JP2006500527A - Integrated end fitting for pipe fitting - Google Patents

Abstract

The end connector for the tube fitting (10) comprises a tubular member (20) having a first end (22) connectable to the fluid device (26). The second end (24) of the tubular member (20) has an end shape that can be adapted to the second end connector. The tubular member (20) has a circumferential bulge (50) behind the second end (24) in the axial direction. The bulging portion (50) and the end shape are formed integrally with the tube (20) by molding, for example, a plastic material.

Description

  The present invention relates to a fixture for connecting a first fluid device and a second fluid device. These fluid devices can be the ends of tubes or tubes, or they can be valves, funnel joints, flow restrictors, and the like. The present invention is particularly useful for, but not limited to, plastic, polymer and resin type tubes and pipes. A typical material suitable for this fixture is a PFA tube.

  The fixture of the present invention is related to the prior art fixtures described in US Pat. Nos. 5,098,086 and 5,836,086, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. This prior art fixture is commercially available as Model S300 from Nippon Pillar Packing Co. Ltd. FIG. 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a prior art fixture described in the cited patent.

FIG. 1 shows a fitting with an end fitting body or fitting body B for connection to a valve body or other fluid device (not shown), for example by welding or by gluing or by any other suitable method A is shown. The fixture body B has a threaded end portion C that receives the tube end E. The fixture A also includes a threaded nut F that is threaded onto the threaded end portion of the body B. The inner diameter of the nut F is large enough to allow the nut to slide on the tube end E prior to assembly or construction of the fixture A.
US Pat. No. 5,743,572 Specification US Patent No. 6,045,164

  The fixture A further comprises a sleeve D, which has a portion I that bulges radially outward. The portion I of the sleeve is press fit into the tube end E as part of the fixture assembly after the nut F is positioned over the tube end. The press-fitting stage of the sleeve D into the tube end E requires hot or cold expansion of the tube end in the field. The opposite end of the sleeve D protruding from the tube end E is provided with a cylindrical connector portion H.

  The main body B has an annular groove G that receives the protruding cylindrical portion H of the sleeve D. The nut F has an annular edge J that pushes the bulging portion I of the pipe end E when the nut F is tightened on the main body B. A gauge ring K may optionally be used to measure how tightly the nut F should be assembled on the body B.

  The present invention relates to pipe fittings and end fittings for pipe fittings. This fitting and end fitting is related to the U.S. patent shown above and includes forcing the sleeve into the tube end to deform the tube end to form another sleeve and bulge. Can be used with these while unnecessary.

  In one embodiment, the invention relates to an end fitting for a tube fitting that includes a tubular member having a first end and a second end that can be connected to a fluid instrument. The second end of the tubular member has an end shape that can be adapted to the second end connector. The tubular member has a circumferential bulge at the axially rear side of the second end.

  In another embodiment, the present invention provides a first end fitting comprising a tubular member having a first end and a second end connectable to a first fluid instrument; and second It relates to the pipe fitting provided with the 2nd edge part connector which can be connected to the fluid apparatus. The second end of the tubular member has an end shape that is compatible with the second end connector, and the tubular member has a circumferential bulge axially rearward of the second end. .

  In a further embodiment, the present invention is a tube fitting for connecting a first fluid device to a second fluid device, the attachment having an axis and for connecting to the first fluid device. The present invention relates to a pipe fitting provided with a tool body. The fixture is attached to a cylindrical member for connecting the second fluid device, and to fix the fixture main body coaxially to the cylindrical member, thereby connecting the first fluid device to the second fluid device. A nut that can rotate around the axis on the tool body is provided. The fixture body has a connecting groove. The tubular member has a bulge portion on the outer side in the radial direction having a connector end portion that fits in the connection groove of the fixture main body, and a seal surface and a driven surface on both sides of the bulge portion. The fixture body is a flange that fits on the connector end portion of the tubular member and has an internal seal surface that mates with the seal surface of the bulge portion of the tubular member. The nut can be combined with the driven surface of the tubular member for hermetically engaging the tubular member with the seal surface of the fixture body.

  In yet another embodiment, the present invention relates to a tube fitting for connecting a first fluid device to a second fluid device. The tube fitting is a fitting main body for connection with the first fluid device, and includes a fitting main body having an axis and a connecting groove. The cylindrical member for connection with the second fluid device is spaced from the connector end portion along the length of the cylindrical member and the connecting end portion that fits within the connecting groove of the fixture body. Has a bulge. The nut can be screwed about an axis on the fixture body to coaxially fix the fixture body to the tubular member and thereby connect the first fluid instrument to the second fluid instrument. The outer diameter of the bulge on the cylindrical member is larger than the inner diameter of the nut. The bulge on the tubular member is gripped between the nut and the fixture body to secure the tubular member to the fixture body.

