Patent Description:
In fluid piping in which a tube, such as a pipe or a hose, is joined to another device such as a pump, tank or another tube, a coupling connector may be used for joining the tube to the other device. Disconnect couplings, such as for example, quick connectors are frequently used for joining a tube to another device. The quick connector may also include an automatic device that shuts-off or breaks the flow of fluid when the mating parts of the quick connector are disengaged. Quick connectors are typically comprised of two primary components or member, a receptacle having an axial fluid-flow pathway configured to be attached to a fluid supply tube, and a plug or endform having an axial fluid-flow pathway through the endform configured or attached to another fluid receiving tube. The endform is arranged to be inserted into the receptacle to join the two fluid tubes and to create a single fluid-flow pathway between the tubes.

Valve devices may be included in the fluid flow pathway to stop the fluid flow when the endform is disengaged from the coupled relationship. Conventional dry break or poppet valves are typically permanently mounted within, or are an integral component of, a valve module installed in the connector receptacle in the fluid flow pathway. Assembly of a non-integrated valve into a receptacle is often difficult given the number of components needed to be positioned precisely and accurately in a relatively small space. Accordingly, there is a need for an improved valve design for fluid connectors having dry break valves that can reduce the costs and complexity of assembling and using a dry break in a quick connector.

<CIT>) relates to a ]ocking device for quick connector for mounting on the air inlet side of an air inlet member with an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve.

<CIT>) describes a fluid coupling which has an outlet for receiving the lead end of a tubular fluid conduit having an external locking shoulder. The coupling also holds within it adjacent an outlet a valve body that is normally closed, but is contacted and displaced against the closing force of a bias spring to open the outlet when the conduit is fully inserted and locked into the coupling by way of said locking shoulder.

This disclosure relates to a fluid connector that receives a fluid tube into a connector body that permits fluid to flow through the connector body to the fluid tube and that breaks the fluid flow when the fluid tube is removed.

In an embodiment defined in claim <NUM>, a quick connector for coupling a first fluid tube to a second fluid tube is disclosed. The coupler portion has a cylindrical outer surface extending about the periphery of the coupler portion and a plurality of projections and rectangular latches extending obliquely outward from the outer surface. The quick connector comprises a coupler portion having a fluid passage connected to the first fluid tube. A valve mounted within the fluid passage is movable between a closed position and an open position. An endform having a fluid passage is formed on an end of the second fluid tube. The receptacle portion includes a mating end with an annular outer wall extending about the periphery of the mating end having a plurality of openings located about the outer wall of the receptacle portion. Each opening extends through the outer wall from the exterior to the interior of the outer wall. A plurality of projection receivers are spaced equidistant from the other about the periphery of the outer wall. The coupler portion is mated to the receptacle portion by aligning a respective projection with an associated projection receiver and engaging a respective latch with an associated opening, latching the receptacle portion to coupler portion and a socket cavity. The socket cavity is adapted to receive and retain the endform in the socket cavity causing the valve to move into the open position that allows fluid to flow through the coupler portion fluid passage from the first fluid tube to the endform fluid passage.

Also described herein is an exemplary implementation with a connector body that comprises a coupler portion having a fluid passage connected to a first fluid tube. A valve mounted within the fluid passage is movable between a closed and an open position. A receptacle portion coupled to the coupler portion includes a socket cavity adapted to receive a second fluid tube within the socket cavity that causes the valve to move into the open position allowing fluid to flow through the fluid passage from the first fluid tube to the second fluid tube.

All figures serve illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. The drawings are generally to scale, but some features may not be true to scale and serve to emphasize certain details of the various aspects of the invention. Common items between different embodiments of the figures have common reference numerals. It should be noted that for purposes of clarity, the quick connector of the present disclosure is shown with its longitudinal extent position in a horizontal plane and the terms "top," "bottom," have been used in describing the connector body. However, in use, the quick connector coupling can reside in any orientation without regard to the horizontal and vertical planes and "top," "bottom," "sides," and "lateral" are thus used in relation to the figures and illustrations herein.

