Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080246278 | TUBE FITTING FOR STAINLESS STEEL TUBING - A tube fitting that uses only two components, namely a fitting body and a fitting nut. The nut and body are adapted to be threadably coupled together by relative rotation therebetween. The nut includes an integral tube gripping ring that cooperates with a camming surface on the body when the fitting is made-up. The camming surface preferably has a steep camming angle. The ring is radially compressed against the tub e outer wall to form a seal and a tight tube grip. The ring also forms a line contact-type seal against the camming surface. The ring is designed to have a hinging action and to plastically deform during pull-up to embed into the tubing for excellent tube grip, and an axially adjacent swage or collet zone that isolates any stress riser resulting from embedding action from vibration effects. The fitting components, and particularly the ring, may be case hardened, the fitting may include a self-gauging feature to indicate sufficient pull-up to percent excessive pull-up. Also provided is a single ferrule tube fitting that uses a steep camming surface and is at least about 3.3 times harder than the stainless steel tube end. | 10-09-2008 |
20080296895 | FERRULE WITH RELIEF TO REDUCE GALLING - High localized loading, galling, and high torque forces have been generally eliminated or greatly reduced in a two ferrule tube fitting assembly through suitable modification of the rear ferrule so as to redirect the reaction forces acting between the front ferrule and the drive nut. The rear ferrule has a cylindrical interior wall that closely surrounds the tube end and is provided on the interior cylindrical wall with a circumferentially continuous radial recess that is located between the nose and rear wall of the rear ferrule. The rear ferrule also has a radially external wall that is substantially conical and additionally shaped to extend radially outward toward the enlarged diameter portion or flange of the rear ferrule. The rear ferrule further includes a contoured face on the rear driven surface of the ferrule that engages the drive surface of the drive nut. | 12-04-2008 |
20090033093 | FITTING FOR METAL PIPE AND TUBING - A tube fitting that uses only two components, namely a fitting body and a fitting nut. The nut and body are adapted to be threadably coupled together by relative rotation therebetween. The nut includes an integral tube gripping ring that cooperates with a camming surface on the body when the fitting is made-up. The camming surface preferably has a steep camming angle. The ring is radially compressed against the tube outer wall to form a seal and a tight tube grip. The ring also forms a line contact-type seal against the camming surface. The ring is designed to have a hinging action and to plastically deform during pull-up to embed into the tubing for excellent tube grip, and an axially adjacent swage or collet zone that isolates any stress riser resulting from the embedding action from vibration effects. The fitting components, and particularly the ring, may be case hardened. The fitting may include a self-gauging feature to indicate sufficient pull-up and to prevent excessive pull-up. Also provided is a single ferrule tube fitting that uses a steep camming surface and has a hardness ratio that is at least about 3.3 times the hardness of the stainless steel tube end on the Vickers scale. | 02-05-2009 |
20090160133 | FITTING FOR TUBE AND PIPE WITH CARTRIDGE - A fitting for a tube or pipe capable of functioning a high pressures having a first fitting component adapted to receive the conduit end; a conduit gripping device such as a ferrule or ferrules and a second fitting component that can be joined to the first fitting component to cause the conduit gripping device to grip the conduit and seal when assembled. In one aspect of the invention, the first fitting component is constructed from a material that is softer than the material used to construct the second fitting component. An additional aspect of the invention include a retaining portion on the second fitting component that constrains the tube gripping device against pressure. The retaining portion can also be configured to retain the tube gripping device to the second fitting component prior to installation and in a finger-tight condition. A further aspect of the invention includes a first fitting component in which an exterior portion of the component is work hardened radially outward from the tube gripping device. The fitting may optionally be provided with a structure to effect the pull-up by torque functionality. | 06-25-2009 |
