Patent Description:
This disclosure generally relates to a low emission receptacle for receiving a fluid such as liquid natural gas (LNG) or compressed natural gas (CNG) from a nozzle. The fluid may be at cryogenic temperatures.

Receptacles are designed to receive fluid from nozzles.

One example of a receptacle is a car gasoline port. One example of a nozzle is a gasoline dispenser at a gas station. Some fluids, such as liquid natural gas (LNG) or compressed natural gas (CNG) are transferred via specialized nozzles and receptacles.

LNG may be stored in liquid form at cryogenic temperatures (e.g., -<NUM> degrees C or -<NUM> degrees F). During the transferring process between nozzle and receptacle, a portion of LNG may heat up and vaporize into gas. This gas expands to occupy all accessible areas of the nozzle and receptacle. When the transferring process is complete, a portion of the vaporized gas will remain in the receptacle. When the nozzle is eventually disconnected from the receptacle, this remaining gas vents into ambient atmosphere.

CNG may be stored under high pressures. During the transferring process between nozzle and receptacle, CNG may expand and occupy all accessible areas of the nozzle and receptacle. When the transferring process is complete, a portion of the gas will remain in the receptacle. When the nozzle is eventually disconnected from the receptacle, this remaining gas vents into ambient atmosphere. Thus, a new receptacle is needed that reduces the amount of fluid vented into atmosphere when a nozzle disconnects from the receptacle.

<FIG> illustrate a prior art receptacle. This receptacle <NUM> has been sold as the Macro Technologies Model <NUM>. Receptacle <NUM> includes a body <NUM> having a flange <NUM> and terminating in a fitting <NUM>. A poppet <NUM> is slidably disposed in body <NUM>. A retainer <NUM> is held thereon by retaining ring <NUM>, and a seal <NUM> is mounted to poppet <NUM>. Spring <NUM> is also disposed inside body <NUM> and provides a spring force against poppet <NUM>. Such receptacles are used with a nozzle (also called a coupler), as shown in commonly-owned <CIT>.

Disclosed is a receptacle for conveying fluid. With respect to prior art receptacles, the disclosed receptacles may vent less fluid and be easier to service. The receptacle includes a main body, a valve seat assembly, a poppet, a spring retainer, and a spring. The valve seat assembly comprises a valve seat body and a packing. The valve seat body is disposed in and secured to the main body. The valve seat body includes a first end and an opposing second end. The first end includes a plurality of first inner surfaces defining an inner annular groove. The valve seat body includes a plurality of second inner surfaces defining an inner void. The plurality of second inner surfaces may include one or more arced surfaces and one or more flats. The packing, which may be referenced as a seal, is disposed in the inner annular groove.

The description summarizes aspects of some disclosed embodiments and should not be used to limit the claims beyond the scope as defined by the appended claims. Other embodiments are contemplated in accordance with the techniques described herein, as will be apparent upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description, and such embodiments are within the scope of this application.

For a better understanding of the disclosure, reference may be made to embodiments shown in the drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, and related elements may be omitted so as to emphasize and clearly illustrate the novel features described herein. In addition, system components can be variously arranged, as known in the art. In the figures, like referenced numerals may refer to like parts throughout the different figures unless otherwise specified.

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 scope of the appended claims. This specification is intended to be taken as a whole and interpreted in accordance with the principles of the invention as taught herein and understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.

Some features may be described using relative terms such as top, bottom, vertical, rightward, leftward, etc. It should be appreciated that such relative terms are only for reference with respect to the appended Figures. These relative terms are not meant to limit the disclosed embodiments. More specifically, it is contemplated that the valves depicted in the appended Figures will be oriented in various directions in practice and that the relative orientation of features will change accordingly.

<FIG> illustrate an exemplary receptacle <NUM>. Receptacle <NUM> includes a housing <NUM>, valve seat assembly, a poppet or valve seat engager <NUM>, a spring <NUM>, and a spring retainer <NUM>. The valve seat assembly includes a valve seat body <NUM>, a first O-ring or packing <NUM>, and a second O-ring or packing <NUM>. During operation, a nozzle (not shown) may be placed over and around a first portion of body <NUM> adjacent inlet port 110a. The nozzle may include a poppet, similar to poppet <NUM>, but oriented in the opposite direction (i.e., flipped <NUM> degrees). The nozzle poppet may contact the surface 131a of poppet <NUM>, causing poppet <NUM> to slide toward outlet port 110b and disengage from valve seat body <NUM>, thus opening receptacle <NUM>.

