Patent ID: 6367847
Filing Date: 2002-04-09
Classification: F16L,G01N

Abstract:
A coupler for placing two or more fluid streams in communication, comprising:a. two or more conduits for transporting fluid, each of said two or more conduits having at least one end defining an opening in said conduit; b. a first housing body having a first planar surface, said first housing body holding said two or more conduits in alignment wherein at least one end of each conduit is aligned about said first housing planar surface; c. a cap element having a cap planar surface, said cap fixed to said first housing planar surface in sealed engagement, and at least one of said first housing planar surface and said cap planar surface having a channel in fluid communication with said opening in said conduits, said channel allowing two or more fluid streams, each fluid stream defined by said one of said conduits, to be placed in communication; and, d. a clamping assembly holding said first housing planar surface and said cap planar surface in sealed engagement, wherein said clamping assembly comprises a tab element, said tab element comprising a circular ring or c-shaped ring substantially encircling said housing body, said housing body having a flange for receiving said tab element, and said clamping assembly further comprises at least one screw having threads, each screw extending through an opening in said tab element and at least one opening in one of said cap element and housing body having cooperating threads.