  These and other features of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art when considering the following description of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  The present invention relates to a tube fitting for connecting a first fluid device and a second fluid device. Tube fittings according to the present invention can take a variety of forms and can be used in connection with various fluid instruments such as tube or tube ends, valves, unions, flow restrictors, and the like. As representative of the present invention, FIG. 2 shows a tube fitting 10 constructed in accordance with the present invention. The tube fitting 10 includes a tubular member or first end connector 20, a tube fixture body or second end connector 30, and a nut assembly 100.

  The tubular member 20 has a first end 22 and a second end 24. The first end 22 of the tubular member 20 is attached to (or formed as an integral part of) a flow device such as a valve, union, tube, flow restrictor, etc., schematically shown at 26. Integrated. Accordingly, in some cases, the tubular member 20 can be a part of the flow device 26 connected by the fixture 10 in addition to being a part of the fixture itself. The tubular member 20 is preferably machined or molded from the same material as the flow device 26 (as an integral part) or can be attached to the flow device 26 in any suitable manner, such as by welding. The second end or connector end 24 of the tubular member 20 replicates the connector portion H of the separate sleeve D of the prior art fixture A (FIG. 1), as will be described in detail below. .

  The tube fitting body 30 described in detail below may be the same as the fitting body B of the prior art fitting A (FIG. 1). The fitting body 30 has a base portion 32 that is shown or schematically attached at 34 and is attached to or integral with a second flow device that can be a valve, union, tube, flow restrictor, or the like.

  The first end 22 of the tubular member 20 includes a tube wall 40 having a cylindrical parallel inner surface 42 and an outer surface 44 centered on an axis 46. The inner surface 42 defines a fluid passage 48 of the tubular member 20.

  The tubular member 20 has a bulging portion 50 in the circumferential direction between the first end portion 22 and the second end portion 24. The outer surface 44 of the tubular member 20 is radial in the region of the bulging portion 50 with the conical driven surface 52, the cylindrical surface 54, and the conical sealing surface 56 forming a thick wall of the bulging portion. Spread outward. The inner side surface 42 has a constant inner diameter along the length of the bulging portion 50.

  The bulging portion 50 is thicker in the radial direction because the outer surface 44 is spread radially outward. The outer surface 44 is axially continuous with a cylindrical surface portion 58 extending axially from the seal surface 56. The inner side surface 42 (FIG. 3) of the tubular member 20 is continuous with a constant diameter with respect to most of the length of the second end 24 of the tubular member 20 without interruption.

  The outer surface 44 of the tubular member 20 formed in this way is expanded the same as the outer surface of the expanded tube end E (FIG. 1) after being expanded by inserting the sleeve D of the fixture A of the prior art. It is formed in a different shape. The integral bulge 50 of the present invention eliminates the need for tube end expansion on the sleeve as was done in prior art designs. Conversely, the circumferential bulge 50 and the second end 24 of the tubular member 20 replace the separate sleeve and widened tube end of the prior art design.

  The second end or connector end 24 of the tubular member 20 includes a radially inner flange 60 and a radially outer flange 62 having a groove 64 therebetween. The outer flange 62 is formed as a cylindrical protrusion. The protrusion 62 has the same shape as the corresponding end H (FIG. 1) of the normal individual sleeve D of the prior art fixture. In particular, the protrusion 62 (FIG. 3) has an outer surface 66 that is a continuation of the cylindrical surface 58. The protrusion 62 has an inner surface 68 that is parallel to the outer surface 66. A conical surface 70 extends between an annular and radially extending end surface extending to the outer surface 66 of the protrusion 62 and the inner surface 68.

  The flange 60 on the radially inner side of the connector end 24 of the tubular member 20 is formed as an annular sealing rib that does not protrude as much as the outer flange 62. The sealing rib 60 has the same shape as the corresponding part of the normal individual sleeve D (FIG. 1) of the fixture A of the prior art. Sealing rib 60 (FIG. 3) has a tapered outer surface 72 and a tapered inner surface 74.

