Abstract:
A fluid coupler includes: an outer body; an end connector being at least partially received inside the outer body and configured to receive pressurized fluid; an inner body received inside the outer body, the inner body being moveable with respect to the outer body; a seat holder and a valve seat both located inside of the inner body, the valve seat being configured to press against an inner surface of the inner body to close the fluid coupler; a connector partially housed within the inner body, the connector comprising a first end secured to the seat holder and a second end. The fluid coupler defines a pressurized fluid flow path enabling pressurized fluid to contact and pressurize the end connector, the inner body, the seat holder, and the connector without contacting and pressurizing the outer body.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/264,058, filed on Dec. 7, 2015, the contents of which are incorporated herein in their entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    This disclosure generally relates to fluid couplers configured to couple a source of pressurized gas with a fluid receptacle such as a cylinder or a tank while minimizing the unintentional emission of gas during the connection and disconnection processes. A user refills the gas cylinder or tank by tightly screwing the fluid coupler onto the gas cylinder or tank and flowing a fluid, such as a gas, through the fluid coupler into the gas cylinder or tank. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    This application is defined by the appended claims. The description summarizes aspects of the embodiments and should not be used to limit the claims. Other implementations are contemplated in accordance with the techniques described herein, as will be apparent upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description, and such implementations are intended to be within the scope of this application. 
         [0004]    A first embodiment of the present disclosure includes a fixed housing with an end connector secured to a body, an end connector rotatably received in the fixed housing, an inner body secured to the end connector, a seat holder rotatably received in the inner body, a connector secured to the seat holder, and a nipple secured to the connector. 
         [0005]    A second embodiment of the present disclosure includes a fixed housing with an end connector and a stop secured to a body, an end connector rotatably received in the fixed housing, an inner body secured to the end connector, a set holder rotatably received in the inner body, a connector secured to the seat holder, and a nipple secured to the connector. 
         [0006]    A better understanding of the objects, advantages, features, properties, and relationships of the invention will be obtained from the following detailed description and accompanying drawings, which set forth one or more illustrative embodiments that are indicative of the various ways in which the principles of the invention may be employed. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of the fluid coupler in accordance with the teachings herein. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the body of the fluid coupler of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the inner body of the fluid coupler of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the seat holder of the fluid coupler of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the connector of the fluid coupler of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the valve seat of the fluid coupler of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of the nipple of the fluid coupler of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 8  is a partially cross-sectional view of the end connector of the fluid coupler of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of the end cap of the fluid coupler of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a fluid coupler in accordance with the teachings herein. 
           [0017]      FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of the body of the fluid coupler of  FIG. 10 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view of the stop of the fluid coupler of  FIG. 10 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]    While the features, methods, devices, and systems described herein may be embodied in various forms, there are shown in the drawings, and will hereinafter be described, some exemplary and non-limiting embodiments. Not all of the depicted components described in this disclosure may be required, however, and some implementations may include additional, different, or fewer components from those expressly described in this disclosure. Variations in the arrangement and type of the components may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims as set forth herein. 
         [0020]    A first embodiment of a fluid coupler  100  is shown and described herein. As shown in  FIG. 1 , fluid coupler  100  includes an end connector  102  rotatably received in an outer body  108 . An end cap  104  is secured to outer body  108  via a pin  132 . A circular wear plate  120  fits between end connector  102  and end cap  104 . 
         [0021]    An inner body  110  threads into end connector  102 . The assembly of inner body  110  and end connector  102  can slide as a unit along the longitudinal axis of outer body  108 . The assembly can also rotate as a unit with respect to outer body  108 . 
