TECHNICAL FIELD

This document relates to fluid handling couplings. For example, this document relates to fluid couplings that are designed to prevent spillage of fluid when connecting and disconnecting the couplings.

BACKGROUND

Fluid handling components such as fluid couplings allow fluid communication between two or more components. Some fluid couplings include features that allow male and female components to be quickly connected or disconnected, and may include one or more internal valve components that selectively block or allow flow of fluid through the coupling.

SUMMARY

This document describes fluid handling couplings. For example, this document describes fluid couplings that are designed to prevent spillage of fluid when connecting and disconnecting the couplings. In some embodiments, the fluid couplings described herein include internal valve components. In some example embodiments, the internal valve components include two springs that are arranged to exert their spring forces in parallel with each other to bias a valve component to a normally closed position. Some embodiments include a single spring. In particular embodiments, the fluid couplings have oblong cross-sectional shapes.

In one aspect, this disclosure is directed to a fluid coupling system that includes a male coupling and a female coupling. The male coupling includes: (i) a male coupling body defining a male longitudinal axis and a male coupling internal space; (ii) a male valve member disposed within the male coupling internal space, wherein the male valve member is movable, parallel to the male longitudinal axis, relative to the male coupling body to open and close a flow path through the male coupling; and (iii) first and second male valve springs that each bias the male valve member to close the flow path through the male coupling. The first and second male valve springs are each laterally offset from the male longitudinal axis on opposite sides of the male longitudinal axis in relation to each other. The female coupling includes: (a) a female coupling body defining a female longitudinal axis and a female coupling internal space; (b) a valve assembly disposed within the female coupling internal space and comprising a valve stem head and a valve sleeve, wherein the valve sleeve is movable, along the female longitudinal axis, relative to the female coupling body and the valve stem head to open and close a flow path through the female coupling; and (c) first and second female valve springs that each bias the valve sleeve to close the flow path through the female coupling. The first and second female valve springs are each laterally offset from the female longitudinal axis on opposite sides of the female longitudinal axis in relation to each other.

Such a fluid coupling system may optionally include one or more of the following features. The male valve member may have a first oblong outer profile shape when viewed along the male longitudinal axis. The valve sleeve may have a second oblong outer profile shape when viewed along the female longitudinal axis. A front face of the male valve member may abuts against a front face of the valve stem head when the male coupling and the female coupling are coupled together. The front face of the male valve member and the front face of the valve stem head may each have a same oblong outer profile shape. The fluid coupling system may also include a latch that is movably coupled to the female coupling body and arranged to releasably engage against a protrusion of the male coupling body when the male coupling and the female coupling are coupled together.

In another aspect, this disclosure is directed to a male fluid coupling that includes a male coupling body defining a male longitudinal axis and a male coupling internal space, a male valve member disposed within the male coupling internal space, and first and second male valve springs that each bias the male valve member to close the flow path through the male coupling. The male valve member is movable, parallel to the male longitudinal axis, relative to the male coupling body to open and close a flow path through the male coupling. The first and second male valve springs are each laterally offset from the male longitudinal axis on opposite sides of the male longitudinal axis in relation to each other.

Such a male fluid coupling may optionally include one or more of the following features. The male valve member may have an oblong outer profile shape when viewed along the male longitudinal axis. The male fluid coupling internal space may have an oblong inner profile shape that corresponds to the oblong outer profile shape of the male valve member.

In another aspect, this disclosure is directed to a female fluid coupling that includes: a female coupling body defining a female longitudinal axis and a female coupling internal space; a valve assembly disposed within the female coupling internal space and comprising a valve stem head and a valve sleeve; and first and second female valve springs that each bias the valve sleeve to close the flow path through the female coupling. The valve sleeve is movable, along the female longitudinal axis, relative to the female coupling body and the valve stem head to open and close a flow path through the female coupling. The first and second female valve springs are each laterally offset from the female longitudinal axis on opposite sides of the female longitudinal axis in relation to each other.

Such a female fluid coupling may optionally include one or more of the following features. The valve sleeve may have an oblong outer profile shape when viewed along the female longitudinal axis. The valve stem head may have an oblong outer profile shape. The valve sleeve may define an oblong inner profile shape corresponding to the oblong outer profile shape of the valve stem head.

