Abstract: The disclosure presents exemplary embodiments of a cartridge nut concept for conduit fittings. The cartridge nut concept may include the feature of loosely retaining one or more conduit gripping devices with a fitting component such as a male or female threaded nut. The cartridge nut concept may be realized using one or more geometry or shape features or characteristics of one or more conduit gripping devices. Still further, the cartridge nut concept may be realized in combination with a ferrule cartridge concept.

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: 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 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 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 preassembly for a conduit fitting includes an annular fitting component and at least a first conduit gripping device. The annular fitting component has an interior wall including an inboard surface having a first diameter, an outboard surface having a second 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 first conduit gripping device is retained within the annular fitting component and includes a body portion and an annular ring portion having an inner radial portion secured to a rear surface of the body portion, and a flange portion extending radially outward of the inner radial portion to define a projection extending radially outward of an outer circumferential surface of the first conduit gripping device, with an end portion of the projection being axially captured between the inboard radial wall and the outboard radial wall.

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 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A seal device is provided for sealing a cylindrical component upon axial insertion of the cylindrical component, with the seal device including an annular flange portion defining a first opening having a first diameter, and a skirt portion integral with the annular flange portion and extending axially and radially inward from the flange portion. The skirt portion includes a plurality of first sectors extending axially inward from the flange portion to an axially inner edge of the skirt portion, each having an inner undulation defining a second opening having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter. The plurality of first sectors are circumferentially spaced apart by a plurality of second sectors extending axially outward from the flange portion to the axially inner edge of the skirt portion, each having an outer undulation defining a third opening having a third diameter smaller than the first diameter.

Abstract: A ferrule for a metal tube fitting includes a body having a cylindrical interior wall that extends through the ferrule from a front end to a back end, a circumferential recess in the cylindrical interior wall so that the cylindrical interior wall has a first cylindrical portion that is axially forward of the recess and a second cylindrical portion that is axially rearward of the recess. The body includes a nose portion with a tapered outer surface and a flange. The body also includes an outer wall having a first outer wall portion that extends from the tapered outer surface of the nose portion. The first outer wall portion extending rearward to a tapered outer wall portion, the tapered outer wall portion extending from the first outer wall portion to the flange, the diameter of the first cylindrical portion being less than the diameter of the second cylindrical portion.

Abstract: The disclosure presents exemplary embodiments of a cartridge nut concept for conduit fittings. The cartridge nut concept may include the feature of loosely retaining one or more conduit gripping devices with a fitting component such as a male or female threaded nut. The cartridge nut concept may be realized using one or more geometry or shape features or characteristics of one or more conduit gripping devices. Still further, the cartridge nut concept may be realized in combination with a ferrule cartridge concept.

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: A fitting includes first and second threaded fitting components, a conduit gripping device, and a stroke resisting member having a first axial length, the stroke resisting member being disposed between a threaded portion of the first fitting component and a radially extending portion of the second fitting component. The stroke resisting member is axially engaged by the radially extending portion of the second fitting component when the first and second fitting components are joined together to a first relative axial position, such that a tightening torque beyond the first relative axial position is increased by the axial engagement. The stroke resisting member is plastically compressed to a second axial length smaller than the first axial length when the first and second fitting components are joined together to a second relative axial position advanced beyond the first relative axial position.

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.

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 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.

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: 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 realized as an integral or integrated load bearing member that functions as a torque collar and deflects under load. The disclosure also presents a gauging structure and method for fittings that can be pulled up by turns, by torque or both.

Abstract: 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.