FITTING AND FLUID-CONVEYING DEVICE CONNECTED THERETO
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A fitting for connecting a fluid handling tube, said fitting comprising:
- a generally elongate body defining a fluid bore therethrough such that said bore forms a portion of a flowpath defined in the fluid handling tube, said body comprising;
a fluid inlet defining a proximal end of said fluid bore, said fluid inlet comprising a first connector;
a fluid outlet defining a distal end of said fluid bore and in fluid communication with said fluid inlet, said fluid outlet comprising a second connector; and
a plurality of clamps that are integrally formed with said body through a hinged connection such that upon engagement of said clamps with the fluid handling tube, the fluid handling tube compressively engages with a respective one of said first and second connectors under a force applied by said plurality of clamps such that resistance to leakage and resistance to separation between the fluid handling tube and said fitting are increased.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A fitting for a fluid-conveying conduit. The fitting includes integrally-formed clamps that can be used to secure the conduit in a locking relationship so that likelihood of leakage and separation of the fitting and the conduit is reduced. In one form, the fitting and conduit can be used as a moisture exchange device. In a more particular form, the conduit wall of the moisture exchange device includes a water-permeable material such that a humidity level in the conduit can be controlled. Since the fitting is formed separately from the end of the conduit to which it is to be attached, fabrication cost and complexity is reduced.
90 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A fitting for connecting a fluid handling tube, said fitting comprising:
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a generally elongate body defining a fluid bore therethrough such that said bore forms a portion of a flowpath defined in the fluid handling tube, said body comprising; a fluid inlet defining a proximal end of said fluid bore, said fluid inlet comprising a first connector; a fluid outlet defining a distal end of said fluid bore and in fluid communication with said fluid inlet, said fluid outlet comprising a second connector; and a plurality of clamps that are integrally formed with said body through a hinged connection such that upon engagement of said clamps with the fluid handling tube, the fluid handling tube compressively engages with a respective one of said first and second connectors under a force applied by said plurality of clamps such that resistance to leakage and resistance to separation between the fluid handling tube and said fitting are increased. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A fluid-conveying apparatus comprising:
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a fluid tube; and a fitting coupled to said tube, said fitting comprising; a generally elongate body defining a fluid bore therethrough such that said bore forms a portion of a flowpath defined in said tube, said body comprising a fluid inlet defining a proximal end of said fluid bore and a fluid outlet defining a distal end of said fluid bore and in fluid communication with said fluid inlet; and a plurality of clamps that are integrally formed with said body through a hinged connection such that upon engagement of said clamps with said fluid tube, said tube compressively engages with a respective one of said proximal and distal ends under a force applied by said plurality of clamps such that resistance to leakage and resistance to separation between said tube and said fitting are increased. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of attaching a fluid-conveying conduit, said method comprising:
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configuring a fitting to comprise a generally elongate body defining a fluid bore therethrough such that said bore forms a flowpath, said body comprising a fluid inlet defining a proximal end of said fluid bore and a fluid outlet defining a distal end of said fluid bore and in fluid communication with said fluid inlet, and a plurality of clamps integrally formed with said body through a hinged connection; and connecting said fitting to said conduit such that a flowpath formed in said conduit is placed in fluid communication with said fitting flowpath, further such that upon engagement of said plurality of clamps with said conduit, said plurality of clamps cause said conduit to compressively engage with a respective one of said proximal and distal ends of said fitting such that resistance to leakage and resistance to separation of said conduit from said fitting are increased. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification