Patent ID: 7938450
Filing Date: 2011-05-10
Classification: F04D,F16L

Abstract:
1. A universal coupling assembly, comprising: a housing having an inner bore that extends along an axis, the inner bore being in fluid communication with a fluid port of the housing; a flange formed integral with the housing and the inner bore, the flange extending radially outward from the axis and having a mating surface, the flange having bolt holes extending therethrough; and a nipple extending from the flange along the axis toward the fluid port, the nipple having a mating interface at an end thereof, the nipple further including a junction portion extending at least partially about the nipple and located between the mating interface and the flange, wherein in a first configuration, the junction portion and the mating interface receive a flange fitting, wherein bolts are configured to extend between the flange fitting and the flange, the bolts being received in the bolt holes of the flange to couple the flange fitting to the flange when the universal coupling assembly is used in the first configuration; and in a second configuration, the junction portion and the mating interface receive one of a threaded union fitting, a sweat fitting, a national pipe thread (NPT) fitting, and a barb fitting.