NO20240576A1 - A female coupling element, a coupling assembly comprising the female coupling element, and a method for providing the coupling assembly - Google Patents

Description

A FEMALE COUPLING ELEMENT, A COUPLING ASSEMBLY COMPRISING THE FEMALE COU-PLING ELEMENT, AND A METHOD FOR PROVIDING THE COUPLING ASSEMBLY

The present disclosure is related to a quick connector. More particularly, the present disclosure is related to a coupling element and an assembly for connecting a first conduit to a second conduit. More specifically, the present disclosure is related to a female coupling element for receiving a complementary male coupling element to provide a quick connector assembly for high pressure conduits connected to the female coupling element and the male coupling element. The invention disclosed herein is particularly, but not exclusively, related to a female coupling element for connection to a mating male coupling element, to provide increased safety while at the same time being configured for at least semi-automatic operation. The invention may typically be used for well testing hoses and a connection between a surface test tree, hose and rig piping, suitable on a drilling rig when performing workover, well testing and flowback operations.

Quick couplings or connectors are well known in the art to interconnect a flexible fluid pipe to another flexible or fixed pipe. Quick connectors allow expedient connection and disconnection of such pipes or hoses.

Examples of prior art quick couplings or connectors are disclosed in EP 2,048,425 A1, EP 2,669,560 A1, US 2014174754 A1, and US 2018180208 A1 which are discussed in Norwegian patent publication NO345964 B1 to the applicant.

NO 345964 B1 discloses a female coupling element for receiving a complementary male coupling element to provide a connector assembly for high pressure conduits, and an assembly comprising the female coupling element and the male coupling element, the fe-

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male coupling element comprises:

a housing having a through bore with a longitudinal axis and a locking member provided with engagement means for engaging a portion of a male coupling element when received within a portion of bore of the female coupling element, the locking member movable within the housing between a first position and a second position, wherein the locking member in the second position is closer to the central axis than in the first position. The female coupling element comprises an actuator configured for being remotely operated and having an actuator rod operatively connected to the locking member for moving the locking member to and from the first position and the second position, and the actuator rod having a movement axis being different from a movement axis of the locking member. The actuator rod is operatively connected to the locking member via a locking member drive element to urge the locking member between its first position and its second position upon activation of the actuator, wherein the locking member drive element is secured to the actuator rod and slidably connected to the locking member by means of a dovetail joint.

NO 345964 B1 operates according to its intended purpose. However, the female coupling element itself, and the assembly of the female coupling element and the male coupling element is relatively complex and heavy.

There is therefore a need for a less complex and lighter coupling elements.

The invention has for its object to remedy or to reduce at least one of the drawbacks of the prior art, or at least provide a useful alternative to prior art.

The object is achieved through features, which are specified in the description below and in the claims that follow.

The invention is defined by the independent patent claim. The dependent claims define advantageous embodiments of the invention.

In a first aspect of the invention there is provided a female coupling element for receiving a male coupling element to provide a connector assembly for pressure conduits, the female coupling element comprises:

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- a housing having a through bore extending between a first end portion and a second end portion of the housing;

- at least two mutually spaced locking members configured for engaging a portion of a male coupling element when received within a portion of a bore of the female coupling element, the at least two locking members being movable within the housing between an active first position wherein a portion of the at least two locking members protrude from an inner surface of the bore, and a passive second position wherein the at least two locking members do not protrude from an inner surface of the bore.

The at least two locking members are operatively connected to one annular actuator enclosing the housing at a portion between the first end portion and the second end portion, the annular actuator being axially movable with respect to the housing from a mechanically activated first position wherein the locking members are in the active first position, to a fluid activated position wherein the locking members are in the passive second position.

The first end portion may be a male element entry portion.

By operatively connecting the at least two locking members to one annular actuator enclosing the housing, the activator may be less complex. A less complex actuator may influence a weight of the female element.

By the term mechanically activated is meant herein non-fluid operated. The effect of mechanically activating the actuator is that the actuator as default is driven to its active position wherein a portion of the at least two locking members protrude from an inner surface of the bore. Thus, the locking members may be brought to its passive second position wherein the at least two locking members do not protrude from an inner surface of the bore by a deliberate action. This represents an important operational safety aspect.