Reference numeral <NUM> in FIGS. <NUM>-<NUM> illustrate an example quick connector body <NUM> for coupling a second fluid tube (not shown) to a first fluid tube <NUM>, (shown in <FIG>) or to a fitting mounted to a device. The connector body <NUM> is comprised of a receptacle portion <NUM> located one end of the connector body <NUM> and a coupler portion <NUM> on another end of the connector body <NUM> in axial alignment with the other. The coupler portion <NUM> includes a male stem <NUM> arranged to be inserted within the first fluid tube <NUM>. The male stem <NUM> includes one or more barbed flanges <NUM> having saw-tooth cross sections designed to bite into the inner surface of the first fluid tube to retain the first fluid tube <NUM> to male stem <NUM> and make a fluid seal between the first fluid tube <NUM> and the coupler portion <NUM>.

The receptacle portion <NUM> includes a tubular socket cavity <NUM> on a first end of the receptacle <NUM> adapted to receive an endform formed on the end of a second tube, such as endform <NUM> illustrated at <FIG> and <FIG>. The tubular endform <NUM> extends from an insertion end <NUM> and is shaped and sized to be accepted and locked within the socket cavity72, which will be explained in more detail below. The receptacle portion <NUM> further includes a mating end <NUM> with an annular outer wall <NUM> extending about the periphery of the mating end <NUM>. A plurality of openings <NUM> are located about on the outer wall <NUM> of mating end <NUM>. Each opening <NUM> extending through the outer wall <NUM> from the exterior to the interior of the wall <NUM>. Additionally, the outer wall <NUM> includes a plurality of projection receivers <NUM> adapted to receive therein an associated projection <NUM> when the receptacle portion <NUM> is installed to the coupler portion <NUM>.

The coupler portion <NUM> includes a cylindrical fluid passage <NUM> that receives the insertion end <NUM> of the endform <NUM>. Specifically, the fluid passage <NUM> may receive the insertion end <NUM> of the endform <NUM> within the fluid passage <NUM>. The coupler portion <NUM> further includes a cylindrical outer surface <NUM> that extends about the periphery of the coupler <NUM>. A latch <NUM> may be fashioned on the outer surface <NUM>. In an aspect, a plurality of latches <NUM> may be fashioned on the outer surface <NUM>. The latches may be rectangularly shaped and include a chamfered surface that extends obliquely outward from outer surface <NUM>.

The endform <NUM> shown at <FIG> and <FIG> includes a fluid passage <NUM> extending through insertion end <NUM> to the second fluid tube. The endform may also include a groove (not shown) that extends radially about the endform <NUM> and first and second indexing tabs <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively located on and extending from the endform <NUM> from opposite sides of the endform <NUM>. The first indexing tab <NUM> is arranged to be received in a first groove <NUM> located in receptacle portion <NUM> and the second indexing tab <NUM> into a second groove <NUM> located on an opposite side of receptacle portion <NUM>. Tabs <NUM> and <NUM> provide and ensure alignment of the endform <NUM> to the receptacle portion <NUM> when insertion end <NUM> is inserted into socket cavity <NUM>.

The mating end <NUM> of receptacle portion <NUM> is arranged to be inserted over the surface <NUM> of the coupler portion <NUM>. The mating of the coupler portion <NUM> to receptacle portion <NUM> is made by aligning a projection <NUM> with an associated projection receiver <NUM> and the receptacle portion <NUM> forced forward to allow the chamfered portions of latches <NUM> to ride against the inside surface of the outer annular wall <NUM> until they are received within an associated opening <NUM> and make a snap-fit connection within a respective opening <NUM> latching the receptacle portion <NUM> to coupler portion <NUM>. The coupler <NUM> can also be removed from the receptacle portion <NUM> by forcing latches <NUM> out of openings <NUM> and pulling the coupler portion <NUM> from the receptacle portion <NUM>. The coupler portion <NUM> and the receptacle portion <NUM> may be separately constructed from a resin or molded from a thermoplastic material such as polyamide or polyphthalamide.

