Patent ID: 6029701
Filing Date: 2000-02-29
Classification: F16L,Y10T

Abstract:
A quick-connect coupling for pressurized fluid lines permitting the connection of such lines while pressurized fluid remains in one of the lines, such coupling including a male element and a female element whose connecting ends are each closed off by valves; each valve including a body enclosing a sealing member which engages with the sealing member of the other valve during connection, a return spring pushing the sealing member against a seat, and an abutment limiting the opening stroke of the sealing member; the abutment of the element under pressure fixed and positioned in such a way that the sealing member engages with the abutment when the male and female elements are connected; the other abutment mounted in the other element in a sliding manner to enable the other abutment to occupy a fixed forward position in which the associated sealing member engages with the other abutment when the male and female elements are connected and to move rearward within the element in order to allow the sealing member associated with the sliding abutment to move rearward, with the distance of the rearward movement substantially corresponding to an opening stroke of the sealing member associated with the fixed abutment; further including means for locking and returning the sliding abutment to the forward position, said means permitting the rearward movement of the sliding abutment during connection of the male and female elements and the locking of the sliding abutment into its forward position once such connection is complete; the sliding abutment including a first sliding tubular sleeve, located rearward of the valve of the element, upon which said means for locking and returning the abutment to the forward position acts, and a second sliding sleeve located forwardly of the first sleeve and having an external diameter which corresponds substantially to an internal diameter of the body, with the front end of said second sleeve forming the valve sealing member of the sliding abutment and including holes located directly behind such sealing member enabling fluid to flow through the body, and with a rear end of said second sleeve being shaped for engagement with the first sleeve.