초록 ▼

A dry break coupling assembly for interconnecting components of a fluid handling system. The coupling assembly includes first and second valves which each include a rotatable valve element for opening and closing a fluid passageway within a valve body. The valve elements are cooperatively structured

A dry break coupling assembly for interconnecting components of a fluid handling system. The coupling assembly includes first and second valves which each include a rotatable valve element for opening and closing a fluid passageway within a valve body. The valve elements are cooperatively structured such that a portion of one valve element fits within a recess in the other valve element when the valves are connected, thereby reducing any space between the valves in which fluid could collect and spill from when the valves are disconnected. The first valve includes camming levers pivotally mounted to the body. The second valve includes locking fingers disposed on the body that are engaged by the camming levers when the first and second valves are connected and the camming levers pivot to the locking position, whereby the valves are locked together. The present invention provides a mechanism for engaging the camming levers when the valves are opened to prevent inadvertent disconnection of the valves. The present invention also provides a locking assembly which prevents the valve handles from rotating and opening the valves when the valves are not connected.

대표청구항 ▼

A dry break coupling assembly for interconnecting and controlling fluid flow between first and second components in a fluid handling system, the coupling assembly comprising: a first valve attachable to the first fluid handling system component, said first valve including: a body including a valve c

A dry break coupling assembly for interconnecting and controlling fluid flow between first and second components in a fluid handling system, the coupling assembly comprising: a first valve attachable to the first fluid handling system component, said first valve including: a body including a valve connection end, said body further comprising a fluid passageway; a valve element rotatably supported within said body, said valve element rotatable between an open position and a closed position; a handle operatively connected to said valve element for selectively rotating said valve element between said open position, wherein said fluid passageway is opened, and said closed position, wherein said fluid passageway is closed; and at least one camming lever pivotally mounted to said body, said camming lever pivotable between a release position and a locking position; a second valve attachable to the second fluid handling system component, said second valve including: a body including a valve connection end, said body further comprising a fluid passageway; a valve element rotatably supported within said body, said valve element rotatable between an open position and a closed position; a handle operatively connected to said valve element for selectively rotating said valve element between said open position, wherein said fluid passageway is opened, and said closed position, wherein said fluid passageway is closed; and at least one locking component disposed on said body for cooperating with said camming lever; wherein said first valve and said second valve are movable relative to each other between a disconnected arrangement and a connected arrangement, wherein said valve connection ends of said first and second valves are disposed in facing relationship when said first valve and said second valve are disposed in said connected arrangement; wherein said valve element of one of said first and second valves includes a recess arranged to face said valve element of the other of said first and second valves when said first and second valves are positioned in said connected arrangement and said valve element of said one of said first and second valves is disposed in said closed position, wherein rotation of said valve element of one of said first and second valves from said closed position rotates said recess out of facing relationship with said valve element of the other of said first and second valves; wherein said valve element of said other of said first and second valves includes a portion conforming to the shape of said valve element recess that nests within said valve element recess when said first and second valves are positioned in said connected arrangement and said valve elements of said first and second valves are disposed in said closed positions; wherein said camming lever and said locking component are complementarily structured and arranged such that said camming lever engages said locking component when said first and second valves are positioned in said connected arrangement and said camming lever pivots from said release position to said locking position, whereby said first and second valves are locked together in said connected arrangement and permit fluid flow therethrough when said valve elements of said first and second valves are disposed in their open positions; and each of said first and second valves further comprising means for preventing rotation of their respective valve elements from said closed position to said open position when said first and second valves are disposed in said disconnected arrangement, said rotation preventing means of each of said first and second valves structured and arranged for deactivation by operative engagement with the other of said first and second valves when said first and second valves are locked together in said connected arrangement, whereby upon deactivation said rotation preventing means allow rotation of their respective valve elements from said closed position to said open position.