Patent Publication Number: US-2020292122-A1

Title: Fluid coupling and sleeve therefor

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/817,836, filed on Mar. 13, 2019, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure generally relates to fluid couplings and sleeves, including quick-disconnect fireproof fluid couplings having sleeves. 
     BACKGROUND 
     This background description is set forth below for the purpose of providing context only. Therefore, any aspect of this background description, to the extent that it does not otherwise qualify as prior art, is neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the instant disclosure. 
     Some fluid couplings are not fireproof and/or are not capable of withstanding high temperatures, such as to comply with AS1055. 
     An example of a fireproof coupling is generally described in United States Patent Application Publication US 2018/0087708, which is hereby incorporated by reference as though fully set forth herein. 
     There is a desire for solutions/options that minimize or eliminate one or more challenges or shortcomings of fluid couplings. The foregoing discussion is intended only to illustrate examples of the present field and should not be taken as a disavowal of scope. 
     SUMMARY 
     In embodiments, a fluid coupling may include a first coupling member, a second coupling member configured for connection with the first coupling member, and/or a sleeve disposed at least partially around the first coupling member and/or the second coupling member. In embodiments, the sleeve may include a first flame-retardant layer, a second flame-retardant layer, a third flame-retardant layer, and at least one reinforcement comprising a non-rubber, rigid material. 
     The foregoing and other aspects, features, details, utilities, and/or advantages of embodiments of the present disclosure will be apparent from reading the following description, and from reviewing the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional view generally illustrating a fluid coupling. 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view generally illustrating an embodiment of a fluid coupling including a sleeve according to teachings of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view generally illustrating an embodiment of a sleeve according to teachings of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view generally illustrating an embodiment of a sleeve according to teachings of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view generally illustrating an embodiment of a sleeve according to teachings of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view generally illustrating an embodiment of a sleeve according to teachings of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view generally illustrating an embodiment of a sleeve in an unassembled state according to teachings of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view generally illustrating an embodiment of a sleeve in an assembled state according to teachings of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the present disclosure will be described in conjunction with embodiments and/or examples, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the present disclosure to these embodiments and/or examples. On the contrary, the present disclosure is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents. 
     In embodiments, such as generally illustrated in  FIG. 1 , a fluid coupling  20  may include a first coupling member  30  (e.g., a male adapter), a second coupling member  32  (e.g., a female adapter), a nut  34 , a locking sleeve  36 , a valve sleeve  38 , a poppet valve  40 , one or more sealing members  42 A,  42 B (e.g., O-rings), one or more back-up rings  44 A,  44 B, a tubular valve  46 , and/or a bonded seal  48 . The first coupling member  30  may be configured for connection with a first fluid conduit  60 . The second coupling member  32  may be configured for connection with a second fluid conduit  62 . The first coupling member  30  and the second coupling member  32  may be configured to provide fluid communication between the first fluid conduit  60  and the second fluid conduit  62 . The fluid coupling  20  may be configured as a quick-disconnect coupling. The fluid coupling  20  may include an axis  20 A, which may be a central axis. 
     With embodiments, in a disconnected position of the first coupling member  30  and the second coupling member  32 , the valve sleeve  38  may contact the bonded seal  48  and a sealing member  42 B connected to the second coupling member  32 , which may restrict and/or prevent fluid flow through the second coupling member  32 . The poppet valve  40  may contact a sealing member  42 A connected to the first coupling member  30 , which may restrict and/or prevent fluid flow through the first coupling member  30 . 
     With embodiments, in a connected position of the first coupling member  30  and the second coupling member  32 , such as generally illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the nut  34  may be connected to (e.g., threaded onto) the first coupling member  30 . As the nut  34  rotates, the first coupling member  30  may drive the valve sleeve  38  in a first axial direction (e.g., toward the second fluid conduit  62 ), which may open one or more ports  64  of the tubular valve  46 . The valve sleeve  38  may then contact both of the sealing members  42 A,  42 B, which may provide a fluid seal between the first coupling member  30  and the second coupling member  32  and/or allow fluid flow through the fluid coupling  20 . The locking sleeve  36  may restrict and/or prevent the nut  34  from disconnecting (e.g., unscrewing) from the first coupling member  30 . 
