Quick disconnect fluid-electrical coupler

Claim 1

In a quick connect-disconnect coupler for simultaneously transferring fluids and electrical energy from sources of supply to an installation submerged in a body of liquid, the electrical connections being automatically and simultaneously effected as the fluid connection is made, the combination comprising: a. a male nipple member and a female coupling member having inboard facing ends adapted to be coupled together, said members having outboard ends adapted to be connected to hollow tubular conduits and having central fluid-carrying bores therein; b. valve means in each of said male and female members constructed to be closed when said members are separated and open when said members are joined; c. said valve means including a fixed inner end face element in the center of one of said members and a movable plug valve element in the center of the other said member, said fixed element positioned to contact and open said plug valve element when said members are joined; and d. at least one electrical connector element in the center portion of said fixed element at the inboard end thereof and at least one other electrical connector element in the central portion of said movable valve element; e. said electrical connector elements positioned to mate with each other and make an electrical connection when said members are joined.