Pull-up by torque fitting with female threaded nut and integral dynamic wedge

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10344898-B2
Application number	US-201715459084-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 15, 2017
Priority date	Nov 2, 2006
Publication date	Jul 9, 2019
Grant date	Jul 9, 2019

Abstract

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.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A conduit fitting comprising:
a male threaded body defining a counterbore having a central axis and extending axially inward to a shoulder for receiving a conduit end;
at least one conduit gripping device; and
a female threaded nut adapted to be joined to said male threaded body to cause said at least one conduit gripping device to grip and seal when the conduit fitting is initially pulled-up on the conduit end, said female threaded nut comprising an engagement surface that is radially outward of female threads of said female threaded nut and that engages a contact surface of said male threaded body when the conduit fitting is pulled-up to a first relative axial position;
wherein the engagement surface of the female threaded nut and the contact surface of the male threaded body are configured to provide a sharp increase in an amount of torque required to pull-up the fitting beyond the first relative axial position, while permitting the male threaded body to progress further into the female threaded nut, beyond the first relative axial position, with each remake of the fitting beyond the first relative axial position;
wherein at least one of the contact surface of the male threaded body and the engagement surface of the female threaded nut comprises a tapered surface forming an angle of less than 90 degrees with respect to the central axis.

2. The conduit fitting of claim 1 , wherein the contact surface of the male threaded body and the engagement surface of the female threaded nut are inclined at approximately the same angle.

3. The conduit fitting of claim 1 , wherein the contact surface of the male threaded body and the engagement surface of the female threaded nut are each inclined at an angle of between 30 degrees and 60 degrees with respect to the central axis.

4. The conduit fitting of claim 1 , wherein the male threaded body includes a recessed structure axially separated from the contact surface by an exterior surface.

5. The conduit fitting of claim 4 , wherein the conduit fitting may be pulled-up to a relative axial position in which at least a portion of the recessed structure is covered by the nut.

6. The conduit fitting of claim 4 , wherein at least a portion of the recessed structure is covered by the nut when the conduit fitting is pulled-up to the first relative axial position.

7. The conduit fitting of claim 1 , wherein the first relative axial position corresponds to a relative axial position at which said at least one conduit gripping device is caused to grip and seal when the conduit fitting is initially pulled-up on the conduit end.

8. The conduit fitting of claim 1 , wherein said male threaded body, said female threaded nut, and said at least one conduit gripping device comprise stainless steel and produce grip and seal of a stainless steel conduit when the conduit fitting is pulled up.

9. The conduit fitting of claim 1 wherein said at least one conduit gripping device comprises a single ferrule.

Assignees

• Swagelok Co

Inventors

• Bennett Mark A
• Berry Tobin
• Clason Mark A
• Karkosiak John D
• Lippucci Thomas A
• Marshall Andrew P
• Rubinski Jeffrey Michael
• Stroberg Edward A
• Williams Peter C

Classifications

• F16L2201/10

  Indicators for correct coupling · CPC title

• F16L19/065

  the wedging action being effected by means of a ring · CPC title

• F16L19/103 Primary

  with more than one ring per pipe end being used · CPC title

• F16L25/00

  Construction or details of pipe joints not provided for in, or of interest apart from, groups F16L13/00 - F16L23/00 (adjustable or allowing movement F16L27/00; with fluid cut-off means F16L29/00; quick-acting F16L37/00; for double-walled or multi-channel pipes F16L39/00; connecting arrangements or other fittings specially adapted to be made of plastics or to be used with pipes made of plastics F16L47/00; specially adapted for pipes of brittle material F16L49/00) · CPC title

• F16L19/083

  the longitudinal cross-section of the ring not being modified during clamping · CPC title