     In embodiments, connecting and/or disconnecting the first coupling member  30  and the second coupling member  32  may include movement of the poppet valve  40 , the valve sleeve  38 , the nut  34 , and/or the locking sleeve  36  relative to each other. Clearances may be provided between one or more of these components, such as to prevent binding during relative movement. 
     With embodiments, a fluid seal between the first coupling member  30  and the second coupling member  32  may depend, at least in part, on the integrity of the sealing members  42 A,  42 B. The sealing members  42 A,  42 B may, for example and without limitation, include an organic material with elastomeric properties (e.g., rubber). At high pressures (e.g., at least about 1500 psig), the back-up rings  44 A,  44 B may be configured to restrict deformation of the sealing members  42 A,  42 B into the clearances. The sealing members  42 A,  42 B may start to degrade at high temperatures, such as about 600 F. or greater. If the sealing members  42 A,  42 B degrade, the fluid seal may be compromised, and fluid may leak from the fluid coupling  20 . 
     With embodiments, such as generally illustrated in  FIG. 2 , a fluid coupling  20  may include an outer sleeve  70  that may be configured to provide thermal insulation to for the fluid coupling  20 , such as to limit the maximum temperature of the sealing members  42 A,  42 B, which may help prevent leaks. An outer sleeve  70  may include a first layer  72 , a second layer  76 , and/or a third layer  80 . The first layer  72 , the second layer  76 , and/or the third layer  80  may include one or more fire-retardant and/or thermally insulating materials, such as, for example, silicone, and may be referred to herein as flame-retardant layers. The first layer  72  may be configured as an inner layer, and may connect and/or bond the outer sleeve  70  with the locking sleeve  36 . The third layer  80  may be an external layer, may provide thermal insulation, and/or may facilitate connection/disconnection operations (e.g., a user may grip the third layer  80  to move the locking sleeve  36 ). 
     If exposed to high temperatures (e.g., in the event of a fire), the first layer  72 , the second layer  76 , and/or the third layer  80  may expand and/or become brittle/charred, at least in some sections. To account for this, in embodiments, such as generally illustrated in  FIGS. 3-8 , the outer sleeve  70  may include at least one reinforcement  74 ,  78 ,  174 . As generally illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the reinforcement may be in the form of a first intermediate layer  74  and/or a second intermediate layer  78 . The first intermediate layer  74  may be disposed at least partially around the first layer  72 , and may be connected and/or bonded to an outer portion of the first layer  72  and/or an inner portion of the second layer  76  (e.g., may be disposed at least partially between the first layer  72  and the second layer  76 ). The first intermediate layer  74  may be configured to provide structural support to the first layer  72  and/or the second layer  76 . The second intermediate layer  78  may be disposed at least partially around the second layer  76 , and may be connected and/or bonded to an outer portion of the second layer  76  and/or an inner portion of the third layer  80  (e.g., the second intermediate layer  78  may be disposed at least partially between the second layer  76  and the third layer  80 ). The second intermediate layer  78  may provide structural support to the second layer  76  and the third layer  80 . The first intermediate layer  74  and the second intermediate layer  78  may include a substantially similar configuration and the second intermediate layer may include a larger diameter than the first intermediate layer  74 . 
