REMOTELY ACTUATED QUICK-RELEASE COUPLING

摘要

The invention consists of a remotely actuated quick-release coupling (10) having a male assembly (12) and a female assembly (14). The female assembly (14) has an inner sleeve (18) and an outer sleeve (16), with the male assembly (12) being removably insertable into the inner sleeve (18). A spring-loaded latching mechanism (22) is located in the female coupling (14) and is automatically engaged when the male assembly (12) is inserted into the female assembly (14), connecting the coupling (10). The cylinder defined by the inner (18) and outer sleeve (16) can be pressurized through an external port (26) using either air pressure or hydraulics. When the cylinder is pressurized, the latching mechanism (22) is disengaged, allowing the male assembly (12) to be removed from the female assembly (14), disconnecting the coupling (10).