Pull-up by torque fitting with female threaded nut and integral dynamic wedge

Abstract

A fitting is provided that may optionally be pulled-up to its final assembled condition by torque rather than by turns. In one embodiment, at least one fitting component includes a structure that facilitates pull-up by torque. The structure may take a wide variety of different forms.

1 . A conduit fitting comprising:
 a first threaded fitting component having an external surface and an internal surface;   a conduit gripping device;   a female threaded nut joined to the first threaded fitting component to cause the conduit gripping device to grip the conduit and seal when assembled, the nut having an outer portion that is radially outward of female threads of the nut that upon assembly engages the external surface of said first fitting component, wherein at least one of the external surface of the first threaded fitting component and the outer portion of the nut includes an incline in an engagement area.   
     
     
         2 . The conduit fitting of  claim 1  wherein the engagement between the outer portion of the nut and the external surface of the first fitting component causes the amount of torque required to continue pulling-up the fitting to sharply increase. 
     
     
         3 . The conduit fitting of  claim 1  wherein the first fitting component includes a marking and wherein an axial position of the nut with respect to the marking provides a visual indication of whether the fitting is properly pulled up. 
     
     
         4 . The conduit fitting of  claim 1  wherein the nut includes a marking and wherein an axial position of the first fitting component with respect to the marking provides a visual indication of whether the fitting is properly pulled up. 
     
     
         5 . The conduit fitting of  claim 1  wherein the incline forms an angle of 30 degrees to 60 degrees with respect to the central axis. 
     
     
         6 . The conduit fitting of  claim 1  wherein both the external surface of the first threaded fitting component and the outer portion of the nut include inclines in an engagement area. 
     
     
         7 . The conduit fitting of  claim 1  wherein the external surface of the first threaded fitting component includes an incline in an engagement area and the outer portion of the nut includes a rounded surface in the engagement area. 
     
     
         8 . The conduit fitting of  claim 1  wherein the external surface of the first threaded fitting component includes a rounded surface in an engagement area and the outer portion of the nut includes an incline in the engagement area. 
     
     
         9 . The conduit fitting of  claim 1  wherein the incline is configured to urge the female threads of the nut radially inward. 
     
     
         10 . A conduit fitting comprising:
 a male threaded nut having an external surface and an internal surface adapted to receive a conduit end along a central axis;   a conduit gripping device;   a female fitting component joined to the male threaded nut to cause the conduit gripping device to grip the conduit and seal when assembled, the female fitting component having an outer portion that is radially outward of female threads of the female fitting component that upon assembly engages the external surface of said male threaded nut, wherein only one of the external surface of the male threaded nut and the outer portion of the female fitting component includes an incline in an engagement area.   
     
     
         11 . The conduit fitting of  claim 10  wherein the engagement between the outer portion of the female fitting component and the external surface of the male threaded nut causes the amount of torque required to continue pulling-up the fitting to sharply increase. 
     
     
         12 . The conduit fitting of  claim 10  the female fitting component includes a marking and wherein an axial position of the nut with respect to the marking provides a visual indication of whether the fitting is properly pulled up. 
     
     
         13 . The conduit fitting of  claim 10  wherein the nut includes a marking and wherein an axial position of the female fitting component with respect to the marking provides a visual indication of whether the fitting is properly pulled up. 
     
     
         14 . The conduit fitting of  claim 10  wherein the nut includes a front end defining a retaining portion for the conduit gripping device. 
     
     
         15 . A conduit fitting comprising: a first threaded fitting component having an external surface and an internal surface adapted to receive a conduit end along a central axis;
 a ring disposed around a portion of the external surface;   a conduit gripping device;   a female threaded nut joined to the first threaded fitting component to cause the conduit gripping device to grip the conduit and seal when assembled, the nut having an outer portion that is radially outward of female threads of the nut that upon assembly engages the ring, wherein at least one of the ring and the outer portion of the nut includes an incline in an engagement area.   
     
     
         16 . The conduit fitting of  claim 15  wherein the engagement between the outer portion of the nut and the external surface of the first fitting component causes the amount of torque required to continue pulling-up the fitting to sharply increase. 
     
     
         17 . The conduit fitting of  claim 15  wherein the incline forms an angle of 30 degrees to 60 degrees with respect to the central axis. 
     
     
         18 . The conduit fitting of  claim 15  wherein both the ring and the outer portion of the nut include inclines in an engagement area. 
     
     
         19 . The conduit fitting of  claim 15  wherein the ring includes an incline in an engagement area and the outer portion of the nut includes a rounded surface in the engagement area. 
     
     
         20 . The conduit fitting of  claim 15  wherein the ring includes a rounded surface in an engagement area and the outer portion of the nut includes an incline in the engagement area.