Pressurized Fluid Coupler Anti-Recoil Check Valve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional multi-component pressurized couplers experience significant recoil forces during decoupling, which can lead to injury or property damage due to uncontrolled ejection of pressurized fluid, and existing solutions complicate the coupler design and increase costs.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a check valve and a pressure relief feature that allows controlled escape of pressurized fluid between coupler components during decoupling, minimizing recoil forces by directing the escaping fluid to counteract the recoil effect, thereby reducing both Newton and Boyle recoil forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a check valve is added to control pressurized fluid flow, then recoil force is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A check valve is introduced as an intermediary component to control the flow of pressurized fluid between the male and female coupler components. The check valve selectively permits fluid flow in one direction while blocking reverse flow, thereby controlling the release of pressurized fluid to minimize recoil forces during decoupling without requiring complex active control systems
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful recoil force is extracted and managed by separating the fluid control function into a distinct check valve component. This allows the recoil control function to be isolated and managed independently from the main coupler structure, simplifying the overall system while still achieving the desired recoil reduction
2Stress or pressure
If pressurized fluid is allowed to escape freely during decoupling, then pressure build-up is prevented, but recoil force increases due to uncontrolled ejection
Solution Approach 1:
The check valve is configured to utilize the pressurized fluid itself as a means to counteract recoil. By controlling the fluid to escape in a specific direction through the check valve, the fluid ejection creates a counterbalancing force that offsets the Newton recoil force, converting the potentially harmful uncontrolled ejection into a beneficial force that reduces overall recoil
Solution Approach 2:
The check valve is designed to preemptively control the direction and timing of fluid escape before uncontrolled ejection can occur. By establishing a predetermined fluid flow path through the check valve, the system prepares a counteracting force in advance that opposes the impending recoil force, preventing the harmful effect before it fully manifests
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively minimizes recoil forces during decoupling, preventing potential injuries and property damage while simplifying the coupler design and reducing costs by controlling the escape of pressurized fluid and reducing pressure build-up between components.
Implementation Method 1
When the component including the check valve is pressurized, the check valve assumes a normally closed state, thus preventing escape of pressurized fluid upstream of the check valve
Implementation Method 2
Upon coupling of one component with the complementary component, the check valve is caused to open through the interaction of a probe linked to the check valve which contacts a portion of the male coupler
Implementation Method 3
The pressure relief feature comprises a fluid path between this volume and the environment, wherein the portion of the fluid path exposed to the environment (exhaust port(s)) at least does not contribute to any recoil force
Implementation Method 4
pressurized fluid escaping from the component orifice will result in an opposite force being applied to the component and any associated fluid delivery system(s)
Implementation Method 5
pressurized fluid is allowed to escape the confines of a closed system and hydraulically or pneumatically separate the components, much like the expanding gasses in a firearm causes the load to be propelled from the barrel
Data Source
AI summary
The invention is directed to apparatus and methods for reducing recoil during uncoupling of pressurized couplers. The apparatus includes a male: a female component; and a check valve fluidly disposed between a proximal end and a distal end within one of the male component or female component. When the component including the check valve is pressurized, the check valve assumes a normally closed state. Upon coupling of the male component with the female component, the check valve is caused to open through the interaction of a probe linked to the check valve which contacts a portion of the opposing coupler, thereby opening the check valve and permitting pressurized fluid flow between the two components. At least one radially directed port fluidly couples the interface between the male and female couplers with the environment, which may be formed in one or both couplers.