FLUIDIC CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY FOR QUICK CONNECT/DISCONNECT
A fluidic connection assembly and methods for quickly connecting or disconnecting a tube to a port by hand and without the use of tools. A body is adapted to receive a tube therethrough, and may have at least two sides which are hinged. Each of the hinged sides has corresponding latching portions or projections located near a lower end of the body. These projections are adapted to fit into a port or other fitting and be securely held in place. The assembly may include a tube extending through a body and through a spring located between the end of the body and the end of the tube, whereby the spring exerts a force directly or indirectly against the end of the tube and against the body, thus holding the tubing securely and sealingly engaged in the port when the assembly is connected. The body may further comprise an additional body or an adapter, and/or a cap and latch. A second spring may be used to push a projecting member into a groove or notch of an adapter when an end of the adapter is inserted into one end of the latch or the body. The fluidic connection assembly is useful in analytical instrument systems, such as for in vitro applications and/or in high pressure applications, among other things, and may be used in methods for connecting, or disconnecting, tubing or a fluidic connection assembly from a port or other fitting or connection.
This application is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/617,792, filed Jun. 8, 2017 which is incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein, and which claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/349,569, filed Jun. 13, 2016, which is incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein, U.S. application Ser. No. 15/617,792, filed Jun. 8, 2017 which is a continuation-in-part and claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Non-provisional patent application Ser. No. 14/922,041, filed Oct. 23, 2015, which is incorporated by reference as if fully forth herein, which in turn claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/067,739, filed Oct. 23, 2014, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/127,276, filed Mar. 2, 2015, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/168,491, filed May 29, 2015, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThis invention relates generally to fluidic connections and fitting assemblies, and more specifically to fluidic connections and fittings which are easy to use, provide reliable sealing connections, and can be used without additional tools or equipment, and more particularly to fluidic connections and fitting assemblies for making fluidic connections or disconnecting fluidic connections quickly, such as may be useful in analytical instrument systems.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThere are numerous types of conventional analytical instrument (AI) systems in use and commercially available. Conventional AI systems include systems for Liquid chromatography (LC), ion chromatography (IC), and gas chromatography (GC). In addition, AI systems include high-pressure liquid chromatography, ultra-high pressure liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry systems, micro-flow chromatography systems, nanoflow and nano-scale chromatography systems, capillary electrophoresis systems, reverse-gradient chromatography systems, and systems which include or combine one or more of the foregoing. Although the following background discussion focuses on liquid chromatography systems and applications, those skilled in the art that the references to LC systems and applications are exemplary only and for the convenience of the reader, and are not limiting in any fashion.
LC systems provide well-known techniques for separating the constituent elements in a given sample. In a conventional LC system, a liquid solvent (referred to as the “mobile phase”) is introduced from a reservoir and is pumped through the LC system. The mobile phase exits the pump under pressure. The mobile phase then travels via tubing to a sample injection valve. As the name suggests, the sample injection valve allows an operator to inject a sample into the LC system, where the sample will be carried along with the mobile phase.
In a conventional LC system, the sample and mobile phase pass through one or more filters and often a guard column before coming to the column. A typical column usually consists of a piece of tubing which has been packed with a “packing” material. The “packing” consists of the particulate material “packed” inside the column. It usually consists of silica- or polymer-based particles, which are often chemically bonded with a chemical functionality. When the sample is carried through the column (along with the mobile phase), the various components in the sample migrate through the packing within the column at different rates (i.e., there is differential migration of the solutes). In other words, the various components in a sample will move through the column at different rates. Because of the different rates of movement, the components gradually separate as they move through the column. Differential migration is affected by factors such as the composition of the mobile phase, the composition of the stationary phase (i.e., the material with which the column is “packed”), and the temperature at which the separation takes place. Thus, such factors will influence the separation of the sample's various components.
Once the sample (with its components now separated) leaves the column, it flows with the mobile phase past a detector. The detector detects the presence of specific molecules or compounds. Two general types of detectors are used in LC applications. One type measures a change in some overall physical property of the mobile phase and the sample (such as their refractive index). The other type measures only some property of the sample (such as the absorption of ultraviolet radiation). In essence, a typical detector in a LC system can measure and provide an output in terms of mass per unit of volume (such as grams per milliliter) or mass per unit of time (such as grams per second) of the sample's components. From such an output signal, a “chromatogram” can be provided; the chromatogram can then be used by an operator to determine the chemical components present in the sample. Additionally, LC systems may utilize mass spectrometric detection for identification and quantification of the sample, either in addition to, or as an alternative to, the conventional detectors described previously. Ion chromatography relies on the detection of ions in solution, so most metallic materials in the flow path can create interference in the detection scheme, as they create background ions.
