Ammonia canister connection device

Abstract

An ammonia canister connector is disclosed having a male component and a female component which reversibly couple to one another to form a secure connection. The male component has a base with an internal threaded portion for detachable connection to an ammonia canister tap, a fluid filter within the base, and a nipple section extending from the base and having at least two seal members. Similarly, in various embodiments, the female component is connectable to a feed line and includes a receptacle defined by a sidewall and configured to accept the nipple section of the male component, a sleeve positioned about the receptacle sidewall and capable of limited sliding movement, a locking mechanism positioned within the receptacle sidewall for alternately engaging and disengaging from the nipple section when inserted within the receptacle, wherein the locking mechanism is actuated by the sliding movement of the sleeve, and a check valve within the female component for preventing back flow to the receptacle.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An ammonia canister connector comprising:
 a male component comprising:
 a base having an internal threaded portion for detachable connection to an ammonia canister tap; 
 a fluid filter within the base; 
 a nipple section having at least two seal members and extending from the base; 
   a female component connectable to a feed line and comprising:
 a receptacle defined by a sidewall and configured to accept the nipple section of the male component; 
 a sleeve positioned about the receptacle sidewall and capable of limited sliding movement; 
 a locking mechanism positioned within the receptacle sidewall for alternately engaging and disengaging from the nipple section when inserted within the receptacle, wherein the locking mechanism is actuated by the sliding movement of the sleeve; 
 a check valve within the female component for preventing back flow to the receptacle. 
   
     
     
         2 . The connector of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid filter comprises a sintered metal filter. 
     
     
         3 . The connector of  claim 2 , wherein the metal filter has an average pore size in the range of from about 1 to about 10 microns. 
     
     
         4 . The connector of  claim 3 , wherein the average pore size is about 7 microns. 
     
     
         5 . The connector of  claim 1 , wherein the base comprises left-handed threads. 
     
     
         6 . The connector of  claim 5 , wherein the base further comprises an integrated O-ring seal. 
     
     
         7 . The connector of  claim 1 , wherein the nipple section has a length and diameter incompatible with standard hydraulic and pneumatic couplers. 
     
     
         8 . The connector of  claim 1 , wherein the receptacle has a depth and internal diameter incompatible with standard hydraulic and pneumatic couplers. 
     
     
         9 . The connector of  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve is slidable about the receptacle sidewall using one-hand. 
     
     
         10 . The connector of  claim 1 , wherein the male component is comprised of stainless steel. 
     
     
         11 . The connector of  claim 1 , wherein the female component is comprised of stainless steel. 
     
     
         12 . The connector of  claim 1 , wherein the male component has a flow rate capability of at least 4500 gallon/hour.