This document describes devices and methods for reducing liquid spillage, such as fluid coupling devices that include one or more apertures that reduce spillage when the fluid coupling devices are disconnected. In some embodiments, the one or more apertures are designed with features to increase a level of acceleration that liquid within an internal volume of the fluid coupling devices would need to be exposed to in order to spill from the internal volume via the one or more apertures.

A valve fitting includes a fitting body defining a fitting passageway, supply and working ports in fluid communication with the fitting passageway, a supply port coupler operable to connect the supply port with an associated feed port coupler providing a pressurized fluid, a working port coupler operable to connect the working port with an associated tire of a tire assembly of an associated work vehicle, a supply valve moveable in the fitting passageway between a first position closing the fitting passageway from the supply port and a second position opening the fitting passageway to the supply port, a biasing assembly biasing the supply valve towards the first position, and an actuator assembly comprising an actuator member operable to urge the supply valve towards the second position against the bias of the biasing assembly in response to the associated feed port coupler being connected with the supply port coupler.

Fluid handling couplings can be made to connect and disconnect other members of a fluid handling system. For example, this document describes fluid couplings that are convenient to couple/decouple and that provide strong resistance to inadvertent disconnection when subjected to rotation while pressurized. In some embodiments, the resistance to inadvertent disconnection is facilitated by a latch mechanism of the female coupling that includes a protrusion that becomes seated in a groove of a mated male coupling.

A quick-connect coupler includes an input, a main body, an inner sleeve, a ball retainer, a valve, and outer and inner balls. The main body is coupled with the input. The inner sleeve is disposed in the interior chamber of the main body and is slidably coupled with the main body. The ball retainer defines an interior chamber and a second aperture. The ball retainer is disposed in the interior chamber of the main body and is slidably coupled with the main body. The valve defines a passageway and is disposed in the interior chamber of the ball retainer. The valve is slidably coupled with the input. The inner and outer balls are disposed in the first and second apertures. respectively. The interior chamber of the main body defines a first diameter. The interior chamber of the ball retainer defines a second diameter that is less than the first diameter.

A quick-connect coupler includes an input, a main body, an inner sleeve, a ball retainer, a valve, and outer and inner balls. The main body is coupled with the input. The inner sleeve is disposed in the interior chamber of the main body and is slidably coupled with the main body. The ball retainer defines an interior chamber and a second aperture. The ball retainer is disposed in the interior chamber of the main body and is slidably coupled with the main body. The valve defines a passageway and is disposed in the interior chamber of the ball retainer. The valve is slidably coupled with the input. The inner and outer balls are disposed in the first and second apertures. respectively. The interior chamber of the main body defines a first diameter. The interior chamber of the ball retainer defines a second diameter that is less than the first diameter.

Fluid handling couplings can be made to connect and disconnect other members of a fluid handling system. For example, this document describes fluid couplings that are convenient to couple/decouple and that provide strong resistance to inadvertent disconnection when subjected to rotation while pressurized. In some embodiments, the resistance to inadvertent disconnection is facilitated by a latch mechanism of the female coupling that includes a protrusion that becomes seated in a groove of a mated male coupling.

Methods and apparatus are disclosed for a coupling nozzle for cryogenic fluid. An example nozzle comprises a flow body defining a conduit, an inlet, and an outlet. A pneumatic cylinder is configured to slide between an extended position and a contracted position. The pneumatic cylinder is coupled to and configured to actuate the flow body. A locking mechanism is configured to secure the coupling nozzle to a receptacle. A flow control assembly comprises a valve seat fixed to the flow body adjacent the inlet and a plug configured to slide. When the locking mechanism is locked and the pneumatic cylinder actuates to the extended position, the valve seat is to disengage from the plug to open the flow control assembly. When the locking mechanism is locked and the pneumatic cylinder actuates to the contracted position, the valve seat is to engage the plug to close the flow control assembly.

Methods and apparatus are disclosed for a coupling nozzle for cryogenic fluid. An example nozzle comprises a flow body defining a conduit, an inlet, and an outlet. A pneumatic cylinder is configured to slide between an extended position and a contracted position. The pneumatic cylinder is coupled to and configured to actuate the flow body. A locking mechanism is configured to secure the coupling nozzle to a receptacle. A flow control assembly comprises a valve seat fixed to the flow body adjacent the inlet and a plug configured to slide. When the locking mechanism is locked and the pneumatic cylinder actuates to the extended position, the valve seat is to disengage from the plug to open the flow control assembly. When the locking mechanism is locked and the pneumatic cylinder actuates to the contracted position, the valve seat is to engage the plug to close the flow control assembly.

A universal female connector includes a body having a first path and a second path which communicates with the first path. A movable unit is movably located within the first path and includes an elongate hollow part with a first seal received therein. Multiple heads are movably attached to the elongate hollow part. A valve unit is located in the second path of the body. A button unit is movably inserted into a hole transversely defined through the body to position the elongate hollow part in the body. When a male connector is connected to the elongate hollow part and pushes the first seal, the elongate hollow part with the beads are moved and positioned by the button unit to communicate the first and second paths. When the button unit is pushed, the movable unit moves to its initial position, and the male connector is removed from the movable body.

Quick coupling including casing defining longitudinal axis, outlet and inlet, to receive at the inlet at least part of external connector to fluidity connect external connector and outlet, shutter housed within casing to translate along longitudinal axis in opposition to opposing element, housing at least part of external connector and including retainer to lock at least part of external connector within shutter in at least one position along longitudinal axis, controller accessible from outside and including first slider housed within casing to translate along locking direction skewed relative to longitudinal axis in opposition to second opposing element, to house at least part of the shutter and including lock to lock the shutter within first slider in position along locking direction, and safety to lock shutter when subjected to pressures above predetermined threshold by fluid present within coupling, wherein the shutter locks external connector at least when safety locks shutter.