Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
This application is a division of Canadian
Application No. 445,548 filed January 18, 1984 for COUPLING.
Back~round of the _ vention
This application relates to the art of
couplings and, more particularly, to quick
connect/disconnect couplings. Although the invention is
particularly applicable to couplings of ~he type
described and will be explained with particular
reference ~hereto, lt will be appreciated that certain
eatures of the invention have broader aspects and may
be used with other fittings or fluid containing devices
such as control valves, check valves, unions, pipe or
tube connectors, or the like.
Conven~ional quick connect/disconnect couplings
haYe latch mechanis~s which are so easy to release that
accidental or unintentional release ~ay occur. It has
been found desirable to construct a latch mechanism
which requires a conscious effort to release and is
protected against accidental release.
Conventional couplings of the type described
are also subject to slight leakage when they are
uncoupled or to entrainment of air when they are
coupled. Likewise, the various seals and packings are
subject to blowout and leakage. It would he desirable,
therefore~ to provide a coupling with improved seals and
packin8s~ and which would be arranged for minimizin8 any
leakage or air entrainment when the coupling is
connec~ed ~nd disconnected.
Summar~ the Invention
A quick connect/disconnec~ coupling including
latch ~eans for releaseably la~ching together body and
stem coupling members or assemblies. The la~ch means
includes operatin~ means in the form of an operating
sleeYe movable between latch holding and latch releasing
positions. Stop means carried by the operating sleeve
cooperates with abutment means for blocking movement of
the operating sleeve to its releasing position until the
stop ~eans itself is moved to an unblocking position
clear of the abutment means. In one arrangement, the
stop means takes the form of a small button movable
transYersely of the longitudinal axis of the coupling.
Thus, the button ~ust be held in for clearing the
abut~ent while the operating sleeve si~ultaneously ~oves
longi~udinally to its latch releasing position. ~he
abutment means may take the form of an abutment sleeve
within which the operating sleeve is closely received,
and a spring acting between the abutment and operating
sleeves normally biases the operating sleeve to its
latch holding position.
The latch members comprise ~etal stampings
having first end portions attached to the body assembly
for swinging movement of the opposite end portions
toward and away from the coupling longitudinal axis.
The other end portions of the latches have inwardly
extending la~ch hooks and ou~wardly extending
projections. The latch hooks are receivable in a
circumferential groove in ~he stem assembly for latching
the ste~ assembly to the body assembly. In the latched
position of the latch members, the latch projections
bear against the inner surface of the operating sleeve.
Upon ~ovement of the operating sleeve to the latch
~v~
-3--
releasing position, ~he la~ch projections are cammed
outwardly into a recess in ~he operating sleeve formed
by an outwardly extending circumferential bead~ This
recess has a cam surface which also cooperates with the
latch projections for camming same back ~o a latched
position when a coupling is a8ain connec~ed. The
abut~ent sleeve also has an outwardly extending
circu~ferential bead and the button is located between
the beads for protecting same against accidental
operation. Purther, the abutment and operating sleeves
have outer end portions ~Ihich are reYersely curved
inwardly for stiffening purposes.
The body coupling member or assembly includes a
body part having a slide part longitudinally slidable
thereon. The body and slide parts respectively haYe
closely facing outer and inner cooperating cylindrical
surfaces. The body part has an inner end spaced
radially inward fro~ the inner surface of the slide part
and a taper surface extends fro~ such body part end to
the outer surface thereof. The taper surface includes a
slow taper surface extending from the body part inner
end toward the outer surface thereof and merging into a
fast taper surface adjacent the intersection thereof
with the body part outer surface. The taper surface on
the body part is spaced from the inner surface of the
slide to define a receiYing space for a packing, and the
fast taper surface is disposed adjacent the apex of such
receiving space. A backup ring is disposed in the
receiving space adjacent the apex thereof and a packing
ring is also located in the receiving space outwardly of
th~ backup ring. Biasing means normally biases the
packing ring and backup ring further into the packing
receiving space. Both the backup ring and the packing
ring are of a deformable material, with the backup ring
being harder and less deformable than the packing ring.
L,~
In one arrangement, a cup-like packing gland is
closely receive~ wi~hin the body part, and has an
inwardly extending flange inside of the body part and an
outwardly extending flange outside of the body part~
The outwardly extending flange engages the packing and
the biasing means in the for~ of a coil spring acts
between the slide and the inner flange of the gland.
Such arrange~ent causes the slide to normally be hiased
in a direction off of the body part while simultaneously
~iasing the packing into the packing receiving space.
The slide is movable longitudinally in one
direc~ion further onto the body when a coupling is being
connected and is movable longitudinally in an opposite
direction off of the body when a coupling is being
disconnected. During connection of a coupling,
transverse forces tend to cause the slide to interfere
with the body and inhibit movement o~ the slide in the
one direction. Therefore, the outer terminal end
portion of the slide includes an inner circumferential
bearing recess and an outer circumferential retainer
groove. The recess includes a recess slow taper surface
which opposes the outer cylindrical surface of the body
part and the slope is outwardly away from the body part
longitudinal axis when proceeding longitudinally in the
one d~rection which is also away from the body valve.