The receptacle portion <NUM> includes a wire retainer <NUM> embracing the receptacle portion <NUM>. The wire retainer <NUM> has a u-shaped configuration comprising two opposed legs <NUM> extending from a bight <NUM>. The bight <NUM> embraces an outer wall <NUM> of the receptacle portion <NUM>, however the legs <NUM> extend through slots in wall <NUM>, permitting the legs to extend into the socket cavity <NUM> of the receptacle <NUM> when the retention clip <NUM> is in a relaxed condition. Each of the wire legs <NUM> terminates in an upturned prong <NUM> which is assembled onto the receptacle portion <NUM> by passing through a slot contiguous and orthogonal to the slots in wall <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, an endform guide member <NUM> is installed in the socket cavity <NUM> of the receptacle portion <NUM>. The guide member <NUM> has a front inclined wall that has an inner diameter and an outer diameter at a mating end <NUM> that is a greater diameter than an inner diameter at an engaging end <NUM>. A similar inclined wall is located on an opposite side of guide member <NUM>. Consequently, the inside and an outside surface of the inclined walls taper inwardly along a direction of insertion and engage tapered surfaces <NUM> of the endform <NUM>, as can be seen in <FIG> and <FIG>.

The passage <NUM> of coupler portion <NUM> is defined by a first cylindrical bore <NUM> having a cylindrical wall <NUM> and a second cylindrical bore <NUM> having a cylindrical wall <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>. The second cylindrical bore <NUM> includes an interior annular groove <NUM> on a first end of the cylindrical bore <NUM>. The annular groove <NUM> retains therein an elastomeric sealing assembly, for example the sealing member <NUM>. When the insertion end <NUM> of endform <NUM> is inserted into the second bore <NUM>, sealing member <NUM> squeezes around the insertion end <NUM> and prevents leakage of fluid passing around the endform into socket cavity <NUM>. The second bore <NUM> extends from the sealing member <NUM> at a uniform diameter to an annular stop surface <NUM>. The first bore <NUM> extends axially along the coupler portion <NUM> fluid passage <NUM> from the stop surface <NUM> on a first end to a second annular stop surface <NUM> on a second end. An opening <NUM> having an annular chamfered surface <NUM> forms an annulus at the second end of the first bore <NUM>.

A valve <NUM> is formed within the coupler portion <NUM> fluid passage <NUM>. The valve <NUM> is comprised of a valve engaging member <NUM>, a stem member <NUM>, a domed head or poppet <NUM> and a spring <NUM>. The valve <NUM> is movable between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position shown in <FIG> and <FIG> the valve <NUM> blocks and prevents entry of fluid from the first tube <NUM> to fluid passage <NUM>. In the open position, the valve opens as is shown in <FIG> and <FIG> allowing fluid to flow from the first tube <NUM> into fluid passage <NUM> of coupler portion <NUM>.