     With embodiments, such as generally illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the first intermediate layer  74  and/or the second intermediate layer  78  may include a mesh configuration that may include woven and/or braided wires  90  that may be disposed such that one or more apertures  92  may be present between the wires  90 . The intermediate layers  74 ,  78  may be relatively pliable and/or dent-resistant, such as due to the mesh configuration. With high temperatures, the first layer  72 , the second layer  76 , and/or the third layer  80  may expand, such as to extend into and/or through the one or more of the apertures  92  of the intermediate layers  74 ,  78 . Permitting the first layer  72 , the second layer  76 , and/or the third layer  80  to expand relatively unimpeded (e.g., impeded only by the wires  90  as opposed to a solid surface) may facilitate the expansion, which may increase the effective thickness and/or the insulation performance of the outer cover  70 . The expansion may involve breaking a continuous layer (e.g., the first layer  72 , the second layer  76 , and/or the third layer  80 ) into smaller sections that may be relatively lightweight and/or include brick-like structures. The smaller sections may protrude through the intermediate layers  74 ,  78  and/or at least partially encase the intermediate layers  74 ,  78 . In contrast to covers with larger sections that may not be connected to intermediate layers (e.g., mesh layers), the smaller sections may have less mass and/or may be less prone to spall or break away when burned/charred. The intermediate layers  74 ,  78  may limit spalling and facilitate expansion of the first layer  72 , the second layer  76 , and/or the third layer  80  (e.g., for increase insulation performance). 
     In embodiments, such as generally illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the intermediate layers  74 ,  78  may include a corrugated configuration. An axial corrugation (e.g., with circumferentially extending protrusions and channels), such as generally illustrated in  FIG. 5 , may be configured to facilitate axial expansion of the first layer  72 , the second layer  76 , and/or the third layer  80 . For example and without limitation, initial expansion may occur in the radial direction and the axial corrugation may transform the expansion into axial expansion. Axial expansion may involve the outer sleeve  70  covering (and insulating) some or an additional amount of the first coupling member  30 . An azimuthal corrugation (e.g., with axially extending protrusions and channels), such as generally illustrated in  FIG. 6 , may be configured to facilitate radial expansion of the first layer  72 , the second layer  76 , and/or the third layer  80 . For example and without limitation, an intermediate layer with an azimuthal configuration may be configured to expand, at least to some degree, with the first layer  72 , the second layer  76 , and/or the third layer  80 . An azimuthal configuration may minimize an initial outer diameter of the fluid coupling  20  and/or may reduce the hoop stress generated on the intermediate layer(s)  74 ,  78 . 
     It should be understood that although the embodiments of intermediate layers  74 ,  78  of  FIGS. 5 and 6  are generally illustrated as solid, intermediate layers  74 ,  78  may include a mesh configuration and/or a corrugated configuration (e.g., a corrugated mesh configuration). 
     With embodiments, one or more of the first layer  72 , the second layer  76 , and/or the third layer  80  may include an intumescent material, such as in addition to a flame-retardant material (e.g., silicone), which may facilitate growth of that layer and/or the outer sleeve  70 . In embodiments, such an intumescent material may swell when exposed to heat, so as to increase in volume and decrease in density. In embodiments, the second layer  76  may be thicker (e.g., in the radial direction) than the first layer  72 , the first intermediate layer  74 , the second intermediate layer  78 , and/or the third layer  80 . For example and without limitation, the second layer  76  may be at least three times as thick as the first layer  72  or the third layer  80 , and/or may be at least ten times as thick as the first intermediate layer  74  or the second intermediate layer  78 . 
     With embodiments, as generally illustrated in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the reinforcement may be in the form of one or more strands  174  of a rigid, non-rubber material embedded in at least one of the first layer  72 , second layer  76 , and third layer  80 . The material may be, but is not limited to, fiberglass. The strand(s)  174  may prevent or reduce the loss of material (e.g., silicone) of the respective first layer  72 , second layer  76 , and/or third layer  80  during exposure to high temperatures (e.g., fire) while still permitting the respective layer  72 ,  76 ,  80  to grow radially outward via extrusion. 
