Coupling

Abstract

A system includes a body with a fluid passage therethrough, a first open end, and an opposite termination, a valve positioned within the body and including first and second ends, the valve moving between open and closed positions, the valve being biased into the closed position, and a seal positioned on the second end of the valve, the seal forming the closed position when the valve is biased towards the first open end of the body, and the seal engaging a shoulder formed by the body to retain the valve within the body. The seal is accessible from the termination of the body to allow the valve to be coupled to the body.

1 . A system comprising:
 a body defining a fluid passage therethrough, a first open end, and an opposite termination;   a valve positioned within the body and including first and second ends, the valve moving between open and closed positions, the valve being biased into the closed position; and   a seal positioned on the second end of the valve, the seal forming the closed position when the valve is biased towards the first open end of the body, and the seal engaging a shoulder formed by the body to retain the valve within the body;   wherein the seal is accessible from the termination of the body to allow the valve to be coupled to the body; and   wherein an insert that is coupled to a fluid container is configured to move the valve from the closed position to the open position when the body is coupled to the insert.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a fluid supply module configured to be coupled to a container to access fluid contained therein. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the fluid supply module defines an insert, the insert including a first portion sized to be received in the body to form a connection therebetween. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the insert further includes an insert valve. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the insert defines a latch groove to receive a latch plate of the body to connect the insert to the body. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the latch groove is sloped. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the body is formed of two materials. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 the fluid container; and   the insert mounted to the fluid container.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the insert is formed integrally with a fluid supply module that is coupled to the container. 
     
     
         10 . A system comprising:
 a fluid container defining a space to hold fuel;   a fluid supply module coupled to the fluid container and configured to access the fuel contained therein;   an insert coupled to the fluid supply module; and   a coupler sized to be coupled with the insert, the coupler including:
 a body defining a fluid passage therethrough, a first open end, and an opposite termination; 
 a valve positioned within the body and including first and second ends, the valve moving between open and closed positions, the valve being biased into the closed position; and 
 a seal positioned on the second end of the valve, the seal forming the closed position when the valve is biased towards the first open end of the body, and the seal engaging a shoulder formed by the body to retain the valve within the body; 
   wherein the seal is accessible from the termination of the body to allow the valve to be retained in the body;   wherein, when the coupler is coupled to the insert, the valve is moved by the insert from the closed position to the open position so that fuel flows from the fluid container, through the fluid supply module and the insert, and through the coupler.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the insert including a first portion sized to be received in the body to form a connection therebetween. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the insert is formed integrally with the fluid supply module that is coupled to the fluid container. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the insert further includes an insert valve. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the insert defines a latch groove to receive a latch plate of the body to connect the insert to the body. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the latch groove is sloped. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein additional material is used to form the latch groove at the slope to strengthen the insert. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the body is formed of two materials. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein a first material is polymeric, and a second material is a metal. 
     
     
         19 . A system comprising:
 a fluid container defining a space to hold fuel;   a fluid supply module coupled to the fluid container and configured to access the fuel contained therein;   an valved insert integrally formed with the fluid supply module; and   a coupler sized to be coupled with the insert, the coupler including:
 a body defining a fluid passage therethrough, a first open end, and an opposite termination; 
 a valve positioned within the body and including first and second ends, the valve moving between open and closed positions, the valve being biased into the closed position; and 
 a seal positioned on the second end of the valve, the seal forming the closed position when the valve is biased towards the first open end of the body, and the seal engaging a shoulder formed by the body to retain the valve within the body; 
 wherein the seal is accessible from the termination of the body to allow the valve to be retained in the body; 
   wherein, when the coupler is coupled to the insert, the valve is moved by the insert from the closed position to the open position so that fuel flows from the fluid container, through the fluid supply module and the insert, and through the coupler.   
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the insert defines a latch groove to receive a latch plate of the body to connect the insert to the body, the latch groove is sloped, and additional material is used to form the latch groove at the slope to strengthen the insert.