Quick connector for high pressure applications
View Patent ↗A fluid coupling for high pressure applications comprising a female connector body, a plastic retainer and a tubular male member with a radially enlarged upset. The female connector body defines a bore extending axially inwardly into the connector body from an entrance. The plastic retainer received within the female connector body includes a cylindrical ring at a first axial end and at least four approximately equally spaced locking members extending axially from the ring separated by slots and detached from each other at a second axial end. Each locking member includes two columns, a beam connecting the two columns at the second axial end and an arm extending axially from the beam between the columns. The arm includes a first abutment surface and a second abutment surface.
1. A fluid coupling comprising:
a female connector body defining, a hollow tube receiving bore extending axially inwardly into said connector body from an entrance opening and defining a fluid flow path, said entrance defined by a radially inwardly extending rim;
a plastic retainer received within said bore of said female connector body, wherein said retainer includes a cylindrical ring at a first, axially inboard end and at least four approximately equally spaced locking members extending axially outward from said ring and separated by axially extending slots between each member, each of said locking members includes two columns and a beam connecting said two columns of each locking member at a second, axial outboard end, and said locking members are detached from each other at said second axial outboard end, and said ring, said columns and said beam define a window, and a locking arm extends axially from each said beam, between said columns in said window, each said locking arm includes a first abutment surface and a second abutment surface wherein a portion of said locking arm of each said locking member is connected directly to said columns of said locking member.
2. A fluid coupling comprising:
a female connector body defining a hollow tube receiving bore extending axially inwardly into said connector body from an entrance opening and defining a fluid flow path, said entrance defined by a radially inwardly extending rim;
a plastic retainer received within said bore of said female connector body, wherein said retainer includes a cylindrical ring at a first, axially inboard end and at least four approximately equally spaced locking members extending axially outward from said ring and separated by axially extending slots between each member, each of said locking members includes two columns and a beam connects said two columns of each locking member at a second, axial outboard end, said ring, said columns and said beam define a window, and an arm extends axially from each said beam, between said columns in said window, each said arm includes a first abutment surface and a second abutment surface wherein the ratio of the radial projection distance of each of said column relative to the outer diameter of said ring is between 0.03 and 0.12.
3. The fluid coupling of claim 2 wherein the ratio of the radial projection distance of each of said column relative to the outer diameter of said ring is between 0.04 and 0.06.
4. A fluid coupling comprising:
a female connector body defining a hollow tube receiving bore extending axially inwardly into said connector body from an entrance opening and defining a fluid flow path, said entrance defined by a radially inwardly extending rim;
a plastic retainer received within said bore of said female connector body, wherein said retainer includes a cylindrical ring at a first, axially inboard end and at least four approximately equally spaced locking members extending axially outward from said ring and separated by axially extending slots between each member, each of said locking members includes two columns and a beam connecting said two columns of each locking member at a second, axial outboard end, and said locking members are detached from each other at said second axial outboard end, and said ring, said columns and said beam define a window, and a locking arm extends axially from each said beam, between said columns in said window, each said locking arm includes a first abutment surface and a second abutment surface, wherein said columns of adjacent locking members define said slots and the axial length of said slots between adjacent locking members terminates intermediate said cylindrical ring and said first abutment surfaces.
5. A fluid coupling as claimed in claim 4 wherein each of said locking members include angled edge surfaces that commence intermediate said first and second abutment surfaces and extend axially toward each other to the axial outward edge of said beam to define divergent slots between said locking members.
6. A fluid coupling comprising:
a female connector body defining a hollow tube receiving bore extending axially inwardly into said connector body from an entrance opening and defining a fluid flow path, said entrance defined by a radially inwardly extending rim;
a plastic retainer received within said bore of said female connector body, wherein said retainer includes a cylindrical ring at a first, axially inboard end and at least four approximately equally spaced locking members extending axially outward from said ring and separated by axially extending slots between each member, each of said locking members includes two columns and a beam connects said two columns of each locking member at a second, axial outboard end, said ring, said columns and said beam define a window, and an arm extends axially from each said beam, between said columns in said window, each said arm includes a first abutment surface and a second abutment surface
wherein, the ratio of
total
surface
area
of
the
first
abutment
surfaces
π
*
(
D
6
/
2
)
2
-
π
*
(
D
7
/
2
)
2
is between 0.50 and 0.80, wherein D 6 is the outer diameter of the first abutment surfaces and D 7 is the inner diameter of the first abutment surfaces.
