Patent Document

TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    This disclosure relates to a device and a method for alignment of male and female fluidconnectors for engagement of these components, in particular for an engagement which allows for a displacement between the male and female fluidconnectors. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Conventional male and female fluidconnectors may be used to sealingly join pressurised fluid lines. When engaged, the corresponding fluidconnectors may automatically enable the fluid and/or fluid pressure to be transmitted, through a mutual passageway formed at engagement. These corresponding fluidconnectors may reliably maintain high fluid pressure after repeated engagement and disengagement operations. 
         [0003]    The corresponding fluidconnectors may need to be suitably aligned before their engagement. Alignment of the fluidconnectors may be necessary in order to establish a reliable and leak free connection. Proper alignment of the corresponding connectors prior to engagement may also increase the service life of the components. 
         [0004]    A fluidconnector may have to be aligned with high accuracy to avoid excessive wear of the internal components which may eventually result in a leaking connection. When fluidconnectors are coupled in an automated environment, the final alignment of the fluidconnectors during the engagement process may be critical since the connecting force may often be much higher compared to a manual connect system. Hence, any misalignment in combination with the high connecting force may cause a deterioration of the fluidconnectors. 
         [0005]    A cause for fluidconnector misalignment may be changes in temperature. A significant temperature difference may be present between a fluidconnector and a corresponding fluid connector. As a result of thermal material expansion, the fluidconnectors may no longer be aligned properly. 
         [0006]    A series of fluidconnectors may be mounted in a mounting plate to ensure simultaneous engagement of the fluidconnectors for different hydraulic functions. Such a mounting plate may be used on either one or on both of a coupling and plug side of the fluidconnector configuration. As a result of stacked-up tolerances, the positions of corresponding fluidconnectors may be slightly misaligned. This misalignment may not be avoided without very accurate machining of the fluidconnectors, at very high cost. 
         [0007]    The foregoing examples of misalignment may not be compensated until the fluidconnectors start to engage. 
         [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,709,726 discloses a hydraulic coupler for interconnecting subsea fluid lines and may have a metallic seal between the male and female portions. The C-shaped metallic seal may be radially compressed between the female and male coupler bodies, so that axial movement between these bodies does not effect sealing effectiveness. A floating retainer ring may be housed within the female body by a fixed retainer ring which may allow for radial misalignment between the coupling halves. The floating retainer ring may become centered with respect to the male coupling body. A metallic face seal may provide sealing engagement between the floating and fixed retainers. Both axial and radial deviation between the coupling bodies may be permissible, so that the coupling may reliably seal fluid after repeated coupling and uncoupling operations. 
         [0009]    The present disclosure is directed, at least in part, to improving or overcoming one or more aspects of the prior art couplers. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    In a first aspect, the present disclosure describes a fluid coupler for aligned engagement of fluid connectors, comprising a support member; a floating first connector member housed in the support member and engageable to a second connector member; a piston member axially slidable in the support member at pressurisation of a circuit. 
         [0011]    In a second aspect, the present disclosure describes a method of aligned engagement of fluid connectors, comprising the steps of housing a floating first connector member in a support member; engaging the first connector member to a second connector member; pressurizing a fluid circuit to axially slide a piston member in the support member. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present disclosure will be more fully understood from the following description of various embodiments, when read together with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional view of a fluid coupler according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of a fluid coupler of  FIG. 1  and a corresponding fluid coupler prior to engagement according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is an isometric view of a fluid coupler of  FIG. 1  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a bottom view of the corresponding coupler of  FIG. 2  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.; 
           [0017]      FIGS. 5   a - 5   c  are sectional views of a guiding pin and a bushing in the fluid coupler and the corresponding coupler at various stages of engagement according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0018]    This disclosure generally relates to the alignment of male and female fluidconnectors, supported in respective couplers, for engagement of these components and in particular an engagement which compensates for a misalignment between the male and female fluidconnectors. 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  illustrates a fluid coupler  10  which may comprise a support member  12 , a first connector member  14  and a piston member  16 . The first connector member  14  may be housed in the support member  12 . The piston member  16  may be axially slidable in the support member  12 . 