After the nozzle is engaged and opened, fluid flows between valve seat body <NUM> and poppet <NUM>, between body <NUM> and spring <NUM>, through holes defined in spring retainer <NUM> and exits through outlet port 110b into a tank (not shown). Engagement between a nozzle and a receptacle is shown in <CIT>.

<FIG>, and <FIG> illustrate an exemplary body <NUM> (also referred to as a "main body") of receptacle <NUM>. Body <NUM> defines an inlet port or void <NUM>0a, an outlet port or void 110b, and radial venting holes 110c. Body <NUM> includes an annular recess <NUM>, a radially extending flange <NUM> defining a plurality of cylindrical holes 112a, a threaded end fitting <NUM>, a cylindrical inner surface <NUM>, a partially conical seating surface <NUM>, inner threads <NUM>, and a step <NUM>.

Annular recess <NUM> is configured to receive inwardly protruding ball bearings (not shown) connected to the nozzle (not shown). More specifically, a user covers annular recess <NUM> with the nozzle, which has springs or other members that inwardly bias the ball bearings. When the ball bearings are positioned over annular recess <NUM>, the user releases a sleeve (not shown) retaining the ball bearings, enabling the ball bearings to occupy annular recess <NUM>. While the ball bearings occupy annular recess <NUM>, the nozzle is fixed to receptacle <NUM>, thus preventing an unintended disconnection between the nozzle and receptacle <NUM>.

When the user is finished, the user retracts the ball bearings and pulls the nozzle to away from receptacle <NUM> until the nozzle no longer covers receptacle <NUM>. Example of ball bearings of a nozzle engaging a receptacle are shown in commonly owned <CIT> and <CIT>.

Radially extending flange <NUM> has an outer diameter exceeding an inner diameter of the nozzle. Radially extending flange <NUM> thus prevents a user from covering too much of receptacle <NUM> with the nozzle (i.e., extending body <NUM> too far into the nozzle). Clips extending from the nozzle may engage holes 112a, further locking the nozzle with respect to receptacle <NUM>. Threaded end fitting <NUM> may connect to a threaded conduit (not shown). The threaded conduit may deliver fluid leaving receptacle via outlet port 110b to a tank (not shown). Alternatively, threaded end fitting <NUM> may directly connect to the tank.

Cylindrical inner surface <NUM> is generally smooth and configured to engage an O-ring or packing located about an outer diameter of an inwardly protruding member of the nozzle. More specifically, once a user has fixed the nozzle to receptacle <NUM>, the user may slide the inwardly protruding member into inlet port 110a. The inwardly protruding member includes a cylindrical valve seat body somewhat similar to valve seat body <NUM>, but facing in the opposite direction. An O-ring or packing of the inwardly protruding member slides along and compresses against cylindrical inner surface <NUM>. This O-ring or packing prevents fluid from flowing backwards (i.e., to the left in <FIG>) and escaping into ambient atmosphere via inlet port 110a and/or venting holes 110c.

Partially conical seating surface <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, compresses first O-ring or packing <NUM> against valve seat body <NUM>. By virtue of this compression, first O-ring or packing <NUM> prevents fluid located on the tank side of valve seat body <NUM> (e.g., fluid near spring <NUM>) from leaking between body <NUM> and valve seat body <NUM> when receptacle <NUM> is closed.

Inner threads <NUM> engage outer threads <NUM> of valve seat body <NUM>, thus securing valve seat body <NUM> with respect to body <NUM>. Step <NUM> serves as a stop for spring retainer <NUM>. More specifically, step <NUM> prevents spring <NUM> from pushing spring retainer <NUM> toward threaded end fitting <NUM>.

<FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG> illustrate an exemplary valve seat body <NUM>. <FIG> includes the same view of valve seat body <NUM> as <FIG> and further includes schematic representations of debris D having a momentum vector M, fluid flow F, and poppet <NUM>. Valve seat body <NUM> includes outer surfaces <NUM> surrounding first O-ring or packing <NUM>, first inner surfaces <NUM> surrounding second O-ring or packing <NUM>, second inner surfaces defining a central void, outer threads <NUM>. The second inner surfaces include flats <NUM>. Valve seat body <NUM> includes a first end portion 120x with an inner annular groove for receiving inner packing <NUM> and a second opposing end portion 120y with an outer annular groove for receiving outer packing <NUM>.

As previously discussed, packing <NUM> is compressed between body <NUM> and valve seat body <NUM> to prevent fluid leakage between body <NUM> and valve seat body <NUM>. More specifically, packing <NUM> is compressed between (a) cylindrical inner surface <NUM> of body <NUM> (b) partially conical seating surface <NUM> of body <NUM>, (c) a ring-shaped first outer ledge surface 122a of valve seat body <NUM>, (d) a cylindrical outer surface 122b of valve seat body <NUM>, and (e) an opposing ring-shaped second outer ledge surface 122c of valve seat body <NUM>.

Surfaces 122a, 122b, 122c (also referred to as outer surfaces) cooperate to define the outer annular groove for receiving outer packing <NUM>. When viewed in cross section, as shown in <FIG>, surfaces 122a and 122c may be parallel and perpendicular to surface 122b. Surface 122a may have an outer diameter exceeding an outer diameter of surface 122c. Packing <NUM> may have a flat first surface matching surface 122a, a flat second surface 122b matching surface 122b, and an arced outer surface 121a. Packing <NUM> may be sized and configured for an interference fit inside of the annular groove defined by surfaces 122a, 122b, 122c.

Second O-ring or packing <NUM> is fixed, via compression, inside of the inner annular groove defined in valve seat body <NUM>. When receptacle <NUM> is closed, poppet <NUM> seals against inner packing <NUM>, thus preventing fluid downstream of valve seat body <NUM> (e.g., fluid near spring <NUM>) from flowing between poppet <NUM> and valve seat body <NUM> and escaping receptacle via inlet port 110a and/or vent holes 110c.

As stated above, valve seat body <NUM> includes first inner surfaces defining an inner annular groove at first end portion 120x in which inner packing <NUM> is disposed. These first inner surfaces 124a to 124f include, a cylindrical inner surface 124a and inner surfaces 124b, a cylindrical inner surface 124c, a ring-sixth inner surface 124d, a cylindrical inner surface 124e, and a ring-shaped inner surface 124f. Surfaces 124b define a minor annular inner groove. This annular groove or pocket is L-shaped when viewed in cross section, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>.

Surfaces 124a to 124f are also referred to as first inner surfaces. Surface 124d is also referred to as a first wall, surface 124c is also referred to as a second wall, surface 124e is also referred to as a third wall. Surfaces 124b are also referred to as fourth, fifth, and sixth walls.

Inner packing <NUM> may be sized and configured for an interference fit inside the annular inner groove or pocket defined by surfaces 124a to 124e. Such an interference fit binds inner packing <NUM> in place with respect to valve seat body <NUM>. More specifically, the portion of inner packing <NUM> located between surfaces 124c and 124e may be wider than the radial distance between surfaces 124c and 124e. As a result, surfaces 124c and 124e discourage packing <NUM> from moving radially (e.g., toward poppet <NUM>) with respect to valve seat body <NUM>. Surfaces 124d and 124f push packing <NUM> toward spring <NUM>. Surfaces 124b counter the force exerted by surfaces 124d and 124f. Thus, surfaces 124b discourage packing <NUM> from moving longitudinally (e.g., toward spring <NUM>).

