Parker-hannifin Corporation

The Cleveland Clinic Foundation

Kcf Technologies Incorporated

Windcrest LLC

Parker-hannfin Corporation

Shawn David Ellis

Todd Dennis Lambert

Jason Thomas Dunn

Paul Lemay

Timothy Tyler Marquis

Jason Richard Koller

Brian K Foner

Christian D Parker

Mario Alejandro Calvo

Timothy A Plassmeyer

James D Ruether

Jacob Loverich

David Kraige

Leonard J Nick

Stephen J Wenner

David R Whittaker

Ryan S Klatte

Paul Edward LeMay

Jason T Mikulski

Timothy Skwiot

Daniel V Davis

Charles Dean Wuollet

Brian K Forner

John E Page

Tad N Orstad

Roger W Briese

James Ruether

Timothy Plassmeyer

A coupling assembly () is reconfigurable among three states. In a disconnected state, a spring-biased lock indicator () is in a first lock indicator position, and the lock indicator includes a restriction member () that in the first lock indicator position retains an actuator in a first actuator position such that a valve is in a closed position and a locking pin is in a retracted position. In a connected/valve-closed state, the lock indicator () is in a second lock indicator position in which the restriction member () permits movement of the actuator (), but with the actuator () still being in the first actuator position such that the valve is in the closed position and the locking pin () is in the retracted position. In a connected/valve-open state, the lock indicator () is in the second lock indicator position to permit movement of the actuator (), and now with the actuator () being in the second actuator position such that the valve is in the open position and the locking pin () is in an extended position to lock a second coupling assembly to the coupling assembly to form a unisex coupling connection.

Unisex ball valve coupling with safety locking mechanism

An enhanced quick coupling configuration has a push-to-connect locking mechanism in which holding the outer sleeve does not affect the ability to connect the coupling, and the outer sleeve otherwise does not need to be restrained by additional components. The coupling includes a single sleeve spring in the locking mechanism, and the use of smaller restriction slots to house axially offset locking balls in a manner that axially constrains movement of the locking balls. When a male component is inserted into the female component during a connection operation, a shoulder on the male component sequentially contacts the axially offset rows of locking balls, which drive the inner sleeve axially in an inward direction. In the fully connected state, the inner sleeve is biased axially outward so as to push back against the inward locking balls, thereby preventing further movement of the inward locking balls.

Quick-coupling with automatic locking mechanism

A coupling manifold assembly has both regulated and unregulated flow orientations and includes a manifold body and a pressure regulator couplably received into the manifold body. The manifold body includes a pair of connection ports between which flow is movable through the manifold body, with the pressure regulator being received into a flow path between the connection ports. The pressure regulator is configured to regulate flow in a first direction between the connection ports and to allow for unregulated flow in an opposite second direction between the connection ports.

Pressure regulated coupling manifold assembly

A hoseless sensor system for a refrigerant unit includes a plurality of hoseless sensors for sensing system parameters of the refrigerant unit, and a portable electronic device configured to receive the system parameters from the hoseless sensors and to calculate system conditions for the refrigerant based on the system parameters. The plurality of hoseless sensors includes a hoseless first pressure sensor and a hoseless second pressure sensor, and a hoseless first temperature sensor and a hoseless second temperature sensor. The temperature sensors may be temperature sensor clamps. Each temperature sensor clamp includes a clamping portion configured to clamp on a tube of the refrigerant unit, the clamping portion including a sensor element to measure temperature about the tube. The clamping portion further includes a plurality of clamping teeth, and adjacent clamping teeth interlock in an overlapping configuration when the clamp closes inward beyond a threshold point.

Hose free sensor system for refrigerant unit

A controller () for manually controlling a guidewire () includes a housing () including a passage () for receiving the guidewire. A gripper () is actuatable to grasp the guidewire () in the passage (). A cap () is connected to the housing (). The cap () is rotatable relative to the housing () to actuate the gripper (). The housing () includes an element () for maintaining the cap () in a receiving position. The cap () when in the receiving position places the controller () in a condition for receiving the guidewire ().

Guidewire control device

A hoseless sensor system for a refrigerant unit includes a plurality of hoseless sensors for sensing system parameters of the refrigerant unit, and a portable electronic device configured to receive the system parameters from the hoseless sensors and to calculate system conditions for the refrigerant based on the system parameters. The plurality of hoseless sensors includes a hoseless first pressure sensor and a hoseless second pressure sensor, and a hoseless first temperature sensor and a hoseless second temperature sensor. The temperature sensors are temperature sensor clamps. Each temperature sensor clamp includes a clamping portion configured to clamp on a tube of the refrigerant unit, the clamping portion including a sensor element to measure temperature about the tube. The clamping portion further includes a plurality of clamping teeth, and adjacent clamping teeth interlock in an overlapping configuration when the clamp closes inward beyond a threshold point.

