Abstract: A fitting assembly includes a first fitting component having an outboard end that receives the conduit end portion, a second fitting component joined to the first fitting component to define an interior cavity, a seal device disposed in the interior cavity, and a retainer assembled with at least one of the first and second fitting components. The seal device forms a seal between one of the first and second fitting components and an outer surface of a conduit end portion. The retainer includes a gripping portion received in a circumferential groove of the conduit end portion to grip the conduit end portion, and a colleting portion outboard of the gripping portion and configured to apply a colleting force to the outer surface of the conduit end portion at least when an outboard axial load is applied to the conduit.

Abstract: Low temperature gas carburization of stainless steel using acetylene as the carburizing specie is carried out under soft vacuum conditions in the presence of hydrogen or other companion gas. Carburization is made to go faster by including HCl or other carbon-free, halogen-containing activating compound in the carburizing gas being fed to the carburization reactor.

Abstract: A method for treating a workpiece made from a self-passivating metal and having a Beilby layer is disclosed. The method comprises exposing the workpiece to the vapors produced by heating a reagent having a guanidine [HNC(NH2)2] moiety and complexed with HCl to activate the workpiece for low temperature interstitial surface hardening.

Abstract: A preassembly for a conduit fitting includes a fitting nut, a ferrule disposed within the fitting nut, and a retaining feature configured to retain the ferrule with the fitting nut prior to assembly of the fitting nut with a fitting body, such that the ferrule is axially spaced from a drive surface of the fitting nut. When the fitting nut is assembled with a fitting body on a conduit end, axially movement of the ferrule toward the drive surface of the fitting nut causes deformation of the retaining feature to release the ferrule from the fitting nut.

Abstract: A fitting includes a first threaded fitting component, a second threaded fitting component that threadably joins with the first fitting component to produce relative axial stroke between the first and second fitting components, and a conduit gripping device receivable between the first and second fitting component. When the fitting is pulled-up on a conduit, a radially outward facing tapered first annular surface of the first fitting component axially engages a radially inward facing tapered second annular surface of the second fitting component. At least one of the first and second annular surfaces includes a recess extending from an inner diameter to an outer diameter of the corresponding annular surface, the recess defining a leak detection port in fluid communication with the fitting interior volume when the first annular surface is in axial engagement with the second annular surface.

Abstract: A push to connect fitting includes a body member adapted to receive a conduit end, a conduit comprising a first end that can be axially inserted into the body member and a conduit gripping device attached to an exterior surface of the conduit, and a retainer that retains the conduit in place when said conduit is fully inserted into the body member. Additional embodiments include providing a seal with the fitting that seals the exterior surface of the conduit, an optional load retaining sleeve for the conduit gripping device, and an optional gimbal. The push to connect aspect may be realized in the form of a single action unthreaded mechanical connection.

Abstract: Low temperature carburization of stainless steel using acetylene as the carburizing specie is carried out under soft vacuum conditions in the presence of hydrogen or other companion gas. As a result, formation of soot and the undesirable thermal oxide film that normally occurs during low temperature carburization is eliminated virtually completely.

Abstract: A push to connect fitting includes first and second fitting components, a sealing arrangement, a gripping arrangement, and a colleting ring. The first fitting component has an outboard end that is adapted to receive a conduit end. The second fitting component is joined to the first fitting component to define an interior cavity. The sealing arrangement, disposed in the interior cavity, seals one of the first and second fitting components with an outer surface of a conduit end when the conduit end is inserted into the outboard end of the first fitting component. The gripping arrangement is disposed in the interior cavity, and the colleting ring is disposed in the interior cavity and has an inboard end surface engaging an outboard end surface of the gripping arrangement.

Abstract: A workpiece made from a self passivating metal and having one or more surface regions defining a Beilby layer as a result of a previous metal shaping operation is activated for subsequent low temperature gas hardening by exposing the workpiece to the vapors produced by heating an oxygen-free nitrogen halide salt.

Abstract: A fitting assembly includes a first fitting component having an outboard end that receives the conduit end portion, a second fitting component joined to the first fitting component to define an interior cavity, a seal device disposed in the interior cavity, and a retainer assembled with at least one of the first and second fitting components. The seal device forms a seal between one of the first and second fitting components and an outer surface of a conduit end portion. The retainer includes a gripping portion received in a circumferential groove of the conduit end portion to grip the conduit end portion, and a colleting portion outboard of the gripping portion and configured to apply a colleting force to the outer surface of the conduit end portion at least when an outboard axial load is applied to the conduit.

Abstract: A fitting subassembly includes a threaded fitting nut, a ferrule, and a retaining member. The fitting nut includes a radial drive surface and an interior wall defining a socket, with the ferrule at least partially disposed in the socket. The retaining member is separate from and retained in a recess in the fitting nut. The retaining member retains the ferrule with the fitting nut when the retaining member is in a first position prior to the fitting nut being assembled with the fitting body. The retaining member is radially movable from the first position to a second position within the fitting nut to release the ferrule from the fitting nut.