In addition to the above components, a LC system will often include filters, check valves, a guard column, or the like in order to prevent contamination of the sample or damage to the LC system. For example, an inlet solvent filter may be used to filter out particles from the solvent (or mobile phase) before it reaches the pump. A guard column is often placed before the analytical or preparative column; i.e., the primary column. The purpose of such a guard column is to “guard” the primary column by absorbing unwanted sample components that might otherwise bind irreversibly to the analytical or preparative column.
In practice, various components in an LC system may be connected by an operator to perform a given task. For example, an operator will select an appropriate mobile phase and column, and then connect a supply of the selected mobile phase and a selected column to the LC system before operation. In order to be suitable for LC applications, each connection must be able to withstand the typical operating pressures of the LC system. If the connection is too weak, it may leak. Because the types of solvents that are sometimes used as the mobile phase are often toxic and because it is often expensive to obtain and/or prepare many samples for use, any such connection failure is a serious concern.
It is fairly common for an operator to disconnect a column (or other component) from a LC system and then connect a different column (or other component) in its place after one test has finished and before the next begins. Given the importance of leak-proof connections in LC applications, the operator must take time to be sure the connection is sufficient. Replacing a column (or other component) may occur several times in a day. Moreover, the time involved in disconnecting and then connecting a column (or other component) is unproductive because the LC system is not in use and the operator is engaged in plumbing the system instead of preparing samples or other more productive activities. Hence, the replacement of a column (or other component) in a conventional LC system can involve a great deal of wasted time and inefficiencies.
Given concerns about the need for leak-free connections, conventional connections have been made with stainless steel tubing and stainless steel end fittings. More recently, however, it has been realized that the use of stainless steel components in a LC system have potential drawbacks in situations involving biological samples, and cannot be routinely used for ion chromatography. For example, the components in a sample may attach themselves to the wall of stainless steel tubing. This presents problems because the detector's measurements (and thus the chromatogram) of a given sample may not accurately reflect the sample if some of the sample's components or ions remain in the tubing and do not pass the detector. Perhaps of even greater concern, however, is the fact that ions from the stainless steel tubing may detach from the tubing and flow past the detector, thus leading to potentially erroneous results. Hence, there is a need for “biocompatible” or “metal-free” connections through the use of a material that is chemically inert with respect to such “biological” samples and the mobile phase used with such samples, so that ions will not be released by the tubing and thus contaminate the sample.
In many applications using selector/injector valves to direct fluid flows, and in particular in liquid chromatography, the volume of fluids is small. This is particularly true when liquid chromatography is being used as an analytical method as opposed to a preparative method. Such methods often use capillary columns and are generally referred to as capillary chromatography. In capillary chromatography, it is often desired to minimize the internal volume of the selector or injector valve. One reason for this is that a valve having a large volume will contain a relatively large volume of liquid, and when a sample is injected into the valve the sample will be diluted, decreasing the resolution and sensitivity of the analytical method.
Micro-fluidic analytical processes also involve small sample sizes. As used herein, sample volumes considered to involve micro-fluidic techniques can range from as low as volumes of only several picoliters or so, up to volumes of several milliliters or so, whereas more traditional LC techniques, for example, historically often involved samples of about one microliter to about 100 milliliters in volume. Thus, the micro-fluidic techniques described herein involve volumes one or more orders of magnitude smaller in size than traditional LC techniques. Micro-fluidic techniques can also be expressed as those involving fluid flow rates of about 0.5 ml/minute or less.
As noted, liquid chromatography (as well as other analytical) systems typically include several components. For example, such a system may include a pump; an injection valve or autosampler for injecting the analyte; a precolumn filter to remove particulate matter in the analyte solution that might clog the column; a packed bed to retain irreversibly adsorbed chemical material; the LC column itself; and a detector that analyzes the carrier fluid as it leaves the column. Ion chromatography may also utilize a suppressor column to facilitate detection dynamic range. These various components may typically be connected by a miniature fluid conduit, or tubing, such as metallic or polymeric tubing (for ion chromatography), usually having an internal diameter of 0.003 to 0.040 inch.
