Patents by Inventor Peter C. Williams
Peter C. Williams has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 10619780Abstract: A single action push to connect fitting for conduit such as tube or pipe. The fitting includes a first fitting component and a second fitting component that are joined or assembled together to form a fitting assembly. The fitting assembly includes a conduit seal device and a conduit retaining device. A conduit may be manually or otherwise inserted into the assembled fitting assembly with a single axial movement and be retained and sealed without need for further action or movement of the fitting components.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2018Date of Patent: April 14, 2020Assignee: Swagelok CompanyInventors: Mark A. Clason, Peter C. Williams, Cal R. Brown, Ronald P. Campbell, Douglas S. Welch, Douglas J. McClure
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Patent number: 10619770Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2016Date of Patent: April 14, 2020Assignee: SWAGELOK COMPANYInventors: Mark A. Bennett, Cal R. Brown, John D. Karkosiak, Peter C. Williams, Mark A. Clason, Jeffrey S. Rayle, Mark D. Bearer
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Patent number: 10604832Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2018Date of Patent: March 31, 2020Assignee: Swagelok CompanyInventors: Peter C. Williams, Steven V. Marx, Frank Ernst, Anna V. Agaponova
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Patent number: 10584814Abstract: A fitting includes first and second fitting components adapted to be joined on a conduit to a first relative axial position to effect a seal between the conduit and a sealing element, sealing the conduit from a non-wetted fitting interior volume at least partially defined by the first and second fitting components. When the first and second fitting components are joined to the first relative axial position, first and second annular surfaces of the fitting axially engage, resulting in resistance to additional axial stroke of the first and second fitting components. 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, and defining a leak detection port in fluid communication with the fitting interior volume when the first annular surface is in engagement with the second annular surface.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2017Date of Patent: March 10, 2020Assignee: SWAGELOK COMPANYInventors: Cal R. Brown, Peter C. Williams, Gregory S. Kalata, Douglas S. Welch, Ronald P. Campbell
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Patent number: 10584820Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2018Date of Patent: March 10, 2020Assignee: SWAGELOK COMPANYInventors: Peter C. Williams, Daniel G. Trivett, Mark A. Clason, Cal R. Brown, Douglas S. Welch, Ronald Hamilton, Douglas J. McClure, William J. Knaggs, Justin Hamilton, Benjamin Chan, Gregory S. Kalata
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Patent number: 10578503Abstract: A fitting for a fluid conduit includes a coupling body, a coupling nut, a conduit gripping device that is axially driven by the coupling body and the coupling nut to provide grip and seal against a conduit, and a strain sensor unit disposed on a neck portion of the coupling body, the strain sensor unit including at least a first axially extending strain sensor positioned and oriented for strain sensor unit measurement of a first strain of the neck portion corresponding with a first fitting assembly condition, and a second strain of the neck portion corresponding with a second fitting assembly condition different from the first fitting assembly condition.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2016Date of Patent: March 3, 2020Assignee: Swagelok CompanyInventors: Jeffrey Michael Rubinski, Peter C. Williams, Kevin Nieman, Cal R. Brown, Christina Semkow, Michael Rossiter, Andrew Creque, William Ponikvar, Matthew K. Messer, Charles W. Hayes, II, Sunniva R. Collins, Timothy Garrett Gray
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Publication number: 20200003345Abstract: A subassembly for a conduit fitting includes a first ferrule and a second ferrule alignable relative to an axis. The first ferrule includes a camming surface at a back portion thereof, and the second ferrule includes a surface that contacts the camming surface when the first ferrule and the second ferrule are axially moved together along the axis. A retaining structure retains the first ferrule and the second ferrule together as a subassembly, and includes a flange extending radially outward and axially rearward from the back portion of the first ferrule to define an outer diameter recess. The flange includes an end portion that extends radially inward to define an inner diameter recess retaining a forward portion of the second ferrule. The outer diameter recess and the inner diameter recess together define a hinge portion of the flange.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2019Publication date: January 2, 2020Inventors: Daniel G. Trivett, Peter C. Williams, Cal R. Brown, Ronald P. Campbell, William J. Knaggs, Douglas J. McClure, Douglas S. Welch, Stephen J. Zaborszki, James E. Gotch, Connor M. Dorony, Matthew K. Messer
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Publication number: 20190376631Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2019Publication date: December 12, 2019Inventors: Dale C. Arstein, Cal R. Brown, Mark A. Clason, Peter C. Williams
