Abstract: An in-line quick connect multiple port fluid coupler is disclosed. The coupler has two identical coupling units. Each coupling unit has a body and an integral tongue. The tongue has a face which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the coupling unit. Fluid passages interconnect the body and the face of the tongue. Each coupling unit mates in a face-to-face relationship with the other coupling unit. Guide pins and seals are used to provide a fluid tight passage between the fluid passages and each opposing face. A sleeve circumscribes the mated coupling units to ensure a secure assembly.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing valve primarily for post-mix has a valve body that will accept all known types of beverage flow controls, water and syrup valves that are interchangeable in either of two fluid ports, a reversible block between the valves and a nozzle that enables syrup to be used in either port and water to be used in either port, a positively sealing and easily removable nozzle for improved sanitation and mixing, and multiple fulcrums in the valve body that will respectively accept a manual actuator or a switch actuator and a solenoid driven actuator.

Abstract: An apparatus for locking together simultaneously one or more male and female coupling members is disclosed, primarily for use in undersea hydraulic applications. The apparatus comprises a sliding lock plate supported by a first junction plate, the plate being slideable perpendicular to the coupling axis between an unlocked position and a locked position. The sliding lock plate has a number of passages configured to receive each coupling member therethrough in the unlocked position. In the locked position, the passages are configured to engage the circumference of the male and female coupling members and restrict axial movement of the members.

Abstract: A robotic connector or interface includes a roughly conical male member in which the conical side may be concave. The male member includes a radial indexing pin, and a central bore in which polarized electrical connectors are located. A mating female member includes a cavity with a fundus and movable peripheral lips adapted for grasping the base of the male member when engaged for drawing the male member into full mating relation with the cavity. A tapered slot in the side of the female member guides the index pin to impart rotational forces so that mating can take place even if the approach is skewed. The electrical connectors are mounted on a separately indexed, spring loaded connector plate at the fundus of the cavity. A motor-driven linkage operates the peripheral lip members.

Abstract: A connector assembly for connecting together fluid carrying lines comprises two hubs having the bores of the fluid carrying lines extending therethrough. Openings are provided in the hubs and a clamp is provided in the openings. The clamp is connected to one of the hubs and comprises a clamp body, an operating member and clamping members movable radially outwardly to clamp the juxtaposed hubs together, movement of the clamping members being caused by sliding of the operating member in the clamp body, the inclined external surfaces of the operating member co-operating with the similarly inclined inner ends of the clamping members. The interior of the operating member is hollow and defines a cylindrical internal cavity. A piston is provided in the cavity to form a piston and cylinder assembly for moving the operating member. A releasable lock prevents inadvertent release of the clamping members.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in remotely connecting a plurality of lines for carrying fluid terminating in a first hub to a plurality of lines for carrying fluid terminating in a second hub, the hubs being initially arranged with their axes approximately coaxial but spaced apart, comprises a plurality of first engagement members fixed relative to the first hub and comprising generally conical receptor elements forming end portions of elongate tubular members arranged around the first hub with their axes generally parallel to that of the first hub, and a plurality of second engagement members comprising generally conical elements forming end portions of elongate members arranged around the second hub with their axes generally parallel to that of the second hub.

Abstract: A subsea flowline connection system wherein a terminal connector on a flowline is pulled by a cable into a funnel on a connector base structure. The upper and lower 5 surfaces of the terminal and funnel cooperate to align the component in the vertical plane. The terminal has curved vertical sides which make only line contact with straight vertical walls in the funnel to deliberately allow limited, misalignment (.+-.6.degree.) between the components in the horizontal plane as the terminal is drawn into the funnel. Securing device is then installed between the misaligned components to lock them together in that position. A pull-in tool is provided which is lowered onto the base and includes a pull-in cable for drawing the terminal into the funnel and a device for installing the securing device which lock the components together.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a manifold coupling for connecting a plurality of conduits which carry pressurized fluid in a sequential manner. Each portion of the manifold coupling is a duplicate of the other portion. Each portion has locking means and alignment means to prevent the misaligned connection of the conduits. The alignment means includes a keying arrangement built into the housing walls of each portion of the coupling. A reinforcement means is configured into the walls to prevent yielding thereof, and inadvertent misalignment of the coupling portions.

Abstract: A hydraulic connector for a subsea well assembly has spherical hydraulic seats. Each seat has the same radius of curvature in a vertical direction as in a horizontal direction. Each connector member has a plurality of hydraulic passages, each hydraulic passage having a port terminating at the hydraulic seat. The ports of one of the connector members register with the ports of the other connector member. A counterbore is located at the port of each hydraulic passage of the one connector member, defining a recessed base. A seal element is located in each counterbore. The seal element is frusto-conical and is formed of a plurality of conical metal and elastomer laminations alternating with each other.

Abstract: Apparatus for remotely handling a device in an irradiated underwater environment includes a plurality of tubular sections interconnected end-to-end to form a handling structure, the bottom section being adapted for connection to the device. A support section is connected to the top tubular section and is adapted to be suspended from an overhead crane. Each section is flanged at its opposite ends. Axially retractable bolts in each bottom flange are threadedly engageable with holes in the top flange of an adjacent section, each bolt being biased to its retracted position and retained in place on the bottom flange. Guide pins on each top flange cooperate with mating holes on adjacent bottom flanges to guide movement of the parts to the proper interconnection orientation.

Abstract: A subsea hydraulic coupling has a pair of vertically spaced apart receptacles, each mounted to a different subsea well subassembly. A connector is lowered from the surface into engagement with the receptacles. The receptacles have radial ports. The connector has radial pistons that mate with the ports. Each piston has a flow passage extending through it. A communication passage extends from the flow passage of each piston through the body of the connector to a source of hydraulic fluid pressure. The connector body has a bore with a cam located inside. The cam, when actuated by hydraulic fluid pressure, pushes the pistons outwardly to engage the receptacle ports.

Abstract: Mounting boards for supporting and connecting fluid power components are secured together with dovetail clips to make up arrays with a large number of terminals. There are grooves in end faces of the boards so as to define marginal lands which are engaged by the clips. The lands of adjacent boards form a complete dovetail structure to be gripped by a clip with a self-locking action. The contiguous faces of adjacent boards may have locating means such as pins and recesses. The boards may have spigots protruding from them for connection with piping. Venting ports are provided with muffler caps.

Abstract: A subsea control pod connector for joining conical interfaces (12, 18) having fluid openings (14, 20). A latch rod (54) carries a spherical ball (56) for vertical axial movement. A plurality of outwardly extending lock dogs (65) each has a spherical inner surface (66) sliding on the ball and an annular groove (72) around the outer surface. The groove surface transmits locking force to shoulder surfaces 68 and 70 located on the members to be joined.

Abstract: A seal for sealing between two mating faces that are curved. The seal includes a groove formed in one of the faces for encircling a passageway that terminates at the face. The groove has a depth that varies along the diameter of the groove with the curvature of the face. The base or bottom of the groove is located in a single plane. An elastomeric seal ring is located in the groove. The seal ring also has a variable cross-sectional thickness that varies around the diameter of the ring corresponding to the depth of the groove. The seal ring has an annular band that fits within a counterbore in the groove to retain the seal ring.

Abstract: A multiple connector fluid coupling includes a plurality of quick-connect fluid couplings and comprises a first plate adapted to support a plurality of male connector parts, a second plate adapted to support a plurality of female connector parts in alignment for registration with the male parts in the first plate, and a third plate adapted to engage displaceable sleeves on the female connector parts to simultaneously activate the sleeves. In one form of the invention, the second and third plates have elongated end portions so that the plates can be manually grasped and manipulated for positioning with respect to the first plate. In another form of the present invention, a manual lever-operated cam displaces the third plate with respect to the second plate so that a mechanical advantage can be provided for operating a plurality of large fluid connectors at one time.

Abstract: A connect-disconnect coupling for a plural-passage fluid line has an outer socket which has an inner plug mounted therein; and an outer plug has an inner socket mounted in it. That inner plug includes a yieldable tube which has one end thereof in fluid-tight engagement with a partition in that outer socket; and the other end of that yieldable tube can automatically align itself with the inner socket in the outer plug as that outer plug is telescoped into that outer socket. The other end of that yieldable tube is capable of automatically returning to a position which is generally central of the outer socket even if that yieldable end had been moved all the way to one side of that outer socket.