  The fixture body or second end connector 30 is the same shape as the fixture body B (FIG. 1) and can be as described in the previously incorporated patents. The fixture body 30 (FIG. 3) is preferably machined from the same material as the flow device 34, or has a base portion that is attached to the flow device in a suitable manner, such as by welding, and is individually machined. Or it can be a molded part.

  The fixture body 30 has two radially spaced annular flanges 80 and 82 projecting axially from the base portion 32. The radially inner flange 82 defines a fluid passage 84 that forms a continuation of the fluid passage 48 in the tubular member 20 when the tubular member 20 is attached to the body 30. The inner flange 82 has substantially the same diameter as the sealing rib 60 at the connector end 24 of the tubular member 20.

  The radially outer flange 80 of the fixture body 30 is substantially longer than the inner flange 82 and therefore protrudes further axially from the base portion 32. The outer flange 80 has an outer surface 86 provided with a male screw and a smooth inner surface 88, and has a cylindrical shape as a whole. The inner surface 88 is substantially the same as the cylindrical outer surface 66 of the second end 24 of the tubular member 20 so that the outer flange surface 80 receives the second end of the tubular member. With a diameter. Inner surface 88 terminates at a gently tapered inner end surface 90 that extends axially and radially outwardly to an annular end surface 92 of outer flange 80.

  The inner surface 88 of the outer flange 80 is located radially outward of the inner flange 82. An annular open groove 94 is defined between the flanges 80 and 82. The bottom of the groove 94 is an annular surface 96 facing away from the base portion 23 of the main body 30. The groove 94 has substantially the same diameter as the cylindrical protrusion 62 of the connector end 24 of the tubular member 20 and is adapted to receive this cylindrical portion.

  The nut assembly 100 shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 2-4 is a split nut assembly having four parts. In particular, the split nut assembly 100 includes a threaded nut 102, a split ring 104 (shown assembled in FIG. 3), and a retaining ring 106. The integral nut cannot be slid on the bulging portion 50 of the tubular member 20 in the direction from the second end 24 (from the right as seen in FIG. 3), so in this embodiment the split nut The idea of was incorporated.

  The threaded nut 102 (FIG. 4) includes a main body portion 110 with an internal thread 112 that mates with an external thread 86 of the fixture body 30. The threaded nut 102 has a small diameter end portion 114 having a conically tapered inner surface 116 extending from a shoulder or step 118. There is a retaining groove 120 inside the shoulder 118. The diameter of the shoulder 118 is selected to be larger than the maximum outer diameter of the bulging portion 50 of the tubular member 20. For this reason, the nut 102 can be slid onto the tubular member 20 from the direction of the connector end 24. The small diameter end portion 114 of the nut 102 has a cylindrical outer surface 122.

  The split ring 104 comprises two identical semicircular portions 130 and 132 that are assembled as in FIG. 3 to form the split ring. The split ring 104 has a tapered outer surface 136 that generally coincides with the tapered surface 116 of the nut 102. A lip or edge 138 extends radially outward from the narrow end of the tapered surface 116. The dimensions of the lip 138 are selected so that the lip snaps into the retaining groove 120 of the nut 102. The split ring 104 has an annular rear end surface 140. The split ring 104 further comprises a tapered drive surface or shoulder 142.

  When the split ring 104 is assembled, its inner surface 144 has a diameter that is smaller than the diameter of the bulge 50 of the tubular member 20. As a result, when the split ring 104 is assembled as an integral part, the split nut 104 cannot be mounted on the tubular member 20 by sliding on the bulging portion 50.

  The retaining ring 106 of the nut assembly 100 has a cylindrical main body portion 150 and an annular shoulder 152 extending radially inward from one end of the main body portion. The shoulder 152 has an annular shoulder surface 154 that faces the split ring 104. The shoulder surface 154 is adapted to mate with the rear end surface 140 of the split ring 104 to hold the split ring inside the nut body 102, as will be described below. The main body portion 150 of the retaining ring 106 has a cylindrical inner surface 156 that is dimensioned to be press fit onto the outer surface 122 of the small diameter end portion 114 of the nut 102.

  The inner diameters of the retaining ring 106 and the nut body 102 are large enough to slide on the bulging portion 50 of the tubular member 20 (moving from right to left as viewed in FIGS. 2 and 3). However, the split ring 104 is not assembled. Therefore, the two parts 130 and 132 of the split ring 104 are placed on both sides of the tube wall 40 at a position between the bulge 50 and the flow device 26. The split ring 104 is then combined with the nut body 102 by moving the split ring lip 138 through the nut body shoulder 118 and sliding it into the retaining groove 120 of the nut body. Next, the retaining ring 106 is press-fitted onto the end portion 114 of the nut body 102 so that the split ring 104 does not come off the nut body. Thus, many parts of the nut assembly are combined as a unitary assembly that cooperates with other parts of the fixture 10.

