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).

  • Patent number: 10344898
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: SWAGELOK COMPANY
    Inventors: 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
  • Patent number: 10316997
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: SWAGELOK COMPANY
    Inventors: 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
  • Patent number: 10316998
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Swagelok Company
    Inventors: Peter C. Williams, Tobin Berry, George A. Carlson, Andrew P. Marshall, Mark A. Bennett, Sanjeev S. Moghe, Mark A. Clason
  • Patent number: 10295093
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Swagelok Company
    Inventors: 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
  • Patent number: 10246766
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: SWAGELOK COMPANY
    Inventors: Sunniva R. Collins, Gerhard H. Schiroky, Steven V. Marx, Peter C. Williams
  • Patent number: 10247336
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: Swagelok Company
    Inventors: Dale C. Arstein, Cal R. Brown, Mark A. Clason, Peter C. Williams
  • Publication number: 20190093207
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Applicants: Swagelok Company, Case Western Reserve University
    Inventors: Peter C. Williams, Steven V. Marx, Frank Ernst, Anna V. Agaponova
  • Publication number: 20190093208
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Applicant: Swagelok Company
    Inventors: Peter C. Williams, Sunniva R. Collins, Steven V. Marx
  • Patent number: 10214805
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignees: SWAGELOK COMPANY, CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Peter C. Williams, Steven V. Marx, Frank Ernst, Anna V. Agaponova
  • Publication number: 20190040980
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2018
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Inventors: Mark D. Bearer, Cal R. Brown, Ronald P. Campbell, Gregory S. Kalata, Douglas J. McClure, Douglas S. Welch, Peter C. Williams, Stephen J. Zaborszki
  • Patent number: 10156006
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: Swagelok Company
    Inventors: Peter C. Williams, Sunniva R. Collins, Steven V. Marx
  • Publication number: 20180320804
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2018
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Inventors: Douglas S. Welch, Ronald P. Campbell, Douglas J. McClure, Cal R. Brown, William J. Knaggs, Peter C. Williams, Andrew P. Marshall
  • Publication number: 20180320807
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2018
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Inventors: Dale C. Arstein, Cal R. Brown, Mark A. Clason, Peter C. Williams
  • Publication number: 20180299012
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2018
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventors: Peter C. Williams, Stephen J. Zaborszki, Elizabeth Mueller, Ronald P. Campbell, Douglas S. Welch
  • Patent number: 10100955
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: SWAGELOK COMPANY
    Inventors: Peter C. Williams, Howard C. B. Kuhns
  • Patent number: 10047887
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Swagelok Company
    Inventors: Dale C. Arstein, Cal R. Brown, Mark A. Clason, Peter C. Williams
  • Publication number: 20180202594
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2018
    Publication date: July 19, 2018
    Inventors: 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
  • Patent number: 10024468
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Swagelok Company
    Inventors: 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
  • Publication number: 20180195651
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2018
    Publication date: July 12, 2018
    Inventors: Peter C. Williams, Mark D. Bearer, Cal R. Brown, Stephen J. Zaborszki, Douglas S. Welch, Ronald P. Campbell, Gregory S. Kalata, Douglas J. McClure
  • Publication number: 20180172188
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2018
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Mark D. Bearer, Mark A. Bennett, John D. Karkosiak, Jeffrey Michael Rubinski, Peter C. Williams, Tobin Berry, Mark A. Clason, Eric M. Kvarda