Inner packing <NUM> includes a cylindrical outer surface 123a, a partially conical outer surface 123b, and a ring-shaped outer surface 124b. As shown in <FIG>, when receptacle <NUM> is closed, sealing surface <NUM> of poppet <NUM> bears against surfaces 123b and/or 123c of inner packing <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, inner packing thus includes a first ring-shaped and annular portion 123d contacting surfaces 124c, 124d, 124e of valve seat body <NUM> and a second ring-shaped and annular portion 123e contacting surfaces 124b of valve seat body <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, and as discussed below, flats <NUM> (also called tool or teeth engagers) enable a user to unscrew valve seat body <NUM> from body <NUM> through inlet port <NUM>10a. As shown in <FIG>, each flat <NUM> includes two flat portions or surfaces 120c intersecting 120f at an acute angle. As a result, and as shown in <FIG>, valve seat body <NUM> defines a first inner perimeter 120a and a second inner perimeter 120b. First inner perimeter 120a, as shown schematically in <FIG>, includes arced portions 120d (also called connecting portions) between flats <NUM>. Arced portions 120d meet flats <NUM> at edges 120e. Edges 120e may be parallel with longitudinal axis L.

Although six flats <NUM> are shown, any number may be present as may be dictated by size and other engineering considerations. Flats <NUM> may be located at regular and equal intervals in the first inner perimeter 120a, such that each of the arced portions 120d have an identical curvature and length and each of the flats <NUM> have an identical length and surface area. In contrast, second inner perimeter 120b is circular. <FIG> shows a radius R extending between a longitudinal axis of valve seat body <NUM> (which may be collinear with longitudinal axis L of receptacle <NUM>) and one of the arced portions 120d. This radius R may be a minimum inner radius of valve seat body <NUM>, such that every other radius between the longitudinal axis of valve seat body <NUM> and one of the second inner surfaces of valve seat body <NUM> is greater than or equal to radius R.

First inner perimeter 120a may have any custom shape except a circle. As schematically shown in <FIG>, first inner perimeter 120a may be a polygon. Connecting portion 120d meet flats 120c along edges 120e. Flats 120c meet at intersections 120f. Although tool engagers <NUM> have been described as flats, with reference to <FIG>, tool engagers <NUM> may comprise two arced surfaces 120c meeting connecting portions 120d at edges 120e.

With reference to <FIG>, poppet <NUM> includes a first cylindrical post <NUM>, a partially conical sealing surface <NUM>, a spring ledge <NUM>, a stopping surface <NUM>, and a second cylindrical post <NUM>. First post <NUM> includes a circular nozzle engaging surface 131a.

As stated above, the nozzle includes an inwardly protruding member. The inwardly protruding member may include the nozzle poppet, which includes a circular receptacle engaging surface similar to, but facing, circular nozzle engaging surface 131a. As the inwardly protruding member slides into receptacle <NUM>, the circular receptacle engaging surface of the nozzle contacts and bears against circular nozzle engaging surface 131a of receptacle <NUM>.

The nozzle poppet pushes poppet <NUM> away from valve seat body <NUM>. When poppet <NUM> is pushed away from valve seat body <NUM>, poppet <NUM> disengages from inner packing <NUM>, thus opening receptacle <NUM>. Eventually, poppet <NUM> stops against spring retainer <NUM>. The user continues to push the inwardly protruding member toward outlet port 110b. Because poppet <NUM> can no longer move further toward spring retainer <NUM>, poppet <NUM> applies an opposing counter force against the nozzle poppet. This counter force causes the nozzle poppet to disengage from a nozzle sealing surface (e.g., a valve seat body or a packing), thus opening the nozzle.

At this point, fluid flows between poppet <NUM> and inner packing <NUM>, past spring <NUM>, through holes defined in spring retainer <NUM>, and out of receptacle <NUM> via outlet port 110b. It should be appreciated that the order of this process may be switched, such that poppet <NUM> opens the nozzle poppet until the nozzle poppet reaches a stop, which then forces poppet <NUM> open.

Partially conical sealing surface <NUM> is configured to compress inner packing <NUM> against valve seat body <NUM>, thus generating a fluid tight seal. Spring ledge <NUM> is ring-shaped and receives one end of spring <NUM>. Spring ledge has an outer diameter exceeding an outer diameter of spring <NUM>. Stopping surface <NUM> is a ring-shaped ledge and is configured to contact spring retainer <NUM>. Second post <NUM> slides within a longitudinally extending void defined in spring retainer <NUM>. Second post <NUM> aligns poppet <NUM> with respect to longitudinal axis L.

