Abstract: A subsea hydraulic system comprises a dual (or dual action) check valve on a port for connection to a remotely operated vehicle (ROV). The check valve provides backpressure to flow in either direction. This keeps hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic system, and seawater out. If flow needs to return to the ROV, it may flow out the port, subject to a selected back pressure.

Abstract: A poppet valve for a hydraulic coupling member has an internal, spring-loaded check valve (which may be a ball check valve) in fluid communication with a bleed passage. The check valve may be configured as a pressure-relief valve which bleeds off excess hydraulic fluid pressure within the coupling member to a preselected value. A poppet valve according to the invention may be used in female coupling members and/or male coupling members. Certain embodiments of the invention may be retrofitted to coupling members of the prior art.

Abstract: A liquid chemical dispenser for an irrigation system comprises a removable supply container for the chemical which, in a first embodiment, comprises a valve for preventing spillage of the chemical during attachment of the container to the dispenser. This feature allows the container to be mounted in an inverted position on the dispenser without loss of its contents. In a second embodiment, the chemical container comprises a membrane which is pierced by a dip tube when the container is attached to the dispenser. A section of the dip tube produces an annular vent passage in the membrane around the dip tube to provide vacuum relief. The configuration of the containers substantially reduces the chance of inadvertent contact with the contents and the simple design permits the containers to be disposable.

Abstract: Upper and/or lower seal plates of a sub plate mounted, pilot actuated spool valve are reinforced with one or more metal rings. In a number of preferred embodiments, the metal ring is comprised of steel. Portions of the seal plates may comprise an engineering thermoplastic such as polyoxymethylene (POM) sold by E. I. DuPont de Nemours under the DELRIN® trademark. The plastic material may be molded to the metal ring. In other embodiments, the plastic material and metal ring(s) are mechanically connected together.

Abstract: A dummy undersea hydraulic coupling member protects an opposing undersea hydraulic coupling member when the hydraulic lines are not operating. The dummy undersea hydraulic coupling member has a water displacement expansion chamber with a piston in the chamber that allows trapped water and/or air to move from the receiving chamber into the water displacement expansion chamber during connection of the dummy coupling member to the opposing coupling member. The piston has both a primary seal and a secondary, hydrostatic seal for preventing seawater from entering the portion of the water displacement expansion chamber that is contacted by the primary seal.

Abstract: A liquid chemical dispenser for an irrigation system comprises a removable supply container for the chemical which, in a first embodiment, comprises a valve for preventing spillage of the chemical during attachment of the container to the dispenser. This feature allows the container to be mounted in an inverted position on the dispenser without loss of its contents. In a second embodiment, the chemical container comprises a membrane which is pierced by a dip tube when the container is attached to the dispenser. A section of the dip tube produces an annular vent passage in the membrane around the dip tube to provide vacuum relief. The configuration of the containers substantially reduces the chance of inadvertent contact with the contents and the simple design permits the containers to be disposable.

Abstract: A probe seal for a female hydraulic coupling member has both internal and external pressure-energized seals. The outer wall or opposing ends of the seal have one or more pressure-energized seals for sealing between the body of the probe seal and the body of a coupling member in which the probe seal is installed. Annular, L-shaped, T-shaped or angled grooves in the inner wall of the seal form cavities and sealing projections that can be urged in an inward, radial direction by fluid pressure within an associated cavity to increase the sealing effectiveness between the body of the seal and the probe of a male hydraulic coupling member inserted in the receiving chamber of the female coupling member.

Abstract: A liquid chemical dispenser for an irrigation system comprises a removable supply container for the chemical which, in a first embodiment, comprises a valve for preventing spillage of the chemical during attachment of the container to the dispenser. This feature allows the container to be mounted in an inverted position on the dispenser without loss of its contents. In a second embodiment, the chemical container comprises a membrane which is pierced by a dip tube when the container is attached to the dispenser. A section of the dip tube produces an annular vent passage in the membrane around the dip tube to provide vacuum relief. The configuration of the containers substantially reduces the chance of inadvertent contact with the contents and the simple design permits the containers to be disposable.

Abstract: A poppet valve for a hydraulic coupling member has an internal, spring-loaded check valve (which may be a ball check valve) in fluid communication with a bleed passage. The check valve may be configured as a pressure-relief valve which bleeds off excess hydraulic fluid pressure within the coupling member to a preselected value. A poppet valve according to the invention may be used in female coupling members and/or male coupling members. Certain embodiments of the invention may be retrofitted to coupling members of the prior art.

Abstract: A dummy undersea hydraulic coupling member protects an opposing undersea hydraulic coupling member when the hydraulic lines are not operating. The dummy undersea hydraulic coupling member has a water displacement expansion chamber with a piston in the chamber that allows trapped water and/or air to move from the receiving chamber into the water displacement expansion chamber during connection of the dummy coupling member to the opposing coupling member. The piston has both a primary seal and a secondary, hydrostatic seal for preventing seawater from entering the portion of the water displacement expansion chamber that is contacted by the primary seal.

