Apparatus and method of zero clearance connection with optional sensing function

Abstract

Apparatus and method for mechanically attached connections of conduits may include a conduit gripping member ( 34 ), a drive member ( 36 ), and a seal member ( 48 ), the drive member ( 36 ) causing axial movement of the conduit gripping member ( 34 ) to indent into an outer surface of the conduit when the assembly is pulled-up, the drive member ( 36 ) causing the seal member ( 48 ) to form a zero clearance seal at a location that is axially spaced from the conduit gripping member ( 34 ). The zero clearance seal may comprise a face seal arrangement including a gasket ( 48 ), and the conduit gripping member ( 34 ) may be a ferrule, ring or other device that can grip and optionally seal against the conduit outer surface. The assembly may include an optional sensing function for detecting or sensing a characteristic or condition of an assembly component or the fluid or both.

1 . Fitting for connecting to a conduit end wherein the conduit has a longitudinal axis, comprising,
 a first coupling component and a second coupling component that are joinable together, a conduit gripping member and a zero clearance seal arrangement, wherein said conduit gripping member grips an outer surface of the conduit when the fitting is pulled-up, and said zero clearance seal arrangement forms a zero clearance seal at a location that is spaced from said conduit gripping member.   
     
     
         2 . The fitting of  claim 1  wherein said first and second coupling components being axially joinable together during pull-up of the fitting to cause said conduit gripping member to grip the conduit and to cause said zero clearance seal. 
     
     
         3 . The fitting of  claim 2  wherein said first coupling component comprises a female threaded nut and said second coupling component comprises a male threaded body. 
     
     
         4 . The fitting of  claim 1  wherein said conduit gripping member indents into the conduit surface when the fitting is pulled-up. 
     
     
         5 . The fitting of  claim 4  comprising a gasket disposed between a first seal surface of a face seal member and a first seal surface of one of said coupling components, said seal surfaces facing each other and forming said zero clearance seal with respective opposite sides of said gasket. 
     
     
         6 . The fitting of  claim 1  wherein said gripping member comprises an annular ring. 
     
     
         7 . The fitting of  claim 1  wherein said gripping member comprises a ferrule. 
     
     
         8 . The fitting of  claim 5  wherein said conduit gripping member and face seal member are adapted to be a joined subassembly prior to installing said fitting onto a conduit. 
     
     
         9 . The fitting of  claim 8  wherein said face seal member comprises a cylindrical extension that holds said face seal member and conduit gripping member together as a subassembly. 
     
     
         10 . The fitting of  claim 1  wherein said conduit gripping member comprises at least portions thereof that are surface hardened. 
     
     
         11 . The fitting of  claim 10  wherein said surface hardened parts comprise carburized stainless steel surfaces substantially free of carbides. 
     
     
         12 . A fitting for conduits, comprising:
 a conduit end portion,   a first coupling component and a second coupling component that are joinable together,   a conduit gripping member, and a face seal member disposed between said first and second coupling members,   said conduit gripping member indenting into a surface of the conduit to grip the conduit and said face seal member forming a zero clearance seal, when the fitting is made up.   
     
     
         13 . The fitting of  claim 12  comprising a gasket disposed between said face seal member and said second coupling component, said gasket forming a zero clearance face seal with each of said face seal member and said second coupling component when the fitting is made up. 
     
     
         14 . The fitting of  claim 12  wherein said face seal member comprises a seal surface that seals against a seal surface of one of said first and second coupling members when the fitting is made up. 
     
     
         15 . The fitting of  claim 1  wherein said zero clearance seal arrangement comprises a face seal member and seal disposed between a first seal surface of said face seal member and a second seal surface, said first and second seal surfaces facing each other and forming said zero clearance seal with respective opposite sides of said seal. 
     
     
         16 . The fitting of  claim 15  wherein said seal comprises a gasket. 
     
     
         17 . The fitting of  claim 16  wherein said gasket comprises a flat metal washer-like device. 
     
     
         18 . The fitting of  claim 1  wherein said conduit gripping member comprises a Belleville spring with a radial extension at an outer circumference thereof. 
     
     
         19 . The fitting of  claim 1  wherein the conduit and said conduit gripping member comprise a stainless steel alloy. 
     
     
         20 . The fitting of  claim 1  wherein said conduit gripping member comprises a Belleville spring configuration. 
     
     
         21 . The fitting of  claim 1  wherein said conduit gripping member comprises first and second frusto-conical walls extending radially outward and in a first axial direction from a radially inner portion to a radially outer portion, the radially inner portion having an annular conduit indenting edge configured to plastically deform the conduit along a circumferential ring of engagement when the fitting is pulled up to provide a seal between the conduit gripping member and the conduit. 
     
     
         22 . The fitting of  claim 21  wherein during pull-up said conduit gripping member is axially compressed so as to partially flatten, reducing a diameter of said radially inner portion to grip the conduit. 
     
     
         23 . A fitting for a fluid conduit mechanically attached connection, comprising a conduit gripping member, a zero clearance seal element and a sensor associated with said seal element to detect a condition or characteristic of a fitting component or fluid contained by the fitting. 
     
     
         24 . The fitting of  claim 23  wherein said sensor is one of the following: a wetted sensor, a non-wetted sensor. 
     
     
         25 . The fitting of  claims 21  wherein the sensor is integrated with the seal element. 
     
     
         26 . The fitting of  claim 25  wherein said seal element comprises an annular face seal gasket.