bearing ring has a generally L-shaped cross-sectional
shape including a generally axial leg received in the
bearing recess and a generally radial leg extending
outwardly at the outer terminal end of the slide. The
outer surface o~ the bearing rin8 axial leg generally
corresponds with the slope of the recess slow taper
~urface. A bearing ring retainer includes an axial
cylindrical portion having inwardly extending detents
loosely received in the retainer groove and an inwardly
extending retainer flange overlying the radial leg of
--5--
the bearing ring outwardly thereof. Relatively loose
reception of the bearin8 retainer detents in the
retainer groove allows limited axial ~ovement of the
retsiner ring gnd this also allows some axial movement
5 of the beaFing ringO The internal dia~eter of the axial
leg on the bearing ring is preferably slightly smaller
than the external diameter of the body part. During
moYement of the slide in the one direction, the axial
leg of the bearing rin8 is forced into the slide recess,
and coope~ation between the inner slow taper surface on
the slide recess and correspondin~ outer taper surface
on the axial leg of the bearing ring callse the axial leg
to contract generally radially into firm bearing
en8a8ement with the outer surface of the body part.
lS Thus, the slide rides on a bearing ring having a very
low coefficient of fric~ion instead of riding directly
o~ the outer surface of the body part when the coupling
asse~blies are being connected. ~uring movement o~ the
slide in an opposit~ direction while uncoupling the
parts, the bearing rin8 is not cammed radially inwardly
ineo engagement with the outer surface of the body part
for providing free separation when transverse forces are
~ini~al.
The body assembly includes an internal body
valve haYing a seal engagable by 8 Yalve seat on the
slide for closing the slide and body against fluid flow
therethrough. The body valve seal has sloping or
tapered surace areas on both the internal and external
surfaces thereof for creating a oechanical advantage
which increases the compressive stress on hi8h points or
irregularities. One end and a peripheral end portion of
the body valve seal is surrounded by a metal retainer
for resisting blowout of the seal~ On the opposite side
of the seal from the metal retainer, a positive metal
s$op surface is provided for engagement with a
cooperating surfflce on the slide. The cooperating s~op
surfaces prevent extruslon of the seal.
The body Yalve is essentially supported within
the body by an elongated member and the elongated ~e~ber
is, in turn, centrally held wi~hin the body by fins.
Fluid flow must take place past the fins around ~he
elongated member. Thus, it is desirable to have such
fins be as thin as possible while having sufficient
strength to resist longitudinal shearing and compressive
orces. In accordance with the present invention, the
fins are in the for~ of a pair of fin ~embers each
having a generally M-shaped configuration in an end
Yiew. Each fin ~e~ber includes outer legs connec~ed by
a somewhat U-shaped por~ion having a central curved
portion. The cen~ral curved por~ion is spaced from the
ter~inal ends of ths outer legs and is curved outwardly
away therefro~. A pair of fin members are reversely
positioned ~ith the outer leg ends engaging one another
and with the curved portions facing one another on the
periphery of a common circle. A section of the body
~alve elongated member is located between the curYed
portions of the fins.
The stem ~ssembly includes a ste~ member havin~
a poppet ~oYable therein between closed and open
positions. The poppet has an external circumferential
s~al with sloping or tapered surfaces on both the
external and internal periphery thereof. The poppet
seal is engageable with a seat on the stem member. One
end of the poppet and a peripheral end portion of the
poppet seal are surrounded by a ~etal retainer for
pre~en~in~ blowout of the poppet seal. One side of the
~etal retainer serves as a positiYe metal stop for
cooperation with a corresponding stop OTI the stem member
to prevent extrus~on of the poppet seal.
The poppet includes a poppet shaft e~tending
ax~slly rearward therefro~ to a central openin~ in a
guide me~ber. This guide member includes a pluralitr of
c~rcumf~entially-spaced spokes ex~ending outwardly from
a central portion having the poppet shaft receiving
opening therethrough and having an axially extending
circular boss. A coil sprinK has one end closely
recsiYed over the circular boss on the guide member and
the opposite end engaging the poppet for normally
biasing the poppet to its closed position.
When a body and stem asse~bly are connected,
the ste~ ~e~ber moves beneath the operating sleeve into
en~age~ent with the slide for longitudinally moving same
away ~rom the body valve. Longitudinal movement of the
body and stem assemblies toward one another also causes
lS the body val~e to enter one end of the stem member and
engage the poppet for moving same to its open position.
Once the latch hooks are received in the external
circumferential groove formed in the stem member, the
co~ponents are connected together.
A plurality of pairs of keyed hody and stem
asse~blies are arranged so that body asse~blies and stem
assemblies having different keys cannot be connected
with one another. This is acco~plished by Yarying the
internal diameter of the operating sleeve, the external
dia~eter of the sten me~ber, the external dia~eter of
the body ~alve, and the in~ernal dia~eter of the open
ste~ ~e~ber end. Assemblies having different keys will
not mate due to interference either between a stem
me~ber and operating sleeve or between a body valve and
an open end of a stem ~ember.
The principal advantage of the present
invention is the provision of an improved quick
connec~/disconnect coupling.
Another advantage of the invention is the
proYision of a quick connect/disconnect coupling having
an i~proved latch mechanism.
Another advantage of ~he invention is the
provlsion of a quick connect/disconnect coupling having
a latch mechanism which requires movements in two
different directions for obtaining a released condition.
An additional advantage of the present
in~ention resides in proYiding an i~proved fluid
coupling having improved seals.
Still another advantage of the invention is
found in the provision of a coupling having an improved
bearing arrangemen~ between a body and a longitudinally
~ovable slide.
A further advantage of the invention resides in
an i~pro~ed arran8ement for biasing a packing into a
packing receiving space.
Still a urther advantage of the present
i~vention is found in improYed ~rrange~ents for
supportin a body valve and a ste~ poppet respectively
within a body asse~bly and a ste~ assembly.
Yet another advantage of the invention is in
proYiding an improYed keying arran8ement for insuring
that only mating pairs of body and ste~ assemblies can
be cooperatively joined.
