A tube coupling for coupling a first tube and a second tube. The tube coupling includes an inner shroud including a ball portion and an outer shroud including a socket portion. The socket portion receives the ball portion. The tube coupling includes a compressive ring configured to elastically compress the outer shroud onto the inner shroud. The ball portion and the socket portion form a ball and socket joint. The ball and socket joint allows relative angular movement and relative axial movement between the inner shroud and the outer shroud.

A tube coupling for coupling a first tube and a second tube includes an inner shroud located circumferentially around a first tube distal end at an inner shroud distal end, the inner shroud distal end having one or more radial teeth, an outer shroud having a first outer shroud distal end and a second outer shroud distal end, the first outer shroud distal end located circumferentially around a second tube distal end and the second outer shroud distal end located circumferentially around the inner shroud distal end, and a band configured to elastically compress the first outer shroud distal end onto the inner shroud distal end. The band elastically compresses the first outer shroud distal end and the inner shroud distal end such that the one or more radial teeth are swaged into an outer surface of the first tube.

A quick connect fluid connector is directly connected to a fluid port of a fluid manifold using a quick connect fluid connector swivel that is configured to permit rotational and/or longitudinal movement of the quick connect fluid connector relative to the fluid port. The relative axial and/or rotational movements provided by the swivel eliminates the need for a fluid hose to be used in the fluid path between the quick connect fluid connector and the fluid port.

A quick connect fluid connector is directly connected to a fluid port of a fluid manifold using a quick connect fluid connector swivel that is configured to permit rotational and/or longitudinal movement of the quick connect fluid connector relative to the fluid port. The relative axial and/or rotational movements provided by the swivel eliminates the need for a fluid hose to be used in the fluid path between the quick connect fluid connector and the fluid port.

A coupling member for a blind mate fluid coupling includes a housing and a fluid connector fixed in position relative to the housing for connecting to a fluid conduit of the system. A valve body extends through the housing and is movable relative to the housing. The valve body includes an internal fluid passage that is fluidly connected to the connector, and a valve member opens or closes the internal fluid passage. A carrier is at least partially disposed in the housing and is radially movable relative to the housing. The carrier is configured to cooperate with the valve body to facilitate alignment of the valve body when coupling to another coupling member. The carrier may form a portion of the fluid passage between the connector and valve body, and includes a sealing arrangement that permits radial and/or angular misalignment compensation of the design. Varying diameters of the insertion part or receiving part of the coupling member may be provided for further enhancing misalignment compensation of the design.

A coupling member for a blind mate fluid coupling includes a housing and a fluid connector fixed in position relative to the housing for connecting to a fluid conduit of the system. A valve body extends through the housing and is movable relative to the housing. The valve body includes an internal fluid passage that is fluidly connected to the connector, and a valve member opens or closes the internal fluid passage. A carrier is at least partially disposed in the housing and is radially movable relative to the housing. The carrier is configured to cooperate with the valve body to facilitate alignment of the valve body when coupling to another coupling member. The carrier may form a portion of the fluid passage between the connector and valve body, and includes a sealing arrangement that permits radial and/or angular misalignment compensation of the design. Varying diameters of the insertion part or receiving part of the coupling member may be provided for further enhancing misalignment compensation of the design.

A docking system useful to connect and place in communication a first operating unit (3) including one or more fluid accumulators and at least one second mobile service unit (7) carrying fluid in a reservoir for refilling the accumulators. The operating unit and the at least one second mobile service unit each include hydraulic connectors carried by a floating support connected to a float supporting device to facilitate alignment and connection of the hydraulic connectors. In one example, the docking system includes a stationary intermediate structure (5) to indirectly connect and communicate the hydraulic connectors of the operating unit and the second mobile service unit. In one example, the at least one second mobile service unit is an automated guided vehicle or an autonomous mobile robot.

A docking system useful to connect and place in communication a first operating unit (3) including one or more fluid accumulators and at least one second mobile service unit (7) carrying fluid in a reservoir for refilling the accumulators. The operating unit and the at least one second mobile service unit each include hydraulic connectors carried by a floating support connected to a float supporting device to facilitate alignment and connection of the hydraulic connectors. In one example, the docking system includes a stationary intermediate structure (5) to indirectly connect and communicate the hydraulic connectors of the operating unit and the second mobile service unit. In one example, the at least one second mobile service unit is an automated guided vehicle or an autonomous mobile robot.

The connection assembly (100) which includes a flange (140) has two internal orifices (150) crossing through and centered on orifice axes (A150) parallel to each other, a front surface (142) and a rear surface (144) parallel to a transverse plane (P140) transverse to the orifice axes (A150), two fluidic coupling elements (170), that have a male body (172) received in a corresponding internal orifice, and a cover (120), configured for being attached to a support (110) in a mounted configuration of the connection assembly. The flange can move with respect to the cover according to a movement supported by the transverse plane, whereas for each male body, a second gasket (188) is interposed radially between the male body and an internal radial surface (S162) of the corresponding internal orifice, each male body being mounted in the corresponding internal orifice and can be tilted with respect to the corresponding orifice axis.

A fluid system and a blind-mate fluid fitting is provided. The blind-mate fluid fitting includes a shoulder and fitting portion extending from one side of the shoulder. The fitting portion defines a central fitting axis and is operable to inserted into a fluid port of a component. The fluid port defines a central port axis. The fitting portion includes a sealing portion that is operable to seal against the fluid port when the central fitting axis is positioned at a zero angle and at least one of a plurality of different non-zero angles relative to the central port axis.