  The connector end 24 of the tubular member 20 is inserted into or inserted into the fixture body 30. The cylindrical projection 62 at the connector end 24 of the tubular member 20 fits tightly within the annular groove 94 of the fixture body 30. The outer surface 66 of the cylindrical protrusion 62 is combined with the inner surface 88 of the outer flange 80 of the fixture body 30. The inner surface 68 of the cylindrical protrusion 62 is combined with the outer surface of the inner flange 82 of the fixture body 30.

  The sealing rib 60 of the tubular member 20 is combined with the inner flange 82 of the fixture main body 30 and pressed tightly thereto. At the same time, the tapered sealing surface 56 of the bulging portion 50 of the tubular member 20 is combined with the tapered inner end surface 90 of the outer flange 80 of the fixture body 30.

  Next, the nut 100 is screwed onto the fixture body 30. The female screw 112 of the nut main body 102 is screwed to the male screw 86 of the fixture main body 30. When the nut 100 is turned on the fixture body 30, the nut is moved in the axial direction (to the right as viewed in FIG. 2) toward the fixture body.

  When the nut 100 moves along the fixture body 30, the split ring 104 is combined with the bulging portion 50 of the tubular member 20. In particular, the drive surface 142 of the split ring 104 is combined with the driven surface 52 on the bulging portion 50 of the tubular member 20. The force provided by the moving nut assembly 100 is transmitted to the tubular member 20 and the tubular member is strongly pressed against it to mate with the fixture body 30. The sealing surface 56 on the bulging portion 50 of the tubular member 20 is combined with the tapered inner end surface 90 of the outer flange 80 of the fixture body 30.

  When the nut 100 is fully tightened onto the fixture body 30, the bulging portion 50 of the tubular member 20 is captured axially between the split ring 104 of the nut assembly 100 and the outer flange 80 of the fixture body 30. It is done. The material of the tubular member 20 is squeezed between the drive surface 142 of the split ring 104 of the nut assembly 100 on the one hand and the tapered inner surface 90 of the outer flange 80 of the fixture body 30 on the other hand. The material of the bulging portion 50 of the tubular member 20 is deformed at this position to form the main seal. Further, a sub seal is formed at a position where the driving surface 142 of the split ring 104 is combined with the driven surface 52 of the bulging portion 50 of the tubular member 20.

  At the same time, the cylindrical projection 62 at the connector end 24 of the tubular member 20 tightly fits into the annular groove 94 in the fixture body 30 and deforms and pushes the fixture body to seal. The outer surface 66 of the cylindrical protrusion 62 hits the inner surface 88 of the outer flange 80 of the fixture body 30 and seals it. The inner surface 68 of the cylindrical protrusion 62 pushes the outer surface of the inner flange 82 of the fixture body 30 to seal it. Further, the sealing rim 60 of the tubular member 20 pushes the inner flange 82 of the fixture body 30 to seal it.

  Thus, it can be seen that forming the bulging portion or integral sleeve 50 as part of the tubular member 20 itself eliminates the need for a separate sleeve D and tube wall deformation step in the prior art. The use of the split nut assembly 100 allows the use of the tubular member 20 having a preformed bulge portion 50 when the fixture 10 is assembled.

  FIGS. 5-11 show examples of some fluid instruments that use a fixture according to the present invention. FIG. 5 shows the valve 70 in longitudinal section. The valve 170 includes a valve body 172 having an inlet conduit 176 and an outlet conduit 174 that open into the valve cavity 178.

  A tubular member 20 having an integral bulge portion 50 similar to the tubular member shown in FIGS. 2-4 may be machined as a single piece or attached in a manner such as by welding as a separate piece to provide an inlet conduit. 176 is formed. Similarly, the tubular member 20 with an integral bulge 50 is formed on the outlet conduit 174, either machined as a single piece or attached in a manner such as by welding as a separate part.

  The tubular member 50 can connect the valve 170 into the fluid circuit using a fitting as described above. It should be noted that the present invention can be applied to valves or other fluid devices by using only one tubular member and fixture instead of two.