7. The fluid coupling of claim 6 wherein, the ratio of
total
surface
area
of
the
first
abutment
surfaces
π
*
(
D
6
/
2
)
2
-
π
*
(
D
7
/
2
)
2
is between 0.55 and 0.60, wherein D 6 is the outer diameter of the first abutment surfaces and D 7 is the inner diameter of the first abutment surfaces.
8. A fluid coupling as claimed in claim 6 wherein said columns have radially inner and outer surfaces and the ratio of the cross-sectional area of one column to the area of an imaginary annular planar surface perpendicular to the centerline of said axial bore and having an outer circumference coextensive with the outer surfaces of said columns and an inner circumference coextensive with the radially inner surfaces of said columns is between 0.03 to 0.06.
9. A fluid coupling as claimed in claim 8 wherein each said arm includes a flat cylindrical bottom surface extending axially from said first abutment surface toward said second abutment surface, and the ratio of the axial length of said flat cylindrical bottom surface to the distance between said first and second abutment surface is between 0.20 and 0.25.
10. A fluid coupling comprising:
a female connector body defining a hollow tube receiving bore extending axially inwardly into said connector body from an entrance opening and defining a fluid flow path, said entrance defined by a radially inwardly extending rim;
a plastic retainer received within said bore of said female connector body, wherein said retainer includes a cylindrical ring at a first, axially inboard end and at least four approximately equally spaced locking members extending axially outward from said ring and separated by axially extending slots between each member, each of said locking members includes two columns and a beam connects said two columns of each locking member at a second, axial outboard end, said ring, said columns and said beam define a window, and an arm extends axially from each said beam, between said columns in said window, each said arm includes a first abutment surface and a second abutment surface
wherein said columns have radially inner and outer surfaces and the ratio of the cross-sectional area of one column to the area of an imaginary annular planar surface perpendicular to the centerline of said axial bore and having an outer circumference coextensive with the outer surfaces of said columns and an inner circumference coextensive with the radially inner surfaces of said columns is between 0.03 to 0.06.
11. A fluid coupling comprising:
a female connector body defining a hollow tube receiving bore extending axially inwardly into said connector body from an entrance opening and defining a fluid flow path, said entrance defined by a radially inwardly extending rim;
a plastic retainer received within said bore of said female connector body, wherein said retainer includes a cylindrical ring at a first, axially inboard end and at least four approximately equally spaced locking members extending axially outward from said ring and separated by axially extending slots between each member, each of said locking members includes two columns and a beam connects said two columns of each locking member at a second, axial outboard end, said ring, said columns and said beam define a window, and an arm extends axially from each said beam, between said columns in said window, each said arm includes a first abutment surface and a second abutment surface
wherein each said arm includes a flat cylindrical bottom surface extending axially from said first abutment surface toward said second abutment surface, and the ratio of the axial length of said flat cylindrical bottom surface to the distance between said first and second abutment surface is between 0.20 and 0.25.
12. The fluid coupling of any one of claims 4 , 6 , 10 , 11 , or 5 wherein said retainer is formed of polyetheretherketone.
13. A fluid coupling as claimed in any one of claims 4 , 6 , 10 , 11 , or 5 , wherein said coupling can maintain its fluid tight integrity to at least a fluid pressure of 5,000 PSIG after being subjected to a temperature of 257° F. for at least twenty-four hours while subjected to an increase of pressure of 500 PSI per minute.
14. A fluid coupling as claimed in any one of claims 6 , 10 , 11 , or 5 wherein a tubular male member having a radially enlarged annular upset is received within said retainer, said upset is positioned between said ring of said retainer and said first abutment surfaces.
15. The fluid coupling of claim 14 wherein said male member further includes a layer of Nylon coating the upset.