All of these various components and lengths of tubing are typically interconnected by threaded fittings. Fittings for connecting various LC system components and lengths of tubing are disclosed in prior patents, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,525,303; 5,730,943; and 6,095,572, the disclosures of which are herein all incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein. Often, a first internally threaded fitting seals to a first component with a ferrule or similar sealing device. The first fitting is threadedly connected through multiple turns by hand or by use of a wrench or wrenches to a second fitting having a corresponding external fitting, which is in turn sealed to a second component by a ferrule or other seal. Disconnecting these fittings for component replacement, maintenance, or reconfiguration often requires the use of a wrench or wrenches to unthread the fittings. Although a wrench or wrenches may be used, other tools such as pliers or other gripping and holding tools are sometimes used. In addition, the use of such approaches to connect components of an LC system often results in deformation or swaging of a ferrule used to provide a leak proof seal of tubing to a fitting or component. This often means that the ferrule and tubing connection, once made, cannot be reused without a risk of introducing dead volumes into the system. In addition, such approaches may involve crushing or deformation of the inner diameter of the tubing, which may adversely affect the flow characteristics and the pressures of the fluid within the tubing.
Another approach to provide a connection in an LC system involves providing a fitting assembly that uses a combination of components, including two separate ferrules. Such an approach is considered undesirable because by requiring two places for the ferrules to provide leak proof seals, it provides two places where the fluid to be analyzed may leak, as well as where dead volumes may be provided. In addition, this approach involves the use of additional components, which can cost more and also increase the time and effect to assemble them to make a connection or disassemble them when disconnecting tubing from a component or other fitting assembly.
There exists a need for fluidic fittings that are more reliable and have increased performance, which can be accomplished by applying a specific amount of torque to a fluidic fitting. The long used standard of “finger tight” when applying torque introduces a great deal of variation into the process. This results in fittings being under tightened, which causes leaks, or potentially over-tightened (with a tool), which can result in damage to fittings and ports. In general a torque limiting fitting may be preferred over the use a torque tool (such as a torque wrench) since torque tools require specific designs to allow access to specific fittings, employee training, additional assembly time, and associated costs (e.g., tool purchase and periodic calibration).
U.S. Pat. No. 5,183,140 discloses a general torque limiting mechanism, which comprises two rotatable members, one of which is the driving member and the other of which is the driven member. One of the members includes a single radial projection extending from a central hub that engages a recessed area on the other member. Below the torque limit the projection engages the recessed area and allows the driving member to drive the driven member, but above the torque limit the projection disengages the recessed area and prohibits the driving member from driving the driven member. U.S. Pat. No. 7,984,933 discloses a torque limiting fitting, which also comprises two rotatable members, one of which is the driving member and the other of which is the driven member. One of the members includes a lever extending from a central hub that engages an abutment on the other member. Below the torque limit the lever engages the abutment and allows the driving member to drive the driven member, but above the torque limit the lever deflects from the abutment and prohibits the driving member from driving the driven member. However, the radial projection and the lever are only supported on one end, which can result in inconsistency in the torque limit and generally lower maximum torque values.
It will be understood by those skilled in the art that, as used herein, the term “LC system” is intended in its broad sense to include all apparatus and components in a system used in connection with a liquid chromatography system, and that the discussion of fittings in the context of LC systems is exemplary, as the invention may apply beyond LC systems to gas and ion chromatography, as well as or in vitro diagnostic or environmental analysis, and in other analytical instruments and systems, and may be made of only a few simple components or made of numerous, sophisticated components which are computer controlled or the like. Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that an LC system is one type of an analytical instrument (AI) system. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that much of the foregoing discussion with respect to LC systems also has application to other types of AI systems and methods.
Conventional fitting assemblies in certain applications will use fittings that are screwed into ports. Such conventional fittings do not include an energizing member to supply a constant force, which may be needed if the fitting assembly or one or more of its components changes (e.g., such as via creep) over time.
Experience teaches that most users of equipment involving such fluidic connections do not like using tools to install fittings. Most prefer to make fluidic connections by hand and to disconnect the fluidic connections, once made, by hand. Moreover, most users do not like to be required to apply torque to threaded fittings (whether by hand or by use of a tool) to a specific torque value or range or values, often due to the time or extra equipment needed to do so. Also, in many situations, it is not entirely clear if an operator has applied enough or too much torque in making up a connection until the AI system is in operation and a leak occurs or the pressure of the fluid flowing through a tube causes its extrusion from the port.