Abstract: A connection device having two interfitting support pieces for simultaneously connecting multiple fluid circuits. One of the pieces, which bear the male and female elements of the multiple fluid connections to be joined, is provided with a lock capable of rotating and compressing axially against a spring. This lock bears two lateral pins which cooperate with ramps made in a bushing carried by support the other support piece.

Abstract: A latch for releasably anchoring well tools at a preselected downhole location within a well bore. The latch includes collet heads which are sized to be received within an annular recess. The downhole location is defined by the annular recess and a no-go shoulder which limits the movement of the latch into the well bore. The latch is activated by application of force in one direction after contact with the no-go shoulder. A first set of pins is sheared during activation of the latch to prevent retraction of the collet heads from the recess. A second set of pins is sheared by applying force in the opposite direction to allow release of the collet heads from the recess.

Abstract: A multiple coupling with plate-shaped coupling halves in which the fluid-conducting spigot and hub parts of the individual couplings are fastened. The coupling halves are held pin-centered with respect to each other and detachably to each other in coupling position by a locking-ball interlock such that a plug projection of one coupling half enters into a socket opening of the other coupling half. The plug projection is held in the socket opening by locking balls which can be released by displacement of an interlock sleeve into the open position. The plug projection which is arranged approximately concentrically to the one coupling half is provided at its end with a grip of smaller cross section for a pull member developed preferably in the form of a rope, which passes through the socket opening.

Abstract: A quick-disconnect device for coupling segments of a diver's umbilical ho includes separable rectangular bodies carrying complementary hose couplings spaced therealong. The bodies, which have nested rim and reduced portions, are biased toward separation by a rectangular, flat-type spring and releasable retained against separation by a retractable retaining pin extending diagonally therethrough and normally locked against retraction by partial rotation.

Abstract: A marine riser coupling assembly comprised of a pair of flanged couplings (14, 16). A pin insert (36) is retained (44, 54) within tubular portions (22, 24) of the couplings. The insert has multiple outside diameters (50, 50), and seals (66, 74) on each.

Abstract: A connecting device usable with hydraulic or pneumatic multi-line hoses in mineral mining has a block containing bores interconnecting bore-outlets formed on end faces of the lock extending perpendicularly to one another. The bore outlets are disposed on common pitch circles on the end faces at equal spacings. Detachable fittings mate with the end faces. One of these fittings holds plug-pins in identical sockets formed by the bore-outlets. The other of the fittings is coupled with a multi-line hose with similar plug-pins which locate in sockets formed by the fitting in correspondence with the associated bore outlets. Provision is made for one of the plug-pins of each group to serve as alignment means for the other components and the plug-pin of the one fitting and corresponding socket of the other fitting can be re-orientated around the pitch circles of the end faces at will.

Abstract: A seal for use in an underwater connector having first and second mating members each of which has a coacting mating surface with a plurality of fluid passageways for mating with the passageways of the other member. The seal is a resilient tubular member having threads on a portion of its outer diameter for connection to a passageway on one of the members. The seal includes a fluid sealing surface on its outer end for mating with the other member and the seal includes a fluid sealing surface on its inner end for sealing with the one member. The sealing point of the sealing surface on the outer end has a diameter at least as great as the diameter of the sealing point of the sealing surface on the inner end. The sealing surface on the inner end is formed by an O-ring seal in a groove in the annular resilient seal. The sealing surface on the outer end includes a ridge.

Abstract: A plural fluid coupling comprising a plurality of fluid connectors each of which has a male and female part which are movable with respect to each other between a fluidly connected and an unconnected position. The male parts of the fluid connectors are attached to a first plate while the female parts are attached to a second plate so that, with the plates positioned adjacent each other, the male and female parts of the fluid connectors are aligned with each other. A clamping assembly is pivotally connected to one plate and, upon actuation, moves the plates together and the fluid connector part to their fluidly connected positions.

