High pressure capillary connector

• US 6,926,313 B1
• Filed: 04/02/2003
• Issued: 08/09/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/02/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions Of Sandia LLC (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Sandia National Laboratories (Government of the United States of America)
• Inventors: Renzi, Ronald F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nicholson, Eric K.
• Application Number:
  US10/405,204
• Time in Patent Office: 860 Days
• Field of Search: 285/382.7, 285/342, 285/343, 285/353
• US Class Current: 285/353
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 19/0093 Microreactors, e.g. miniaturised or microfabricated reactors laboratory containers with capillary fluid transport in microfabricated channels or chambers B01L3/5027
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/0081 Plurality of modules
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/027 for microfluidic devices
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/0689 Sealing
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/14 Means for pressure control
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502715 characterised by interfacing components, e.g. fluidic, electrical, optical or mechanical interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/563 Joints or fittings in general F16L; Separable fluid transfer means to transfer fluids between at least two containers, e.g. connectors
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 43/043 Micropumps
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 53/16 Casings; Cylinders; Cylinder liners or heads; Fluid connections
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 30/36 in high pressure liquid systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 30/6026 Fluid seals
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 30/6078 Capillaries
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 30/6095 Micromachined or nanomachined, e.g. micro- or nanosize

Abstract

A high pressure connector capable of operating at pressures of 40,000 psi or higher is provided. This connector can be employed to position a first fluid-bearing conduit that has a proximal end and a distal end to a second fluid-bearing conduit thereby providing fluid communication between the first and second fluid-bearing conduits. The connector includes (a) an internal fitting assembly having a body cavity with (i) a lower segment that defines a lower segment aperture and (ii) an interiorly threaded upper segment, (b) a first member having a first member aperture that traverses its length wherein the first member aperture is configured to accommodate the first fluid-bearing conduit and wherein the first member is positioned in the lower segment of the internal fitting assembly, and (c) a second member having a second member aperture that traverses its length wherein the second member is positioned in the upper segment of the fitting assembly and wherein a lower surface of the second member is in contact with an upper surface of the first member to assert a compressive force onto the first member and wherein the first member aperture and the second member aperture are coaxial.

Claims

1. A connector for connecting a fluid-bearing conduit to an inlet or outlet port of a device thereby providing fluid communication between the fluid-bearing conduit and the inlet or outlet port comprising:

an internal fitting assembly having a body cavity with (i) a lower segment that has an interior frustoconical shaped surface and that defines a lower segment aperture that is in fluid communication with the inlet or outlet port and (ii) an interiorly threaded upper segment;

a first member having a first member aperture that traverses its length wherein the first member aperture is configured to accommodate the fluid-bearing conduit wherein the first member has an upper surface and a frustoconical lower surface, and wherein the first member is positioned in the lower segment of the internal fitting assembly; and

a second member having a second member aperture that traverses its length wherein the second member is engaged in the upper segment of the fitting assembly and wherein a lower surface of the second member is in contact with an upper surface of the first member to assert a compressive force onto the first member wherein the frustoconical lower surface of the first member forms a fluid-tight seal and, wherein the first member aperture and the second member aperture are coaxial and wherein the aperture of the first or second member is reduced and applies an increasing force to a first fluid-bearing conduit when compressively engaged by the second member, and wherein the combination of actions of the first member and the second member when engaged in the lower segment of the internal fitting assembly allow for fluid-tight seals to at least 40,000 psi without extrusion of the fluid-bearing conduit.

2. The connector of claim 1 wherein:

the first member comprises a collet which defines a collet aperture that extends from a proximal end to the distal end of the collet with the distal end being in communication with the lower segment aperture of the internal fitting assembly, wherein the collet aperture is defined by an inner wall having one or more slits wherein the collet has a tapered upper surface and a frustoconical lower surface; and

the second member comprises a fastener defining an internal cavity into which the collet is secured wherein the fastener has an upper portion with a fastener aperture that is coaxial with the collet aperture at the proximal end of the collet, wherein the fluid-bearing conduit can be positioned within the lower segment, collet, and fastener apertures and wherein upon threading the fastener into the internal fitting assembly causes the slits to compress thereby reducing the size of the collet aperture and increasing the force applied to a fluid-bearing conduit.