         [0022]    A seat holder  112  fits inside inner body  110 , and a pin or screw  114  binds seat holder  112  to connector  116 . A valve seat  124  fits around connector  116  directly underneath seat holder  112 , and a spring  106  is disposed in inner body  110  between seat holder  112  and the end connector  102  to bias valve seat  124  to a closed position. A nipple  118  threads into the bottom of connector  116 . The assembly of connector  116  and seat holder  112  can slide as a unit along the longitudinal axis of the outer body  108 . The assembly of connector  116  and seat holder  112  can also rotate as a unit with respect to both the outer body  108  and the inner body  110 . 
         [0023]    A first O-ring  122  is located around inner body  110  in a gap defined by end connector  102  and a second O-ring  126  is located around connector  116  in a gap defined by inner body  110 . A third O-ring  128  is located around nipple  118  in a gap defined by connector  116 . A fourth O-ring  130  is located in a gap defined in nipple  118 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , fluid coupler  100 , excluding pin  132 , is generally symmetrical about its longitudinal axis. 
         [0024]    In use, male threads  216  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) of outer body  108  fit into female threads of a gas cylinder&#39;s receiving slot (not shown). A bottom surface of nipple  118  presses against an upper surface of the gas cylinder&#39;s receiving slot, causing the upper surface of the receiving slot to apply an upward force against nipple  118 . This upward force is translated to seat holder  112  and opposes a biasing force of spring  106 . This upward force enables seat holder  112 , connector  116 , valve seat  124 , and nipple  118  to translate longitudinally or slide with respect to both outer body  108  as well as inner body  110  and end connector  102 , thereby opening fluid coupler  100 , and enabling fluid to enter fluid coupler  100  through void  806  defined by end connector  102  and exit the fluid coupler through void  706  defined by connector  116  and nipple  118 . 
         [0025]    More specifically, this sliding motion lifts valve seat  124  from a mating surface of inner body  110 , enabling fluid communication between an inside of seat holder  112  and an inside of connector  116 . Pressurized fluid may now travel from a hose (not shown) fitted onto the top of end connector  102 , through inner body  110 , into seat holder  112 , out of voids or apertures  410  defined in seat holder  112 , into a ring-shaped longitudinally extending gap defined between an outer surface of seat holder  112  and an opposing inner surface of inner body  110 , into connector  116  via vents or apertures  520  defined in an exterior wall of connector  116 , through connector  116 , and exit through nipple  118  into a gas cylinder via the gas cylinder&#39;s receiving slot (not shown). 
         [0026]    Because inner body  110  and end connector  102  separate or isolate outer body  108  from pressurized fluid, a user can advantageously twist male threads  216  of the outer body  108  into female threads of the gas cylinder&#39;s receiving slot (not shown) with ease. If the inner body  110  were absent, pressurized fluid would fill open space defined between seat holder  112  and outer body  108 , disadvantageously pressurizing outer body  108 . The pressurization of outer body  108  would oppose longitudinal translation of connector  116  into outer body  108  and toward spring  106  during the twisting of male threads  216  into the female threads of the gas cylinder&#39;s receiving slot, thus making the twisting process more difficult. 
         [0027]    Turning to  FIG. 2 , outer body  108  has a generally cylindrical outer surface  202  and a generally cylindrical inner surface  204  defining a generally cylindrical inner cavity  208 . Inner surface  204  includes female threads  206 . At an edge  210 , inner surface  204  slopes inward until reaching a ledge  212 , which extends inward in the radial direction and terminates at a second circular edge  214 . Outer body  108  has a generally constant thickness between outer surface  202  and inner surface  204 . Male threads  216  extend along a length of outer surface  202 . 
         [0028]    With reference to  FIGS. 1 and 3 , inner body  110  is generally cylindrical with an outer surface  302  and an inner surface  304 , which defines a generally cylindrical void  306 . Outer surface  302  includes two alignment rings  310  and  314  that align inner body  110  in a substantially vertical direction with respect to outer body  108 . Inner surface  304  of inner body  110  slopes to form a mating surface  312  for valve seat  124 . Below mating surface  312 , inner surface  304  radially retreats or recedes to define an O-ring gap  316  for second O-ring  126 . 
