Quick connect fitting

For hoses and piping, a quick connect fitting, also called a push fitting is a coupling used to provide a fast, make-or-break connection of gas or liquid transfer lines. Operated by hand, quick connect fittings replace threaded or flanged connections, which require wrenches. When equipped with self-sealing valves, quick connect fittings will, upon disconnection, automatically contain any fluid in the line.

Uses

There is a large variety of quick connect fittings. They are used underwater, in drilling operations, in outer space, and for pneumatic-power, plumbing, heating, electrical, and fire-suppression applications. Quick connect fittings are intended to be applied more easily than traditional fittings, requiring only that that pipes be pushed together firmly to lock the teeth of the fitting firmly. The teeth are forced deeper into the tubing when opposing force is applied to them, preventing their separation from the tubing. An o-ring provides a water-tight and airtight seal.[1][2][3]

Types

Fittings come in a variety of generic and proprietary types, with market dominance highly dependent on global region.[4]

North America:

  • Industrial-type interconnect/interchange, based on military specification MIL-C-4109F.[5]
  • ARO-type interconnect/interchange, developed by ARO (now part of Ingersoll-Rand), mainly for fluid applications.
  • Automotive-type interconnect/interchange, based on a standard set forth by TruFlate for automotive shops, including inflation and pneumatic tools.[6]

Europe:

  • European standard, also known as the Highflow European standard.
  • British standard

Japan:

  • Nitto standard

Cost

Unit cost varies from a few dollars for mass-produced compressed air couplings to 1 million dollars for large bore couplings used in the ship-to-shore transfer of liquified natural gas.

See also

References
  1. "Patent Database Search Results: "push to connect" in US Patents Text Collection". patft.uspto.gov. Archived from the original on 2021-10-01. Retrieved 2018-09-18.
  2. Quick connect technology inventor, David B. Crompton Archived 2018-09-18 at the Wayback Machine - USPTO.GOV Archived 2018-09-18 at the Wayback Machine
  3. Original U.S. quick connect invention Archived 2021-10-01 at the Wayback Machine
  4. admin. "Deciphering air fittings and coupler standards | Helping you work smarter not harder". Archived from the original on 2019-07-05. Retrieved 2019-07-13.
  5. MIL-C-4109F (AMENDMENT 1), MILITARY SPECIFICATION, COUPLING HALVES, LOW PRESSURE, AIR HOSE, QUICK-DISCONNECT (29 JUN 1992) Archived 2017-08-27 at the Wayback Machine
  6. Kostelnicek, Dick. "Quick-Connect Pneumatic Couplers". Home Metal Shop Club, Volume 8 Number 8 Archived 2017-07-04 at the Wayback Machine
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