3. The connector of claim 1 wherein the internal fitting assembly is made of metal or ceramics.

4. The connector of claim 2 wherein the collet is made of a deformable material.

5. The connector of claim 2 wherein the fastener is made of a deformable material.

6. The connector of claim 2 wherein the collet and fastener comprise an integral structure.

7. The connector of claim 2 wherein the fluid-bearing conduit is a capillary having an internal diameter of 5 microns to 250 microns.

8. The connector of claim 1 wherein the first member is made of a deformable material.

9. The connector of claim 1 wherein the second member is made of metal.

10. The connector of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the exterior surface of the second member is threaded.

11. The connector of claim 1 wherein the fluid-bearing conduit is a capillary having an internal diameter of 5 microns to 250 microns.

12. The connector of claim 1 wherein the diameter of the second member aperture is larger than the diameter of the first member aperture.

13. The connector of claim 1 wherein the frustoconical lower surface of the first member seals adjacent a distal end of the fluid-bearing conduit.

14. An apparatus that connects a first capillary to one or more other capillaries that comprises:

(a) a device having a first port and at least one other port wherein the ports are connected by one or more channels within the device;

(b) a first connector that is attached to the device that comprises;

(i) a first internal fitting assembly having a body cavity with (i) a lower segment that has an interior frustoconical shaped surface and that defines a lower segment aperture that is in fluid communication with the first port and (ii) an interiorly threaded upper segment;

(ii) a first member having a first member aperture that traverses its length wherein the first member aperture is configured to accommodate the first capillary wherein the first member has an upper surface and a frustoconical lower surface and wherein the first member is positioned in the lower segment of the internal fitting assembly; and

(iii) a second member having a second member aperture that traverses its length wherein the second member is engaged in the upper segment of the first fitting assembly and wherein a lower surface of the second member is in contact with an upper surface of the first member to assert a compressive force onto the first member wherein the frustoconical lower surface of the first member forms a fluid-tight seal and, wherein the first member aperture and the second member aperture are coaxial and wherein the aperture of the first or second member is reduced and applies an increasing force to a first capillary when compressively engaged by the second member, and wherein the combination of actions of the first member and the second member when engaged in the lower segment of the internal fitting assembly allow for fluid-tight seals to at least 40,000 psi without extrusion of the first capillary; and

(c) a second connector that is attached to the device that comprises;

(i) a first internal fitting assembly having a body cavity with (i) a lower segment that has an interior frustoconical shaped surface and that defines a lower segment aperture that is in fluid communication with a second port and (ii) an interiorly threaded upper segment;

(ii) a first member having a first member aperture that traverses its length wherein the first member aperture is configured to accommodate the second capillary wherein the first member has an upper surface and a frustoconical lower surface and wherein the first member is positioned in the lower segment of the internal fitting assembly; and

(iii) a second member having a second member aperture that traverses its length wherein the second member is engaged in the upper segment of the first fitting assembly and wherein a lower surface of the second member is in contact with an upper surface of the first member to assert a compressive force onto the first member wherein the frustoconical lower surface of the first member forms a fluid-tight seal and, wherein the first member aperture and the second member aperture are coaxial and wherein the aperture of the first or second member is reduced and applies an increasing force to a second capillary when compressively engaged by the second member, and wherein the combination of actions of the first member and the second member when engaged in the lower segment of the internal fitting assembly allow for fluid-tight seals to at least 40,000 psi without extrusion of the second capillary.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the first port and the second port are connected by a channel that has an elbow configuration.

