Ferrule
AssigneeUnited Technologies Corporation
InventorsRichard M. Murphy, Billie W. Bunting, Fungayi Mutsengi, David W. Anderson, Robert J. DeRosa
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A ferrule for use with a nut with an internal locking mechanism includes a first tubular portion with a first end and a first outer diameter for connecting to a first object; a second tubular portion with a second end and a second outer diameter for connecting to a second object; a transition portion connecting the first tubular portion and the second tubular portion; and a plurality of pockets spaced circumferentially around the second portion to engage the internal locking mechanism of the nut.
Claims20
A ferrule for use with a nut with an internal locking mechanism, the ferrule comprising:
- a first tubular portion with a first end and a first outer diameter for connecting to a first object;
- a second tubular portion with a second end and a second outer diameter for connecting to a second object;
- a transition portion connecting the first tubular portion and the second tubular portion;
- and
- a plurality of pockets spaced circumferentially around the second tubular portion to engage the internal locking mechanism of the nut, wherein each of the plurality of pockets extends radially into the second tubular portion and has a perimeter on all sides of each of the plurality of pockets at the second outer diameter.
A fitting for joining a first tube and a second tube, the fitting comprising:
- a coupling member to connect to the second tube;
- a nut with an internal locking mechanism;
- and
- a ferrule to connect to the first tube and to the coupling member, the ferrule comprising:
- a first tubular portion with a first end for connecting to the first tube;
- a second tubular portion with a second end for connecting to the second tube;
- a transition portion around the outer circumference to connect the first tubular portion to the second tubular portion;
- and
- a plurality of pockets spaced circumferentially around the second tubular portion to engage the internal locking mechanism of the nut, wherein the pockets extend radially inward from the outer circumference of the second tubular portion and are surrounded by the outer circumference of the second tubular portion.
A method of assembling a fitting for use with a nut with an internal locking mechanism and a fastening means, the method comprising:
- connecting a first tube to a ferrule, the ferrule comprising:
- a first tubular portion with a first end and a first outer diameter for connecting to a first object,
- a second tubular portion with a second end and a second outer diameter for connecting to a second object,
- a plurality of pockets spaced circumferentially around the second tubular portion and extending into the second tubular portion to engage the internal locking mechanism of the nut, each of the plurality of pockets with an outer perimeter on all sides of each of the plurality of pockets at the second outer diameter, and
- a transition portion connecting the first tubular portion to the second tubular portion, wherein the first outer diameter is smaller than the second outer diameter;
- connecting a second tube to a coupling member with a fastening means;
- connecting the coupling member to the second tubular portion of the ferrule;
- connecting the nut over the ferrule and coupling member so that the internal locking mechanism of the nut engages the plurality of pockets of the ferrule and the fastening means of the nut engages the fastening means of the coupling to lock the ferrule with the first tube to the coupling with the second tube.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.