Still other advantages of the present invention
~5 will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a
readin8 and understanding of the following detailed
description~
Brief Description of the Drawings
The invention may take ~orm in certain parts
and ar~angements of parts, a preferred embodiment of
which will be described in detail in the specification
and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form
a part hereof and wherein:
PIGUR~ l is a side cross-sectional elevational
view showing the coupling of the present invention about
~ .3~f:~
to bo conn~cted or just after it has been dissonnected;
FIGURE 2 is ~ view similar to FIGURE 3 showing
the coupling in its eonnected configuration;
~ IGURE 3 is a cross-sectional side elevational
Yiew of the body asseubly only of ~IGURES 1 and 2;
FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional side elevational
view of the stem assembly only of FIGURES 1 and 2;
PIGURE 5 is a top plan view of an operating
sleeYe used in the latch mechanis~;
FIGURE 6 is a top plan view of a stop button;
FIGURE 7 is a cross-sectional view taken
generally along linçs 7-7 of FIGURE 6;
FIGURE 8 is an end view of a spring used in
association with the stop ~utton of FIGURES 6 and 7;
FIGURE 9 is a cross-sectional view taken
generally alon~ lines 9-9 of FIGURE 8;
FIGU~E 10 is a top plan view taken generally
on-line 10-10 of FIGURE 8;
FIGURE 11 is an enlarged partial side
elevat~onal view in cross-section showing a packing
receiving space;
PIGURE 12 shows the axial cross-sectionai
conformation of a packinz ring;
PIGURE 13 shows the axial cross-sectional
confor~ation of a backup ring;
PIGURE 14 is an enlarged, partial
cross-sectional elevationai view showing a slide bearing
between ehe Yalve body part and the 51 ide;
~ IGURE 15 shows the axial cross-sectional
confor~ation of a seal ring used between a body and stem;
PI~URE 16 is sn end view showing fin ~embers
used to support a body Yal~e bol~;
PIGURE 17 i5 a top plan view taken generally
along lines 17-17 of EIGURE 16;
PIGURE 18 is a cross-sectional view taken
3~
-10-
~en~rally along lines 1~ of FIGURE 17;
FIGURE 19 is an end view showing a guide member
for a psppet;
FIGURB 20 is a cross-sectional view taken
generally alon~ lines 20-20 of FIGURE 1~;
FIGURE 21 is a partial cross-sectional view
si~ilar to PlGUR~ 1 showin~ the various component
dia~eters which are ~odified to provide keyed mating
pairs of body and ste~ assemblie~; and,
FIGURE 2~ is a table showing examples of
Yarious dia~eters in FIGURE Zl which provide keyed
~atinB pairs of body and stem assemblies.
Descri~tion of A Preferred E~bodiment
Referrin8 now to the drawings wherein the
showings are for purposes of illustrating preferred
e~bodi~ents of the invention only and not for purposes
of llDiting sa~e, PIGURE 1 shows a ~ating pair of body
and ste~ coupl ing me~bers or assemblies A and B,
respecti~ely, in a position about to be connected upon
~o~e~ent axially toward one another.
~ ody asse~bly ~ includes a body part or ~ember
C having ~ slide part D axially slidable thereon. Slide
part D ls nor~ally biased to the right in FIGURE 1 into
engagement with a body valve E by means of a coil spring
12. Body valve E is attached to sn elongated member or
bolt F and held centrsllr within the body part C by
support fins Go
Stem assembly B includes a stem part or ~ember
H haYing a poppet I disposed therein. Poppet I is
30 nor~ally biased to the left in FIGURE 1 into engagement
with a seat adiacent an open end of the stem by means of
a coil spring 14. Spring 14 surrounds a ~uide shaft or
bolt J extending through an opening in a guide member K
agsinst which spring 14 also acts.
When a mated pair of body and stem assemblies
A,B are to be coupled, they are posi~ioned as shown in
PIGURE 1. It will be noted that the outer end portion
of ste~ ~ember H engages the outer end portion of slide
part n and, upon moYement of assemblies A,B toward one
another, slide part D retracts to the left in FIGURE 1
out o~ en8agement with body Yalve E. At the same time,
body valve E enters the open end of s~em member H and
engages poppet I to move same away fro~ its seat, i.e.,
to the right in FlGUR~ 1. Once the assemblies are
connected, the parts are arranged as generally shown in
PIGURB ~ and fluid flow can take place through ~he
conneceed asse~blies.
Body part C is internally threaded as generally
indicated at 16 for connection to another fluid
conduit. Other interconnecting means could also be
advantageously employed, however. An external
circu~ferential groove 18 in the body part C loosely
recei~es inwardly extending first end portions 20 of a
plurality of latch oembers L. These latch members
preferably comprise ~etal stampings, and have an arcuate
confor~ation in an end Yiew. The opposite end portions
of latch ~embers L include inwardly extending latch
hooks 22 and outwardly extending latch projections 24.
A generally cylindrical abut~ent sleeve M îs
positioned over body part C and has an outer end portion
reversely curved inwardly as generally indicated at 28.