Each of the at least two locking members may be operatively connected to the annular actuator by means of a drive element, so that the drive element transforms axial movement of the actuator to radial movement of the locking members.

The locking member drive element may be slidably connected to the locking member by

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means of a dovetail joint.

The annular actuator may be mechanically activated by means of biasing means arranged in connection with a regulator configured for enclosing a portion of the annular actuator.

Preferably, the regulator is annular, and the biasing means may comprise at least two mutually spaced springs. An advantage of providing an annular regulator is that the number of springs may be adapted to the number of locking members, or to a number being different from the number of locking members for adapting a force for urging the locking members to its active position, to desired needs. Further, the springs may be arranged independently of the drive elements.

The regulator may be movable between a locking first position wherein the annular actuator is prevented from moving from the mechanically operated first position, and a second position wherein the annular actuator is allowed to move from the mechanically activated first position to the fluid activated second position.

The regulator may comprise a locking ring rotatably secured to an outer surface portion of the housing, wherein the locking ring may be provided with at least one latch receptacle; and at least one axially movable latch pin extending from a bore in the annular actuator to the locking ring. In such an embodiment, the annular actuator is prevented from moving from its mechanically operated first position to its fluid operated second position when the latch receptacle is not aligned with the latch pin, and annular actuator is allowed to move from its mechanically operated first position to its fluid operated second position when the latch receptacle is aligned with the latch pin.

The bore of the housing may comprise a first diameter bore at the first end portion of the female coupling element, a second diameter bore at the second end portion, wherein the second diameter bore is smaller than the first diameter bore, and a shoulder bridging the first diameter bore and the second diameter bore, and wherein the second diameter bore comprises an annular recess for an annular seal. Preferably, the shoulder is inclined with respect to a longitudinal axis of the bore.

Providing an annular recess for an annular seal in the female coupling element instead of

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in a mating portion of the male coupling element, has the effect that the material thickness of the male coupling element may be reduced, as it does not have to allow for the recess. A reduced material thickness of the male coupling element will reduce the weight of the connector assembly and reduce an effective pressurized area. A further advantage of providing the recess for an annular seal in the female coupling element is that a seal when arranged in the recess, is less vulnerable to damage for example prior to and during connecting the female coupling element and a mating male coupling element.

The second diameter bore may be adapted so that the bore of the second end portion is flush with a bore of an end portion of a male coupling element when received in the female coupling element.

The shoulder of the female coupling element has a surface area. In operation of a connector assembly provided by the female and a male coupling element, a fluid flowing through the bore of the assembly is prevented from entering the shoulder area between the female coupling element and the male coupling element by the seal. However, in an event of failing of the annular seal, a fluid will enter the shoulder area that will then function as a piston. As a safety measure it is therefore advantageous if the shoulder is provided with a vent through-bore.

The female coupling element may be provided with an indicator through-bore arranged in the shoulder, wherein the indicator through-bore houses a portion of an axially displaceable indicator rod having an axial length exceeding an axial length of the indicator through-bore. By providing an axially displaceable indicator rod having an axial length exceeding an axial length of the indicator through-bore, a portion of the indicator rod may protrude into the central bore of the female coupling element prior to fully receiving the male coupling element and protrude beyond an external surface of the female coupling element when the male coupling element has been fully inserted and bottoms out in the female coupling element. Thus, the indicator rod represents a visual indicator for indicating bottoming of the male coupling element within the female coupling element.

In a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a coupling assembly comprising the female coupling element according to the first aspect of the invention, and a mating male

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coupling element, the male coupling element provided with a through bore axially aligned with the through bore of the female coupling element, wherein an outer portion of the male coupling element is provided with a recess configured for receiving a portion of the at least two locking members when the portion of the male coupling element is fully inserted in the bore of the female coupling element and the locking members of the female coupling element are in the active position. Preferably, the recess in the outer portion of the male coupling element is annular. An annular recess for receiving a portion of each the at least two locking members is advantageous in that the male coupling element i.a. does not have to be rotationally aligned with the locking members of the female coupling element.

