Abstract: A method of fabricating a fluid component body includes forming a monolithic fluid component body including a valve segment having an annular upper perimeter wall portion defining a valve cavity and a lower base portion defining first and second flow ports, and a conduit segment extending from one of the first and second flow ports and including a conduit end portion defining a tubular portion extending in a first direction and spaced apart from a remainder of the fluid component body. The conduit end portion is bent from the first direct to a second direction.

Abstract: A fluid monitoring module includes an enclosure, a fluid sensing device assembled with the enclosure, and a controller disposed within the enclosure. The fluid sensing device includes a body member defining a fluid port external to the enclosure and a male threaded sensor port mounted to the enclosure and extending laterally into the enclosure, a female threaded nut assembled with the sensor port, a fluid sensor seated against a counterbore portion of the sensor port, and a retaining collar having a neck portion extending into the sensor port in engagement with the fluid sensor and a head portion captured between the female threaded nut and an end face of the sensor port. The controller is in circuit communication with the fluid sensor for receiving at least one of pressure indicating signals and temperature indicating signals from the fluid sensor, and for measuring fluid data based on the received signals.

Abstract: A flow sensing device includes a first body member defining an inlet port, an upstream sensor port, and a first connecting port; a second body member defining an outlet port, a downstream sensor port, and a second connecting port; a flow restricting element defining a flow restricting passage and including a first end connection coupled to the first connecting port and a second end connection coupled to the second connecting port, such that the flow restricting passage is disposed between the inlet port and the outlet port, and between the upstream sensor port and the downstream sensor port; a first fluid sensor assembled with the upstream sensor port; and a second fluid sensor assembled with the downstream sensor port.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a fluid component body includes forming a monolithic fluid component body including a valve segment having an annular upper perimeter wall portion defining a valve cavity and a lower base portion defining first and second flow ports, and a conduit segment extending from one of the first and second flow ports and including a conduit end portion defining a tubular portion extending in a first direction and spaced apart from a remainder of the fluid component body. The conduit end portion is bent from the first direct to a second direction.

Abstract: A preassembly for a conduit fitting includes a fitting nut, a ferrule disposed within the fitting nut, and a retaining feature configured to retain the ferrule with the fitting nut prior to assembly of the fitting nut with a fitting body, such that the ferrule is axially spaced from a drive surface of the fitting nut. When the fitting nut is assembled with a fitting body on a conduit end, axially movement of the ferrule toward the drive surface of the fitting nut causes deformation of the retaining feature to release the ferrule from the fitting nut.

Abstract: A flow sensing device includes a first body member defining an inlet port, an upstream sensor port, and a first connecting port; a second body member defining an outlet port, a downstream sensor port, and a second connecting port; a flow restricting element defining a flow restricting passage and including a first end connection coupled to the first connecting port and a second end connection coupled to the second connecting port, such that the flow restricting passage is disposed between the inlet port and the outlet port, and between the upstream sensor port and the downstream sensor port; a first fluid sensor assembled with the upstream sensor port; and a second fluid sensor assembled with the downstream sensor port.

Abstract: A fluid monitoring module includes a flow sensing device and a controller disposed in an enclosure. The flow sensing device includes a body including an inlet port, an outlet port, an upstream sensor port, a downstream sensor port, and a flow passage disposed between the inlet port and the outlet port, and between the upstream sensor port and the downstream sensor port. A first fluid sensor is assembled with the upstream sensor port, and a second fluid sensor is assembled with the downstream sensor port. The controller is in circuit communication with the first and second fluid sensors for receiving at least one of pressure indicating signals and temperature indicating signals from each of the first and second fluid sensors, and for measuring fluid data based on the received signals.

Abstract: A fluid monitoring module includes a flow sensing device and a controller disposed in an enclosure. The flow sensing device includes a body including an inlet port, an outlet port, an upstream sensor port, a downstream sensor port, and a flow passage disposed between the inlet port and the outlet port, and between the upstream sensor port and the downstream sensor port. A first fluid sensor is assembled with the upstream sensor port, and a second fluid sensor is assembled with the downstream sensor port. The controller is in circuit communication with the first and second fluid sensors for receiving at least one of pressure indicating signals and temperature indicating signals from each of the first and second fluid sensors, and for measuring fluid data based on the received signals.

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.

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.

Abstract: Mechanically attached connections for conduits may include a conduit gripping member and first and second connection members. The first and second connection members may be, for example, a nut member and a body member where the connection members cause axial movement of the conduit gripping member to grip and seal the conduit when the assembly is pulled-up. The mechanically attached connection may include a sensing function for detecting or sensing a condition or characteristic of at least one of the following: the mechanically attached connection, one or more of the connection members, the fluid contained by the mechanically attached connection, or a combination thereof. The sensing function may be, for example, a sensor that is integrated with at least one of the nut member and the body member.

