Eaton Corporation

Aeroquip Corporation

Parker-hannifin Corporation

Eaton Intelligent Power Limited

Danfoss Power Solutions II Technology A/s

Michael Paul Wells

Todd Jerome Vogel

Christopher E Schadewald

David S Densel

Gregory A Haunhorst

Jeffrey M Grau

Nazih Khatib

John C Field

John C Stemmler

Ryan V Williams

James Dean Betsinger

Jason Dahms

Michael W Trumbower

Ryan J Williams

Scott A Smith

An electrically conductive hose cutting clip has at least one end tab that is shaped to provide a cutting edge for penetration of the inner layer(s) of a multiple layer fluid conveyance hose when it is clipped onto a fluid connector and the hose is installed on the fluid connector by forcing it onto the connector. The cutting action by the cutting clip provides for a relatively low resistance electrical connection between an electrically conductive layer of the hose and the fluid connector. This can be used to provide a signal path from a sensing element on or in the hose to a system electronic component.

Fluid connector with a hose cutting clip

An integrated hose assembly, as well as a monitoring assembly and method of its use are disclosed. The integrated hose assembly includes a hose assembly with a hose having a first conductive layer electrically connected to a nipple and a second conductive layer electrically connected to a socket. The first and second conductive layers are separated by an insulating layer. The integrated hose assembly further includes a monitoring assembly that includes a housing rotatably mounted around at least a portion of the hose assembly, a first flexibly resilient conductive lead seated within the housing and electrically contacting a first outer surface of the hose assembly such that the first flexibly resilient conductive lead is electrically connected to a nipple, and a second flexibly resilient conductive lead seated within the housing and electrically contacting a second outer surface of the hose assembly such that the second flexibly resilient conductive lead is electrically connected to a socket. The monitoring assembly includes a monitoring circuit electrically connected to the first flexibly resilient conductive lead and the second flexibly resilient conductive lead.

Flexible contact arrangement for hose assembly

An electrically conductive hose cutting clip has at least one cutting blade that is shaped to provide a cutting edge for penetration of the inner layer(s) of a multiple layer fluid conveyance hose when it is clipped onto a fluid connector and the hose is installed on the fluid connector by forcing it onto the connector. The cutting action by the cutting blade provides for a relatively low resistance electrical connection between an electrically conductive layer of the hose and the fluid connector. This can be used to provide a signal path from a sensing element on the hose to a system electronic component.

Fluid connector with hose cutting blades

In one embodiment, a male coupling connectable to and separable from a female coupling (e.g., a female threaded port) is provided. The female coupling includes a receiving portion sized to receive at least a portion of the male coupling, where the receiving portion has internal threads provided therein. The male coupling includes a body having a passageway extending therethrough and a locking member disposed about the body and configured to move between locking and releasing positions. The locking member includes a retaining formation configured to engage the internal threads of the female coupling when the locking member is in its locking position. The male coupling further includes a locking sleeve disposed about and axially movable with respect to the body between first and second positions. After insertion of the male coupling into the female coupling and upon movement of the locking sleeve to its first position, the locking sleeve forces the locking member to move to its locking position causing the retaining formation of the locking member to engage the internal threads of the female coupling, thereby locking the male coupling and the female coupling together.

Male coupling for connecting to female threaded coupling

A cap for a fluid coupling is provided that includes a stem member adapted for insertion into the fluid coupling and a cover member connected to the stem member. The cover member includes an internal cavity sized to receive the fluid coupling such that the fluid coupling is positioned between the stem member and the cover member. The internal cavity is defined by a wall having at least one of a longitudinally extending groove and a longitudinally extending protrusion.