In a third aspect of the invention, a method for providing a coupling assembly according to the second aspect of the invention is provided, the method comprising:

- allowing the at least two locking members to move to the second position wherein the locking members are retracted and do not prevent the male coupling element from axially moving into the female coupling element, inserting a portion of the male coupling element into the bore of the female coupling element; and

allowing a portion of each of the at least two locking members to engage the recess of the male coupling element.

In one embodiment, the locking members are brought to their passive position by applying a fluid pressure to the actuator before the male coupling element is inserted through the first end position of the female coupling element.

In another embodiment, the locking members are configured for being urged to their passive position when sliding along an inclined shoulder of the male coupling member. In such an embodiment, a portion of the locking members first abutting against a male coupling element being moved into the female coupling element, may be provided with an inclined portion.

The method may comprise providing the female coupling element with a regulator movable between a locking first position wherein the annular actuator is prevented from moving from the mechanically activated first position, and an open second position wherein

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the annular actuator is allowed to move from the mechanically activated first position to its fluid activated second position, the method further comprising bringing the regulator to its locking first position when the male coupling element has been inserted into the female coupling element.

In the following is described examples of preferred embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig.1a shows a side view of a female coupling element according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the actuator is in a mechanically activated first position;

Fig.1b shows a cut through a portion of the female coupling element in fig.1a, but wherein the actuator is in a fluid activated second position and the locking members are in a passive position;

Fig.2 shows in a smaller scale a cut through a connector assembly comprising the female coupling element wherein locking members engages a male coupling element;

Fig.3 shows the connector assembly in fig.2 in a release position wherein the locking members are in a retracted, passive position not engaging the male coupling element;

Figs. 4a show in larger scale detail A in fig.1b;

Fig.4b shows in larger scale detail B in fig.2;

Fig.4c shown in larger scale detail C in fig.2;

Fig.5 shows in larger scale an indicator arrangement provided in a shoulder portion of the present invention; and

Figs. 6-8 Show side views of an assembly according to the invention.

Any positional indications such as top, bottom, left, right refer to the position shown in

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the figures.

In the figures, same or corresponding elements are indicated by same reference numerals. For clarity reasons, some elements may in some of the figures be without reference numerals.

A person skilled in the art will understand that the figures are just principal drawings. The relative proportions of individual elements may also be distorted.

In the figures reference numeral 1 denotes female coupling element according to the invention. The female coupling element 1 is configured for receiving a complementary male coupling element 100 to provide a connector assembly 101 such as a so-called quick connector assembly. A quick connector may typically be used for connecting high pressure conduits. The conduits are not shown in the figures, but are connected to the respective female coupling element 1 and the male coupling element 100 in a way known per se.

In the embodiments shown, the female coupling element 1 may for example be configured for connection to a conduit in the form of a pipe structure, while the male coupling element 100 is configured for connection to a conduit in the form of a flexible hose, or a pipe structure.

Turning first to figures 1a and 1b, the female coupling element 1 comprises a housing 3 having a through bore 5 having a central axis L. The through bore 5 extends between a first end portion 51 and a second end portion 59. The first end portion 51 is an inlet portion for the male coupling element 100. The male coupling element 100 is shown in figures 2 et seq. and comprises a through bore 105.

The female coupling element 1 comprises at least two mutually spaced locking members 10 (ten in the embodiment shown) configured for engaging a recess 107 in an outer portion of the male coupling element 100. Each locking member 10 is arranged radially movable within the housing 3 between an active position wherein a portion of the locking members 10 protrude from an inner surface 5’ of the bore 5, and a passive position wherein the locking members do not protrude from an inner surface 5’ of the bore 5. In the embodiment shown, each of the locking members 10 is in the form of a locking wedge

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10 being radially movable in an aperture 31 through a wall portion of the housing 3.

The locking members or – wedges 10 are operatively connected to a single annular actuator 20 enclosing the housing 3 at a portion between the first end portion 51 and the second end portion 59. The annular actuator 20 is axially movable with respect to the housing 3 from a mechanically activated first position wherein the locking members 10 are in the active position as shown in fig.2, to a fluid activated passive second position wherein the locking members 10 do not protrude from the inner surface 5’ of the bore 5 of the female coupling element 1. A fluid activated passive portion is indicated in figures 3 and 8.