         [0029]      FIG. 4  shows seat holder  112  having an outer surface  402  and an inner surface  404 . Inner surface  404  defines a generally cylindrical chamber  408  and slopes inward to define a spring receiving surface  406 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , spring  106  rests on spring receiving surface  406 . Outer surface  402  cuts inward to form a shoulder  416 . 
         [0030]    Seat holder  112  defines two opposing radially extending cylindrical voids  410  below shoulder  416 . Other embodiments define any suitable number of radially extending cylindrical voids. For example, in one embodiment, seat holder  112  defines a total of four perpendicular radially extending cylindrical voids  410 . During use, fluid flows out of the chamber  408  through radially extending cylindrical voids  410 . 
         [0031]    Seat holder  112  includes a step  412 , and a center of step  412  defines a screw opening  414 . Below step  412 , seat holder  112  defines a connector void  420 , which eventually expands into a valve seat void  418 . 
         [0032]    As shown in  FIG. 5 , connector  116  includes an inner surface  504  defining a screw void  506 . An outer surface  502  of connector  116  widens into a valve seat stop  508 . Below valve seat stop  508 , outer surface  502  radially retreats or recedes to form a cylindrical surface that contacts an inner cylindrical surface of valve seat  124 . Thereafter, outer surface  502  widens into a valve seat ring or shoulder  510 . Upon assembly, as shown in  FIG. 1 , connector  116  fits into connector void  420 . Valve seat  124  rests between valve seat stop  508  and valve seat ring  510 . An outer surface of valve seat  124  fits against an inner step-shaped surface of seat holder  112  partially defining valve seat void  418  and connector void  420 . 
         [0033]      FIG. 6  shows valve seat  124  in greater detail. Valve seat  124  has an outer surface  602  and an inner surface  604 . Inner surface  604  defines a generally cylindrical void  606  that receives connector  116 . Outer surface  602  widens into a shoulder  608 , configured to mate with the surfaces defining the valve seat void  418  of the seat holder  112 . Below the shoulder, outer surface  602  slopes into an engagement surface  610 . In a closed position, the spring  106  applies downward force against seat holder  112 , compressing engagement surface  610  of valve seat  124  against mating surface  312  of inner body  110 . 
         [0034]    Returning to  FIG. 5 , connector  116  defines radially extending cylindrical vents  520  under valve seat ring  510 . This embodiment defines a total of four perpendicular radially extending cylindrical vents  520 . Other embodiments have any suitable number of radially extending cylindrical vents  520 . The voids intersect at a void junction  522 , defined in the center of connector  116 . Below void junction  522 , an inner surface  524  of connector  116  defines a cylindrical flow line  526 . Outer surface  502  of connector  116  eventually widens into a shoulder  528 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , shoulder  528  is sized to match an inner diameter of outer body  108 . With reference to  FIG. 5  and according to some embodiments, outer surface  502  may be flat (in the longitudinal direction) below shoulder  528 . With reference to  FIG. 1 , and according to other embodiments, outer surface  502  may radially retreat below shoulder  528  to define a circumferential slot between outer surface  502  and outer body  108 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , outer surface  502  radially expands below the circumferential slot. Although not shown in the Figures, outer surface  502  of connector  116  defines wrench flats adjacent nipple opening  530 . 
         [0035]    Inner surface  524  of connector  116  defines a cylindrical flow path extending downward from void junction  522  to a nipple opening  530 . At nipple opening  530 , inner surface  524  radially retreats such that nipple opening  530  is wider than the cylindrical flow path. The portion of inner surface  524  defining nipple opening  530  includes female threads  532 . Below nipple opening  530 , inner surface  524  further radially retreats to define an O-ring gap  534  for third O-ring  128 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , nipple  118  compresses third O-ring  128  against the portion of inner surface  524  defining O-ring gap  534 . 
