Abstract: A coupling member for a blind mate fluid coupling includes a housing and a fluid connector fixed in position relative to the housing for connecting to a fluid conduit of the system. A valve body movable relative to the housing includes a fluid passage that is fluidly connected to the connector. A carrier is at least partially disposed in the housing and is radially movable relative to the housing. The carrier is configured to cooperate with the valve body to facilitate alignment of the valve body when coupling to another coupling member. The carrier may form a portion of the fluid passage between the connector and valve body, and includes a sealing arrangement that permits radial and/or angular misalignment compensation of the design. Varying diameters of the insertion part or receiving part of the coupling member may be provided for further enhancing misalignment compensation of the design.

Abstract: A coupling member for a blind mate fluid coupling includes a housing and a fluid connector fixed in position relative to the housing for connecting to a fluid conduit of the system. A valve body extends through the housing and is movable relative to the housing. The valve body includes an internal fluid passage that is fluidly connected to the connector, and a valve member opens or closes the internal fluid passage. A carrier is at least partially disposed in the housing and is radially movable relative to the housing. The carrier is configured to cooperate with the valve body to facilitate alignment of the valve body when coupling to another coupling member. The carrier may form a portion of the fluid passage between the connector and valve body, and includes a sealing arrangement that permits radial and/or angular misalignment compensation of the design.

Abstract: An enhanced quick coupling configuration has a push-to-connect locking mechanism in which holding the outer sleeve does not affect the ability to connect the coupling, and the outer sleeve otherwise does not need to be restrained by additional components. The coupling includes a single sleeve spring in the locking mechanism, and the use of smaller restriction slots to house axially offset locking balls in a manner that axially constrains movement of the locking balls. When a male component is inserted into the female component during a connection operation, a shoulder on the male component sequentially contacts the axially offset rows of locking balls, which drive the inner sleeve axially in an inward direction. In the fully connected state, the inner sleeve is biased axially outward so as to push back against the inward locking balls, thereby preventing further movement of the inward locking balls.

Abstract: A coupler assembly (60) for a sub-sea connector including a coupler (18) having an abutment (76) radially outwardly from the coupler body (64), and a radially inwardly extending groove (78) in the coupler body that is longitudinally spaced apart from the abutment. The abutment (76) is configured to engage the rear side of the plate when the coupler is inserted through a rearward opening in the plate. The groove (78) may be longitudinally spaced apart from the abutment such that, when the abutment is engaged with the rear of the plate, the groove is positioned forwardly of the front side of the plate sufficiently to allow a portion of a mounting ring (82) to be inserted into the groove with a portion of the mounting ring protruding radially outwardly from the body to engage an abutment surface at the front side of the plate, thereby restricting axial movement of the body relative to the plate.

Abstract: A quick coupling assembly includes a first coupling element (10) and a second coupling element (50) that is inserted into the first coupling element. The first coupling element has a coupling body (12) and a valve (20), which define a volume displacement passage. When the second coupling element (50) is inserted, the second coupling element mechanically acts on the valve (20) to expel contaminants from the quick coupling assembly via the volume displacement passage. The valve includes a poppet (22) and a biasing spring (24), and the volume displacement passage includes a leak path (66) defined between the coupling body and the poppet. The poppet has an inward contour (68) that is spaced apart from the coupling body to define the leak path. The poppet has a widened portion (70) that provides a sealing surface when the assembly is fully coupled. The second coupling element (50) mechanically acts on the poppet (22) during insertion to expel the contaminants via the volume displacement passage.

Abstract: An enhanced quick coupling configuration having a push-to-connect locking mechanism is provided in which holding the outer sleeve does not affect the ability to connect the coupling, and the outer sleeve otherwise does not need to be restrained by additional components. The locking mechanism also does not require the coupling components to overtravel during connection. Such advantages are accomplished using a reduction of design complexity over conventional configurations in the use of a single sleeve spring in the locking mechanism, and the use of smaller restriction slots to house axially offset locking balls in a manner that axially constrains movement of the locking balls. When a male component is inserted into the female component during a connection operation, a shoulder on the male component sequentially contacts the axially offset rows of locking balls, which drive the inner sleeve axially in an inward direction.

