The Gates Corporation

The Gates Corporation IP Law Dept.

Geoffrey Richard Keast

Jonathan Clark Swift

Donald R Gilbreath

Timothy G Robinson

Layne Railsback

Michael H Ellis

Randall Mark Leasure

Stephen McGee

Marvin Miller

Adrian R Cooper

Matthew James King

Timothy James King

Todd A Eyster

Diagnostic and response systems and methods for a fluid power system acquire data from pressure and temperature sensors disposed in the fluid power system, analyze the data in a failure algorithm to build a history of cumulative damage to hoses in the fluid power system, communicates an indication of potential imminent hose failure to a central location when a level of the cumulative damage indicates imminent failure of a hose, analyze the information at the central location to determine an appropriate response, and transmit information about the fluid power system, including location, and identification of the hose about to fail to a response unit. The response unit responds to the location and replaces the component prior to failure, or the communication might include information that the hose has failed, such that the response unit replaces the failed hose to return the fluid power system to normal operation.

Diagnostic and response systems and methods for fluid power systems

An improved quick connect hose coupling for connecting a hose to a fixture has a hose stem portion including a hose insert portion, a fixture portion including a fixture connection portion, and a joinder portion. The joinder portion includes a male connection portion and a female connection portion. Each of the male connection portion and the female connection portion are adapted to join in a sealing and locking manner upon being pushed together. The coupling further includes threads and wrench mating flats adapted to disconnect the hose from the fixture. It is improved by the male connection portion being a unitary structure having a leading support cylindrical surface, a following support cylindrical surface, and a transition, surface intermediate therein between. The leading support cylindrical surface has a leading radius. The following support cylindrical surface has a following radius. The following radius is larger than the leading radius.

Quick connect coupling

A hose end coupling comprising a unitary one-piece stem having an exterior barb end portion and an exterior ferrule interface portion, with a unitary one-piece radially crushable ferrule disposed over the stein, with a crushable socket portion disposed about the barb end portion, a deformable attachment portion disposed about the ferrule interface portion, and a torque communication portion defined between the socket portion and the attachment portion. The socket portion may retain a 'C' shaped insert, one or more coiled inserts, or a plurality of stacked inserts, for gripping a hose end and the socket portion might define a lip, with a seal disposed in the socket portion between the insert(s) and the lip. Some embodiments of a 'C' shaped insert define inner-circumferential teeth and corresponding outer-circumferential depression indentions.

Crimpable or swageable fluid power ferrules, couplings, systems and methods

A multi-port connector includes a plate employing a plurality of coupling retention mechanisms used to hold a plurality of fluid connectors in alignment for deployment with a respective plurality of fluid ports defined in a structure. The couplings may be loosely retained in the plate to facilitate alignment with the ports and ultimately insertion of the connectors into the ports. Each of the coupling retention mechanisms might be an opening through the plate with engagement mechanism defined within, or in conjunction with, the opening. In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention a (central) fastener may pass through the plate to selectively draw and secure the plurality of fluid connectors into engagement with the respective plurality of ports.

Multi-port fluid connectors, systems and methods

A hose end coupling comprising a unitary one-piece stem having an exterior barb end portion and an exterior ferrule interface portion, with a unitary one-piece radially crushable ferrule disposed over the stem, with a crushable socket portion disposed about the barb end portion, a deformable attachment portion disposed about the ferrule interface portion, and a torque communication portion defined between the socket portion and the attachment portion. The socket portion may retain a 'C' shaped insert, one or more coiled inserts, or a plurality of stacked inserts, for gripping a hose end and the socket portion might define a lip, with a seal disposed in the socket portion between the insert(s) and the lip. Some embodiments of a 'C' shaped insert define inner-circumferential teeth and corresponding outer-circumferential depression indentions.