Re~ersely curved end portion 28 has an axially extending
portion overlying axially extending portions of first
end portions 20 of latch members L to loosely hold same
within groove 18 for allowing swinging movement of the
latch members opposite end portions toward snd away from
coupling longitudinal axis ~0. A snap ring 32 recei~ed
in a ~uitable external circumferential groove in body
part C retains abutment sleeYe M in position. Abut0ent
sleev~ M includes an outwardly extending circumferential
-1 2-
b~ad 3~1 for stiffenin8 same agalnst a ~eformation, and
also includes a ter~inal end 36~
Operating ~eans in the ~or~ of a generally
cylindrieel sleeve N surrounds latch ~embers L and has
an outer end portion reversely curved inwardly as
gen~rally indicated at 40. An outwardly extending
circu~ferential bead 42 provides an inner
circu~ferential recess 44 havin~ a gradual slope to
pro~lde a ca~ surface for cooperation with latch
projeceions 24. In the outward released position of
latch ~embers L as shown in FIGURE 1, latch projections
24 ~re received in recess of 44~ This relationship also
acts to retain operating sleeve N against complete
displacement to the ri8ht from body assembly A. A coil
spring ~6 is positioned betwe0n the reversely curved
outer end portion of abutment sleeve M and the inner
ter~inal end of operating sleeve N for nor~ally biasing
operating sleeve N away from abut~ent sleeve M.
~ generally rectangular opening 48 in operating
sleeve N receives stop ~eans in the form of stop button
0 haYing a downwardly depending leg S0 freely received
throu~h a slot 52 spaced sligh~ly froD rectangular
opening 4S. ~ generally circular leaf spring P has an
upper flat projec~ion 54 received in the recessed
underside of button 0 and noroally biases the stop
button upwardly in the view of FIGURE 1. Stop button O
has a leading edge 55 with a slow slope to prevent
accidentsl cocking of the button when contacted by an
external object having relative movement generally
toward abutment sleeve M. Stop button 0 also has an
inner o~d 56 engageable with abut~ent sleeve inner end
36 to preven~ further ~ovement of operating sleeve ~
within abutment sleeve M to the left in PIGURE 1 until
stop button O is depressed for allowing button inner end
56 to pass beneath end 36 of the abutment sleeve. The
-13-
inner end portion of operating sleeve N is closely
received and guided within abutment sleeve M.
Ste~ assembly B includes cooper~ting coupling
~eans on stem member H in the form of a circumferential
groove 60 for receiving latch hooks 22. With ~he
co~ponents positioned as shown in PIGURE 1, movement of
body part C and ste~ ~ember H tow~rd one ~nother causes
slide D to retract to the left. At the same time, latch
hooks 22 ride along the ou~er surface of slide ~ and an
outer sur~ace portion 62 of stem ~ember H until latch
hooks 22 reach groove 60. At this point, latch members
L swing inwardly for reception of latch hooks 22 within
groove 60. Spring 46 disposed be~ween abu~ment sleeve M
and operating slee~e ~, biases operating sleeve N to the
lS ri8ht in PIGURE 1. This causes the cam surface portion
of recess 44 to cooperate with la~ch projections 24 for
urging latch hooks 22 in~o grooYe 60. This also
releases ~perating sleeYe N for ~ovement to the ri8ht
fro~ the latch releasing position of ~I~URE 1 to ~he
latch holding position of FIGURE 2. In ~he latch
holding position, the outer ends of latch projections 24
engage the inner cyl indrical surface of operating sleeve
N at a location spaced from recess 44 on the opposite
side thereof fro~ reversely curved outer end portion
40. Also, the outer end of reversely curved end portion
40 engages an abut~ent 64 on stem memher H for holding
operating sleeve N against further ~ove~ent to the right
in PIGURE 2. When latch hooks 22 are received in a
latching condition in groove 60, the latch members are
positioned substantially 36~ around the groove. This
relationship enhances the connected relationship between
body and stem coupllng members A,B.
With the co~ponents connected as shown in
PIGURB 2, such connection requires ~oYement of operating
slee~e N to the left until latch projections 24 are
'3
-14-
generally aligned with recess 4~. However, 8xial
~ove~en~ of operating sleeve N to the left in FIGURE 2
ls preYente~ because terminal end 56 of stop button O
engages terminal end 36 of the abutment means defined by
abut~ent sleeve M. In order to free operating sleeve N
for ~ove~en~ to its releasing position, it is necessary
to depress stop button O and hold sa~e depressed while
operating slee~e N is urged axially to the left so that
stop button ter~inal end 56 will pass beneath abutment
ter~inal end 36 as shown in FIGURE 1. Th~s, the latch
~eans requires independent movements in ~wo different
directions for ~oving same to a releasing position. The
~ovement of button O is generallr toward and away from
coupling longitudinal axis 30 with the motion heing
generally pivotal about button projection S8 in slot
52. Once recess 44 is generally aligned with latch
projections 24, the biasing action of spring 12 urging
slide D to the right is also urging stem member }I eo the
right. The cooperating cam surfaces between latch hooks
22 and groove 60 cause the end portions of latch members
L to be ca~med generally radially outward for reception
of latch projections 24 in recess 44.
It will be noted that stop button O is loca~ed
bet~een outwardly extending circu~ferential beads
34,42. Preferably, the ~utton does not project above a
plane tan8ent to the outer surfaces of both beads 34 and
42, Thus, button O is protected by the beads against
accidental ~ovement to its unblocking position ro~ its
noroal blocking position where ~oYement of operating
sleeYe N to its latch releasing position is prevented.
3uewardly ~xtending circumferential bead 42 on operating
sleeve N also perfor~s the unction of providing an
abutment a~ainst which a person's thu~b and fingers ~ay
act to ~ove operating sleeve N to the left against the
3s bi~sing force of spring 46.
PIGUR~ 5 si~ply shows the rectangular opening
48 and slot 52 in oper~ting sleeve N ~ith more
particulari~y.
