Patents Assigned to Swagelok Company
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Patent number: 9556979Abstract: 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: March 12, 2015Date of Patent: January 31, 2017Assignee: 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: 9441769Abstract: 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: May 6, 2010Date of Patent: September 13, 2016Assignee: Swagelok CompanyInventors: Peter C. Williams, Cal R. Brown, Mark A. Clason, Dale C. Arstein
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Patent number: 9400070Abstract: 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: March 16, 2015Date of Patent: July 26, 2016Assignee: 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
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Patent number: 9383048Abstract: High localized loading, galling, and high torque forces have been generally eliminated or greatly reduced in a two ferrule tube fitting assembly through suitable modification of the rear ferrule so as to redirect the reaction forces acting between the front ferrule and the drive nut. The rear ferrule has a cylindrical interior wall that closely surrounds the tube end and is provided on the interior cylindrical wall with a circumferentially continuous radial recess that is located between the nose and rear wall of the rear ferrule. The rear ferrule also has a radially external wall that is substantially conical and additionally shaped to extend radially outward toward the enlarged diameter portion or flange of the rear ferrule.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2014Date of Patent: July 5, 2016Assignee: Swagelok CompanyInventors: Peter C. Williams, Howard C. B. Kuhns, David A. McMillan
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Publication number: 20160131264Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2015Publication date: May 12, 2016Applicant: Swagelok CompanyInventors: Charles Kneen Bregazzi, Barry Irvine, Graham H. Stephenson
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Patent number: 9297481Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2010Date of Patent: March 29, 2016Assignee: Swagelok CompanyInventors: Peter C. Williams, Mark A. Clason, Cal R. Brown, Dale C. Arstein, Jeffrey S. Rayle, John D. Karkosiak, Gregory S. Kalata
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Patent number: 9267627Abstract: 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: December 10, 2009Date of Patent: February 23, 2016Assignee: 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: 9212416Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2010Date of Patent: December 15, 2015Assignee: Swagelok CompanyInventors: Peter C. Williams, Sunniva R. Collins, Steven V. Marx
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Patent number: 9097622Abstract: A valve assembly includes a valve body having a fluid access passage extending from a process fluid port to an access port, a block valve disposed in the fluid access passage and movable between open and closed conditions, an access blocking device disposed in the fluid access passage between the access port and the block valve, and a valve interlock arrangement. The access blocking device is movable from an access blocking condition in which access to the block valve through the access port is blocked, to an access permitting condition in which access to the block valve through the access port is permitted. The valve interlock arrangement is configured such that the block valve is prevented from being moved to the closed condition when the access blocking device is in the access permitting condition.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2011Date of Patent: August 4, 2015Assignee: Swagelok CompanyInventor: James E. Gotch
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Patent number: 9038655Abstract: A diaphragm sealed flow cavity comprises a first body comprising a support surface, a diaphragm comprising an outer portion that is joined by a weld to the first body, a clamped portion, and an inner portion that is movable along an axis, with the clamped portion of the diaphragm being compressed between the bearing surface and the support surface. The diaphragm sealed flow cavity may include a cylindrical body having a crimped portion for joining the cylindrical body to the first body. The diaphragm sealed flow cavity may also include a member that applies a live load to the clamped portion of the diaphragm. In the exemplary embodiments, the diaphragm sealed flow cavity may be realized as part of a diaphragm flow control valve having a valve body, diaphragm and a housing.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2013Date of Patent: May 26, 2015Assignee: Swagelok CompanyInventors: Branden W. Keeper, William H. Glime, III, Daniel E. Zeiler
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Patent number: 9033372Abstract: A fitting assembly is provided with a first fitting component having a stepped wall surface; and a second fitting component radially spaced from the first fitting component when the fitting assembly is in a finger tight condition prior to pull-up. When the second fitting component is displaced into contact with the stepped wall surface during fitting pull-up, the stepped wall surface assists in separating the first fitting component from the second fitting component upon fitting disassembly.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2012Date of Patent: May 19, 2015Assignee: Swagelok CompanyInventors: Dale C. Arstein, Carl E. Meece, Peter C. Williams, Edward A. Pezak
