F16L55/1015

HYGIENIC COUPLING
20220356972 · 2022-11-10 ·

A coupling for use with comestible products having a first body with a first flow path extending therethrough and a second body with a second flow path extending therethrough. The first and second bodies are configured for coupling together such that the first and second flow paths form a continuous flow path through the coupling. The coupling further comprises a first valve member actuable between an open position, wherein product can pass through the first flow path, and a closed position, wherein the passage of product through the first flow path is prevented, and a first biasing member for biasing the first valve member into the closed position. The coupling is configured such that, if the first and second bodies become decoupled from one another, the first valve member is moved into the closed position. The first biasing member is isolated from the flow path passing through the coupling.

Breakaway assembly
11597645 · 2023-03-07 · ·

A breakaway assembly including a first connector and a second connector releasably coupleable to the first connector. The assembly is movable between a first configuration in which the first and second connectors are releasably coupled and together define a fluid path through which fluid is flowable, wherein the fluid path includes an at least partially radially extending portion, and a second configuration in which the first and second connectors are not coupled together. The assembly is configured to move from the first configuration to the second configuration when a predetermined separation force is applied to the assembly. The assembly further includes a closure valve positioned in one of the first or second connectors, wherein the closure valve is configured to be in an open position when the assembly is in the first configuration to allow fluid to flow therethrough, and to move to a closed position blocking the at least partially radially extending portion of the fluid path when the assembly moves to the second configuration to generally block the flow of fluid therethrough.

Breakaway assembly
11603954 · 2023-03-14 · ·

A breakaway assembly including a first connector and a second connector releasably coupleable to the first connector. The assembly is movable between a first configuration in which the first and second connectors are releasably coupled and together define a fluid path through which fluid is flowable, and a second configuration in which the first and second connectors are not coupled together. The assembly is configured to move from the first configuration to the second configuration when a predetermined separation force is applied to the assembly. The assembly includes a closure valve positioned in one of the first or second connectors, wherein the closure valve is configured to be in an open position when the assembly is in the first configuration to allow fluid to flow therethrough, and to move to a closed position when the assembly moves to the second configuration to generally block the flow of fluid therethrough. The assembly includes an attraction member coupled to one of the first or second connectors, and a magnet unit coupled to the other one of the first or second connectors, wherein the attraction member and the magnet unit are magnetically attracted to each other when the assembly is in the first configuration to retain assembly in the first configuration. The magnet unit includes a first portion and a second portion coupled to the first portion that together define a channel therebetween, and the magnet unit further includes a plurality of magnets received in the channel.

Connector system for an aircraft, and aircraft
11649916 · 2023-05-16 · ·

A connector system for an aircraft, for connecting a hose line, includes a skin panel which has a clearance which extends between an external face and an internal face, a primary part which on the clearance is disposed on an internal side of the skin panel that is defined by the internal face, a cover mounted on the primary part and movable between a closing position in which the cover covers the clearance of the skin panel, and an opening position in which the cover releases the clearance of the skin panel, and a tubular connector port mounted on the primary part and movable between a storage position in which the connector port is disposed on the internal side of the skin panel, and a use position in which the connector port projects beyond the external face of the skin panel.

BREAKAWAY ASSEMBLY
20230141263 · 2023-05-11 · ·

A breakaway assembly including a first connector and a second connector releasably coupleable to the first connector, wherein the assembly is movable between a first configuration in which the first and second connectors are releasably coupled and together define a fluid path through which fluid is flowable, wherein the fluid path includes an at least partially radially extending portion, and a second configuration in which the first and second connectors are not coupled together. The assembly is configured to move from the first configuration to the second configuration when a predetermined separation force is applied to the assembly. One of the first or second connectors has a shaft which defines or includes at least part of the fluid path therein, and the at least partially radially extending portion includes or is defined by an opening in the shaft. The assembly further includes a closure valve positioned in the one of the first or second connectors. The closure valve is configured to be in an open position when the assembly is in the first configuration to allow fluid to flow therethrough, and to move to a closed position blocking the at least partially radially extending portion of the fluid path when the assembly moves to the second configuration to generally block a flow of fluid therethrough. The closure valve includes a slider that is configured to sealingly engage the shaft to seal the fluid path when the assembly is in the closed position. The assembly is configured to be pressure balanced when the assembly is in the second configuration such that internal pressure-induced force is balanced when the assembly is in the second configuration and pressurized fluid is positioned in the fluid path.

EMERGENCY DETACHABLE PIPE COUPLING
20170336005 · 2017-11-23 ·

An emergency detachable pipe coupling configured to decouple a female coupling member and a male coupling member which are coupled together when an external force makes the male coupling member tilted at a predetermined angle relative to a female coupling member. When the male coupling member is tilted, a pressing surface of the male coupling member presses a to-be-pressed surface of a locking element restraining member of the female coupling member to displace the locking element restraining member to a release position where a locking element becomes displaceable to an unlocking position.

Magnetically attracted fluid transfer system

A magnetic connection system with at least three components for connecting host and target systems. A first magnetic connector is attached to the host system, a second magnetic connector is attached to the target system; a third magnetic connector or puck is positioned between the first connector and the second connector. The first, second, and third connectors fit together with their magnets aligned, and the magnetic attraction is stronger between the puck and the target system connector than the puck and the host system connector. The system can transfer fuel, data, or electricity. In one example, the system transfers fuel from a fuel supply vessel to a target vessel with minimal human effort to attach the fuel connector components. The puck can have a conduit for fuel, data, or electricity that is centrally aligned with a receiving conduit in the target system connector.

Inline connect breakaway hose coupler
09791087 · 2017-10-17 · ·

A coupling including female and male couplers configured to be connected together. The female coupler includes a valve body and a detent carrier surrounding the valve body and having a plurality of circumferentially spaced openings extending through a wall of the detent carrier for receiving detents to connect the female coupler to the male coupler. When the female and male couplers are connected together, the detent carrier is axially movable relative to the valve body by externally applied loads acting on the male and female couplers to cause the male and female couplers to separate. A pressure-balancing chamber is provided to prevent premature separation of the couplers. Once separated, the detent carrier axially moves back and the female and male couplers may be reconnected.

WEAK LINK ARRANGEMENT AND A METHOD COMPRISES A WEAK LINK ARRANGEMENT
20170247984 · 2017-08-31 · ·

A weak link arrangement (1) designed for location on an umbilical (6, 7) extending on the seabed between respective structures potentially subjected to environmental hazards, like being snapped by an iceberg, which umbilical includes communicating fluid pipes and electric cables, is described. The weak link arrangement (1) includes a seabed frame (2) supporting an umbilical having a weak link multiconnecting structure (3) (UTA) installed in line, which weak link multiconnecting structure (3) (UTA) ensures continuous communication through the fluid pipes and electric cables until emergency disconnection takes place. Such disconnection is initiated by accidental pull in the umbilical, which pull activates disconnecting means and cable severing means.

Breakaway coupling
09816653 · 2017-11-14 ·

There is provided a breakaway coupling between two lines. The first coupling half possesses an opened jaw, which is formed by catch pieces of the short lever arms of dual-arm catch levers, which are pre-stressed in the closing direction by compression springs, and in this way engage behind oblique surfaces of an end flange of the second coupling half. When a predetermined pulling force on the lines is exceeded, the breakaway coupling disengages.