초록 ▼

A two-part coupling structure includes a male coupling part and a female coupling part which are mutually engageable to open fluid communication between a fluid-storage vessel and a conduit, for example. The coupling parts are disengageable from one another to discontinue fluid communication between

A two-part coupling structure includes a male coupling part and a female coupling part which are mutually engageable to open fluid communication between a fluid-storage vessel and a conduit, for example. The coupling parts are disengageable from one another to discontinue fluid communication between the vessel and the conduit, and also to close communication between ambient and each of the vessel and conduit. The retention volume of fluid which is trapped between the connected male and female coupling parts and which is exposed to or lost to ambient when the coupling parts are disconnected is very small. The male coupling part is carried in a guide structure which is removably engageable with the female coupling part to guide the male coupling part into engagement. Also, the male coupling part and its guide structure define cooperating structural features which effect opening of the male coupling part in response to advancement relative to the guide structure. Consequently, the male coupling part can be opened without being connected to a female coupling part, for example, for cleaning and inspection, as well as for replacement of a sealing member.

대표청구항 ▼

[ We claim:] [1.] A fluid coupling structure having a female coupling portion and a male coupling portion each defining a respective fluid flow path, said coupling portions being removably engageable with one another to communicate the respective fluid flow paths with one another, each coupling port

[ We claim:] [1.] A fluid coupling structure having a female coupling portion and a male coupling portion each defining a respective fluid flow path, said coupling portions being removably engageable with one another to communicate the respective fluid flow paths with one another, each coupling portion including an individual valve element having a respective closed first position, said valve elements moving to respective open second positions when said coupling portions are engaged together, said coupling structure comprising: a guide structure reciprocably carrying said male coupling portion, said guide structure including support means for supportingly and releasably engaging onto said female coupling portion, and said guide structure further including means for guiding said male coupling portion in reciprocation in a first direction into said female coupling portion and in an opposite second direction from said female coupling portion, said guide structure and male coupling portion including cooperating means for opening the respective valve member of said male coupling portion in response to reciprocation of said male coupling portion relative to said guide structure in said first direction.