US Patent 7484530 Dual purpose alignment and fluid coupling

A fluid coupling for providing a fluid connection between an electronic module and a rack having an electrical connector to which the electronic module is connected, comprises a male coupler and a mating female coupler. The male coupler includes a male coupler body and a nipple, and the female coupler includes a female coupler body and a socket for receiving the nipple to establish a sealed fluid flow path between the male and female couplers when the couplers are connected together. At least one of the nipple and socket is mounted in the respective coupler body for limited transverse movement relative to the respective coupler body, and at least one of the couplers includes an axially extending spud that will initially telescopically engage the other coupler to initially coaxially align the male and female couplers within a first tolerance range and then to telescopically engage an alignment surface on the coupler body of the other coupler to coaxially align the male and female coupler bodies within a second tolerance smaller than the first tolerance.