Abstract: A coupler assembly (60) for a sub-sea connector including a coupler (18) having an abutment (76) radially outwardly from the coupler body (64), and a radially inwardly extending groove (78) in the coupler body that is longitudinally spaced apart from the abutment. The abutment (76) is configured to engage the rear side of the plate when the coupler is inserted through a rearward opening in the plate. The groove (78) may be longitudinally spaced apart from the abutment such that, when the abutment is engaged with the rear of the plate, the groove is positioned forwardly of the front side of the plate sufficiently to allow a portion of a mounting ring (82) to be inserted into the groove with a portion of the mounting ring protruding radially outwardly from the body to engage an abutment surface at the front side of the plate, thereby restricting axial movement of the body relative to the plate.

Abstract: A connector (12) such as a multi-coupler stabplate for coupling to or decoupling from another connector (14). The connector may have a secondary release mechanism (80) that allows a seized drive to be rotated to an unlocked position independent of the connector housing moving relative to a multi-coupler plate. Integrated stop features may be provided during such secondary release. The secondary release mechanism may be mounted to the housing (56) and retained with shear pins. Orientation pin(s) (62) may be provided that cooperate with a guide slot(s) (64) for oblique and axial movement of a locking mechanism (46) during coupling/decoupling. A housing shroud (76) may be provided for cooperating with the orientation pin(s) and indicating locked/unlocked states. A stop collar (70) and push-off flange (74) may be provided for facilitating coupling/decoupling. Guide bushings (44) may be provided for facilitating alignment during coupling.

Abstract: A connector (12) such as a multi-coupler stabplate for coupling to or decoupling from another connector (14). The connector may have a secondary release mechanism (80) that allows a seized drive to be rotated to an unlocked position independent of the connector housing moving relative to a multi-coupler plate. Integrated stop features may be provided during such secondary release. The secondary release mechanism may be mounted to the housing (56) and retained with shear pins. Orientation pin(s) (62) may be provided that cooperate with a guide slot(s) (64) for oblique and axial movement of a locking mechanism (46) during coupling/decoupling. A housing shroud (76) may be provided for cooperating with the orientation pin(s) and indicating locked/unlocked states. A stop collar (70) and push-off flange (74) may be provided for facilitating coupling/decoupling. Guide bushings (44) may be provided for facilitating alignment during coupling.

Abstract: A quick coupling assembly includes a first coupling element (10) and a second coupling element (50) that is inserted into the first coupling element. The first coupling element has a coupling body (12) and a valve (20), which define a volume displacement passage. When the second coupling element (50) is inserted, the second coupling element mechanically acts on the valve (20) to expel contaminants from the quick coupling assembly via the volume displacement passage. The valve includes a poppet (22) and a biasing spring (24), and the volume displacement passage includes a leak path (66) defined between the coupling body and the poppet. The poppet has an inward contour (68) that is spaced apart from the coupling body to define the leak path. The poppet has a widened portion (70) that provides a sealing surface when the assembly is fully coupled. The second coupling element (50) mechanically acts on the poppet (22) during insertion to expel the contaminants via the volume displacement passage.

Abstract: A multi-coupling includes a fixed plate and a free plate, and a primary locking mechanism for locking the free plate to the fixed plate aligned to form multiple fluid passages through the multi-coupling. The primary locking mechanism may include a drive screw secured to the fixed plate engaged with a drive nut secured to the free plate, and a clam shell securing mechanism that secures the drive screw to the fixed plate. The clam shell halves are moveable to release the drive screw from the fixed plate independently of releasing drive screw from the drive nut. The multi-coupling further may include satellite locking mechanisms in combination with the primary locking mechanism. The satellite locking mechanisms may include satellite securing mechanisms that are moveable to release the satellite locking mechanism from the fixed plate. The locking mechanisms are removable while retaining the fixed plate fixed to base equipment.

Abstract: A multi-coupling includes a fixed plate and a free plate, and a primary locking mechanism for locking the free plate to the fixed plate aligned to form multiple fluid passages through the multi-coupling. The primary locking mechanism may include a drive screw secured to the fixed plate engaged with a drive nut secured to the free plate, and a clam shell securing mechanism that secures the drive screw to the fixed plate. The clam shell halves are moveable to release the drive screw from the fixed plate independently of releasing drive screw from the drive nut. The multi-coupling further may include satellite locking mechanisms in combination with the primary locking mechanism. The satellite locking mechanisms may include satellite securing mechanisms that are moveable to release the satellite locking mechanism from the fixed plate. The locking mechanisms are removable while retaining the fixed plate fixed to base equipment.