Fill nipple assembly

Abstract

A fill nipple assembly for use as a fill interface on a pressure regulator may comprise a fill nipple body, a strut member and a seal member. The fill nipple body includes a main bore with a tapered section. The strut member includes a complimentary tapered surface with a seal groove for retaining a seal member. The seal member extends partially outward of the tapered surface. The tapered section and tapered surface may have respective taper angles which are substantially the same. The rear portion of the strut member may include a radially-extending strut flange adapted to axially engage the proximal end of the fill nipple body. The strut member is received by the main bore for axial movement into and out of a sealing configuration with respect to the main bore. The seal member sealingly engages the tapered section when the strut member is in its sealing configuration.

1 . A fill nipple assembly for use as a fill interface on a pressure regulator, said fill nipple assembly comprising:
 a fill nipple body including a proximal end, a distal end, a main bore extending therebetween, a proximal portion adjacent said proximal end, and a distal portion adjacent said distal end, said main bore having a tapered section extending from a broad end to a narrow end, said broad end being closest to said proximal end;   a strut member including a first end, a second end, a first portion, a second portion and an intermediate portion therebetween, said intermediate portion including a tapered surface, said strut member further including an annular seal groove disposed along said intermediate portion, said strut member adapted to being received by said main bore for axial movement into and out of a sealing configuration with respect to said main bore; and   a seal member received by said seal groove and extending partially outward of said tapered surface;   wherein said seal member sealingly engages said tapered section when said strut member is in said sealing configuration.   
     
     
         2 . A fill nipple assembly as defined in  claim 1  in which said seal member is an o-ring. 
     
     
         3 . A fill nipple assembly as defined in  claim 1  in which said tapered section and said tapered surface have respective taper angles which are approximately the same. 
     
     
         4 . A fill nipple assembly as defined in  claim 1  in which said tapered section and said tapered surface have respective taper angles which are each approximately  10  degrees. 
     
     
         5 . A fill nipple assembly as defined in  claim 1  in which said first portion is substantially cylindrical and said main bore has a cylindrical section disposed between said tapered section and said distal end. 
     
     
         6 . A fill nipple assembly as defined in  claim 1  in which said tapered section is substantially within said proximal portion. 
     
     
         7 . A fill nipple assembly as defined in  claim 1  in which said second portion includes a radially-extending strut flange, said strut flange being adapted to axially engage said proximal end. 
     
     
         8 . A fill nipple assembly as defined in  claim 1  in which said strut member includes an inner groove disposed within said second end. 
     
     
         9 . A fill nipple assembly as defined in  claim 1  in which said first end is substantially hemispherical 
     
     
         10 . A fill nipple assembly as defined in  claim 1  in which said proximal portion includes external threading. 
     
     
         11 . A fill nipple assembly as defined in  claim 1  in which said main bore includes a tool engagement portion extending inwardly from said distal end, said tool engagement portion being adapted to axially releasably receive a torque tool. 
     
     
         12 . A fill nipple assembly for use as a fill interface on a pressure regulator, said fill nipple assembly comprising:
 a fill nipple body including a proximal end, a distal end, a main bore extending therebetween, a proximal portion adjacent said proximal end, and a distal portion adjacent said distal end, said main bore having a tapered section extending from a broad end to a narrow end, said broad end being closest to said proximal end;   a strut member including a first end, a second end, a first portion, a second portion and an intermediate portion therebetween, said intermediate portion including a tapered surface, said strut member further including an annular seal groove disposed along said intermediate portion, said strut member adapted to being received by said main bore for axial movement into and out of a sealing configuration with respect to said main bore; and a seal member received by said seal groove and extending partially outward of said tapered surface;   wherein said second portion includes a radially-extending strut flange, said strut flange being adapted to axially engage said proximal end, said tapered section and said tapered surface have respective taper angles which are approximately the same, and said seal member sealingly engages said tapered section when said strut member is in said sealing configuration.   
     
     
         13 . A fill nipple assembly as defined in  claim 12  in which said tapered section and said tapered surface have respective taper angles which are each approximately  10  degrees. 
     
     
         14 . A fill nipple assembly as defined in  claim 12  in which said first portion is substantially cylindrical and said main bore has a cylindrical section disposed between said tapered section and said distal end. 
     
     
         15 . A fill nipple assembly as defined in  claim 12  in which said tapered section is substantially within said proximal portion. 
     
     
         16 . A fill nipple assembly as defined in  claim 12  in which said strut member includes an inner groove disposed within said second end. 
     
     
         17 . A fill nipple assembly as defined in  claim 12  in which said first end is substantially hemispherical. 
     
     
         18 . A fill nipple assembly as defined in  claim 12  in which said proximal portion includes external threading. 
     
     
         19 . A fill nipple assembly as defined in  claim 12  in which said main bore includes a tool engagement portion extending inwardly from said distal end, said tool engagement portion being adapted to axially releasably receive a torque tool. 
     
     
         20 . A fill nipple assembly for use as a fill interface on a pressure regulator, said fill nipple assembly comprising:
 a fill nipple body including a proximal end, a distal end, a main bore extending therebetween, a proximal portion adjacent said proximal end, and a distal portion adjacent said distal end, said main bore having a tapered section extending from a broad end to a narrow end, said broad end being closest to said proximal end;   a strut member including a first end, a second end, a first portion, a second portion and an intermediate portion therebetween, said intermediate portion including a tapered surface, said strut member further including an annular seal groove disposed along said intermediate portion, said strut member adapted to being received by said main bore for axial movement into and out of a sealing configuration with respect to said main bore; and   a seal member received by said seal groove and extending partially outward of said tapered surface;   wherein said second portion includes a radially-extending strut flange, said strut flange being adapted to axially engage said proximal end, said strut member includes an inner groove disposed within said second end, said proximal portion includes external threading, said first portion is substantially cylindrical and said main bore has a cylindrical section disposed between said tapered section and said distal end, said tapered section and said tapered surface have respective taper angles which are substantially the same, and said seal member sealingly engages said tapered section when said strut member is in said sealing configuration.