Fluid coupling device

Abstract

The invention relates to a fluid coupling device (1, 1', 1'', 1''', 1'''') comprising a male coupler (50, 50'''') and a female coupler (10, 10', 10'', 10''', 10''''), the fluid coupling device comprising: - a valve assembly (20) comprising a valve body (21) internally provided with a valve seat (26), and a valve plug (25) movably mounted in the valve body so as to move between an open position and a closed position, wherein the valve plug is set back from and in sealed contact with the valve seat, respectively; - a body (30, 30', 30'', 30''', 30'''') for connecting the female coupler to a fluid transport pipe, mounted on a first end section (21.1) of the valve body; and - a body (40, 40'''') for accommodating the male coupler in the female coupler, mounted on a second end section (21.2) of the valve body, the first end section and the second end section comprising first means (21.5, 23) for attaching the connecting body to the valve body and second means (21.7) for attaching the accommodating body to the valve body, respectively.

Description

[0001]FLUID COUPLING DEVICE The present invention relates to the field of fluid transport circuits and more particularly to coupling devices. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It is known to connect a first fluid transport circuit conduit to a second fluid transport circuit by means of a coupling device comprising a female coupler connected to the first conduit and a male coupler connected to the second conduit and intended to be fitted into the female coupler. The female coupler generally comprises a tubular body axially divided into a section for connection to the first conduit, a section for receiving a non-drip valve to limit any spillage of fluid when the male-female couplers are disconnected, and a section for receiving the male coupler which can be equipped with means for retaining the male coupler in the female coupler.The configuration of the different sections of the body depends in particular on the nature of the first conduit, the presence or absence of the means for retaining the male coupler, and the architecture of the male coupler, which leads to the development of a female coupler specific to the first conduit and the male coupler. OBJECT OF THE INVENTION The invention aims to propose a fluid coupling device making it possible to at least partially overcome the aforementioned drawback. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION To this end, a coupling device is proposed comprising a female coupler and a male coupler intended to be fitted into the female coupler.The female coupler comprises: - a valve assembly comprising a tubular valve body, internally provided with a first valve seat, and a first valve mounted axially movable in the valve body between an open position in which the first valve is set back from the first valve seat and a closed position in which the first valve is in sealed contact with the first valve seat and towards which the first valve is returned by a first spring; - a body for connecting the female cutter to a fluid transport conduit, mounted on a first end section of the valve body; and - a body for receiving the male coupler in the female coupler, mounted on a second end section of the valve body, opposite the first end section.According to the invention, the first end section and the second end section of the valve body respectively comprise first means for fixing the connecting body to the valve body and second means for fixing the receiving body to the valve body. Such a coupling device is modular so that it meets a need for standardization of the valve assembly while allowing adaptation of the female coupler to the fluid transport conduit and to the male coupler. According to a particular characteristic, the receiving body comprises means for retaining the male coupler in the female coupler.In particular, the means for retaining the male coupler in the female coupler comprise a locking ring mounted to move along an axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the coupler receiving body between an unlocked position in which the locking ring is coaxial with the longitudinal axis and a locked position in which said locking ring is off-center with respect to said longitudinal axis, the locking ring being returned to the locked position by a third spring. In particular, the locking ring is integral with a support plate forming an unlocking pusher, the third spring bearing against the support plate. According to another particular characteristic, the first means for fixing the connecting body to the valve body comprise a split locking ring received in an annular groove provided on the valve body.According to another particular characteristic, the second means for fixing the receiving body to the valve body comprise an external annular groove provided on said valve body and receiving external reliefs provided at a free end of said receiving body. According to another particular characteristic, the male coupler comprises a main, tubular body, comprising a second valve seat and a second valve mounted axially movable in the main body between an open position in which the second valve is set back from the second valve seat and a closed position in which the second valve is in sealed contact with the second valve seat and towards which the second valve is returned by a second spring.In particular, a front face of the main body of the male coupler is arranged to exert, when the male coupler is fitted into the female coupler, an axial force on the first valve to move said first valve from the closed position to the open position. And a front face of the first valve seat is arranged to exert, when the male coupler is fitted into the female coupler, an axial force on the second valve to move said second valve from the closed position to the open position. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be better understood in the light of the following description, which is purely illustrative and non-limiting, and must be read in conjunction with the appended figures, among which: [Fig. 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a fluid coupling device according to a particular embodiment of the invention, before coupling; [Fig.2] Figure 2 is an exploded view of the female coupler of the coupling device illustrated in Figure 1; [Fig.3A] Figure 3A is an axial sectional view of the coupling device illustrated in Figure 1, before coupling; [Fig.3B] Figure 3B is a view similar to Figure 3A, during coupling; [Fig.3C] Figure 3C is a view similar to Figure 3A, after coupling; [Fig.4] Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3A illustrating a first variant of the coupling device illustrated in Figure 1; [Fig.5] Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 3A illustrating a second variant of the coupling device illustrated in Figure 1; [Fig.6] Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 3A illustrating a third variant of the coupling device illustrated in Figure 1; [Fig.7] Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 3A illustrating a fourth variant of the coupling device illustrated in Figure 1.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION With reference to Figure 1, a quick coupling device according to the invention, generally designated 1, is intended here to allow the connection of a first flexible tube 100 forming a first fluid transport conduit to a second fluid transport conduit formed by a second flexible tube 200 (Figures 3A-3C). The coupling device 1 comprises a female coupler 10 and a male coupler 50 intended to be fitted into the female coupler 10 (Figure 3C). The female coupler 10 delimits a first fluid passage channel C1 and is here fitted into a free end of the first tube 100. The male coupler 50 delimits a second fluid passage channel C2 and is screwed to a free end of the second tube 200.The female coupler 10 comprises, as illustrated in FIG. 2, a valve assembly 20 on which are mounted: − a body 30 for connecting the female coupler 10 to the end of the first tube 100; and − a body 40 for receiving the male coupler 50. With reference to FIG. 3A, the valve assembly 20 comprises a main body 21, of generally tubular shape, which extends along a longitudinal axis X and which delimits a central portion of the first fluid passage channel C1. The body 21 comprises a first end section 21.1 and, opposite, a second end section 21.2 extending coaxially with the first section 21.1. The first section 21.1 and the second section 21.2 are delimited by an external collar 21.3 provided on the body 21. The first section 21.1 has an external shoulder 21.4 against which a toric seal 22 is pressed, and an annular groove 21.5, in which a split locking ring 23 is housed. The groove 21.5 is arranged between the shoulder 21.4 and the collar 22. The locking ring 23 has a generally triangular shape which has rounded contours provided with three vertices 23.1 (one of which is visible in FIG. 2). The vertices 23.1 extend in radial projection from the groove 21.5 to form, as will be seen later, first means for fixing the connecting body 30 on the first section 21.1 of the valve body 21 so that said connecting body 30 is substantially fixed with respect to said valve body 21. The second section 21.2 comprises an internal annular groove 21.6 in which an O-ring seal 24 is housed, and an external annular groove 21.7 to form, as will be seen later, second means for fixing the receiving body 40 to the second section 21.2 of the valve body 21 so that said receiving body 40 is substantially fixed with respect to said valve body 21.The valve assembly 20 also comprises a first anti-drip valve 25 which, at rest, is in sealing contact with a valve seat 26. The valve seat 26 extends axially in said valve body 21 and comprises a stem 26.1 connected by fins 26.2 to a fixing ring 26.3 of the valve seat 26 in the valve body 21. The stem 26.1 comprises a first enlarged free end or stem head 26.4 having an external periphery provided with an annular groove in which an O-ring seal 27 is housed, and opposite, a second end from which the fins 26.2 extend radially to connect the stem 26.1 to the fixing ring 26.3. The fins 26.2 are equally distributed around the X axis and delimit with the fixing ring 26.3 the first fluid passages. The fixing ring 26.3 has an annular groove 26.5 in which is housed an annular asperity arranged internally on a free end of the first section 21.1 of the valve body 21 to hold the valve seat 26 in position in the valve body 21: the valve seat 26 is fixed with respect to the valve body 21. The valve 25 comprises a closure ring 25.1 extending coaxially around the stem 26.1. The closure ring 25.1 is mounted axially sliding in the valve body 21 between: − a closed position in which the closure ring 25.1 is radially opposite the stem head 26.4 and compresses the seals 24, 27 to ensure a sealed contact between the closure ring 25.1 and the stem head 26.4 on the one hand, and between the closure ring 25.1 and the valve body 21 on the other hand (figure 3A); and − an open position in which the closure ring 25.1 is set back from the stem head 26.4 and delimits with said stem head 26.4 a fluid passage (figure 3C).The closure ring 25.1 is returned to the closed position by a helical spring 28 which comprises a first end bearing against a flank of the fins 26.2 and, opposite, a second end bearing against a rear face of the closure ring 25.1. It will be noted that the closure ring 25.1 comprises an external shoulder cooperating, in the closed position, with an internal shoulder of the valve body 21: these shoulders form a stop for the movement of the closure ring 25.1. The connecting body 30 of the female coupler 10 at the end of the first tube 100 is of generally tubular shape and comprises a first section 30.1 and a second section 30.2 extending coaxially with the first section 30.1. The first section 30.1 of the body 30 delimits a bore forming a first end portion of the first fluid passage channel C1, and externally comprises reliefs 30.3 in fir-toothed form forming means for its anchoring in the free end of the first tube 100. The second section 30.2 of the body 30 extends coaxially around the first section 21.1 of the valve body 21 and internally comprises an annular groove 30.4 in which the vertices 23.1 of the locking ring 23 carried by the valve body 21 are housed, so that the connecting body 30 is held in position on the valve body 21 by snap-fastening. The groove 30.4 is delimited by an internal shoulder 30.5 of the second section 30.2 and fir-toothed reliefs 30.6 distributed equally around the axis X at a free end of the second section 30.2. The second section 30.2 of the body 30 also comprises a bore against which the seal 22 is compressed to ensure a sealed contact between the first section 21.1 of the valve body 21 and the second section 30.2 of the body 30. The body 40 for receiving the male coupler 50 on the second section 21.2 of the valve body 21 is of generally tubular shape and comprises a first section 40.1 and a second section 40.2 extending coaxially with the first section 40.1. The first section 40.1 and the second section 40.2 are delimited by an internal collar 40.3 formed in the body 40. The first section 40.1 of the body 40 delimits a bore forming a second end portion of the first fluid passage channel C1 and a space for receiving the male coupler 50, and internally comprises fir-tooth reliefs 40.4. The reliefs 40.4 extend in axial projection from the collar 40.3 and are equally distributed around the axis X to form guide ramps for centering the male coupler 50 in the valve body 21. The receiving body 40 also comprises a locking mechanism 41 for locking the male coupler 50 in the female coupler 10. The locking mechanism 41 comprises a locking ring 41.1 provided in the upper part with a support plate 41.2 forming an unlocking pusher by means of a spring 41.3. It is understood that the support plate 41.2 is fixed with respect to the locking ring 41.1. The locking ring 41.1 is received in a generally U-shaped recess formed in the bore of the first section 40.1 of the body 40. The locking ring 41.1 is mounted to move along an axis perpendicular to the axis X between an unlocked position in which the locking ring 41.1 is coaxial with the bore of the first section 40.1, and a locked position in which the locking ring 41.1 is off-center with respect to the bore of the first section 40.1, a lower crescent-shaped portion of the locking ring 41.1 extending radially from the bore. The locking ring 41.1 is returned to the locked position by the spring 41.3, a first end of which bears against a lower face of the support plate 41.2 and a second end, opposite the first end, bears against an upper surface of the first section 40.1 of the body 40. The second section 40.2 of the body 40 extends coaxially around the second section 21.2 of the valve body 21 and comprises a free end provided internally with fir-tooth reliefs 40.5 received in the annular groove 21.7 of the second section 21.2 of the valve body 21, so that the body 40 is held in position on the valve body 21 by snap-fastening. The male coupler 50 comprises a main body 51, of generally tubular shape, delimiting the second fluid passage channel C2. The body 51 comprises a first end provided externally with a thread 51.1 forming, by means of an O-ring seal 52, a means for sealingly connecting the body 51 to the free end of the second tube 200, and opposite, a second end provided internally with a second anti-drip valve 53.The second valve 53 is, at rest, in sealed contact