Abstract: A poppet valve for a hydraulic coupling member has an internal, spring-loaded check valve (which may be a ball check valve) in fluid communication with a bleed passage. The check valve may be configured as a pressure-relief valve which bleeds off excess hydraulic fluid pressure within the coupling member to a preselected value. A poppet valve according to the invention may be used in female coupling members and/or male coupling members. Certain embodiments of the invention may be retrofitted to coupling members of the prior art.

Abstract: A female hydraulic coupling member has an elastomer probe seal molded to or abutting a ring-shaped metal base which is adapted to exert a compressive force on the probe seal when exposed to hydraulic fluid pressure. The compressive force causes the seal to expand in a radial direction thereby increasing its sealing effectiveness. A retainer nut for holding the seal in the receiving chamber may have an angled surface which acts to urge the seal in an inward, radial direction when an axial, compressive force is applied to the seal.

Abstract: Upper and/or lower seal plates of a sub plate mounted, pilot actuated spool valve are reinforced with one or more metal rings. In a number of preferred embodiments, the metal ring is comprised of steel. Portions of the seal plates may comprise an engineering thermoplastic such as polyoxymethylene (POM) sold by E. I. DuPont de Nemours under the DELRIN® trademark. The plastic material may be molded to the metal ring. In other embodiments, the plastic material and metal ring(s) are mechanically connected together.

Abstract: A poppet valve for a hydraulic coupling member has an internal, spring-loaded check valve (which may be a ball check valve) in fluid communication with a bleed passage. The check valve may be configured as a pressure-relief valve which bleeds off excess hydraulic fluid pressure within the coupling member to a preselected value. A poppet valve according to the invention may be used in female coupling members and/or male coupling members. Certain embodiments of the invention may be retrofitted to coupling members of the prior art.

Abstract: A hydraulic coupling member is equipped with dual, electrically conductive contacts one of which is configured to contact a junction plate or junction plate holding the coupling member while the other is configured to contact an opposing coupling member when the coupling is fully made up thereby electrically bonding the coupling system.

Abstract: A female hydraulic coupling member has an elastomer probe seal molded to or abutting a ring-shaped metal base which is adapted to exert a compressive force on the probe seal when exposed to hydraulic fluid pressure. The compressive force causes the seal to expand in a radial direction thereby increasing its sealing effectiveness. A retainer nut for holding the seal in the receiving chamber may have a angled surface which acts to urge the seal in an inward, radial direction when an axial, compressive force is applied to the seal.

Abstract: A female hydraulic coupling member has an elastomer probe seal molded to or abutting a ring-shaped metal base which is adapted to exert a compressive force on the probe seal when exposed to hydraulic fluid pressure. The compressive force causes the seal to expand in a radial direction thereby increasing its sealing effectiveness. A retainer nut for holding the seal in the receiving chamber may have an angled surface which acts to urge the seal in an inward, radial direction when an axial, compressive force is applied to the seal.

Abstract: A female hydraulic coupling member includes a bidirectional, pressure-energized probe seal for sealing between the body of the female coupling member and the cylindrical probe section of a male coupling member seated in the receiving chamber of the female member. In one embodiment, the pressure-energized seal comprises a first curved section which is oriented towards the external end of the receiving chamber in which it is installed and a second curved section oriented towards the interior end of the receiving chamber. The two curved sections are joined by a substantially straight back section. When the pressure of fluid within the coupling member is above the ambient fluid pressure, the first curved section is pressure-energized so as to increase its sealing effectiveness. When external pressure (e.g., the hydrostatic head) exceeds the pressure of fluid within the coupling member, the second curved section is pressure-energized so as to increase its sealing effectiveness.

Abstract: A crown-type probe seal for a female hydraulic coupling member has one or more pressure-energized seals for sealing between the probe seal and the body of the coupling member which retains the probe seal. The generally ring-shaped probe seal has one or more annular fluid chambers in the wall of the seal's body. Each annular fluid chamber is open to the outer circumference of the probe seal. Hydraulic fluid under pressure may enter an annular fluid chamber through its opening and exert a generally radial force as a result of a pressure differential. This radial force can act to increase the sealing effectiveness of the probe seal both to the body of the coupling member retaining the probe seal and to the probe of a male coupling member inserted in the receiving chamber of the female member.

Abstract: A crown-type probe seal for a female hydraulic coupling member has one or more pressure-energized seals for sealing between the probe seal and the body of the coupling member which retains the probe seal. The generally ring-shaped probe seal has an annular fluid chamber in at least one end of the body of the seal. Hydraulic fluid under pressure may enter the annular fluid chamber and exert a generally radial force in response to a pressure differential. This radial force can act to increase the sealing effectiveness of the probe seal to the body of the female coupling member having such a probe seal.