Quick disconnect coupling systems and related methods
Quick disconnect devices for high pressure fluid transfer, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A representative quick disconnect system includes a first connector and a second connector. The second connector can have an opening sized and shaped to receive a first end of the first connector. The second connector can include a poppet positioned to open the first connector when the first connector is connected to the second connector. The second connector can include an inner sleeve moveable between a first position wherein the poppet head forms a fluid-tight seal with the annular seat of the inner sleeve, and a second position wherein the second end portion is open to permit fluid flow through the end portion of the inner sleeve. In some embodiments, the inner sleeve is pressure balanced in every direction.
1 . A quick disconnect system for transferring a fluid, comprising:
a first connector comprising:
a first outer sleeve having a first end and a second end; and
a piston comprising a piston head, the piston head comprising a frustoconical and/or chamfered surface that defines a first cavity in the piston head; and
a second connector comprising:
a second outer sleeve having an opening sized and shaped to receive the first end of the first outer sleeve; and
a poppet positioned within the second outer sleeve, the poppet having a poppet head to fit within the first cavity of the piston head and having a step on a side surface of the poppet head, the step to seal an engagement between the poppet head and the frustoconical and/or chamfered surface of the piston head, wherein the poppet head is isolated, at least at its mating surface with the piston and at its longitudinal side surface, from the fluid when a fluid coupling is established between the first connector and the second connector.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the poppet is fixed with respect to the second outer sleeve.
3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the second connector further comprises:
an inner sleeve; and
a biasing spring between the inner sleeve and the second outer sleeve to bias the inner sleeve to be in a closed position against the poppet head prior to the fluid coupling being established.
4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the first connector further comprises:
a second cavity in the piston head, on an opposite side relative to the first cavity;
a stem comprising a stem portion that fits within the second cavity; and
a biasing spring in the second cavity to bias the piston head to a closed position prior to the fluid coupling being established.
5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the poppet head forms a seal with the first cavity of the piston head when the fluid coupling is established.
6 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising an O-ring seal between the longitudinal side surface of the poppet head and an angular side surface of the poppet head, the O-ring seal configured to seal between the poppet head and an inner sleeve of the second connector prior to the fluid coupling being established.
7 . The system of claim 1 , wherein an inner diameter of the second outer sleeve decreases from the opening toward the poppet head.
8 . The system of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of an inner surface of the second outer sleeve has a frustoconical shape.
9 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the second connector comprises an inner sleeve between the poppet and the second outer sleeve, the inner sleeve comprising an outer flange, wherein the first connector is configured to directly contact the outer flange to push the inner sleeve toward an open position to enable the fluid coupling between the first connector and the second connector.
10 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the inner sleeve includes a frustoconical outer surface portion extending from the outer flange in a direction away from the poppet.
11 . A piston-side connector of a quick disconnect system, the piston-side connector comprising:
a piston comprising a piston head, the piston head comprising a frustoconical and/or chamfered surface that defines a first cavity in the piston head, wherein the first cavity is to receive a poppet head of a poppet of a poppet-side connector of the quick disconnect system so that a step of a side surface of the poppet head seals an engagement between the poppet head and the frustoconical and/or chamfered surface of the piston head, and wherein, when the poppet head is within the first cavity, the first cavity is to isolate the poppet head, at least at its mating surface with the piston and at its longitudinal side surface, from a fluid when a fluid coupling is established between the piston-side connector and the poppet-side connector.
12 . The piston-side connector of claim 11 , further comprising a stem, wherein the stem includes one or more passages through which the fluid from the poppet-side connector flows when the piston is in an open position.
13 . The piston-side connector of claim 11 , further comprising:
a first outer sleeve having a first end and a second end, wherein a mating face of the piston comprises the first cavity and comprises an edge of the first cavity, the edge being flush with the first end of the first outer sleeve when the piston is in a closed position.
14 . The piston-side connector of claim 11 , wherein an inner diameter of the first cavity of the piston is substantially identical to an outer perimeter of a mating face of the poppet head.
15 . The piston-side connector of claim 11 , further comprising:
a second cavity in the piston head, on an opposite side relative to the first cavity;
a stem comprising a stem portion that fits within the second cavity; and
a biasing spring in the second cavity to bias the piston head to a closed position prior to the fluid coupling being established.
16 . The piston-side connector of claim 15 , wherein the piston includes an inner flange extending inwardly from an inner wall of the piston, the inner flange defining an aperture between the first cavity and the second cavity.
17 . A poppet-side connector of a quick disconnect system, the poppet-side connector comprising:
a poppet head of a poppet of the poppet-side connector, wherein the poppet head is adapted to fit within a cavity of a piston head of a piston-side connector of the quick disconnect system, wherein the piston head comprises a frustoconical and/or chamfered surface that defines the cavity in the piston head, wherein the poppet head comprises a step on a side surface of the poppet head, the step to seal an engagement between the poppet head and the frustoconical and/or chamfered surface of the piston head, and wherein the poppet head is adapted to be isolated, at least at its mating surface with the piston and at its longitudinal side surface, from fluid through the quick disconnect system after a fluid coupling is established between the piston-side connector and the poppet-side connector.
18 . The poppet-side connector of claim 17 , wherein the poppet-side connector further comprises:
an inner sleeve; and
a biasing spring between the inner sleeve and an outer sleeve to bias the inner sleeve to be in a closed position against the poppet head prior to the fluid coupling being established.
19 . The poppet-side connector of claim 17 , wherein the poppet head forms a seal with the cavity of the piston head when the fluid coupling is established.
20 . The poppet-side connector of claim 17 , further comprising an O-ring seal between the longitudinal side surface of the poppet head and an angular side surface of the poppet head, the O-ring seal configured to seal between the poppet head and an inner sleeve of the poppet-side connector prior to the fluid coupling being established.