Quick-release coupling for pipes under fluid pressure and use of such a coupling in the filling of a container

摘要

1. Quick-release coupling for pipes for pressurised fluid, in particular compressed air, comprising a male part (1) provided with a valve (2), connected to a first pipe (3) and a female part (4), also provided with a valve (5) and adapted to be connected to a second pipe (6), the male and female parts being assembled or separated as desired in a direction of assembly (D), such that the valves are opened and the two pipes are connected when the male part is inserted into the female part, whereas the valves are closed when these two male and female parts are separated, the male part (1) and the female part (4) comprising respectively two mating surfaces (S1, S4) adapted to be traversed by the flow of pressurised fluid, when the coupling is assembled, these mating surfaces (S1, S4) being parallel to the direction of assembly (D) of the male part and the female part (when these parts are assembled) and being provided with corresponding ports (8, 9), the axes of which extend substantially at right angles to the above-mentioned direction of assembly, sealing means (33, 34) being provided on both sides of these ports, the valves (2, 5) being adapted to slide in the axial direction of the male part and the female part, characterised in that each valve comprises an enlarged head (54, 25) adapted to bear axially against sealing means for closing the valve, the enlarged head (54, 25) of the valve defining, by means of the inner surface of a housing within which this head is movable, an annular passage (57, 30) of reduced section adapted to produce a drop in pressure causing the valve (2, 5) to close whenever fluid flows towards the atmosphere in the corresponding male or female part when the two parts of the coupling are separated, the assembly being such that when the male part and the female part are assembled, sealing is effected under conditions such that the pressurised fluid exerts practically no force in the direction of assembly.