Coupling for cryogenic media

Abstract

A coupling for handling fluid media, preferably for cryogenic media or liquefied natural gas. The coupling has a single core or multicore coupling connector plug and a coupling socket, with associated ball valves. Rotating rings associated with the coupling connector plug and the coupling socket allow for opening and closing of the ball valves to permit transfer of fluids via a conduit that can extend into the coupling socket past the plane of separation.

1 . A coupling, comprising 
 a single-core or multicore coupling plug having a conduit constructed to be movable with respect to the coupling plug in an axial direction;    a coupling socket, wherein when the coupling socket is coupled with the coupling plug, the conduit of the coupling plug is capable of extending into the coupling socket beyond the plane of separation between the coupling plug and coupling socket;    a plug-side ball valve and a socket-side ball valve, the ball valves being constructed for the leading-through of the conduit;    a rotating ring assigned to the coupling plug, said coupling plug ring capable of being displaced in a longitudinal direction of the coupling plug; and    a rotating ring assigned to the coupling socket, said coupling socket ring being in operative connecting with the socket-side ball valve,    wherein the rotating rings can be rotated about the longitudinal axis of the coupling plug and the coupling socket, said rotating rings further comprising devices for forming force-locking or form-locking mutual connections, and    wherein said coupling plug ring is in operative connection with the plug-side ball valve or an arbitrary is assigned to the plug-side ball valve.    
   
   
       2 . A coupling according to  claim 1 , wherein the coupling is a coupling for passage of cryogenic media or liquefied natural gas.  
   
   
       3 . A coupling for cryogenic media according to  claim 1 , wherein the rotating ring assigned to the coupling plug comprises partial rings or partial ring bodies.  
   
   
       4 . A coupling for cryogenic media according to  claim 1 , 
 wherein at least one of the rotating ring assigned to the coupling plug and the rotating ring ( 4 ) assigned to the coupling socket are in an operative connection with the drive shafts of the ball valves by way of ring gears or pinion gears.    
   
   
       5 . A coupling for cryogenic media according to  claim 1 , 
 wherein a force can be applied to the rotating ring assigned to the coupling plug.    
   
   
       6 . A coupling for cryogenic media according to  claim 5 , wherein the force applied to the rotating ring assigned to the coupling plug is in the direction of the rotating ring assigned to the coupling socket.  
   
   
       7 . A method of refueling a motor vehicle, comprising: 
 forming a coupling connection using a coupling according to  claim 1;  and dispensing a refueling media.    
   
   
       8 . A method of refueling a motor vehicle according to  claim 7 , wherein the refueling media is a cryogenic media.  
   
   
       9 . A method of refueling a motor vehicle according to  claim 7 , wherein the refueling media is liquid hydrogen or liquefied natural gas.