Tube sealing assembly

• US 6,585,296 B1
• Filed: 10/23/2000
• Issued: 07/01/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/23/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: BioNex Solutions, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Innovadyne Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Johnson, James E., Picha, Neil R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Browne, Lynne H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): DUNWOODY, AARON M
• Application Number:
  US09/695,011
• Time in Patent Office: 981 Days
• Field of Search: 285/121.4, 285/382.1, 285/382.2, 285/382, 285/9.2, 285/124.1, 285/124.3, 285/124.4, 285/124.5, 285/279
• US Class Current: 285/124.1
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 19/00 Joints in which sealing surfaces are pressed together by means of a member, e.g. a swivel nut, screwed on or into one of the joint parts screw-threaded joints F16L15/00; F16L17/00 takes precedence; if using bolts or equivalent connecting means F16L23/00; electrically insulating F16L25/02; adjustable joints, joints allowing movement F16L27/00; specially adapted for pipes of brittle material F16L49/06

Abstract

A high pressure be seating assembly adapted for liquid sealing against a rigid surface having a connecting conduit. The tube sealing assembly includes a rigid, elongated, tube member having a spherical sector-shaped distal end portion with a radius substantially larger than the radius of the tube member. The tube member further includes a central conduit terminating at an apex of the spherical sector-shaped distal end portion to define an annular rim portion such that a fluid-tight seal can be formed between the central conduit of the tube member and the connecting conduit of the surface. This seal is formed at a contact interface between the rim portion and the surface when a relative axial force is applied therebetween.

Claims

1. A method of forming a fluid-tight seal between a nozzle connecting assembly and a substantially rigid surface of a fluid manifold body having a connecting conduit comprising:

providing a connector fitting formed to couple to the fluid manifold body;

providing a substantially rigid, elongated, nozzle member including a central conduit having a fluid receiving end terminating at a contacting end of the nozzle member, and a fluid dispensing end terminating at a distal nozzle end of the nozzle member, said contacting end tapering inwardly toward a contact rim having a contact area substantially smaller than the transverse cross-sectional dimension of the nozzle member, said nozzle member being slideably coupled to the connector fitting for sliding movement of the contacting end toward and away from the connecting conduit of the rigid surface of the manifold body, and said nozzle end extending beyond the connector fitting to enable dispensing of a fluid from said distal nozzle end;

coupling the connector fitting to the manifold body;

applying a compression force in an axial direction of the nozzle member, upon said coupling, to one of said nozzle member and the manifold body sufficient to form a fluid-tight seal at the contacting end of the nozzle member between the central conduit thereof and the connecting conduit of the manifold body as the contact rim deformably increases in contact area against the rigid surface when the compression force is increasingly applied therebetween; and

dispensing the fluid from the central conduit and out of the distal nozzle end.

2. The method as defined by claim 1, wherein

the contact rim is situated substantially at an apex portion of the distal end portion.

3. The method as defined by claim 2, wherein

the distal end portion of the nozzle member is one of elliptical, parabolic and spherical sector-shaped.

4. The method as defined by claim 2, wherein

the distal end portion of the nozzle member is spherical sector-shaped, having a radius substantially larger than the radius of the nozzle member.

5. The method as defined by claim 1, wherein

said compression force is in the range of about 1.0 lb. to about 5.0 lbs.

6. The method as defined by claim 1 further including:

substantially co-axially aligning the central conduit of the nozzle member with the connecting conduit of the manifold body upon said coupling.

7. The method as defined by claim 6, wherein

said aligning includes inserting the contacting end of the nozzle member into an alignment aperture substantially co-axially aligned with the connecting conduit of the manifold body, and formed for sliding receipt of the contacting end therein.

8. A nozzle connecting assembly for a fluid-tight coupling to a connecting conduit on a substantially rigid surface of a body member, said nozzle connecting assembly comprising:

a connector fitting formed to couple to the body member;

a substantially rigid, elongated, nozzle member including a central conduit having a fluid receiving end terminating at a contacting end of the nozzle member, and a fluid dispensing end terminating at a distal nozzle end of the nozzle member, said nozzle member being slideably coupled to the connector fitting for sliding movement of the contacting end toward and away from the connecting conduit of the body rigid surface, and said nozzle end extending beyond the connector fitting; and

a biasing device coupled between the connector fitting and the nozzle member for biasing said contacting end into direct abutting contact with the rigid surface with a biasing force sufficient to form a fluid-tight seal at the contacting end of the nozzle member between the central conduit thereof and the connecting conduit of the body rigid surface when the connector fitting is coupled to the body member to dispense fluid from the central conduit and out of said distal nozzle end.