         [0020]    In an embodiment, the support member  12  may comprise a cartridge  18  and a mounting plate  32 . The cartridge  18  and the mounting plate  32  may be mutually connected. The cartridge  18  may be rigidly mounted to the mounting plate  32 . 
         [0021]    The cartridge  18  may have a configuration for engaging the mounting plate  32  and for accommodating the first connector member  14 . The cartridge  18  may be formed as a block and may have a first cartridge side  20  and a second cartridge side  22 . The first cartridge side  20  and the second cartridge side  22  may be parallel. The first cartridge side  20  may be in contact with a surface of the mounting plate  32  when cartridge  18  and mounting plate  32  may be mutually connected. The second cartridge side  22  may engage to a surface of a corresponding mounting plate of a corresponding coupler. 
         [0022]    The cartridge  18  may include a channel  24 . The channel  24  may be annular and may extend through cartridge  18 . The channel  24  may have openings on the first cartridge side  20  and the second cartridge side  22 . The longitudinal axis of the channel  24  may be perpendicular to the first cartridge side  20  and the second cartridge side  22 . In the fluid coupler  10 , the first connector member  14  may be substantially or completely accommodated within the channel  24 . 
         [0023]    The edge of the opening of channel  24  at the second cartridge side  22  may be inclined away from the longitudinal axis of the channel  24  to form an inclined edge  26 . The inclined edge  26  may encircle the opening of the channel  24  at the second cartridge side  22 . 
         [0024]    In an embodiment, the cartridge  18  may comprise a groove  30 . The groove  30  may be cut into the cartridge  18 . The groove  30  may be positioned at channel  24  such that a side opens to channel  24 . The groove  30  may be concentric with channel  24  and may be positioned at any point along the channel  24 . In an embodiment, the groove  30  may be positioned adjacent the opening of the channel  24  at the second cartridge side  22 . In an embodiment, the groove  30  may be positioned adjacent the inclined edge  26 . 
         [0025]    In an embodiment, the cartridge  18  may comprise a plurality of grooves  30  at channel  24  such that each groove has a side that opens to channel  24 . 
         [0026]    The opening of the channel  24  at first cartridge side  20  may have an abutment edge  28 . 
         [0027]    The abutment edge  28  may be configured to engage the first connector member  14 . The abutment edge  28  may be orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the channel  24 . In an embodiment the abutment edge  28  may encircle the opening of channel  24  at first cartridge side  20 . In an alternative embodiment, abutment edge  28  may be disposed from the opening of channel  24  and within the channel  24 . 
         [0028]    The mounting plate  32  may be configured for engaging the cartridge  18  and for accommodating the first connector member  14 . The mounting plate  32  may be formed as a block and may have a first plate side  31  and a second plate side  33 . The first plate side  31  and the second plate side  33  may be parallel. In the fluid coupler  10 , the first plate side  31  may contact the first cartridge side  20  of the cartridge  18 . 
         [0029]    The mounting plate  32  may include a through cavity which may be formed by an abutment chamber  34 , a fluid chamber  36  and a fluid passage  35 . The cavity may have openings on the first plate side  31  and the second plate side  33 . The abutment chamber  34  may have an opening at the first plate side  31 . The fluid passage  35  may have an opening at the second plate side  33 . The opening of the abutment chamber  34 , at the first plate side  31 , may be greater than the opening of the fluid passage  35 , at the second plate side  33 . 
         [0030]    In an embodiment, each of the abutment chamber  34 , the fluid chamber  36  and the fluid passage  35  may have an annular geometry. The diameter of the abutment chamber  34  may be greater than the diameter of the fluid chamber  36  and diameter of the fluid passage  35 . The diameter of the fluid chamber  36  may be greater than diameter of the fluid passage  35 . 
         [0031]    The longitudinal axis of the cavity may be perpendicular to the first plate side  31  and the second plate side  33 . The longitudinal axis of the cavity may be continuous with the longitudinal axis of the channel  24  when the cartridge  18  is mounted to the mounting plate  32  to form a common longitudinal axis in the support member  12 . 
