초록 ▼

A cryogenic coupling device includes a valved receptacle and a valved nozzle. Rollers in an outer collar of the receptacle are received in helical channels along a collar of the nozzle. A notch or detent in each of the channels provides a vent position to vent fluid before the nozzle is fully discon

A cryogenic coupling device includes a valved receptacle and a valved nozzle. Rollers in an outer collar of the receptacle are received in helical channels along a collar of the nozzle. A notch or detent in each of the channels provides a vent position to vent fluid before the nozzle is fully disconnected from the receptacle. Interface seals on the nozzle include first and second annular seals that function as ice and containment scrapers, as well as fluid seals. The nozzle has a rotatable handle assembly, isolated from the fluid path, which provides easy connect and disconnect of the nozzle from the receptacle. The handle assembly includes a thermal break, and is easily removable from the nozzle, along with other parts of the nozzle and receptacle, for service and maintenance.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A coupling device, comprising:a nozzle including a nozzle collar and handle assembly fixed together, and a valve body and fitting fixed together, the nozzle collar and handle assembly outwardly surrounding and rotatably supported with respect to the valve body and fitting, the valve body includin

1. A coupling device, comprising:a nozzle including a nozzle collar and handle assembly fixed together, and a valve body and fitting fixed together, the nozzle collar and handle assembly outwardly surrounding and rotatably supported with respect to the valve body and fitting, the valve body including an internal valve, and the collar having helical channels with entrance openings at a downstream end of the collar and opening outwardly along an exterior surface thereof; and a receptacle mateable with the nozzle, the receptacle also including a valve body including an internal valve, and a collar radially outwardly disposed from the valve body and defining therewith an annular cavity to receive the collar of the nozzle; the valve body of the nozzle being received in the valve body of the receptacle, the collar of the receptacle including a series of radial locking devices spaced along an interior surface of the collar and received in the helical channels of the nozzle to secure the nozzle to the receptacle when the nozzle is rotated in one direction with respect to the receptacle during connect, and wherein the channels have a geometry along their length which causes the radial locking devices to be retained along the channels in a vent position when the nozzle is rotated in an opposite direction with respect to the receptacle during disconnect. 2. The coupling device as in claim 1, wherein a pair of bushings rotatably support the nozzle collar and handle assembly with respect to the valve body and fitting, one of said bushings being disposed between the handle assembly and fitting, and the other of the bushings being disposed between the nozzle collar and the nozzle valve body.3. The coupling device as in claim 2, wherein the handle assembly and nozzle collar are axially retained on the valve body and fitting by a retaining ring at one end of the handle assembly, and by cooperation between a shoulder of the nozzle valve body and a shoulder of the nozzle collar.4. The coupling device as in claim 1, further including openings in the handle assembly of the nozzle to allow air circulation around an extent of the fitting.5. The coupling device as in claim 1, further including a pair of interface sealing elements carried by the nozzle valve body and located between the nozzle valve body and the receptacle valve body to prevent fluid leakage therebetween.6. The coupling device as in claim 5, wherein the seals are located between a shoulder on the nozzle valve body and a retaining ring, the retaining ring being removable to allow maintenance and servicing of the seals.7. The coupling device as in claim 1, wherein the radial locking devices comprise roller bearings, removeably attached to the receptacle collar.8. The coupling device as in claim 1, wherein the nozzle and receptacle are only mateable if they have property configured and cooperation radial locking devices and helical channels, to prevent the mating of an improper nozzle and receptacle.9. A nozzle for the receptacle of a coupling device, the nozzle comprising a nozzle collar and handle assembly fixed together, and a valve body and fitting fixed together, the nozzle collar and handle assembly outwardly surrounding and rotatable with respect to a valve body and fitting, and the valve body including an internal valve; the collar having helical channels with entrance openings at an axial downstream end of the collar and opening outwardly along an exterior surface thereof for receipt of bearings from the receptacle; wherein the channels have a geometry along their length which causes the bearings to be retained along the channels in a vent position when the nozzle is rotated with respect to the receptacle during disconnect.10. The nozzle as in claim 9, wherein a pair of bushings support the nozzle collar and handle assembly with respect to the valve body and fitting, one of said bushings being disposed between the handle assembly and fitting, and the other of the bushings being disposed between the nozzle collar and the nozzle valve body.11. The nozzle as in claim 10, wherein the handle assembly and nozzle collar are axially retained on the valve body and fitting by a retaining ring at one end of the handle assembly, and by cooperation between a shoulder of the nozzle valve body and a shoulder of the nozzle collar.12. The nozzle as in claim 9, further including openings in the handle assembly of the nozzle to allow air circulation around an extent of the fitting.13. The nozzle as in claim 9, further including a pair of interface sealing elements carried by the nozzle valve body.14. The nozzle as in claim 13, wherein the seals are located between a shoulder on the nozzle valve body and a retaining ring, the retaining ring being removable to allow maintenance and servicing of the seals.15. A receptacle for the nozzle of a coupling device, the receptacle including a valve body including an internal poppet valve with a valve seat and a valve head, the valve head being spring biased against the valve seat, and a collar radially outwardly disposed from the valve body and defining therewith an annular cavity to receive a collar of the nozzle; the collar of the receptacle including a series of bearings spaced in discrete circumferential increments around an interior surface of the collar which can be received in helical channels of the nozzle to secure the nozzle to the receptacle when the receptacle is rotated in one direction with respect to the nozzle, and wherein the valve head of the poppet valve is accessible externally of the valve body by the nozzle when the nozzle is secured to the receptacle.16. The receptacle as in claim 15, wherein the bearings project radially inward from the receptacle collar, and comprise an annular roller rotatably supported on a post affixed to the interior surface.17. The receptacle as in claim 16, wherein the bearings are removeably attached to the receptacle collar.18. The receptacle as in claim 15, wherein the collar includes a series of circumferentially-extended openings allowing air flow through the collar, the openings being located axially between the bearings at one end of the receptacle, and an opposite end of the receptacle.19. The receptacle as in claim 15, wherein the valve body includes a series of openings around the circumference of the valve body to allow trapped air in the receptacle to vent to atmosphere.