As best seen in figures 2 and 3, each one of the locking members 10 are operatively connected to the annular actuator 20 by means of a drive element 25 configured for transforming axial movement of the annular actuator 20 to radial movement of the locking members 10. Each locking member 10 is provided with a slanted portion 10’ slidably connected to a mating slanted portion of the locking wedge drive element 25 by means of a dovetail joint 17, see fig.3.

The annular actuator 20 is mechanically activated by means of a biasing means, here in the form of a spring 82 forming part of a regulator 80 that is axially fixed with respect to the housing 3 of the female coupling element 1. In the embodiment shown, a lower portion of the regulator 80 overlaps an outer surface of a top portion of the annular actuator 20 that is rotatable secured with respect to the housing 3. The annular actuator 20 is axially movable with respect to the regulator 80 and the housing 3. The regulator 80 comprises a locking ring 81 that is rotatable with respect the housing 3 and axially secured to an outer surface portion of the housing 3.

As best seen in figures 1b and 2, the annular actuator 20 is provided with a fluid communication channel 120 being in fluid communicating with an annular chamber 122 defined by an outer surface portion of the housing 3, an inner surface portion of the annular actuator 20, and an annular fixed ring123 having a ring pressure face 124 facing the chamber 122.

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In the embodiment shown, the number of locking member 10 is ten. The number of springs 82 may also be ten, or less than or more than ten. A lower end of the spring 82 abuts against a portion of the annular actuator 20. In a prototype of the female coupling element 1, the number of locking members 10 is ten and the number of springs 82 is sixteen.

When pressurized fluid, such as a hydraulic liquid or a gas, is communicated into the annular chamber 122, a pressure provides an upward force acting against the spring 82. Provided that the upward force from the fluid pressure exceeds the total force from the springs 82 and friction against movement, the annular actuator 20 will slide axially upwards from the position shown in for example figures 2 and 7 to the position shown in figures 3 and 8 wherein the locking members 10 have been urged radially outwards to their fluid activated second position wherein the locking members 10 do not protrude from the inner surface 5’ of the bore 5, i.e., to their passive position.

Due to the annular pressure chamber 122, a pressurized area acting of the annular actuator 20 is relatively large as compared to a piston/cylinder-arrangement disclosed for example in NO345964. A large pressure area has the advantage that a pressure needed for activating or moving the annular actuator 20 may be relatively low, and thus provides an improved safety for personnel operating the female coupling element 1. Further, the number of springs 82 and/or the spring stiffness of the springs 82 may be adapted to desired needs. Another favourable aspect of the annular pressure chamber 122 is that its radial extent may be relatively small as compared with a piston surface of a piston/cylinder arrangement. Thereby, a total diameter or radial extent of the annular actuator 20 may also be small. A small radial extent of the annular actuator 20 contributes to reducing a total weight of the female coupling element 1.

As mentioned above, the locking ring 81 of regulator 80 is rotatable with respect to the housing 3 of the female coupling element 1 and thereby also with respect to the annular actuator 20. A purpose of arranging the locking ring 81 of regulator 80 rotatable, is related to operational safety.

Still referring to the embodiment shown in figures 2 and 3, the annular actuator 20 com-

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prises a latch pin, here in the form of a stop bolt 86 having a first end portion being in engagement with bore 22 in a top portion of the annular actuator 20, and a second end portion being opposite the first end portion. Thus, the stop bolt 86 is axially movable together with the annular actuator 20.

A top portion 88 of the regulator 80 facing the second end portion 59 of the housing 3 is provided with at least one latch receptacle, here in the form of a through bore 89 configured for receiving the second end portion of the stop bolt 86. Due to the rotatable configuration of the locking ring 81, the stop bolt 86 can be selectively aligned with the through bore 89. In a non-aligned position as shown in fig.2 and in detail in fig.4b, a top face of the stop bolt 86 abuts against an inner surface of the locking ring 81 of the regulator 80. In this non-aligned position, the annular actuator 20 is prevented from upward movement, even if a pressurized fluid is communicated into the annular chamber 122. This has a positive safety aspect in that a male coupling element 100 connected to the female coupling element 1 is prevented from unintended disengagement. In an aligned position as shown figures 1b and 3, and in detail in fig.4a, a top face of the stop bolt 86 protrudes beyond the top portion 88 of the locking ring 81 of the regulator 80.