Spring <NUM> is helically coiled and rests between poppet <NUM> and spring retainer <NUM>. Spring <NUM> biases poppet <NUM> toward compressive contact with inner packing <NUM>. The force exerted by the nozzle poppet opposes the biasing force of spring <NUM>, enabling poppet <NUM> to slide toward outlet port 110b.

Spring retainer <NUM> defines a plurality of holes (not shown) for enabling fluid passage toward outlet 110b. Alternatively or in addition, poppet <NUM> may include one or more voids defined in second post <NUM> for achieving the same objective. Spring retainer <NUM> includes a ring-shaped stopping surface <NUM>, a ring shaped seating surface <NUM>, and a circular stopping surface <NUM>. Spring retainer <NUM> may be cylindrical. Spring retainer may be a plurality of ribs inwardly radially extending from main body <NUM>. As such, the plurality of holes defined in spring retainer <NUM> may be gaps defined between adjacent ribs.

Ring-shaped stopping surface <NUM> arrests movement of poppet <NUM> toward outlet port 110b by contacting poppet stopping surface <NUM>. One end of spring <NUM> bears on seating surface <NUM>. An outer portion of circular stopping surface <NUM> contacts step <NUM> of body <NUM>, thus preventing spring <NUM> from pushing spring retainer <NUM> toward outlet port 110b.

The disclosed receptacle <NUM> offers several advantages over existing receptacles. For example, and as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, no surfaces of valve seat body <NUM> discourage outer packing <NUM> from moving radially outward (e.g., toward body <NUM>). Put differently, the interference fit between outer packing <NUM> and valve seat body <NUM> squeezes outer packing <NUM> radially outward and toward inner surfaces <NUM> and <NUM> of body <NUM>. As a result, outer packing <NUM> firmly engages inner surfaces <NUM> and <NUM> of body <NUM>, resulting in a quality seal and a reduction in venting of fluid past valve seat body <NUM> into atmosphere.

Furthermore, and as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, outer surfaces 123a, 123b, and 123c do not perpendicularly intersect the flow direction of upstream fluid in receptacle <NUM>, or at least directly upstream fluid in receptacle <NUM>, when receptacle <NUM> is open. More specifically, when receptacle <NUM> is open, fluid generally travels parallel to outer surface 123b of inner packing <NUM>. This is advantageous because fluid flow through receptacle <NUM> may include debris (e.g., dirt). Since outer surfaces 123a, 123b, 123c do not perpendicularly intersect the flow direction of upstream fluid, debris will be carried, under its own momentum, past inner packing <NUM>. If outer surfaces 123a, 123b, 123c did perpendicularly intersect to the flow direction of upstream fluid, then momentum of the debris could cause the debris to collide with surfaces 123a, 123b, 123c, thus impairing the seal quality between poppet <NUM> and inner packing <NUM> and increasing the venting of fluid from within receptacle <NUM>, past valve seat body <NUM>, and into atmosphere.

As shown in <FIG>, debris D has a momentum vector M. Because fluid flow upstream of inner packing <NUM> does not perpendicularly intersect outer surfaces 123a, 123b, or 123c, the momentum vector does not intersect outer surfaces 123a, 123b, or 123c, thus reducing the possibility of collision between debris D and inner packing <NUM>.

Additionally, the unique L-shaped geometry of inner packing <NUM> enables valve seat body <NUM> to hold inner packing <NUM> in place, while compressing inner packing <NUM> radially inward and into contact with poppet <NUM>. As a result, venting of fluid is discouraged.

As a further example, and as shown in <FIG>, flats <NUM> are exposed via inlet port <NUM>10a. Put differently, no portion of receptacle <NUM> covers flats <NUM>. As a result, a user may access and remove all components inside body <NUM> via inlet port 110a. More specifically, the user may engage flats <NUM> with a tool and twist to un-thread valve seat body <NUM> from body <NUM>. Once valve seat body <NUM> has been unthreaded, the user may reach through port 110a and remove valve seat body <NUM>, packings <NUM>, <NUM>, poppet <NUM>, spring <NUM>, and spring retainer <NUM>.

