Safely joint

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11644154-B2
Application number	US-202117563604-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 28, 2021
Priority date	Jan 14, 2021
Publication date	May 9, 2023
Grant date	May 9, 2023

Abstract

To provide a safety joint that can immediately shut off a hydrogen gas flow path at the initial stage when a plug (nozzle side member) comes out of a socket (fueling apparatus side member) to prevent release of outgas. A safety joint ( 100, 100 - 1 ) of the present invention includes: a plug ( 10 ) with a flow path ( 1 A) formed inside, a shutoff valve ( 5 ) of the plug ( 10 ) opens when connected to a socket ( 20 ); and the socket ( 20 ), a flow path ( 21 A) in communication with the flow path ( 1 A) is formed when connected to the plug ( 10 ); and when the plug ( 10 ) is disconnected from the socket ( 20 ), the flow paths ( 1 A, 21 A) of the plug ( 10 ) and the socket ( 20 ) are shut off, wherein the socket has an opening ( 21 C) that communicates with the flow path ( 21 A) and extends orthogonally to the flow path ( 21 A); when the plug and the socket are connected, a protruding portion ( 3 ) of the plug is inserted into the opening; and a socket flow path blocking mechanism ( 30, 31 ) is provided to instantly close the flow path ( 21 A) at an initial stage when the plug is disconnected from the socket.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A safety joint including:
a nozzle side member with a flow path formed inside, a shutoff valve of the nozzle side member opening when the nozzle side member is connected to a filling apparatus side member; and
the filling apparatus side member having a cylindrical shape, a flow path in communication with the flow path of the nozzle side member being formed when the filling apparatus side member is connected to the nozzle side member;
and when the nozzle side member is disconnected from the filling apparatus side member, the flow paths of the nozzle side member and the filling apparatus side member are shut off, wherein
said filling apparatus side member has an opening that communicates with the flow path of the filling apparatus side member and extends orthogonally to the flow path of the filling apparatus side member;
when the nozzle side member and the filling apparatus side member are connected, a protruding portion of the nozzle side member is inserted into the opening on the filling apparatus side member; and
a filling apparatus side member flow path blocking mechanism is provided to instantly close the flow path of the filling apparatus side member at an initial stage when the nozzle side member is disconnected from the filling apparatus side member,
the filling apparatus side member flow path blocking mechanism including a support member for supporting a valve body of the filling apparatus side member, the support member being placed on a rotational shape member when the nozzle side member and the filling apparatus side member are connected, and moving to a state in which the support member does not support the valve body of the filling apparatus side member at the initial stage when the nozzle side member is disconnected from the filling apparatus side member;
the rotational shape member being provided with a folded-back portion, after the support member moves to a state in which the support member does not support the valve body of the filling apparatus side member at the initial stage when the nozzle side member is disconnected from the filling apparatus side member, the folded-back portion of the rotational shape member moving to a position surrounding the support member.

2. The safety joint as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said filling apparatus side member flow path blocking mechanism further includes a valve body provided in the flow path of the filling apparatus side member, an elastic member on the filling apparatus side member urging the valve body of the filling apparatus side member flow path blocking mechanism.

3. The safety joint as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said filling apparatus side member flow path blocking mechanism includes a plug member slidably inserted into the opening of the filling apparatus side member;
the plug member is connected to the protruding portion of the nozzle side member;
a sealing material is arranged at the opening of the filling apparatus side member to prevent a high-pressure gas from leaking from boundaries between an outer peripheral surfaces of the protruding portion of the nozzle side member as well as the plug member and an inner peripheral surface of the opening.

4. The safety joint as claimed in claim 3 , further comprising a mechanism for disconnecting the plug member from the protruding portion of the nozzle side member when the nozzle side member is disconnected from the filling apparatus side member, wherein said mechanism includes:
a groove formed in the protruding portion of the nozzle side member;
an opening portion formed on the plug member;
a ball fitted in the groove formed in the protruding portion and the opening portion formed on the plug member;
an enlarged diameter portion at the opening portion of the filling apparatus side member;
a flange portion at an end of the plug member; and
an end face of a stopper member provided on the filling apparatus side member.

Assignees

• Tatsuno Corp

Inventors

• Takezawa Masahiro

Classifications

• B67D7/3218

  relating to emergency shut-off means · CPC title

• F16L55/1007 Primary

  Couplings closed automatically when broken · CPC title

• F16L55/1015

  Couplings closed automatically when disengaging force exceeds preselected value (F16L55/1007 takes precedence) · CPC title

• F16L35/00

  Special arrangements used in connection with end fittings of hoses, e.g. safety or protecting devices · CPC title

• F17C2221/012

  Hydrogen · CPC title