AU750221B2 - A connector - Google Patents

Description

TITLE: A CONNECTOR FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to a valve and connector system and more particularly to such a system which prevents inadvertent mismatch of the system with non-matching equipment.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the field.

Although valves and connectors of the present invention may have other uses, they are primarily intended for use in hospitals for delivering medical fluids such as oxygen, nitrous oxide and filtered air to equipment used in treating patients. The valves and connectors are also used with suction and other equipment.

Known valves and connectors are frequently mounted on a wall beside a patient 15 bed where they may be conveniently accessed when needed. The connectors and corresponding equipment usually have anti-mismatch features to prevent the equipment "from being connected to an inappropriate fluid source. For example, connectors made for use with oxygen delivery equipment cannot be connected to a nitrous oxide source.

Further, the valves automatically shut off flow when the equipment is disconnected from the connector to prevent fluid from leaking out of the connector.

.i When the valve and connector systems are installed in the wall, the system and associated joints in the facility piping must be leak tested. Frequently, a plug is provided for blocking flow through the system to pressurise the piping when testing for leaks. The S. plug is removed before installing the system valve. A check valve is sometimes installed e.

25 in the system upstream from the system valve to prevent fluid from leaking out of the system when the system valve is removed. Thus, the system valve may be temporarily WO 00/16297 PCT/AU99/00759 -2removed for periodic maintenance without requiring fluid flow to be shut off to the facility piping.

These known arrangements are logistically difficult and time consuming to install and test correctly. Moreover, they often make use of a number of small components which are easily lost or misplaced by construction or testing personnel.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the invention, at least in the preferred embodiment, to overcome or substantially ameliorate one or more of the disadvantages of the prior art.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a system for connecting a pair of fluid conduits, the system comprising: a first connector having a body with a passage for transporting fluid therethrough, the passage having an opening at one end; a tongue extending from the first connector body adjacent its opening, the tongue having a size and shape predetermined to uniquely correspond to a particular fluid selected from a group of fluids for which the system is intended; a second connector having a body with a passage for transporting fluid therethrough, the passage having an opening at one end; a grooving in said second connector body adjacent its opening, the grooving having a size and shape predetermined to receive the first connector tongue so that the tongue may be inserted in the grooving when joining the first and second connectors, the size and shape of the grooving being predetermined to prevent tongues having sizes and shapes corresponding to fluids in the group other than said particular fluid fr-om being inserted into the grooving.

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words 'comprise', 'comprising', and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of "including, but not limited to".

Preferably, the tongue is arcuate and the grooving is a substantially circular groove.

More preferably, the system further comprises, a plate having indicia indicative of the particular fluid for which the system is intended; an opening in the plate, the opening of a predetermined size and shape to receive the first connector tongue so that the tongue may pass through the opening and be inserted in the grooving of the second connector, the size and shape of the opening being selected to prevent tongues having sizes and shapes corresponding to fluids in the group other than said particular fluid from being inserted in the opening.

15 Preferably, the projection is a tongue having a generally arcuate cross section.

Preferably, the internally threaded portion of the fitting passage is positioned "upstream from the chamfer.

"Preferably also, the shoulder has a rounded edge which seats against the chamfer when the plug is connected to the fitting for providing the fluid tight seal between the shoulder and the chamfer. More preferably, the rounded edge has a substantially circular profile.

In a preferred form, the fitting includes a check valve positioned upstream from S•"the internally threaded portion for preventing fluid flow through the fitting when the plug is removed.

25 Preferably also, the plug includes a tip extending from an end of the plug for engaging the check valve in the fitting to hold the check valve open when the plug is installed in the passage.

Preferably, the recess is defined by a substantially flat surface extending along the externally threaded portion of the body.

Preferably also, the plug further comprises a tip extending from an end of the RIY plug for engaging a check valve in the passage to hold the check valve open when the plug is installed in the passage.

