Engineered Controls International, LLC

Engineering Controls International, LLC

Chad Thomas

Jeffrey S Howard

Howard M Konishi

Tracy N Tickle

Michael T Glavin

Guangbin Cao

A rapid-connect coupler having an anti-rotation feature is disclosed. A coupler includes a housing, a probe configured to translate longitudinally within the housing, a ball cage, a plurality of balls disposed in the ball cage, and a slidable sleeve coupled to the probe and configured to translate longitudinally with the probe. The slidable sleeve includes a collar that defines a plurality of channels positioned radially about and extending axially along an outer surface. The plurality of channels of the collar are configured to receive bearings of the receptacle to prevent rotation of the coupler relative to the receptacle. To couple the coupler to the receptacle, the slidable sleeve is configured to slide in a longitudinal direction into the receptacle to cause the plurality of channels to receive the bearings of the receptacle and subsequently cause the plurality of balls to lock the coupler to the receptacle.

Rapid-connect coupler and receptacle having anti-rotation feature

Low emission nozzles and receptacles are disclosed. A receptacle includes a main body, a first stem, a first poppet connected to the first stem, a valve seat disposed in the main body, a first spring configured to bias the first poppet to a first closed position, a second stem slidingly engaged to the first poppet and the first stem, a second poppet connected to the second stem, and a second spring configured to bias the second poppet to a second closed position.

Low emission receptacles

A coupler for connecting a tank to a receptacle includes a housing, a probe configured to translate longitudinally within the housing, and a handle assembly configured to cause the probe to translate within the housing. The handle assembly is movable between a decoupled position, a coupled position, and a venting position. The coupler includes a ball cage, a plurality of balls disposed in the ball cage, and a slidable sleeve coupled to the probe and configured to translate longitudinally with the probe. The slidable sleeve is configured to slide in a first longitudinal direction to cause the plurality of balls to translate radially to lock the coupler to the receptacle. The slidable sleeve includes a collar defining a plurality of channels that are positioned radially and extending axially along the collar and configured to receive bearings of the receptacle in the coupled position and the venting position to prevent rotation.

A receptacle includes a main body, a stem, a poppet connected to the stem and defining an inner check void, a spring configured to bias the poppet to a closed poppet position, and a check assembly at least partially disposed in the inner check void. The check assembly includes a check and a check spring. The check is configured to move relative to the main body. The check spring is configured to bias the check toward a closed check position. The check has a first surface area and the poppet has a second surface area that is larger than the first surface area of the poppet such that a fluid force causes the check to move to an open check position before causing the poppet to move to an open poppet position.

A rapid connect coupler for connecting a fluid holding tank to a receptacle in a non-rotatable manner can include a housing, a probe configured to translate in a longitudinal direction within the housing, and a handle assembly configured to cause the probe to translate within the housing. The handle assembly can be movable between a plurality of positions corresponding to decoupled, coupled and venting positions. The coupler can also include a slidable sleeve coupled to an outer surface of the probe and configured to translate with the probe in the longitudinal direction, the sleeve including a collar configured to engage the receptacle in the coupled and uncoupled positions to prevent rotation of the coupler with respect to the receptacle when the two components are engaged to one another.

A receptacle for conveying fluid is disclosed. An example receptacle includes a main body defining an inlet and an outlet, a spring retainer disposed in the main body, a valve seat disposed in the main body, and a poppet configured to slide between a closed position and an open position. The poppet is slidably engaged with the spring retainer between the closed position and the open position and is engaged with the valve seat in the closed position. The example receptacle also includes a spring engaged with the spring retainer and the poppet to bias the poppet to engage the valve seat in the closed position. The spring retainer, the valve seat, the poppet, and the spring are removable from the main body via the inlet without disassembling the main body.

Leak resistant and serviceable receptacle

A nozzle for dispensing fluid includes a probe slidably disposed in a main body. The probe has a probe body defining a check sealing surface and a check void. A check assembly is at least partially disposed in the check void, and includes a check configured to move relative to the main body and the probe body. A spring is configured to bias the check to sealingly engage the check against the check sealing surface of the probe body.

Low emission nozzles and receptacles

A method consistent with the present disclosure may include: (a) equalizing pressure between a nozzle inner void and a receptacle main inner void by pressing a nozzle check against a receptacle check to open the nozzle check and the receptacle check; (b) extending the nozzle into the receptacle such that a receptacle main body surrounds at least a portion of the nozzle probe; (c) flowing fluid from the nozzle inner void into the receptacle main inner void.

A receptacle for conveying fluid is disclosed. The receptacle may include a main body, a spring retainer, a valve seat assembly, a poppet, and a spring. The main body defines an inlet and an outlet. The spring retainer is disposed in the main body and removable from the main body via the inlet. The valve seat assembly is disposed in the main body and removable from the main body via the inlet. The poppet is slidably engaged with the spring retainer between a closed position and an open position and is engageable with the valve seat assembly. The spring is engaged with the spring retainer and with the poppet to urge the poppet against the valve seat assembly.

Disclosed is a receptacle for conveying fluid. The receptacle may include a main body, a valve seat body, a poppet, a spring retainer, spring, and a packing. The valve seat body may be disposed in and secured to the main body. The valve seat body may include: a first end portion and an opposing second end portion. The first end portion may include a plurality of first inner surfaces defining an inner annular groove. The valve seat body may include a plurality of second inner surfaces defining an inner void. The plurality of second inner surfaces may include one or more arced surfaces and one or more flats. The packing may be disposed in the inner annular groove.

Growing community of inventors

Summerfield, NC, United States of America

Chad Thomas