Fluid couplings
This document describes fluid coupling devices for fluid handling systems. For example, some embodiments described in this document relate to fluid coupling devices that snap together, and are then secured to each other using a collar and collet mechanism. Some fluid coupling devices described herein are well suited for use in systems that provide fluid cooling for heat generating devices such as computer hardware. The fluid coupling devices described herein are also suitable for many other uses.
1. A fluid coupling comprising:
a male coupling defining a longitudinal axis, a seal groove, and a circumferential recess facing radially outward, the male coupling comprising a seal disposed in the seal groove;
a female coupling defining an internal space configured to receive a portion of the male coupling, the female coupling including an end portion comprising a collet structure with radially inward-extending projections; and
a collar defining a central open space, the collar engaged with the female coupling and slidable thereon between: (i) an unlocked end of travel position in which the collet structure is longitudinally extending outside of the central open space of the collar and (ii) a locked end of travel position in which the collet structure is within the central open space of the collar, the collar including radially inward-extending projections,
wherein, while the male coupling is coupled with the female coupling and the collar is in the locked end of travel position, the radially inward-extending projections of the female coupling and the radially inward-extending projections of the collar are releasably seated in the circumferential recess of the male coupling.
2. The fluid coupling of claim 1 , wherein the radially inward-extending projections of the collar are spring projections configured to be radially deflectable.
3. The fluid coupling of claim 1 , wherein the female coupling includes a radial projection and the collar defines a lateral slot in which the radial projection is slidably disposed.
4. The fluid coupling of claim 3 , wherein the radial projection is at a first end of the lateral slot when the collar is in the unlocked end of travel position, and wherein the radial projection is at a second end of the lateral slot when the collar is in the locked end of travel position.
5. The fluid coupling of claim 1 , wherein the male coupling has a mid-body portion with an outer diameter that is larger than an outer diameter of the seal.
6. The fluid coupling of claim 5 , wherein at least a portion of the mid-body portion is frustoconical shaped.
7. A fluid coupling comprising:
a female coupling defining an internal space configured to receive a portion of a male coupling, the female coupling including an end portion comprising a collet structure with radially inward-extending projections; and
a collar defining a central open space, the collar engaged with the female coupling and slidable thereon between: (i) an unlocked end of travel position in which the collet structure is longitudinally extending outside of the central open space of the collar and (ii) a locked end of travel position in which the collet structure is within the central open space of the collar, the collar including radially inward-extending projections,
wherein the collar defines a transverse slot through which a portion of a termination end portion of the female coupling can movably extend.
8. The fluid coupling of claim 7 , wherein the female coupling includes a radial projection and the collar defines a lateral slot in which the radial projection is slidably disposed.
9. The fluid coupling of claim 8 , wherein the radial projection is at a first end of the lateral slot when the collar is in the unlocked end of travel position, and wherein the radial projection is at a second end of the lateral slot when the collar is in the locked end of travel position.
10. The fluid coupling of claim 8 , wherein the lateral slot is dog bone shaped or barbell shaped.
11. The fluid coupling of claim 7 , wherein the collar further comprises stop members that contact the female coupling while the collar is in the unlocked end of travel position such that the radially inward-extending projections of the collar are spaced apart from the female coupling.
12. The fluid coupling of claim 7 , wherein the radially inward-extending projections of the collar are spring projections configured to be individually radially deflectable.
13. The fluid coupling of claim 12 , wherein the collar includes four of the radially inward-extending projections that are configured to be individually radially deflectable.
14. A fluid coupling comprising:
a male coupling having a first end portion and defining:
a longitudinal axis;
a circumferential recess facing radially outward; and
an annular groove facing longitudinally toward the first end portion;
a female coupling defining an internal space configured to receive at least the first end portion of the male coupling, the female coupling including an end portion comprising a collet structure with radially inward-extending projections; and
a collar defining a central open space, the collar engaged with the female coupling and slidable thereon between: (i) an unlocked end of travel position in which the collet structure is longitudinally extending outside of the central open space of the collar and (ii) a locked end of travel position in which the collet structure is within the central open space of the collar, the collar comprising longitudinally extending projections configured to engage in the annular groove of the male coupling when: (i) the male and female couplings are in a coupled configuration and (ii) the collar is in the locked end of travel position, and
wherein, while the male and female couplings are in the coupled configuration, the radially inward-extending projections of the female coupling are seated in the circumferential recess of the male coupling.
15. The fluid coupling of claim 14 , wherein the female coupling includes a radial projection and the collar defines a lateral slot in which the radial projection is slidably disposed.
16. The fluid coupling of claim 15 , wherein the radial projection is at a first end of the lateral slot when the collar is in the unlocked end of travel position, and wherein the radial projection is at a second end of the lateral slot when the collar is in the locked end of travel position.
17. The fluid coupling of claim 16 , wherein the lateral slot is dog bone shaped or barbell shaped.