         [0032]    In the assembled support member  12 , the abutment edge  28  may extend over the opening of the abutment chamber  34 . The abutment edge  28  may be substantially perpendicular to the enclosing wall of the abutment chamber  34 . 
         [0033]    An abutment ledge  37  may extend from the enclosing wall of the abutment chamber  34 , substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of the cavity of the mounting plate  32 , into the cavity of the mounting plate  32 . In the assembled support member  12 , abutment ledge  37  may be opposite and substantially parallel to the abutment edge  28 . 
         [0034]    The enclosing wall of the fluid chamber  36  may extend further into the cavity of the mounting plate  32  than the enclosing wall of the abutment chamber  34 . A piston guide  38  may be formed on the enclosing wall of the fluid chamber  36 . The piston guide  38  may be a protrusion into the fluid chamber  36 . The piston guide  38  may be a convex protrusion with a flattened apex. 
         [0035]    In an embodiment, the piston guide  38  may be formed as a continuous ring on the enclosing wall of the fluid chamber  36  and may have a raised central portion and sloping sides inclined away from the longitudinal axis of the cavity in the mounting plate  32 . The apex of the central raised portion of the piston guide  38  may be flattened. 
         [0036]    A fluid chamber ledge  39  may extend from the enclosing wall of the fluid chamber  36 , substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of the cavity in the mounting plate  32 , into the cavity of the mounting plate  32 . The fluid chamber ledge  39  may be substantially parallel to the abutment ledge  37 . The enclosing wall of the fluid passage  35  may extend further into the cavity in the mounting plate  32  than the enclosing wall of the fluid chamber  36 . 
         [0037]    In the assembled support member  12 , the abutment chamber  34  and channel  24  may be contiguous to mutually house the first connector member  14 . 
         [0038]    The first connector member  14  may comprise a fluidconnector  40  and a fluidconnector sleeve  42 . The fluidconnector sleeve  42  may be configured to receive fluidconnector  40 . 
         [0039]    The fluidconnector sleeve  42  may comprise a body portion  43  having a central axis. The body portion  43  may include a compartment  44  which may be configured to receive and rigidly hold fluidconnector  40 . 
         [0040]    The compartment  44  may have an inlet  45  at an end. The fluidconnector  40  may be inserted into the compartment  44  and extracted from the compartment through the inlet  45 . The fluidconnector  40  may be assembled into fluid coupler  10  and disassembled from the fluid coupler  10  without removing the fluidconnector sleeve  42 . The servicing and/or replacement of the fluidconnector  40  may be performed through the extraction of only the fluidconnector  40 . The compartment  44  may have a treaded portion to rigidly mount the fluidconnector  40 . 
         [0041]    The body portion  43  of fluidconnector sleeve  42  may include a conduit  47  extending from the compartment  44  and along the direction of the central axis of the body portion  43 . The conduit  47  may extend to the end of the body portion  43  opposite the inlet  45 . The conduit  47  may have an opening at the end of the body portion  43  opposite the inlet  45 . The compartment  44  and the conduit  47  may form a continuos passage through the body portion  43 . In the first connector member  14 , having the fluidconnector  40  inserted into the fluidconnector sleeve  42 , a fluid channel in the fluidconnector  40  may be contiguous with the conduit  47  to form a continuos fluid passage through the first connector member  14 . 
         [0042]    The fluidconnector sleeve  42  may comprise a flange portion  46  at the end opposite inlet  45 . The flange portion  46  may extend in a direction substantially transverse to the central axis of the body portion  43  away from the conduit  47 . In an embodiment, the flange portion  46  may be formed as a continuous ring around the body portion  43 . In an alternative embodiment, the flange portion  46  may be formed as a discontinuous ring around the body portion  43 . 
         [0043]    The flange portion  46  may have an abutment seat  48  formed at a side thereof. The abutment seat  48  may be configured to engage the cartridge  18 . 