As best seen in fig.1a and figures 6-8, the locking ring 81 is further provided with an indicator 90 for indicating whether the annular actuator 20 is prevented from moving from its mechanically activated first position wherein the locking members 10 are in an active position gripping the male coupling element 100 or is allowed to move to its passive position upon applying a fluid pressure.

In the embodiment shown, the visual indicator 90 comprises a cut-out or window 92 arranged in a side portion of the locking ring 81. In a prototype, the female coupling element 1 comprises four visual indicators 90 (two shown in figures 1a and 6-8) evenly distributed in the locking ring 81. Thus, independently of a rotational position of the female coupling element 1 of the assembly 101, at least one visual indicator 90 can be observed from a remote location. . In the prototype, the window indicates green (indicated by horizontal hatching in fig.6) when the annular actuator 20 is prevented from movement, and red (indicated by vertical hatching in figures 7 and 8) when the annular actuator 20 is al-

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lowed to move axially from its first position to its second position wherein the male coupling element 100 can be released from its engagement with the female coupling element 1.

As indicated in figures 6-8, the visual indicator comprises a protrusion, here in the form of a screw 94 configured for limiting rotation of the locking ring 81 to a central angle defined by the window 92. In extreme positions (to the right in fig.6, to the left in figures 7 and 8), the screw 94 abuts against a recess in the perimeter of the window 92.

In fig.6, the annular actuator 20 is prevented from moving from its mechanically activated first position. In this position the top face of the stop bolt 86 abuts against the inner surface of the locking ring 81 of the regulator 80, as shown in fig.4b.

In fig.7, the locking ring 81 has been turned to its extreme right position. In this position, the stop bolt 86 is aligned with the through bore 89 configured for receiving the second end portion of the stop bolt 86. In fig.7, pressurized fluid has not been communicated into the annular chamber 122 (or the fluid pressure does not provide a force exceeding the force from the springs 82 and friction).

In fig.8 pressurized fluid has been communicated into the annular chamber 122, and the annular actuator 20 has been urged to its fluid activated second position wherein the male coupling element 100 releases from the engagement with the female coupling element 1. In this position, a top portion of the stop bolts 86 (two shown) protrudes beyond the through bores 89 of the locking ring 81 as shown in fig.4a.

Turning now to fig.4c showing detail C in fig.2. The regulator 80 further comprises a rod 820 arranged in connection with the spring 82. A top portion of the rod 820 is provided with a radial extension 822 for providing a shoulder for abutting against a top portion of the spring 82. A top surface of the radial extension 822 is provided with a semicircular protrusion 824 configured for engaging a funnel shaped recess 83 in an inner face of the locking ring 81. An inlet of the funnel shaped recess 83 has a diameter being larger than a diameter of the semicircular protrusion 824. The arrangement illustrated in fig.4c is configured so that the protrusion 824 engages the funnel shaped recess 83 at least when the

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regulator 80 is in the position shown in fig.6, i.e., when the annular actuator 20 is prevented from moving from its mechanically activated first position. In one embodiment, the protrusion 824 engages a corresponding funnel shaped recess 83 also when the regulator 80 is in the position shown in figures 7 and 8. When the protrusion 824 engages the funnel shaped recess 83, the arrangement provides a certain resistance against unintended rotation of the locking ring 81. By providing a certain rotational force against the locking ring 81, the protrusion 824 will slide along the surface of the funnel shaped recess 83 and compress the spring 82.

The regulator 80 is provide with at least one arrangement illustrated in fig.4c.