  FIG. 6 shows a valve 190 similar to the valve 170 shown in FIG. In the valve 190, the inlet conduit 196 is provided with a tubular member 192 with an integral bulge 194, and the outlet conduit 200 is provided with a fixture body 198. Although not required, the integral bulge portion 194 and fixture body 198 are preferably machined integrally with the valve body 202 or formed as a single piece. FIG. 6 also shows the split nut assembly 100 installed on the tubular member 192 prior to assembling the fixture with the tubular member.

  Figures 7, 8, 9 and 10 show additional examples, but these do not limit the use of the integral bulge idea. In FIG. 7, an integral bulge 50 is formed at one end of a curved tube or pipe 210 that can be used, for example, as a swivel elbow in a fluid circuit. At the opposite end of the elbow 210, a fixture body 30 that is machined or attached integrally is provided. Again, the split nut assembly 100 is shown installed in the integral bulge portion 50.

  FIG. 8 shows the present invention having a union 212. The union 212 includes a cylindrical union main body 214 as a whole. The union body 214 has a central fluid passage 216 with a constant diameter. An integral bulge portion 50 is machined or otherwise formed as an integral part at both ends of the union body 214. The split nut assembly 100 installed at the end of the union body 214 is also shown. Alternatively, an attachment body similar to the attachment body 30 can be provided at one or both of the ends of the union body 214.

  FIG. 9 shows the present invention used in the flow restrictor 220. This flow restrictor 220 is similar to the union 214 of FIG. 8 except that its central passage 222 includes a small diameter portion 224 that functions as a flow restrictor. FIG. 9 shows a flow restrictor 220 having an integral bulge 50 at one end and a split nut assembly 100 and an end connector 30 at the other end.

  FIG. 10 shows the flow restrictor 220 installed on the valve 230. In this example, the valve 230 includes an integral machined fixture body 30 at the outlet port 232. The split nut assembly 100 is used to assemble the fixture body 30 to one end of a flow restrictor 220 having an integral bulge 50. The opposite end of the flow restrictor 220 in this example has a fixture body 30.

  FIG. 11 shows a union 234 similar to the union 212 of FIG. The union 234 includes a cylindrical union main body 236 as a whole. An integral bulge portion 50 and split nut assembly 100 are placed at one end of the union body 236. A standard widened mounting end 238 is provided at the other end of the union body 236.

  FIG. 12 shows a fixture 10a according to another embodiment of the present invention. The fixture 10a is the same as the fixture 10 (FIG. 3). Parts of the fixture 10a that are similar to corresponding parts of the fixture 10 are given the same number with the subscript a to distinguish them.

  The fixture 10a (FIG. 12) includes a cylindrical member 20a having a bulge portion 50a that is shaped somewhat differently from the bulge portion of the tubular member 20 of the fixture 10. In particular, the bulge portion 50a has a rounded outer surface 53 that extends between the cylindrical outer surface 44a of the tube wall 40a and the large-diameter cylindrical outer surface 58a of the end connector portion 24a. The split ring 104a can have a drive surface 142a that can be rounded as shown to match the outer surface 53 of the bulge portion 50a or can have a shape that does not match. The outer flange 80a of the fixture body 30a has a rounded inner end surface 90a.

  When the fixture 10a is configured as shown in FIG. 12, the rounded drive surface 142a of the split ring 140a and the rounded end surface 90a of the fixture body 30a are rounded of the bulging portion 50a of the tubular member 20a. The outer side surface 53 is combined. For the sealing and / or other properties of the fixture according to the invention, this rounded shape of these parts is preferred (rather than the flat or bevel shape shown in FIG. 2).

  FIGS. 13-16 are a series of drawings showing the configuration of a fixture 10b according to another embodiment of the present invention. The fixture 10b is the same as the fixture 10 (FIG. 2). Parts of the fixture 10b that are similar or equivalent to corresponding parts of the fixture 10 are given the same number with the subscript b to distinguish them.

  The fixture 10b includes the same fixture body 30b as the fixture body 10b. The fixture 10 b includes a cylindrical member 20 b that is somewhat different from the cylindrical member 20 of the fixture 10. The tubular member 20b ends with a large diameter connector end portion 24b similar to the connector end portion 24 of the tubular member 20. However, instead of having a bulging portion spaced apart from the connector end portion, the tubular member 20b is axially directed from the large diameter connector end portion 24b toward the tubular wall 40b. It has a cylindrical flange 240 that extends. The flange 240 is spaced radially outward from the cylindrical wall 40b, so that the cylindrical member 20b has a relatively deep groove 242 between the flange and the cylindrical wall.

