Patent ID: 6135138
Filing Date: 2000-10-24
Classification: F16L,Y10T

Abstract:
A rotary fluid coupler, comprising:a first fluid conduit;a second fluid conduit in fluid communication with the first fluid conduit and rotatable relative to the first fluid conduit;a first fluid conduit/second fluid conduit seal at a joint between the first fluid conduit and the second fluid conduit, the first fluid conduit/second fluid conduit seal sealing against loss of fluid from the joint between the first fluid conduit and the second fluid conduit;a return fluid conduit having an inlet end disposed to receive fluid leaked through the first fluid conduct/second fluid conduit seal;a return/joint seal at the inlet end of the return fluid conduit, the return/joint seal sealing against loss of fluid from the inlet end of the return fluid conduit to an external environment; anda fluid-pressure biasing source in communication with the return fluid conduit to move fluid away from the inlet end through the return fluid conduit.