9. The nozzle connecting assembly of claim 8, wherein

said connector fitting includes a nozzle passage extending therethrough, and formed and dimensioned for sliding receipt of the nozzle member therein.

10. The nozzle connecting assembly of claim 8, wherein

said biasing device includes a compression spring.

11. The nozzle connecting assembly of claim 10, wherein

said connector fitting further includes an interior proximal shoulder portion and an interior distal shoulder portion defining the opposed ends of a cavity extending generally coaxial with the nozzle passage, and

said compression spring is disposed in said cavity having one end abutting the distal shoulder portion of the connector fitting, and an opposite end coupled to the nozzle member to bias the nozzle member toward the body rigid surface.

12. The nozzle connecting assembly of claim 11, further including:

a spring stop disposed in said cavity in abutting contact with the opposite end of said spring, said spring stop being affixed to said nozzle member in a manner transferring the compression force of the spring to the nozzle member.

13. The nozzle connecting assembly of claim 8, further including:

alignment structure adapted to co-axially align the central conduit of the nozzle member with the connecting conduit of the body member when the connector fitting is coupled to the body member.

14. The nozzle connecting assembly of claim 13, wherein

said alignment structure defining an alignment aperture in co-axial alignment with said connecting conduit, and formed for sliding receipt of the contacting end of the nozzle member when the connector fitting is coupled to the body member.

15. The nozzle connecting assembly of claim 8, wherein

the contacting end of the nozzle member tapers inwardly to define an annular rim portion such that the fluid-tight seal can be formed between the central conduit of the nozzle member and the connecting conduit of the surface at a contact interface between the rim portion and the surface when the biasing force is applied therebetween.

16. The nozzle connecting assembly of claim 15, wherein

the annular rim portion is situated substantially at an apex portion of the contacting end.

17. The nozzle connecting assembly of claim 16, wherein

the contacting end of the nozzle member is one of elliptical, parabolic and spherical sector-shaped.

18. The nozzle connecting assembly of claim 16, wherein

the contacting end of the nozzle member is spherical sector-shaped with a radius substantially larger than the radius of the nozzle member.

19. A fluid fitting system for a connecting fluid lines comprising:

a fluid manifold body defining one or more fluid connecting conduits terminating at a substantially rigid surface;

a connector fitting formed to rigidly affix to the manifold body;

one or more substantially rigid, elongated, tube members each having a central conduit terminating at a respective contacting end thereof, each tube member being slideably coupled to the connector fitting for sliding movement of the respective contacting end toward a corresponding connecting conduit of the body rigid surface; and

a biasing device coupled between the connector fitting and an associated tube member for biasing the respective contacting end into direct abutting contact with the body rigid surface by an sufficient to form a fluid-tight seal at the contacting end of the tube member between the central conduit thereof and the respective connecting conduit of the body rigid surface when the connector fitting is coupled to the body member to dispense fluid through the central conduit of the tube member.

20. The fluid fitting system of claim 19, wherein

said connector fitting includes one or more tube passages each extending therethrough, and each formed and dimensioned for sliding receipt of a corresponding tube member therein.

21. The fluid fitting system of claim 19, wherein

said biasing device includes one or more compression springs corresponding to an associated tube member.

22. The fluid fitting system of claim 21, wherein

said connector fitting further includes one or more of interior proximal shoulder portions and corresponding interior distal shoulder portions each of which defines the opposed ends of a cavity extending generally coaxial with the corresponding tube passage, and

each said compression spring is disposed in a corresponding cavity having one end abutting the corresponding distal shoulder portion of the connector fitting, and an opposite end coupled to the corresponding tube member to bias the tube member toward the body rigid surface.

23. The fluid fitting system of claim 22, further including:

one or more spring stops each disposed in a corresponding cavity in abutting contact with the opposite end of each said spring, each said spring stop being affixed to the corresponding tube member in a manner transferring the compression force of the spring to the corresponding tube member.

24. The fluid fitting system of claim 19, further including;

an alignment device adapted to facilitate alignment of the each central conduit of the contacting end of the tube member with the corresponding connecting conduit on the rigid surface.

25. The fluid fitting assembly of claim 19, wherein

the contacting ends of each tube member taper inwardly to define a respective annular rim portion such that the fluid-tight seal can be formed between each central conduit of the tube members and the corresponding connecting conduit of the rigid surfaces at a respective contact interface between the rim portions and the surfaces when the biasing force is applied therebetween.

26. The fluid fitting assembly of claim 25, wherein

each of the annular rim portions is situated substantially at an apex portion of the contacting ends.

