Parker-hannifin Corporation

Andrew J Holst

Timothy Tyler Marquis

Leonard J Nick

Jason Richard Koller

Paul Lemay

Jason T Mikulski

Michael R Gose

A coupling member for a blind mate fluid coupling including a housing and a fluid connector configured to connect to a fluid conduit, the fluid connector being fixed in position relative to the housing. The coupling member further includes a valve body at least partially extending in the housing. The valve body can have an internal fluid passage that is fluidly connected to the fluid connector, wherein the valve body further has a spherical interface that interfaces with at least one of the housing or another coupling member for enabling angular misalignment between the coupling member and the another coupling member.

Blind mate fluid coupling with misalignment compensation

A coupling member for a blind mate fluid coupling includes a housing and a valve body that is self-centering and alignable relative to the housing. The valve body may include at least two radial shoulder portions that are configured to engage at least two corresponding radial abutments of the housing to improve self-centering when in a decoupled state. An engagement member, such as a socket, may be provided in the housing to engage a radial shoulder of the valve body with a concave interface to enhance the misalignment compensating and/or self-centering functionality. The engagement member may be free to float radially relative to the housing to further enhance such effects. A compensator that urges an engagement member against a shoulder of the valve body may be provided to compensate for misalignment and/or provide self-centering in both a decoupled and mated state.

Self-centering blind mate fluid coupling

A coupling member for a blind mate fluid coupling includes a housing and a valve body that is self-centering and alignable relative to the housing. The valve body may include at least two radial shoulder portions or abutments that are configured to engage at least two corresponding radial abutments of the housing to improve self-centering when in a decoupled state. A biasing member may urge the valve body abutments against the corresponding housing abutments to compensate for misalignment and/or provide self-centering in both a decoupled and mated state.

A connector () such as a multi-coupler stabplate for coupling to or decoupling from another connector (). The connector may have a secondary release mechanism () that allows a seized drive to be rotated to an unlocked position independent of the connector housing moving relative to a multi-coupler plate. Integrated stop features may be provided during such secondary release. The secondary release mechanism may be mounted to the housing () and retained with shear pins. Orientation pin(s) () may be provided that cooperate with a guide slot(s) () for oblique and axial movement of a locking mechanism () during coupling/decoupling. A housing shroud () may be provided for cooperating with the orientation pin(s) and indicating locked/unlocked states. A stop collar () and push-off flange () may be provided for facilitating coupling/decoupling. Guide bushings () may be provided for facilitating alignment during coupling. One or more additional features may be provided that improve the securing/releasing function(s) of the connector.

Multi-coupler connector

A multi-coupling includes a fixed plate and a free plate, and a primary locking mechanism for locking the free plate to the fixed plate aligned to form multiple fluid passages through the multi-coupling. The primary locking mechanism may include a drive screw secured to the fixed plate engaged with a drive nut secured to the free plate, and a clam shell securing mechanism that secures the drive screw to the fixed plate. The clam shell halves are moveable to release the drive screw from the fixed plate independently of releasing drive screw from the drive nut. The multi-coupling further may include satellite locking mechanisms in combination with the primary locking mechanism. The satellite locking mechanisms may include satellite securing mechanisms that are moveable to release the satellite locking mechanism from the fixed plate. The locking mechanisms are removable while retaining the fixed plate fixed to base equipment.

Multi-coupling with serviceable locking mechanism

A coaxial couplingincludes a female coupling halfand a male coupling half. The couplingis used in a hydraulic circuitthat includes a multistage hydraulic pumpand a hydraulic machine. The coupling is used in the circuitto connect components when the pump is running. The coupling halves have a disconnected configuration (FIG.), a connection initiation configuration (FIG.), and a fully connected configuration (FIG.). Coupling halfincludes a manually actuated restrictorthat signals the pumpto move to a low flow condition independently of load demand from the machinein the connection initiation configuration. This reduces the forces required to move the coupling halves from the connection initiation configuration to the fully connected configuration.

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Plymouth, MN, United States of America

Andrew J Holst