Patents Assigned to National Coupling Company Inc.
  • Junction plate assembly for undersea hydraulic couplings
    Patent number: 7083201
    Abstract: An apparatus for simultaneously moving male and female coupling members attached to manifold or junction plates together or apart includes sloped cam surfaces on the first or rear junction plate, a central shaft having cam followers that move up the sloped cam surface to urge the two junction plates together, and thereby connect male and female coupling members and corresponding sloped cam surfaces on the opposite side of the first junction plate with cam followers that move across the sloped cam surface to disconnect the coupling members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: National Coupling Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert E. Smith, III
  • Undersea hydraulic coupling with seal retainer
    Patent number: 7063328
    Abstract: An undersea hydraulic coupling member has a seal retainer that holds and secures a plurality of annular seals that may be removed from the coupling member together with the seal retainer. At least one of the seals is a pressure energized hollow metal seal. The seal retainer includes a shell that engages the coupling member and a seal carrier that holds the annular seals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: National Coupling Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert E. Smith, III
  • Seal retainer with metal seal members for undersea hydraulic coupling
    Patent number: 7021677
    Abstract: An improved seal retainer for an undersea hydraulic coupling member, which utilizes metal seals to maintain fluid integrity, is disclosed. The metal seals of the present invention are designed to either create an absolute barrier to fluid flow, or utilize a press or interference fit to create a barrier to fluid flow to ensure fluid integrity between the undersea hydraulic coupling and the environment outside the hydraulic coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: National Coupling Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert E. Smith, III
  • Metal backup seal for undersea hydraulic coupling
    Patent number: 6962347
    Abstract: A backup metal O-ring seal is retained around the outer diameter of a seal retainer of an undersea hydraulic coupling member to seal a leak path around the seal retainer. The metal O-ring seal may be seated on a shoulder on the seal retainer. The backup metal seal is effective for high temperature and high pressure applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: National Coupling Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert E. Smith, III
  • Floating seal for undersea hydraulic coupling
    Patent number: 6923476
    Abstract: A floating seal for an undersea hydraulic coupling member is moveable radially to seal with the male coupling member even if there is some misalignment with the female coupling member. The floating seal is restricted from axial movement within the female coupling member receiving chamber. The floating seal may seal with the female coupling member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: National Coupling Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert E. Smith, III
  • Undersea hydraulic coupling member with external port guard
    Patent number: 6637459
    Abstract: An undersea hydraulic coupling member includes an external port guard that covers radial or angled flow ports of the probe when the coupling member is disengaged. The port guard is biased to the extended position over the flow ports, and may be moved to a retracted position where hydraulic fluid may flow between the flow ports and the probe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: National Coupling Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert E. Smith, III
  • Undersea hydraulic coupling with interlocking poppet valve actuators
    Patent number: 6626207
    Abstract: Interlocking poppet valve actuators for undersea hydraulic coupling members are disclosed. The actuators extend from the poppet valves of each coupling member, and interlock to resist bending and/or other lateral displacement caused by hydraulic fluid flow and turbulence in the coupling member bores and at the junction between the coupling members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: National Coupling Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert E. Smith, III
  • Hydraulic coupling with dovetail seal having multiple radial sealing surfaces
    Patent number: 6575430
    Abstract: An undersea hydraulic coupling member having a ring-shaped seal with multiple scaling surfaces extending radially inwardly therefrom is disclosed. The multiple sealing surfaces help guide the probe of the male coupling member into the female member without the risk of drag or galling of the receiving chamber or metal seal retained therein. The seal has an interfit with reverse inclined shoulders in the female member to restrain the seal from moving radially inwardly due to vacuum or low pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: National Coupling Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert E. Smith, III
  • Undersea hydraulic coupling with radial seals on probe
    Patent number: 6516831
    Abstract: An undersea hydraulic coupling is disclosed having a male member with at least two radial seals around the outer circumference of the probe. The seals on the probe engage the receiving chamber and seal retainer of the female coupling member. When the seals retained in the female coupling member are worn or damaged, the seals on the male coupling member provide the primary sealing mechanism in the coupling. The coupling includes a normally closed poppet valve within each of the male female coupling members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: National Coupling Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert E. Smith, III
  • Female coupling member with recessed flow passages
    Patent number: 6511043
    Abstract: An undersea hydraulic coupling member is disclosed having recessed flow passages to facilitate connection to opposing coupling members having radial, angled or longitudinal flow passages. The recessed flow passages of the coupling member permit these connections without reduced hydraulic fluid flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: National Coupling Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert E. Smith, III
