Cylindrical seal for refrigerant tube connector

Abstract

A refrigerant connection includes a ferrule positioned within a threaded nut. The threaded nut is received on a connector body. A seal is positioned between the ferrule and the connector body. As the nut is turned on the connector body, the ferrule squeezes the seal. The seal is cylindrical such that sealing surfaces are provided at each axial end and at an outer periphery. In this way, the seal is not as sensitive to surface imperfections in the various components as was the case in the prior art.

1 . A refrigerant connector comprising: 
 a connector body having an inner bore and a threaded surface on an outer peripheral surface;    a ferrule positioned outwardly of said bore;    a nut threadably received on said threaded surface on said outer peripheral surface of said connector body, said nut capturing said ferrule and holding said ferrule against said connector body when said nut is tightened on said threaded surface; and    a seal having a generally cylindrical outer peripheral surface and extending between two opposed generally flat axial ends, said seal received in said bore and between said ferrule and said connector body, said seal being squeezed by said ferrule and said connector body as said nut is tightened on said connector body.    
   
   
       2 . A refrigerant connector as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said ferrule abutting one of said flat axial ends, and a second of said flat axial ends being forced against an inner surface of said connector body.  
   
   
       3 . A refrigerant connector as recited in  claim 2 , wherein said connector body has an inner peripheral surface of a first outer diameter and an end wall extending radially inwardly from said inner peripheral bore, said second axial end of said seal abutting said end wall, and said cylindrical outer peripheral surface of said seal abutting said inner peripheral surface of said bore.  
   
   
       4 . A refrigerant connector as recited in  claim 3 , wherein a refrigerant tube extends through an inner peripheral bore of said ferrule, said refrigerant tube extending axially inwardly into said inner bore axially beyond an axially innermost surface of said seal, and said seal being in sealing contact with an outer peripheral surface of said tube.  
   
   
       5 . A refrigerant connector as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said seal has a length extending along a central axis of said seal which is more than twice a radial thickness of said seal.  
   
   
       6 - 10 . (canceled)  
   
   
       11 . The refrigerant connector as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said ferrule has an end face abutting both an end face of said connector body and one of the flat axial ends of said seal, such that said ferrule compresses said seal as said ferrule end face is brought against said end face of said connector body.  
   
   
       12 . The refrigerant connector as recited in  claim 11 , wherein said seal is entirely received in said inner bore.