# US 7,607,364 B2 · Method and apparatus for simplified and hygienic access to a fluid chamber > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,607,364 B2 - Document ID: US7607364B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/538,117 - Filed: 2006-10-03 - Published: 2008-04-03 - Granted: 2009-10-27 - Earliest claimed: 2006-10-03 - Inventors: Alan John Duff - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7607364B2 ## CPC - F16L 41/008: {for connecting a measuring instrument} - F16L 41/14: by screwing an intermediate part against the inside or outside of the wall {(F16L41/086 takes precedence)} - F16L: PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL ## Abstract A hygienic insert connector assembly that prevents biological contamination under sanitary processing conditions. It comprises an insert adapted to pass through an opening into a fluid chamber, a support assembly to support the insert, a seal disposed around the insert to seal the opening into the fluid chamber, and a compression mechanism to compress the seal. When the seal is axially compressed, the seal radially expands and contacts the wall of the opening into the fluid chamber as well as compressing the seal against the insert to form fluid tight seals. This eliminates the potential for product entrapment within or around the sealed surfaces, allowing efficient in-place cleaning and sterilization procedures as well as minimizing product wastage on process startup and shutdown. The connector assembly is also designed such that positive pressure inside the fluid chamber enhances the seals that are formed, and can be used with (but is not limited to) small diameter or high surface curvature fluid chambers and without limitation on the orientation of the chamber. The simple design and sealing method enables the insert to be easily removed, examined and re-inserted in conformance with international design standards for sanitary equipment. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A hygienic insert connector assembly, comprising: an insert adapted to project through an opening in the side wall of a fluid chamber such that a first portion of the insert lies within the fluid chamber; a seal having first and second ends and an axial opening for said insert, said seal being disposed around the insert for sealing a space between the insert and the wall of the opening in the chamber, wherein the length of said seal is greater than the length of said opening such that said first end of the seal extends beyond the opening into the fluid chamber; first and second cooperative compression members disposed on opposite ends of the seal for axially compressing and radially expanding the seal such that a generally hygienic fluid-tight seal without voids and crevices is formed between the wall of the opening and the insert; wherein the first compression member is integrally formed with said insert and is movable along a movement axis with respect to the second compression member to compress the seal, and a first seal contact surface on said first end of said seal, said seal contact surface being disposed perpendicular to said movement axis and engaged by said first seal compression member such that the compression forces generated by axial compression of the seal are perpendicular to the first seal contact surface. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The hygienic insert connector assembly of claim 1 including an actuator to move the first compression member relative to the second compression member to compress and radially expand the seal. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The hygienic insert connector assembly of claim 2 wherein the second compression member is stationary. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The hygienic insert connector assembly of claim 3 wherein the first compression member comprises a flange integrally formed on the insert. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The hygienic insert connector assembly of claim 1 wherein the actuator moves the insert axially relative to the second compression member. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The hygienic insert connector assembly of claim 5 including a support member adapted to be fixedly secured to the chamber. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The hygienic insert connector assembly of claim 6 wherein the second compression member is integrally formed with the support member. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The hygienic insert connector assembly of claim 6 wherein the support member is integrally formed with the fluid chamber. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) The hygienic insert connector assembly of claim 6 wherein the second compression member comprises a bushing disposed between the actuator and the support member. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The hygienic insert connector assembly of claim 9 wherein the bushing threadably engages the support member. ### Claim 11 (depends on 2) The hygienic insert connector assembly of claim 2 wherein the actuator comprises a threaded member threaded onto the insert. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The hygienic insert connector assembly of claim 11 wherein the connector assembly is configured to limit the axial movement of the insert. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The hygienic insert connector assembly of claim 1 wherein the connector assembly is adapted to provide thermal and/or electrical isolation of the insert. ### Claim 14 (depends on 6) The hygienic insert connector assembly of claim 6 wherein pressure within the chamber acts upon the first compression member to further compress the seal against the second compression member to enhance the fluid-tight seal. ### Claim 15 (depends on 6) The hygienic insert connector assembly of claim 6 wherein the first and second compression members interact to prevent the insert from being ejected from the chamber due to excess pressure within the chamber. ### Claim 16 (depends on 6) The hygienic insert connector assembly of claim 6 wherein the first compression member applies compression force to the first seal contact surface without sliding during compression. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The hygienic insert connector assembly of claim 16 whereby when the seal is compressed, the first compression member, the circumferential surface of the seal inside the chamber and the inside wall of the chamber adjacent to the opening collectively form a continuous hygienic surface without voids or crevices. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The hygienic insert connector assembly of claim 1 wherein the insert comprises a sensor. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The hygienic insert connector of claim of claim 1 wherein the insert comprises one of a thermowell or a conduit. ### Claim 20 A hygienic insert connector assembly, comprising: a support member adapted to be fixedly secured to the fluid chamber; an insert adapted to project through an opening in the side wall of a fluid chamber such that a first portion of the insert lies within the fluid chamber; a seal having first and second ends and an axial opening for said insert, said seal being disposed around the insert for sealing a space between the insert and the wall of the opening in the chamber, said first end of the seal extending beyond the opening into the fluid chamber; a first movable compression member integrally formed with said insert; a bushing threadably engaged with said support member forming a second stationary compression member an actuator for moving said insert along a movement axis to compress said seal between said first and second compression members and to radially expand said seal; a first seal contact surface on said first end of said seal, said seal contact surface being disposed perpendicular to said movement axis and engaged by said first seal compression member such that the compression forces generated by axial compression of the seal are perpendicular to the first seal contact surface.