with a valve seat formed by an internal collar 51.2 formed in the second end of the body 51, and comprises a slider 53.1 of generally cylindrical shape extending axially in the body 51. The slider 53.1 comprises a first end provided with an annular groove in which an O-ring seal 54 is received, and opposite, a second end comprising legs 53.2 which cooperate with an internal peripheral surface of the body 51 to ensure axial movement of the slider 53.1 in said body 51. The legs 53.2 delimit with the internal peripheral surface fluid passages opening axially on either side of the slider 53.1. The valve 53 is mounted axially movable in the body 50 between: − a closed position in which the slide 53.1 is radially opposite the collar 51.2 of the body 51 which compresses the seal 54 to ensure a sealed contact between the collar 51.2 and the slider 53.1 (figure 3A); and − an open position in which the slider 53.1 is set back from the collar 51.2 and delimits with said collar 51.2 a fluid passage (figure 3C). The slide 53.1 is returned to the closed position by a helical spring 55 which comprises a first end bearing against a rear face of the slide 53.1 and, opposite, a second end bearing against a front face of a stop ring 56 fixedly mounted in the body 51. It will be noted that the legs 53.2 comprise a shoulder cooperating, in the closed position, with an internal flank of the collar 51.2: these shoulders form a stop for the movement of the slide 53.1 in the body 50. The body 51 also comprises an external annular step 51.3 having a rear face intended to cooperate with a rear face of the locking ring 41.1 of the receiving body 40 when the male coupler 50 is correctly fitted into the female coupler 10, the locking ring 41.1 then being in the locked position. It is understood that the locking ring 41.1 and the annular step 51.3 form means for retaining the male coupler 50 correctly fitted into the female coupler 10. The operation of the coupling device 1 will now be detailed. To make the connection between the first tube 100 and the second tube 200, the operator holds the male coupler 50 by the body 51 and fits, along the X axis, said body 51 of the male coupler 50 into the receiving body 40 of the female coupler 10 until a front face 53.3 of the slide 53.1 is in contact with a front face 26.6 of the rod head 26.4 (figure 3B). By continuing to fit the body 51 of the male coupler 50 into the receiving body 40 of the female coupler 10 until the step 51.3 is in contact with the locking ring 41.1 in the locked position: − the rod head 26.4 exerts an axial force on the slide 53.1 causing the slide 53.1 to move from the closed position to the open position against the spring 55; − a front face 51.4 of the body 51 of the male coupler 50 exerts on a front face 25.2 of the closure ring 25.1 an axial force causing a displacement of said closure ring 25.1 from the closed position to the open position against the spring 28. By continuing again the fitting of the male coupler 50 into the female coupler 10 (fig. 3C), the step 51.3 exerts on the locking ring 41.1 a radial force causing a displacement of said locking ring 41.1 from the locked position to the unlocked position against the spring 41.3. Once the male coupler 50 is sufficiently fitted into the female coupler 10, in other words when the step 51.3 is located downstream of the locking ring 41.1, said locking ring 41.1 reaches the locked position under the action of the spring 41.3. By reaching the locked position, the locking ring 41.1 retains the male coupler 50 in the female coupler 10 under the action of the spring 41.3 and against the springs 28, 55 which tends to press the step 51.3 against the rear face of the locking ring 41.1. It will be noted that by reaching the locked position, the locking ring 41.1 also maintains the closure ring 25.1 and the slide 53.1 in their open position (respectively against the spring 28 and the spring 55), so that a fluid can pass through the coupling device 1 via the first and second fluid passage channels C1, C2. To disconnect the first tube 100 and the second tube 200, the operator holds the female coupler 10 and exerts pressure on the support plate 41.2 of the female coupler 10 (for example via the thumb) so as to bring the locking ring 41.1 from the locked position to the unlocked position, which causes the male coupler 50 to disengage from the female coupler 10 under the action of the springs 28, 55. The closure ring 25.1 then passes from the open position to the closed position under the action of the spring 28, and the slider 53.1 passes from the open position to the closed position under the action of the spring 55. By returning to their closed position, the closure ring 25.1 of the female coupler 10 and the slider 53.1 of the male coupler 50 prevent the fluid contained in the first tube 100 and in the second tube 200 from escaping respectively through said female coupler 10 and the male coupler 50. Figure 4 illustrates a coupling device 1' which is none other than that a first variant of the coupling device 1.The coupling device 1' differs from the coupling device 1 in that the connecting body 30 of the female coupler 10 at the end of the first tube 100 is replaced