  The fixture 10b includes a single piece of nut 250. The nut 250 has a cylindrical inner periphery 252 having an inner diameter equal to the outer diameter of the end connector portion 24 b of the cylindrical member 20 b and the flange 240. The nut 250 has an elastic flange 254 on its inner periphery 242 that protrudes axially in an orientation such that it is positioned radially inward of the nut's internal thread 112b and is the length of the nut 250. Curve radially inward from about halfway along. Since the flange is bent radially inward, when it is in the free state, the minimum diameter at its end 256 is smaller than the outer diameter of the end connector portion 24b of the tubular member. The flange 254 is spaced radially inward from the female thread 112b, so that the nut 250 has a groove 258 between the flange 254 and the female thread.

  The tubular member 20b is inserted into the nut 250 during assembly of the fixture 10b as shown continuously in FIGS. The connector end portion 24 b of the tubular member 20 b passes through the inside of the cylindrical inner surface 252 of the nut 250 and the inside of the nut flange 254 in the radial direction. The cylindrical member 20b forces the flange 254 of the nut 250 to spread outward in the radial direction. The material of the flange 254 can be stretched, or the flange can be in a slotted or knurled configuration, or other radially non-continuous configuration, so that the flange can deflect more easily outward. Can do. When the connector end portion 24b including the flange 240 of the tubular member 20 moves completely through the flange 254 of the nut 250, the nut flange shrinks radially inward and the tubular member of the tubular member 20 Get on the outer surface of the wall 40b.

  Next, the tubular member 20b is pulled in the opposite direction in the axial direction. The flange 240 of the tubular member 20b enters the groove 258 of the nut 250 and moves radially outward of the flange 254 of the nut. When the components 20b and 250 are mutually coupled, the flange 240 of the cylindrical member 20b is expanded radially outward. Flange 254 mates with bottom surface 244 of groove 242 and deforms into the corner of the groove to further support flange 240.

  The resulting assembly of tubular member 20b and nut 250 has an exposed round bulge on the outer periphery of the tubular member. When the assembly of the cylindrical member 20b and the nut 250 is connected to the fixture main body 30b as shown in FIG. 16, the flange 240 of the cylindrical member is the flange of the outer flange 8b of the fixture main body 30b and the nut 250. 254. In this way, the fixture 10b utilizes an existing fixture body 30b having an inflated tubular member 20b and an integral nut 250.

  FIG. 17 shows a fixture 10c according to another embodiment of the present invention. The fixture 10c is the same as the fixture 10 (FIG. 2). Parts of the fixture 10c that are the same as or similar to corresponding parts of the fixture 10 are given the same number with the subscript c to distinguish them.

  The fixture 10c includes a nut assembly 100c that can be made with fewer parts than the four parts of the nut assembly 100 shown in FIG. In particular, the dashed line 101 between the retaining ring 106c and the nut body 102c in FIG. 17 indicates that the retaining ring can be integrally formed with the nut body. Alternatively, the dashed line 103 between the split ring 104c and the nut body 102c in FIG. 17 indicates that the split ring can be formed integrally with the nut body. Furthermore, the split ring, the retaining ring, and the nut body can all be formed as an integral part. Any of these modifications requires various assembly processes or elastic deformation of one or more parts during assembly.

  From the above description of the invention, those skilled in the art will perceive improvements, changes and modifications in the invention. Such improvements, changes and modifications within the skill of the art are intended to be covered by the appended claims.

It is longitudinal direction sectional drawing of the fixture of a prior art. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a fixture according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is an exploded view of the pipe end part and nut which form the components of the fixture of FIG. FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a nut assembly that forms part of the fixture of FIG. 2. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a valve having an inlet conduit and an outlet conduit suitable for use with the fixture of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of another valve having an inlet conduit and an outlet conduit suitable for use with the fixture of the present invention. It is sectional drawing of the turning elbow containing the edge part which has the fixture of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the union containing the edge part which has the fixture of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the flow restrictor containing the edge part which has the fixture of this invention. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the flow restrictor of FIG. 9 installed on a valve. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 8 of a union with one end portion having the fixture of the present invention and another end portion having an enlarged end fixture. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 2 of a fixture according to another embodiment of the present invention having a round sealing surface instead of a conical sealing surface, and showing a selectively structured nut assembly. Figure 2 is a series of drawings showing a configuration according to a further embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing a fixture according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

Claims (47)

