Torque limited fitting
AssigneeIDEX Health & Science LLC
InventorsEric Beemer, Craig Graham, Mark Hahn
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A torque limited fitting is provided having a head and a body, which in certain embodiments may be assembled by an operator. The body of the torque limited fitting has a passageway therethrough for receiving and removably holding tubing. The torque limited fitting may be adapted for use with a flat bottom port, such as in an analytical instrument, like liquid chromatography, gas chromatography, ion chromatography, or in in vitro diagnostic systems.
Claims46
A torque limited fitting for use in an analytical instrument system, comprising:
- (a) a head having a first end and a second end and a passageway therethrough, an inner wall having at least a first internal abutment;
- and
- (b) a body having a first end, a second end, a head portion comprising at least a first external abutment, an external lip proximal to the head portion of said body, at least one slot therein, and a passageway therethrough, wherein said external lip of said body is adapted to securely engage with a portion of said head proximal to the second end of said head.
An analytical instrument system comprising at least one torque limited fitting comprising:
- a) a head having a first end and a second end and a passageway therethrough, a portion having an outer diameter and an inner diameter and proximal to said second end of the head, an inner wall having at least a first internal abutment;
- and
- b) a body having a first end, a second end, a head portion comprising at least a first external abutment, an external lip proximal to said head of said body, and a passageway therethrough, wherein said external lip of said body has an outer diameter greater than the inner diameter of the portion of said head and smaller than the outer diameter of the portion of said head, and is adapted to securely engage with the head portion.
A method of connecting tubing in an analytical instrument system comprising connecting a torque limited fitting and a ferrule comprising a tube extending therethrough to a port, fitting or component of said analytical instrument system;
- wherein said torque limited fitting comprises:
- a) a head having a first end and a second end and a passageway therethrough, a portion proximal to said second end of the head, and an inner wall comprising at least a first internal abutment;
- and
- b) a body having a first end, a second end, a head portion comprising at least a first external abutment, an external lip proximal to the head portion of said body, at least one slot therein, a threaded portion, and a passageway therethrough, wherein said external lip of said body is adapted to securely engage with said portion of said head;
- wherein said port, fitting or component comprises a threaded portion, and wherein said threaded portion of said port, fitting or component is adapted to securely engage with said threaded portion of said body.
A fitting assembly for use in an analytical instrument system, comprising:
- a. a head having a first end and a second end and a passageway therethrough, a portion proximal to said second end of the head, an inner wall comprising a plurality of internal abutments;
- and
- b. a body having a first end, a second end, a head portion comprising a plurality of external abutments, said body defining a plurality of slots therein, said external abutments of said body proximal to said slots, an external lip proximal to said head portion of said body, and a passageway therethrough, wherein said external lip of said body is adapted to securely engage with said portion of said head.
A fitting assembly for use in an analytical instrument system, comprising:
- a head having a first end and a second end and a passageway therethrough, a first portion proximal to the second end of the head, and an inner wall comprising at least a plurality of internal abutments;
- and
- a body having a first end, a second end, a head portion comprising a plurality external abutments and defining at least a plurality of slots therein, with the external abutments of said body proximal to said slots, an external lip proximal to the head portion of said body, a threaded portion, and a passageway therethrough, wherein said external lip of said body is adapted to securely engage with said first portion of said head, and wherein the internal abutments of said head and the external abutments of said body are adapted to prevent a user from applying more than a predetermined torque when rotating said head and said body relative to one another.
A fitting assembly for use in an analytical instrument system, comprising:
- a head having a first end and a second end and a passageway therethrough, and an inner wall comprising at least a plurality of internal abutments, wherein at least one of the internal abutments has a ramped portion;
- and
- a body having a first end, a second end, a head portion comprising a plurality of external abutments, and having at least one slot extending through a portion of said body, and having a passageway therethrough, wherein at least a portion of the first end of said body is adapted to removably fit within a portion of the second end of said head, and wherein the internal abutments of said head and the external abutments of said body are adapted to cooperate so that at least one of the external abutments flexes inwardly when more than a predetermined torque is applied, thereby preventing transfer of more than the predetermined torque.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.