Fluid coupling cap

A male coupling is connectable to and separable from a female threaded coupling. The female threaded coupling includes a sealing surface and a receiving portion sized to receive at least a portion of the male coupling, where the receiving portion has internal threads provided therein. The male coupling includes a body having a passageway extending therethrough and a locking member disposed about the body and configured to move between locking and releasing positions. The locking member has a retaining formation configured to engage the internal threads of the female threaded coupling when the locking member is in its locking position. After insertion of the male coupling into the female threaded coupling, the retaining formation of the locking member engages one or more of the internal threads in the female threaded coupling when the locking member is in its locking position.

A coupling assembly having male and female coupling members that are connectable and separable from each other. The coupling assembly utilizes a resiliently expandable locking element, which is provided on the male coupling member, to connect the male and female coupling members together by trapping the locking element, in its expanded position, between respective locking surfaces of the male and female coupling members. A locking sleeve, which is movable between unlocked and locked positions, is employed to move the locking element to its expanded position. In this position, the locking element prevents the withdrawal of the male coupling member from the female coupling member by creating a positive lock therebetween. To maintain the locking sleeve in its locked position, a retainer can be used.

Coupling assembly and retainer for use with same

A service valve for a refrigerant system comprising a valve body and a system port. The valve body has at least one fluid passage integrated therein including a longitudinal bore. An orifice is located at one end of the bore. An annular protrusion axially extends from the valve body and is symmetrical about the orifice. A valve seat generally surrounds the orifice. The system port includes a valve stem having a first end, a second end, and a bore integrated within. The stem is axially movable within the annular protrusion between at least a first position in which the orifice is closed when the valve stem first end sealingly abuts the valve seat and a second position in which the orifice is open when the valve stem first end is offset from the valve seat. The valve stem is restricted from moving further away from the valve body by the annular protrusion.

Self-contained isolated port

A distributor, for use in a refrigerant system for conveying refrigerant between an expansion device and an evaporator, having a longitudinal body, an actuator, a plug, a first nozzle, and a second nozzle. The longitudinal body having a first end, a second end, a longitudinal passage between the first and second ends. The first nozzle being affixed within the passage. The second nozzle being rotatable within the passage for alignment and misalignment with the first nozzle. The second nozzle having a plurality of gear teeth engageable with the actuator, which is adjustable. A method of mixing refrigerant fluid while passing through the distributor.

Adjustable nozzle distributor

A coupling assembly for use in connecting fluid lines having a unitary female body and a male coupling portion. The female body includes at least two passageways having frangible diaphragms. The male coupling portion includes at least two male coupling halves having frangible diaphragms. Cutting devices are positioned in the passageways of the female body. As the male coupling portion is moved toward the female body by a bracket and fastening device, the diaphragms are ruptured to allow fluid flow between the lines.

Coupling assembly

A valve for controlling fluid flow is provided. The valve includes an actuating stem for controlling the flow of fluid through the valve, a valve member with a positioning formation and an opening for permitting fluid flow, a valve body portion, and at least one insert or compressor for retaining the valve member within the valve body portion. The valve body portion is comprised of a formable material&mdash;such as a metal&mdash;that is formed about the valve member in connection with an applied load. The valve body portion further includes a first open end with a first diameter; a second open end with a second diameter that is sufficiently large enough to permit insertion of the valve member; a stem opening for receiving the actuation stem; and an internal member-receiving portion for receiving the valve member in proximity with the stem opening. The actuation stem is in communication with the positioning formation of the valve member and the flow of fluid through the valve is controlled by the orientation of the valve member within the internal member-receiving portion. A method for forming a valve is also disclosed.

Valve and method for forming valve

A coupling for sealing an outer cylindrical wall of a member of a fluid flow system extending along an axis. The coupling has a body and nut encircling the cylindrical wall which are configured to receive either a conventional O-ring or packing. The body includes a recess having a wall surface tapering at an angle in the range of 7.degree. to 20.degree. relative the axis and cooperates with the nut and cylindrical wall of the member to define an open area for receiving either an O-ring or packing.

Growing community of inventors

Bowling Green, OH, United States of America

Michael Paul Wells