Abstract: A connector for coupling a plurality of flowlines in a catenary bundle in fluid-flow relationship with a plurality of wellheads supported on a submerged buoyant support. The connector comprises a first member that is rigidly coupled to the submerged support, has a plurality of conduits extending therefrom to the wellheads, and has an open-ended member with a rotational orientation member therein; and a second member that is coupled to the end of the flowline bundle, is receivable on the first member and has an elongated stinger thereon receivable in the annular open-ended member on the first connector member. The stinger has a second orientation member for mating with the orientation member in the open-ended member. Run from the surface through the open-ended member and attached to the end of the stinger is a hauling wireline used to bring the first and second connector members into engagement, at which time they are rotationally oriented and locked together.

Abstract: Apparatus for making up underwater fluid connections comprising first and second connector assemblies each comprising at least one conduit connector member, the connector members of the two assemblies being matably connectable by movement of the assemblies toward each other. A pair of levers carried by the first assembly are pivotable about a first axis transverse to the direction of movement in connecting the two assemblies, the two levers further being generally parallel and spaced apart along said first axis. The levers have force transmitting arms engageable with the second assembly to urge it toward the first assembly, and are interconnected for joint pivotal movement. The levers have a terminal position engaged with the second assembly when the connector members are connected, and lock bars carried by the first assembly retain the levers in the terminal position.

Abstract: The invention pertains to apparatus for connecting to a wellhead structure. Lower and upper female bodies define first and second receptacles disposed generally in coaxially aligned, end-to-end, communicative relation. A male body is received in both receptacles. The male body and upper female body have respective sets of inductive electric couplers matched in one-to-one relation. Several features facilitate effective use of such couplers: the couplers themselves have the edges of their heads chamfered from a point located just outwardly of the O.D's of their cores; an improved mounting arrangement aligns the two female bodies in stacked relation without the lower female body interfering with proper seating of the male body in the upper female body; an improved compensator system enhances play of one female body for precise centering with the other.

Abstract: A latching system for releasably connecting two conduits which includes a base member having at least one upwardly extending conduit and a locking plate supported thereon, and a latch support member including at least one downwardly extending conduit and having a locking mandrel depending therefrom. The locking mandrel is rotated via the downward movement of a piston within a cylinder, the piston having a spirally splined shaft mounted thereon which mates with a spirally splined surface associated with the locking mandrel, whereby downward movement of the piston and spirally splined shaft causes the locking mandrel to rotate and lock into engagement with the locking plate.

Abstract: A hydraulic coupling device hydraulically couples a multi-line hose to a connector having a plurality of sockets. The coupling device comprises a screw cap, a plurality of plug pins, housed within the screw cap, and an annular holding disc for holding the plug pins. The plug pins are each connectible to a respective line of the hose. Each plug pin is engageable within a respective socket of the connector. One of the plug pins is of a larger diameter than the other plug pins, and constitutes an alignment pin for accurately aligning all the plug pins with the corresponding sockets of the connector.

Abstract: A well tool such as a multiple string tubing hanger is installed remotely with the aid of a handling tool which has a hydraulically actuated component and a locator device movable between a retracted inactive position and an extended position in which the locator device engages in a locator slot in a surrounding member to orient the well tool in a predetermined rotational position relative to the surrounding member, a pressure fluid conduit of the handling tool being connected to the hydraulically actuated component and a valve associated with the locator device in parallel so that full pressure on the hydraulically actuated component cannot be built up except when the locator key is in its extended position.

Abstract: A hydraulic coupling device for a multi-line hose comprises a screw cap which houses a plurality of plug pins. The hose has a plurality of hydraulic lines bunched together within a flexible sheath. The hose is connected to the coupling device by means of a sleeve, and the lines are connected to the plug pins. Each of the plug pins has a collar. The collars are held against an apertured holding disc by abutment faces formed respectively on a retainer disc and the sleeve. The plug pins are mounted so as to have a predetermined amount of axial and radial play.