20090289452 | PULL-UP BY TORQUE FITTING - A fitting is provided that may optionally be pulled-up to its final assembled condition by torque rather than by turns. At least one fitting component includes a structure that facilitates pull-up by torque. The structure may take a wide variety of different forms. In one embodiment, at least one of the external surface of the first threaded fitting component ( | 11-26-2009 |
20090299514 | FITTING ASSEMBLY EVALUATING APPARATUS AND METHODS - Methods and apparatus for evaluating characteristics of components of a mechanically attached connection are disclosed. Characteristics that may be evaluated include, but are not limited to, the position of a conduit gripping device on a conduit, an amount of axial compression or stroke of the conduit gripping device, and an amount of clamping force applied to the conduit gripping device as the conduit gripping device is axially compressed or stroked. | 12-03-2009 |
20090314087 | ULTRASONIC TESTING OF FITTING ASSEMBLY - Apparatus and method for determining relative and/or absolute axial position of a conduit end within a fluid coupling includes application of input ultrasonic energy in the form of transient shear waves and analyzing the reflected energy. Application of the input energy collected at different radial positions about a first axial location is used with wavelet based correlation techniques to better analyze the reflected energy signals. Quality of the abutment between the conduit end and a surface associated with the coupling may also be determined as a separate or combined feature of the axial position determination. | 12-24-2009 |
20100025990 | FERRULE WITH RADIAL CROWN - A ferrule for a metal tube fitting includes an annular body having a generally cylindrical radially interior wall extending through the center of the ferrule. An outer radial wall extends from the ferrule front end to a rearward flange portion of the annular body. The outer radial wall has: a first tapered portion extending from the ferrule front end with an increasing radial dimension towards the rearward flange portion, the first tapered portion extending to a crown portion, the crown portion including a convex surface that tapers radially inwardly towards the rearward flange portion. | 02-04-2010 |
20100037991 | DIFFUSION PROMOTERS FOR LOW TEMPERATURE CASE HARDENING - Low temperature carburization of a workpiece surface is accomplished faster by impregnating the surface with a diffusion promoter prior to or during the low temperature carburization process. | 02-18-2010 |
20100116377 | HYBRID CARBURIZATION WITH INTERMEDIATE RAPID QUENCH - A carbon hardened surface is produced in a metal workpiece without forming carbide precipitates by carburizing the workpiece at high temperature carburization conditions, rapidly quenching the workpiece, and then carburizing the workpiece under low temperature carburization conditions. | 05-13-2010 |
20100133812 | Tube Fitting - Fittings are provided for use with different types of tubing. One such fitting includes a gripping member having a sharp tube indenting edge that provides a seal between the tube gripping member and the tube. Another such fitting includes a tube gripping member having a body indenting edge that provides a seal between the tube gripping member and a fitting body. | 06-03-2010 |
20100140932 | TAPERED NUT FOR TUBE OR PIPE FITTING - A drive nut ( | 06-10-2010 |
20100148501 | FERRULE ASSEMBLY FOR CONDUIT FITTING - Two conduit gripping devices that are to be used together in a conduit fitting assembly are interconnected or held together as a cartridge or subassembly prior to assembly with fitting components to form a fitting assembly. In a more specific embodiment, one or both of the conduit gripping devices comprises a retaining structure by which the devices are mechanically connected together as a subassembly. For example, in one embodiment a front ferrule and a back ferrule for a tube fitting may be snapped together. | 06-17-2010 |
20100194107 | TUBE FITTING - A ferrule type, flareless fitting is provided that includes a first fitting component ( | 08-05-2010 |
20100201118 | CONDUIT CONNECTION WITH SENSING FUNCTION - Apparatus and method for mechanically attached connections of conduits may include a conduit gripping member ( | 08-12-2010 |
20100213705 | CONDUIT FITTING WITH TORQUE COLLAR - A conduit fitting of the type having first and second threaded fitting components and at least one conduit gripping device, further includes a stroke limiting member that allows the fitting to be pulled up by applying a predetermined torque. In one embodiment, the stroke limiting member may be a non-integral torque collar and in another embodiment the stroke limiting member may be two engaging surfaces integrally formed with the fitting components. Alternatively, the fitting may also be pulled up by turns. In still another embodiment, a stroke limiting member is provided that may be used to enable a fitting that is designed to be pulled up by turns to also be pulled up by torque. The stroke limiting member facilitates many remakes of the fitting, including remakes by torque. | 08-26-2010 |