         [0044]    The body portion  43  and flange portion  46  may have a thrust surface  49  at the end opposite inlet  45 . The thrust surface  49  may be opposite and parallel to the abutment seat  48 . The thrust surface  49  may be transverse to the central axis of the body portion  43 . The conduit  47  of body portion  43  may have an opening at thrust surface  49 . The inner perimeter of the thrust surface  49  may delimit the opening of conduit  47 . The thrust surface  49  may be configured to engage a surface of the piston member  16 . 
         [0045]    The body portion  43  may have a bevelled edge  50  at the end provided with the inlet  45 . The bevelled edge  50  may be inclined toward the central axis of the body portion  43 . The bevelled edge  50  may form a ring around the body portion  43  adjacent the inlet  45 . 
         [0046]    In an embodiment, the body portion  43  may comprise a slot  51 . The slot  51  may be cut into the thrust surface  49  of body portion  43 . The slot  51  may be positioned at thrust surface  49  such that a side has an opening at thrust surface  49 . The slot  51  may be concentric with conduit  47  and may be disposed at any position along the thrust surface  49  which may engage piston member  16 . In an embodiment, the slot  51  may be positioned adjacent the inner perimeter of the thrust surface  49  which may delimit the opening of conduit  47 . 
         [0047]    In an embodiment, the fluidconnector  40  and the fluidconnector sleeve  42  may be integral so that the first connector member  14  may be a monolithic structure. The monolithic first connector member  14  may include the body portion  43 . 
         [0048]    In the fluid coupler  10 , the first connector member  14  may not be mounted or joined to the support member  12 . The first connector member  14  may be free to move within the channel  24  and the abutment chamber  34 . 
         [0049]    The fluid coupler  10  may comprise an alignment gap  52  between the support member  12  and the first connector member  14  for floating movement of the first connector member  14 . The alignment gap  52  may be formed by suitably configuring the body portion  43 , flange  46 , cartridge  18 , mounting plate  32 , channel  24  or the abutment chamber  34  or any combination thereof. The dimension and/or geometry of the body portion  43 , flange  46 , cartridge  18 , mounting plate  32 , channel  24  or the abutment chamber  34  may be suitably adapted to provide for the alignment gap  52 . 
         [0050]    The alignment gap  52  may enable a radial movement of the first connector member  14  relative to the support member  12 . First connector member  14  may be radially displaced in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the channel  24 . The magnitude of displacement of first connector member  14  may be dependent on the alignment gap  52 . During a radial displacement of first connector member  14  the angle between the central axis of the body portion  43  and the longitudinal axis of the channel  24  may remain constant. 
         [0051]    The alignment gap  52  may enable a pivotal movement of the first connector member  14  relative to the support member  12 . First connector member  14  may be pivotably displaced at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the channel  24 . The magnitude of displacement of first connector member  14  may be dependent on the alignment gap  52 . During a pivotal displacement of first connector member  14  the angle between the central axis of the body portion  43  and the longitudinal axis of the channel  24  may vary. 
         [0052]    The alignment gap  52  may enable a combined pivotal and radial movement of the first connector member  14  relative to the support member  12 . First connector member  14  may be displaced at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the channel  24  and may be displaced in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the channel  24 . The magnitude of a combined pivotal and radial displacement of first connector member  14  may be dependent on the alignment gap  52 . During a combined pivotal and radial displacement of first connector member  14  the angle between the central axis of the body portion  43  and the longitudinal axis of the channel  24  may vary. 
         [0053]    The body portion  43  of the fluidconnector sleeve  42  may be partly accommodated in the channel  24  and partly in the abutment chamber  34  of the mounting plate  32 . The movement of the body portion  43  in the support member  12  may be restricted by the enclosing wall of the channel  24 . 
         [0054]    The flange portion  46  may be accommodated in the abutment chamber  34 . The movement of the flange portion  46  in the support member  12  may be restricted by the abutment edge  28  of the cartridge  18  and the enclosing wall of the abutment chamber  34  and the abutment ledge  37 . 
