Patents Assigned to National Coupling Company Inc.
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Publication number: 20130025713Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2011Publication date: January 31, 2013Applicant: National Coupling Company, Inc.Inventor: Robert E. Smith, III
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Publication number: 20120292899Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2012Publication date: November 22, 2012Applicant: NATIONAL COUPLING COMPANY, INC.Inventor: Robert E. Smith, III
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Patent number: 8313105Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2008Date of Patent: November 20, 2012Assignee: National Coupling Company, Inc.Inventor: Robert E. Smith, III
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Patent number: 8262367Abstract: A metering body for a chemical injection system comprises a free piston having a pair of mechanically-actuated poppet valves which may individually open to permit fluid to pass from one side of the free piston to the other. The free piston slides within a cylinder having cylinder heads at opposing ends. Input/output ports are provided in the cylinder heads. In a preferred embodiment, the poppet valves have actuators that extend beyond the opposing faces of the free piston. If one face of the piston moves to within a predetermined distance of a cylinder head, the actuator contacts the cylinder head and further movement of the piston causes the corresponding poppet valve to open, permitting fluid to flow through the piston. In this way, a fault-tolerant system may be implemented. If a power interruption or other failure of the controller occurs, the system will continue to supply fluid at the most recently selected flow rate.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2008Date of Patent: September 11, 2012Assignee: National Coupling Company, Inc.Inventor: Richard R. Watson
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Publication number: 20120086175Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2011Publication date: April 12, 2012Applicant: NATIONAL COUPLING COMPANY INC.Inventor: Robert E. Smith, III
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Patent number: 8087700Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2009Date of Patent: January 3, 2012Assignee: National Coupling Company, Inc.Inventor: Robert E. Smith, III
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Patent number: 8075025Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2008Date of Patent: December 13, 2011Assignee: National Coupling Company, Inc.Inventor: Robert E. Smith, III
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Publication number: 20110248497Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2010Publication date: October 13, 2011Applicant: National Coupling Company, Inc.Inventor: Robert E. Smith, III
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Patent number: 7976075Abstract: A crown-type probe seal for a female hydraulic coupling member has one or more circumferential, spring-energized seals. One particular preferred seal comprises a closely-wound helical spring which imparts an inwardly-directed radial force to the crown seal. In certain embodiments, the helical spring is substantially encased in a polymer jacket. In yet other embodiments, a liner is interposed between the outer surface of the helical spring and the polymer jacket. An optional, axial extension on at least one end of the crown seal provides a bore liner for a female hydraulic coupling member in which the crown seal is installed.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2009Date of Patent: July 12, 2011Assignee: National Coupling Company, Inc.Inventors: Robert E Smith, III, F. Harold Hollister
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Patent number: 7954859Abstract: 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 an 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.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2008Date of Patent: June 7, 2011Assignee: National Coupling Company, Inc.Inventor: Robert E Smith, III
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Patent number: 7913974Abstract: Male and/or female members of a hydraulic coupling have an internal poppet valve that is held in the closed position by a flat wire, helical compression spring. The spring is configured such that when the poppet valve is moved to its fully open position, the coils of the spring are completely compressed thereby forming a substantially smooth bore tube for the flow of hydraulic fluid. The flat wire, helical compression spring may also act as a valve stop, limiting movement of the poppet valve and providing the necessary resistance to move the valve actuator of a corresponding valve in a mating member.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2008Date of Patent: March 29, 2011Assignee: National Coupling Company, Inc.Inventor: Robert E Smith, III
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Publication number: 20110037249Abstract: 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. In certain embodiments, the generally ring-shaped probe seal has an annular fluid chamber in one or both end walls 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. In “negative pressure” situations (i.e.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2010Publication date: February 17, 2011Applicant: National Coupling Company, Inc.Inventor: Robert E. Smith III
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Patent number: 7810785Abstract: A female undersea hydraulic coupling member is equipped with a pressure-energized seal configured to seal between the body of the female member and the probe of a corresponding male hydraulic coupling member in response to ambient hydrostatic pressure. In one particular preferred embodiment, the pressure-energized seal is a metal J seal retained within a removable seal cartridge.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2007Date of Patent: October 12, 2010Assignee: National Coupling Company, Inc.Inventor: Robert E. Smith, III
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Publication number: 20100244431Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2009Publication date: September 30, 2010Applicant: NATIONAL COUPLING COMPANY, INC.Inventor: ROBERT E. SMITH, III
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Patent number: 7762525Abstract: A pressure-balanced hydraulic coupling suitable for undersea use comprises a male member having one or more flow ports on the side of its probe section and a poppet valve actuator extending from the end of the probe section which has a fluid-tight seal around the actuator. The female member has a removable annular flow piece for fluid communication with the flow ports in the probe of the male member. In certain embodiments the annular flow piece has integral probe seals. In other embodiments, the removable annular flow piece comprises a seal retainer. In yet other embodiments, the removable annular flow piece comprises the inner part of a two-part seal cartridge.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2007Date of Patent: July 27, 2010Assignee: National Coupling Company, Inc.Inventor: Robert E. Smith, III
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Patent number: 7762824Abstract: A female hydraulic coupling member and/or a male hydraulic coupling member is equipped with an electrically conductive contactor which contacts the opposing coupling member when the coupling is fully made up thereby electrically bonding the coupling members.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2007Date of Patent: July 27, 2010Assignee: National Coupling Company, Inc.Inventor: Robert E. Smith, III
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Publication number: 20090315276Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2008Publication date: December 24, 2009Applicant: NATIONAL COUPLING COMPANY, INC.Inventor: Robert E. Smith, III
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Publication number: 20090308469Abstract: Male and/or female members of a hydraulic coupling have an internal poppet valve that is held in the closed position by a flat wire, helical compression spring. The spring is configured such that when the poppet valve is moved to its fully open position, the coils of the spring are completely compressed thereby forming a substantially smooth bore tube for the flow of hydraulic fluid. The flat wire, helical compression spring may also act as a valve stop, limiting movement of the poppet valve and providing the necessary resistance to move the valve actuator of a corresponding valve in a mating member.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2008Publication date: December 17, 2009Applicant: NATIONAL COUPLING COMPANY, INC.Inventor: ROBERT E. SMITH, III
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Publication number: 20090273144Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2008Publication date: November 5, 2009Applicant: NATIONAL COUPLING COMPANY, INC.Inventor: Robert E. Smith, III
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Publication number: 20090273181Abstract: 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 an 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2008Publication date: November 5, 2009Applicant: NATIONAL COUPLING COMPANY, INC.Inventor: ROBERT E. SMITH, III