With renewed reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the valve <NUM> components will now be discussed. The valve engaging member <NUM> includes an annular hub <NUM> having a plurality of spokes <NUM> extending from the hub <NUM> to an outer circular member <NUM>. The spoked configuration of the valve engaging member <NUM> allows the flow of fluid between the spokes <NUM> from the second bore <NUM>. The outer member <NUM> is axially movable along wall <NUM> of the second bore <NUM> between a first and a second position. The hub <NUM> includes an opening <NUM> that receives a first end <NUM> of stem member <NUM> within the opening <NUM>. The first end <NUM> of the stem member <NUM> can be permanently fixed to the hub <NUM> opening <NUM> or may include chamfered surfaces (not shown) that allow the first end <NUM> to snap-fit into the opening <NUM>. The stem member <NUM> extends axially from the first end <NUM> within the first bore <NUM> to a second end. The second end integrally attached to a first surface <NUM> of the domed head <NUM> at a central location of the first surface <NUM>. The domed head <NUM> includes an annular groove extending along an external periphery of the domed head <NUM>. The groove retains an elastomeric sealing member, for example an O-ring <NUM> therein. The spring <NUM> is connected between the first bore stop <NUM> and the hub <NUM> of the engaging member <NUM>. The spring <NUM> biases the valve engaging member <NUM> into the first position in its uncompressed and relaxed condition. In the first position the stem member <NUM> pulls the domed head <NUM> O-ring <NUM> against chamfered surface <NUM> of opening <NUM> sealing the fluid passage <NUM> of the coupler portion <NUM> from the fluid in fluid conduit <NUM> placing the valve <NUM> in the closed position.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate the valve <NUM> in the open position. The insertion end <NUM> of endform <NUM> is installed into receptacle portion <NUM> through socket cavity <NUM>. As the endform <NUM> is installed in socket cavity <NUM> the pilot <NUM> guides the insertion end <NUM> into the second bore <NUM> of the coupler portion <NUM>. A front face of the insertion end <NUM> engages an outer surface <NUM> of the valve engaging member <NUM>. The endform <NUM> is pushed into the receptacle <NUM> until legs <NUM> of the retaining wires <NUM> enter into the groove of the endform <NUM> locking the endform <NUM> to the receptacle portion <NUM>. The sealing member <NUM> deforms about the periphery of insertion end <NUM> making a fluid seal about the insertion end <NUM> of the endform <NUM>. The front face of the insertion end <NUM> axially displaces the engaging member <NUM> towards stop surface <NUM> and into the second position. The stem <NUM> transfers the axial displacement to the domed head <NUM>, moving the domed head <NUM> and disengaging O-ring <NUM> from the chamfered surface <NUM>, opening the fluid passage <NUM> to the fluid in second fluid tube <NUM>. In the open position, fluid flows from the second fluid tube <NUM> into opening <NUM> through the fluid passage <NUM> to the fluid passage <NUM> of the endform <NUM> and into the first fluid tube. As the engaging member <NUM> is displaced by the receiving end <NUM> the spring <NUM> is compressed between the second stop surface <NUM> and the hub <NUM> of the engaging member <NUM>.

Removing endform <NUM> from the receptacle portion <NUM> allows the spring <NUM> to return its relaxed condition. The spring <NUM> moves the engaging member <NUM> back into the first position allowing the domed head O-ring <NUM> to seal against the chamfered surface <NUM>, preventing fluid from entering into fluid passage <NUM> from second fluid tube <NUM> and placing valve <NUM> back in the closed position.

Since the valve <NUM> and its components reside in coupler <NUM>, the removal and replacement of the coupler <NUM> from receptacle <NUM> becomes a matter of forcing latches <NUM> out of openings <NUM> and pulling the coupler portion <NUM> from the receptacle portion <NUM>. By disassembling the coupler <NUM> from receptacle <NUM> maintenance can be made to the valve <NUM> and its components, such as for example, replacement of the O-ring <NUM>. Additionally, the disassembly of the coupler <NUM> from the receptacle <NUM> further allows another coupler <NUM> to be installed to the receptacle <NUM> having different operating parameters, such as for example, a valve <NUM> that can operate in fluid systems having higher fluid pressures or fluid temperatures.

<FIG> illustrates an embodiment of an example quick connector body <NUM>. The embodiment includes a receptacle portion <NUM> adapted to be installed and used with a coupler portion <NUM> having a male stem <NUM> oriented <NUM> degrees to coupler portion <NUM>. The coupler portion <NUM> is used in installations where the first fluid tube <NUM> is located <NUM> degrees to the installed connector body <NUM> making the installation of the fluid tube <NUM> difficult or, the installation of the connector body on a fitting extending from a tank or other fluid conveying device that requires a <NUM> degree installation of the connector body <NUM>.