         [0055]    In the fluid coupler  10 , the bevelled edge  50  of the body portion  43  and the inclined edge  26  of the channel  24  may have an angular spacing of about 20°-30°. 
         [0056]    The piston member  16  may comprise a piston conduit  53 . The piston conduit  53  may form a through fluid passage and may be centrally positioned in the piston member  16 . The piston conduit  53  may have an opening at a piston thrust surface  54  and an opening at a piston surface  55 . The piston thrust surface  54  and the piston surface  55  may be mutually opposite and parallel. Between and substantially perpendicular to the piston thrust surface  54  and the piston surface  55  may be a piston guide  56 . 
         [0057]    The piston guide  56  may have a piston inclined edge  57  adjacent to the piston surface  55 . The piston inclined edge  57  may be formed as a ring around the piston member  16 . 
         [0058]    In an embodiment, the piston guide  56  may have a further inclined edge adjacent to the piston thrust surface  54 . This further inclined edge may be formed as a ring around the piston member  16 . 
         [0059]    In an embodiment, the piston guide  56  may comprise a piston groove  58 . The piston groove  58  may be cut into the piston guide  56 . The piston groove  58  may be positioned at the piston guide  56  such that a side has an opening piston guide  56 . The piston groove  58  may be disposed at any position along the piston guide  56  which may engage guide  38 . 
         [0060]    In the fluid coupler  10 , the piston member  16  may be mounted in the support member  12 , within the enclosing wall of the fluid chamber  36  of the mounting plate  32 . The piston member  16  may be slidably engaged to the enclosing wall of the fluid chamber  36  and may move in an axial direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cavity in the mounting plate  32 . The guide  38  may engage to the piston guide  56 . 
         [0061]    The guide  38  and the piston guide  56  may be configured to enable the piston member  16  to axially slide in the mounting plate  32 . The dimension and/or geometry of the guide  38  and the piston guide  56  may be suitably adapted to allow piston member  16  to axially slide in the mounting plate  32 . 
         [0062]    In the fluid coupler  10 , the piston member  16  may be positioned between the thrust surface  49  of the first fluidconnector member  14  and the fluid chamber ledge  39 . The axial movement of the piston member  16  may be restricted. In a direction, the piston member  16  may be restricted by the fluid chamber ledge  39  contacting the piston surface  55 . In the opposite direction, the piston member  16  may be restricted by piston thrust surface  54  contacting the thrust surface  49  of the first fluid connector  14  when the abutment seat  48  abuts the abutment edge  28  of the cartridge  18 . 
         [0063]    In an embodiment, the piston member  16  may also be pivotable relative to the mounting plate  32 . The guide  38  and the piston guide  56  may be configured to enable the piston member  16  to pivot in the mounting plate  32 . The dimension and/or geometry of the guide  38  and the piston guide  56  may be suitably adapted to allow piston member  16  to pivot in the mounting plate  32 . 
         [0064]    In the fluid coupler  10 , the piston member  16  may be actuatable under fluid pressure to slide axially in the guide  38  toward first connector member  14 . The piston member  16  may push the first connector member  14  into abutting engagement with the cartridge  18  of the support member  12 . 
         [0065]    The piston member  16  may eliminate the need to connect a fluid hose directly to the first connector member  14  thereby eliminating any reaction forces that may be introduced by the fluid hoses. 
         [0066]    In the fluid coupler  10 , the fluid passage  35 , conduit  47  and the piston conduit  53  may have the same diameters. 
         [0067]    The fluid coupler  10  may comprise a compressible element  60  positioned in the groove  30 . The compressible element  60  may be positioned between the cartridge  18  of the support member  12  and the body portion  43  of the first connector member  14 . The compressible element  60  may be a flexible ring. The compressible element  60  may be made from a compressive material such as nitrile rubber or polyurethane. 
         [0068]    In an embodiment, the fluid coupler  10  may comprise a plurality of compressible elements  60  positioned in a plurality of grooves  30 . 