20100219631 | CONDUIT FITTING WITH PULL-UP INDICATION - A fitting for a tube or pipe capable of functioning a high pressures having a first fitting component adapted to receive the conduit end; a conduit gripping device such as a ferrule or ferrules and a second fitting component that can be joined to the first fitting component to cause the conduit gripping device to grip the conduit and seal when assembled. In one aspect of the invention, the first fitting component is constructed from a material that is softer than the material used to construct the second fitting component. An additional aspect of the invention include a retaining portion on the second fitting component that constrains the tube gripping device against pressure. The retaining portion can also be configured to retain the tube gripping device to the second fitting component prior to installation and in a finger-tight condition. A further aspect of the invention includes a first fitting component in which an exterior portion of the component is work hardened radially outward from the tube gripping device. The fitting may optionally be provided with a structure to effect the pull-up by torque functionality. | 09-02-2010 |
20100320755 | APPARATUS AND METHOD OF ZERO CLEARANCE CONNECTION WITH OPTIONAL SENSING FUNCTION - Apparatus and method for mechanically attached connections of conduits may include a conduit gripping member ( | 12-23-2010 |
20110006521 | FITTING FOR METAL PIPE AND TUBING - A tube fitting that uses only two components, namely a fitting body and a fitting nut. The nut and body are adapted to be threadably coupled together by relative rotation therebetween. The nut includes an integral tube gripping ring that cooperates with a camming surface on the body when the fitting is made-up. The camming surface preferably has a steep camming angle. The ring is radially compressed against the tube outer wall to form a seal and a tight tube grip. The ring also forms a line contact-type seal against the camming surface. The ring is designed to have a hinging action and to plastically deform during pull-up to embed into the tubing for excellent tube grip, and an axially adjacent swage or collet zone that isolates any stress riser resulting from the embedding action from vibration effects. The fitting components, and particularly the ring, may be case hardened. The fitting may include a self-gauging feature to indicate sufficient pull-up and to prevent excessive pull-up. Also provided is a single ferrule tube fitting that uses a steep camming surface and has a hardness ratio that is at least about 3.3 times the hardness of the stainless steel tube end on the Vickers scale. | 01-13-2011 |
20110030849 | LOW TEMPERATURE CARBURIZATION UNDER SOFT VACUUM - Low temperature carburization of stainless steel using acetylene as the carburizing specie is carried out under soft vacuum conditions in the presence of hydrogen or other companion gas. As a result, formation of soot and the undesirable thermal oxide film that normally occurs during low temperature carburization is eliminated virtually completely. | 02-10-2011 |
20110049877 | FERRULE WITH RELIEF TO REDUCE GALLING - High localized loading, galling, and high torque forces have been generally eliminated or greatly reduced in a two ferrule tube fitting assembly through suitable modification of the rear ferrule so as to redirect the reaction forces acting between the front ferrule and the drive nut. The rear ferrule has a cylindrical interior wall that closely surrounds the tube end and is provided on the interior cylindrical wall with a circumferentially continuous radial recess that is located between the nose and rear wall of the rear ferrule. The rear ferrule also has a radially external wall that is substantially conical and additionally shaped to extend radially outward toward the enlarged diameter portion or flange of the rear ferrule. The rear ferrule further includes a contoured face on the rear driven surface of the ferrule that engages the drive surface of the drive nut. | 03-03-2011 |
20110089687 | MODULAR FITTING WITH GRIPPING DEVICE FOR CONDUITS - A modular fitting for conduits such as tube and pipe comprises a universal body ( | 04-21-2011 |
20110181042 | CONDUIT GRIPPING DEVICE HAVING RETAINING STRUCTURE FOR CONDUIT FITTING - The disclosure presents exemplary embodiments of a cartridge nut concept for conduit fittings. The cartridge nut concept may include the feature of loosely retaining one or more conduit gripping devices with a fitting component such as a male or female threaded nut. The cartridge nut concept may be realized using one or more geometry or shape features or characteristics of one or more conduit gripping devices. Still further, the cartridge nut concept may be realized in combination with a ferrule cartridge concept. | 07-28-2011 |