In another aspect, this disclosure is directed to a male fluid coupling comprising: (i) a male coupling body defining a male longitudinal axis and a male coupling internal space; and (ii) a male valve member disposed within the male coupling internal space. The male valve member is movable, parallel to the male longitudinal axis, relative to the male coupling body to open and close a flow path through the male coupling. The male valve member has an oblong outer profile shape when viewed along the male longitudinal axis.

Such a male fluid coupling may optionally include one or more of the following features. The male coupling internal space may have an oblong inner profile shape that corresponds to the oblong outer profile shape of the male valve member. The male fluid coupling may also include first and second male valve springs that each bias the male valve member to close the flow path through the male coupling. In some embodiments, the first and second male valve springs are each laterally offset from the male longitudinal axis on opposite sides of the male longitudinal axis in relation to each other.

In another aspect, this disclosure is directed to a female fluid coupling that includes (a) a female coupling body defining a female longitudinal axis and a female coupling internal space, (b) and a valve assembly disposed within the female coupling internal space and comprising a valve stem head and a valve sleeve. The valve sleeve is movable, along the female longitudinal axis, relative to the female coupling body and the valve stem head to open and close a flow path through the female coupling. The valve sleeve has an oblong outer profile shape when viewed along the female longitudinal axis.

Such a female fluid coupling may optionally include one or more of the following features. The valve stem head may have an oblong outer profile shape. The valve sleeve may define an oblong inner profile shape corresponding to the oblong outer profile shape of the valve stem head. The female fluid coupling may also include first and second female valve springs that each bias the valve sleeve to close the flow path through the female coupling. The first and second female valve springs may each be laterally offset from the female longitudinal axis on opposite sides of the female longitudinal axis in relation to each other. The female fluid coupling may also include a latch that is movably coupled to the female coupling body and movable transverse to the female longitudinal axis.

In another aspect, this disclosure is directed to a cartridge for use in a fluid handling component. The cartridge includes: (1) a cartridge housing defining an outer profile, an interior space, and a central longitudinal axis; (2) a valve stem within the interior space and including a valve stem head; (3) a valve sleeve movably disposed within the interior space along the central longitudinal axis between a first position in which a fluid flow path through the interior space is closed and a second position in which the fluid flow path is open, the valve sleeve defining an inner open space that receives the valve stem head when the valve sleeve is in the first position; (4) a first seal disposed between the valve sleeve and the valve stem head when the valve sleeve is in the first position; (5) a second seal disposed between the valve sleeve and the cartridge when the valve sleeve is in the first position; and (6) a third seal disposed within the interior space adjacent to an end of the valve sleeve when the valve sleeve is in the first position. The inner open space defined by the valve sleeve has an oblong cross-sectional shape when viewed along the central longitudinal axis.

In another aspect, this disclosure is directed to a cartridge for use in a fluid handling component. The cartridge includes: (i) a cartridge housing defining an outer profile, an interior space, and a central longitudinal axis; (ii) a valve assembly disposed within the interior space and comprising a valve stem head and a valve sleeve, wherein the valve sleeve is movable along the central longitudinal axis relative to the cartridge housing and the valve stem head to open and close a flow path through the cartridge; and (iii) first and second valve springs that each bias the valve sleeve to close the flow path through the cartridge, wherein the first and second valve springs are each laterally offset from the central longitudinal axis on opposite sides of the central longitudinal axis in relation to each other.

Some embodiments of the devices, systems and techniques described herein may provide one or more of the following advantages. First, the fluid couplings described herein are designed to prevent spillage or escape of fluid when initially connecting the couplings and when disconnecting the couplings after use. By preventing spillage, material loss, soiling, contamination of the environment around the fluid couplings, and costs associated with spillage may be reduced. Second, the fluid couplings described herein are designed to prevent the inclusion of air into the fluid, as can often result during the process of joining male and female couplings together. By preventing air inclusion, the fluid is maintained in its most desired state. Third, in some embodiments the fluid couplings described herein include internal shut-off valves to prevent fluid spillage. Fourth, some embodiments of the fluid couplings described herein have oblong transverse cross-sections (as opposed to conventional circular transverse cross-sections). The oblong transverse cross-sections enable a low-profile coupling that provides favorable fluid flow characteristics in terms of low levels of flow resistance and pressure drop. Fifth, the fluid couplings described herein are convenient to decouple from each other. For example, a latch component of the female coupling may simply be depressed and the male and female couplings can then be separated from each other.

The details of one or more implementations are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features and advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

