US 5,669,637 A · Miniature fitting assembly for micro-tubing

Abstract

A fitting assembly (10) mates an end of polymer micro-tubing (12) in fluid communication with an internally threaded connector (22) having an internal bottom wall (38). The fitting assembly includes a male nut (16) having external threads and a passage for receiving the end of the polymer micro-tubing. The fitting assembly additionally includes an insert (24) having an elongated stem (30) and an annular head (26). The stem projects from the rear side of the annular head for insertion into the end of the polymer micro-tubing. The annular head includes a forwardly projecting nose section (31). An elastomeric seal (40) is received on the nose section (31) and retained in place by a lip (33) included on the nose section. The seal is compressed between the head of the insert and the bottom wall of the connector. A ferrule (32) captured on the micro-tubing between the nut and the head of the insert compresses the tubing between the ferrule and the stem, and transmits force longitudinally to the head of the insert to compress the seal.

Claims30

Dependent claims

A fitting assembly for mating an end of a micro-tubing segment in fluid communication to a connector having a first interlocking surface and a bottom wall having a fluid outlet port defined centrally therein, the fitting assembly comprising:

(a) a nut having a second interlocking surface engageable with the first interlocking surface of the connector and having a longitudinal passage for slidably receiving the end of the micro-tubing segment;
(b) an annular ferrule capable of being slidably received on the received end of the micro-tubing segment;
(c) a tubular insert having a stem insertable within the received end of the micro-tubing segment and an annular head which abuts the received end of the micro-tubing segment after insertion of the stem, the ferrule being captured between the nut and the head of the insert;
and
(d) an annular elastomeric seal receivable coaxially on the head of the insert and extending distally beyond a distal side of the head of the insert in a direction away from the stem of the insert, the nut bearing on the ferrule when the fitting assembly is mated with the connector to compressively seal the received end of the micro-tubing segment between the ferrule and the stem of the insert and to compress the elastomeric seal in sealing engagement with the head of the insert and the bottom wall of the connector.

2 more elements

A fitting assembly for mating an end of a micro-tubing segment in fluid communication to a connector having a first interlocking surface and an internal wall, the fitting assembly comprising:

(a) a male nut having a second interlocking surface adapted for coupling with the first interlocking surface of the connector, wherein a passage is defined axially through the nut, the passage being for receiving the end of the micro-tubing segment;
(b) a sleeve including a head section having a first cross-sectional area, and a stem section centrally projecting from the head section and having a second cross-sectional area smaller than the first cross-sectional area, the stem section being inserted into the end of the polymer micro-tubing when the fitting assembly is mated to the connector;
(c) an annular elastomeric seal circumferentially surrounding at least a portion of the head section and abutting the internal wall in the connector when the fitting assembly is mated to the connector;
and
(d) means for sealing against an exterior surface of the received end of the micro-tubing segment and for compressing the elastomeric seal when the fitting assembly is mated to the connector.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Miniature fitting assembly for micro-tubing

Life of this patent

Miniature fitting assembly for micro-tubing

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims30