The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 04, 2000
Filed:
Jan. 29, 1998
Robert D Roberts, Cary, NC (US);
EMCO Wheaton DTM, Inc., Morrisville, NC (US);
Abstract
A dry disconnect coupling is provided for connecting one fluid conduit to another to form a continuous, essentially fluid-tight path. The coupling includes an adapter and a coupler which, when coupled together, define a flow passageway therethrough. The adapter includes a hollow, generally cylindrical adapter body, adapter valve means and improved means for releasing the adapter from the coupler. The coupler includes a hollow, generally cylindrical coupler body, coupler valve means, improved connecting means for providing a rigid, fluid-tight connection between the adapter and the coupler, an annular connecting sleeve, sleeve override means, an annular nosepiece, nosepiece override means, improved sealing means for sealing the coupling and a cam assembly for cooperating with the sleeve override means, the nosepiece override means and the coupler valve means. The connecting means prevents fluid in the flow path from leaking during a fluid transfer operation even if a side load is applied to the coupling or if the mechanical components of the coupling are worn. The sealing means prevents fluid residue from accumulating on the periphery and the faces of the poppet valves of the adapter and the coupler as the flow path is established so that the loss at disconnect is minimized. The releasing means permits the adapter and the coupler to be easily and readily disconnected after a fluid transfer operation.