In many conventional fluidic connections, it can be difficult to determine if the fitting assembly is correctly or fully installed or not, unless and until a leak or burst occurs. For example, a fitting assembly may appear fine because it is partially screwed into a threaded port, but in fact is not fully engaged to provide a seal at a desired pressure range for a given application because the user failed to apply sufficient torque when making the connection. Conventional fluidic connections and fitting assemblies do not provide an easily observable indication of whether the fitting assembly is fully connected.
Attempts have been made to try to address some of the drawbacks and issues with conventional fitting assemblies and connections. For example, attempts have been made to develop approaches intended to provide fittings which may be quickly connected to and disconnected from a component. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,803,512, titled “Tube Quick Connect to Female Socket,” issued to Hollnagel on Sep. 8, 1998, a quick connect assembly is described, which relies on a pair of slanted arms, the radial deflection of which allows a fitting to connect and disconnect with a female socket member. Likewise, U.S. Pat. No. 4,834,423, titled “Quick Connect Fluid Fitting Assembly,” issued to DeLand on May 30, 1989, describes a quick-connect fitting assembly which relies on a retainer means including at least one finger which can connect and release in interlocking engagement with a socket. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 8,448,994, titled “Latch Assembly For Joining Two Conduits,” issued to Pisula et al. on May 28, 2013, describes a latch assembly for the connection of conduits, where the connection is established by engagement of a feature within a slot and is disengaged by a release button. U.S. Pat. No. 6,497,433, titled “Coupling Assemblies for Providing Fluid Connection,” issued to Ketcham on Dec. 4, 2002, also discloses a retainer feature, in this case relying on at least two locking beams to engage and release a conduit to and from a female connector body.
Other attempts have been made to provide various connection assemblies. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,781,399, titled “Quick-Connect Coupling Having Improved Seal” and issued on Nov. 1, 1988, describes a connection assembly with a ball detent and seal for a household faucet or the like. U.S. Pat. No. 4,135,745, titled “Quick Connect Fluid Fitting” and issued on Jan. 23, 1979, describes a connection assembly with an expandable clip on a tube intended to allow tubing to be attached to a housing with a preassembled nut. U.S. published patent application No. 2014/0102561, published on Apr. 17, 2014 and titled “Quick-Release Connectors and Connection Assemblies for Fluidic Coupling” describes the use of a plunger body for use with a check valve. U.S. Pat. No. 7,695,020, issued on Apr. 13, 2010, and titled “Coupling with Latch Mechanism,” describes a coupling apparatus with a mechanical latch assembly with a latch plate. U.S. Pat. No. 6,361,687, titled “Quarter Turn Quick Connect Fitting” and issued on Mar. 26, 2002, describes a fitting assembly with a quarter turn nut which cooperates with a fitting with pins. U.S. Pat. No. 6,149,127, issued on Nov. 21, 2000, and titled “Spring Loaded Compression Valve Fitting” describes a valve fitting to be coupled to a valve body and cause a compression member to limit the pressure exerted on the valve body. U.S. Pat. No. 5,951,063, titled “Quick Connector with Snap-On Retainer Having Enhanced Engagement” and issued on Sep. 14, 1999, describes a retainer with lock projections for releasably locking together male and female components. It is believed that none of these prior attempts have provided a connection assembly which can quickly and easily be used by an operator to connect or disconnect tubing without the need for any torque or any rotation of a component of the assembly, and without any tools, and yet provide a sealing engagement for high pressure applications in a cost effective manner. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,781,399, 4,135,745, 7,695,020, 6,361,687, 6,149,127, and 5,951,063, and U.S. published patent application No. 2014/0102561, are hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.
