Bi-directional hose break-away assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9611949-B2
Application number	US-201514683639-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 10, 2015
Priority date	Apr 11, 2014
Publication date	Apr 4, 2017
Grant date	Apr 4, 2017

Abstract

A bi-directional hose break-away assembly includes a first adapter section and a second adapter section that are operatively connected by a hose section. A first valve assembly is disposed within the first adapter section and a second valve assembly is disposed within the second adapter section. The first and second valve assemblies are operatively connected by a stem connector so that the first and second valve assemblies will close in the event a maximum tensile load is exceeded, thereby preventing spillage of liquefied chemicals.

First claim

What is claimed:

1. A break-away assembly for a liquefied chemical transportation system, the break-away assembly comprising:
a first adapter portion configured for releasable attachment to a liquefied chemical source and a second adapter portion configured for releasable attachment to a liquefied chemical destination, the first adapter portion and the second adapter portion being operatively connected to one another by a hose portion;
a first valve assembly disposed within the first adapter portion;
a second valve assembly disposed within the second adapter portion; and
a stem connector operatively connecting the first valve assembly and the second valve assembly,
wherein each of the first adapter portion and the second adapter portion includes, an outer coupling portion having a body including a central bore with the female threads, an inner flange extending radially inward from the body at one end, and an annular channel formed in the central bore, the annular channel being positioned proximate the inner flange; a center conduit portion having a body including a central bore, the central bore having a first portion with a first diameter, a second portion with a second diameter that is different from the first diameter, and a third portion having a third diameter that is different from the second diameter, and an outer annular flange that is sized and shaped to be at least partially received within the annular channel on the outer coupling; and an inner coupling portion having a body including a central bore and an outer annular extension that separates a first mating portion from a second mating portion, the first mating portion including outer threads configured to grip a portion of the hose portion, and the second mating portion including outer threads configured threadedly engage inner threads on the third portion of the center conduit.

2. The break-away assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first valve assembly includes a first valve seat and a first valve plug, the first valve seat and the first valve plug cooperating to control fluid flow through the first valve assembly.

3. The break-away assembly of claim 2 , further comprising a first valve extension, the first valve plug being operatively connected to the first valve extension.

4. The break-away assembly of claim 3 , wherein the first valve extension has a longitudinal axis that is coincident with a longitudinal axis of the stem connector.

5. The break-away assembly of claim 4 , wherein the first valve extension is secured within a first central bore of a first adapter portion with a first mounting bracket.

6. The break-away assembly of claim 5 , further comprising a first spring seat that is operatively connected to the first mounting bracket.

7. The break-away assembly of claim 6 , further comprising a first biasing element disposed between the first spring seat and the first valve plug, the first biasing element biasing the first valve plug towards the first valve seat.

8. The break-away assembly of claim 1 , wherein the second valve assembly includes a second valve seat and a second valve plug, the second valve seat and the second valve plug cooperating to control fluid flow through the second valve assembly.

9. The break-away assembly of claim 8 , further comprising a second valve extension, the second valve plug being operatively connected to the second valve extension.

10. The break-away assembly of claim 9 , wherein the second valve extension has a longitudinal axis that is coincident with a longitudinal axis of the stem connector.

11. The break-away assembly of claim 10 , wherein the second valve extension is secured within a second central bore of a second adapter portion with a second mounting bracket.

12. The break-away assembly of claim 11 , further comprising a second spring seat that is operatively connected to the second mounting bracket.

13. The break-away assembly of claim 12 , further comprising a second biasing element disposed between the second spring seat and the second valve plug, the second biasing element biasing the second valve plug towards the second valve seat.

14. The break-away assembly of claim 2 , wherein the first valve seat forms a junction between the first portion and the second portion of the center conduit.

15. The break-away assembly of claim 8 , wherein the second valve seat forms a junction between the first portion and the second portion of the center conduit.

16. The break-away assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a first clamp that operatively and releasably connects the first adapter portion to the hose portion.

17. The break-away assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a second clamp that operatively and releasably connects the second adapter portion to the hose portion.

18. The break-away assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a first stem guide disposed within the inner coupling portion of the first adapter portion, between the first mating portion and the second mating portion.

19. The break-away assembly of claim 18 , wherein the first stem guide comprises a body portion having a central opening that is sized and shaped to receive the stem connector.

20. The break-away assembly of claim 19 , the first stem guide further comprising a plurality of outwardly extending wings.

21. The break-away assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a second stem guide disposed within the inner coupling portion of the second adapter portion, between the first mating portion and the second mating portion.

22. The break-away assembly of claim 21 , wherein the first stem guide comprises a body portion having a central opening that is sized and shaped to receive the stem connector.

23. The break-away assembly of claim 22 , the first stem guide further comprising a plurality of outwardly extending wings.

Assignees

• Emerson Process Man Regulator Technologies Inc

Inventors

• Pelfrey Roy Ronald
• Buford Jake
• Michnevitz Mark A

Classifications

• F16L35/00 Primary

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

• F16K17/36 Primary

  actuated in consequence of extraneous circumstances, e.g. shock, change of position · CPC title

• F16L29/007

  Joints with cut-off devices controlled separately · CPC title

• F16L55/1007

  Couplings closed automatically when broken · 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