MULTIPORT PISTON-SEAL FITTING

1 . A multiport fitting system, comprising:

a multiport fitting body comprising a plurality of connection ports, wherein each connection port:

is operably configured to receive a connection mechanism of a fluid-fitting adapter, wherein the connection mechanism can be secured to the connection port by manipulation of at least a portion of the connection mechanism substantially along an axis that is substantially perpendicular to a surface of the multiport fitting body in which the connection port is located;

comprises a seal receptacle and a fastener receptacle; and

is proximate to at least one other connection port of the plurality of connection ports.

2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein each seal receptacle is operably configured to receive a seal of the connection mechanism of the fluid-fitting adapter.

3 . The system of claim 2 , wherein the seal is a piston-style seal.

4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein each fastener receptacle is operably configured to receive a fastener.

5 . The system of claim 4 , wherein the fastener comprises a screw or a bolt.

6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the multiport fitting is operably configured to carry fuel, air, water, coolant, lubricant, propellant, hydraulic fluid, an environmental control agent, a fire-suppression agent, or some combination thereof.

7 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising at least one multiport-fitting fluid carrier, each multiport-fitting fluid carrier in fluid communication with one connection port of the plurality of connection ports, each multiport-fitting fluid carrier operably configured to carry fluid to or from the connection port with which it is in fluid communication.

8 . The system of claim 1 , wherein at least one connection port of the plurality of connection ports is operably configured to carry fluid directly to or from a fuel system, an engine, a transmission, a cooling system, a lubrication system, a propellant system, a hydraulic system, an environmental control system, or a fire-suppression system, a vacuum-gyroscope system, a lifting-gas system.

9 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the multiport fitting body is operably configured to carry fluid directly to or from direct fluid communication to a fuel system, an engine, a transmission, a cooling system, a lubrication system, a propellant system, a hydraulic system, a vacuum-gyroscope system, an environmental control system, or a fire-suppression system.

10 . A method of providing a plurality of connection ports, comprising:

providing a multiport fitting, the multiport fitting comprising:

a multiport fitting body comprising a plurality of connection ports, wherein each connection port:

is operably configured to receive a connection mechanism of a fluid-fitting adapter;

comprises a seal receptacle and a fastener receptacle; and

is proximate to at least one other connection port of the plurality of connection ports;

receiving at least one connection mechanism of a fluid-carrying component with one connection port; and

securing the connection mechanism to the multiport fitting by manipulation of at least a portion of the connection mechanism substantially along an axis that is substantially perpendicular to a surface of the multiport fitting body in which the connection port is located.

11 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising sealing a connection by receiving a seal of the one connection mechanism with the seal receptacle.

12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the seal a piston-style seal.

13 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising securing the connection mechanism to the multiport fitting by receiving a fastener.

14 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the fastener includes a screw or a bolt.

15 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising providing direct fluid communication between at least one connection port of the plurality of connection ports and a multiport-fitting fluid carrier.

16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the multiport-fitting fluid carrier includes a hose, a tube, a fitting, or combinations thereof.

17 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising providing direct fluid communication between at least one connection port of the plurality of connection ports and a fuel system, an engine, a transmission, a cooling system, a lubrication system, a propellant system, a hydraulic system, an environmental control system, or a fire-suppression system.

18 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising providing direct fluid communication between the multiport fitting body and a fuel system, an engine, a transmission, a cooling system, a lubrication system, a propellant system, a hydraulic system, an environmental control system, a fire-suppression system, a vacuum-gyroscope system, or a lifting-gas system.

19 . A rotorcraft, comprising:

a fuselage;

a multiport fitting coupled to the fuselage, comprising:

a multiport fitting body comprising a plurality of connection ports, wherein each connection port:

is operably configured to receive a connection mechanism of a fluid-fitting adapter, wherein the connection mechanism can be secured to the connection port by manipulation of at least a portion of the connection mechanism substantially along an axis that is substantially perpendicular to a surface of the multiport fitting body in which the connection port is located;

comprises a seal receptacle and a fastener receptacle; and

is proximate to at least one other connection port of the plurality of connection ports.

20 . The rotorcraft of claim 19 , wherein each seal receptacle is operably configured to receive a seal of the connection mechanism of the fluid-fitting adapter.