         [0036]      FIG. 7  shows nipple  118  in greater detail. Nipple  118  includes an outer surface  702  and an inner surface  704  defining a generally cylindrical void  706 . Male threads  708  extend from outer surface  702  to engage female threads  532  of connector  116 . Below threads  708 , outer surface  702  widens into a shoulder  710 . Nipple  118  defines an O-ring gap for third O-ring  128  between the shoulder  710  and male threads  708 . Below shoulder  710 , outer surface  702  narrows to define an O-ring gap  712  for fourth O-ring  130 . 
         [0037]    As shown in  FIG. 8 , end connector  102  has an outer surface  802  and an inner surface  804  defining a generally cylindrical fluid void  806  and a generally cylindrical inner body chamber  808 . Inner surface  804  defining inner body chamber  808  includes female threads  810 , configured to receive the male threads  308  of inner body  110 . Below female threads  810 , inner surface  804  narrows to define an O-ring gap  812  for first O-ring  122 . 
         [0038]    Outer surface  802  narrows to define a shoulder  814 . Above shoulder  814 , the outer surface slightly narrows to define wrench flats  816 . Male threads  818  extend from outer surface  802  above the wrench flats  816 . Beginning at male threads  818 , the outer surface gently narrows until reaching a tip  820 . Male threads  818  are configured to engage corresponding female threads defined on an inner circumferential surface of the hose (not shown). 
         [0039]    The end cap  104 , shown in  FIG. 9 , has an outer surface  902  and an inner surface  904  defining a generally cylindrical end connector void  906 . A top surface of end cap  104  defines at least two recesses  908 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , end connector  102  fits through end connector void  906 . Outer surface  902  of the end cap  104  narrows at a shoulder  910 . Male threads  912  extend from outer surface  902  below shoulder  910  and fit into female threads  206  of outer body  108 . 
         [0040]    With reference to  FIG. 1 , wear plate  120  fits between end connector  102  and end cap  104 . The wear plate can be unfastened, fastened to the bottom of the end cap  104 , or fastened to end connector  102 . 
         [0041]    A second embodiment of the fluid coupler  1000  is shown and described herein with reference to  FIGS. 10, 11 and 12 . It should be appreciated that some elements and features of fluid coupler  1000  are similar to some elements and features of the fluid coupler  100  of the first embodiment. The above detailed description of the elements and features of the first embodiment applies to the similar elements and features of the second embodiment. 
         [0042]    As shown in  FIG. 10 , fluid coupler  1000  includes an end connector  1020  rotatably received in a outer body  1080 . An end cap  1040  is secured to the body via a pin  1320 . A circular wear plate  1200  sits between end connector  1020  and end cap  1040 . 
         [0043]    An inner body  1100  threads into end connector  1020 , enabling the assembly of end connector  1020  and inner body  1100  to rotate and slide with respect to outer body  1080 . A seat holder  1120  fits inside inner body  1100  and a pin or screw  1140  binds seat holder  1120  to connector  1160 . A valve seat  1240  fits around connector  1160  directly underneath seat holder  1120 , and a spring  1060  is disposed in inner body  110  between seat holder  1120  and end connector  1020  to bias valve seat  1240  to a closed position. A nipple  1180  threads in a bottom of connector  1160 . The assembly of end connector  1020 , spring  1060 , and inner body  1110  may slide and rotate with respect to the outer body  1080  and end cap  1040 . The assembly of seat holder  1120  and connector  1160  may slide and rotate with respect to outer body  1080  and inner body  1100 . 
         [0044]    A first O-ring  1220  is located around the inner body  1100  in a gap defined by the end connector  1020 , and a second O-ring  1260  is located around connector  1160  in a gap defined by inner body  1100 . A third O-ring  1280  is located around nipple  1180  in a gap defined by connector  1160 . As shown in  FIG. 10 , fluid coupler  1000 , excluding pin  1320 , is generally symmetrical about its longitudinal axis. 
