement configured to block fluid communicating through at least one device inlet and/or outlet. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) A fluid distribution assembly as claimed in claim 6 wherein the at least one blocking arrangement comprises a blocking wall, blocking recess and/or blocking seal arranged to block the communication of fluid through at least one device inlet and/or outlet. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A fluid distribution assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the distribution device comprises: first and second device ends at which the at least one device inlet and/or outlet are located; at least one device side extending between the first and second device ends; and at least one device side outlet for communicating fluid outside of the distribution device. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) A fluid distribution assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the distribution device is configured to control the distribution of fluid from the at least one device inlet to the at least one device outlet. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) A fluid distribution assembly as claimed in claim 9 wherein the at least one spool is configured to distribute the same predetermined flowrate of fluid to each of a plurality of device outlets. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) A kit comprising a plurality of distribution devices and a plurality of distribution plates for a plurality of fluid distribution assemblies in accordance with claim 1 wherein the distribution devices are identical and at least two distribution plates comprise different distribution arrangements. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) A coupling assembly for a machine comprising: a pin comprising at least a first pin passageway for fluid extending between a first pin passageway inlet and a first pin passageway outlet for directing fluid outside of the pin; and a fluid distribution assembly as claimed in claim 1 mounted to the pin such that the first pin passageway inlet or outlet is configured to communicate fluid with the at least one device outlet or inlet respectively via the at least one distribution arrangement. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) A coupling assembly as claimed in claim 12 wherein the fluid distribution assembly is integrated at least partially inside the pin or is positioned outside the pin. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) A machine comprising at least one coupling assembly according to claim 12, at least one first component and at least one second component rotatable relative to one another about the pin and a fluid delivery system for delivering and/or receiving fluid from the at least one coupling assembly. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) A method for distributing fluid to the coupling assembly of claim 12 comprising: receiving fluid through the at least one device inlet; directing the fluid through the at least one device outlet, through the at least one distribution arrangement and to the first pin passageway inlet, along the first pin passageway and to the first pin passageway outlet; and directing fluid outside of the pin via the first pin passageway outlet.