  • Undersea hydraulic coupling member
    Patent number: 6474359
    Abstract: An undersea hydraulic coupling member is disclosed having a bleed valve which opens to allow hydraulic fluid trapped in the coupling member to escape until the pressure is below a predetermined amount. The coupling member employs a poppet valve within a sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: National Coupling Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert E. Smith, III
  • Junction plate assembly for undersea hydraulic couplings
    Patent number: 6471250
    Abstract: An apparatus for moving together simultaneously male and female coupling members attached to manifold or junction plates is disclosed. The apparatus includes a sloped cam surface on the first or lower junction plate, and a central shaft having a cam follower that moves up the sloped cam surface to urge the two junction plates together, and thereby connect male and female coupling members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: National Coupling Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert E. Smith, III
  • Undersea hydraulic coupling
    Patent number: 6375153
    Abstract: An undersea hydraulic coupling having a stepped internal bore dimensioned to increase the flow rate through the coupling is disclosed. The coupling allows an increased flow rate without increasing the size or weight of the coupling, by positioning the poppet valve in the body section, rather than in the probe section, of the male coupling member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: National Coupling Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert E. Smith, III
  • Undersea hydraulic coupling with guide for valve actuator
    Patent number: 6357722
    Abstract: An undersea hydraulic coupling is disclosed having a poppet valve with an actuator extending from the valve, and a guide between the actuator and bore. The guide is a sleeve shaped member around the actuator with flow passages which ensure a smooth flow of hydraulic fluid through the annulus between the coupling bore and actuator. The guide also helps prevent damage to the actuator, and aligns the actuator during connections, disconnections and use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: National Coupling Company Inc.
    Inventor: Robert E. Smith, III
  • Undersea hydraulic coupling
    Publication number: 20010025659
    Abstract: An undersea hydraulic coupling having a stepped internal bore dimensioned to increase the flow rate through the coupling is disclosed. The coupling allows an increased flow rate without increasing the size or weight of the coupling, by positioning the poppet valve in the body section, rather than in the probe section, of the male coupling member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2000
    Publication date: October 4, 2001
    Applicant: NATIONAL COUPLING COMPANY, INC.
    Inventor: Robert E. Smith
  • Undersea hydraulic coupling member
    Patent number: 6283444
    Abstract: An undersea hydraulic coupling member is disclosed having a valve actuator extending through the probe section and the leading face, and having angled flow ports in the probe section which help keep the hydraulic system clear of debris when the coupling members are disconnected subsea.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: National Coupling Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert E. Smith, III
  • Undersea hydraulic coupling member with primary and secondary poppet valves
    Patent number: 6237632
    Abstract: An undersea hydraulic coupling member is disclosed having a primary poppet valve and a secondary poppet valve to improve reliability against leakage when the coupling members are separated. A spring extends between the first poppet valve and the actuator for the second poppet valve. The secondary poppet valve remains closed unless the first poppet valve is fully opened, so that debris or other material that could prevent sealing of the first poppet valve will not cause leakage of hydraulic fluid through the second poppet valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: National Coupling Company Inc.
    Inventor: Robert E. Smith, III
  • Undersea hydraulic coupling with internal guard for flow port
    Patent number: 6227245
    Abstract: An undersea hydraulic coupling member is disclosed having angled flow ports to prevent ingress of debris into the hydraulic lines. A port guard attached to the valve actuator closes the flow ports unless the poppet valve is opened by mutual engagement with the opposing coupling member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: National Coupling Company Inc.
    Inventor: Robert E. Smith, III
  • Undersea hydraulic coupling
    Patent number: 6206040
    Abstract: An undersea hydraulic coupling having a stepped internal bore dimensioned to increase the flow rate through the coupling is disclosed. The coupling allows an increased flow rate without increasing the size or weight of the coupling, by positioning the poppet valve in the body section, rather than in the probe section, of the male coupling member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: National Coupling Company Inc.
    Inventor: Robert E. Smith, III
  • Undersea hydraulic coupling with bleed port
    Patent number: 6202691
    Abstract: An undersea hydraulic coupling has a bleed port for seawater external to the coupling to enter the bore of the female coupling member when the male member is partially withdrawn from the female member. A ring-shaped radial seal positioned between the coupling members allows fluid to enter through the bleed port and flow into the bore, while sealing against the flow of hydraulic fluid out of the coupling. The bleed port and ring-shaped radial seal provide for seawater to fill the vacuum between the coupling members when they are separated, thereby decreasing the separation force required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: National Coupling Company Inc.
    Inventor: Robert E. Smith, III