by a body 30' to form, with the valve assembly 20 and the receiving body 40, a female coupler 10'. The body 30' differs from the body 30 in that the fir-tooth reliefs 30.3 have been replaced by an external thread 30.3' fitted to a free end of the body 30'. The thread 30.3' forms a means for connecting the female coupler 10' to the free end of the first tube 100. Figure 5 illustrates a coupling device 1'' which is none other than a second variant of the coupling device 1. The coupling device 1'' differs from the coupling device 1 in that the connecting body 30 of the female coupler 10 at the end of the first tube 100 is replaced by a body 30'' to form, with the valve assembly 20 and the receiving body 40, a female coupler 10''.The body 30'' differs from the body 30 in that the fir-tooth reliefs 30.3 have been replaced by a seal 30.4'' and an elastically deformable attachment ring 30.3'' mounted in the body 30'' to allow, in a manner known per se, the free end of the first tube 100 to be sealed in the free end of the body 30''. Such an attachment ring 30.3'' makes it easier to connect the first tube 100 to the female coupler 10'' relative to the reliefs 30.3. Figure 6 illustrates a coupling device 1''' which is none other than a third variant of the coupling device 1. The coupling device 1''' differs from the coupling device 1 in that the connecting body 30 of the female coupler 10 at the end of the first tube 100 is replaced by a body 30''' delimiting a well 30.3''' in which the body 21 of the valve 20 is fitted to form, with the valve assembly 20 and the receiving body 40, a female coupler 10'''.The body 21 of the valve 20 is held in position in the body 30''' by means of a locking pin 33''' which is housed in the groove 21.5 of the valve body 21 in place of the locking ring 23, forming a circlip. The body 30''' may, for example, be that of a hydraulic distribution manifold, a cooling plate, a filter, etc. Figure 7 illustrates a coupling device. which is none other than a fourth variant of the coupling device 1. The coupling device 1'''' differs from the coupling device 1 in that the fixing body 30 and the receiving body 40 of the female coupler 10 are respectively replaced by a body 30'''' and a body 40'''' to form a female coupler 10''''. The body 30'''' is identical to the body 30'. The body 40'''' differs from the body 40 in that it comprises a guide cone 40.4'''' making it easier to introduce a male coupler 50'''' into the female coupler 10'''', the body 40'''' being devoid of means for retaining the male coupler in said female coupler 10''''. The means for retaining the male coupler in said female coupler 10'''' are in fact offset from the coupling device 1''''.The body 30'''' is for example fixed in a well of a hydraulic distribution manifold, and the male coupler equips the end of a cooling circuit of a computer server, the computer server being mounted on the drawer of a rack lockable in position. Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiment described but encompasses any variant falling within the scope of the invention as defined by the claims. The locking mechanism 41 of the male coupler 50 in the female coupler 10 is optional. The reliefs 40.5 of the body 40 and the locking ring 23 equipping the valve body 21 can be replaced by any other means of fixing the bodies 30, 40 on the valve body 21 (clipping, snap-fastening, screwing, etc.). The helical spring 28 can be replaced by any elastic return means or spring allowing the closure ring 25.1 to be returned to the closed position (for example Belleville washers).The helical spring 55 may be replaced by any elastic return means or spring allowing the slide 53.1 to be returned to the closed position (for example Belleville washers). The springs 28, 55 will also be sized according to the engagement force of the body 51 of the male cutter 50 in the body 40 of the female coupler 10 to connect the male coupler 50 and female coupler 10.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Fluid coupling device (1, 1', 1'', 1''', 1'''') comprising a female coupler (10, 10', 10'', 10''', 10'''') and a male coupler (50, 50'''') intended to be fitted into the female coupler, the female coupler comprising: - a valve assembly (20) comprising a tubular valve body (21), internally provided with a first valve seat (26), and a first valve (25) mounted axially movable in the valve body between an open position in which the first valve is set back from the first valve seat and a closed position in which the first valve is in sealed contact with the first valve seat and towards which the first valve is returned by a first spring (28); - a connecting body (30, 30', 30'', 30''', 30'''') of the female cutter to a fluid transport conduit, mounted on a first end section (21.1) of the valve body; and - a receiving body (40, 40'''') of the male coupler in the female coupler, mounted on a second end section (21.2) of the valve body, opposite the first end section, the first end section and the second end section of the valve body respectively comprising first fixing means (21.5, 23) of the connecting body on the valve body and second fixing means (21.7) of the receiving body on the valve body.

