FIELD

This disclosure relates to a fluid connector that can be used to, for example, connect a first fluid system with a second fluid system for transferring fluids, including gaseous or liquid fluids, between the first and second fluid systems, or for sealing a fluid system using the fluid connector.

BACKGROUND

An example of an existing fluid connector is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,688,830. As described in this patent, the connector is designed to be hand threaded into a threaded port to permit transfer of fluids through the connector. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,688,830, the threads on the connector are designed to match the threads on the threaded port.

Another example of an existing fluid connector is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,950,679. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,950,679, the threads on the collets are designed to match the threads on the threaded port to which it connects. Other examples of fluid connectors include those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,788,290 and 4,716,938.

SUMMARY

Fluid connectors are described that connect a first fluid system with a fluid port of a second fluid system for transferring fluids, including gaseous or liquid fluids, between the first and second fluid systems, or for sealing a fluid system using the fluid connector. The described fluid connectors are provided with a number of unique features, that can be used individually or in any combination thereof, that allow a single described fluid connector to be used with differently configured fluid ports.

A fluid connector described herein can include a sleeve and a connector body that can tilt relative to one another at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the fluid connector. The tilting allows the fluid connector to misalign with the fluid port the fluid connector is connected to, while the fluid connector still maintains its seal with the second fluid system.

In addition, a fluid connector described herein is designed to grip against internal threads of the fluid port. For example, the fluid connector can have external threads. The fluid connector does not have threads that match the internal threads of the fluid port as in typical fluid connectors. Instead, the fluid connector grips against one or more crests of the internal threads. Since the external threads of the described fluid connector do not actually mate with the internal threads of the fluid port, a single described fluid connector can be used with different fluid ports that have different thread configurations.

In addition, a fluid connector described herein can include a collet assembly having a plurality of collets that are movable between an expanded position and a collapsed position, and the collet assembly is a single piece, unitary construction.

In addition, a fluid connector described herein can include first and second handles connected to a piston of the fluid connector at opposite diametric locations so that the first and second handles oppose one another, and the first and second handles can be manually actuated to actuate the piston from a default position to a connection position.

The tilting of the sleeve, the mismatch between the threads, the single piece, unitary construction of the collet assembly, the opposing first and second handles for actuating the piston, or the fluid actuation of the piston in the fluid connector, can be used in combination with one another as illustrated and described herein, individually and separately by themselves in fluid connectors, or in any combination thereof.

As described in further detail herein, a fluid connector that fluidly connects a first fluid system with a fluid port of a second fluid system can include a body, a collet assembly with a plurality of collets, a sleeve, a piston, and a longitudinal axis. A seal is disposed between the sleeve and the collet assembly and the seal is positioned to seal with the second fluid system to prevent fluid leakage between the fluid connector and the second fluid system when the fluid connector is connected to the fluid port. The body, the collet assembly and the piston can tilt relative to the sleeve at an angle greater than 1 degree with the seal maintaining sealing engagement with the second fluid system to prevent fluid leakage between the fluid connector and the second fluid system.

As also described in further detail herein, a fluid connector that fluidly connects a first fluid system with a fluid port of a second fluid system can include a body, a collet assembly with a plurality of collets, a sleeve, a piston, and a longitudinal axis. Each collet of the plurality of collets includes exterior threads, the fluid port includes interior threads, and the exterior threads do not match the interior threads. For example, the exterior threads can have a threads per inch that is greater than, for example 2 times greater than, a threads per inch of the interior threads.

As also described in further detail herein, a fluid connector that fluidly connects a first fluid system with a fluid port of a second fluid system can include a body, a collet assembly with a plurality of collets, a sleeve, a piston, and a longitudinal axis. The collet assembly is a single piece, unitary construction and the plurality of collets are movable between an expanded position and a collapsed position.

As also described in further detail herein, a fluid connector that fluidly connects a first fluid system with a fluid port of a second fluid system can include a generally cylindrical construction that includes a body, a collet assembly with a plurality of collets, a sleeve, a piston, and a longitudinal axis. First and second handles are connected to the piston at opposite diametric locations so that the first and second handles oppose one another, and the first and second handles can be manually actuated to actuate the piston from a default position to a connection position.

As also described in further detail herein, a fluid connector that fluidly connects a first fluid system with a fluid port of a second fluid system can include a body, a collet assembly with a plurality of collets, a sleeve, a piston, and a longitudinal axis. The collet assembly surrounds the piston and the collets are movable between an expanded position and a collapsed position. The body surrounds the piston and the collet assembly. The sleeve surrounds the body, the collet assembly, and the piston, and the sleeve is biased in a first direction parallel to the longitudinal axis by a sleeve spring. The piston is slideably disposed within the body and the collet assembly for sliding movement relative thereto in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis between a default position and connection position permitting connection with the fluid port of the second fluid system. The piston is biased by a piston spring in a second direction, opposite the first direction, parallel to the longitudinal axis so that the piston is biased by the piston spring toward the default position to a default connected position. In addition, the piston includes a collet actuation portion that controls movements of the plurality of collets between the expanded position and the collapsed position. The collet actuation portion is engaged with the plurality of collets to force the collets to the expanded position when the piston is at the default position, and the collet actuation portion permits movement of the plurality of collets to the collapsed position when the piston is at the connection position. A seal is disposed between the sleeve and the collet assembly and is positioned to seal with the second fluid system to prevent fluid leakage between the fluid connector and the second fluid system. In addition, the body, the collet assembly and the piston can tilt relative to the sleeve at an angle greater than 1 degree with the seal maintaining sealing engagement with the second fluid system to prevent fluid leakage between the fluid connector and the second fluid system.

