Multi port fluid connector

Abstract

Aspects of the disclosure relate to a fluid connector mechanism having an opening therethrough. The mechanism may include a connector having a connector base portion and a piston portion including a piston housing and a piston. The opening may extend from the piston portion, through the piston, and through the connector base portion. The mechanism may also include a base having first and second pairs of O-rings arranged in first and second pairs of grooves, the opening further extending from one end of the base to another. The connector base portion and the base may be configured to engage with one another and create fluid-tight seals with the O-rings while the piston is arranged outside of the base.

Description

BACKGROUND[0001]Various systems, such as cranes, towing machines, and other devices, employ grabbing mechanisms to grab, hold, lift, and move objects. These mechanisms may include hooks, pneumatically operated claws or grabbers, etc. which require pneumatic connectors. These connectors are typically configured for single connection devices or rather control of a single device via a single fluid port.BRIEF SUMMARY[0002]Aspects of the present disclosure provide a system comprising a fluid connector mechanism having an opening therethrough. The fluid connector including a connector having a connector base portion and a piston portion including a piston housing, a piston. The opening extends from the piston portion, through the piston, and through the connector base portion. The fluid connector also includes a base having first and second pairs of O-rings arranged in first and second pairs of grooves. The opening extending from one end of the base to another, and the connector base port...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present disclosure provides a system including a fluid connector mechanism with an opening and a base. The base has first and second pairs of O-rings arranged in first and second grooves. The opening extends from the piston portion through the piston and connector base portion and creates fluid-tight seals with the O-rings and the piston outside of the base. The piston housing includes a chamber and the piston is arranged to engage with the base when pressurized. The connector base portion and base have separate chambers and do not allow fluid to pass between them. The base also has floating O-rings in a chamfer and two separate fluid ports. The system can be connected with a plug and the chambers can have a different opening to allow fluid flow. The base can be self-aligned with the connector and has a groove and O-ring for load distribution. The system can also include a balloon envelope and a structure for filling the balloon with lift gas.

Problems solved by technology

In this example, the first and second fluid chambers are completely separate and do not allow for fluid to pass between the first chamber and the second chamber during operation.

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