Quick connect fitting

Last updated

For hoses and piping, a quick connect fitting, also called a push fitting or Quick Connect Coupling, 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. However, this depends on the type of coupling, such as single shut-off, double shut-off, or straight-through designs, which determine whether fluid retention occurs.

Contents

Uses

There is a large variety of quick connect fittings. They are used underwater, in drilling operations, and in outer space, as well as 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 the 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]

Quick Connect Fittings/couplings

Quick connect fittings are used in a wide range of applications, including:

Pneumatic Couplings

Pneumatic couplings are specialized quick connect fittings used for compressed air and gas applications. These couplings allow for fast and secure connections, ensuring efficiency and safety in pneumatic systems. They are designed to minimize pressure drops, prevent air leakage, and provide durability under high-pressure conditions.

Industries Using Pneumatic Couplings

Pneumatic couplings are widely used across various industries, including:

  • Manufacturing: Used in automated machinery and pneumatic tools for assembly lines.
  • Automotive: Applied in air-powered tools, tire inflation, and braking systems.
  • Aerospace: Essential for aircraft maintenance and pneumatic system operations.
  • Medical: Found in oxygen supply systems and pneumatic medical devices.
  • Construction: Used in jackhammers, nail guns, and other pneumatic-powered equipment.
  • Agriculture: Applied in pneumatic seeders, sprayers, and automated farming tools.

Types

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

North America:

Europe:

Japan:

Types of Quick Connect Couplings

Pneumatic quick connect couplings come in various designs based on function and industry standards:

Materials

Quick connect couplings are made from various materials, each suited for specific applications based on durability, chemical resistance, and cost. The two primary categories are plastics and metals. The performance, durability, and suitability of the coupling depend on the application and the material from which it is made. [8]

Cost

Unit cost varies from a few dollars for mass-produced compressed air couplings to $1 million 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. Myers, David (16 October 2023). "Air Couplers: An In-Depth Guide". Movieweb. Retrieved 9 August 2024.
  7. Kostelnicek, Dick. "Quick-Connect Pneumatic Couplers". Home Metal Shop Club, Volume 8 Number 8 Archived 2017-07-04 at the Wayback Machine
  8. Penn, Keegan (2024-12-06). "The Right Material for Quick Connect Couplings: Plastics vs. Metals | MaxSafe Global" . Retrieved 2025-02-24.