Abstract: A ferrule for a conduit fitting includes an interior wall extending along a central axis through the ferrule so that the ferrule can be installed over a conduit end. A first axial side of the ferrule defines a first end portion, a first end camming surface disposed on the first end portion at a first angle with respect to the central axis, and a first end driven surface disposed at a second angle with respect to the central axis, the second angle being greater than the first angle. A second axial side of the ferrule defines a second end portion, a second end camming surface disposed on the second end portion at a third angle with respect to the central axis, the third angle being substantially equal to the first angle, and a second end driven surface disposed at a fourth angle with respect to the central axis, the fourth angle being substantially equal to the second angle. A central boss portion extends radially outward to define a radially outermost surface at an axial center point of the ferrule.

Abstract: A push to connect fitting assembly includes first and second fitting components joined to define an interior cavity, a seal device, a retainer, and a biasing member. The seal device is disposed in the interior cavity, and forms a seal between one of the first and second fitting components and an outer surface of a conduit end when the conduit end is inserted into the outboard end of the first fitting component. The retainer is assembled with at least one of the first and second fitting components, and includes a gripping portion that grips the inserted conduit end. The biasing member is axially disposed between the retainer and the seal device, the biasing member applying a first axial load to the retainer to produce a gripping force between the gripping portion and the inserted conduit end.

Abstract: Two conduit gripping devices that are to be used together in a conduit fitting assembly are interconnected or held together as a cartridge or subassembly prior to assembly with fitting components to form a fitting assembly. In a more specific embodiment, one or both of the conduit gripping devices comprises a retaining structure by which the devices are mechanically connected together as a subassembly. For example, in one embodiment a front ferrule and a back ferrule for a tube fitting may be snapped together.

Abstract: A fitting includes a first threaded fitting component, a second threaded fitting component that threadably joins with the first fitting component to produce relative axial stroke between the first and second fitting components, and a conduit gripping device receivable between the first and second fitting component. When the fitting is pulled-up on a conduit, a radially outward facing tapered first annular surface of the first fitting component axially engages a radially inward facing tapered second annular surface of the second fitting component. At least one of the first and second annular surfaces includes a recess extending from an inner diameter to an outer diameter of the corresponding annular surface, the recess defining a leak detection port in fluid communication with the fitting interior volume when the first annular surface is in axial engagement with the second annular surface.

Abstract: A push to connect fitting includes a body member adapted to receive a conduit end, a conduit comprising a first end that can be axially inserted into the body member and a conduit gripping device attached to an exterior surface of the conduit, and a retainer that retains the conduit in place when said conduit is fully inserted into the body member. Additional embodiments include providing a seal with the fitting that seals the exterior surface of the conduit, an optional load retaining sleeve for the conduit gripping device, and an optional gimbal. The push to connect aspect may be realized in the form of a single action unthreaded mechanical connection.

Abstract: In a method of assembling a conduit fitting, a conduit fitting is provided, including a first coupling member, a second coupling member, an internal conduit gripping device disposed between said first coupling member and said second coupling member, and an external deformable structure. The first coupling member is pulled up with the second coupling member on an end portion of a conduit to engage the external deformable structure with an external surface of one of the first and second coupling members. After engaging the external deformable structure with the external surface of one of the first and second coupling members, the first coupling member is further pulled up with the second coupling member to axially compress the external deformable structure, until an amount of torque required to continue pulling up the first coupling member increases to a predetermined torque. The predetermined torque corresponds to an initial pulled-up position in which the conduit gripping device grips and seals the conduit.

Abstract: A ferrule for a conduit fitting includes an interior wall extending along a central axis through the ferrule between first and second end portions of the ferrule, so that the ferrule can be installed over a conduit end. The first end portion of the ferrule includes an axially outer first end driven surface disposed at a first angle between 70° and 90° with respect to the central axis, and an axially inner first end camming surface disposed at a second angle between 0° and 40° with respect to the central axis. The second end portion of the ferrule includes an axially outer second end driven surface disposed at a third angle substantially equal to the first angle, and an axially inner second end camming surface disposed at a fourth angle substantially equal to the second angle.

Abstract: A preassembly for a conduit fitting includes an annular fitting component and a conduit gripping device. The annular fitting component has an interior wall extending along a central axis from an inboard end to an outboard end. The interior wall includes an inboard surface having a first diameter, an outboard surface having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter, and an intermediate surface recessed from the inboard surface by an outward facing inboard radial wall and recessed from the outboard surface by an inward facing outboard radial wall. The conduit gripping device is retained within the annular fitting component and includes a projection extending radially outward of an outer circumferential surface of the conduit gripping device, and axially toward an inboard end of the conduit gripping device, with an end portion of the projection being axially captured between the inboard radial wall and the outboard radial wall.