         [0069]    The compressible element  60  may return the first connector member  14  to a neutral position after disengagement from a second connector member. The compressible element  60  may return the first connector member  14  to the neutral position after disengagement of the fluidconnector  40  and a corresponding fluidconnector. The neutral position of first connector member  14  may be the position prior to engagement of the fluidconnector  40  and a corresponding fluidconnector. 
         [0070]    The fluid coupler  10  may comprise a thrust seal  62  positioned in the slot  51 . The compression of the thrust seal  62  may be positioned between the body portion  43  of the first connector member  14  and the piston thrust surface  54 . A movement of piston thrust surface  54  against the thrust surface  49  of the first connector member  14  may compress the thrust seal  62 . The thrust seal  62  may ensure that a fluid does not leak from between the piston member  16  and the first connector member  14  into the abutment chamber  34 . In an embodiment, the thrust seal  62  may be an O-ring. 
         [0071]    The fluid coupler  10  may comprise a piston seal  64  positioned in the piston groove  58 . The piston seal  64  may be positioned between the guide  38  and the piston member  16 . The piston seal  64  may ensure that a fluid does not leak from between the piston member  16  and the guide  38  into the abutment chamber  34 . 
         [0072]    In an embodiment, the piston seal  64  may also be configured to allow a pivotal movement of the piston member  16 . 
         [0073]      FIG. 2  illustrates a fluid coupler  10  aligned to a corresponding fluid coupler  70 . The corresponding fluid coupler  70  may comprise a corresponding cartridge  72  and a second fluidconnector member  74 . The second fluidconnector member  74  may comprise a corresponding fluidconnector  76  and a sliding sleeve  78 . 
         [0074]    Fluidconnector  40  may be suitably formed to engage with the corresponding fluidconnector  76 . The fluidconnector  40  and the corresponding fluidconnector  76  may be configured for detachable reciprocal engagement. The engagement surfaces of the fluidconnector  40  and corresponding fluidconnector  76  may be formed to allow efficient engagement and disengagement in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axes of the fluidconnector  40  and corresponding fluidconnector  76 . In an embodiment, the fluidconnector  40  may be a male fluidconnector while corresponding fluidconnector  76  may be a female fluidconnector. In an alternative embodiment, the fluidconnector  40  may be a female fluidconnector while corresponding fluidconnector  76  may be a male fluidconnector. 
         [0075]      FIG. 3  illustrates a fluid coupler  10  which may comprise a support member  12 , a plurality of first connector members  14  and a plurality of piston members  16 . The fluid coupler  10  may further comprise guiding pins  80 . In an embodiment, the fluid coupler  10  may be mounted in a mounting bracket for engagement to corresponding fluid coupler  70 . 
         [0076]      FIG. 4  illustrates the corresponding coupler  70  which may have a corresponding cartridge  72  and a plurality of second fluidconnector members  74  and a plurality of corresponding fluidconnectors  76 . The corresponding fluid coupler  70  may further comprise guiding bushings  82 . In an embodiment, the corresponding fluid coupler  70  may be mounted in a quick coupler for engagement to the fluid coupler  10 . 
         [0077]      FIGS. 5   a - 5   c  illustrate the guiding pin  80  of a fluid coupler  10  and the guiding bushing  82  of the corresponding coupler  70  at various stages of engagement. In  FIG. 5   a , the guiding pin  80  and guiding bushing  82  may be aligned when the fluid coupler  10  is mounted in a mounting bracket and the corresponding fluid coupler  70  is mounted in a quick coupler. In  FIG. 5   b , the guiding pin  80  and guiding bushing  82  may initiate engagement. In  FIG. 5   c , the guiding pin  80  and guiding bushing  82  may be engaged. In an embodiment, the first connector member  14  and the second connector member  74  may initiate engagement after the guiding pin  80  and guiding bushing  82  may be engaged. 
         [0078]    In an embodiment, the fluid coupler  10  may be mounted in a mounting bracket and the corresponding fluid coupler  70  may be mounted in a quick coupler for a reciprocal engagement. There may be a rough alignment between the quickcoupler and mounting bracket. The quickcoupler and mounting bracket may be locked after being positioned correctly by means of a locking member. 