         [0045]    In the second embodiment, outer body  1080  has a different structure as compared with outer body  108  of the first embodiment. In particular, a bottom of outer body  1080  includes male threads facing inward, instead of outward as compared with the first embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . This enables the fluid coupler  1000  to engage a gas cylinder having a receiving slot with external female threads. As a result, in the second embodiment, outer body  1080  does not contact an outer surface of the connector  1160 . Instead, the second embodiment includes a stop  1360  configured to contact an outer surface of connector  1160  to align connector  1160  in the longitudinal direction. One or more set screws  1350  lock stop  1360  to outer body  1080 . 
         [0046]    In the second embodiment, nipple  1180  has a different structure as compared with nipple  118  of the first embodiment. In particular, nipple  1180  does not include a fourth O-ring or a corresponding O-ring gap. 
         [0047]    With reference to  FIG. 11 , outer body  1080  includes an outer surface  2020  and an inner surface  2040  defining a generally cylindrical inner cavity  2080 . Inner surface  2040  extends inward to form a stop receiving shoulder  2120 . Outer body  1080  defines two set screw openings  2100  configured to receive set screws  1350 . Although two set screw openings  2100  are shown, it should be appreciated that other embodiments may define any suitable number of set screw openings  2100 . 
         [0048]    Below set screw openings  2100 , inner surface  2040  extends inward to form second stop receiving shoulder  2130 . Inner surface  2040  then radially retreats or recedes to define a generally cylindrical receiving slot void  2140 . Male threads  2110  extend from inner surface  2040  defining receiving slot void  2140 . 
         [0049]      FIG. 12  shows the stop  1360  including an outer surface  3020  and an inner surface  3040  defining a generally cylindrical connector void  3060 . The outer surface  3020  defines set screw stops  3080  configured to receive the set screws  1350 , as shown in  FIG. 10 . 
         [0050]    Set screw stops  3080  include a sloped stopping surface  3100  configured to contact tips of set screws  1350 . Upon contact and engagement with set screw stops  3080 , set screws  1350  apply force in a downward and lateral direction generally perpendicular to sloped stopping surface  3100 . 
         [0051]    In one embodiment, set screws  1350  do not apply an upward force against the set screw stops  3080 . This feature is advantageous because set screw openings  2100  may be misaligned during manufacturing. More specifically, one set screw opening  2100  may be slightly higher than the other set screw opening  2100  and/or one set screw opening  2100  may extend at a slightly different angle than the other set screw opening  2100 . 
         [0052]    In general, for an object to rotate about a fixed point, both an upward force and a downward force must be applied against the object. 
         [0053]    If set screw openings  2100  were misaligned and set screws  1350  could transmit force in a vertical direction, stop  1360  could rotate with respect to the longitudinal axis of the outer body  1080 , inducing undesirable stresses in at least stop  1360  and connector  1160 . In the present embodiment, a slight manufacturing misalignment between set screw openings  2100  would cause stop  1360  to rotate substantially less (if at all) with respect to the longitudinal axis of outer body  1080  because set screws  1350  would not apply an upward force against set screw stop  3080 . In other words, the present embodiment enables a firm, substantially square contact between step  3120  and stop receiving shoulder  2130  even when set screw openings  2100  are misaligned. 
         [0054]    As discussed above, nipple  1180  of this second embodiment lacks O-ring gap  712  of nipple  118  of the first embodiment, shown in  FIG. 7 . Nipples  1180  and  118  are otherwise substantially similar. 
         [0055]    The above disclosure generally refers to elements with male threads or female threads. It should be appreciated that in other embodiments, the male threads and the female threads may be switched. 
         [0056]    Additionally, although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art and others, that a wide variety of alternate and/or equivalent implementations may be substituted for the specific embodiment shown and described without departing from the scope of the embodiments described herein. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the embodiment discussed herein. While various embodiments have been illustrated and described, as noted above, many changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the embodiments described herein.