A connector includes a housing disposed in conjunction with a pressurized vessel and sprung valve assembly and a stem to be inserted into the housing in two stages. The stem is retained in the housing in the first stage and the stem activates the valve to release the pressurized fluid in the second stage. The connector employs a two-stage retaining mechanism that includes a clip retained in a groove defined in an interior wall of the housing, a lower groove and an upper groove formed into an exterior of the stem. The clip is disposed in the lower groove and the housing groove in the first stage; and in the upper groove and the housing groove in the second stage. The stem defines a stem stop that contacts an assembly setting mechanism upon completion of the first stage. The assembly setting mechanism is removed to allow the second stage.

Systems and methods for two stage fluid path attachment to pressurized fluid reservoirs

A quick to connect and quick to disconnect fluid coupling has a clip, a male portion having an annular groove adapted to receive the clip, a female portion, and a sealing element. The female portion has a dual function frustoconical portion adapted to compress the sealing element during joinder of the male portion with the female portion as well as to compress the clip into the annular groove in preparation of separating the male portion from the female portion. Further, a sleeve with a shoulder is slideably placed about the male portion which has a debris barrier and adapted to capture the clip compressed within the annular groove sleeve by wedging the shoulder apart from said debris barrier.

Method of joining and disjoining fluid passages

A tubing termination comprises a termination portion adapted to make a fluid connection and a tube attachment portion, adapted to receive a tube and to be crimped or swaged. The tube attachment portion comprises a retention mechanism that is adapted to be manipulated during crimping or swaging to bite the tube so as to lock the tube attachment portion relative to the tube. This retention mechanism may take the form of a deformable bite ring, a deflectable c-insert, irregularities defined on an inner surface of the tube attachment portion, and/or the like. The tube attachment portion also may include a resilient sealing mechanism adapted to provide a seal between the tube and the tube attachment portion, and thereby a fluid-tight connection between the tube and the termination portion.

Crimped/swaged-on tubing terminations and methods

A quick to connect and quick to disconnect fluid coupling has a clip, a male portion having an annular groove adapted to receive the clip, a female portion, and a sealing element. The female portion has a dual function frustoconical portion adapted to compress the sealing element during joinder of the male portion with the female portion as well as to compress the clip into the annular groove in preparation of separating the male portion from the female portion. Further, a sleeve is slideably placed about the male portion and adapted to capture the clip compressed within the annular groove.

A coupling assembly includes a female coupler selectively interconnected to a male coupler to provide sealing engagement. In one embodiment, the female coupler and the male coupler are secured together by a pressure activated locking assembly which prevents disengagement of the male and female coupling until the internal pressure in the coupling is reduced to a predetermined level.

Pressure activated disconnect lock coupling

A coupling assembly is provided that generally includes a female coupling selectively interconnected to a male coupling to provide sealing engagement. In one embodiment, the female coupling and the male coupling are secured together by a mechanical locking mechanism that is disengaged with a release mechanism. To prevent inadvertent disengagement, a secondary locking device or spacer is provided which substantially prevents the release mechanism from disengaging the locking mechanism.

Quick connect coupling with disconnect lock

A quick to connect and quick to disconnect fluid coupling has a clip, a male portion having an annular groove adapted to receive the clip, a female portion, and a sealing element. It is improved by the female portion having a dual function frustoconical portion adapted to compress the sealing element during joinder of the male portion with the female portion as well as to compress the clip into the annular groove in preparation of separating the male portion from the female portion. Further, a sleeve is slideably placed about the male portion and adapted to capture the clip compressed within the annular groove.

A quick connect hose coupling for connecting a hose to a fixture of the type having a hose stem portion including a hose insert portion, having a fixture portion including a fixture connection portion, and having a joinder portion is disclosed. The joinder portion includes a male connection portion and a female connection portion. Each of male connection and female connection portions are adapted to join in a sealing and locking manner upon being pushed together. The coupling further includes threads and wrench mating flats adapted to disconnect the hose from the fixture. It is improved by the male connection portion being a unitary structure having a leading support cylindrical surface, a following support cylindrical surface, and a transition surface intermediate therein between. The leading support cylindrical surface has a leading radius. The following support cylindrical surface has a following radius. The following radius is larger than the leading radius.

Growing community of inventors

Cambs, United Kingdom

Geoffrey Richard Keast