None of these references disclose a means for supplying constant axial force on the fitting as the fitting changes over time (e.g., the fitting material creeps). Such a force can be advantageous to maintain the integrity of the tube-to-port seal as the fitting assembly creeps. If the fitting assembly creeps and there is no compensating axial force, this could result in leakage at the point of the tube-to-port interface and could thus compromise the fitting assembly. In addition, none of the references noted above disclose a tube-to-port seal wherein the seal is generated solely by the tube face, without the need for torque or extra components (e.g., ferrules). Moreover, conventional fitting assemblies fail to provide a connection system in which an operator can easily determine from visual examination that a seal has been obtained when a connection has been made.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn one embodiment of the present disclosure, a fluidic connection assembly is provided which includes a body having a first end and a second end, and having a plurality of sides, and further having a bottom portion with a plurality of latch portions, each corresponding to one of the sides of the body, wherein the latch portions are adapted to be retained in a port when inserted therein, said body further having a passageway therethrough adapted to receive a tube extending through said body, said body further having a plurality of hinges, each of the hinges corresponding to one of the sides of said body, wherein the sides and the corresponding latch portions of said body are adapted to move inwardly towards the longitudinal axis of the body when a force is exerted thereon, thereby allowing the body to be disconnected from the port, and wherein the first end of said body comprises an extension member and the second end of said body is adapted to cooperate with a spring for exerting a force against a bottom of the tube. The fluidic connection assembly can further comprise a second spring in an interior portion of said body such that the second spring exerts a force against the plurality of sides of said body towards the exterior of said body and away from the longitudinal axis of the body. The extension and said body can be integral or can be formed from separate pieces. The second spring can be one or more of any of a number of different types of springs, such as a band spring, a cantilever spring, an elastomeric spring, or the like.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the fluidic connection assembly can also include a spring and a tube extending through the extension member, through the body, and through the spring, wherein the spring is located between the second end of said body and one end of said tube. In addition, the end of the tube can comprise a flange and/or the spring can comprise a coiled spring. In some embodiments, the extension portion may include a plurality of toroidal members and/or a spine member, and the spine member can be provided by a wire having a polymeric coating. Some embodiments may further include a backup ring located between the spring and the flange of said tube, wherein the backup ring may be used to help concentrate the force from said spring on the flange in an area smaller than the total surface area of the flange. The backup ring can be radially tapered to concentrate axial force on a smaller area of the tube second end, and the end of the tube may comprise a reduced surface area. The fluidic connection assembly in accordance with the present disclosure may have a body which comprises any one or more of various materials, which may include metal, such as steel, including stainless steel, aluminum, titanium, as well as polymeric materials such as polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyoxymethylene (POM) such as available under the mark DELRIN and known sometimes as acetal, RADEL brand polyphenylsulfone (PPSU), ULTEM brand polyetherimide (PEI), polyetherketoneketone (PEKK), polyaryletherketone (PAEK), polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinylchloride, acrylic, and/or other materials, such a fused silica, silica borite, PEEKsil, and the like.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, methods are provided, including a method of making a connection which includes the steps of providing a tube having first and second ends, wherein the second end comprises a flange, inserting the first end of the tube through a backup ring, a spring, and a body, wherein said body comprises a first end and a second end, a plurality of sides, and a bottom portion having a plurality of latch portions, each corresponding to one of the sides, wherein the latch portions are adapted to be retained in a port when inserted therein, said body further having a passageway therethrough adapted to receive a tube extending through said body, said body further having a plurality of hinges, each of the hinges corresponding to one of the sides of said body, wherein the sides and the corresponding latch portions of said body are adapted to move inwardly towards the center of the body when a force is exerted thereon, and wherein the second end of said body is adapted to cooperate with a spring for exerting a force against a bottom of the tube, and inserting a least a portion of the body, including at least the latch portions of the body, into a port, wherein the latch portions are retained within the port. In at least some embodiments, such methods do not require the application of any torque, or the use of a threaded engagement of two members, or the relative rotation of two threaded members to provide a threaded engagement.