-4- Examples of the several advantages of the preferred embodiment of the present invention are: the provision of a system connector which prevents inadvertent mismatch with non-matching equipment; the provision of a system which prevents inadvertent misassembly of system components; the provision of a system which permits leak and flow testing without removal of components; and the provision of a system which permits partial disassembly without fluid leakage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is front elevation of a fitting and plug according to the invention; Figure 2 is a cross section of the fitting and plug taken in the plane of line 2-2 of Figure 1 showing the plug tightly sealed against the fitting; Figure 3 is a cross section of the fitting and plug similar to Figure 2 showing the plug unseating from the fitting; 15 Figure 4 is a cross section of the fitting similar to Figure 2 showing the plug •removed; "Figure 5 is a cross section of the fitting showing a connector and valve assembly of the present invention installed; Figure 6 is a cross section of the fitting, connector and valve showing the valve in an open position; Figure 7 is a front elevation of the connector and valve showing a plate identifying the particular fluid for which the connector is intended; Figure 8 is a rear elevation of the connector and valve; and THE NEXT PAGE IS PAGE 7 WO 00/16297 PCT/AU99/00759 -7- Figure 9 is a front elevation of the plate without the connector and valve.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION Referring now to the drawings, and in particular to Figure 1, a fitting of this invention is designated in its entirety by the reference numeral 20. The fitting 20 is mounting on a wall W so it extends though an opening O in the wall. As shown in Figure 2, the fitting 20 includes a body 22 having a passage, generally designated by 24, for transporting fluid from a fluid source (not shown). A flange 26 extends outward from the body 22 for connecting the fitting 20 to the wall W with a screw fastener 28. The fitting has an end face 30 which protrudes from the flange 26 so it is flush with an exterior surface E of the wall W when the fitting is attached to the wall. A circular groove 32 is formed in the end face Tubing 40 is brazed to the fitting 20 at an upstream end of the passage 24 for delivering fluid to the passage from the fluid source. The passage 24 has five portions designated 42, 44, 46, 48 and 50. Each of these portions has a larger diameter than the adjacent upstream portion so the diameter of the passage incrementally increases as it extends downstream. The first of the five passage portions 42 enters the second portion 44 at right angles. Chamfers 52, 54, 56 transition between the second, third, fourth and fifth portions 44, 46, 48, 50. An opening 58 is provided at the downstream end of the passage 24 opposite the tubing 40. Internal screw threads 60 are formed in the third portion 46 of the passage 24.

WO 00/16297 PCT/AU99/00759 -8- A threaded insert 70 is screwed into the third portion 46 until an upstream end 72 of the insert seats against the chamfer 52 between the second and third portions 44, 46 of the passage 24 to prevent leakage around the insert. Because the internal screw threads 60 in the third portion 46 of the passage 24 are more than twice as long as the insert 70, more than half of the passage threads are exposed when the insert is seated against the chamfer 52. The insert 70 has a valve seat 74 adjacent its upstream end sealingly engageable by a check valve body, preferably in the form of a ball 76 to prevent flow through the passage 24 in a downstream direction. The diameter of the second portion 44 of the passage 24 is larger than that of the ball 76 so the ball is flee to move with respect to the seat 74.

However, the diameter of the ball 76 is greater than the first portion 42 of the passage 24 so the ball cannot travel upstream into the first portion. Thus, the ball 76 is held captive in the second portion 44 of the passage 24. A central opening 78 through the insert 70 provides a fluid passage through the insert. The opening 78 is hexagonal so that the insert may be installed and removed using an Allen wrench.

A plug, generally designated 90, may be inserted in the fitting 20 to selectively block flow through the passage 24. The plug 90 has a shank 91 formed with external threads 92 which engage the exposed portion of the internal threads 60 in the third portion 46 of the fitting passage 24 to releasably connect the plug and the fitting 20. Flat surfaces or lands 94 extend longitudinally along the threads 92. These lands 94 are recessed with respect to the threads to permit fluid to flow past the plug 90 through the third portion 46 of the passage 24. Although flat lands 94 are used in the preferred embodiment, it is envisioned that one or more non-planar recesses could be used without departing from the scope of the present invention. The plug 90 has a tip 96 extending from its upstream end. When the WO 00/16297 PCT/AU99/00759 -9plug 90 is installed in the fitting 20, the tip 96 extends through the central opening 78 of the insert 70 and engages the ball check valve 76 to prevent it from seating against the insert. Thus, the tip 96 holds the check valve open when the plug 90 is installed in the fitting 20. The plug 90 has a head 98 opposite the tip 96 which has a hexagonal recess 100 as shown in Figure 1 so the plug 90 may be installed and removed using an Allen wrench.

