Patent ID: 9589705
Date: 2017-03-07
CPC Classifications: F16L,H01B,H01R

Claim:
1. An in-line connector for simultaneously providing an electrical and a fluid flow connection, the inline connector comprising: a first connector body comprising an electrically conductive material including a receptacle for receiving and electrically connecting to an electrical conductor at a first end, and having an electrically conductive opposing end, the first connector body comprising a fluid flow path extending through the connector body and providing a fluid flow path to the opposing end of the body of the first connector; a second connector body comprising an electrically conductive material including a receptacle for receiving an electrical conductor at a first end, and having an electrically conductive opposing end sized and dimensioned to mate with the electrically conductive end of the first connector body, the second connector body comprising a fluid path through the body of the second connector, and a valve coupled to one of the first and second connector body and activated when the first connector body is mated to the second connector body; wherein when the electrically conductive opposing end of the first connector body is connected to the electrically conductive opposing end of the second body, the valve is activated and fluidly connects the fluid path in the first connector body to the fluid path in the second connector body, and when the first connector body is disconnected from the second connector body, the valve is deactivated and prevents fluid flow between the first and second connector bodies.