Turning again to the figures 1b, 2, and 3, the bore 5 of the female coupling element 1 comprises a first diameter bore 53 extending upwardly from the first end portion 51, a second diameter bore 55 extending downwardly from the second end portion 59 wherein the second diameter bore 55 being smaller than the first diameter bore 53, and a shoulder 57 bridging the first diameter bore 53 and the second diameter bore 55. In the embodiment shown, the second diameter bore 55 comprises two annular recesses 56 for annular seals 56’ (see figures 2 and 3) for sealing a connection between the female coupling element 1 and the male coupling element 100. Arranging the recesses 56 in the female coupling element 1 instead of in the male coupling element 100 which machining wise would be simpler, has the advantage of allowing a material thickness of the male coupling to be reduced as it does not have to allow for the recesses. A reduced material thickness of the male coupling element 1 will contribute to reducing a total weight of a connector assembly 101 comprising the female coupling element 1 and the female coupling element, as mentioned above. A further advantage of arranging the recesses 56 in the female coupling element 1 instead of in the male coupling element 100, is that this results in a reduced area of the seal 56’ being subject to fluid pressure from pressurized fluid through the bores 55 and 105 of the assembly 101. An axial force between the female coupling element 1 and the male coupling element 100 is thereby reduced. Further, by arranging the seals 56’ in the female coupling element 1, the seals 56’ are less vulnerable to damage prior to connecting the male coupling element 100 to the female coupling element 1.

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In an event of leakage past the seals 56’ between the female coupling element 1 and the male coupling element 100, the fluid pressure will act on the “piston” represented by the shoulder 57. To prevent a pressure buildup in an event of failing of the seals, the shoulder 57 of female coupling element 1 is provide with at least one, but preferably several, vent through bores 58 as illustrated in fig.1b.

Turning now to fig.5 illustrating a portion of an assembly 101 of the female coupling element 1 and the male coupling element 100 at the shoulder portion 57 of the female coupling element 1. The shoulder portion 57 is provided with a further through bore 570 housing a portion of an indicator rod 572 configured for indicating bottoming of the male coupling element 100 in the female coupling element 1. The indicator rod 572 has an axial length exceeding an axial length of the indicator through bore 570 and is slidable within the through bore 570 between a first position when the male coupling element 100 does not bottom, and a second position when the male coupling element 100 bottoms the female coupling element 1. The indicator rod 572 is urged towards the first position by a spring 574. The indicator rod 572 is slidably secured in the through bore 570 by means of an insert 576 and is prevented from sliding out of the through bore 570 by means of shoulder arrangements as illustrated in fig.5. When being in the second position, the indicator rod 572 protrudes beyond an end portion of the insert 576, and thereby indicates for an operator that the actuator 80 can be activated to prevent the annular actuator 20 from moving from its mechanically activated first position, i.e., as discussed above with regards to fig.6.

From the disclosure herein, it should be clear that contrary to the teaching of publication NO345964 to the applicant wherein each locking member is provided with an individual actuator, all locking members 10 of the female coupling element 1 according to the present invention are connected to one single, common annular actuator 20. Connecting the locking members 10 to one single, common annular actuator 20 represents several advantages. A first advantage is that the annular actuator 20 is made from relatively few and less voluminous components so that a total weight of the female coupling element 1 is considerably reduced as compared with the applicant’s prior art female coupling element. A reduced weight facilitates handling. A weight of a prototype of the present inven-

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tion is about 350 kg, while a weight of a corresponding assembly according to NO345964 has a weight of about 1100 kg. A second advantage is that the annular actuator 20 itself does not represent a limitation with respect to a number of locking members 10. A third advantage is that fluid pressure can be supplied to the annular chamber 122 via one fluid communication channel 120 only.

It should be noted that the above-mentioned embodiments illustrate rather than limit the invention, and that those skilled in the art will be able to design many alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. Use of the verb "comprise" and its conjugations does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those stated in a claim. The article "a" or "an" preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements.

