Tube connector systems

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12305779-B2
Application number	US-202118262393-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 22, 2021
Priority date	Jan 22, 2021
Publication date	May 20, 2025
Grant date	May 20, 2025

Abstract

A connector system includes a fitting body ( 104 ) and a union nut ( 106 ). A cutting ring ( 102 ) is disposed proximate within the fitting body and union nut. The cutting ring includes a first end ( 136 ) engaging with the fitting body and having at least one cutting edge, a second end engaging with the union nut, and a radially extending collar ( 140 ) disposed between the first end and the second end. The collar having an annular radial surface facing the first end and an annular groove ( 144 ) is defined within the radial surface. A cylindrical outer surface having a first diameter is disposed between the radial surface and the first end, and a transition area is defined from the outer surface towards the radial surface. The transition area being angled radially inward such that the transition area has a second diameter that is less than the first diameter. An elastomeric seal ( 146 ) is disposed within the annular groove.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A connector system comprising:
a fitting body comprising a first end and an opposite second end that define a longitudinal axis, the second end configured to receive at least a portion of a tube;
a union nut threadingly coupled to the second end of the fitting body and rotatable around the longitudinal axis; and
a cutting ring disposed proximate the second end of the fitting body and within the union nut, the cutting ring comprising:
a first end engaging with the second end of the fitting body and having at least one cutting edge;
a second end engaging with the union nut;
a radially extending collar disposed between the first end and the second end of the cutting ring, the collar having an annular radial surface facing the first end of the cutting ring and an annular groove is defined within the radial surface;
a cylindrical outer surface having a first diameter disposed between the radial surface and the first end of the cutting ring, wherein a transition area is defined from the outer surface towards the radial surface and coplanar with at least a portion of the annular groove, the transition area being angled radially inward such that the transition area has a second diameter that is less than the first diameter; and
an elastomeric seal disposed at least partially within the annular groove.

2. The connector system of claim 1 , wherein the angle of the transition area is between 5° and 15°.

3. The connector system of claim 2 , wherein the angle of the transition area is approximately 10°.

4. The connector system of claim 1 , wherein the annular groove comprises an inner side wall extending along the longitudinal axis, the inner side wall coplanar with the transition area such that at least a portion of the annular groove is radially undercut relative to the outer surface.

5. The connector system of claim 4 , wherein the annular groove comprises an outer side wall radially spaced from the inner side wall, the outer side wall substantially parallel to the inner side wall.

6. The connector system of claim 1 , wherein the annular groove comprises an inner side wall radially spaced from an outer side wall and a base wall, wherein the side walls have an axial length that is about equal to an axial length of the transition area.

7. The connector system of claim 6 , wherein a transition between the inner side wall or the outer side wall and the base wall is curved.

8. The connector system of claim 6 , wherein a radial length of the base wall is greater than the axial length of the side walls.

9. A connector system comprising:
a tube fitting body defining a longitudinal axis adapted to receive an end of a tube;
a union nut rotatably coupled to one end of the tube fitting body; and
a cutting ring engaged with both the tube fitting body and the union nut, the cutting ring comprising:
an inner surface configured to be positioned against the tube;
an outer surface facing the tube fitting body and/or the union nut, the outer surface comprising a protruding collar having a radial surface with an annular groove defined therein and a circumferential transition area directly adjacent the annular groove, wherein the annular groove has an inner side wall that is coplanar with the transition area, the inner side wall and the transition area angled radially inward relative to the longitudinal axis such that the transition area is positioned radially outward relative to the inner side wall; and
an elastomeric seal disposed at least partially within the annular groove.

10. The connector system of claim 9 , wherein the angle of the inner side wall is between 5° and 15°.

11. The connector system of claim 10 , wherein the angle of the inner side wall is approximately 10°.

12. The connector system of claim 9 , wherein the transition area is proximate the radial surface and faces the tube fitting body when the tube fitting body engages the elastomeric seal.

13. The connector system of claim 12 , wherein the inner side wall has an axial length that is about equal to an axial length of the transition area.

14. The connector system of claim 9 , wherein the annular groove has an outer side wall that is inwardly offset from a radial outer edge of the radial surface.

15. The connector system of claim 14 , wherein the inner side wall and the outer side wall are substantially parallel.

16. A tube connector system comprising:
a tube fitting body having an end with exterior threads and a first inner frustoconical bore, the end comprising a radial stop surface, wherein the end is configured to receive an end of a tube;
a union nut threadably engaged with the exterior threads and having a second inner frustoconical bore; and
a cutting ring comprising:
a first end having an outer surface that tapers radially outward engaging with the first inner frustoconical bore and at least one cutting edge;
a second end having an outer surface that tapers radially inward engaging with the second frustoconical bore; and
a middle section disposed between the first end and the second end, an axial annular groove is defined in the middle section and faces the radial stop surface of the tube fitting body, the axial annular groove includes an inner side wall, an outer surface of the middle section adjacent the annular groove defines a transition area that is coplanar with the inner side wall, and the inner side wall and the transition area each taper radially inwardly in a direction towards the second end; and

an elastomeric seal disposed at least partially within the annular groove,
wherein upon tightening of the union nut on the tube fitting body, the union nut engages with the second end of the cutting ring to drive axial movement towards the tube fitting body so that the first end of the cutting ring radially compresses around the tube and the elastomeric seal engages with the radial stop surface.

17. The tube connector system of claim 16 , wherein the radially inward taper of the transition area and the inner side wall is between 5° and 15°.

18. The connector system of claim 17 , wherein the radially inward taper of the transition area and the inner side wall is approximately 10°.

19. The connector system of claim 16 , wherein an axial length of the inner side wall is about equal to an axial length of the transition area.

20. The connector system of claim 16 , wherein the annular groove further includes an outer side wall substantially parallel to the inner side wall.

Assignees

• Danfoss As

Inventors

• Altenrath Hans Jörg

Classifications

• F16L19/086

  with additional sealing means · CPC title

• F16L19/08

  with metal rings which bite into the wall of the pipe {(F16L19/045 takes precedence)} · CPC title

• F16L19/12

  with additional sealing means · CPC title

• F16L19/10 Primary

  the profile of the ring being altered · CPC title