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: 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 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 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 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.

Abstract: A diaphragm valve with an assembly or cartridge that facilitates replacement of the diaphragm, the valve seat or both. The assembly may be a valve assembly having a diaphragm, a seat carrier and a valve seat that are combined into a discrete subassembly or cartridge for a diaphragm valve. The assembly as a discrete cartridge can be easily removed and replaced in order to change out the diaphragm or the valve seat or both. In one embodiment, the diaphragm has a perimeter that is welded to one side of the seat carrier. Flow capacity is favored by providing a gap between a seat carrier and a flow port of the valve body where the gap in part defines a flow area that is the same or greater than the flow area of the flow port. Methods for installing and replacing a valve assembly into a valve body are also disclosed.

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 be a non-integral torque collar and in another embodiment the stroke limiting member may be two engaging surfaces integrally formed with the fitting components. Alternatively, the fitting may also be pulled up by turns. 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. The stroke limiting member facilitates many remakes of the fitting, including remakes by torque.

Abstract: A valve includes a valve body, a valve seat, and a poppet assembled with the valve body. The poppet includes an axially extending poppet stem and a radially extending poppet sealing surface. The poppet is axially movable between a closed position and an open position. The poppet sealing surface is defined by a sealing member disposed on the poppet stem. The sealing member is laterally movable on the poppet stem. When the poppet is moved from the open position to the closed position, the sealing member is laterally moved to align the sealing surface with the seating surface.

Abstract: A valve and tool assembly includes a valve seat, a valve seat recess, a seat carrier and a valve seat displacement tool. A valve seat installation tool is also described, as well as a valve seat replacement kit and a method for replacing a valve seat. The valve may be a diaphragm valve, for example.

Abstract: A fluid sample system includes a control system that operates in the hazardous area and controls one or more valves and optionally receives outputs from one or more transducers and optionally one or more sensors. The fluid sample system includes components that operate in a hazardous area and includes a control system that operates in the hazardous area and that controls one or more electrical devices. The control system communicates across a barrier with a system on a safe side of the barrier with as few as two intrinsically safe couplings including a single pneumatic coupling and a communication link coupling. The control system includes an intrinsically safe voltage boost circuit.

Abstract: The seal made between two surfaces is enhanced by forming a coating, such as a self-assembled monolayer of a functionalized fluorinated macromolecule, on one or both of the surfaces.

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 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for evaluating characteristics of components of a mechanically attached connection are disclosed. 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, and an amount of clamping force applied to the conduit gripping device as the conduit gripping device is axially compressed or stroked.

Abstract: 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.

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 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.