Eaton Corporation

Eaton Intelligent Power Limited

Jay Mack Caudill

Clifton Paul Breay

Richard Lowell Statler, Iii

Jon Wallace Neal

David Ethan Maretich

Nicholas Clancy Schooley

Michael Alan Ritter

Lane Charles Taber, Jr

Frederick James Lawson

Thomas Alan Kottmeier

Chris T Adkins

A system for testing fluid flow includes a first tube, a first flange disposed on an end of the first tube, a second tube, and a second flange disposed on an end of the second tube. The second flange is adjacent the first flange. A flow restricting sleeve surrounds the first flange and the second flange. The flow restricting sleeve has an inner surface and an outer surface, with a web extending from the inner surface and defining an orifice. The web extends between the first flange and the second flange. A coupler assembly surrounds the flow restricting sleeve.

Interchangeable flow restricting orifice for clamshell coupler

Latching mechanisms in multiple embodiments connect clamshell type couplers comprising a pair of arcuate coupling halves joined at a hinge. One embodiment includes a biased catch lever that engages a corresponding latch plate. Another embodiment includes a plurality of latching extensions that engage an opposing latching housing, along with biased locking buttons for selectively locking the mechanism. Another embodiment includes dual rotatable latching arms for interconnecting the coupling halves, each arm having a latching cam for selectively locking the mechanism. Another embodiment includes a rotatable latching arm and a receiving bracket for receiving the latching arm for selectively locking the mechanism. Another embodiment includes an over center hinge mechanism including three cooperating and rotatable latch plates. Another embodiment includes cooperating cassette mechanisms, each having connector extensions for connecting the cassette mechanisms to one another for selectively locking the mechanism. Methods are also disclosed for selectively locking the latching mechanisms.

Latching mechanisms for clamshell type couplers

Growing community of inventors

Westminster, CO, United States of America

Jay Mack Caudill