Quick Disconnect Coupling Valve Assembly With Expandable Sealing Collar
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Solution Overview
Problem
Quick disconnect coupling assemblies in fluid flow systems often require complex assembly, result in higher weight, and experience pressure drop due to the need for multiple components and physical limitations during valve assembly.
Innovation Solution
A coupling assembly design that allows a valve member to be loaded into a valve housing through a port, with a sealing collar that can be inserted and installed on the valve member to prevent it from exiting the valve seat, while being radially expandable and compressible for easy installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If multiple components are used to assemble the valve within the housing, then the valve can be assembled, but the assembly becomes complex and weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing collar is integrated with the valve member to form a single unitary component, eliminating the need for separate sealing elements and reducing assembly complexity. The collar and valve member are formed as one piece, combining multiple functions into a single component that simplifies the overall assembly process.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing collar serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides sealing against the valve seat, acts as a stop to prevent over-travel of the valve member, and integrates with the valve member structure. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed in the assembly.
2Ease of manufacture
If multiple components are used to assemble the valve within the housing, then the valve can be assembled, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing collar and valve member are combined into a single unitary component, reducing the total number of parts and thereby reducing the overall weight of the moving valve assembly. This integration eliminates the weight of separate sealing elements and fasteners that would be required if multiple components were used.
3Reliability
If the valve member is prevented from exiting through the valve seat, then sealing is improved, but assembly becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing collar is designed with a configuration that allows the valve member to be inserted through the valve seat during assembly, but once in position, the collar prevents the valve member from exiting. This preliminary design of the collar geometry enables easy insertion while ensuring proper sealing and retention without requiring additional assembly steps.
4Reliability
If a unitary construction of the valve housing is used, then leak paths are eliminated and part count is reduced, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve housing is constructed as a unitary component with integrated ports and internal valve seat, eliminating the need for separate housing parts that would require assembly. This unitary construction prevents leak paths at interfaces between multiple housing components while the integrated design simplifies manufacturing by reducing the number of parts that need to be produced and assembled.
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 design simplifies assembly, reduces weight and part counts, minimizes potential leak paths, and enhances internal flow characteristics by allowing a unitary construction of the valve housing and providing effective sealing.
Implementation Method 1
The sealing collar can be radially expandable and compressible to facilitate inserting the sealing collar through the valve seat and installing the sealing collar on the valve member
Implementation Method 2
The sealing collar can include a seal that provides sealing (e.g., radial sealing) with respect to the valve seat when the valve member is in the closed position
Implementation Method 3
The valve member being spring biased toward the closed position
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates a quick disconnect coupling assembly having a collar inserted through an internal valve seat to be joined to a valve member and form a seal with the internal valve seat. The assembly having a valve guide positioned within the flow passage, a valve member supported by the valve guide within the valve housing, and a collar mounted to a valve head of the valve member.