Electromagnetic mechanical pulse forming of fluid joints for high-pressure applications

Abstract

An electromagnetically formed fluid circuit joint ( 150 ) includes a tubular conduit ( 58 ) that has an outer surface ( 154 ) with a groove ( 72 ). A hollow fitting ( 56 ) is mechanically separate from and received over the tubular conduit ( 58 ). The hollow fitting ( 56 ) includes an electromagnetic field formed wall deformation ( 165 ) that extends into the groove ( 72 ).

1 . An electromagnetically formed fluid circuit joint comprising: 
 a tubular conduit having an outer surface with at least one groove; and    a hollow fitting mechanically separate from and received at least partially over said tubular conduit, said hollow fitting comprising an electromagnetic field formed wall deformation extending into said at least one groove.    
   
   
       2 . A fluid circuit joint as in  claim 1  wherein said hollow fitting and said tubular conduit have a high-pressure maximum fluid rating of approximately equal to or greater than 5000 psi.  
   
   
       3 . A fluid circuit joint as in  claim 1  wherein said hollow fitting and said tubular conduit are formed of at least one material selected from stainless steel and titanium.  
   
   
       4 . A fluid circuit joint as in  claim 1  wherein said electromagnetic field formed wall deformation forms a non-sealant based fluid tight seal with said outer surface.  
   
   
       5 . A fluid circuit joint as in  claim 1  wherein said fitting has curved front end with curvature corresponding to a union inner surface curvature.  
   
   
       6 . A fluid circuit joint as in  claim 1  wherein the fitting comprises a tip that resides at least partially within said at least one groove.  
   
   
       7 . A fluid circuit joint as in  claim 1  wherein said at least one groove is circular in shape.  
   
   
       8 . A fluid circuit joint as in  claim 1  further comprising: 
 a union; and    a nut residing over said hollow fitting and mechanically coupling said at least one hollow fitting to said union.    
   
   
       9 . A fluid circuit joint as in  claim 8  wherein said hollow fitting abuts an inner side of said nut when said nut is fastened to said union.  
   
   
       10 . A magnetic forming system for creating a fluid circuit joint between a tube having at least one groove and a fitting comprising: 
 an induction coil forming an electromagnetic field; and    a nest configured to contain the tube at least partially positioned within the fitting;    said induction coil imposing said electromagnetic field on and to conform at least a portion of the fitting in the at least one groove to form the fluid circuit joint.    
   
   
       11 . A system as in  claim 10  wherein said induction coil imposes said electromagnetic field to compress the fitting on the tube to form the fluid circuit joint.  
   
   
       12 . A system as in  claim 10  wherein said nest resides at least partially within said induction coil.  
   
   
       13 . A system as in  claim 10  further comprising a mandrel inwardly constraining the tube and the fitting.  
   
   
       14 . A system as in  claim 10  further comprising: 
 control circuitry generating a current pulse signal; and    a current supply circuit generating a current pulse in response to said current pulse signal;    said induction coil generating said electromagnetic field in response to said current pulse.    
   
   
       15 . A system as in  claim 10  further comprising a metallic sleeve residing over the fitting and increasing deformation in the fitting.  
   
   
       16 . A system as in  claim 15  wherein said metallic sleeve comprises copper.  
   
   
       17 . A system as in  claim 15  wherein said metallic sleeve is formed of at least approximately 99% pure copper.  
   
   
       18 . A system as in  claim 15  further comprising an insulating sleeve residing between said fitting and said metallic sleeve.  
   
   
       19 . A method of magnetically forming a fluid joint comprising: 
 inserting a first tube at least partially into a first fitting;    inserting said first tube and said first fitting into an induction coil;    generating an electromagnetic field; and    imposing said electromagnetic field on and to compress at least a first portion of said first fitting into at least one groove of said first tube to form a first fluid joint.    
   
   
       20 . A method as in  claim 19  further comprising inwardly constraining said first tube and said first fitting.  
   
   
       21 . A method as in  claim 19  further comprising inserting said first fitting in a metallic sleeve and imposing said electromagnetic field on and to compress said metallic sleeve.  
   
   
       22 . A method as in  claim 21  wherein compressing said metallic sleeve comprises compressing said first portion into said at least one groove.  
   
   
       23 . A method as in  claim 21  further comprising: 
 removing a current nest containing said first fluid joint;    separating a first half and a second half of said current nest;    removing said metallic sleeve from said first fitting; and    removing said first fluid joint from said current nest.    
   
   
       24 . A method as in  claim 23  further comprising: 
 removing a current nest containing said first fluid joint;    separating a first half and a second half of said current nest;    removing said first fluid joint from said current nest;    selecting a replacement nest;    inserting a second tube and a second fitting within said replacement nest;    inserting said replacement nest within said induction coil; and    imposing said electromagnetic field on and to compress at least a second portion of said second fitting onto said second tube to form a second fluid joint.    
   
   
       25 . A method as in  claim 21  further comprising inserting a mandrel within said first tube and said first fitting and forming said first fluid joint over said mandrel.