PIGURES 6 and 7 show the s~op means defined by
stop button 0. It will be recognized tha~ stop button 0
is transYersely cur~ed to the gener~l curvature of
operating sleeve N. The underside of s~op button 0 is
recessed. An outwsrdly extending flange 70 exten~s
outwardly from the button undersid~ along abu~ment end
56 thereof and partly along the opposi~e sides thereof
toward projec~ion 50. The flanges along the sides of
bu~ton 0 ter~inate sufficiently shor~ of the end having
downwardly extending projection 50 for allowing the
bu~ton to be positioned within and without operating
~lee~e N. When in the uncocked blockin~ position as
shown ~n PIGURE 2 to block move~ent of operating sleeve
N into abut~ent sleeve M, flange 70 abuts and
approxi~ately confor~s to the inner contour of operating
sleer~ N par~ially around the rectangular opening 48
while projection 50 extends downwardly through slot 52.
To ~o~e to the cocked position shown in ~IGURE 1 to
~llow teruinal end 56 ~o partially enter abutment sleeve
~, the button pivots on the portion of operating sleeve
N between rectangular openin~ 48 and slot 52. Ter~inal
end 56 is within a plane either perpendicular to axls 30
or sloping from the outer periphery of button 0 in a
direction both radially inward and axially outward from
ter~inal end 36 of abutment sleeve M. This is to
prevent a camming force which would work to depress and
cock the button when sleeve N is ~oved into sleeve M.
As shown in FIGURES 8~10, button spring P
coDlprises a generally flat leaf spring curved into a
generally circular conformation having freely
overlapping terminal end portions 72,74 for allowing
spring contraction and expansion. The top portion of
thfl ~pring opposite ~ro~ the overlapping ends has a
gen~rally rectangular çut-out 76 ~herein and an upwardly
r~ised pro~ectlon 54. The out~r corners o~ proj~ction
54 are relieved as generally indicated at 80 to
generally correspond with the curved corners of button 0
adjacent projection 50. Spring projection 54 is curved
to the general transYerse contour of stop button 0 and
is sized for reception in the recessed underside of the
butto~. Thus, spring P holds stop button 0 in a
position normally projecting upwardly through
rectangular opening 48 with a button flange 70 en8a8ing
the inner surface of opera~ing sleeve N. Depressing
stop button 0 ~ay cause spring P to contract by further
o~erlspping move~eDt of terminal end portions 72,74 and
by de~or~ation of sprin~ projection 54.
Inner body part C and outer slide part D
include closely facing cooperating outer and inner
c~lindrical surfaces 81,82, respecti~ely (FIGURE 2).
Body part C has an inner terminal end 84 spaced radially
inward fro~ outer surface 81 thereof. A taper surface
extends ~rom inner terminal end 84 to inner sur~ace 81.
Rs best shown in FIGURE ll, this taper surface includes
a slow taper surface 86 inclined to coupling
longitudinal axis 30 at a small angle and merging into a
fast taper surface 88 adjacent the lntersection thereof
with outer surface 81. In general, slow taper surface
86 is ~ore parallel to axis 30 than perpendicular
thereto, while fast taper surface 88 is ~ore
perpendicular ~o axis 30 than parallel thereto. The
taper surface cooperates with a portion of inner surface
82 on slido D to define a packing receiving space and
~t t~por surface 88 is located adjacent the apex of
thi~ 5paco.
A backup ring 90 and a packing ring 92 are
positioned in the packing receiving space with backup
ring 90 being located adjacent fas~ taper surface 88.
~17-
Figuro 13 shows a backup rinB 90 having a cylindrical
oue~r surface 94 generally corresponding to inner
cyllndr~cal surface B2 of slide D and an inner surface
9~ inclined at substantially the same taper as slow
taper surface 86. Backup ring 90 includes opposite
parallel ends 98, 100 extending perpendicular ~o outer
surface 94, with outer surface 94 merging into end
surfaces 98, 100 with smoothly curved convex corners.
All of the seals and packings used in the preferred
embodiment here under discussion are preferably
construc~ed of ~irgin polytetrafluoroethlyene ("TFE").
Backup ring 90 preferably comprises polyphenylene
sulfide (PPS) filled TFE or some other fairly hard yet
pliable ~aterial so as to render the backup rin8
lS expandable yet relatively non-deformable compared to
packing ring 92. Both TFE and PPS pro~ide excellent
co~patibility with an extremely wide ran8e of
she~icals. Seals and backup rings of these materials
have been found to be longer lasting and more resistant
to fsilure than conventional rubber or other elastomeric
seals. However, it will be appreciated that other
~aterials also could be employed satisfactorily to
accom~odate various environments or coupling
applications.
As shown in FIGURE 12, packing ring 92 has a
generally cylindrical outer surface 104 and an inner
cylindrical inner surface portion 106. Parallel
opposite ~nds 108,110 extend perpendicular to outer and
- inner surfaces 104,106. Approximately one-half of the
axial width of inner surface 106 has a taper surface 112
thereon for cooperation with slow taper surface 86. The
slow taper provides a ~echanical advantags which allows
packing ring 92 to defor~ and confor~ to irregularities
on the surfaces of the various components. This
~echanical advantage and resulting defor0ation enables
-18-
TPB, which is a relatiYely hard seal~ng ~a~erial7 to
provide a Kas tight seal while subjec~ed to relatively
low packing loadsa The thickness and axial wid~h of
packing ring 92 are slso such that packing ring end 110
5 is spaced axially a substantial distance outwardly
beyond hody part end 84.
With particular reference to FIGIIRE 3, a
~enerally cylindrical cup-like packing gland R is
closely slidably received within hollow body part C.