A tube fitting for connecting a first fluid device to a second fluid device comprising:
A fixture body combined with the first fluid device and having an axis;
A tubular member to be combined with the second fluid instrument; and an axis on the fixture body for coaxially fixing the fixture body to the tubular member and thereby connecting the first fluid instrument to the second fluid instrument. It has a nut that can rotate around,
The fixture body has a connecting groove;
The tubular member has a connector end portion that fits in the connection groove of the fixture body, and the tubular member is a radially outward bulge with a sealing surface and on the opposite side of the bulge A tube fitting having a driven surface.   The tube fitting shown in claim 1, wherein the tubular member has a constant inner diameter at the position of the bulge portion.   A tube fitting as set forth in claim 1 wherein said bulge is machined on said tubular member.   The tube fitting shown in claim 1, wherein the tubular member is molded.   The pipe fitting as set forth in claim 1, wherein the driven surface and the sealing surface are widened in a radial direction.   A tube fitting as set forth in claim 1 wherein the driven surface and the sealing surface are radially tapered in opposite directions in the axial direction.   The connector end portion of the tubular member includes a groove between two radially spaced flanges, the radially outer of the two radially spaced flanges Protrudes further axially than the radially inner flange, the radially outer flange being received in a groove in the fixture body between two radially spaced flanges of the fixture body. A tube fitting as set forth in claim 1 which is possible.   The radially outer flanges of the two radially spaced flanges of the fixture body are radially inward of the two radially spaced flanges of the fixture body. 8. A tube fitting as set forth in claim 7, wherein said tube fitting further protrudes in a radial direction than said flange and is provided with a male screw and can be mutually assembled inside said bulge portion of said cylindrical member.   2. A tube fitting according to claim 1, wherein the nut is a multi-piece assembly including a split ring having an inner diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the bulge on the cylindrical member.   The tube fitting shown in claim 9, wherein the tubular member has a constant inner diameter at the position of the bulge portion. A tube fitting for connecting a first fluid device to a second fluid device comprising:
A fitting body combined with the first fluid device and having an axis and further having a connecting groove;
A tubular member combined with a second fluid device, a connector end portion adapted to fit within the connection groove of the fixture body, and the connector end along the length of the tubular member Said tubular member having a bulge spaced apart from said portion; and said fitting body coaxially fixed to said tubular member, thereby connecting said first fluid instrument to said second fluid instrument A nut that can be screwed around its axis on the fixture body;
With
An outer diameter of the bulge on the tubular member is larger than an inner diameter of the nut;
A tube fitting in which the bulging portion on the tubular member is gripped in an axial direction between the nut and the fitting body in order to fix the tubular member to the fitting body.   12. A tube fitting as set forth in claim 11, wherein the nut is a multi-piece assembly including a split ring having an inner diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the bulge on the tubular member.   The split ring is not provided with a screw, and the nut further includes a nut main body provided with a female screw to be screw-coupled to the fixture main body, and the split ring includes the bulge portion on the cylindrical member. A tube fitting as set forth in claim 12 having mating drive surfaces.   The tube fitting shown in claim 11, wherein the tubular member has a constant inner diameter at the position of the bulge portion.   12. A tube fitting as set forth in claim 11 wherein the bulge is machined on the tubular member.   The tube fitting shown in claim 11, wherein the tubular member is molded.   The tube fitting as set forth in claim 11, wherein the driven surface and the sealing surface are widened in a radial direction.   12. A tube fitting as set forth in claim 11 wherein the driven surface and the sealing surface are radially tapered in opposite directions in the axial direction.   The pipe fitting shown in claim 1, wherein the tubular member is molded as an integral part from plastic and includes the bulge portion and the end connector portion. A cylindrical member having a first end and a second end that can be connected to the fluid instrument;
The second end of the tubular member has an end shape that is compatible with a second end connector;
An end connector for a pipe fitting, wherein the tubular member has a circumferential bulge portion on the axially rear side of the second end portion.   21. The end connector according to claim 20, wherein the bulge is formed as an integral piece with the tubular member.   The end connector according to claim 21, wherein the bulge is machined.   The end connector according to claim 21, wherein the cylindrical member is molded.   21. The end connector according to claim 20, wherein the bulge has a driven surface at a rear end of the bulge.   25. The end connector according to claim 24, wherein the driven surface contacts a drive surface of a nut that is screw-coupled to the second end connector when the tube fitting is assembled.   The end connector according to claim 24, wherein the bulging portion includes a seal surface on an axially opposite side of the driven surface.   27. The end connector according to claim 26, wherein the driven surface and the sealing surface are widened in a radial direction.   