The user may reinstall the internal components in a similar fashion. More specifically, the user may insert spring retainer <NUM> until spring retainer <NUM> stops against step <NUM> of body <NUM>. The user may place spring around <NUM> around the protruding portion <NUM> of spring retainer <NUM>. The user may position poppet <NUM> partially inside of spring retainer <NUM>. The user may replace one or both of the packings <NUM>, <NUM>, and insert valve seat body <NUM> into body <NUM>. With the same tool, the user may engage flats <NUM> to thread valve seat body <NUM> into body <NUM>.

To facilitate assembly and disassembly of receptacle <NUM>, valve seat body <NUM>, poppet <NUM>, spring <NUM>, spring retainer <NUM>, outer packing <NUM>, and inner packing <NUM>, upon assembly, may all have a maximum outer diameter less than or equal to a minimum inner diameter of inlet port 110a. It should be appreciated, however that upon disassembly, packings <NUM>, <NUM> may expand to have a maximum outer diameter greater than the minimum inner diameter of inlet port 110a.

Furthermore, body <NUM> may be made of a first material (e.g., stainless steel), valve seat body <NUM> may be made of a second material (e.g., brass), and packings <NUM>, <NUM> made me made of a third material (e.g., molded plastic). The second material may have a greater coefficient of thermal expansion than the first material. The third material may have a greater coefficient of thermal expansion than the second material. As a result, when receptacle <NUM> is subject to cryogenic temperatures, valve seat body <NUM> may shrink to a greater extent than body <NUM>. Packings <NUM>, <NUM> may shrink to a greater extent than valve seat body <NUM>. Because outer packing <NUM> is radially outwardly biased by valve seat body <NUM>, when valve seat body <NUM> shrinks, valve seat body <NUM> will continue to compress outer packing <NUM>, thus ensuring that outer packing <NUM> continues to seal against body <NUM>. As a result, venting of fluid is discouraged.

The above-discussed advantages are not the only advantages of the disclosed embodiments. Other advantages should be apparent after reading the above detailed description.

In an example useful for understanding the invention, a receptacle for conveying fluid may include a body, a valve seat assembly, a poppet, a spring retainer, and a spring. The body may define an inlet port and an outlet port. The valve seat assembly may comprise a valve seat body and a packing. The valve seat body may be disposed in and secured to the body.

The valve seat body may include: a first end portion, an opposing second end portion. The first end portion may include a plurality of first inner surfaces defining an inner annular groove. The valve seat body may include a plurality of second inner surfaces defining an inner void and comprising one or more arced surfaces and one or more flats. The poppet may be disposed in the body.

The spring retainer may be disposed in, and fixed with respect to, the body. The spring may be disposed between the poppet and the spring retainer. The spring may bias the poppet toward the first position. The packing may be disposed in the inner annular groove. The poppet may be moveable between a first position where the poppet is engaged to the packing and a second position where the poppet is disengaged from the packing.

At least some of the second inner surfaces may define a first inner perimeter of the inner void and at least some of the second inner surfaces may define a second inner perimeter of the inner void. Each of the first and second inner perimeters may occupy planes perpendicular to a reference longitudinal axis of the receptacle, and each of the first and second inner perimeters may have different geometry.

The first inner perimeter may comprise a plurality of arced portions corresponding to the one or more arced surfaces and a plurality of flat portions corresponding to the one or more flats.

All of the one or more arced surfaces and all of the one or more flats may define the first inner perimeter, and all of the one or more arced surfaces, but none of the one or more flats, may define the second inner perimeter.

The first perimeter may be disposed closer to the inlet port than the second perimeter.

Each of the flats may comprise two of the plurality of flat portions. The two flat portions of each flat may intersect and each of the intersections may be further from the longitudinal axis of the receptacle than each of the plurality of arced portions. The second inner perimeter may be a circle.

The valve seat body may define a reference longitudinal axis and a plurality of radii extending between the longitudinal axis and the plurality of second inner surfaces.

A first radius between the longitudinal axis and one of the one or more arced surfaces may be a minimum of the plurality of radii, such that every other radius between the longitudinal axis of the valve seat body and one of the second inner surfaces of the valve seat body is greater than or equal to the first radius.