As further illustrated in Figure 2, a shoulder 102 having a rounded edge 104 is provided on the shank 91 of the plug 90 between the head 98 and threads 92. The edge 104 has a substantially circular profile so it seats against the chamfer 56 between the fourth and fifth portions 48, 50 of the fitting passage 24 when the plug is fully screwed into the fitting as shown in Figure 2. The fitting chamfer 56 and/or the shoulder 102 deform slightly as the edge 104 seats against the chamfer to produce a fluid tight seal between shoulder and chamfer thereby preventing fluid flow through the passage 24.

The plug 90 may be partially unscrewed about one turn) as shown in Figure 3, to permit fluid flow through the passage 24. When in this position, the tip 96 of the plug 90 extends through the central opening 78 of the fitting insert 70 to prevent the ball check valve 76 from seating against the insert, thereby allowing fluid flow through the central opening. The flat lands 94 formed in the plug 90 allow fluid flow around the plug. Thus, fluid is permitted to flow through the passage 24 when the plug 90 is partially unscrewed.

The plug 90 may also be removed as shown in Figure 4 to allow the ball check valve 76 to seat against the valve seat 74 to prevent flow through the passage 24.

Once the plug 90 is removed from the passage (see Figure a valve and connector assembly, generally designated by 110, may be inserted in the passage 24 of the fitting as shown in Figure 5. The valve and connector assembly 110 includes an outer connector WO 00/16297 PCT/AU99/00759 member, generally designated 112, comprising a central body 114, a cylindrical projection 116 extending axially from a forward end face 117 of the body, and two arcuate tongues 118 (Figure 8) extending from a rearward end face 119 of the body. Both the projection 116 and the arcuate tongues 118 have sizes and shapes diameters and thicknesses) which are predetermined to uniquely correspond to a particular fluid oxygen or nitrous oxide) selected from a group of fluids for which the system is intended. For instance, the projection 115 and tongues 118 may have a size and shape in compliance with Australian Standard AS2896 or the like. A threaded hole 120 extends axially through the center of the body 114.

As further illustrated in Figure 5, a plate 130 is mounted on the valve and connector assembly 110. The plate has two arcuate openings 132 (see also in Figure 9) which receive the arcuate tongues 118 extending from the central body 114 of the connector member 112.

A central opening 134 is also provided in the plate 130. Two countersunk holes 136 on opposite sides of the plate permit it to be fastened to the wall W with screw fasteners 138 (Figure Markings 140 such as the word "oxygen" are provided on the face of the plate 130 to identify the particular fluid for which the assembly is intended. Further, the plate may be marked to identify the fluid for which the assembly is intended by making it a predetermined colour. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the arcuate openings 132 in the plate 130 and the arcuate tongues 118 extending from the central body 114 of the connector member 112 are shaped and sized to complement each other so that only plates having appropriate markings 140 may be installed on the tongues of assemblies intended for use with the identified fluid. As shown in Figure 5, the plate 130 has a rim WO 00/16297 PCT/AU99/00759 -11- 142 which engages the wall W and thus conceals the face 30 of the fitting 20 projecting through the wall.

A valve subassembly, generally designated by 150, extends through the threaded hole 120 in the central body 114. The valve subassembly 150 includes an outer element or valve casing, generally designated by 152, and an inner element or valve stem, generally designated by 154. The valve casing 152 has a threaded portion 156 which extends through the central opening 134 in the plate 130 and is threadably engageable with the threaded hole 120 of the connector member 112 to fasten the valve subassembly 150 to the connector subassembly 110. Thus, the threaded portion 156 of the valve casing 152 acts as a fastener for fastening the plate 130 to the connector body 114. Moreover, the threaded portion 156 of the valve casing 152 projects forwardly (to the left in Figure 5) from the central body 114 into the cylindrical projection 116 so equipment (not shown) can be fastened to the threaded portion. A collar 158 at a rearward end of the threaded portion 156 engages the plate 130 to retain the plate between collar and the central body 114.

