Abstract: A valve assembly including a probe having a first fluid exit; a socket for receiving the probe and having a second fluid exit. The probe and socket are moveable along a coupling axis to open and close the valve assembly. The valve assembly includes a closing member arranged relative to one of the fluid exits and so as to move between an open position and a closed position, wherein in the open position, the closing member does not obstruct said fluid exit and in the closed position, the closing member seals said exit, and a securing means is arranged to secure and release the closing member relative to the probe or socket of the other exit. The movement of the securing means is controlled by a cam and follower arrangement.

Abstract: A fluid coupling has a first part (100) sealed to a sealing surface of a second part (200), wherein the first part carries a sealing part (300) and the second part includes a gap (G) in the sealing surface, across which the sealing part is arranged to transition. A vent (210) is provided between the sealing surface and the gap. An aperture to the vent on the sealing surface is relatively small so that fluid pressure does not act to deform the seal as it crosses said aperture. Said aperture is spaced off-set from the gap on the sealing surface. The off-set provides a portion of sealing surface adjacent the gap and between the gap and aperture against which the seal can contact. The vent acts to allow fluid (400) to enter the gap before the seal starts to cross the gap and to therefore act to equalise pressure on either side of the seal.

Abstract: A coupling assembly is provided having a first member and a second member. The first member is able to be coupled to the second member by relative movement along a coupling axis. In use, a tension component carries the axial tensile load of the coupling assembly. In order to decouple the coupling without removing the tension component, it is necessary to apply sufficient tensile force to fracture the tension component. Thus the tension component is designed to fracture in to two parts along a single fracture. Advantageously, because only a single tensile component is used, the precision in the set force necessary to decouple the two parts is improved. The coupling assembly is particularly suitable to joining two part of an oil pipeline in order to provide a safety, breakout function.

Abstract: A coupling assembly for releasably interconnecting fluid passages comprises male and female coupling members, which are mated by inserting a probe and socket of the members respectively. Each coupling member has a first end arranged for connection to a fluid passage. When mated in use, the coupling assembly provides a straight fluid conduit between the fluid passages comprising through-bores in each of the coupling members coincident along a first longitudinal axis. When mated in use, the probe and socket are arranged coincident on a second longitudinal axis, which is inclined to the first axis. Sealing means comprising an annular sealing ring proximate each of the socket and probe are arranged, when mated in use, either side of an intersection between the through-bore and socket. The sealing arrangement is such that fluid within the fluid conduit exerts a net force resisting separation of said coupling members.

Abstract: A valve assembly (10, 2) wherein movement of a first securing means (100) is guided by a cam (121, 122, 1252, 1254) and follower (120, 1244) arrangement in order to secure and release a probe (7, 1110) or socket (1210) relative to a closing member (14, 1130; 30, 1230), such as a sheath (14, 1130) or a piston (30, 1230), of the other of the probe (7, 1110) or socket (1210). The probe (7, 1110) and socket (1210) are coupled by relative movement in a coupling direction. Suitably, the probe (7, 1110) and socket (1210) each include a fluid passageway (8, 1120; 22, 1220) that is mated in use when the probe (7, 1110) is fully inserted into the socket (1210). Here, the fluid passageway (8, 1120) in the probe (7, 1110) has an exit (12, 1122) on a circumferential face of the probe (7, 1110) and the fluid passageway (22, 1220) in the socket (1210) has an exit (28, 1222) on a circumferential face of the socket (1210). Each closing member (14, 1130; 30, 1230) closes one of the apertures, i.e.

Abstract: A valve assembly including a male member and a female member, the male member including a probe having a first fluid passageway having an exit aperture opening through a side face of the probe, and the female member including a socket for receiving the probe, a second fluid passageway having an exit aperture arranged on an internal side face of the socket, a first closing member freely moveable between an open position and a closed position, and a first securing means for releasably securing the first closing member to the probe to restrict relative movement therebetween, the first closing member including two sealing rings such that, when in the closed position, the rings form a seal on either side of the exit aperture.

Abstract: A valve assembly comprises male and female coupling members that are connectable by inserting a probe of the male member into a socket of the female member. A fluid passageway within the female member has an aperture within the socket that is open and closed by a first closing member that moves within the socket. A fluid passageway within the male member has an aperture on the probe that is open and closed by a second closing member. When mated fluid flows between the two fluid passageways. The female member includes a first cage. During insertion of the probe into the socket, the first cage releasably locks the first closing member to the probe such that the cage carries any separation forces created due to the pressure of the fluid within the passageways.

Abstract: A valve assembly including a male member and a female member, the male member including a probe having a first fluid passageway having an exit aperture opening through a side face of the probe, and the female member including a socket for receiving the probe, a second fluid passageway having an exit aperture arranged on an internal side face of the socket, a first closing member freely moveable between an open position and a closed position, and a first securing means for releasably securing the first closing member to the probe to restrict relative movement therebetween, the first closing member including two sealing rings such that, when in the closed position, the rings form a seal on either side of the exit aperture.

Abstract: A latch mechanism (10) comprises a male coupling member (12), and a female coupling member (14). The latch mechanism (10) is coupled/de-coupled by inserting/withdrawing male coupling member from female coupling member, by movement in a first direction A-A. A latch (20), here comprising a plate (44) and two prongs (42), is slidably mounted on the male coupling member (12), for movement in a second direction B-B. A compression spring (21) biases the latch (20) so that the prongs (42) are exposed at the distal end of the male coupling member (12). Catch channels shown here as two holes (22) that extend in the second direction B-B for receiving the prongs (42) are formed in the female coupling member. In use, the latch mechanism (10) is coupled by relative movement in the first direction between the male and female coupling members. When the probe is fully inserted, the prongs of the latch are aligned with the holes (22). Consequently, due to the bias of the spring (21), the prongs (42) enter the holes (22).

Abstract: A coupling assembly for releasably interconnecting fluid passages comprises male and female coupling members, which are mated by inserting a probe and socket of the members respectively. Each coupling member has a first end arranged for connection to a fluid passage. When mated in use, the coupling assembly provides a straight fluid conduit between the fluid passages comprising through-bores in each of the coupling members coincident along a first longitudinal axis. When mated in use, the probe and socket are arranged coincident on a second longitudinal axis, which is inclined to the first axis. Sealing means comprising an annular sealing ring proximate each of the socket and probe are arranged, when mated in use, either side of an intersection between the through-bore and socket. The sealing arrangement is such that fluid within the fluid conduit exerts a net force resisting separation of said coupling members.

Abstract: A valve assembly comprises male and female coupling members that are connectable by inserting a probe of the male member into a socket of the female member. A fluid passageway within the female member has an aperture within the socket that is open and closed by a first closing member that moves within the socket. A fluid passageway within the male member has an aperture on the probe that is open and closed by a second closing member. When mated fluid flows between the two fluid passageways. The female member includes a first cage. During insertion of the probe into the socket, the first cage releasably locks the first closing member to the probe such that the cage carries any separation forces created due to the pressure of the fluid within the passageways.