20110204618 | FITTING FOR FLUID CONDUITS - A fitting for a conduit is provided with first and second fitting components, a gripping member, and a live-loading mechanism. The first fitting component is adapted to receive a conduit along a central axis. The gripping member includes a gripping portion adapted to engage the conduit when the gripping member is tightened to the conduit. The second fitting component is adapted to be joined to the first fitting component to provide a seal between the gripping member and at least one of the first and second fitting components. The live-loading mechanism is adapted to hold the gripping portion in live-loaded engagement with the conduit when the first fitting component is separated from the second fitting component. | 08-25-2011 |
20110277309 | PULL-UP BY TORQUE FERRULE FITTING - A ferrule type, flareless fitting is provided that may optionally be pulled-up to its assembled condition by torque rather than by turns. In one embodiment, at least one fitting component includes a structure that facilitates pull-up by torque and allows the fitting to be remade. The structure may take a wide variety of different forms. Examples of fitting component structures that facilitate pull-up by torque and allow the fitting to be remade include, but are not limited to, deformable or compressible devices or structures that are configured to increase the torque required to further tighten the fitting components when the fitting is properly pulled up, resiliently deformable structures that bias a tube gripping device into engagement with a conduit when the fitting is remade to an initial pull-up position, and plastically deformable retaining structures that maintain a tube gripping device in sealing en a ement with a conduit when a fittin is disassembled. | 11-17-2011 |
20110278840 | FERRULE WITH INTERNAL RECESS AND CYLINDRICAL WALL - A ferrule for a metal tube fitting includes an annular body having a generally cylindrical radially interior wall extending through the center of the ferrule. An outer radial wall extends from the ferrule front end to a rearward flange portion of the annular body. The outer radial wall has: a first tapered portion extending from the ferrule front end with an increasing radial dimension towards the rearward flange portion, the first tapered portion extending to a crown portion, the crown portion including a convex surface that tapers radially inwardly towards the rearward flange portion. | 11-17-2011 |
20110298211 | CONDUIT FITTING WITH SPLIT TORQUE COLLAR - A conduit fitting of the type having first and second threaded fitting components and at least one conduit gripping device, further includes a stroke limiting member that allows the fitting to be pulled up by applying a predetermined torque. In one embodiment, the stroke limiting member may be a torque collar. Alternatively, the fitting may also be pulled up by turns, hi still another embodiment, a stroke limiting member is provided that may be used to enable a fitting that is designed to be pulled up by turns to also be pulled up by torque. Different embodiments are provided for the stroke limiting member, including a visual indication as well as a torque indication. | 12-08-2011 |
20110302762 | FITTING ASSEMBLY EVALUATING APPARATUS AND METHODS - The present application discloses methods and apparatus for installing fitting components, such as a conduit gripping device, on a conduit to form an assembly. The assembly is joinable with at least one other fitting component to form a fitting. The present application also discloses methods and apparatus for evaluating characteristics of components of a mechanically attached connection. Characteristics that may be evaluated include, but are not limited to, the position of a conduit gripping device on a conduit, an amount of axial compression or stroke of the conduit gripping device, an amount of clamping force applied to the conduit gripping device as the conduit gripping device is compressed, and an amount of torque applied to members that compresses the conduit gripping device. | 12-15-2011 |
20110309615 | FITTING WITH ADAPTED ENGAGING SURFACES - A fitting assembly is provided with a first fitting component having a stepped wall surface; and a second fitting component radially spaced from the first fitting component when the fitting assembly is in a finger tight condition prior to pull-up. When the second fitting component is displaced into contact with the stepped wall surface during fitting pull-up, the stepped wall surface assists in separating the first fitting component from the second fitting component upon fitting disassembly. | 12-22-2011 |
