A coil spring is disposed in a fluid passage between a cylindrical body and a valve element to urge the valve element toward a closed position. The coil spring comprises a valve support portion supporting the valve element, a secured portion secured to an inner peripheral surface of the fluid passage, an expanding-contracting portion extending from the secured portion, and a connecting portion between the expanding-contracting portion and the valve support portion. The connecting portion comprises a first portion curved so as to pass radially outward of an end winding portion of the expanding-contracting portion, a second portion passing through the center of the valve support portion, a third portion extending curvedly so as to overlap the first portion, and a fourth portion extending to the valve support portion. When the coil spring is compressed, the valve support portion is supported to the expanding-contracting portion 54 through the connecting portion.

Some fluid coupling devices described herein are configured for use in fluid systems for purposes of providing a single-use, disconnection functionality that can substantially limit fluid spillage when being disconnected. In some embodiments, the coupling portions cannot be functionally reconnected to each other after being disconnected from each other.

Some fluid coupling devices described herein are configured for use in fluid systems for purposes of providing a single-use, disconnection functionality that can substantially limit fluid spillage when being disconnected. In some embodiments, the coupling portions cannot be functionally reconnected to each other after being disconnected from each other.

A female undersea hydraulic coupling member is equipped with a plurality of pressure-energized metal seals configured to seal between the body of the female member and the probe of a corresponding male hydraulic coupling member in response to ambient hydrostatic pressure and/or hydraulic fluid pressure. Pressure-energized metal seals may also be provided to seal between the body of the female coupling member and a removable seal retainer or seal cartridge. In one particular preferred embodiment, the pressure-energized seals are back-to-back metal C-seals separated by annular seal supports having a generally T-shaped cross section and retained on one or more shoulders in the body of the female member by a removable seal cartridge.

An enhanced quick coupling configuration has a push-to-connect locking mechanism in which holding the outer sleeve does not affect the ability to connect the coupling, and the outer sleeve otherwise does not need to be restrained by additional components. The coupling includes a single sleeve spring in the locking mechanism, and the use of smaller restriction slots to house axially offset locking balls in a manner that axially constrains movement of the locking balls. When a male component is inserted into the female component during a connection operation, a shoulder on the male component sequentially contacts the axially offset rows of locking balls, which drive the inner sleeve axially in an inward direction. In the fully connected state, the inner sleeve is biased axially outward so as to push back against the inward locking balls, thereby preventing further movement of the inward locking balls.

An enhanced quick coupling configuration has a push-to-connect locking mechanism in which holding the outer sleeve does not affect the ability to connect the coupling, and the outer sleeve otherwise does not need to be restrained by additional components. The coupling includes a single sleeve spring in the locking mechanism, and the use of smaller restriction slots to house axially offset locking balls in a manner that axially constrains movement of the locking balls. When a male component is inserted into the female component during a connection operation, a shoulder on the male component sequentially contacts the axially offset rows of locking balls, which drive the inner sleeve axially in an inward direction. In the fully connected state, the inner sleeve is biased axially outward so as to push back against the inward locking balls, thereby preventing further movement of the inward locking balls.

Male or female fluid coupling element and fluid coupling including such an element This coupling element has a body and a nozzle. The body delimits a housing for partially receiving the nozzle. The nozzle has a tubular part and a flange received in the housing. Two sealing barriers formed by at least one sealing joint are interposed between a rear surface of the flange and a front face of the body, between a front surface of the flange and a rear face of the body, respectively. A plug caps an inner conduit. Portions of the inner conduit communicate through at least one passage opening into an inner volume of the nozzle, forward of the plug, and on an outer peripheral surface of the flange. An inner chamber is separated from the inner conduit by the body, the flange, the plug and the first sealing barrier.

A hydraulic coupling device (10) comprising a female coupling unit (30) comprising a female coupling body (31), a holding block (50), a guiding ring (60), and an expanding ring (70) for fixedly arranging the female coupling unit (30) to the holding block 50 in an opening (52a) of the holding block (50), wherein the guiding ring (60) comprises an outer surface (60a) comprising a thread surface portion (60a1) configured to engage with a thread surface portion (52c1) of a cylindrical portion (52c) of the opening (52a) of the holding block (50) fixedly arranging the guiding ring (60) to the holding block (50), wherein a seat (53) is provided in the opening (52) for supporting the expanding ring (70), wherein an outer surface (31a) of the front end of the female coupling body (31) comprises a circumferential groove (31f) comprising a groove seat (31g), configured to receive the expanding ring (70), wherein the female coupling unit (30) is adapted to be fixedly arranged to the holding block (50) by being suspended between the guiding ring (50) and the seat (53), wherein the expanding ring (70) is arranged as a support between the female coupling unit (30) and the seat (53).

A hydraulic coupling device (10) comprising a female coupling unit (30) comprising a female coupling body (31), a holding block (50), a guiding ring (60), and an expanding ring (70) for fixedly arranging the female coupling unit (30) to the holding block 50 in an opening (52a) of the holding block (50), wherein the guiding ring (60) comprises an outer surface (60a) comprising a thread surface portion (60a1) configured to engage with a thread surface portion (52c1) of a cylindrical portion (52c) of the opening (52a) of the holding block (50) fixedly arranging the guiding ring (60) to the holding block (50), wherein a seat (53) is provided in the opening (52) for supporting the expanding ring (70), wherein an outer surface (31a) of the front end of the female coupling body (31) comprises a circumferential groove (31f) comprising a groove seat (31g), configured to receive the expanding ring (70), wherein the female coupling unit (30) is adapted to be fixedly arranged to the holding block (50) by being suspended between the guiding ring (50) and the seat (53), wherein the expanding ring (70) is arranged as a support between the female coupling unit (30) and the seat (53).

Disclosed herein are embodiments of a connector system for releasably connecting together tubes, for example medical tubing, and methods of making and using such a connector system, whereby the connector system includes a female coupler having a first passageway, a male coupler having a second passageway, a catch movably coupled to the female coupler, and a catch-receiving element coupled to the male coupler. The connector system further includes a release element movably coupled to the female coupler, whereby travel of the release element along or over a female coupler outer surface of the female coupler disengages the catch from the catch-receiving element to achieve a disconnected condition of the connector system. Further disclosed herein are embodiments of a connector system for releasably connecting together tubes, whereby the connector system includes at least one valve biased by a valve-biasing member disposed external to or outside of the fluid flow path.