27. The fluid fitting assembly of claim 26, wherein

each contacting end of the tube members is one of elliptical, parabolic and spherical sector-shaped.

28. The fluid fitting assembly of claim 26, wherein

each contacting end of the tube members is spherical sector-shaped with a radius substantially larger than the radius of the corresponding tube member.

29. The fluid fitting assembly of claim 28, wherein

the ratio of each of the radius of the spherical sector to the radius of the tube member is in the range of about 4:

1 and 50;

1.

30. A fluid fitting system for a connecting fluid lines comprising:

a fluid manifold body having one or more connecting conduits terminating at a substantially rigid surface thereof;

a connector fitting formed to couple to the manifold body, and defining one or more tube passages each extending therethrough;

one or more substantially rigid, elongated, tube members each having a central conduit terminating at a respective contacting end thereof, the corresponding tube member being slideably received in a corresponding tube passage of the connector fitting for sliding movement of the respective contacting end toward a corresponding connecting conduit of the substantially rigid surface of the manifold body; and

a biasing device coupled between the connector fitting and each tube member for biasing the respective contacting end into direct abutting contact with the body substantially rigid surface by an amount sufficient to form a fluid-tight seal at the contacting end of the tube member between the central conduit thereof and the respective connecting conduit of the body substantially rigid surface when the connector fitting is coupled to the body member to dispense fluid through the central conduit of the tube member.

31. The fluid fitting system of claim 30, further including:

alignment structure adapted to facilitate alignment of an associated central conduit of the contacting end of the tube member with the corresponding connecting conduit on the rigid surface.

32. The fluid fitting assembly of claim 30, wherein

the contacting end of the corresponding tube member tapers inwardly to define a respective annular rim portion such that the fluid-tight seal can be formed between the central conduit of the tube member and the corresponding connecting conduit of the body substantially rigid surface at the corresponding contact interface between the rim portion and the body substantially rigid surface when the biasing force is applied therebetween.

33. The fluid fitting assembly of claim 32, wherein

the corresponding annular rim portion is situated substantially at an apex portion of the corresponding contacting end.

34. The fluid fitting assembly of claim 33, wherein

the corresponding contacting end of the tube member is one of elliptical, parabolic and spherical sector-shaped.

35. The fluid fitting assembly of claim 33, wherein

the corresponding contacting end of the tube member is one of elliptical, parabolic and spherical sector-shaped.

36. A fluid fitting system for a connecting fluid lines comprising:

a fluid manifold body having one or more connecting conduits terminating at a substantially rigid surface thereof;

a connector fitting formed to couple to the manifold body;

one or more substantially rigid, elongated, tube members each having a central conduit terminating at a respective contacting end thereof, the corresponding tube member being slideably coupled to the connector fitting for sliding movement of the respective contacting end toward a corresponding connecting conduit of the substantially rigid surface of the manifold body;

a biasing device coupled between the connector fitting and the corresponding tube member for biasing the respective contacting end into direct abutting contact with the substantially rigid surface by an amount sufficient to form a fluid-tight seal at the contacting end of the tube member between the central conduit thereof and the respective connecting conduit of the body substantially rigid surface when the connector fitting is coupled to the body member to dispense fluid through the central conduit of the tube member; and

alignment structure adapted to facilitate alignment of the corresponding central conduit of the contacting end of the tube member with the corresponding connecting conduit on the substantially rigid surface.

37. The fluid fitting system of claim 36, wherein

said connector fitting includes one or more tube passages each extending therethrough, and each formed and dimensioned for sliding receipt of a corresponding tube member therein.

38. The fluid fitting system of claim 36, wherein

said biasing including a corresponding compression spring for an associated tube member.

39. The fluid system of claim 38, wherein

said connector fitting further includes one or more interior proximal shoulder portions and corresponding interior distal shoulder portions each of which defines the opposed ends of a cavity extending generally coaxial with the corresponding tube passage, and

the corresponding compression spring is disposed in a corresponding cavity having one end abutting the corresponding distal shoulder portion of the connector fitting, and an opposite end coupled to the corresponding tube member to bias the corresponding tube member toward the body substantially rigid surface.

40. The fluid fitting system of claim 39, further including:

one or more spring stops disposed in a corresponding cavity in abutting contact with the opposite end of the corresponding spring, the corresponding spring stop being affixed to the corresponding tube member in a manner transferring the compression force of the spring to the corresponding tube member.

41. The fluid system of claim 36, wherein

said alignment structure defining one or more alignment apertures in co-axial alignment with a corresponding connecting conduit, and formed for sliding receipt of a corresponding contacting end of the nozzle member when the connector fitting is coupled to the body member.

