Abstract: A valve guide for a coupling including a circular, longitudinally extending portion, including a substantially circular channel extending therethrough; a ring portion; a plurality of ports radially disposed around a centerline of the valve guide; and one of more collar supports disposed radially about the circular, longitudinally extending portion. The valve guide comprises a unitary one-piece component. A male portion for a coupling that includes a valve guide with integral assembly support and a method for assembling a coupling assembly are also disclosed.

Abstract: Fluid coupling (10), comprising: a first member (20) configured for connection with a first fluid conduit (16); a second member (30) configured for connection with a second fluid conduit (18); a nut (50) disposed at least partially around the first member (20), the nut (50) configured to engage the second member (30); and a sleeve (60) configured to rotate the nut (50) and cause or facilitate engagement between the nut (50) and the second member (30).

Abstract: A coupling includes a male adapter and a female adapter, and may include a nut and a sleeve. In embodiments, the male adapter includes a male adapter inner diameter, and may include threads. A method of operating a fluid coupling may include providing a first member, a second member, a nut, and a sleeve, connecting the sleeve with the nut such that rotation of the sleeve causes rotation of the nut, rotating the sleeve to connect the first member with the second member, engaging an inner ratchet profile of the sleeve with a ratchet profile of a shoulder of the first member, and covering the shoulder of the first member, including the ratchet profile, with the sleeve.

Abstract: A valve guide for a coupling including a circular, longitudinally extending portion, including a substantially circular channel extending therethrough; a ring portion; a plurality of ports radially disposed around a centerline of the valve guide; and one of more collar supports disposed radially about the circular, longitudinally extending portion. The valve guide comprises a unitary one-piece component. A male portion for a coupling that includes a valve guide with integral assembly support and a method for assembling a coupling assembly are also disclosed.

Abstract: A coupling includes a male adapter and a female adapter, and may include a nut and a sleeve. In embodiments, the male adapter includes a male adapter inner diameter, and may include threads. The female adapter includes a female adapter outer diameter. The nut or other formation may be configured to engage at least a portion of the male adapter. In embodiments, one or more contact points may be provided between the female diameter outer diameter and the male adapter inner diameter, and the female adapter outer diameter or the male adapter inner diameter may be configured to be out-of-round. The male adapter may include a shoulder and the sleeve may cover the shoulder in connected configuration. Methods for forming a coupling are also disclosed.

Abstract: Fluid coupling (10), comprising: a first member (20) configured for connection with a first fluid conduit (16); a second member (30) configured for connection with a second fluid conduit (18); a nut (50) disposed at least partially around the first member (20), the nut (50) configured to engage the second member (30); and a sleeve (60) configured to rotate the nut (50) and cause or facilitate engagement between the nut (50) and the second member (30).

Abstract: A coupling includes a male adapter and a female adapter, and may include a nut and a sleeve. In embodiments, the male adapter includes a male adapter inner diameter, and may include threads. A method of operating a fluid coupling may include providing a first member, a second member, a nut, and a sleeve, connecting the sleeve with the nut such that rotation of the sleeve causes rotation of the nut, rotating the sleeve to connect the first member with the second member, engaging an inner ratchet profile of the sleeve with a ratchet profile of a shoulder of the first member, and covering the shoulder of the first member, including the ratchet profile, with the sleeve.

Abstract: A coupling includes a male adapter and a female adapter, and may include a nut and a sleeve. In embodiments, the male adapter includes a male adapter inner diameter, and may include threads. The female adapter includes a female adapter outer diameter. The nut or other formation may be configured to engage at least a portion of the male adapter. In embodiments, one or more contact points may be provided between the female diameter outer diameter and the male adapter inner diameter, and the female adapter outer diameter or the male adapter inner diameter may be configured to be out-of-round. The male adapter may include a shoulder and the sleeve may cover the shoulder in connected configuration. Methods for forming a coupling are also disclosed.