Each of the valve seat body, the poppet, the spring retainer, the packing, and the spring may have a maximum outer diameter less than or equal to a minimum inner diameter of the inlet port.

Each of the valve seat body, poppet, spring retainer, spring, and packing may be removable from the body via the inlet port without disassembling the body and without damaging or deforming any portion of each of the body, the valve seat body, the poppet, the spring retainer, the spring, and the packing.

In an example useful for understanding the invention, a receptacle for conveying fluid may comprise a body, a valve seat assembly, a poppet, a spring retainer, and a spring. The valve seat assembly may comprise a valve seat body, an outer packing, and an inner packing. The body may define an inlet port and an outlet port.

The valve seat body may be disposed in and secured to the body. The valve seat body may comprise: a first end portion and an opposing second end portion. The first end portion may comprise a plurality of first inner surfaces defining an inner annular groove. The plurality of first inner surfaces may comprise a first wall, a second wall perpendicularly intersecting one end of the first wall, and a third wall perpendicularly intersecting an opposing end of the first wall.

The opposing second end portion may define an outer annular groove. The valve seat body may comprise one or more second inner surfaces defining an inner void. The poppet may be disposed in the body; The spring retainer may be disposed in, and fixed with respect to, the body. The spring may be disposed between the poppet and the spring retainer. The spring may bias the poppet toward the first position.

The outer packing may be disposed in the outer annular groove. The outer packing may contact one or more inner surfaces of the body and one or more outer surfaces of the valve seat body. The inner packing may be disposed in the inner annular groove.

The poppet may be moveable between a first position where the poppet is engaged to the inner packing and a second position where the poppet is disengaged from the inner packing. The inner packing may comprise a first ring-shaped and annular portion contacting the first wall, the second wall, and the third wall.

The plurality of first inner surfaces may comprise a fourth wall, a fifth wall, and a sixth wall. The fifth wall may perpendicularly intersect one end of the fourth wall and the sixth wall may perpendicularly intersect another end of the fourth wall.

A reference segment tangent to the fourth wall may perpendicularly intersect a reference plane coplanar with the first wall. The first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth walls may be annular and in contact with the inner packing. The plurality of first inner surfaces may comprise a seventh wall and the inner packing contacts the seventh wall.

The inner packing may comprise an inwardly facing portion. The inwardly facing portion may comprise three different packing surfaces. None of the three different packing surfaces may contact the valve seat body. The three different packing surfaces may comprise a first cylindrical surface, a second partially conical surface, and a third cylindrical surface.

In an example useful for understanding the invention, a receptacle for conveying fluid may comprise: a body, a valve assembly, a poppet, a spring retainer, and a spring. The valve seat assembly may comprise a valve seat body, an outer packing, and an inner packing. The body may define an inlet port and an outlet port.

The valve seat body may be disposed in and secured to the body. The valve seat body may comprise: a first end portion and an opposing second end portion. The first end portion may comprise a plurality of first inner surfaces defining an inner annular groove. The plurality of first inner surfaces may comprise four different first inner surfaces. The opposing second end portion may define an outer annular groove. The valve seat body may comprise one or more second inner surfaces defining an inner void.

The poppet may be disposed in the body. The spring retainer may be disposed in and fixed with respect to the body. The spring may be disposed between the poppet and the spring retainer. The spring may bias the poppet toward the first position.

The poppet may be moveable between a first position where the poppet is engaged to the inner packing and a second position where the poppet is disengaged from the inner packing. The inner packing may contact each of the four different first inner surfaces.

The plurality of first inner surfaces may comprise six different first inner surfaces. The six different first inner surfaces may comprise the four different first inner surfaces. The inner packing may contact each of the six different first inner surfaces.

The poppet may comprise a flat upper surface. The flat upper surface may be closer to the inlet port than any other surfaces of the poppet. The valve seat body may be disposed closer to the inlet port than the spring retainer.

The spring retainer may comprise one or more stopping surfaces facing the inlet port. The poppet may engage with the one or more stopping surfaces when the poppet is in the second position. The poppet may be disengaged from the one or more stopping surfaces when the poppet is in the first position.

