Jack Y Wakasa

US Patent:

46257462, Dec 2, 1986

Filed:

Mar 29, 1985

Appl. No.:

6/717529

Inventors:

John H. Calvin - Carpinteria CA
Jack Y. Wakasa - Los Angeles CA

International Classification:

F16K 1304

US Classification:

137 681

Abstract:

A sealing mechanism for a pair of conduits held together by means of a frangible connector is described. Each conduit has a center pivoted butterfly valve with valve discs which are spring biased to a closed position. The valve discs are mutually abutting and normally hold each other open, but are released when the frangible connector is broken. Each disc is pivoted about an offset from a pivot support member, and the inner conduit walls are tapered between the open and closed positions of the disc so as to reduce the turning friction between the disc and the conduit walls. A mechanism for positively closing and latching the disc is a closed position is described. This mechanism is contained in a housing which is sealed off from the fluid containing portion of the conduit.

US Patent:

51234475, Jun 23, 1992

Filed:

Mar 11, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/667654

Inventors:

John H. Calvin - Carpenteria CA
Jose M. Alandy - Camarillo CA
Jack Y. Wakasa - Los Angeles CA

International Classification:

F16L 3728

US Classification:

13761403

Abstract:

A quick disconnect coupling for connecting together two conduits in a high pressure fluid-carrying system. The coupling includes a female part (coupler) and a male part (nipple) each provided with a flow through channel, and each provided with a cut-off valve. The nipple is designed to be inserted into the flow-through channel of the coupler to cause the two parts automatically to be firmly latched together and to be sealed to one another during a pre-mating condition, without opening cut-off valves in the nipple and coupler. This initial pre-mating action isolates any fluid contained in the two parts of the coupling from the environment. Then, an axial force applied to the outer housing of the coupler causes both the nipple and coupler valves to open to establish fluid flow through the coupling. Pressure balancing features are incorporated into the valves to permit the use of significantly lower axial force to open valves as compared with the force required to open the valves of the prior art couplings of the same general type.

US Patent:

45439931, Oct 1, 1985

Filed:

Apr 4, 1983

Appl. No.:

6/481672

Inventors:

John H. Calvin - Santa Barbara CA
Jack Y. Wakasa - Los Angeles CA

International Classification:

F16L 2900

US Classification:

13761403

Abstract:

A connector for connecting together two ends of a fluid-carrying line comprises two coupling halves. The female half includes a cylindrical female housing. A support sleeve is concentric with and mounted around part of the female housing, and the forward end is threaded to receive the male half. An actuator sleeve is around the support sleeve. A movable locking member in the form of balls are seated in opening through the support sleeve against the actuator sleeve. A trigger ring inside the support sleeve slides between a blocking position under the balls and an unblocking position releasing the balls. One surface of the actuator sleeve urges the balls against the trigger ring. The threaded forward end of the male half engages the threads of the female half. A nose section on the male half, which extends forward of the threads, engages a trigger actuator ring in the female half. The trigger actuator moves the trigger ring to the unblocking position permitting the balls to move inward to engage groves around the outside of the nose member.