Dual channel connector units, devices, methods, and systems including the same

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10478748-B2
Application number	US-201815928287-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 22, 2018
Priority date	Apr 27, 2017
Publication date	Nov 19, 2019
Grant date	Nov 19, 2019

Abstract

Technologies for providing a gas inlet and gas outlet to a compartment are described. In embodiments, the technologies include a dual channel connector unit that includes an inlet passageway and an outlet passageway. In embodiments at least a portion of the outlet passageway is disposed radially around the inlet passageway. The connector unit is configured to install into a portion (e.g., wall, bottom, top, or lid) of a compartment. Systems and methods including such connector units are also described.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A connector unit comprising:
an inlet passageway and an outlet passageway, the inlet passageway comprising a first proximal end and a first distal end and the outlet passageway comprising a second proximal end and a second distal end;
a second connector portion comprising a first body comprising a first wall having a first inward facing surface, a first outward facing surface, and an end surface, the first body further comprising a first passageway; and
a fourth connector portion configured to be inserted into the first passageway, the fourth connector portion comprising a second body comprising a second wall having a second inward facing surface, a second outward facing surface;

wherein:
at least a portion of the inlet passageway is disposed in the fourth connector portion;
at least a portion of the outlet passageway is disposed between the first inward facing surface and the second outward facing surface, such that at least a portion of the outlet passageway is disposed radially around the inlet passageway;
the second connector portion further comprises self drilling elements that are integral with or coupled to the end surface of the first wall; and
the connector unit is configured to be installed into and span a portion of a compartment such that the first and second proximal ends are located outside the compartment and the first and second distal ends are located inside the compartment when the connector unit is installed.

2. The connector unit of claim 1 , further comprising:
a first inlet connector coupled to the first proximal end; and
a second inlet connector coupled to the first distal end.

3. The connector unit of claim 2 , further comprising an outlet connector configured to couple to the second proximal end.

4. The connector unit of claim 2 , wherein the second inlet connector comprises said first distal end, and the second distal end is located proximal to the first distal end.

5. The connector unit of claim 1 , wherein the second distal end is located proximal to the first distal end.

6. The connector unit of claim 1 , wherein said self drilling elements comprise teeth, blades, or a combination thereof.

7. The connector unit of claim 1 , wherein:
when the fourth connector portion is inserted into the first passageway, a gap is present between the second outward facing surface and the first inward facing surface; and
said gap defines at least a portion of the outlet passageway.

8. The connector unit of claim 7 , further comprising at least one standoff element extending from the second outward facing surface, the at least one standoff element to maintain the gap between the second outward facing surface and the first inward facing surface when the fourth connector portion is inserted in the first passageway.

9. The connector unit of claim 7 , wherein:
the fourth connector portion further comprises a flange;
the second connector portion comprises an abutment surface; and
an engagement surface of the flange is configured to abut the abutment surface when the fourth connector portion is inserted into the first passageway.

10. The connector unit of claim 9 , further comprising at least one sealing element, wherein:
said flange further comprises a plug;
when the fourth connector portion is inserted into the first passageway:
the plug is disposed within a proximal end of the first passageway; and
the at least one sealing element is disposed between the first inward facing surface and at least a portion of said plug, so as to form a gas-tight seal.

11. The connector unit of claim 7 , wherein:
the first passageway comprises a proximal opening and a distal opening;
the self-drilling elements are disposed about the distal opening.

12. The connector unit of claim 7 , further comprising a first connector portion that is configured to couple to a portion of the compartment, wherein:
the first connector portion comprises an opening; and
the second connector portion is configured to be inserted into the opening of the first connector portion.

13. The connector unit of claim 12 , wherein:
the first connector portion comprises first guide elements within the opening;
the second wall comprises a distal portion and a proximal portion;
second guide elements are formed on the second outward facing surface proximate the distal portion of the second wall; and
the second guide elements and first guide elements are configured to draw the distal portion of the second wall into the opening of the first connector portion.

14. The connector unit of claim 13 , wherein:
the first guide elements are first threads; and
the second guide elements are second threads configured to threadably engage with the first threads to draw the second body into the opening of the first connector portion when the second connector portion is rotated about an axis that is parallel to and extends through the first passageway.

15. The connector unit of claim 13 , further comprising at least one locking element configured to be disposed on the outward facing surface of the second wall, wherein the at least one locking element is configured to lock the relative position of the first connector portion and the second connector portion.

16. The connector unit of claim 15 , wherein the second connector portion comprises a handle, and the at least one locking element is between the handle and the first connector portion.

17. The connector unit of claim 15 , wherein:
the at least one locking element comprises a first locking element and a second locking element;
the first locking element configured to be disposed distally from the first connector portion; and
the second locking element is configured to be disposed proximally from the first connector portion.

18. The connector unit of claim 7 , wherein:
the second wall comprises a distal portion and a proximal portion; and
at least one proximal hole is present through the proximal portion of the second wall, the at least one proximal hole forming at least a portion of the outlet passageway.

19. The connector unit of claim 18 , further comprising a third connector portion comprising a collar defining an opening, the collar comprising a proximal edge, at least one spacer element disposed within the opening, and at least one outlet opening; wherein:
the collar is configured to be disposed over the proximal portion of the second wall;
when the collar is disposed over the proximal portion of the second wall, the at least one spacer element is disposed between an inward facing surface of the collar and the second outward facing surface, such that a circumferential gap is present between the inward facing surface of the collar and the second outward facing surface, the circumferential gap fluidly coupling the at least one proximal hole with the at least one outlet opening; and
the circumferential gap and the outlet opening form at least a portion of said outlet passageway.

20. The connector unit of claim 19 , wherein:
the collar of the third connector portion comprises a proximal circumferential edge; and
when the collar is disposed over the proximal portion of the second wall and the fourth connector portion is inserted into the first passageway, at least a portion of the flange of the fourth connector portion abuts the proximal circumferential edge.

Assignees

• Soclean Inc

Inventors

• Leyva Timothy

Classifications

• A61L2/202

  Ozone · CPC title

• A61L2202/13

  Biocide decomposition means, e.g. catalysts, sorbents · CPC title

• B67D2007/0428

  having devices to avoid a mix up of different fuels · CPC title

• B01D11/0403 Primary

  with a supercritical fluid · CPC title

• B67D2007/0426

  comprising several hoses for several fuels · CPC title