Self-centering plug
AssigneeMicrosoft Technology Licensing, LLC
InventorErrol Mark TAZBAZ
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A self-centering plug for transferring fluid comprises an elongated body comprising an annular surface extending from an outer surface. A washer is located between the annular surface and an annular wall of a housing, with the housing enclosing a portion of the elongated body. A float spring encircles the elongated body and comprises a distal spring end abutting an annular shoulder of the elongated body and a proximal spring end retained in the housing, wherein the float spring urges the annular surface of the elongated body into contact with the washer.
Claims20
A self-centering plug for transferring fluid, the self-centering plug comprising:
- an elongated body comprising an annular surface extending from an outer surface of the elongated body;
- a washer between the annular surface and an annular wall of a housing, the housing enclosing a portion of the elongated body;
- and
- a float spring encircling the elongated body and comprising a distal spring end abutting an annular shoulder of the elongated body and a proximal spring end retained in the housing, wherein the float spring urges the annular surface of the elongated body into contact with the washer.
A method for aligning a self-centering plug with a socket, the method comprising:
- causing an elongated body of the plug to align with a centerline socket axis of the socket by radially and/or angularly displacing the elongated body from a centered position, wherein the elongated body comprises an annular surface extending from an outer surface of the elongated body, a washer is positioned between the annular surface and an annular wall of a housing, the housing enclosing a portion of the elongated body, and a float spring encircles the elongated body and comprises a distal spring end abutting an annular shoulder of the elongated body and a proximal spring end retained in the housing.
A self-centering plug for transferring fluid, the self-centering plug comprising:
- an elongated body comprising an arcuate annular surface extending from an outer surface of the elongated body;
- a washer comprising an arcuate washer surface contacting the arcuate annular surface, the washer located between the arcuate annular surface and an annular wall of a housing, the housing enclosing a portion of the elongated body;
- and
- a float spring encircling the elongated body and comprising a distal spring end abutting an annular shoulder of the elongated body and a proximal spring end retained in the housing, wherein the float spring urges the annular surface of the elongated body into contact with the arcuate washer surface of the washer to provide a radial restoring force and an angular restoring force to the elongated body when the elongated body is radially displaced and angularly displaced from a centerline housing axis of the housing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.