Gland R has an axial~y inward extending reversely curved
1ange 116 inside of body part C and a radially outward
~xtending flange 118 disposed axially outward from inner
terDinal end 84 thereof for enga8ing terminal end 110
(PIGURE 12) of packing ring 92.
Slide D has an inner inwardly extending portion
120 against whiçh a spring eyelet 122 is positioned.
The biasing ~eans defined by coil spring 12 has one end
rcceived o~er eyelet 12Z and the opposite end besring
a8ains~ inwardly extending reversely curved flange 116.
The rev~rse curve of flange 116 beneath the end coil of
spring 12 combines with the alignment functlon of spring
eyelet 122 to contain spring 12 against unseating forces
fro~ ~o~ing fluids. Spring 12 defines a slide biasing
~esns for normally biasing slide D in one direction off
25 or away fro~ body part C, and also defines a packing
biasing ~eans for urging packin~ 92 and backup ring 90
to the left in FIGURES 1 and 2 tightly into the packing
receiving space.
When the coupling is internally pressurized,
the pressure force acts on packing ring ~2 to force such
packing and backup rin8 gO further into the packin~
receiving space. The taper surf~ce 86 imparts radially
outward motion to the packing rin8 for causing such ring
to be pressed firmly into the inner surface of the
-19-
slldo. Tho slow ~per surface 86 proYides a mechanical
adv2ntage which amplifies the co~pressiYe stresses on
high points and irregularities in ~he packing at points
~here they contact the slide or body. Backup ring 90
prevents extrusion of the packing ring in~o the
inter~ace between the outer surface 81 of ~he body and
the inn~r surface 82 of the ~.lide. Axial movement of
the packing ring causes it to contac~ the backup ring
and forces same to move axially. The slow taper surface
86 c~uses the axially moYing backup ring to move
radially outward to ir~1y enga8e the inner surface 82
of the slide for preventing the packin~ from extruding
past the backup ring. The fast taper surface ~8 reduces
the tendency for axial movement of the backup ring.
This co~bines with the less deformable or harder
~aterial composition of the backup ring to minimize the
tendency of the backup ring to extrude between the body
and slide~
As shown in FIGURE 14, ~he outer end portion of
slide D has an internal circumferential recess with a
sloping wall 126 in outwardly spaced opposing
rela~ionship to body part outer surface 81. Recess
sloping wall 126 slopes outwardly away from axis 30 at a
slow taper when proceeding fro~ right^to-left in FIGURB
14, and this is also the one direction in which slide D
~oves when the ewo body and ste~ coupling assemblies A,B
are bein8 connected. A TPE bearin8 ring 127 has a
~enerally L-shaped cross-sectional configuration
including a larger axial leg 128 received in the
internal slide recess and a radial leg 129 extending
outwardly along slide terminal end 130. Axial leg 128
has a generally cylindrical inner surface with a
diameter slightly less than the external diameter of
oxternal cylindrical surface ~1 on body part C. Axial
leg 128 has an external surface with a slow taper
generally corresponding to the taper on recess slopin~
surface
-2~-
126. A c~ surface 131 connects the outer surface of
radial leg 125 with the inner surface of axial leg 128,
and Hids initial assembly as well as wiping action
during connection of the coupling asse~blies. Slide D
has an external circumerential ~rooYe 132 spaced a
short distance axially from ter~inal end 130 thereof and
ls of generally rectangular cross-sectional shape.
Retalning mesns for preven~ng complete displace~ent of
the bearin8 ring fro~ the recess while allowin~ ited
axial ooYement thereof relative to the slide comprises a
~etal retainer rin8 including an inward~y extending
flang~ 133 overlying bearing ring radial leg 129. The
axial spacing between flan~e 133 and slide terminal end
130 is substantially greater than the axial thickness of
b~arin8 ring radial leg 129. A retainer ring
cylindrical portion 134 is closely receiYed over that
portion of slide D extending between terminal end 130
and grooYe 132, and which portion has an external
dia~eter s~aller than the remainder of slide D by
approxi~ately two times the rsdial thickness of retainer
ring cylindrical portion 134. A plurality of
circu~ferentially-spaced inwardly extending barbs or
detents 135 are punched and bent fro~ cylindrical
portion 134 and slope inwardly toward axis 30 at a slow
taper fro~ right-to-left in FIGUR~ 14. The axial
distance between the terminal end o~ cylindrical portion
134 and the terminal end of detents 135 is subs~antially
less than the axial width of groove 132. In other
words, th~re is a loose fit so that the retainer ring
oan move back-and-for~h axially. When the retainer ring
is being asse~bled, detents 135 will bend outwardly
until they snap back into groove 132. ~ngagement
between the terminal end of cylindrical portion 134 and
one side of groo~e 132, snd between the terminal ends of
detents 135 and the opposite side of groove 132, define
~6V~
-21-
the li~its o~ axlal movement f or the retainer ring~
Dur~ng ~oYement of slide D in ~he one direction to
connect the coupling, which is moYement of slide D from
right-to-left in PIGURE 14, cooperation between the
tapering surfaces of the slide recess and the bearing
ring axial leg causes axial leg 128 to contract
generallr radially in~o firm engagement with body par~
external surface ~1. Thus, durin~ connecting movement,
slid~ D rides on bearin8 ring 127 having a very low
coef~icient of friction instead of ridin8 on another
~etal surface. This is signi~ican~ in that
substantially all of the major coupling components are
preferably of stainless steel and galling is a
particular problem associated with such material. The
lS fir~ engagement of bearing ring axial leg 128 with
external surface 81 of body par~ C also perfor~s a
tborough wiping action. When slide D is ~hereafter
~o~ed in the opposite direction, i.e., to the right or
uncouplin~ direction in FIGURE 14~ bearing rin8 127 is
free for limited movement to the left so it doss not
co~pressively engage body part C with great force and
allows free separation of ~he parts when lateral forces
are ~ini~al.