Preferably, a bonding agent such as Loctite 271 is applied to the threaded portion 156 of the valve casing 152 before it is assembled with the connector member 112.

An O-ring groove 160 adjacent the rearward end of the valve casing 152 holds an Oring 162 for sealing the interface between the valve subassembly 150 and the fitting passage 24. A longitudinal opening 164 extends entirely though the valve casing 152. The opening 164 has a tapered mouth 166 at its forward (outlet) end for accepting equipment connectors. As shown in Figure 8, flat lands 168 are provided on the collar 158 for turning the valve subassembly 150 with respect to the connector subassembly 112 when assembling (or disassembling) the valve and connector assembly 110.

WO 00/16297 PCT/AU99/00759 -12- As illustrated in Figure 5, the valve stem 154 is reciprocatably received in the opening 164 of the valve casing 152. The stem 154 has a head 180 at its forward (downstream) end engageable by one end of a spring 182. The other end of the spring 182 engages an internal shoulder 184 in the valve casing 152 to bias the stem 154 in a forward direction (to the left as shown in Figure An O-ring 186 adjacent the rearward (upstream) end of the stem 154 captures the stem in the opening 164 of the outer valve element 152 to prevent the stem from moving forward past the position shown in Figure When equipment (not shown) engages the stem 154, the spring 182 is compressed and the stem moves rearward to the open position shown in Figure 6 to expose orifices 190 at the rearward end of the stem. The orifices 190 provide fluid communication between the fitting passage 24 and a longitudinal passage 192 extending through the valve stem 154. A tip 194 at the rearward end of the stem 154 extends through the central opening 78 of the insert 70 to force the check valve open when the valve stem is in the open position.

When the equipment is removed from the assembly 100, the resiliency of the spring 182 returns the stem 154 to the closed position shown in Figure 5 in which the O-ring 186 at the rearward end of the stem seals against a tapered face 196 of the outer valve element 152 to prevent fluid flow through the valve stem passage. Preferably, the force applied by the spring 182 is sufficient to return the stem 152 to its closed position and seal the O-ring against the tapered face 192 of the outer valve casing 152 under a vacuum of more than -100kPa.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, in an alternate embodiment (not shown), the check valve 74 and the insert 70 may be omitted. This alternate embodiment is preferred when the fitting 20 is used with vacuum systems.

WO 00/16297 PCT/AU99/00759 -13- As will further be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the projection 116, tongues 118, openings 132 and groove 32 may have other shapes without departing from the scope of the present invention. Further, a plurality of projections and grooves may be used without departing from the scope of the present invention. The term "grooving" is used herein to mean one or more grooves. Likewise, more or fewer tongues 118 and openings 132 may be used without departing from the scope of the present invention. Moreover, the valve and connector assembly 110 may be modified to accept equipment having quick connectors or screw connectors without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Although other materials may be used without departing from the scope of the present invention, the fitting 20 of the preferred embodiment is made entirely from brass except for the check valve 74 which is a plastic material and the tubing 40 which is copper.

The plate 130 of the preferred embodiment is also made of a plastic material. The remaining major components of the valve and connector assembly 110 are made of brass.

The connector member 112 of the preferred embodiment is chrome plated to improve its appearance and durability.

To assemble the fitting 20 of the present invention, tubing 40 is brazed to the upstream end of the passage 24. The ball check valve 74 is inserted into the second portion 44 of the passage, and the insert 70 and plug 90 are screwed into the fitting. The tubing is connected to the appropriate facility piping such as by soldering. During the soldering operation, it is desirable to purge the passage 24 with an inert gas to remove heat and thereby prevent damage to the check valve 74. The plug 90 may be partially unscrewed as shown in Figure 3 to permit the gas to flow through the passage as previously described.

Thus, the ball valve 74 and insert 70 need not be removed from the fitting 20 when WO 00/16297 PCT/AU99/00759 -14connecting the fitting to facility piping thereby reducing the possibility of misplacing or damaging the insert or valve. The fitting 20 is fastened to the wall W with one or more screws 28 as previously explained.

