Coupling assembly for fluid lines

Abstract

A coupling assembly for releasably interconnecting fluid passages comprises male and female coupling members, which are mated by inserting a probe and socket of the members respectively. Each coupling member has a first end arranged for connection to a fluid passage. When mated in use, the coupling assembly provides a straight fluid conduit between the fluid passages comprising through-bores in each of the coupling members coincident along a first longitudinal axis. When mated in use, the probe and socket are arranged coincident on a second longitudinal axis, which is inclined to the first axis. Sealing means comprising an annular sealing ring proximate each of the socket and probe are arranged, when mated in use, either side of an intersection between the through-bore and socket. The sealing arrangement is such that fluid within the fluid conduit exerts a net force resisting separation of said coupling members.

1 . A coupling assembly for releasably interconnecting fluid passages comprises male and female coupling members, which are mated in use by inserting a probe of the male member into a socket of the female member, each coupling member including a first end arranged for connection to a fluid passage and a through-bore extending from the first end, wherein the through-bore of the male coupling member extends between the first end and a circumferential face of the probe, wherein when mated in use, the through-bores of each coupling member are coincident along a first longitudinal axis and the probe and socket are coincident along a second longitudinal axis, which is inclined to the first axis, the through-bores providing a fluid conduit between the two fluid passages and fluid being substantially retained in the conduit by sealing means. 
   
   
       2 - 4 . (canceled) 
   
   
       5 . The coupling assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the sealing means comprises a first and second annular sealing ring, wherein when mated in use, the first annular sealing ring is arranged on one side of the intersection of the through-bore and socket of the female member and the second annular sealing ring is arranged on the other side of the intersection of the through-bore and socket of the female member. 
   
   
       6 . The coupling assembly as claimed in  claim 5 , in which the first annular sealing ring comprises an internal annular sealing ring within the socket and the second annular sealing ring comprises an external annular sealing ring on the probe. 
   
   
       7 . (canceled) 
   
   
       8 . The coupling assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the through-bores in the male and female coupling members are substantially straight, wherein when the coupling members are mated in use the through-bores define a straight fluid conduit. 
   
   
       9 . (canceled) 
   
   
       10 . The coupling assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the coupling assembly further comprises releasable retaining means arranged to resist the uncoupling of the mated coupling members. 
   
   
       11 - 12 . (canceled) 
   
   
       13 . The coupling assembly as claimed in  claim 10 , in which the retaining means comprises a first part, which, in use, is arranged fast with the male coupling member, and a second part, which, in use, is arranged fast with the female coupling member, and wherein in use the first part and second part engage with each other, said engagement comprising the retaining means. 
   
   
       14 - 16 . (canceled) 
   
   
       17 . The coupling assembly as claimed in  claim 13 , in which the first part comprises a resilient clip that comprises first and second sections arranged about opposing sides of the first longitudinal axis and are joined by a connecting section that in use abuts a flange on the male coupling member, wherein said abutment comprises the first arrangement of the clip and male member, and wherein at least one of said first and second sections includes the radial teeth spaced from the connecting section. 
   
   
       18 - 21 . (canceled) 
   
   
       22 . The coupling assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the angle of inclination between the probe and the through-bore of the male coupling member, and between the socket and the through-bore of the female coupling member, is the same and is in the range 5-35°. 
   
   
       23 . The coupling assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the socket of the female coupling member further includes a closed end and an aperture from the socket, wherein, in use, the aperture is arranged in communication with a space between the closed end and a distal end of the probe, such that when the probe is inserted into the socket ambient fluid within the socket is forced out of the aperture and the egress rate of the ambient fluid from the aperture determines the insertion force required to insert the probe into the socket. 
   
   
       24 - 26 . (canceled) 
   
   
       27 . The coupling assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the male and female coupling members further comprise co-operating alignment features wherein said co-operation limits the relative orientation about the second longitudinal axis that the probe can be inserted into the socket. 
   
   
       28 - 29 . (canceled) 
   
   
       30 . The coupling assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , in which one or both of the male and female coupling members comprise a valve, which prevents fluid flow along the through-bore in a closed position and allows fluid flow along the through-bore in an open position. 
   
   
       31 - 34 . (canceled) 
   
   
       35 . The coupling assembly as claimed in  claim 30 , in which each valve is operable between the open and closed position by rotating an operable feature and wherein the operable feature is operated by a part of the opposing coupling member, such that the valve is rotated from the open position to the closed position when the probe is uncoupled from the socket, the valve further comprising biasing means, which acts to bias the valve towards the closed position, wherein the operable feature is operated by a part of the opposed coupling member such that the valve is moved towards the open position when the probe is inserted into the socket. 
   
   
       36 - 37 . (canceled) 
   
   
       38 . The coupling assembly as claimed in  claim 5 , in which the probe and socket taper adjacent to one or both of the sealing rings so as to prevent damage or removal of the sealing ring by fluid pressure. 
   
   
       39 . (canceled) 
   
   
       40 . The coupling assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the male coupling member comprises a first and second part, the second part being slidably mounted relative to the first and along the first longitudinal axis, wherein a biasing means biases the second part toward a first position, wherein the female coupling member comprises a recess and when mated in use, the second part engages with the recess to prevent the male and female members from decoupling. 
   
   
       41 . The coupling assembly as claimed in  claim 40 , in which the recess comprises a first part that is integral with or held fast to the female coupling member and a second part that is separable from the female coupling member, wherein a retaining member secures the second part to the first part. 
   
   
       42 . The coupling assembly as claimed in  claim 41 , wherein the retaining member is resilient such that, when mated in use, and at a given breakout force, the second part moves away from the first part thereby enlarging the recess and allowing, when mated in use, the probe to withdraw from the socket. 
   
   
       43 - 45 . (canceled) 
   
   
       46 . The coupling assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the male and female coupling members each include a respective through-bore closing member. 
   
   
       47 . The coupling assembly as claimed in  claim 46 , in which one or both of the closing members are moveable between a closed position, in which the closing member extends across the fluid aperture and wherein the first and second annular sealing rings are arranged on one side of the respective fluid apertures and a further sealing ring is arranged on an opposing side of the respective fluid apertures, and an open position in which the closing members do not extend across the fluid aperture. 
   
   
       48 - 53 . (canceled) 
   
   
       54 . A method of releasably interconnecting fluid passages comprises inserting a probe of a male coupling member into a corresponding socket of a female coupling member, the coupling members being connected to the end of the fluid passages and at the junction between the two fluid passages, each coupling member including a first end arranged for connection to a fluid passage and a through-bore extending from the first end, wherein when mated in use, the through-bores of each coupling member are coincident along a first longitudinal axis and the probe and socket are coincident along a second longitudinal axis, which is inclined to the first axis, the through-bores providing a fluid conduit between the two fluid passages and fluid being substantially retained in the conduit by sealing means. 
   
   
       55 . (canceled) 
   
   
       56 . The method as claimed in  claim 54  and further including a coupling assembly for releasably interconnecting fluid passages comprises male and female coupling members, which are mated in use by inserting a probe of the male member into a socket of the female member, each coupling member including a first end arranged for connection to a fluid passage and a through-bore extending from the first end, wherein the through-bore of the male coupling member extends between the first end and a circumferential face of the probe, wherein when mated in use, the through-bores of each coupling member are coincident along a first longitudinal axis and the probe and socket are coincident along a second longitudinal axis, which is inclined to the first axis, the through-bores providing a fluid conduit between the two fluid passages and fluid being substantially retained in the conduit by sealing means. 
   
   
       57 . (canceled)