Controlled pullup gageable preswage tool

Abstract

A manual pre-swage tool is particularly useful for pre-setting the tube fitting ferrules onto the tube prior to the actual installation of the fitting components into the tube fitting body. The pre-swage tool is used by clamping in a vise, or other suitable means, in an open area where leverage and ease of use can be obtained. This new and improved design tool of the present disclosure incorporates a feature that prevents the ferrules from being over tightened thereby preventing damage to the tool or ferrules and also allowing the pre-swaged assembly to be fully compatible with what is called “stop collars” and “gap inspection gages” that are commonly used in the field to indicate proper pull up of the tube fitting when installed.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A controlled pullup gageable preswage tool for use with an associated fitting assembly that includes an associated nut, at least one associated ferrule, and an associated tube, the preswage tool comprising:
 a first body including a first, proximal end and a distal, second end spaced therefrom along a longitudinal body axis, the first body member including a first, engaging surface, and further including first and second tool flats disposed on an external surface thereof;   a second body member having a proximal, first end and a distal, second end spaced therefrom, the second body member mounted to the first body member for selective rotation relative thereto, the second body member including a second, engaging surface that is disposed in facing relation with the first, engaging surface of the first body member and able to move relative thereto when an axial load is less than a predetermined level, and the first, engaging surface does not move relative to the second, engaging surface of the second body member when the axial load applied to the first and second bodies exceeds the predetermined level, and   an externally threaded region extending from the first, proximal end of one of the first and second bodies, the externally threaded region dimensioned for threaded engagement with the associated nut surrounding a recess in the first, proximal end of the one of the first and second bodies, and dimensioned to receive an end portion of the associated tube.   
     
     
         2 . The preswage tool of  claim 1  wherein the axial load applied to the first and second body members advances the body members toward one another. 
     
     
         3 . The preswage tool of  claim 1  wherein the externally threaded region extends from the proximal end of the first body, and the second body is an annular collar received around the first body. 
     
     
         4 . The preswage tool of  claim 1  wherein the externally threaded region extends from the proximal end of the second body, and the second body is received in a cavity formed in first body. 
     
     
         5 . The preswage tool of  claim 4  wherein the first body includes a shoulder and the second body includes a shoulder disposed in facing relation to one another, and defining an extent by which the externally threaded region of the second body extends outwardly from the first body. 
     
     
         6 . The preswage tool of  claim 4  further comprising at least one retaining member joining the first and second bodies together. 
     
     
         7 . The preswage tool of  claim 4  further comprising at least first and second retaining pins radially interconnecting the first and second bodies together. 
     
     
         8 . The preswage tool of  claim 7  wherein the retaining pins are equi-spaced around the first and second bodies. 
     
     
         9 . A method of preswaging ferrules received in a nut on a tube, the method comprising:
 providing a preswage tool that includes first and second bodies that selectively rotate relative to one another,   providing an externally threaded region on one of the first and second bodies;   placing the ferrules and nut on the tube; and   subsequently threadedly advancing the nut on the externally threaded region until the first and second bodies of the preswage tool no longer rotate relative to one another.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising advancing the nut on the externally threaded region until the torque required for make-up rapidly increases. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising providing the externally threaded region on the first body. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the second body is a collar rotatably received over the first body at an end thereof adjacent the nut, tube and ferrules. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising providing a recess in the first body that receives a terminal end of the tube. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising providing the externally threaded region on the second body where the second body is partially received in a cavity of the first body. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising retaining the first and second bodies together with frangible pins. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising situating a seal between the first and second bodies. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising loosening the nut from the externally threaded region after the first and second bodies of the preswage tool no longer rotate relative to one another. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising removing the tube from a recess of the preswage tool.