Flow sensor includes a housing having a chamber and a tube extending therefrom. Static and stagnation pressure ports are located along the tube and open in different directions about a periphery. A first conduit fluidly couples the static pressure port to the chamber, and a first pressure sensor senses the fluid pressure in the chamber. A differential pressure sensor has a first port and a second port in the chamber. The first port senses the fluid pressure in the chamber, and a second conduit fluidly couples the stagnation pressure port with the second port. The second port is more exposed to fluid flow through the pipe relative to the first port. Fluid flow rate through the pipe is determinable based on static fluid pressure sensed by the first pressure sensor, differential pressure measured by the differential pressure sensor, density of fluid in the pipe, and diameter of the pipe.

Flow sensor including a tube extending from a housing and static and stagnation pressure ports along the tube

A first coupling memberhas a bodyand an internal poppet. The exterior of the bodyincludes flats. A lugis formed on one of the flatsduring machining of the flats. A dust cover attached to the first coupling memberincludes a cover portionand a tether portion. The cover portionprotects an exterior surfaceof the body, and the cover portionto and tether portioneach protects one lateral side of the lug. The tether portionincludes an annular ring portiondisposed in an annular groove. A second embodimentof the first coupling member is also disclosed. A second coupling membermay be coupled to or uncoupled from either of the first coupling membersor

Quick coupling

A sensor including a buffer material layer configured to at least partially deflect when a force or pressure is imparted on the buffer material layer; and an electroactive polymer (EAP) cartridge in operative contact with the buffer material layer, wherein the EAP cartridge is configured to generate an output signal that corresponds to an amount of strain imparted on the EAP cartridge. The EAP cartridge may be used in a variety of sensing applications including as a pressure sensor integrated into a fluid connector. One aspect of the invention provides for selection of a buffer material layer based upon a desired pressure range.

Electroactive polymer based pressure sensor

A coupler that can be configured for easy insertion and removal from an unthreaded cavity within a manifold or other part. The coupler includes an axially movable lock member that also carries a valve member for sealing against a valve seat of a main coupler body. The coupler also has a plurality of radially flexible fingers spaced apart by slots, and a lock member has one or more stop portions that engage the fingers to prevent radial collapse of the fingers for retention of the coupler in the cavity in the part.

Snap-in-place valved coupler

Improvement in a quick disconnect coupling that includes a tubular coupler half, having a radially outwardly-directed roller on an outer surface portion thereof; a tubular nipple half, having a push-to-connect mechanism, including a cup-shaped member, concentrically surrounding a nipple body portion, this mechanism including a locking device having a basically L-shaped contoured slot including a helically-directed ramp inlet and a locking slot portion; the improvement comprising that the push-to-connect mechanism includes the rotatable journaling of the cup-shaped member, for limited rotational pivoting relative to the nipple half; this mechanism also including a biasing member for concurrently normally biasing the cup-shaped member to an at-rest position relative to the nipple body. A method for joining includes an initial contact between the axially-aligned roller and the helical ramp; further interaction rotationally displacing the cup shaped member until the roller enters the locking portion, resulting in reverse pivoting of the cup-shaped member.

Push-to-connect mechanism and method, for a coupling

A generally cylindrical quick disconnect female cryogenic coupler, interconnected with a cryogenic fluid transfer apparatus, includes a coupler body with a first cavity housing a laterally severed tubular bushing, an adaptor having one end attached to the coupler body and another end to the apparatus, a normally closed-biased valve between the coupler body and the adaptor, a coupling sleeve, attached to the coupler body having, a frusto-conical inlet portion, and a vent fitting having one end connected with a coupling sleeve radial aperture and another end in operative connection with a cryogenic fluid storage vessel, associated with the noted apparatus, to permit the inlet purging by using the vessel's own gaseous phase as a purging medium during liquid fluid transfer operation. The severed bushing inhibits ice formation, at an inlet/male nipple interface during the noted transfer. A method for purging moisture at the noted interface is also set forth.

Quick disconnect cryogenic coupler

A diversion valve fluid coupling, permitting alternate flows in first and second operating positions, including a valve housing with inlet, first and second outlet ports; a quick disconnect coupling attached to the second outlet port and a seal interposed therebetween; a movable diverter valve assembly, having interconnected actuating and opposing valves; the actuating valve, in the first operating position, having a first sealing engagement with the seal; the opposing valve, in the second operating position, having a second sealing engagement with a first outlet port; a biasing member, biasing the diverter valve into the first sealing engagement, blocking the second outlet port while permitting flow to the first outlet port; and, for the second operating position, a nipple member, removably mating with the quick disconnect coupling and translating the diverter valve into the second sealing engagement, blocking the first outlet port while permitting flow into the second outlet port.

Growing community of inventors

Golden Valley, MN, United States of America

Shawn David Ellis