20120005878 | CONDUIT FITTING WITH FLEXIBLE TORQUE COLLAR - A conduit fitting of the type having first and second threaded fitting components and at least one conduit gripping device, further includes a stroke limiting member that allows the fitting to be pulled up by applying a predetermined torque. In one embodiment, the stroke limiting member may realized as an integral or integrated load bearing member that functions as a torque collar and deflects under load. The disclosure also presents a gauging structure and method for fittings that can be pulled up by turns, by torque or both. | 01-12-2012 |
20120032439 | FITTING FOR TUBE AND PIPE WITH TAPERED FERRULE - A ferrule for a conduit fitting includes in one embodiment a generally annular body comprising a cylindrical interior wall, a rearward portion with a frusto-conical recess that presents a camming surface, and a tapered outer surface. The tapered outer surface extends radially outwardly from a forward portion of the generally annular body towards the rearward portion, with the rearward portion further comprising an outer wall portion that tapers radially inwardly at an angle μ towards a back end of the annular body. | 02-09-2012 |
20120038150 | TAPERED DRIVE NUT FOR CONDUIT FITTING - A drive nut for a fitting includes an interior socket centered on a central axis and configured to receive at least a rearward portion of a conduit gripping member. The socket is defined by a radial drive surface positioned to engage the conduit gripping member during pull-up, a first longitudinal surface radially outward of said drive surface and a radially tapered second longitudinal surface between the drive surface and the first tapered longitudinal surface, wherein a conduit gripping device contact the second longitudinal surface upon an initial pull-up and each remake. This geometry facilitates a greater number of available remakes by reducing lost stroke, and can provide less stroke loss for fittings pulled up by torque. | 02-16-2012 |
20120187678 | TUBE FITTING - Fittings are provided for use with different types of tubing. One such fitting includes a gripping member having a sharp tube indenting edge that provides a seal between the tube gripping member and the tube. Another such fitting includes a tube gripping member having a body indenting edge that provides a seal between the tube gripping member and a fitting body. | 07-26-2012 |
20130119659 | SINGLE AXIS PUSH TO CONNECT CONDUIT FITTING - A push to connect conduit fitting includes a first fitting component and a second fitting component and a releasable retaining structure for retaining the two fitting components in one or more retained axial positions as an unthreaded mechanical connection. In one of the retained axial positions a conduit may be inserted and a conduit retainer holds the conduit in position. A seal mechanism may also be provided to seal an outer surface of the conduit fitting assembly. Embodiments for a threaded mechanical connection are also disclosed. | 05-16-2013 |
20130140815 | FITTING NUT WITH ADAPTED ENGAGING SURFACES - A fitting assembly is provided with a first fitting component having a stepped wall surface; and a second fitting component radially spaced from the first fitting component when the fitting assembly is in a finger tight condition prior to pull-up. When the second fitting component is displaced into contact with the stepped wall surface during fitting pull-up, the stepped wall surface assists in separating the first fitting component from the second fitting component upon fitting disassembly. | 06-06-2013 |
20130154261 | PULL-UP BY TORQUE FITTING WITH FEMALE THREADED NUT AND INTEGRAL DYNAMIC WEDGE - A fitting is provided that may optionally be pulled-up to its final assembled condition by torque rather than by turns. In one embodiment, at least one fitting component includes a structure that facilitates pull-up by torque. The structure may take a wide variety of different forms. | 06-20-2013 |
20130186520 | CONCURRENT FLOW OF ACTIVATING GAS IN LOW TEMPERATURE CARBURIZATION - Low temperature gas carburization of stainless steel using acetylene as the carburizing specie is carried out under soft vacuum conditions in the presence of hydrogen or other companion gas. Carburization is made to go faster by including HCl or other carbon-free, halogen-containing activating compound in the carburizing gas being fed to the carburization reactor. | 07-25-2013 |
20130207385 | PUSH TO CONNECT CONDUIT FITTING WITH FERRULE - A push to connect fitting includes a body member adapted to receive a conduit end, a conduit comprising a first end that can be axially inserted into the body member and a conduit gripping device attached to an exterior surface of the conduit, and a retainer that retains the conduit in place when said conduit is fully inserted into the body member. Additional embodiments include providing a seal with the fitting that seals the exterior surface of the conduit, an optional load retaining sleeve for the conduit gripping device, and an optional gimbal. The push to connect aspect may be realized in the form of a single action unthreaded mechanical connection. | 08-15-2013 |
