초록 ▼

A coupler for making a detachable bayonet connection between two sections of a flow path. The coupler includes male and female bayonet hub members that detachably connect the flow path sections. In one aspect of the invention, the coupler includes an internal vapor shielding flow path defined within

A coupler for making a detachable bayonet connection between two sections of a flow path. The coupler includes male and female bayonet hub members that detachably connect the flow path sections. In one aspect of the invention, the coupler includes an internal vapor shielding flow path defined within the coupler by the interconnection of the hub members that operates to intercept and remove heat entering the coupler from the external environment. In this regard, the internal vapor shielding flow path may include at least one valve to vent at least a portion of the vapor shielding material external to the coupler from the vapor shielding flow path.

대표청구항 ▼

We claim: 1. A coupler for detachably connecting first and second material flow path sections, the coupler comprising: a male hub member connected to the first material flow path section and comprising an annular male bayonet extension; a female hub member connected to the second material flow path

We claim: 1. A coupler for detachably connecting first and second material flow path sections, the coupler comprising: a male hub member connected to the first material flow path section and comprising an annular male bayonet extension; a female hub member connected to the second material flow path section and comprising an annular aperture, wherein the male bayonet extension extends within the annular aperture; and a vapor shielding flow path internally defined within the coupler and comprising an open space between the female hub member and the entirety of the male extension member that is disposed in the annular aperture, wherein no portion of the male bayonet extension contacts the female hub member within the annular aperture, and wherein the vapor shielding flow path extends along an inner wall of said bayonet extension within said annular aperture, around an end of said bayonet extension within said annular aperture in order to provide a vapor shield within the coupler to reduce heat transfer through the coupler from the atmosphere. 2. The coupler of claim 1, wherein the male and female hub members form a bayonet connection between the first and second material flow path sections. 3. The coupler of claim 1, further comprising: at least one valve fluidly interconnected to the vapor shielding flow path to controllably discharge vapor shielding material external to the coupler. 4. The coupler of claim 1, further comprising: a sealing member disposed between the male and female hub members. 5. The coupler of claim 1, wherein the vapor shielding flow path comprises: a first portion that extends along an inner wall of the male bayonet extension within the annular aperture, around a second portion that goes around an end of the male bayonet extension within the annular aperture, and a third portion that extends along an outer wall of the male bayonet extension within the annular aperture. 6. The coupler of claim 1, further comprising: a first conduit disposed around the first material flow path section, wherein the first conduit is connected to the male hub member and fluidly interconnected to the vapor shielding flow path; and a second conduit disposed around the second material flow path section, wherein the second conduit is connected to the female hub member and fluidly interconnected to the vapor shielding flow path and the first conduit. 7. The coupler of claim 1, wherein the first and second material flow path sections accommodate a low pressure material flow. 8. A fluid system, comprising: a first conduit; a second conduit disposed about the first conduit; a female connector associated with the first and second conduits and comprising an annular aperture; a third conduit; a fourth conduit disposed about the third conduit; a male connector associated with the third and fourth conduits and comprising a male bayonet extension, wherein the male bayonet extension extends within the annular aperture of the female connector, wherein the first and third conduits are fluidly connected to define a first flow path, and wherein the second and fourth conduits are fluidly connected to define a second flow path; and a bayonet extension flow path that extends along an inner wall of the male bayonet extension within the annular aperture, around an end of the male bayonet extension within the annular aperture, and along an outer wall of the male bayonet extension within the annular aperture, wherein the bayonet extension flow path is fluidly connected with a flow through the second flow path. 9. A fluid system, as claimed in claim 8, wherein: a flow path through the second conduit is defined by an annular space between the first and second conduits, and wherein a flow path through the fourth conduit is defined by a space between the third and fourth conduits. 10. A fluid system, as claimed in claim 8, further comprising: a first adapter attached to a first end of each of the first and second conduits and comprising third and fourth flow paths, wherein the third flow path is fluidly connected with the first conduit, and wherein the fourth flow path is fluidly connected with a space between the first and second conduits; and a second adapter attached to a first end of each of the third and fourth conduits and comprising fifth and sixth flow paths, wherein the fifth flow path is fluidly connected with the third conduit, and wherein the sixth flow path is fluidly connected with a space between the third and fourth conduits. 11. A fluid system, as claimed in claim 10, wherein: the male connector extends from the second adapter, wherein a first portion of the first adapter interfaces with a first portion of the second adapter, wherein a second portion of the first adapter having an end of the fourth flow path is separated from a second portion of the second adapter having an end of the sixth flow path by a second space, wherein the second space intersects with the bayonet extension flow path. 12. A fluid system, as claimed in claim 8, further comprising: at least one vent valve fluidly interconnected with the bayonet extension flow path and that discharges exteriorly of said fluid system, wherein each said vent valve is mounted on any of the female connector and the male connector. 