16. The apparatus of claim 14 further comprising (d) a third connector that is attached to the device that comprises:

(i) a first internal fitting assembly having a body cavity with (i) a lower segment that has an interior frustoconical shaped surface and that defines a lower segment aperture that is in fluid communication with a third port and (ii) an interiorly threaded upper segment;

(ii) a first member having a first member aperture that traverses its length wherein the first member aperture is configured to accommodate the third capillary wherein the first member has an upper surface and a tapered, lower surface and wherein the first member is positioned in the lower segment of the internal fitting assembly; and

(iii) a second member having a second member aperture that traverses its length wherein the second member is engaged in the upper segment of the first fitting assembly and wherein a lower surface of the second member is in contact with an upper surface of the first member to assert a compressive force onto the first member wherein the frustoconical lower surface of the first member forms a fluid-tight seal and, wherein the first member aperture and the second member aperture are coaxial and wherein the aperture of the first or second member is reduced and applies an increasing force to a third capillary when compressively engaged by the second member, and wherein the combination of actions of the first member and the second member when engaged in the lower segment of the internal fitting assembly allow for fluid-tight seals to at least 40,000 psi without extrusion of the third capillary.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the first, second and third ports are connected by channels that define a tee configuration.

18. The apparatus of claim 16 further comprising (e) a fourth connector that is attached to the device that comprises:

(i) a first internal fitting assembly having a body cavity with (i) a lower segment that has an interior frustoconical shaped surface and that defines a lower segment aperture that is in fluid communication with a fourth port and (ii) an interiorly threaded upper segment;

(ii) a first member having a first member aperture that traverses its length wherein the first member aperture is configured to accommodate the fourth capillary wherein the first member has an upper surface and a frustoconical lower surface and wherein the first member is positioned in the lower segment of the internal fitting assembly; and

(iii) a second member having a second member aperture that traverses its length wherein the second member is engaged in the upper segment of the first fitting assembly and wherein a lower surface of the second member is in contact with an upper surface of the first member to assert a compressive force onto the first member wherein the frustoconical lower surface of the first member forms a fluid-tight seal and, wherein the first member aperture and the second member aperture are coaxial and wherein the aperture of the first or second member is reduced and applies an increasing force to a fourth capillary when compressively engaged by the second member, and wherein the combination of actions of the first member and the second member when engaged in the lower segment of the internal fitting assembly allow for fluid-tight seals to at least 40,000 psi without extrusion of the fourth capillary.

19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein, for each of the first, second, third and fourth connectors the internal fitting assembly is made of metal or ceramics.

20. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein, for each of the first, second, third, and fourth connectors, the first member is made of a deformable material.

21. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein, for each of the first, second, third, and fourth connectors, the second member is made of metal.

22. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein, for each of the first, second, third, and fourth connectors, at least a portion of the exterior surface of the second member is threaded.

23. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein, for each of the first, second, third, and fourth connectors, the capillary has an internal diameter of 5 microns to 250 microns.

24. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein, for each of the first, second, third, and fourth connectors, the diameter of the second member aperture is larger than the diameter of the first member aperture.

25. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the first, second, third and fourth ports are connected by channels that define a cross configuration.

26. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the device comprises a microscale device.

27. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein, for each of the connectors, the first member comprises a collet which defines a collet aperture that extends from a proximal end to the distal end of the collet with the distal end being in communication with the lower segment aperture of the internal fitting assembly, wherein the collet aperture is defined by an inner wall having one or more slits wherein the collet has a tapered, upper surface and a frustoconical lower surface;

and

the second member comprises a fastener defining an internal cavity into which the collet is secured wherein the fastener has an upper portion with a fastener aperture that is coaxial with the collet aperture at the proximal end of the collet, wherein the capillary can be positioned within the lower segment, collet, and fastener apertures and wherein upon threading the fastener into the internal fitting assembly causes the slits to compress thereby reducing the size of the collet aperture and increasing the force applied to a capillary.

28. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein, for each of the first, second, third, and fourth connectors, the internal fitting assembly is made of metal or ceramics.

29. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein, for each of the first, second, third, and fourth connectors, the collet is made of a deformable material.

30. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein, for each of the first, second, third, and fourth connectors, the fastener is made of a deformable material.

31. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein, for each of the first, second, third, and fourth connectors, the collet and fastener comprise an integral structure.

32. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein, for each of the first, second, third, and fourth connectors, the capillary having an internal diameter of 5 microns to 250 microns.

33. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein the device comprises a microscale device.