An air-to-air coupling 13 (e.g. for receiving a probe in probe-and-drogue refuelling) comprises retaining members 19, 27 for interacting with a further member (e.g. a refuelling probe) to hold the further member in place. An active drive system 39, 21 may drive the holding members and may thereby also actively drive the further member into place. Alternatively the active drive 39, 21 may drive another member such as a locking member 31 to hold the retaining members 19, 27 in position once the further member is in place. The active drive releases the retaining members 19, 27 or moves them out of position to allow the further member to be removed. This allows the further member to be inserted and removed with a lower force than is used to hold it in place. The coupling may also be used for in-air recovery of an unmanned aircraft.

A fluid conduit interlock comprises at least one retention member for engaging a fluid conduit, the or each retention member configured to be movable between a retention position for retaining the fluid conduit and a release position for releasing the fluid conduit, a valve member configured to be movable between a valve open position for opening a hollow bore and a valve closed position for closing the hollow bore, and an interlock mechanism configured to operably link the movement of the or each retention member and the movement of the valve member so that the or each retention member in the release position locks the valve member in the valve closed position and so that the valve member in the valve open position locks the or each retention member in the retention position.

A fluid conduit interlock comprises at least one retention member for engaging a fluid conduit, the or each retention member configured to be movable between a retention position for retaining the fluid conduit and a release position for releasing the fluid conduit, a valve member configured to be movable between a valve open position for opening a hollow bore and a valve closed position for closing the hollow bore, and an interlock mechanism configured to operably link the movement of the or each retention member and the movement of the valve member so that the or each retention member in the release position locks the valve member in the valve closed position and so that the valve member in the valve open position locks the or each retention member in the retention position.

A gladhand device for automatically coupling the air brake hose of a railcar to a railcar mover is disclosed herein. The automated gladhand device may comprise a gladhand body that is attached to the end of a railcar mover and configured to receive the gladhand attached to an air brake hose of a railcar. In various embodiments, the gladhand device may comprise a piston housed within a lower portion of the gladhand body that is configured to extend vertically above a top edge of the lower portion of the gladhand body. When air pressure is allowed to enter the gladhand body via an electrically controlled solenoid, the piston presses against the gladhand of the air brake hose and pneumatically seals a coupling between the air brake hose of the railcar and the railcar mover.

A gladhand device for automatically coupling the air brake hose of a railcar to a railcar mover is disclosed herein. The automated gladhand device may comprise a gladhand body that is attached to the end of a railcar mover and configured to receive the gladhand attached to an air brake hose of a railcar. In various embodiments, the gladhand device may comprise a piston housed within a lower portion of the gladhand body that is configured to extend vertically above a top edge of the lower portion of the gladhand body. When air pressure is allowed to enter the gladhand body via an electrically controlled solenoid, the piston presses against the gladhand of the air brake hose and pneumatically seals a coupling between the air brake hose of the railcar and the railcar mover.

This invention relates to coupling devices, particularly to coupling devices for use with pressurized substances, for example, fluids such as liquids, gases, and plasmas; drive assemblies for said coupling devices; and to methods of supplying substances. The coupling device comprises a housing defining a chamber, the housing comprising inlet, outlet, and re-circulation/vent apertures; a valve assembly disposed in the chamber, the valve assembly comprising a valve; and a drive assembly located in the housing and operatively engageable with the valve assembly, wherein the drive assembly comprises a drive member disposed in the chamber; and a second cam member operatively engageable with the drive member and the valve assembly, wherein the second cam member is configured to be displaced by the drive member to cause the operation of the coupling device between uncoupled and coupled conditions, and the valve between the re-circulation/vent and charge conditions in a synchronized fashion.

This invention relates to coupling devices, particularly to coupling devices for use with pressurized substances, for example, fluids such as liquids, gases, and plasmas; drive assemblies for said coupling devices; and to methods of supplying substances. The coupling device comprises a housing defining a chamber, the housing comprising inlet, outlet, and re-circulation/vent apertures; a valve assembly disposed in the chamber, the valve assembly comprising a valve; and a drive assembly located in the housing and operatively engageable with the valve assembly, wherein the drive assembly comprises a drive member disposed in the chamber; and a second cam member operatively engageable with the drive member and the valve assembly, wherein the second cam member is configured to be displaced by the drive member to cause the operation of the coupling device between uncoupled and coupled conditions, and the valve between the re-circulation/vent and charge conditions in a synchronized fashion.

The invention relates to a connector (1) constituted by: base provided with a tubular wall (13) closed by a bottom wall (11) provided with at least one through-opening (111); a membrane provided with a flexible wall (23) having a central opening, a tubing (22) placed in the opening of the flexible wall; sealing means for preventing a liquid from leaving the connector through the tubing. The base and the membrane are fixed to each other in a liquid-tight manner. The flexible wall allows axial displacement of the tubing so that it can be moved between a closed position, in which a liquid cannot leave the connector through the conduit of the tubing, and an open position, in which a liquid from can leave the connector through the tubing. Retaining means (121, 222a) maintain the tubing (22) closed with a force that can be overcome manually to open it.

The invention relates to a connector (1) constituted by: base provided with a tubular wall (13) closed by a bottom wall (11) provided with at least one through-opening (111); a membrane provided with a flexible wall (23) having a central opening, a tubing (22) placed in the opening of the flexible wall; sealing means for preventing a liquid from leaving the connector through the tubing. The base and the membrane are fixed to each other in a liquid-tight manner. The flexible wall allows axial displacement of the tubing so that it can be moved between a closed position, in which a liquid cannot leave the connector through the conduit of the tubing, and an open position, in which a liquid from can leave the connector through the tubing. Retaining means (121, 222a) maintain the tubing (22) closed with a force that can be overcome manually to open it.

Systems and devices for use in delivery of water to areas of land. The systems include quick coupling valves, quick coupling valve keys, and fluid delivery systems that utilize quick coupling valves and quick coupling valve keys.