         [0079]    After the connection between quickcoupler and mounting bracket is locked, the corresponding mounting plate  84  with the second connector members  74  may move towards the first connector members  14 . The guiding pins  80  on the fluid coupler  10  may align with the guiding bushing  82  in the corresponding coupler  70  and may initiate engagement. After engagement of the guiding pins  80  and the guiding bushing  82  the engagement of the first and second connector members  14 ,  74  may commence. 
         [0080]    A method of aligned engagement of a fluidconnector  40  and a corresponding fluidconnector  76 , according to the present disclosure, may involve providing a floating first connector member  14  housed in a support member  12 , engaging the first connector member  14  to a second connector member  74 , and pressurising a fluid circuit to axially slide a piston member  16  in the support member  12 . 
         [0081]    During engagement of the first connector member  14  to the second connector member  74 , the first connector member  14  may be radially and/or pivotably displaced. The radial and/or pivotal displacement of the first connector member  14  may allow for a smooth and efficient engagement of the first connector member  14  to the second connector member  74 . 
         [0082]    In an embodiment, during engagement of the first connector member  14  to the second connector member  74 , the piston member  16  may also be pivotally displaced. The piston member  16  may be pivotally displaced in unison with a pivotal displacement of the first connector member  14 . The pivotal displacement of the piston member  16  may allow for the thrust surface  49  of the first connector member  14  to remain in parallel with the piston thrust surface  54 . 
         [0083]    During aligned engagement of the first connector member  14  to the second connector member  74  the fluid coupler is not under fluid pressure. After the engagement of the first connector member  14  to the second connector member  74  the fluid circuit is pressurised. The pressurised fluid may flow into the fluid chamber  36  through the fluid passage  35 . 
         [0084]    The flow of pressurised fluid pushes the piston member  16  to slide axially in the guide  38 . The piston member  16  may be forced by the pressurised fluid into pushing contact with the first connector member  14 . The piston member  16  pushing on the first connector member  14  may compress a thrust seal  62  disposed between the piston member  16  and the first connector member  14 . The first connector member  14  may be pushed into abutting engagement with the cartridge  18  of the support member  12 . In this abutting engagement, the first connector member  14  may not be radially and/or pivotably displaced. The first connector member  14  may be stably held against the cartridge  18  through the force of the pressurised fluid. 
         [0085]    Prior to disengagement, the fluid circuit is depressurised which may allow the first connector member  14  to be radially and/or pivotably displaced. Subsequently, the first connector member  14  and the second connector member  74  may be disengaged. The compressible element  60  may return the first connector member  14  to a neutral position after disengagement from the second connector member  74 . 
         [0086]    The skilled person would realise that foregoing embodiments may be modified to obtain the fluid coupler  10  of the present disclosure. 
       INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
       [0087]    This disclosure describes a fluid coupler  10  for aligning male and female fluidconnectors during reciprocal engagement. The fluid coupler  10  may align hydraulic fluidconnectors with high accuracy during engagement. The fluid coupler  10  may allow alignment of fluidconnectors in order to establish a reliable and leak free connection. 
         [0088]    Depending on the misalignment of the fluidconnectors, the first connector member  14  carrying a fluidconnector  40  may be radially displaced in any direction and/or pivotably displaced. This may allow the fluidconnector  40  and the corresponding fluidconnector to engage smoothly so as to reduced potential wear. 
         [0089]    During engagement and disengagement, the first connector member  14  may be separated from the hydraulic hose entry ports as the fluid circuit is depressurized. 
         [0090]    Accordingly, this disclosure includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the disclosure unless otherwise indicated herein. 
         [0091]    Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by references signs, the reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly, neither the reference signs nor their absence have any limiting effect on the technical features as described above or on the scope of any claim elements. 
         [0092]    One skilled in the art will realise the disclosure may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the disclosure or essential characteristics thereof The foregoing embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects illustrative rather than limiting of the disclosure described herein. Scope of the invention is thus indicated by the appended claims, rather than the foregoing description, and all changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalence of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

Technology Category: y