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Non-spill quick disconnect couplings have served the high pressure, industrial hydraulic market. Existing commercial designs are characterized by minimal air inclusion at connection and low spillage at disconnect. Common coupler package materials include machined brass, zinc-coated steel and stainless steel. Recent design innovations and improvements include advances in valve design, optimized flow area calculations and isolation of the valve actuation springs from the fluid flow path. These developments have led to new low pressure, thermoplastic quick disconnect couplings incorporating flush face non-spill valve technology.

For the purpose of this white paper and non-spill technology discussions, the following terminology is frequently used. As with any technical subject matter, it is important to understand and use common reference terminology.

Traditional non-spill quick disconnect couplings are used in high pressure, hydraulic applications. This has been accomplished through designs which utilize brass, zinc-plated steel and stainless steel. While these couplers and associated design technologies serve industrial hydraulic applications, there are other applications and markets that are better served by quick disconnect couplers, utilizing modern materials and new design strategies. In particular, the use of engineering polymers as a construction material extends the boundaries of usefulness to these new applications.