2. Coupling device (1, 1', 1'', 1''') according to claim 1, wherein the receiving body (40) comprises means (41) for retaining the male coupler in the female coupler (10, 10', 10'', 10''').

3. Coupling device (1, 1', 1'', 1''') according to claim 2, wherein the retaining means (41) of the male coupler (50) in the female coupler (10, 10', 10'', 10''') comprise a locking ring (41.1) mounted movably along an axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis (X) of the coupler receiving body (40) between an unlocked position in which the locking ring is coaxial with the longitudinal axis and a locked position in which said locking ring is off-center with respect to said longitudinal axis, the locking ring being returned to the locked position by a third spring (41.3).

4. Coupling device (1, 1', 1'', 1''') according to claim 3, wherein the locking ring (41.1) is integral with a support plate (41.2) forming an unlocking pusher, the third spring (41.3) bearing against the support plate. 5.Coupling device (1, 1', 1'', 1'''') according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first means for fixing the connecting body (30, 30', 30'', 30'''') on the valve body (21) comprise a split locking ring (23) received in an annular groove (21.5) provided on the valve body.

6. Coupling device (1, 1', 1'', 1''', 1'''') according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second means for fixing (21.7) the receiving body (40, 40'''') on the valve body (21) comprise an external annular groove (21.7) provided on said valve body (21) and receiving external reliefs (40.5) provided at a free end of said receiving body.

7. Coupling device (1, 1', 1'', 1''', 1'''') according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the male coupler (50, 50'''') comprises a main body (51), tubular, comprising a second seat. valve (51.2) and a second valve (53) mounted axially movable in the main body between an open position in which the second valve is set back from the second valve seat and a closed position in which the second valve is in sealing contact with the second valve seat and towards which the second valve is returned by a second spring (55).

8. Coupling device (1, 1', 1'', 1''', 1'''') according to claim 7, wherein: a front face (51.4) of the main body (51) of the male coupler (50, 50'''') is arranged to exert, when the male coupler is fitted into the female coupler (10, 10', 10'', 10''', 10''''), an axial force on the first valve (25) to move said first valve from the closed position to the open position; and a front face (26.6) of the first valve seat (26) is arranged to exert, when the male coupler is fitted into the female coupler, an axial force on the second valve (53) to move said second valve from the closed position to the open position.

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