Apparatus for reducing the fluid pressure within a hydraulic circuit

Abstract

An auxiliary coupler element has been provided for reducing the fluid pressure within a hydraulic circuit. The auxiliary coupler element includes first and second ends which are in fluid communication with each other with the first end of the auxiliary coupler element being adapted to detachably receive a conventional male coupler element of a hydraulic hose extending from a hydraulic cylinder or circuit. A hydraulic fluid reservoir is in communication with the interior of the auxiliary coupler element. An actuator rod threadably extends into the auxiliary coupler element and is threadably moved from a retracted position to an extended position. When the conventional male coupler element has been inserted into the auxiliary coupler element, the actuator is threadably moved to its extended position which causes the check valve ball of the male coupler element to unseat from its valve seat, thereby permitting hydraulic fluid from the circuit to bypass the check valve ball and to be collected in the fluid reservoir of the auxiliary coupler element. When sufficient hydraulic fluid has been removed from the hydraulic circuit to reduce the hydraulic pressure therein, the actuator is threadably moved to its retracted position, thereby permitting the check valve ball of the male coupler element to close. The male coupler element may then be disconnected or decoupled from the auxiliary coupler element. The male coupler element may then easily be connected to a conventional female coupler element since pressure against the ball check valve therein has been reduced.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.