초록 ▼

A latching connector that connects a first fluid system to a second fluid system for performing processing operations on the second fluid system. The connector is designed to connect to a fitting on the second fluid system and accommodate dimensional tolerances in the fitting to achieve a reliable s

A latching connector that connects a first fluid system to a second fluid system for performing processing operations on the second fluid system. The connector is designed to connect to a fitting on the second fluid system and accommodate dimensional tolerances in the fitting to achieve a reliable seal between the connector and the fitting and prevent fluid leakage during processing operations. The connector includes a front body, a rear body, a sleeve disposed around the front body and the rear body, a sealing piston disposed within the front body and the rear body, a shaft disposed within the sealing piston and fixed to the rear body, and a spring engaged between the sealing piston and the shaft and generating a biasing force that biases the sealing piston and the shaft in opposite directions.

대표청구항 ▼

The invention claimed is: 1. A connector for connecting a first fluid system to a second fluid system, comprising: a front body that includes a connection mechanism configured to connect the connector with the second fluid system, and a circumferential actuating ramp that is angled relative to a lo

The invention claimed is: 1. A connector for connecting a first fluid system to a second fluid system, comprising: a front body that includes a connection mechanism configured to connect the connector with the second fluid system, and a circumferential actuating ramp that is angled relative to a longitudinal axis of the connector; a rear body having a portion disposed around the front body, and the portion including a plurality of holes with an actuating ball disposed in each hole, the actuating balls being engageable with the actuating ramp; a sleeve disposed around the front body and the rear body, the sleeve being engageable with the actuating balls; a sealing piston disposed within the front body and the rear body and including a forward end engageable with the second fluid system; a shaft disposed within the sealing piston, the shaft is fixed to the rear body; and a spring engaged between the sealing piston and the shaft and generating a biasing force that biases the sealing piston and the shaft in opposite directions. 2. The connector of claim 1, wherein the connection mechanism comprises collets. 3. The connector of claim 1, wherein the connection mechanism comprises a semi-cylindrical nest. 4. The connector of claim 1, wherein the connector includes a connected stage where the connection mechanism is connected to an end portion of the second fluid system, the forward end of the sealing piston is disposed within an interior diameter of the end portion of the second fluid system and contacts a seal on the end portion, and the sleeve is disposed around the connection mechanism and around an exterior diameter of the end portion. 5. The connector of claim 1, wherein the sealing piston includes an interior surface, and a seal is disposed on the interior surface; the shaft includes an outer wall, a flow passage defined by the wall, a sealing shoulder configured to engage with the seal, and a plurality of openings through the outer wall leading to the flow passage; and the length of the seal measured parallel to the longitudinal axis is greater than the length of the openings measured parallel to the longitudinal axis. 6. The connector of claim 1, further comprising a push rod connected to the shaft. 7. A connector for connecting a first fluid system to a second fluid system, comprising: a front body that includes a connection mechanism configured to connect the connector with the second fluid system; a rear body having a portion disposed around the front body, the rear body and the front body being movable relative to each other in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the connector; an actuating sleeve disposed around the front body and the rear body; a mechanical advantage mechanism engaged between the actuating sleeve, the front body and the rear body; a sealing piston disposed within the front body and the rear body and including a forward end engageable with the second fluid system; an anti-side load piston disposed between an outer surface of the sealing piston and an interior surface of the front body a shaft disposed within the sealing piston, the shaft is fixed to the rear body; and a spring engaged between the sealing piston and the shaft and generating a biasing force that biases the sealing piston and the shaft in opposite directions. 8. The connector of claim 7, wherein the anti-side load piston includes a wedge-shaped forward end that is configured to wedge into a bore of the second fluid system. 9. The connector of claim 7, further comprising a push rod connected to the shaft. 10. A connector for connecting a first fluid system to a second fluid system, comprising: a front body that includes a connection mechanism configured to connect the connector with the second fluid system; a rear body having a portion disposed around the front body, the rear body and the front body being movable relative to each other in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the connector; a sleeve disposed around the front body and the rear body and being movable relative to the front body and the rear body in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis; a sealing piston disposed within the front body and the rear body and being actuatable in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis, the sealing piston including a forward end; a shaft disposed within the sealing piston, the shaft is fixed to the rear body; and a spring engaged between the sealing piston and the shaft and generating a biasing force that biases the sealing piston and the shaft in opposite directions; wherein the connector includes a connected stage where the connection mechanism is connected to an end portion of the second fluid system, the forward end of the sealing piston is disposed within an interior diameter of the end portion and contacts a seal on the end portion, and the sleeve is disposed around the connection mechanism and around an exterior diameter of the end portion. 11. The connector of claim 10, wherein the connection mechanism comprises collets. 12. The connector of claim 10, wherein the connection mechanism comprises a semi-cylindrical nest. 13. The connector of claim 10, wherein the sealing piston includes an interior surface, and a seal is disposed on the interior surface; the shaft includes an outer wall, a flow passage defined by the wall, a sealing shoulder configured to engage with the seal, and a plurality of openings through the outer wall leading to the flow passage; and the length of the seal measured parallel to the longitudinal axis is greater than the length of the openings measured parallel to the longitudinal axis. 14. The connector of claim 10, further comprising a mechanical advantage mechanism engaged between the sleeve, the front body and the rear body to provide a mechanical advantage to overcome the biasing force of the spring. 15. The connector of claim 10, further comprising an anti-side load piston disposed between an outer surface of the sealing piston and an interior surface of the front body. 16. The connector of claim 10, further comprising a push rod connected to the shaft. 17. A connector for connecting a first fluid system to a second fluid system, comprising: a front body that includes a connection mechanism configured to connect the connector with the second fluid system; a rear body having a portion disposed around the front body; a sleeve disposed around the front body and the rear body and being movable in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the connector; a sealing piston disposed within the front body and the rear body, the sealing piston including an interior surface; a seal disposed on the interior surface of the sealing piston; a shaft disposed within the sealing piston, the shaft is fixed to the rear body, and the shaft includes an outer wall, a flow passage defined by the wall, a sealing shoulder configured to engage with the seal, and a plurality of openings through the outer wall leading to the flow passage, and the length of the seal measured parallel to the longitudinal axis is greater than the length of the openings measured parallel to the longitudinal axis; and a spring engaged between the sealing piston and the shaft and generating a biasing force that biases the sealing piston and the valve piston in opposite directions. 18. The connector of claim 17, wherein the connection mechanism comprises collets. 19. The connector of claim 17, wherein the connection mechanism comprises a semi-cylindrical nest. 20. The connector of claim 17, wherein the connector includes a connected stage where the connection mechanism is connected to an end portion of the second fluid system, the sealing piston is disposed within an interior diameter of the end portion and contacts a seal at the end portion, and the sleeve is disposed around the connection mechanism and around an exterior diameter of the end portion. 21. The connector of claim 17, further comprising a mechanical advantage mechanism engaged between the sleeve, the front body and the rear body to provide a mechanical advantage to overcome the biasing force of the spring. 22. The connector of claim 17, further comprising an anti-side load piston disposed between an outer surface of the sealing piston and an interior surface of the front body. 23. The connector of claim 17, further comprising a push rod connected to the shaft.