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Patent number: 9016732Abstract: A ferrule type, flareless fitting is provided that may optionally be pulled-up to its 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 and allows the fitting to be remade. The structure may take a wide variety of different forms. Examples of fitting component structures that facilitate pull-up by torque and allow the fitting to be remade include, but are not limited to, deformable or compressible devices or structures that are configured to increase the torque required to further tighten the fitting components when the fitting is properly pulled up, resiliently deformable structures that bias a tube gripping device into engagement with a conduit when the fitting is remade to an initial pull-up position, and plastically deformable retaining structures that maintain a tube gripping device in sealing en a ement with a conduit when a fittin is disassembled.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2008Date of Patent: April 28, 2015Assignee: Swagelok CompanyInventors: Mark D. Bearer, Mark A. Bennett, John D. Karkosiak, Jeffrey Michael Rubinski, Peter C. Williams, Tobin Berry, Mark A. Clason, Eric M. Kvarda
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Patent number: 9010810Abstract: 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: April 16, 2013Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: 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
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Patent number: 8997325Abstract: 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: February 22, 2010Date of Patent: April 7, 2015Assignee: 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: 8960728Abstract: 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 torque collar. Alternatively, the fitting may also be pulled up by turns, hi 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. Different embodiments are provided for the stroke limiting member, including a visual indication as well as a torque indication.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2010Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Assignee: Swagelok CompanyInventors: Peter C. Williams, Mark A. Clason, Cal R. Brown, Jeffrey S. Rayle, John D. Karkosiak
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Patent number: 8931810Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2011Date of Patent: January 13, 2015Assignee: Swagelok CompanyInventors: Mark A. Clason, Peter C. Williams, Dale C. Arstein, Cal R. Brown
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Patent number: 8876170Abstract: A drive nut for a fitting includes an interior socket centered on a central axis and configured to receive at least a rearward portion of a conduit gripping member. The socket is defined by a radial drive surface positioned to engage the conduit gripping member during pull-up, a first longitudinal surface radially outward of said drive surface and a tapered second longitudinal surface between the drive surface and the first longitudinal surface, wherein a conduit gripping device contacts the second longitudinal surface upon an initial pull-up and each remake. This geometry facilitates a greater number of available remakes by reducing lost stroke, and can provide less stroke loss for fittings pulled up by torque.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2010Date of Patent: November 4, 2014Assignee: Swagelok CompanyInventors: Peter C. Williams, Dale C. Arstein
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Publication number: 20140252758Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2014Publication date: September 11, 2014Applicant: 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: 8813348Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2009Date of Patent: August 26, 2014Assignee: Swagelok CompanyInventors: Peter C. Williams, Jeffrey S. Rayle, Dale C. Arstein, Kennan Joseph Malec, William J. Menz, Cal R. Brown, Mark A. Clason, Jeffrey Michael Rubinski, Raymond Scott Milhoan, Michael Mussig
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Patent number: 8814139Abstract: A seal arrangement for providing a fluid seal of an annulus between two conforming surfaces such as a stem and a bore. The seal arrangement may include a pair of packing support rings. Preferably, two pairs of the packing support rings are used in order to provide double ended or two sided axial support for the packing. The first and second support rings support a load on the packing during normal or rated temperature use, with preferably an interference fit with the stem to resist extrusion of the packing along the stem. The support rings may be nested together and comprises different materials. For example, one support ring may comprise metal and the other support ring comprise a softer material such as a polymer or elastomer. An example of a packing material is a fire resistant material. The metal support ring may be used to maintain load on the fire resistant packing in the event that the other support ring has been destroyed by fire or other cataclysmic event.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2011Date of Patent: August 26, 2014Assignee: Swagelok CompanyInventors: Daniel Griffin, Demetrius Lytle