US 12,247,685 B2
Self-centering blind mate fluid coupling
Timothy Marquis, Otsego, MN (US); and Andrew Holst, Plymouth, MN (US)
Assigned to Parker-Hannifin Corporation, Cleveland, OH (US)
Filed by Parker-Hannifin Corporation, Cleveland, OH (US)
Filed on Feb. 10, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/167,299.
Application 18/167,299 is a continuation in part of application No. 17/995,193, previously published as PCT/US2021/044656, filed on Aug. 5, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/196,454, filed on Jun. 3, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/061,863, filed on Aug. 6, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2023/0184363 A1, Jun. 15, 2023
Int. Cl. F16L 37/30 (2006.01); F16L 37/22 (2006.01); F16L 37/50 (2006.01); F16L 37/52 (2006.01)
CPC F16L 37/52 (2013.01) [F16L 37/22 (2013.01); F16L 37/30 (2013.01); F16L 37/505 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A coupling member for a blind mate fluid coupling, comprising:
a valve body having an axially extending internal fluid passage, a radially outwardly protruding forward abutment, and a radially outwardly protruding rearward abutment that is axially spaced apart rearwardly from the forward abutment;
a valve member at least partially disposed in the internal fluid passage, the valve member being movable relative to the valve body to open and close the internal fluid passage; and
a housing surrounding at least a portion of the valve body, the housing including a radially inwardly extending forward engagement surface and a radially inwardly extending rearward engagement surface that is axially spaced apart rearwardly from the first engagement surface;
wherein the rearward abutment of the valve body includes a radially outwardly and axially rearwardly extending convex contact surface;
wherein, the coupling member is configured such that the forward abutment of the valve body operatively interacts with the forward engagement surface of the housing, and the convex engagement surface of the rearward abutment of the valve body operatively interacts with the rearward engagement surface of the housing to facilitate alignment and/or centering of the valve body relative to the housing; and
wherein a floating support is interposed between a forwardly facing contact surface of the forward abutment of the valve body and the rearward engagement surface of the housing, the floating support being radially moveable relative to the housing and the valve body, and cooperates with both the forwardly facing contact surface of the forward abutment and the forward engagement surface of the housing to provide interaction that facilitates alignment and/or centering of the valve body relative to the housing.