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Publication number: 20190376173Abstract: 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 a non-polymeric N/C/H compound.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2019Publication date: December 12, 2019Inventors: Cyprian A.W. Illing, Peter C. Williams, Christina Semkow
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Patent number: 10458582Abstract: A push to connect fitting assembly includes first and second fitting components joined to define an interior cavity, a seal device, and a retainer. The seal device is disposed in the interior cavity, and 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 retainer is assembled with at least one of the first and second fitting components, and includes a gripping portion that engages the inserted conduit over a first surface contact area to grip the conduit end, and a colleting portion outboard of the gripping portion. The colleting portion engages the inserted conduit end over a second surface contact area greater than the first surface contact area to collet the inserted conduit end.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2016Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: SWAGELOK COMPANYInventors: Peter C. Williams, Cal R. Brown, James E. Gotch, Connor M. Dorony, Stephen J. Zaborszki, Douglas J. McClure, Douglas S. Welch, Gregory S. Kalata, Ronald P. Campbell
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Publication number: 20190293218Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2019Publication date: September 26, 2019Inventors: Peter C. Williams, Cal R. Brown, James E. Gotch, Connor M. Dorony, Stephen J. Zaborszki, Douglas J. McClure, Douglas S. Welch, Gregory S. Kalata, Ronald P. Campbell
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Patent number: 10415727Abstract: A conduit fitting of the type having first and second threaded fitting components and at least one conduit gripping device, further includes a stroke limiting member that allows the fitting to be pulled up by applying a predetermined torque. In one embodiment, the stroke limiting member may be a non-integral torque collar. Alternatively, the fitting may also be pulled up by turns or may have an integral torque collar. In still another embodiment, a stroke limiting member is provided that may be used to enable a fitting that is designed to be pulled up by turns to also be pulled up by torque. In other embodiments, the non-integral torque collar may be installed onto one of the fitting components, and then deformed so as to prevent or make it more difficult to remove the torque collar after installation onto the fitting component.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2016Date of Patent: September 17, 2019Assignee: Swagelok CompanyInventors: Peter C. Williams, Cal R. Brown, Mark A. Clason, Dale C. Arstein
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Patent number: 10415730Abstract: A fitting subassembly includes a threaded fitting nut that can be joined with a threaded fitting body to form a fitting assembly. The fitting nut includes a radial drive surface and an interior wall defining a socket. A back ferrule is disposed entirely in the socket and includes a driven surface adjacent to the drive surface, and a front ferrule is at least partially disposed in the socket. A retaining member retains the front and back ferrules with the fitting nut as a subassembly prior to the fitting nut being assembled with a threaded fitting body. The retaining member applies a retaining force that is limited to permit removal of the front ferrule and the back ferrule from the fitting nut by exposure to a force applying environment.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2018Date of Patent: September 17, 2019Assignee: Swagelok CompanyInventors: Dale C. Arstein, Cal R. Brown, Mark A. Clason, Peter C. Williams
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Publication number: 20190271419Abstract: Apparatus and method for mechanically attached connections of conduits may include a conduit gripping member, a drive member, and a seal member, the drive member causing axial movement of the conduit gripping member to indent into an outer surface of the conduit when the assembly is pulled-up, the drive member causing the seal member to form a zero clearance seal at a location that is axially spaced from the conduit gripping member. The zero clearance seal may comprise a face seal arrangement including a gasket, and the conduit gripping member may be a ferrule, ring or other device that can grip and optionally seal against the conduit outer surface. The assembly may include a sensing function for detecting or sensing a characteristic or condition of an assembly component or the fluid or both. In one embodiment, a body coupling member has a two piece construction of a main body and a conduit socket insert. A flared fitting embodiment is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 2019Publication date: September 5, 2019Inventors: Arthur Frank Anton, Michael Ray Butkovic, Johan Jan Goemans, Dale C. Arstein, Franziska H. Dacek, Gerhard H. Schiroky, Larry Dean Vandendriessche, William H. Glime, III, Peter C. Williams
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Publication number: 20190226074Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2019Publication date: July 25, 2019Inventors: Sunniva R. Collins, Gerhard H. Schiroky, Steven V. Marx, Peter C. Williams
