Push-to-connect coupler with interlocking three-way valve
AssigneeParker-Hannifin Corporation
InventorDennis C. Giesler
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A push-to-connect coupler including an interlocking three-way valve that enables coupling and uncoupling with respect to a mating nipple only when the coupler is in a vent mode. The coupler is characterized by a unique integration of a manually operated three-way ball valve that vents the coupler down to atmospheric or reduced pressure prior to coupling or uncoupling and preferably to a recovery line, a push-to-connect sleeve locking mechanism which interlocks with the manually operated handle of the three-way valve and whose operation is visibly obvious to the user, and an internal valve mechanism that prevents the free flow of media should the coupler become miscocked.
Claims28
A coupler comprising
- a housing including a coupler body portion and a valve body portion, said coupler body portion including a socket for axially receiving a mating nipple, and said valve body portion having an inlet port, an outlet port and a vent port;
- a locking sleeve mounted on said coupler body portion for axial movement between a lock position and a release position,
- nipple retainer means responsive to the axial position of said locking sleeve for holding the nipple in said socket when said locking sleeve is in its lock position and for permitting axial insertion or removal of the nipple when said locking sleeve is in its release position;
- a rotatable valve element mounted in said valve body portion between said inlet port, outlet port and vent port, said valve element having a closed position for blocking flow of fluid from said inlet port to said outlet port and an open position for permitting flow of fluid through a flow passage therein from said inlet port to said outlet port, and said valve element further including a vent passage operable to effect fluid communication between said outlet port and said vent port when said valve element is in said closed position and not when in said open position;
- and
- a manually operable handle member movable between closed and open positions respectively for rotating said valve element between its closed and open positions, said handle member when in its open position being operative to interfere with said locking sleeve to prevent said locking sleeve from moving into its release position and when in its closed position to permit movement of said locking sleeve into its release position.
A valve for a pressurized fluid line comprising a valve body having an inlet port, an outlet port and a vent port;
- a rotatable valve element mounted in said valve body between said inlet port, outlet port and vent port, said valve element having a closed position for blocking flow of fluid from said inlet port to said outlet port and an open position for permitting flow of fluid through a flow passage therein from said inlet port to said outlet port, and said valve element further including a vent passage operable to effect fluid communication between said outlet port and said vent port when said valve element is in said closed position and not when in said open position;
- and annular valve seals in said valve body, said valve seals engaging opposite sides of said valve element and being spaced apart by said valve element to define therebetween a region in said valve body communicating with one of said inlet, outlet and vent ports, and said annular valve seals respectively surrounding the other two of said inlet, outlet and vent ports.
A push-to-connect coupler comprising a coupler body including a socket for axially receiving a mating nipple, nipple retainer means radially movable in said coupler body for retaining a nipple in said socket, a locking sleeve mounted on said coupler body for axial movement between a lock position radially inwardly displacing said nipple retainer means to lock with the nipple and a release position permitting radial outward movement of said nipple retainer means to release the nipple, locking sleeve retainer means radially movable in said coupler body for retaining said locking sleeve in its release position, and a cocking member mounted within said coupler body for axial movement, said cocking member being positioned to be engaged by the nipple when inserted into said socket and movable thereby through an initial range of movement radially outwardly displacing said locking sleeve retainer means to engage and hold said locking sleeve in said release position to an uncocking position permitting radially inward movement of said locking sleeve retainer means to release said locking sleeve for movement to its lock position thereby to lock the nipple in said coupler.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.