Dual duct flexible coupling apparatus and methods of use

Abstract

A flexible dual duct coupling, comprising: a coupling body having an inner flow passage and an outer flow passage therethrough; a first nut assembly configured for reversible attachment to the coupling body; and, a second nut assembly configured for reversible attachment to the coupling body, wherein the second nut assembly is opposite the first nut assembly.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A clamshell dual duct coupling, comprising:
 a body ferrule, configured as a cap of a first dual duct assembly; 
 a second ferrule, configured as a cap of a second dual duct assembly and for insertion into the body ferrule; and, 
 a clamshell assembly, configured for placement around the body ferrule and the second ferrule to reversibly attach the body ferrule and the second ferrule together, 
 wherein when the body ferrule and the second ferrule are reversibly attached by the clamshell assembly, the first dual duct assembly is in fluid communication with the second dual duct assembly; 
 wherein the clamshell assembly is axially offset along the first and second dual duct assemblies from a leading end of one of the first and second dual duct assemblies. 
 
     
     
       2. The clamshell dual duct coupling of claim 1, wherein the first dual duct assembly and the second dual duct assembly are coupled together to allow relative axial and angular motion. 
     
     
       3. The clamshell dual duct coupling of claim 1, wherein the clamshell assembly is placed around the leading end of the first dual duct assembly. 
     
     
       4. The clamshell dual duct coupling of claim 1, wherein the clamshell assembly is hinged. 
     
     
       5. The clamshell dual duct coupling of claim 1, wherein the body ferrule is provided with a lip over which the clamshell assembly is placed to maintain the clamshell assembly and the first dual duct assembly in a fixed relationship. 
     
     
       6. The clamshell dual duct coupling of claim 5, wherein the second ferrule includes a ridge, the ridge prevents the second dual duct assembly from being retracted from the first dual duct assembly when the second dual duct assembly is inserted into the body ferrule and the clamshell assembly is placed over the lip. 
     
     
       7. The clamshell dual duct coupling of claim 1, wherein the first and second dual duct assemblies are configured to be coupled together and further comprising at least one O-ring on the second ferrule to fluidly seal an inner flow duct and an outer flow duct when the first and second dual duct assemblies are coupled together. 
     
     
       8. The clamshell dual duct coupling of claim 1, wherein an inner flow duct is disposed in a lumen of the body ferrule. 
     
     
       9. The clamshell dual duct coupling of claim 8, further comprising an outer flow duct that passes through at least one port located in a face that connects an inner flow bulkhead wall to an exterior surface of the body ferrule. 
     
     
       10. The clamshell dual duct coupling of claim 1, wherein the first and second dual duct assemblies comprise inner and outer flow ducts. 
     
     
       11. A clamshell dual duct coupling, comprising:
 a body ferrule, configured as a cap of a first dual duct assembly;   a second ferrule, configured as a cap of a second dual duct assembly and to engage with the body ferrule; and,   a clamshell assembly, configured for placement around the body ferrule and the second ferrule to reversibly attach the body ferrule and the second ferrule together,   wherein when the body ferrule and the second ferrule are reversibly attached by the clamshell assembly, the first dual duct assembly is in fluid communication with the second dual duct assembly;   wherein the clamshell assembly is axially offset along the first and second dual duct assemblies from a leading end of one of the first and second dual duct assemblies.   
     
     
       12. The clamshell dual duct coupling of claim 11, wherein the first and second dual duct assemblies comprise inner and outer flow ducts. 
     
     
       13. The clamshell dual duct coupling of claim 11, wherein the second ferrule is inserted into the body ferrule. 
     
     
       14. The clamshell dual duct coupling of claim 11, wherein the clamshell assembly is placed around the leading end of each of the first and second dual duct assemblies. 
     
     
       15. The clamshell dual duct coupling of claim 11, wherein the clamshell assembly is hinged. 
     
     
       16. The clamshell dual duct coupling of claim 11, wherein the body ferrule is provided with a lip over which the clamshell assembly is placed to maintain the clamshell assembly and the first dual duct assembly in a fixed relationship. 
     
     
       17. The clamshell dual duct coupling of claim 11, wherein the first and second dual duct assemblies are configured to be coupled together and further comprising at least one O-ring on the second ferrule to fluidly seal an inner flow duct and an outer flow duct when the first and second dual duct assemblies are coupled together. 
     
     
       18. The clamshell dual duct coupling of claim 19, wherein the first and second dual duct assemblies comprise inner and outer flow ducts. 
     
     
       19. A clamshell dual duct coupling, comprising:
 a first dual duct assembly with a body ferrule;   a second dual duct assembly with a second ferrule; and,   a clamshell assembly, configured for placement around the body ferrule and the second ferrule to reversibly attach the body ferrule and the second ferrule together;   wherein when the body ferrule and the second ferrule are reversibly attached by the clamshell assembly, the first dual duct assembly is in fluid communication with the second dual duct assembly;   wherein the clamshell assembly is axially offset along the first and second dual duct assemblies from a leading end of one of the first and second dual duct assemblies.   
     
     
       20. The clamshell dual duct coupling of claim 19, wherein the body ferrule is provided with a lip and the second ferrule includes a ridge, the ridge prevents the second dual duct assembly from being retracted from the first dual duct assembly when the second dual duct assembly is inserted into the first dual duct assembly and the clamshell assembly is placed over the lip.