Patent ID: 8820351

Claim:
A hot-swap pump side connector for use in a negative pressure coolant system having a pump that circulates coolant through the system, the pump side connector adapted to mate with a component side connector that contains a return conduit pin and a supply conduit pin that are both in hydraulic connection with an electrical component, the pump side connector comprising: a return valve and a supply valve constructed such that, during the operation of the pump: when the pump side connector is in a disengaged position both the return and supply valves are closed and sealed against ambient positive pressure; when the pump side connector is in a semi-engaged position with the component side connector (1) the return valve forms a hydraulic seal with the return conduit pin, (2) the supply conduit pin is hydraulically exposed to ambient positive pressure such that the pump draws ambient gas through the supply conduit pin, and (3) the supply valve is closed such that coolant does not pass the supply valve and sealed against ambient positive pressure; and when the pump side connector is in a fully-engaged position with the component side connector (1) the return valve forms a hydraulic seal with the return conduit pin, and (2) the supply valve forms a hydraulic seal with the supply conduit pin; wherein the return valve and the supply valve are fixed relative to each other and staggered such that the return valve engages the return conduit pin before the supply valve engages the supply conduit pin when the pump side connector is mated with the component side connector.