Abstract: A conduit fitting includes first and second fitting components that can be joined, and at least one conduit gripping device that can grip and seal against an unjacketed portion of a metal conduit when the first and second fitting components are pulled up on the metal conduit. The conduit fitting further includes a sealing element and a seal engaging member that can be joined with at least one of the metal conduit, the first fitting component, and the second fitting component to compress the sealing element against a jacketed portion of the metal conduit.

Abstract: A fitting for a conduit is provided with first and second fitting components, a gripping member, and a live-loading mechanism. The first fitting component is adapted to receive a conduit along a central axis. The gripping member includes a gripping portion adapted to engage the conduit when the gripping member is tightened to the conduit. The second fitting component is adapted to be joined to the first fitting component to provide a seal between the gripping member and at least one of the first and second fitting components. The live-loading mechanism is adapted to hold the gripping portion in live-loaded engagement with the conduit when the first fitting component is separated from the second fitting component.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for mechanically attached connections of conduits may include a conduit gripping member (34), a drive member (36), and a seal member (48), 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 (48), 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, hi 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.

Abstract: A fitting for a conduit is provided with first and second fitting components, a gripping member, and a live-loading mechanism. The first fitting component is adapted to receive a conduit along a central axis. The gripping member includes a gripping portion adapted to engage the conduit when the gripping member is tightened to the conduit. The second fitting component is adapted to be joined to the first fitting component to provide a seal between the gripping member and at least one of the first and second fitting components. The live-loading mechanism is adapted to hold the gripping portion in live-loaded engagement with the conduit when the first fitting component is separated from the second fitting component.

Abstract: An electrically controlled fluid control valve comprises an electrical position controller governed by a signal proportional to the position of a movable element of the valve to regulate current to a shape memory alloy (SMA) valve actuator to position the movable element to a desired position. The control valve may also include a temperature controller governed by a signal provided by a temperature-sensing element in proximity to the valve actuator to activate a cooling device for reducing the surrounding temperature. A digital selector switch may be used for generating a digital code of a selected heating rate which may govern the electrical controller to regulate current to the SMA drive element. The electrical controller may also be governed by both position measurement and a temperature signals to regulate current to the SMA valve actuator and to control the cooling device to position the movable element to a desired position.

Abstract: An electrically controlled fluid control valve comprises an electrical position controller governed by a signal proportional to the position of a movable element of the valve to regulate current to a shape memory alloy (SMA) valve actuator to position the movable element to a desired position. The control valve may also include a temperature controller governed by a signal provided by a temperature-sensing element in proximity to the valve actuator to activate a cooling device for reducing the surrounding temperature. A digital selector switch may be used for generating a digital code of a selected heating rate which may govern the electrical controller to regulate current to the SMA drive element. The electrical controller may also be governed by both position measurement and a temperature signals to regulate current to the SMA valve actuator and to control the cooling device to position the movable element to a desired position.

Abstract: A fluid control valve having a shaped memory alloy (SMA) driven actuator is disclosed. The SMA driven actuator includes a first frame section coupled to a valve body and fixed in relation thereto, a second frame section coupled to a movable element of the valve body and movable in relation to the valve body, and a mulitiplicity of SMA wire sections coupling the first and second frame sections for moving the movable element from a biased first position to a second position when heated. An electrical controller controls the heating of the SMA wire sections by regulating current therethrough, preferably using pulse width modulation techniques. The electrical controller may be governed by a position measurement signal proportional to the position of the movable element to regulate current to the SMA drive element to position the movable element to a desired position. The position measuring signal may be provided from a position measuring element integral to the valve actuator.

Abstract: A fluid control valve having a shaped memory alloy (SMA) driven actuator is disclosed. The SMA driven actuator includes a first frame section coupled to a valve body and fixed in relation thereto, a second frame section coupled to a movable element of the valve body and movable in relation to the valve body, and a multiplicity of SMA wire sections coupling the first and second frame sections for moving the movable element from a biased first position to a second position when heated. An electrical controller controls the heating of the SMA wire sections by regulating current therethrough, preferably using pulse width modulation techniques. The electrical controller may be governed by a position measurement signal proportional to the position of the movable element to regulate current to the SMA drive element to position the movable element to a desired position. The position measuring signal may be provided from a position measuring element integral to the valve actuator.

Abstract: An orbital welding apparatus includes a first housing defining a weld head assembly and a circular rotor disposed therein for rotation about a first axis. A welding electrode is carried by the rotor for welding. A second housing separate from the first housing forms a power transmission and has a second drive shaft extending therefrom. A flexible drive shaft connects the first drive shaft and the second drive shaft to conduct rotary drive forces from the first drive shaft to the second drive shaft while permitting the relative orientations of the first and second housings to be freely adjustable. A third and independent housing carries an electric drive motor and forms a power drive motor module with a rotary output shaft. A releasable clamping mechanism is provided for positioning and holding cylindrical members to be welded in an axially aligned relationship with their ends abutting in a single plane.