Inwardly extending por~ion 120 of slide D
ter$inates in an axially extending projection 13b having
an external circumferen~i~l groove 138 (FIGURE 3)
receiving a TF~ seal ring 140, Slide D is part of body
assembly A and may be considered a body part. The
t~r~inal end portio~ vf slide D having groove 138
therein ~ay be considered a body ter~inal end portion
having a terminal end 141. Groove 138 has a groove
botto~ and axially-spaced groove sidewalls, including
one groove sidewall closest to terminal end 141 and an
opposite groove sidewall further therefrom. The groove
3s botto~ slopes outwardly away from axis 30 at a small
2~-
anglo ln a direction from ~he one ~roove sidewall ~oward
the opposite groove sidewall. As best shown in PICURE
15, seal 140 has an lnner surface 142 sloping at a
shallow angle from axis ~0 and an outer cylindrical
portion 144. Parallel opposite ends 146,148 extend
perpendicular to cylindrical surface 144. Approximately
one-half of the width of seal 140 adjacent end 148 has
an external sloping surface 150 sloping downwardly
tow~rd inner surface 142 at a shallow angle from axis
30~ The botto~ of cylindrical groove 138 is shaped to
generally correspond with seal inner sur~ace 142, while
an lnner surface portion 152 of ste~ ~ember l~ is shaped
to generally correspond with external surfaces 144,150
by haYing stem me~ber cylindrical and sloping surfaces
153,155 (FIGURE 4). The diameter of inner cylindrical
surface 82 on slide D is substantially greater than the
lar~est external dia~e~er of seal 140. As a result, a
pressure force differential will exist when the coupling
is pressurized ~o nor~ally bias slide D to the right in
FIGURE 2, and to more firmly engage and compress seal
140 beeween slide D and stem me~ber H. A stem seal
backup rinB 156 is positioned between the left end of
TF~ seal 140 and the left end of groove 138 and, besides
preventing extrusion of seal 140, it has the same or
25 si~ilar properties and material composition as packing
backup r~ng 90.
Body valve E includes an external recess
closely receiving a seal 160, with the surface of the
recess corresponding in size and shape with the inner
surface of the seal. Seal 160 has both external and
intarnal surfaces which are sloped outwardly away fro~
axis 30 in a direction proceeding away from slide D.
This enh~nces the sealing action and allows the seal to
conor~ with irregularities. An outer sloping surface
162 on seal 160 corresponds with a ~alve seat 164 on the
interior of slide D adjacent the open end. Body val~e E
-23-
also includes a sloping stop surface 166 spaced axially
and r~dially fro~ seal 160 for cooperation with a
corresponding sloping stop surface 168 adjacent the open
end o slide D. This cooperation between the stop
s surfaces 166, 168 prevents dama8e or extrusion to seal
160 under high pressures. One end and an ou$er
peripherlal portion of seal 160 are surrounded by a
~etal retainer ring 170 for preventin~ blowou~ of seal
160 under high fluid pressure conditions. Metal
retainer rin8 170 is retained in position by a sultable
snap ring 172 positioned in a suitable circumferential
~roove in body valve E. Body valve stop surface 166 is
located on the opposite side of seal 160 from metal
retainer ring 170 and stop surface 166 is located
axially further away from slide D than retainer ring 170.
Poppet I includes an external recess shaped for
closely receiving a poppet seal 180 having internal and
~xternal surfaces ~hich are tapered outwardly from axis
~0 in a direction away from ~he open end of stem member
H. These internal and external tapering surfaces enahle
th~ seal to conor~ with irregularities on the mating
surfaces. Seal 180 also has an outer sloping surface
182 for cooperation with a corresponding valve seat 184
adjacent the open inner end of ste~ me~ber H. A
tap~ring stop surface 189 on a metal retainer ring 187
i3 c~operative with a corr~sponding tapered stop surface
188 adjacent the open inner end of stem member H. Under
nor~al circumstances, stop surfaces 189,188 will not
engage one another, bu~ will do so to prevent extreme
defor~ation or extrusion of seal 180 under extremely
high pressures. Retainer ring 187 surrounds an end and
a peripheral portion of seal 180 to prevent seal blowout
and is retained in position by a snap ring 190 received
in a suitable groovs in poppet I. Stop surface 189 and
35 retainer ring 187 are located at the same end of
i
-2~-
~eal 180, ~nd retainer ring JB7 is loca~ed axially
closer to the open inner end of s~em me~ber l~ th~n is
the portion of poppet I on the opposite side of seal lB0
fro~ retainer rin8 187.
Bolt or elongated member P is secured to body
vdlY~ ~ in a known ~anner and includes a pair of
axially-spaced projections 202,204 bet~een which a
circu~ferential grooYe 206 is defined. Suppor~ fins G
include a pair of fin ~embers shown in detail in FIGURES
16-18. Each fin ~ember is generally M-shaped in end
view and includes a pair of main legs 208 connected by a
generally U-shaped portion having a central curved
portion 210 which i~ spaced from the terminal ends and
is cur~ed outwardly away therefro~. As bes~ shown in
PIGURES 17 and 18, curved central portion 210 is axially
offset fro~ ~ain legs 208. When a pair of fin members
are reversely positioned with ~he ter~inal ends of main
legs 208 thereof engaging one another as shown in FlGURE
16, the inner facing surfaces of curved central portions
210 lie on the periphery of a co~mon circle haYing a
dia~eter approxima~ely the same as the diameter of the
botto~ of bolt groove 206. In addition~ the distance
between the opposite axial ends of curYed central
portion 210 is approxi~at~ly the same as the distance
between the inner facing surfaces of projections 202,204.