Abstract: A well bore tubing system for releasably coupling upper tubing strings with lower tubing strings. The system includes an orienting body connectible on the upper end of a well packer and having a pair of separate laterally spaced longitudinal bores, each having a locking recess and a seal surface, a longitudinal side orienting surface along the body, an upper end male guide surface leading to the orienting surface, an orienting head assembly to releasably couple with the orienting body comprising an orienting head having two longitudinal bores alignable with the bores in the orienting body and a lower end female guide surface engageable with the male surface on the orienting body, a longitudinal orienting arm secured on the guide head having a longitudinal orienting surface engageable with the orienting surface on the orienting body, and a tubular seal and latch assembly secured at one end in each of the bores of the orienting head.

Abstract: Sturdily mounting a disposable medical device by rotatably attaching a back plate to a back brace, biasing the back plate toward the medical device and employing a camming means on the back plate cooperating with a tab on the device to rotate the plate away from the device as the device is initially slid onto the mount and to return the plate to lock the device in place when the device is slid fully onto the mount.

Abstract: A hub mounted on a wellhead has hydraulic control line openings around its outer periphery. A body containing control lines to be connected to the hub carries a plurality of dogs arranged within the body to annularly surround the hub. These dogs are cammed into sealing and locking arrangement with the hub and have openings which align with the hub openings and are connected to the body with flexible tubing.

Abstract: A subsea flowline connector for connecting a flowline through a port in a subsea atmospheric chamber vessel to a subsea christmas tree within the chamber including an actuator assembly within the chamber with at least one arm extending through the vessel adjacent the port, a carriage supported on the end of a flowline, a piston secured to the flowline and supported on the carriage, a receptacle on the piston to engage the arm, a flowline passage through the piston, actuation of said actuator moving said arm into engagement with said receptacle and pulling said piston into engagement with the port, a valve controlled bleed line to bleed pressure from said port as the piston has moved therein and a lock for retaining the piston within the port.

Abstract: The invention provides a fluid tight coupling for securing the spout of fuel dispensing nozzles to the nozzle body and utilizes a metallic annular gland mounted on the upstream end of the spout and positioned thereon by the engagement of a knurled band on the spout with its inner surface by mechanical expansion of the spout, the gland being outwardly shaped and positioned on the spout to be tightly engaged and compressed between tapered surfaces and the body outlet nipple rim and the spout securing clamp nut, with the downstream portion of the gland compressed thereby into tight sealing engagement with a smooth surface portion of the spout to effect a tight fluid seal.

Abstract: A multiple-passage plug-in coupling for releasably connecting hose or pipe ends, the coupling comprising: a first coupling part, nipples on that part, a second coupling part, sleeves in the second coupling part to receive the said nipples, guide projections on one of said coupling parts, corresponding guide recesses to receive the said projections in the other one of said coupling parts, channels in the said projections and the said other coupling part, and a releasable locking member received by the said channels and serving to lock the two coupling parts together.

Abstract: Rapidly connectable and disconnectable pipe union, comprising a bush on which are fixed one or more pipes provided with a notched flange. It comprises, in addition, a union body on which are fixed one or more pipes. This body comprises an outer threading on which is screwed a nut provided with a toothed rim and a sliding sleeve, connected to the nut by a ring. This nut comprises a toothed rib which meshes behind the notched flange. One application of the present invention is the connection of underwater pipes with one another or onto underwater apparatus by divers or by remotely controlled devices.

Abstract: A quick detachable coupler having a tubular female member receiving a tubular male member. The end of the female member into which the male member is inserted consists of a stiff continuous ring of resilient material provided with a pair of diametrically disposed latches and with a pair of diametrically disposed pressure portions. The male member is formed with an external latching and locking ring having a lead surface which engages corresponding lead surfaces on the latches to spread the latches against the spring pressure of the resilient ring to allow the male ring to travel past said latches and to be locked in position within said female member by locking surfaces on the latches engaging corresponding locking surfaces on the male locking ring. To release the male member from the female member, the pressure portions are squeezed together to produce a slight flattening of the female ring which spreads the latches apart sufficiently to release said male locking ring.

Abstract: Multiple duct underground conduit and method of installing the same which involves plastic tubing and male and female coupling plates which can be field assembled at the trench site to form sections which are then connected to each other in the trench without requiring someone in the trench. One form of the invention uses a wedge lock while the other employs a hook and latch, both forms simply requiring lowering of one section adjacent the other. Concrete may then be poured about the conduit in the trench and the trench covered.