Pressurized Fluid Coupling Assembly With Synchronized Venting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas coupling devices for pressurized fluids are bulky, expensive, and heavy due to their complex designs, which complicate safe handling and transfer operations at high pressures.
Innovation Solution
A coupling device with a housing, valve assembly, and drive assembly that allows synchronized operation between coupled and uncoupled conditions, and re-circulation/vent and charge conditions, using cam members and a gear arrangement to facilitate safe and efficient fluid transfer through a single mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple parts are employed to achieve safe coupling, charging, re-circulation/venting, and uncoupling functionality, then safety and operational control are improved, but device complexity, weight, and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple independent safety functions (coupling control, charging control, venting control, and re-circulation control) into a single integrated coupling device with unified housing. The drive assembly synchronizes all these operations through a single actuating mechanism, eliminating the need for multiple separate components while maintaining comprehensive safety control.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling device is designed as a multi-functional unit that simultaneously performs coupling, charging, venting, and re-circulation operations. The single drive assembly acts as a universal control mechanism that can operate the valve in different positions (closed, venting, charging, re-circulation) and control the coupling connection state, making one component perform multiple critical functions.
2Reliability
If multiple parts are used to achieve desired functionality, then operational control is improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple operational control functions into a single integrated assembly. The drive assembly, valve assembly, and coupling mechanism are combined in one housing, eliminating the weight of multiple separate components while maintaining full operational control capability for safe handling and transfer of pressurized fluids.
3Reliability
If multiple parts are employed to achieve safe handling and transfer, then safety is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple safety-critical functions into a single manufacturable unit. By combining the coupling mechanism, valve assembly, drive assembly, and housing into one integrated device, the patent reduces the total number of parts that need to be manufactured, assembled, and quality-tested, thereby reducing overall cost while maintaining comprehensive safety functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-functional coupling device performs coupling, charging, venting, and re-circulation operations through a single integrated system. This universality reduces the need for multiple specialized components, simplifying the bill of materials and reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while ensuring safe handling and transfer operations.
4Device complexity
If a compact design is implemented with single mechanism, then device complexity is reduced, but synchronization precision between coupled/uncoupled and venting/charging conditions must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the coupling control and valve control functions into a single drive assembly that mechanically links both operations. The cam mechanisms within the drive assembly are precisely engineered to ensure that coupling/uncoupling actions are synchronized with the corresponding valve positions (venting/charging), maintaining operational precision while reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive assembly incorporates pre-configured cam profiles and mechanical linkages that automatically ensure proper sequencing and synchronization of operations. The geometry of the cam mechanisms is designed beforehand to guarantee that the valve reaches the correct position at the correct time during coupling/uncoupling operations, eliminating the need for complex control systems while maintaining precision.
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 provides a compact, efficient, and safe mechanism for coupling and uncoupling pressurized fluid systems, enhancing safety by synchronizing the charging and venting processes, reducing the need for multiple components and simplifying the handling of high-pressure fluids.
Implementation Method 1
a second cam member operatively engageable with the drive member and the valve assembly, wherein the second cam member is configured to be displaced in the housing by the displacement of the drive member
Implementation Method 2
a valve assembly disposed in the chamber, the valve assembly comprising a valve having an inlet port accessible via the inlet aperture of the housing and connectable to the fluid source, an outlet port to output the fluid received from the inlet port, and a re-circulation/vent port accessible to via the re-circulation/vent aperture to vent the valve to atmosphere or re-circulate the fluid
Data Source
AI summary
This invention relates to coupling devices, particularly to coupling devices for use with pressurized substances, for example, fluids such as liquids, gases, and plasmas; drive assemblies for said coupling devices; and to methods of supplying substances. The coupling device comprises a housing defining a chamber, the housing comprising inlet, outlet, and re-circulation/vent apertures; a valve assembly disposed in the chamber, the valve assembly comprising a valve; and a drive assembly located in the housing and operatively engageable with the valve assembly, wherein the drive assembly comprises a drive member disposed in the chamber; and a second cam member operatively engageable with the drive member and the valve assembly, wherein the second cam member is configured to be displaced by the drive member to cause the operation of the coupling device between uncoupled and coupled conditions, and the valve between the re-circulation/vent and charge conditions in a synchronized fashion.