초록 ▼

This disclosure is concerned with fluid system components. In one example, A quick disconnect valve assembly includes first and second valve elements configured to releasably engage each other. Each valve element includes a housing that defines a valve seat and a fluid passageway. A plunger is disp

This disclosure is concerned with fluid system components. In one example, A quick disconnect valve assembly includes first and second valve elements configured to releasably engage each other. Each valve element includes a housing that defines a valve seat and a fluid passageway. A plunger is disposed within each housing and arranged for selective engagement with a corresponding valve seat. Each plunger is biased into a sealing engagement with the valve seat by a resilient element disposed within the housing. Consequently, the fluid passageway of each valve element is closed off when the first and second valve elements are separated from each other. When the valve elements are engaged, the respective biases associated with the plungers counteract each other to the extent that each plunger is lifted off the corresponding valve seat and fluid communication is established between the respective fluid passageways of the first and second valve elements.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A quick disconnect valve assembly, comprising: first and second valve elements that each include a housing defining a fluid passageway having a seat configured for sealing engagement with a respective plunger, the first and second valve elements further including respective r

What is claimed is: 1. A quick disconnect valve assembly, comprising: first and second valve elements that each include a housing defining a fluid passageway having a seat configured for sealing engagement with a respective plunger, the first and second valve elements further including respective resilient elements arranged so that when the first and second valve elements are engaged, each resilient element biases a respective plunger into engagement with the other plunger so that the plungers reside in an equilibrium position where the fluid passageways are in fluid communication with each other; a coupling having first and second halves, the first housing being attached to the first half of the coupling, and the second half of the coupling being configured to releasably engage the second housing; a breakaway collar that releasably joins the first and second halves of the coupling together; and a handle at least indirectly attached to the coupling. 2. The quick disconnect valve assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein when the first and second valve elements are disengaged, each of the plungers is in scaling engagement with a respective seat such that fluid communication between the fluid passageways is substantially precluded. 3. The quick disconnect valve assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein each plunger includes a terminal portion having a geometry complementary with a terminal portion of the other plunger. 4. The quick disconnect valve assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein a terminal portion of one plunger is configured to be at least partially received within a terminal portion of the other plunger. 5. The quick disconnect valve assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein each plunger is arranged for reciprocal motion relative to the other. 6. The quick disconnect valve assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein at least one of the plungers includes a plunger shaft, at least part of which has a polygonal cross-section. 7. The quick disconnect valve assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein each one of the plungers includes a substantially conical face configured to engage a respective seat. 8. The quick disconnect valve assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the plungers are interchangeable with each other. 9. The quick disconnect valve assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein scaling engagement of each plunger with a corresponding seat is facilitated by way of a respective sealing element arranged for contact with the plunger and with the seat. 10. The quick disconnect valve assembly as recited in claim 9, wherein each sealing element is carried by a respective plunger. 11. The quick disconnect valve assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the first housing is at least partially received within the first half of the coupling. 12. The quick disconnect valve assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the breakaway collar includes a sacrificial element configured and arranged to fail upon exertion of a force of predetermined magnitude upon the quick disconnect valve assembly. 13. The quick disconnect valve assembly as recited in claim 1, further comprising a sealing element interposed between the first and second halves of the coupling. 14. The quick disconnect valve assembly as recited in claim 1, further comprising a scaling element interposed between the first housing and the first half of the coupling. 15. The quick disconnect valve assembly as recited in claim 1, further comprising: a first adapter attached to, and configured for fluid communication with, the first housing; and a second adapter attached to, and configured for fluid communication with, the second housing. 16. The quick disconnect valve assembly as recited in claim 1, further comprising a shield substantially disposed about the breakaway collar. 17. The quick disconnect valve assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the second half of the coupling comprises a plurality of guide pins, each of which is configured to be removably received in a corresponding groove defined by the second housing. 18. A quick disconnect valve assembly, comprising: first and second valve elements configured to selectively engage each other, each valve element comprising: a housing including a seat mid defining a fluid passageway; a plunger disposed within the housing and arranged for motion relative to the seat, and the plunger being configured for selective engagement with the plunger of the other valve element; a scaling element interposed between the plunger and seat; and a resilient element, the resilient element being configured and arranged to bias the plunger into a sealing engagement with the seat when the first and second valve elements are disengaged from each other, and the resilient element cooperating with the plunger to bias the plunger of the other valve element off the seat of the other valve element when the first and second valve elements are engaged with each other; a coupling having first and second halves, the first housing being at least partially received within the first half of the coupling, and the second half of the coupling configured to releasably engage the second housing; a breakaway collar that releasably joins the first and second halves of the coupling together; and a handle at least indirectly attached to the coupling. 19. The quick disconnect valve assembly as recited in claim 18, wherein a terminal portion of one plunger is configured to be at least partially received within a terminal portion of the other plunger. 20. The quick disconnect valve assembly as recited in claim 18, wherein each plunger includes a plunger shaft, at least part of which has a polygonal cross-section. 21. The quick disconnect valve assembly as recited in claim 18, wherein each of the plungers includes a substantially conical face configured to engage a respective seat. 22. The quick disconnect valve assembly as recited in claim 18, wherein the plungers are interchangeable with each other. 23. The quick disconnect valve assembly as recited in claim 18, wherein sealing engagement of each plunger with a corresponding seat is facilitated by way of a respective sealing element arranged for contact with the plunger and with the seat. 24. The quick disconnect valve assembly as recited in claim 23, wherein each scaling element comprises an O-ring carried by a respective plunger. 25. The quick disconnect valve assembly as recited in claim 18, wherein the breakaway collar includes a sacrificial element configured and arranged to fail upon exertion of a force of predetermined magnitude upon the quick disconnect valve assembly. 26. The quick disconnect valve assembly as recited in claim 18, further comprising a scaling element interposed between the first and second halves of the coupling. 27. The quick disconnect valve assembly as recited in claim 18, further comprising a sealing element interposed between the first housing and the first half of the coupling. 28. The quick disconnect valve assembly as recited in claim 18, further comprising: a first adapter attached to, and configured for fluid communication with, the first housing; and a second adapter attached to, and configured for fluid communication with, the second housing. 29. The quick disconnect valve assembly as recited in claim 18, further comprising a shield substantially disposed about the breakaway collar. 30. The quick disconnect valve assembly as recited in claim 18, wherein the second half of the coupling comprises a plurality of guide pins, each of which is configured to be removably received in a corresponding groove defined by the second housing.