Patent ID: 6474359
Filing Date: 2002-11-05
Classification: F16L,Y10T

Abstract:
An undersea hydraulic coupling member, comprising:(a) a body having a longitudinal bare extending therethrough from a first end to a second end thereof; the first end of the body connectable to an opposing coupling member and the second end of the body connectable to a hydraulic line; the bore having a first internal shoulder intermediate the bore and an internal collar adjacent the second end of the body; (b) a sleeve in the longitudinal bore, the sleeve having a second internal shoulder; the sleeve having a first end that seals against the first internal shoulder when the sleeve is in the closed position, and having a second end that abuts the internal collar when the sleeve is in the fully open position; (c) a first spring extending between the internal collar and the sleeve for biasing the sleeve to the closed position against the first internal shoulder; the sleeve moving away from the first internal shoulder toward the fully open position when the body is connected to the opposing coupling member that provides hydraulic fluid pressure in the first end of the bore acting against the sleeve that is greater than the spring force of the first spring and any hydraulic fluid pressure in the second end of the bore acting against the sleeve; (d) a poppet valve in the sleeve, the poppet valve in sealing engagement with the second internal shoulder to block fluid flow through the bore when the sleeve is in the closed position; (e) an actuator extending between the collar and the poppet valve, the poppet valve becoming disengaged from the second internal shoulder to allow fluid flow through the bore when the sleeve begins moving toward the fully open position and the poppet valve abuts the actuator, the poppet valve becoming spaced further from the second internal shoulder until the sleeve reaches the fully open position when the second end of the sleeve abuts the collar; and (f) a second spring extending between the first end of the sleeve and the poppet valve for biasing the poppet valve against the second internal shoulder, the poppet valve disengaging from the second internal shoulder when the body is disconnected from the opposing coupling member and hydraulic fluid pressure in the second end of the bore acting against the poppet valve is greater than the spring force of the second spring and any hydraulic fluid pressure in the first end of the bore acting against the poppet valve.