Abstract: A coupling assembly includes a female member having a receiving end with an axially extending passageway and inwardly facing groove extending outwardly from said passageway in a position spaced from the receiving end. A split metal locking ring is positioned in the groove. A male member is sized to be received in said receiving end and includes a rib having a ramp where the ramp in a first embodiment curves outwardly to an apex and in a first alternate embodiment curves outwardly to a flat and in a second alternate embodiment increases in height in a linear fashion until a relatively short distance from the flat where it curves outwardly to meet the flat, the rib also has a shoulder tapering away from the forward end and inwardly toward the axis.

Abstract: A coupling assembly for connecting two members is provided that includes a first “male” member and a second “female” member. The first member includes a release sleeve moveably mounted thereon having a rigid release portion and a flexible sealing portion. The second member comprises at least one of an integral coupling member integrated into an apparatus, such as a pump, and an independent coupling member. Upon connection of the first and second members, the flexible sealing portion sealingly engages a mating surface on the second member to substantially inhibit the entry of contamination into an area between the first and second members when connected. The present invention provides an improved release sleeve that releases the male member from both an independent female member and an integral female member.

Abstract: The present invention includes a pre-assembled, high-pressure coupling interface adapter for use with a non-threaded port of a female member. The adapter comprises a generally cylindrically shaped metal body including a central longitudinal channel and an inner and outer surface. The body includes an external segment having an external end and an internal segment having an internal end, the internal segment configured for receipt within the port of the female member. The inner surface of the body is configured to engage and secure one or more external features of a separate male coupling member. The present invention also includes a coupling assembly including a coupling adapter and a method for forming a female coupling assembly including an adapter.

Abstract: A coupling assembly for connecting two members is provided that includes a first “male” member and a second “female” member. The first member includes a release sleeve moveably mounted thereon having a rigid release portion and a flexible sealing portion. The second member is integrated into an apparatus, such as a pump, and includes a duct therethrough for receiving the first member. Upon connection of the first and second members, the flexible sealing portion sealingly engages a recessed seat portion of the second member to substantially inhibit the ingression of contaminates into the duct when the first and second members are connected. The foregoing coupling assembly is advantageous because it allows the second member to be formed directly into an apparatus. In other embodiments, the coupling assembly provides an improved release sleeve that releases the male member from both a conventional female member and an integral female member.

Abstract: A crimping apparatus for receiving a circular array of die segments for radially inwardly crimping an end fitting onto a hose includes an upper plate assembly and a lower plate assembly. The upper plate assembly includes an upper back plate attached to an upper front plate by a plurality of fasteners. The lower plate assembly includes a lower back plate attached to a lower front plate by a plurality of fasteners. The upper back plate and lower back plate cooperate to form a first hinge portion and the upper front plate cooperates with the lower front plate to form a second hinge portion. The arrangement allows the upper assembly to pivot about the lower assembly at the first and second hinge portions. The crimping apparatus is advantageous because it allows the passage of large elbow hose fittings that could not pass through the central bore of a conventional die cage.

Abstract: A service coupling is provided that includes a body portion and an axially moveable valve housing disposed in a central passageway of the body portion. The valve housing includes at least one pressure balancing passage extending therethrough and a service valve sealingly engaged within an inner cavity of the valve housing. An actuator moves the valve housing to a forward position that causes the service valve to abut a port valve of a refrigerant system inlet port and disengage the service valve from sealing engagement within the cavity to open a flow path. The axial movement of the valve housing to the forward position also creates a void between the valve housing and the body portion. The void is provided in communication with the flow path by the at least one pressure balancing passage, such that the refrigerant pressure is substantially balanced on either end of the valve housing.

Abstract: A coupling assembly for connecting two members is provided that includes a first “male” member and a second “female” member. The first member includes a release sleeve moveably mounted thereon having a rigid release portion and a flexible sealing portion. The second member is integrated into an apparatus, such as a pump, and includes a duct therethrough for receiving the first member. Upon connection of the first and second members, the flexible sealing portion sealingly engages a recessed seat portion of the second member to substantially inhibit the ingression of contaminates into the duct when the first and second members are connected. The foregoing coupling assembly is advantageous because it allows the second member to be formed directly into an apparatus. In other embodiments, the coupling assembly provides an improved release sleeve that releases the male member from both a conventional female member and an integral female member.

Abstract: A swaging tool includes a generally tubular housing having a first end portion including a port for providing pressurized fluid, a second end portion defining a closed cylinder and an intermediate portion therebetween that includes an elongated aperture through an outer surface of the housing. A single-piece piston is movably located within the housing, and axially extends through the intermediate housing portion such that at least a portion of the piston is visible through the aperture. A fixed jaw unit is located on the second end portion of the housing and a movable jaw unit is removably engageable directly to the piston through the aperture.

Abstract: The present invention includes a pre-assembled, high-pressure coupling interface adapter for use with a non-threaded port of a female member. The adapter comprises a generally cylindrically shaped metal body including a central longitudinal channel and an inner and outer surface. The body includes an external segment having an external end and an internal segment having an internal end, the internal segment configured for receipt within the port of the female member. The inner surface of the body is configured to engage and secure one or more external features of a separate male coupling member. The present invention also includes a coupling assembly including a coupling adapter and a method for forming a female coupling assembly including an adapter.

Abstract: A manifold assembly for use with a heating and cooling system having a body, at least one connecting tube positioned adjacent the body and a fluid regulating device positioned in each connecting tube. The body defines a first passageway for flow of a fluid, such as refrigerant, in a first direction and a second direction. Each of the connecting tubes defines a second passageway for flow of the refrigerant in the first and second directions. The first and second passageways are in communication with one another. The regulating device regulates flow of the refrigerant through the first and second passageways in the first and second directions.

Abstract: A silencer for reducing acoustic energy in an exhaust stream of gases from a combustion type source, particularly turbo-generators. In a preferred embodiment, the silencer includes an outer housing having at least one outlet opening and an inner housing provided at least partially within the outer housing. The inner housing has at least one inlet opening for receiving the exhaust stream along a flow axis and the inlet opening is in fluid communication with the outlet opening. The inner housing further includes an acoustic energy interface surface having acoustic absorbing elements oriented in a substantially non-normal direction to the flow axis. Sound absorbing material is preferably contained between the outer housing and the inner housing. In this way, the gas flow is effectively separated from the acoustic energy without significantly increasing the back pressure or resistance to flow of the exhaust stream.