Valve coupling assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12385583-B2
Application number	US-202218568936-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 18, 2022
Priority date	Jun 10, 2021
Publication date	Aug 12, 2025
Grant date	Aug 12, 2025

Abstract

A valve coupling assembly has a first fluid line connector coupled to a first fluid line and a second fluid line connector coupled to a second fluid line. In an operational state, the first and second fluid line connectors are engaged to each other for fluid communication between the first and second fluid lines. In a disengaged state, the first and second fluid line connectors are disengaged wherein the first and second fluid lines are disconnected. A first valve arranged in the first fluid line connector is configured to control a fluid flow in the first fluid line. In a closed state of the first valve, the first fluid line is sealed, and, in an open state of the first valve, the first fluid line is open. The second fluid line connector comprises at least one push element mounted to a body of the second fluid line connector.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A valve coupling assembly comprising a first fluid line connector coupled to a first fluid line and a second fluid line connector coupled to a second fluid line, wherein in an operational state, the first fluid line connector and the second fluid line connector are engaged to each other and the first fluid line and the second fluid line are connected in fluid communication, wherein in a disengaged state, the first fluid line connector and the second fluid line connector are disengaged from each other and the first fluid line and the second fluid line are disconnected from each other, wherein a first valve is arranged in the first fluid line connector, the first valve being configured to control a flow of a fluid in the first fluid line, wherein, in a closed state of the first valve, the first fluid line is sealed, and, in an open state of the first valve, the first fluid line is open, wherein the second fluid line connector comprises at least one push element mounted to a body of the second fluid line connector, the push element being configured to push the first valve from the closed state to the open state when the valve coupling assembly transfers from the disengaged to the operational state, wherein, in the operational state, the push element abuts on the first valve and locks the first valve in the open state, wherein the second fluid line connector comprises a second valve being arranged in the second fluid line connector, the second valve being configured to control a flow of a fluid in the second fluid line, wherein, in a closed state of the second valve, the second fluid line is sealed, and, in an open state of the second valve, the second fluid line is open, wherein the first fluid line connector comprises at least one further push element mounted to a body of the first fluid line connector, wherein, in the operational state, the further push element abuts on the second valve and locks the second valve in the open state, wherein the push elements of the first and second fluid line connectors are arranged in an opposed manner in an angular position to each other on the same radial center-lines.

2. The valve coupling assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the first valve is a self-closing first valve being configured to automatically transfer from the open state to the closed state if the first valve is unlocked in the open state.

3. The valve coupling assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the push element is a protrusion extending from the second fluid line connector to the first valve.

4. The valve coupling assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the first valve comprises a first piston, a first spring and a first valve seat, the first spring being configured to push the first piston on the first valve seat, wherein in the closed state of the first valve, the first piston abuts on the first valve seat and the first fluid line is sealed, wherein in the open state of the first valve, the push element pushes the first piston away from the first valve seat and the first fluid line is open.

5. The valve coupling assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the second fluid line connector comprises a plurality of push elements.

6. The valve coupling assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the first fluid line connector comprises a female housing, wherein the second fluid line connector comprises a male spigot corresponding to the female housing.

7. The valve coupling assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the first fluid line connector, the second fluid line connector, or both the first and second fluid line connectors, comprises at least one lug, wherein, in the operational state, the lug extends away from the first fluid line connector, the second fluid line connector, or both of the first and second fluid line connectors.

8. The valve coupling assembly according to claim 1 , wherein in a connected state of the first fluid line connector and the second fluid line, the first fluid line connector and the second fluid line connector are engaged to each other and the first valve is in the closed state.

9. The valve coupling assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the valve coupling assembly further comprises a vent being configured to vent air from between the first valve and the second valve.

10. The valve coupling assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the first fluid line connector, the second fluid line connector, the first valve, and the at least one push element comprise plastic material.

11. A vehicle comprising at least one fluid line, and the valve coupling assembly according to claim 1 , the valve coupling assembly connecting the at least one fluid line to a further component of the vehicle in fluid communication.

Assignees

• Norma Germany Gmbh

Inventors

• Williams Gary
• Stoll Viktor
• Peterson David
• Lyson Przemyslaw
• Hands Chris
• Kintea Daniel

Classifications

• F16L37/36

  with two lift valves being actuated to initiate the flow through the coupling after the two coupling parts are locked against withdrawal · CPC title

• F16L37/44

  with one lift valve being actuated to initiate the flow through the coupling after the two coupling parts are locked against withdrawal · CPC title

• F16L37/32

  at least one of two lift valves being opened automatically when the coupling is applied · CPC title

• F16L29/02 Primary

  with a cut-off device in one of the two pipe ends, the cut-off device being automatically opened when the coupling is applied · CPC title

• F16L29/04 Primary

  with a cut-off device in each of the two pipe ends, the cut-off devices being automatically opened when the coupling is applied · CPC title