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Patent number: 10359134Abstract: A conduit fitting preassembly includes an annular fitting component and at least a first conduit gripping device. The annular fitting component has an interior wall extending axially from a forward end to a rearward end, and a first projection extending radially inward from the interior wall. The first conduit gripping device is received within the annular fitting component and includes a second projection extending radially outward of an outer surface of the first conduit gripping device. The first projection includes an outward tapered rear surface and the second projection includes an inward tapered front surface. The rear surface of the first projection is radially aligned with the front surface of the second projection, such that when the first conduit gripping device is in a forward-most position, the first projection interlocks with the second projection to prevent axial withdrawal of the first conduit gripping device from the annular fitting component.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2016Date of Patent: July 23, 2019Assignee: Swagelok CompanyInventors: Peter C. Williams, Prasanna Bhamidipati, Jeffrey Michael Rubinski, Mark A. Clason, Cal R. Brown, Jeffrey S. Rayle, John D. Karkosiak, Mark A. Bennett, Mark D. Bearer, Douglas S. Welch, Ronald P. Campbell, Douglas J. McClure, Gregory S. Kalata, Connor M. Dorony, Stephen J. Zaborski, Dale C. Arstein
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Patent number: 10344898Abstract: A fitting is provided that may optionally be pulled-up to its final assembled condition by torque rather than by turns. In one embodiment, at least one fitting component includes a structure that facilitates pull-up by torque. The structure may take a wide variety of different forms.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2017Date of Patent: July 9, 2019Assignee: SWAGELOK COMPANYInventors: Mark A. Bennett, Tobin Berry, Mark A. Clason, John D. Karkosiak, Thomas A. Lippucci, Andrew P. Marshall, Jeffrey Michael Rubinski, Edward A. Stroberg, Peter C. Williams
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Patent number: 10316997Abstract: The present application discloses methods and apparatus for installing fitting components, such as a conduit gripping device, on a conduit to form an assembly. The assembly is joinable with at least one other fitting component to form a fitting. The present application also discloses methods and apparatus for evaluating characteristics of components of a mechanically attached connection. Characteristics that may be evaluated include, but are not limited to, the position of a conduit gripping device on a conduit, an amount of axial compression or stroke of the conduit gripping device, an amount of clamping force applied to the conduit gripping device as the conduit gripping device is compressed, and an amount of torque applied to members that compresses the conduit gripping device.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2017Date of Patent: June 11, 2019Assignee: SWAGELOK COMPANYInventors: Peter C. Williams, Kennan J. Malec, William J. Menz, Cal R. Brown, Mark A. Clason, Jeffrey M. Rubinski, Raymond Scott Milhoan, Michael Mussig, Jeffrey S. Rayle
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Patent number: 10316998Abstract: A fitting for a tube or pipe capable of functioning a high pressures having a first fitting component adapted to receive the conduit end; a conduit gripping device such as a ferrule or ferrules and a second fitting component that can be joined to the first fitting component to cause the conduit gripping device to grip the conduit and seal when assembled. In one aspect of the invention, the first fitting component is constructed from a material that is softer than the material used to construct the second fitting component. An additional aspect of the invention include a retaining portion on the second fitting component that constrains the tube gripping device against pressure. The retaining portion can also be configured to retain the tube gripping device to the second fitting component prior to installation and in a finger-tight condition.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2016Date of Patent: June 11, 2019Assignee: Swagelok CompanyInventors: Peter C. Williams, Tobin Berry, George A. Carlson, Andrew P. Marshall, Mark A. Bennett, Sanjeev S. Moghe, Mark A. Clason
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Patent number: 10295093Abstract: Apparatus and method for mechanically attached connections of conduits may include a conduit gripping member, a drive member, and a seal member, the drive member causing axial movement of the conduit gripping member to indent into an outer surface of the conduit when the assembly is pulled-up, the drive member causing the seal member to form a zero clearance seal at a location that is axially spaced from the conduit gripping member. The zero clearance seal may comprise a face seal arrangement including a gasket, and the conduit gripping member may be a ferrule, ring or other device that can grip and optionally seal against the conduit outer surface. The assembly may include a sensing function for detecting or sensing a characteristic or condition of an assembly component or the fluid or both. In one embodiment, a body coupling member has a two piece construction of a main body and a conduit socket insert. A flared fitting embodiment is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2016Date of Patent: May 21, 2019Assignee: Swagelok CompanyInventors: Arthur Frank Anton, Michael Ray Butkovic, Johan Jan Goemans, Dale C. Arstein, Franziska H. Dacek, Gerhard H. Schiroky, Larry Dean Vandendriessche, William H. Glime, III, Peter C. Williams