The body may comprise an inner ledge. The spring retainer may be fixed with respect to the body by virtue of being compressed by the spring against the inner ledge.

Each of the valve seat body, the poppet, the spring retainer, spring, the outer packing, and the inner packing may have a maximum outer diameter less than or equal to a minimum inner diameter of the inlet port.

Each of the valve seat body, poppet, spring retainer, spring, outer packing, and inner packing may be removable from the body via the inlet port without disassembling the body and without damaging or deforming any portion of each of the body, the valve seat body, the poppet, the spring retainer, the spring, the outer packing, and the inner packing.

The one or more inner surfaces of the body contacting the outer packing may comprise a cylindrical inner surface and a partially conical inner surface.

The valve seat body may be disposed in and secured to the body. The valve seat body may comprise a first end portion and an opposing second end portion. The first end portion may define an inner annular groove and the second end portion may define an outer annular groove. The valve seat body may comprise one or more inner surfaces defining an inner void.

The poppet may be disposed in the body. The spring retainer may be disposed in, and fixed with respect to, the body. The spring may be disposed between the poppet and the spring retainer. The spring may bias the poppet toward the first position.

The poppet may be moveable between a first position where the poppet is engaged to the inner packing and a second position where the poppet is disengaged from the inner packing. The inner packing may have an L-shaped cross section.

The valve seat body may be disposed in and secured to the body. The valve seat body may comprise: a first end portion and an opposing second end portion. The first end portion may comprise a plurality of first inner surfaces defining an inner annular groove. The plurality of first inner surfaces may comprise four different first inner surfaces. The four different first inner surfaces may comprise a first wall, a second wall perpendicularly intersecting one end of the first wall, and a third wall perpendicularly intersecting an opposing end of the first wall.

The opposing second end portion may define an outer annular groove. The valve seat body may comprise a plurality of second inner surfaces defining an inner void. The second inner surfaces may comprise one or more arced surfaces and one or more flats.

The poppet may be disposed in the body. The spring retainer may be disposed in and fixed with respect to the body. The spring may be disposed between the poppet and the spring retainer.

The outer packing may be disposed in the outer annular groove. The outer packing may contact one or more inner surfaces of the body and one or more outer surfaces of the valve seat body.

The inner packing may be disposed in the inner annular groove. The inner packing may comprise an L-shaped cross section. The poppet may be moveable between a first position where the poppet is engaged to the inner packing and a second position where the poppet is disengaged from the inner packing. The inner packing may comprise a first ring-shaped and annular portion contacting the first wall, the second wall, and the third wall. The inner packing may contact each of the four different first inner surfaces.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been described in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and alternatives to those details could be developed in light of the overall teachings of the disclosure and within the scope of the claims. Accordingly, the particular arrangements disclosed are meant to be illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

It should be appreciated that the term "diameter" when used in the claims, does not necessarily mean that the feature having the diameter is circular. Instead, the term diameter should be understood to at least encompass a maximum straight distance between two opposing outer surfaces of the feature. For example, a square could have an outer diameter extending between opposing corners.

Claim 1:
A receptacle (<NUM>) for conveying fluid, the receptacle comprising:
a main body (<NUM>) defining an inlet port (110a) and an outlet port (110b);
a valve seat assembly comprising:
(a) a valve seat body (<NUM>) disposed in and secured to the main body, the valve seat body comprising:
a first end portion (120x) and an opposing second end portion (120y), the first end portion comprising a plurality of first inner surfaces (<NUM>) defining an inner annular groove; and
a plurality of second inner surfaces defining an inner void and comprising one or more teeth engagers (<NUM>) for engaging a tool having outwardly protruding teeth;
(b) an inner packing (<NUM>) disposed in the inner annular groove;
a poppet (<NUM>) disposed in the main body and moveable between a first position where the poppet is engaged to the inner packing and a second position where the poppet is disengaged from the inner packing;
a spring retainer (<NUM>) disposed in, and fixed with respect to, the main body;
a spring (<NUM>) disposed between the poppet and the spring retainer, the spring biasing the poppet toward the first position.