Patent ID: 8342577

Claim:
A fitting assembly which allows a first fluid chamber to be connected with a second fluid chamber and which allows the first fluid chamber to be disconnected from the second fluid chamber, said fitting assembly comprising: a first fitting for mounting in fluid communication with the first fluid chamber, said first fitting including a base structure, a first magnetic coupling element, and a cap structure directly coupled to the base structure, wherein the cap structure has a radially inward extending flange approximate an end of said cap structure that provides an annular surface that directly seats the first magnetic coupling element thereon, the engagement of the first magnetic coupling element and flange forming a recess; and a second fitting for mounting in fluid communication with the second fluid chamber, said second fitting including a second magnetic coupling element; wherein when said first and second fittings are engaged with one another, the second magnetic coupling element is disposed within the recess such that the first magnetic coupling element contacts the second magnetic coupling element, and a magnetic attraction between said first and second magnetic coupling elements holds both said first and second fittings in engagement to establish fluid communication between the first fluid chamber and the second fluid chamber; wherein a force required to separate said engaged first and second fittings is limited to the force required to overcome the magnetic attraction between said first and second fittings; wherein said first and second fittings are each configured with a through passage, such that when said first and second fittings are engaged with one another, the through passage of the first fitting aligns with the through passage of the second fitting to establish fluid communication between the first fitting and the second fitting; wherein the fitting assembly is configured to provide a substantially straight flow path from the first fluid chamber to the second fluid chamber when the first and second fittings are attached together; wherein the second fitting further comprises a tip portion, such that when said first and second fittings are engaged with one another, said tip portion of said second fitting is disposed within said cap structure of said first fitting; wherein said first fitting further includes a sealing structure directly coupled to the base structure, the sealing structure configured and arranged such that when said first and second fittings are engaged said sealing structure provides a sealed interface between said first and second fittings; and wherein said first magnetic coupling element is located between said sealing structure and said flange.