Whe~ a pair of fin members are reversely
positioned in coopera~ive relationship around a bolt F
as shown in ~IGURE 3 7 one end of legs 208 engages a
circumferential shoulder 212 in the bore of body part
C. A snap ring 214 received in a suitable
circu~ferential groove retains support fins G in the
desired position. As shown in FIGURE 3, curved central
portions 210 are axially offset fro~ legs 208 in a
dlrcction away fro~ body valve E. The shape and
position of th~ fin ~embers allows maxi~um flow through
the bor~ of body part C while providing ~a%imu~ s~reng~h
or holding body valve E in pvsition and resisting both
sho~r and compressive forces.
~s shown in PIGURES l9 and 20, poppet guide
5 ~e~ber ~ includes a plurality of radially extending
circumferentially spaced apart spokes 220 issuing from a
central area 222. A central opening 224 extends through
the cen~r~l area and is surrounded by a circular raised
boss 226. The outor ter~inal ends 228 of spokes 220 are
curYed to lie on the periphery of a co~on circle and
the spokes are equidistan~ly spaced fro~ one another.
~s shown in FIGURE 20, spokes 220 are inclined out of a
flat plane in a direction opposiee to ehe projecting
direction of circular boss 2260
As shown in FIGURE 4, poppet guide bolt J is
surrounded by coil spring 14 and has a terminal end in
t~e general shape of a ~runcated cone ~hich abuts a
corresponding conical botto~ surface of a bore in poppet
I .A shoulder 230 wi thin a stem adapter 232 engages the
outer end portions of spokes 220 on poppet guide K. A
s~all diaaeter portion 234 of guide bolt J is closely
recei~ed and slidably guided through hole 224. An
enlarg~d portion o~ the guide bolt provides an abutment
236 for engagin~ the end of circular boss 226. One end
of coil spring 14 is closely received over circular boss
226 and the other end thereof engages the back of an
enlar~ed head on the ter~inal end portion of guide
bolt J within the bore in poppet I for normally biasing
the poppet to its closed position. Th0 $nterior outer
end portion of ste~ ~e~ber H is suitably threaded for
cooperation with external threads on stem adapter 232t
and the i~terior of ste~ adap~er 232 is threaded as
indicatod at 240 for connection to another fitting on a
conduit. Here, too, in~erconnecting ~eans of types
other than threads 240 could be advantageously employed.
-26-
~ ith reference to PIGURES 2l and 22, the
oxternal diameter portion of stem member H which is
receiYed within operating sleeve N is varied by adding
çylindrical shims 246 of Yarious thicknesses ther~to.
5 Shus, the external dlameter S of ste~ ~ember H ~ay be
selecti~ely varied~ The inner diameter of reversely
curved portion 40 of operatin~ sleeve N is varied by
machining the portion to variable desired internal
diameters T. The largest external dia~eter portion of
10 body val~e E is varied by machining it to variable
dia~eters Y. The diame~er of the s~allest internal
dianeter portion 250 at the open inner end of stem
~ember H is similarly varied by machining it ~o variable
diameters U.
A plurality of pairs of mating body and stem
asse~blies are constructed and di~ensioned such that the
body asse~bly of one key will ~ate only wi~h a ste~
asse~bly having the same key7 Progressi~ely larger keys
have progressively larger external ste~ member diameters
S, larger internal operating sleeve diameters T, larger
body valve external dia3eters V, and larger stem open
end internal diaoeters U. Thus, there is provided a
coded sysee~ of couplings including 8 plurality of pairs
of keyed ~atin8 body and ste~ asse~blies ~,B. Each body
asse~bly includes an inner body valve E and an outer
coupling sleeYe defined by.operating sleeve N. Each
ste~ asse~bly has a ste~ member H with an external
diamster S ~nd an ope~ stem end through which body Yalve
~ is received. Mating body and stem assernhlies are
dimensiongd for close reception of ste~ member H within
slee~e N and for close reception of body valve ~ within
~nner ste~ ~embe~ end 250. With this arrangement, body
and ste~ assemblies having different keys will not mate
or connect due to interference either between a stem
~e0ber H and a coupling sleeve N or between a body valve
E and 9 stem inner end 250.
~ xamples of various diameters for a plurality
of dlfferent keys i5 shown in FIGUR~ 22. A stem
asse0bly will not couple with the body of a higher key
5 because of interference between valve body E and
internal opening 250. A body assembly having a hi8her
key ~ill always have a larger external diameter on body
Yalve E than the corresponding internal dia~eter at open
end 250 of a s~aller key ste~ assembly. A body asse~bly
10 will not mate or connect with a ste~ assembly of a
hi8her key because of interference be~ween the external
dia~eter of stem oe~ber H snd the internal diameter sf
sleeY~ N. A stem assembly of a higher key will always
ha~s a larger external stem member diameter than the
lS correspo~ding internal dia~eter of the sleeve on a
s~aller key body asse~bly.
The invention has been described with reference
to the preferred e~bodiment. ObYiously, modifications
and alterations will occur to others upon a reading and
20 understanding of ~his specification. It is intended to
include all such ~odifications and alterations insofar
as they co~e within the scope of the appended claims or
the equivalents thereof.