Abstract: A fluid conveyance system connector includes a body and a tube positioned within the body through which a conveyed fluid flows. A moveable adapter is received in a first space between the body and the tube. The moveable adapter sealingly cooperates with the body and tube to define outer and inner variable volume chambers. The inner chamber communicates with one of an external environment or the conveyed fluid through a first port and the outer chamber communicates with the other of the conveyed fluid or the external environment through a second port such that the pressure in the inner chamber is the pressure exhibited by the external environment or the conveyed fluid and the pressure in the outer chamber is the pressure of the other of the conveyed fluid or the external environment. A differential pressure comprising a difference between the pressure of the conveyed fluid and the pressure exhibited by the external environment applies an inwardly or outwardly directed force to the moveable adapter.

Abstract: A keyed coupling assembly and kit for use with a coupling having a pair of connectable coupling members. The keyed coupling assembly includes a keyed member associated with each coupling member to permit the coupling members to mate with each other when the keyed members match, yet prevent the unwanted mating of the coupling members with each other when the keyed members do not match. The keyed coupling assembly is capable of ensuring that a fluid connection can only be made between matching keyed components, thereby ensuring that the characteristics of the fluid (e.g., type of fluid, fluid pressure, and/or fluid direction) delivered from one coupling member to the other is proper.

Abstract: A fluid conveyance system connector includes a body and a tube positioned within the body through which a conveyed fluid flows. A moveable adapter is received in a first space between the body and the tube. The moveable adapter sealingly cooperates with the body and tube to define outer and inner variable volume chambers. The inner chamber communicates with one of an external environment or the conveyed fluid through a first port and the outer chamber communicates with the other of the conveyed fluid or the external environment through a second port such that the pressure in the inner chamber is the pressure exhibited by the external environment or the conveyed fluid and the pressure in the outer chamber is the pressure of the other of the conveyed fluid or the external environment. A differential pressure comprising a difference between the pressure of the conveyed fluid and the pressure exhibited by the external environment applies an inwardly or outwardly directed force to the moveable adapter.

Abstract: A clamping system for use in a fluid coupling assembly may include redundant locking features for connecting adjacent ends of fluid conduits such as aircraft fuel lines. The exemplary clamping system may make use of two draw latch mechanisms that each separately apply a spring loaded clamping force to a flex band assembly through corresponding draw springs which oppose one another. Thus, either latch mechanism may provide a draw latch function by providing a clamping force to the flex band assembly, which in turn holds the end flanges of the fluid conduits together, thereby providing a sealing connection to facilitate the transfer of a fluid there between. Using two opposed draw latch mechanisms provides for redundant clamping forces such that the failure of one of the mechanisms does not result in an inadvertent disconnection of the fluid conduits one from the other.

Abstract: A clamping system and method for use in a fluid coupling assembly may include redundant locking features for connecting adjacent ends of fluid conduits such as aircraft fuel lines. The exemplary clamping system may make use of two draw latch mechanisms that each separately apply a spring loaded clamping force to a flex band assembly through corresponding draw springs which oppose one another. Thus, either latch mechanism may provide a draw latch function by providing a clamping force to the flex band assembly, which in turn holds the end flanges of the fluid conduits together, thereby providing a sealing connection to facilitate the transfer of a fluid there between. Using two opposed draw latch mechanisms provides for redundant clamping forces such that the failure of one of the mechanisms does not result in an inadvertent disconnection of the fluid conduits one from the other.

Abstract: The present application is directed to a keyed coupling assembly and kit for use with a coupling having a pair of connectable coupling members. The keyed coupling assembly includes a keyed member associated with each coupling member to permit the coupling members to mate with each other when the keyed members match, yet prevent the unwanted mating of the coupling members with each other when the keyed members do not match. The keyed coupling assembly is capable of ensuring that a fluid connection can only be made between matching keyed components, thereby ensuring that the characteristics of the fluid (e.g., type of fluid, fluid pressure, and/or fluid direction) delivered from one coupling member to the other is proper.