Fluid transfer couplings and methods therefor
US11353152B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 27, 2020 |
| Grant date | Jun 7, 2022 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 22, 2040 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16L2201/40
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The present invention relates to couplers for transferring fluid between space assets, particularly in a vacuum microgravity environment with radiation exposure. In particular, the couplers provide for transfer of fluids, such as propellants, coolants, pressurant gases, or life-support fluids, preferably between assets in the space environment or in terrestrial environments such as Earth, the Moon, or Mars. The couplers provide self-alignment features which enable their use in blind-mate, telerobotic, fully autonomous robotic systems. The invention provides a common design architecture for different fluids accommodating a variety of flow rates and pressure drops depending upon the particular fluid. The basic wetted component design of the invention involves a rigid, centrally-disposed nozzle on the Passive Side which contacts and opens a poppet valve on the Active Side as the two sides are coupled; and a rigid annular nozzle on the Active Side, coaxially located with but occupying a different radius than the Passive Side nozzle, which contacts and opens a corresponding contamination cover on the Passive Side.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.