Once the fitting is assembled and connected to the facility piping, a leak test must be performed. During the test, the passage 24 is blocked by screwing the plug 90 into the fitting 20 until the shoulder edge 104 seals against the passage chamfer 56 as shown in Figure 2. The plug 90 may then be left in place in the passage 24 until the valve and connector assembly 110 is installed.

As illustrated in Figure 4, the plug 90 is removed to expose the opening 58 in the fitting 20 before the assembly 110 is installed. As the plug is removed, the check valve 74 moves to its closed position to prevent fluid from leaking. The rearward end of the valve casing 152 is then inserted in the opening 58 of the fitting 20. As the assembly 110 is pushed into position, the tip 194 of the valve stem 154 passes through the insert opening 78 to open the check valve (see Figure Further, the tongues 118 slide into the groove 32 in the end face 30 of the fitting. Thus, the tongues and groove act as connectors for connecting fluid conduits the passages 24 and 192 in the fitting 20 and valve subassembly 150). Screw fasteners 138 are used to fasten the valve and connector assembly 110 in place on the wall. Preferably, the fitting 20 and assembly 110 are formed so the tongues 118 engage the groove 32 before the O-ring 162 enters the fourth portion 48 of the passage 24. Further, the O-ring 162 preferably seals against the fourth passage portion 48 before the tip 194 of the valve stem 154 pushes the ball check valve 76 away from its seat 74.

WO 00/16297 PCT/AU99/00759 When installed as described above, the spring 182 in the valve subassembly 150 biases the valve stem 154 toward its closed position, as shown in Figure 5. However, when equipment having a connector adapted to mate with the valve and connector assembly 110 is installed, the stem is pushed inward to unseat the O-ring 186 and expose the orifices 190 at the opposite end of the stem, thereby opening the valve and allowing fluid to flow through the passage 192.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the anti-mismatch features of the present invention prevent inadvertent mismatch with non-matching equipment and inadvertent misassembly of system components. Further, the features of the plug of the present invention permit leak and flow testing without removal of system components, thereby reducing the potential for these components to become misplaced. In addition, the check valve of the present invention prevents flow through the fitting when the valve and connector assembly is removed, thereby reducing the need to shut off flow throughout the facility for periodic maintenance. Still further, the system of the present invention permits equipment to be moved throughout the health care facility to locations where it is needed, thereby reducing the quantity of equipment needed.

In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

As various changes could be made in the above constructions without departing firom the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Claims (5)

1. A system for connecting a pair of fluid conduits, the system comprising: a first connector having a body with a passage for transporting fluid therethrough, the passage having an opening at one end; a tongue extending from the first connector body adjacent its opening, the tongue having a size and shape predetermined to uniquely correspond to a particular fluid selected from a group of fluids for which the system is intended; a second connector having a body with a passage for transporting fluid therethrough, the passage having an opening at one end; a grooving in said second connector body adjacent its opening, the grooving having a size and shape predetermined to receive the first connector tongue so that the tongue may be inserted in the grooving when joining the first and second connectors, the size and shape of the grooving being predetermined to prevent tongues having sizes and shapes corresponding to fluids in the group other than said particular fluid from being inserted into the grooving.

2. A connector according to claim 1 wherein the tongue is arcuate and the grooving is a substantially circular groove.

3. A connector according to claim 1 wherein the system further comprises: a plate having indicia indicative of the particular fluid for which the system is intended; an opening in the plate, the opening of a predetermined size and shape to receive the first connector tongue so that the tongue may pass through the opening and be inserted in the grooving of the second connector, the size and shape of the opening being selected to -17- prevent tongues having sizes and shapes corresponding to fluids in the group other than said particular fluid from being inserted in the opening.

4. A system substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

5. A connector substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. DATED THIS 21 st Day of May, 2002 COMWELD GROUP PTY LTD Attorney: STUART M. SMITH Fellow Institute of Patent Attorneys of Australia of BALDWIN SHELSTON WATERS a a a. a a.