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Claims (13)

C l a i m s

1. A female coupling element (1) for receiving a male coupling element (100) to provide a connector assembly (101) for pressure conduits, the female coupling element (1) comprises:

- a housing (3) having a through bore (5) extending between a first end portion (51) and a second end portion (59) of the housing (3);

- at least two mutually spaced locking members (10) configured for engaging a portion of a male coupling element (100) when received within a portion of bore (5) of the female coupling element (1), the at least two locking members (10) being movable within the housing (3) between an active position wherein a portion of the locking members (10) protrude from an inner surface (5’) of the bore (5), and a passive second position wherein the at least two locking members (10) do not protrude from an inner surface (5’) of the bore (5),

c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the at least two locking members (10) are operatively connected to one annular actuator (20) enclosing the housing (3) at a portion between the first end portion (51) and the second end portion (59), the annular actuator (20) being axially movable with respect to the housing (3) from a mechanically activated first position wherein the locking members (10) are in the active first position, to a fluid activated position wherein the locking members (10) are in the passive second position.

2. The female coupling element (1) according to claim 1, wherein each of the at least two locking members (10) are operatively connected to the annular actuator by means of a drive element (25).

3. The female coupling element (1) according to claim 2, wherein the locking member drive element (25) is slidably connected to the locking member (10) by means of a dovetail joint (17).

4. The female coupling element (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the annular actuator (20) is mechanically activated by means of biasing means

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(82) arranged in connection with regulator (80) configured for enclosing a portion of the annular actuator (20).

5. The female coupling element (1) according to claim 4, wherein the regulator (80) is annular, and the biasing means comprises at least two mutually spaced springs (82).

6. The female coupling element (1) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the regulator (80) is movable between a locking first position wherein the annular actuator (20) is prevented from moving from the mechanically operated first position, and a second position wherein the annular actuator (20) is allowed to move from the mechanically activated first position to the fluid activated second position.

7. The female coupling element (1) according to claim 6, wherein the regulator (80) comprises:

- a locking ring (81) rotatable secured to an outer surface portion of the housing (3), the locking ring (81) provided with at least one latch receptacle (89); and - at least one axially movable latch pin (86) extending from a bore (22) in the annular actuator (20) to the locking ring (81), wherein the annular actuator(20) is prevented from moving from its mechanically operated first position to its fluid operated second position when the latch receptacle (89) is not aligned with the latch pin (86), and the annular actuator (20) is allowed to move from its mechanically operated first position to its fluid operated second position when the latch receptacle (89) is aligned with the latch pin (86).

8. The female coupling element (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bore (5) of the housing comprises a first diameter bore (53) at the first end portion (51) of the female coupling element, a second diameter bore (55) at the second end portion (59), wherein the second diameter bore (55) is smaller than the first diameter bore (53), and a shoulder (57) bridging the first diameter bore (53) and the second diameter bore (55), and wherein the second diameter bore (55) comprises an annular recess (56) for an annular seal (56’).

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9. The female coupling element (1) according to claim 8, wherein the shoulder (57) is provided with a vent through bore (58).

10. The female coupling element according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the shoulder (57) is provided with an indicator through-bore (570), wherein the indicator through-bore (570) houses a portion of an axially displaceable indicator rod (572) having an axial length exceeding an axial length of the indicator through-bore (570).

11. A coupling assembly (101) comprising the female coupling element (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, and a mating male coupling element (100), the male coupling element (100) provided with a through bore (105) axially aligned with the through bore (5) of the female coupling element (1), wherein an outer portion of the male coupling element (100) is provided with a recess (107) configured for receiving a portion of the at least two locking members (10) when the portion of the male coupling element (100) is fully inserted in the bore (5) of the female coupling element (1), and the locking members (10) of the female coupling element (1) are in the active first position.

12. A method for providing a coupling assembly (101) according to claim 11, comprising:

- allowing the at least two locking members (10) to move to the second position wherein the locking members are retracted and do not prevent the male coupling element (100) portion from axially moving into the female coupling element (1), inserting a portion of the male coupling element (100) into the bore (5) of the female coupling element (1); and

allowing a portion of each of the at least two locking members (10) to engage the recess (107) of the male coupling element (100).

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the female coupling element (1) comprises a regulator (80) movable between a locking first position wherein the annular actuator (20) is prevented from moving from the mechanically activated first position, and an open second position wherein the annular actuator (20) is

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allowed to move from the mechanically activated first position to its fluid activated second position, the method further comprising bringing the regulator (80) to its locking first position when the male coupling element (100) has been inserted into the female coupling element (1).

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