27. The end connector as set forth in claim 26, wherein the driven surface and the sealing surface are radially tapered in opposite directions in the axial direction.   The second end of the tubular member extends in an axial direction that is received in a groove of the second end connector when the cylindrical member is fitted to the second end connector. 21. The end connector as shown in claim 20, comprising a flange.   The tubular member has an inner surface that defines a flow path for fluid passing through the tubular member, and the second end of the tubular member includes a sealing rim at the end of the inner surface. 30. The end connector as set forth in claim 29, wherein the sealing rim can be sealed with a sealing surface on the second end connector at a position radially inward of the flange.   The second end of the tubular member is provided with a groove between two radially spaced flanges, the radially outer of the two spaced flanges being a radius Projecting further in the axial direction than the radially inner flange, the radially outer flange of the second end coupling between two radially spaced flanges of the second end coupling. 21. An end connector as shown in claim 20 that can be received in a groove.   The radially outer flanges of the two flanges spaced in the radial direction of the second end connection are the radii of the two flanges spaced in the radial direction of the second end connection. 32. The end connector according to claim 31, further projecting in a radial direction from a flange on the inner side in the direction, provided with a male screw, and capable of being internally combined with the circumferential bulge on the tubular member.   The end connector according to claim 20, wherein the tubular member is molded as an integral piece from plastic and includes the bulge.   The end connector according to claim 33, wherein the tubular member has a constant inner diameter along the length of the bulge. A first end link comprising a tubular member having a first end and a second end connectable to a first fluid instrument;
A second end connection that can be connected to a second fluid device;
The second end portion of the tubular member has an end shape that can be fitted to the second end connection body; and the tubular member is circumferentially behind the second end portion in the axial direction. A pipe fitting having a bulge portion.   36. The tube fitting shown in claim 35, wherein the bulge portion of the first end connector is formed as an integral piece with the tubular member.   The tube fitting as set forth in claim 36, wherein said tubular member is molded.   The bulge portion includes a driven surface at a rear end of the bulge portion, and the tube fitting further includes a nut that can be combined with the second end connection body with a screw when the tube fitting is assembled, 36. A tube fitting as set forth in claim 35 wherein the driven surface is in contact with the drive surface of the nut.   The tube fitting shown in claim 24, wherein the bulge includes a seal surface on the opposite side of the driven surface in the axial direction.   40. The tube fitting of claim 39, wherein the driven surface and the sealing surface are widened in a radial direction.   40. The tube fitting of claim 39, wherein the driven surface and the seal surface are axially tapered in opposite directions in the axial direction.   When the first end connector is adapted to the second end connector, the second end connector is airtight with the flange extending in the axial direction of the first end connector. 36. A tube fitting as set forth in claim 35 having a receiving groove.   The first end connector has an inner surface that defines a fluid flow path through the first end connector, and the second end of the tubular member is a distal end of the inner surface. A seal rim, and the second end coupling body has a sealing surface at a position radially inward of the flange of the flange of the first end coupling body, and the first end coupling body The sealing rim of the body may be hermetically assembled with the sealing surface on the second end connector when the first end connector is fitted over the second end connector. 43. A tube fitting as set forth in claim 42.   The second end of the tubular member comprises a groove between two radially spaced flanges, the radially outer of the two radially spaced flanges Protrudes further axially from the radially inner flange, and the second end connector has a groove between two flanges spaced radially from the second end connector. The radially outer flange of the first end coupling is in a groove of the second end coupling between two radially spaced flanges of the second end coupling. 43. A tube fitting as set forth in claim 42 which is received.   The radially outer flange of the two flanges spaced radially in the second end connection is the radius of the two flanges spaced in the radial direction of the second end connection. 45. A tube fitting as set forth in claim 44 wherein said tube fitting further protrudes in a radial direction from a radially inner flange and is provided with an external thread and can be internally combined with said circumferential bulge on said tubular member.   40. A tube fitting as set forth in claim 39 wherein said second end connector comprises an annular flange extending around said bulge and having a seal surface for mating with said seal surface on said bulge.   A plurality of nuts having a drive surface that mates with the driven surface of the bulge; and wherein the annular flange of the second end connector is configured with the plurality of nuts and screws during assembly of the fixture. 49. A tube fitting as set forth in claim 46 which can be joined.

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