Disclosed herein is a fluid connector system configured to couple a first fluid line structure, e.g. port, with a second fluid line structure, e.g. catheter. The connector system can include a connector body and one or more locking mechanisms designed to transition between an unlocked position and a locked position. The locking mechanism includes a first lever arm rotatably coupled to the connector body, and a second lever arm rotatably coupled to the first lever arm. The second lever arm can further be rotatably and releasably coupled to the port. Rotating the first lever arm uses mechanical advantage to urge the port to engage a catheter ensuring a tight seal therebetween even under high fluid pressures.

The present invention relates to a coupling for a connecting a LNG nozzles to a LNG vehicle tank receptacle and their connection apparatus to a LNG vehicle tank for fueling.

The invention comprises a double connection system to provides additional safety to a LNG Nozzle Locking Mechanism for being locked into a LNG receptacle on a vehicle tank, by combining two different locking mechanisms: one the so-called “collet type” locking mechanism with the locking handles, and two the valved receptacle and valved nozzle approach with the rotating handle.

A fluid coupling includes a body, a poppet valve assembly, a handle shaft assembly, and a retention member. The body has a fluid conduit, a through-hole extending through a sidewall, and one or more openings that extend between an external surface of the body and an interior of the through hole. The poppet valve assembly is disposed within the fluid conduit and is selectively movable between an open position and a closed position. The handle shaft assembly extends through the through-hole and into the fluid conduit and is interconnected with the poppet valve assembly such that the handle shaft assembly can be actuated to move the poppet valve assembly between the open position and the closed position. The retention member is insertable through the one or more openings and into the through-hole to interact with the handle shaft assembly to selectively hold the handle shaft assembly in the body.

A multi-coupling component (20) includes a plurality of fluid couplers (22, 24, 26, 28) that are fluidly connected to a plurality of corresponding fluid flow pathways (80, 84), and a case drain fluid coupler (32) that is fluidly connected to a low pressure drain fluid pathway (88); and a pressure relief mechanism (40) that is configured to be moved between a disconnected state, a partially connected state, and a fully connected state. The pressure relief mechanism is configured such that in the partially connected state the fluid flow pathways and drain fluid pathway are fluidly connected to perform a pressure relief function, and in the disconnected state and the connected state the drain fluid pathway is isolated from the fluid flow pathways. The pressure relief mechanism includes a pressure relief button, wherein the pressure relief button is depressed to move the pressure relief mechanism from the disconnected state to the partially connected state and to the connected state. The pressure relief mechanism may be operated manually by hand for the subsequent connection of individual fluid couplers, or automatically when a second multi-coupling component is attached to the multi-coupling component that has the pressure relief mechanism.

A method and apparatus for an improved safety cam lock fitting having cooperating double cam levers having outer and inner portions so that when the outer cam levers are opened and the inner cam lever remain closed, the male and female portions of the cam lock fitting only slightly separate from each other allowing the operator to quickly reclose the cam lock fitting if the operator observes that the cam lock fitting still contains pressurized material. This is accomplished by providing a larger cam lobe on the outer cam lever and a smaller cam lobe on a fork shaped inner cam lever so that when the smaller cam lobe is in a closed position and protrudes into a peripheral groove on the male portion the male and female ends have a small space therein between. An automatic lever latching mechanism prevents the cam levers from being inadvertently opened.

A method and apparatus for an improved safety cam lock fitting having cooperating double cam levers having outer and inner portions so that when the outer cam levers are opened and the inner cam lever remain closed, the male and female portions of the cam lock fitting only slightly separate from each other allowing the operator to quickly reclose the cam lock fitting if the operator observes that the cam lock fitting still contains pressurized material. This is accomplished by providing a larger cam lobe on the outer cam lever and a smaller cam lobe on a fork shaped inner cam lever so that when the smaller cam lobe is in a closed position and protrudes into a peripheral groove on the male portion the male and female ends have a small space therein between. An automatic lever latching mechanism prevents the cam levers from being inadvertently opened.

A method for coupling a tubing to a liquid chromatography column comprises: passing an end of the tubing through a coupling apparatus comprising: (i) at least one chamber; (ii) a first spring within the at least one chamber configured to transmit a spring force to the tubing; (iii) a second spring within the at least one chamber; and (iv) a deformable sealing member configured to receive a second force from the second spring; inserting the tubing end into a receptacle of an end fitting of the column; and moving the coupling apparatus towards the chromatography column such that the first spring urges the tubing into the receptacle whereby a pressure of the tubing end against the end fitting exceeds a maximum operating fluid pressure of the column and, further, whereby the second spring causes the deformable sealing member to form a fluid seal between the column and the receptacle.

A method for coupling a tubing to a liquid chromatography column comprises: passing an end of the tubing through a coupling apparatus comprising: (i) at least one chamber; (ii) a first spring within the at least one chamber configured to transmit a spring force to the tubing; (iii) a second spring within the at least one chamber; and (iv) a deformable sealing member configured to receive a second force from the second spring; inserting the tubing end into a receptacle of an end fitting of the column; and moving the coupling apparatus towards the chromatography column such that the first spring urges the tubing into the receptacle whereby a pressure of the tubing end against the end fitting exceeds a maximum operating fluid pressure of the column and, further, whereby the second spring causes the deformable sealing member to form a fluid seal between the column and the receptacle.

A hose connector apparatus for quick and easy dripless hose connection includes a first connector having a first inner end, a first outer end, and a first sidewall. The first outer end attaches to a first hose. The first inner end has a receiving cavity. A male clamp bracket is pivotably coupled to the first sidewall. A female clamp bracket is pivotably coupled to the male clamp bracket and has a female bracket distal end. A second connector has a second inner end, a second outer end, and a second sidewall. The second inner end has a protrusion portion slidably engageable within the receiving cavity of the first connector. The second outer end attaches to a second hose. A pair of locking pins is coupled to the second sidewall to selectively engage the female bracket distal end of the female clamp bracket.

A clamping device suitable for securing a pair of flanges together is a unitary strip of a polymeric material that defines a multiplicity of clamping segments linked by flexible strip portions. The ends of the unitary strip define latching elements shaped to interconnect when the ends are brought together. Along one face of the unitary strip the clamping segments define teeth that project at opposite sides of the unitary strip, and these teeth define faces that are adapted in use to contact outer faces of the pair of flanges. Each clamping segments may define two opposing teeth. The clamping device can be operated with a single hand, being bent around the outside of the pair of flanges so that the clamping segments engage opposite faces of the pair of flanges and hold them together, and the latching elements are interconnected.