Conduit fitting with components adapted for facilitating assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2021317933-A1
Application number	US-202117354529-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jun 22, 2021
Priority date	May 9, 2014
Publication date	Oct 14, 2021
Grant date	—

Abstract

A fitting includes a first and second threaded fitting component and a conduit gripping device receivable within the first threaded fitting component. A stroke resisting member is integral with the first threaded fitting component and includes a web having a first radial thickness and extending axially inward from the first threaded fitting component to a distal ring portion having a second radial thickness greater than the first radial thickness. A radially extending bearing surface of the distal ring portion axially engages a radially extending portion of the second fitting component when the first and second fitting components are joined together to the first relative axial position. The stroke resisting member resists additional axial stroke of the first and second fitting components, such that a tightening torque beyond the first relative axial position is increased by the axial engagement.

First claim

We claim:

1 . A fitting for conduits having a reference axis, comprising:
a first threaded fitting component; a conduit gripping device receivable within the first threaded fitting component; a second threaded fitting component that threadably joins with the first threaded fitting component to produce relative axial stroke between the first threaded fitting component and the second threaded fitting component, wherein when the fitting is pulled-up on a conduit the first fitting component and the second fitting component can be joined together to a first relative axial position of the first and second fitting components to effect conduit grip and seal by the conduit gripping device at the first relative axial position; and a stroke resisting member integral with the first threaded fitting component, the stroke resisting member including a web having a first radial thickness and extending axially inward from the first threaded fitting component to a distal ring portion having a second radial thickness greater than the first radial thickness, the distal ring portion facing a radially extending portion of the second fitting component; wherein a radially extending bearing surface of the distal ring portion axially engages the radially extending portion of the second fitting component when the first and second fitting components are joined together to the first relative axial position, the stroke resisting member resisting additional axial stroke of the first and second fitting components, such that a tightening torque beyond the first relative axial position is increased by the axial engagement.

2 . The fitting of claim 1 , wherein the stroke resisting member has a first axial length, the stroke resisting member being plastically compressed to a second axial length smaller than the first axial length when the first and second fitting components are joined together to a second relative axial position advanced beyond the first relative axial position.

3 . The fitting of claim 2 , wherein the second relative axial position corresponds to a number of relative turns of the first and second fitting components past a finger tight position of the fitting in a remake subsequent to an initial pull-up of the fitting, sufficient to effect conduit grip and seal by the conduit gripping device.

4 . The fitting of claim 2 , wherein the second relative axial position corresponds to approximately 0.125 turns past contact between the axial extension of the first fitting component and the second fitting component in a remake subsequent to an initial pull-up of the fitting, sufficient to effect conduit grip and seal by the gripping device.

5 . The fitting of claim 2 , wherein the first relative axial position is achieved by applying a first tightening torque during an initial pull-up of the first and second fitting components, and the second relative axial position is achieved by applying a second tightening torque during a remake of the fitting subsequent to the initial pull-up of the first and second fitting components.

6 . The fitting of claim 5 , wherein the second tightening torque is substantially the same as the first tightening torque.

7 . The fitting of claim 1 , wherein the first fitting component comprises a threaded nut.

8 . The fitting of claim 1 , wherein the first fitting component comprises a female threaded nut.

9 . The fitting of claim 1 , wherein the web is angled with respect to the reference axis to define a hinge portion.

10 . The fitting of claim 1 , wherein the web plastically deforms under axial compression, thereby reducing the axial length of the stroke resisting member.

11 . The fitting of claim 1 , wherein the web buckles under axial compression, thereby reducing the axial length of the stroke resisting member.

12 . The fitting of claim 1 , wherein the first relative axial position corresponds to 1¼ relative turns of the first and second fitting components past a finger-tight position sufficient to effect conduit grip and seal by the conduit gripping device in an initial pull-up of the fitting.

13 . The fitting of claim 1 where the first relative axial position corresponds with initial contact between the bearing portion of the stroke resisting member and the radially extending portion of the second fitting component when the fitting is pulled up on a conduit.

14 . The fitting of claim 13 , wherein the initial contact between the bearing portion of the stroke resisting member and the radially extending portion of the second fitting component can be determined visually by an installer of the fitting.

15 . The fitting of claim 1 , wherein the first relative axial position is identifiable by a change in a rate of increase of tightening torque of the fitting.

16 . The fitting of claim 1 , wherein the conduit gripping device comprises first and second ferrules.

17 . A fitting component comprising:
a threaded annular body having a central axis and comprising an internal bore; and a stroke resisting member integral with the threaded annular body, the stroke resisting member including a web having a first radial thickness and extending axially inward from the threaded annular body to a distal ring portion having a second radial thickness greater than the first radial thickness wherein the web is angled with respect to the central axis to define a hinge portion.

18 . The fitting component of claim 17 , wherein the threaded annular body comprises a female threaded fitting nut.

19 . The fitting component of claim 17 , wherein the web plastically deforms under axial compression, thereby reducing an axial length of the stroke resisting member.

20 . A fitting for conduits having a reference axis, comprising:
a first threaded fitting component; a conduit gripping device receivable within the first threaded fitting component; a second threaded fitting component that threadably joins with the first threaded fitting component to produce relative axial stroke between the first threaded fitting component and the second threaded fitting component, wherein when the fitting is pulled-up on a conduit the first fitting component and the second fitting component can be joined together to a first relative axial position of the first and second fitting components to effect conduit grip and seal by the conduit gripping device at the first relative axial position; and a stroke resisting member integral with the first threaded fitting component, the stroke resisting member including a web extending axially inward from the first threaded fitting component to a distal end portion facing a radially extending portion of the second fitting component; wherein a radially extending bearing surface of the distal ring portion axially engages the radially extending portion of the second fitting component when the first and second fitting components are joined together to the first relative axial position, the stroke resisting member resisting additional axial stroke of the first and second fitting components, such that a tightening torque beyond the first relative axial position is increased by the axial engagement;

Assignees

• Swagelok Co

Inventors

• Trivett Daniel G
• Williams Peter C
• Brown Cal R
• Campbell Ronald P
• Knaggs William J
• Mcclure Douglas J
• Welch Douglas S
• Zaborszki Stephen J
• Gotch James E
• Dorony Connor M
• Messer Matthew K

Classifications

• F16L2201/10

  Indicators for correct coupling · CPC title

• F16L21/007 Primary

  clamped by a wedging action (F16L27/00, F16L37/092, F16L37/122, F16L37/123, F16L37/15, F16L37/16 take precedence) · CPC title

• F16L19/041

  the ring being an insert (F16L19/043 takes precedence) · CPC title

• F16L15/08

  with supplementary elements (F16L15/04 takes precedence) · CPC title

• F16L19/103

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