20130264817 | CONDUIT FITTING WITH PULL-UP INDICATION - A fitting for a tube or pipe capable of functioning a high pressures having a first fitting component adapted to receive the conduit end; a conduit gripping device such as a ferrule or ferrules and a second fitting component that can be joined to the first fitting component to cause the conduit gripping device to grip the conduit and seal when assembled. In one aspect of the invention, the first fitting component is constructed from a material that is softer than the material used to construct the second fitting component. An additional aspect of the invention include a retaining portion on the second fitting component that constrains the tube gripping device against pressure. The retaining portion can also be configured to retain the tube gripping device to the second fitting component prior to installation and in a finger-tight condition. A further aspect of the invention includes a first fitting component in which an exterior portion of the component is work hardened radially outward from the tube gripping device. The fitting may optionally be provided with a structure to effect the pull-up by torque functionality. | 10-10-2013 |
20130270814 | CONDUIT CONNECTION WITH SENSING FUNCTION - Apparatus and method for mechanically attached connections of conduits may include a conduit gripping member, a drive member, and a seal member, the drive member causing axial movement of the conduit gripping member to indent into an outer surface of the conduit when the assembly is pulled-up, the drive member causing the seal member to form a zero clearance seal at a location that is axially spaced from the conduit gripping member. The zero clearance seal may comprise a face seal arrangement including a gasket, and the conduit gripping member may be a ferrule, ring or other device that can grip and optionally seal against the conduit outer surface. The assembly may include a sensing function for detecting or sensing a characteristic or condition of an assembly component or the fluid or both. In one embodiment, a body coupling member has a two piece construction of a main body and a conduit socket insert. A flared fitting embodiment is also provided. Sensing functions are also incorporated into fittings other than just zero clearance fittings. | 10-17-2013 |
20140049044 | FERRULE WITH INTERNAL RECESS AND CYLINDRICAL WALL - A ferrule for a metal tube fitting includes an annular body having a generally cylindrical radially interior wall extending through the center of the ferrule. An outer radial wall extends from the ferrule front end to a rearward flange portion of the annular body. The outer radial wall has: a first tapered portion extending from the ferrule front end with an increasing radial dimension towards the rearward flange portion, the first tapered portion extending to a crown portion, the crown portion including a convex surface that tapers radially inwardly towards the rearward flange portion. | 02-20-2014 |
20140252758 | PULL-UP BY TORQUE FITTING WITH FEMALE THREADED NUT AND INTEGRAL DYNAMIC WEDGE - A fitting is provided that may optionally be pulled-up to its final assembled condition by torque rather than by turns. In one embodiment, at least one fitting component includes a structure that facilitates pull-up by torque. The structure may take a wide variety of different forms. | 09-11-2014 |
20150021903 | CONDUIT FITTING WITH PULL-UP INDICATION - A fitting for a tube or pipe capable of functioning a high pressures having a first fitting component adapted to receive the conduit end; a conduit gripping device such as a ferrule or ferrules and a second fitting component that can be joined to the first fitting component to cause the conduit gripping device to grip the conduit and seal when assembled. In one aspect of the invention, the first fitting component is constructed from a material that is softer than the material used to construct the second fitting component. An additional aspect of the invention include a retaining portion on the second fitting component that constrains the tube gripping device against pressure. The retaining portion can also be configured to retain the tube gripping device to the second fitting component prior to installation and in a finger-tight condition. A further aspect of the invention includes a first fitting component in which an exterior portion of the component is work hardened radially outward from the tube gripping device. The fitting may optionally be provided with a structure to effect the pull-up by torque functionality. | 01-22-2015 |