This fluid coupling element comprises a body, a valve with a peripheral groove receiving a sealing gasket, a member for resiliently returning the valve and a skirt positioned inside the body and movable between a first position axially freed relative to the gasket and a second position radially covering the gasket. This element also comprises at least one hitching member axially secured to the skirt and radially movable between a first radial position, for axially securing the skirt and the body and for relative axial movement of the valve relative to the skirt, and a second position, for axially securing the skirt and the valve and for relative axial movement of the skirt and the body, in a configuration where the skirt covers the gasket. Preferably, the valve comprises a first surface for blocking the hitching member in its first radial position, as well as a first housing for receiving part of the hitching member in its second radial position, this first housing being adjacent to the first blocking surface. Also preferably, the body comprises a second surface for blocking the hitching member in its second radial position, as well as a second housing for receiving part of the hitching member in its first radial position, this second housing being adjacent to the second blocking surface.

A coupling and method are provided that include a coupler and nipple. The nipple has a valve in a normally-closed position and an outer peripheral surface with a plurality of spaced-apart, close-ended cam paths. The coupler has a valve in a normally-closed position and includes a set of latching balls for engagement with the cam paths to secure the coupler to the nipple. The coupler further includes a sleeve mounted thereon and movable between forward and retracted positions. In the forward position, the latching balls are forced into an inward position that prevents release of the latching balls from the cam paths, and in the retracted position, the latching balls are permitted to extend to an outward position enabling initial engagement with or disengagement from the cam paths. The coupler also includes a set of locking balls that prevents movement of the sleeve to the retracted position.

A coupling for the connection of pipelines and includes a coupling element and a complementary coupling element that can fit into one another wherein the coupling element includes a first body, a locking ring mounted around the first body, the first body being secured in translation with the locking ring, and wherein the locking ring includes a slot to receive a radially protruding part of the complementary element, a locking notch in which the protruding part can be axially locked and wherein a lever is radially rotatable in the slot and an elastic element urges the lever toward a locking position in which the lever locks the protruding part in the notch. The coupling also has a single sealing gasket mounted on an outer surface of the first body to cooperate with the complementary element.

An adjustable connector for refrigerant pipe includes a body, a valve pin is inserted into the body, and the body includes a quick-release assembly and a driving member respectively disposed on a mounting part and an installation part thereof. When the driving member is operated to suppress the pressed end of the valve pin to move the pushing end close to the pocket, the valve spout is opened to pass the refrigerant. Besides, when the driving member is operated to not suppress the pressed end by jumping off itself quickly, the pushing end is moved away from the pocket, so that the valve spout is closed to block the refrigerant.

A releasable valved coupler and a method of producing and using such a coupler including a coupler body having a first valve element and a coupler insert having a second valve element, wherein a first valve tip of the first valve element can engage a second valve tip of the second valve element upon insertion of the coupler insert inside of a tubular chamber of the coupler body, whereby the first valve element disengages a first valve seat and the second valve element disengages a second valve seat to open a flow path through the coupler. By moving the coupler body and the coupler insert in outward opposed axial directions, the first and second valve tips can disengage, correspondingly engaging the first valve element with the first valve seat and engaging the second valve element with the second valve seat to close the flow path through the coupler.

A surgical waste collection unit with a receiver for removably holding a manifold to which suction lines are connected. The receiver is mounted to the waste collection unit to be at an acute angle relative to the horizontal. The receiver is further configured to allow the manifold to be rotated in the receiver. This means the manifold can be rotated from a first position in which the manifold outlet opening is aligned with the conduit through which waste is flowed from the receiver and a second position in which the manifold outlet opening is elevated relative to the first position.

A releasable valved coupler and a method of producing and using such a coupler including a coupler body having a first valve element and a coupler insert having a second valve element, wherein a first valve tip of the first valve element can engage a second valve tip of the second valve element upon insertion of the coupler insert inside of a tubular chamber of the coupler body, whereby the first valve element disengages a first valve seat and the second valve element disengages a second valve seat to open a flow path through the coupler. By moving the coupler body and the coupler insert in outward opposed axial directions, the first and second valve tips can disengage, correspondingly engaging the first valve element with the first valve seat and engaging the second valve element with the second valve seat to close the flow path through the coupler.

In various embodiments, fluid conduits such as high pressure hoses deployed in-between two sea-fairing vessels may be released during an emergency by using a rapid release emergency disconnect system as described herein, where the rapid release emergency disconnect system may engage with a hanger such as an industry standard frac hanger and be used in-line with fluid conduits such as high-pressure lines. Various skid embodiments are described which can be configured to interface with one or more of the described rapid release emergency disconnect systems.

A coupling and method are provided that include a coupler and nipple. The nipple has a valve in a normally-closed position and an outer peripheral surface with a plurality of spaced-apart, close-ended cam paths. The coupler has a valve in a normally-closed position and includes a set of latching balls for engagement with the cam paths to secure the coupler to the nipple. The coupler further includes a sleeve mounted thereon and movable between forward and retracted positions. In the forward position, the latching balls are forced into an inward position that prevents release of the latching balls from the cam paths, and in the retracted position, the latching balls are permitted to extend to an outward position enabling initial engagement with or disengagement from the cam paths. The coupler also includes a set of locking balls that prevents movement of the sleeve to the retracted position.

A female connector includes: a housing defining a first axial direction and having an opening at a first end of the housing for insertion of a male connector, a first limiting member being provided on an outer periphery of the housing; a valve assembly arranged in the housing; a base defining a receiving passage extending along the first axial direction; a bushing sleeved outside the housing and arranged in the receiving passage to retain the housing in the receiving passage, the bushing being elastically deformable; and a mounting member fixed to an axial end of the base. The first limiting member is confined between the axial end and the mounting member, and a movement space for the first limiting member to move therein is defined between the axial end and the mounting member. A connector assembly includes the female connector.