42. The fluid fitting assembly of claim 36, wherein

the contacting end of the corresponding tube member tapers inwardly to define a respective annular rim portion such that the fluid-tight seal can be formed between the central conduit of the tube member and the corresponding connecting of the body substantially rigid surface at the corresponding contact interface between the rim portion and the body substantially rigid surface when the biasing force is applied therebetween.

43. The fluid fitting assembly of claim 42, wherein

the corresponding annular rim portion is situated substantially at an apex portion of the corresponding contacting end.

44. The fluid fitting assembly of claim 36, wherein

the corresponding annular rim portion is situated substantially at an apex portion of the corresponding contacting end.

45. The fluid fitting assembly of claim 44, wherein

the corresponding contacting end of the tube member is one of elliptical, parabolic and spherical sector-shaped.

46. A fluid system for a connecting fluid lines comprising:

a fluid manifold body having one or more connecting conduits terminating at a substantially rigid surface;

a connector fitting formed to couple to the manifold body;

one or more substantially rigid, elongated, tube members each having a central conduit terminating at a respective contacting end thereof, the contacting end of the corresponding tube member tapers inwardly to define a respective annular rim portion, each tube member being slideably coupled to the connector fitting for sliding movement of the respective contacting end toward a corresponding connecting conduit of the body substantially rigid surface; and

a biasing device coupled between the connector fitting and each tube member for biasing the respective annular rim portion into direct abutting contact with the substantially rigid surface to form a corresponding contact interface therebetween, and by an amount sufficient to enable a fluid-tight seal at the contacting end of the tube member between the central conduit thereof and the respective connecting conduit of the body substantially rigid surface when the connector fitting is coupled to the body member to dispense fluid through the central conduit of the tube member.

47. The fluid fitting system of claim 46, wherein

said biasing device includes one or more compression springs corresponding to each tube member.

48. The fluid fitting system of claim 47, wherein

said connector fitting further includes one or more interior proximal shoulder portions and corresponding interior distal shoulder portions each of which defines the opposed ends of a cavity extending generally coaxial with the corresponding tube passage, and

each said compression spring is disposed in a corresponding cavity having one end abutting the corresponding distal shoulder portion of the connector fitting, and an opposite end coupled to the corresponding tube member to bias the tube member toward the body substantially rigid surface.

49. The fluid fitting system of claim 48, further including:

one or more spring stops disposed in a corresponding cavity in abutting contact with the opposite end of the corresponding spring, the corresponding spring stop being affixed to the corresponding tube member in a manner transferring the compression force of the spring to the corresponding tube member.

50. A nozzle connecting assembly for dispensing a fluid comprising:

a fluid manifold having one or more connecting conduits terminating at a substantially rigid surface;

a connector fitting formed to couple to the manifold, and defining one or more tube passages each extending therethrough;

one or more substantially rigid, elongated, nozzles each including a central conduit having a fluid receiving end terminating at a contacting end of the nozzle, and a fluid dispensing end terminating at a distal nozzle end of the nozzle member, the corresponding nozzle member being slideably coupled to the connector fitting for sliding movement of the respective contacting end toward and away from the corresponding connecting conduit of the manifold rigid surface, and the corresponding nozzle end extending beyond the connector fitting; and

a biasing device coupled between the connector fitting and an associated nozzle for biasing the respective contacting end into direct abutting contact with the manifold rigid surface by an amount sufficient to form a fluid-tight seal at the contacting end of the nozzle between the central conduit thereof and the respective connecting conduit of the manifold rigid surface when the connector fitting is coupled to the fluid manifold to dispense fluid from the central conduit and out of said distal nozzle end.

51. The nozzle connecting assembly of claim 50, further including:

alignment structure adapted to co-axially align the central conduit of the nozzle with the corresponding connecting conduit of the manifold when the connector fitting is coupled thereto.

52. The nozzle connecting assembly of claim 51, wherein

said alignment structure defines an alignment aperture in co-axial alignment with the corresponding connecting conduit, and formed for sliding receipt of the contacting end of the corresponding nozzle when the connector fitting is coupled to the manifold.

53. The fluid assembly of claim 52, wherein

the contacting end of the corresponding nozzle tapers inwardly to define a respective annular rim portion such that the fluid-tight seal can be formed between the central conduit of the nozzle and the corresponding connecting conduit of the manifold substantially rigid surface at the corresponding contact interface between the rim portion and the body substantially rigid surface when the biasing force is applied therebetween.