The fitting <NUM> includes an internal cylindrical fluid passage <NUM> having internal walls <NUM>. A stem <NUM> may have barbed flanges formed on a first end of the fitting <NUM> as shown in <FIG> of the described implementation. The barbed flanges adapted to be inserted into the internal fluid passage of the second fluid tube <NUM>, retaining the second fluid tube <NUM> to the fitting <NUM>. Alternatively, male stem <NUM> may be smooth sided and adapted to be frictionally pressed into the internal surface of a metal tube attached to a fluid tank or other fluid conveying device. A second end of the fitting <NUM> has a cylindrical interior wall <NUM> that has an internal diameter to frictionally slip over and engage coupler portion <NUM> outer wall <NUM>. The valve <NUM> operates in the same manner with endform <NUM> installed as described above in <FIG> and <FIG>. The valve <NUM> is movable between a closed position that blocks or prevents fluid from flowing from fluid passage <NUM> into passage <NUM> of coupler portion <NUM>. In the second position as shown in <FIG> fluid is allowed to flow between the second fluid tube <NUM>, fluid passage <NUM> to fluid passage <NUM> and into fluid passage <NUM> of endform <NUM>, when the endform <NUM> is installed and retained in the connector <NUM>.

The components of the valve <NUM> including the engaging member <NUM>, the stem member <NUM>, and domed head <NUM> can be constructed as individual components to be assembled together to form the valve <NUM>. The engaging member <NUM>, the stem member <NUM>, and domed head <NUM> of the valve <NUM> with the exception of the spring <NUM> can also be constructed as a unitary structure. In the above example embodiment and implementation, the components of the valve <NUM> may be constructed from a metal or resin material or molded from a thermoplastic material such as polyamide or polyphthalamide.

It may be advantageous to set forth definitions of certain words and phrases used throughout this patent document. The term "communicate," as well as derivatives thereof, encompasses both direct and indirect communication. The phrase "associated with," as well as derivatives thereof, may mean to include, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be contained within, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have, have a property of, have a relationship to or with, or the like.

The description in the present application should not be read as implying that any particular element, step, or function is an essential or critical element that must be included in the claim scope. The scope of patented subject matter is defined only by the allowed claims. Moreover, none of the claims is intended to invoke <NUM> U. § <NUM>(f) with respect to any of the appended claims or claim elements unless the exact words "means for" or "step for" are explicitly used in the particular claim, followed by a participle phrase identifying a function. Use of terms such as (but not limited to) "mechanism," "module," "device," "unit," "component," "element," "member," "apparatus," "machine," "system," or "controller" within a claim is understood and intended to refer to structures known to those skilled in the relevant art, as further modified or enhanced by the features of the claims themselves.

Claim 1:
A quick disconnect connector for coupling a first fluid tube (<NUM>) to a second fluid tube comprising:
a coupler portion (<NUM>) having a fluid passage (<NUM>) connected to the first fluid tube (<NUM>) the coupler portion (<NUM>) having a cylindrical outer surface (<NUM>) extending about the periphery of the coupler portion (<NUM>) and a plurality of projections (<NUM>) and rectangular latches (<NUM>) extending obliquely outward from the outer surface (<NUM>);
a valve (<NUM>) mounted within the fluid passage (<NUM>) movable between a closed position and an open position;
an endform (<NUM>) formed on an end of the second fluid tube, the endform (<NUM>) having a fluid passage (<NUM>); and
a receptacle portion (<NUM>) including a mating end (<NUM>) with an annular outer wall (<NUM>) extending about the periphery of the mating end having a plurality of openings (<NUM>) located about the outer wall (<NUM>) of the receptacle portion with each opening (<NUM>) extending through the outer wall from the exterior to the interior of the outer wall (<NUM>) and a plurality of projection receivers (<NUM>) spaced equidistant from the other about the periphery of the outer wall (<NUM>), wherein the coupler portion (<NUM>) is mated to the receptacle portion (<NUM>) by aligning a respective projection (<NUM>) with an associated projection receiver (<NUM>) and engaging a respective latch (<NUM>) with an associated opening (<NUM>), latching the receptacle portion (<NUM>) to coupler portion (<NUM>) and a socket cavity (<NUM>), the socket cavity adapted to receive and retain the endform (<NUM>) in the socket cavity causing the valve (<NUM>) to move into the open position that allows fluid to flow through the coupler portion (<NUM>) fluid passage (<NUM>) from the first fluid tube (<NUM>) to the endform fluid passage (<NUM>).