Unisex ball valve coupling with safety locking mechanism
US11879581B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 19, 2021 |
| Grant date | Jan 23, 2024 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 19, 2041 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16L2201/20
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A coupling assembly (10) is reconfigurable among three states. In a disconnected state, a spring-biased lock indicator (20) is in a first lock indicator position, and the lock indicator includes a restriction member (40) that in the first lock indicator position retains an actuator in a first actuator position such that a valve is in a closed position and a locking pin is in a retracted position. In a connected/valve-closed state, the lock indicator (20) is in a second lock indicator position in which the restriction member (40) permits movement of the actuator (30), but with the actuator (30) still being in the first actuator position such that the valve is in the closed position and the locking pin (46) is in the retracted position. In a connected/valve-open state, the lock indicator (20) is in the second lock indicator position to permit movement of the actuator (30), and now with the actuator (30) being in the second actuator position such that the valve is in the open position and the locking pin (46) is in an extended position to lock a second coupling assembly to the coupling assembly to form a unisex coupling connection.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.