     In embodiments, the strand(s)  174  may be embedded in the respective layer  72 ,  76 ,  80  by first laying the strand(s)  174  on a strip of uncured material of the layer  72 ,  76 ,  80  (i.e., the layer  72 ,  76 ,  80  in a flat and/or unrolled state), such as generally illustrated in  FIG. 7 . The strand(s)  174  generally may run along the length of the strip. The strand(s)  174  may run the entire length of the strip or just a portion. While  FIG. 7  illustrates the stands  174  as having a straight orientation, it should be appreciated that the strands  174  may have one or more bends and/or curves. The strands  174  may further form a mesh configuration, such as the mesh configuration illustrated in  FIG. 4 . The strip with the strand(s)  174  may then be wrapped around the locking sleeve  36  (with the side of the strip with the strand(s)  174  facing away from the locking sleeve  36 ) multiple times such that the strand(s)  174  may become embedded within the material to form the respective layer  72 ,  76 ,  80 , such as generally illustrated in  FIG. 8 . As such, the strand(s)  174  may have a spiral configuration in the layer  72 ,  76 ,  80 . 
     With embodiments, a fluid coupling  20  may be configured for use with fluid, such as, for example and without limitation, fuel (e.g., aircraft fuel) and/or oil (e.g., hydraulic oil). A fluid coupling  20  may include one or more components that include metal. For example and without limitation, the first coupling member  30 , the second coupling member  32 , the nut  34 , the locking sleeve  36 , the valve sleeve  38 , the poppet valve  40 , and/or the tubular valve  46  may include metal. A fluid coupling  20  may comply with AS1055. 
     Various embodiments are described herein for various apparatuses, systems, and/or methods. Numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the overall structure, function, manufacture, and use of the embodiments as described in the specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It will be understood by those skilled in the art, however, that the embodiments may be practiced without such specific details. In other instances, well-known operations, components, and elements have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the embodiments described in the specification. Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the embodiments described and illustrated herein are non-limiting examples, and thus it can be appreciated that the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein may be representative and do not necessarily limit the scope of the embodiments. 
     Reference throughout the specification to “various embodiments,” “with embodiments,” “in embodiments,” or “an embodiment,” or the like, means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in various embodiments,” “with embodiments,” “in embodiments,” or “an embodiment,” or the like, in places throughout the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. Thus, the particular features, structures, or characteristics illustrated or described in connection with one embodiment/example may be combined, in whole or in part, with the features, structures, functions, and/or characteristics of one or more other embodiments/examples without limitation given that such combination is not illogical or non-functional. Moreover, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from the scope thereof. 
     It should be understood that references to a single element are not necessarily so limited and may include one or more of such element. Any directional references (e.g., plus, minus, upper, lower, upward, downward, left, right, leftward, rightward, top, bottom, above, below, vertical, horizontal, clockwise, and counterclockwise) are only used for identification purposes to aid the reader&#39;s understanding of the present disclosure, and do not create limitations, particularly as to the position, orientation, or use of embodiments. 
     Joinder references (e.g., attached, coupled, connected, and the like) are to be construed broadly and may include intermediate members between a connection of elements and relative movement between elements. As such, joinder references do not necessarily imply that two elements are directly connected/coupled and in fixed relation to each other. The use of “e.g.” in the specification is to be construed broadly and is used to provide non-limiting examples of embodiments of the disclosure, and the disclosure is not limited to such examples. Uses of “and” and “or” are to be construed broadly (e.g., to be treated as “and/or”). For example and without limitation, uses of “and” do not necessarily require all elements or features listed, and uses of “or” are intended to be inclusive unless such a construction would be illogical. 
     While processes, systems, and methods may be described herein in connection with one or more steps in a particular sequence, it should be understood that such methods may be practiced with the steps in a different order, with certain steps performed simultaneously, with additional steps, and/or with certain described steps omitted. 
     It is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not limiting. Changes in detail or structure may be made without departing from the present disclosure.