13. A method for connecting first and second conduits of a cryogenic fluid system, wherein a male connector is interconnected with said first conduit and wherein a female connector is interconnected with said second conduit, wherein said male connector comprises an annular bayonet extension on one end of said male connector, and wherein said female connector comprises an annular aperture on one end of said female connector, said method comprising the steps of: directing said bayonet extension of said male connector into said annular aperture of said female connector; providing a first flow through said first and second conduits after said directing step; and directing a second flow along an inner wall of said bayonet extension within said annular aperture, around an end of said bayonet extension within said annular aperture, and along an outer wall of said bayonet extension within said annular aperture. 14. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of venting said second flow to an outside atmosphere. 15. The method of claim 13, wherein said first flow is at a low pressure. 16. The method of claim 13, wherein said directing a second flow step comprises using only a portion of said first flow. 17. A method for connecting first, second, third, and fourth conduits, wherein said second conduit is concentrically disposed about said first conduit, wherein said fourth conduit is concentrically disposed about said third conduit, wherein a male connector is associated with said first and second conduits, wherein a female connector is associated with said third and fourth conduits, wherein said male connector comprises an annular bayonet extension on one end of said male connector, and wherein said female connector comprises an annular aperture on one end of said female connector, said method comprising: directing said bayonet extension of said male connector into said annular aperture of said female connector; executing a first fluidly interconnecting step comprising fluidly interconnecting said first and third conduits using said directing step; executing a second fluidly interconnecting step comprising fluidly interconnecting said second and fourth conduits using said directing step; providing a first flow through said first and third conduits after said first fluidly interconnecting step; providing a second flow through said second and fourth conduits after said second fluidly interconnecting step; and directing a third flow along an inner wall of said bayonet extension within said annular aperture, around an end of said bayonet extension within said annular aperture, and along an outer wall of said bayonet extension within said annular aperture. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein said directing a third flow step uses only a portion of said second flow. 19. The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of venting said third flow to an outside atmosphere. 20. The method of claim 17, wherein said second flow is at a pressure that is substantially less than a pressure of said first flow. 21. The method of claim 20, wherein said first and second flows are of a common material. 22. A method for transporting a cryogenic fluid, comprising the steps of: attaching a first coupling to a first conduit; attaching a second coupling to a second conduit; interconnecting the first and second couplings, wherein the interconnecting step comprises defining first and second flow paths, wherein the first flow path comprises the first and second conduits; providing a first flow through the first flow path; and directing only a portion of the first flow into the second flow path while a remainder of the first flow continues along the first flow path. 23. A method, as claimed in claim 22, wherein: the defining a second flow path step comprises providing a space between the first and second couplings after the interconnecting step. 24. A method, as claimed in claim 23, wherein: the first coupling comprises an annular recess, wherein the second coupling comprises an extension that is disposed within the annular recess via the interconnecting step, and wherein the second flow path comprises a space between the extension of the second coupling and a portion of the first coupling defining the annular recess. 25. A method, as claimed in claim 23, wherein: the directing step comprises cooling at least the first coupling. 26. A method, as claimed in claim 23, further comprising the step of: directing the portion of the first flow through at least one bypass valve. 27. A method, as claimed in claim 23, further comprising the step of: venting the portion of the first flow externally of the first coupling. 28. A cryogenic fluid system, comprising: first and second conduits, wherein said first conduit is disposed within said second conduit; a male connector associated with said first and second conduits; third and fourth conduits, wherein said third conduit is disposed within said fourth conduit; a female connector associated with said third and fourth conduits, wherein said male connector and said female connector are detachably interconnected to define a coupler, to fluidly connect said first and third conduits to define a first flow path, and to fluidly interconnect said second and fourth conduits to define a second flow path, wherein said second flow path is disposed about said first flow path; a first fluid within said first flow path; and a second fluid within said second flow path, wherein said coupler comprises an internal flow path that is fluidly interconnected with said second flow path, wherein only a portion of a flow through said second flow path is directed into said internal flow path. 29. A fluid system, as claimed in claim 28, wherein: a pressure of said first fluid within said first flow path is different from a pressure of said second fluid within said second flow path. 30. A fluid system, as claimed in claim 28, wherein: a pressure of said second fluid within said second flow path is less than a pressure of said first fluid within said first flow path. 31. A fluid system, as claimed in claim 28, wherein: a pressure of said second fluid within said second flow path is substantially less than a pressure of said first fluid within said first flow path. 32. A fluid system, as claimed in claim 31, wherein: said first and second fluids are the same material. 33. A fluid system, as claimed in claim 28, wherein: said female connector comprises an annular aperture, wherein said male connector comprises a male bayonet extension, wherein said male bayonet extension extends within said annular aperture of said female connector, wherein said internal flow path of said coupler extends along an inner wall of said male bayonet extension within said annular aperture, around an end of said male bayonet extension within said annular aperture, and along an outer wall of said male bayonet extension within said annular aperture. 34. A fluid system, as claimed in claim 28, wherein: said internal flow path interconnects said second flow path with an exterior of said coupler. 35. A fluid system, as claimed in claim 28, further comprising: at least one vent valve fluidly interconnected with said internal flow path and that discharges exteriorly of said fluid system, wherein each said vent valve is mounted on any of said female connector and the male connector.