In some embodiments, methods of disconnecting a tube connected to a port are provided. Such methods may include the steps of exerting a force on a plurality of sides of a body in a fluidic connection assembly, wherein the fluidic connection comprises a tube having first and second ends, wherein the second end comprises a flange, and wherein at least a portion of the tube between the second end and the first end extends through the body, wherein the body has a first end and a second end, and a bottom portion with a plurality of latch portions, each corresponding to one of the sides, said body further having a passageway therethrough adapted to receive the tube, said body further having a plurality of hinges, each of the hinges corresponding to one of the sides of said body, wherein the sides and the corresponding latch portions of said body are adapted to move inwardly towards the center of the body when a force is exerted thereon, thereby moving the latch portions of the body inwardly, and then pulling the assembly from the port. In some embodiments of such methods, the steps do not require the application of any torque to a component of the assembly.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, an analytical instrument system is provided which includes a fluidic connection which in turn includes a body having a first end and a second end, and having a plurality of sides, and further having a bottom portion with a plurality of latch portions, each corresponding to one of the sides, wherein the latch portions are adapted to be retained in a port when inserted therein, said body further having a passageway therethrough adapted to receive a tube extending through said body, said body further having a plurality of hinges, each of the hinges corresponding to one of the sides of said body, wherein the sides and the corresponding latch portions of said body are adapted to move inwardly towards the center of the body when a force is exerted thereon, thereby allowing the body to be disconnected from the port, and wherein the first end of said body comprises an extension member and the second end of said body is adapted to cooperate with a spring for exerting a force against a bottom of the tube. The AI system may further include a spring and a tube extending through the extension member, through the body, and through the spring, wherein the spring is between the second end of said body and one end of said tube. In addition, the spring may exert a force against the flange of the one end of said tube and maintain a sealing engagement. In some embodiments, the AI system may be used for in vitro applications. In at least some of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the fitting assembly, once connected, may provide a seal at a fluid pressure of at least 200 psi, 500 psi, 1000 psi, 2500 psi, 5000 psi, 10000 psi, and 20000 psi. In addition, in some embodiments, the fitting assembly can provide a visual cue to an operator to indicate that a proper connection has been made for an intended application. Moreover, the present disclosure provides apparatus and methods which allow an operator to make up a fluidic connection, or to disconnect a fluidic connection, but hand and without the need for pliers, wrenches, or other tools, and without the need for application of a torque, such as is the case when a connection is made which requires the relative rotation of two threaded members. The connection assembly can be used in connection with any one of a number of ports and/or components in any one or more AI system, including in connection with components including any one or more of the following: a pump, a column, a filter, a guard column, a valve, a detector, a pressure regulator, a reservoir, a degasser, a debubbler, a union, a tee, a cross, an adapter, a splitter, a sample loop, or a connector.
In certain embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure, an assembly body for connecting a tube to a port comprising a body is provided, which has a passageway therethrough and has located therein means for exerting an axial force to bias an end of a tube towards a face of a port, and further has means for removably and securely attaching said body to the port, wherein the means for removably and securely attaching said body are adapted to allow a user to select between a first position and second position of the means for removably and securely attaching said body to thereby attach said body to the port in the first position and to disengage said body from the port in the second position. The end of the tube may further comprise a tip, and the port may be formed by a recess formed in an adapter attached to another component, such as an adapter connected to the end of a column, or may be a port which is part of a manifold, a pump, a valve, a column, a filter, a guard column, a detector, a pressure regulator, a reservoir, a degasser, a debubbler, a union, a tee, a cross, a splitter, a sample loop, a connector, or another component in an AI instrument or system. The means for exerting an axial force may comprises a spring, including without limitation a coiled spring. The means for removably and securely attaching may comprise radial projections on said body adapted to engage with portions of the port, such as radial projections shoulders which latch together when connected, or may comprise a ball detent mechanism. The body is adapted to removably and securely attach to a port with axial loading, such as by an operator by hand or by automated means, without any torque being applied to said body or the port, and without requiring that the body or the port be turned. The tube, the body, and the port assembly may comprise biocompatible materials. In addition, the port may comprise a first inner diameter at an opening thereof and a bottom surface with a reduced surface area for contact with the end of the tube, wherein the bottom surface has an outer diameter less than the first inner diameter of the port. The portion of the tube located within the body may have a first diameter and the end of the tube may comprise a bottom surface having an outer diameter less than the first outer diameter of the tube, thereby concentrating the force exerted at the sealing location and allowing a seal to be formed capable of a leak-free seal and preventing extrusion of the tube from the port without requiring such force to be applied to connect the assembly together by an operator. In addition, the tube may have a tip which has a first end with a first outer diameter and the tip also has a portion thereof with a second outer diameter which is greater than the first outer diameter. The port may be comprised of a combination of two or more distinct components, such as if the port comprises a bottom surface of a first component and an recess extending from the bottom surface is provided by a second component.
In certain embodiments, a fluidic connection assembly for high pressure applications is provided which comprises a connector assembly having a connector and having means for allowing an operator to select between a first position of said connecter and a second position of said connector, wherein in the first position said connector is adapted to be inserted into or removed from a port, and in the second position said connector is adapted to be retained in the port, and wherein said connector has a passageway therethrough adapted to receive a portion of a tube, and means located within said connecter for exerting a force on a portion of tube located within the passageway of said connector when said connector is in the second position, wherein said connector is adapted to be connected to the port without any torque and without turning either said connector or the port, and wherein said connecter assembly and said means for exerting a force on a portion of a tube are adapted to sealingly engage the tube in the port when a fluid flows through the tube. The means for allowing an operator to select between a first position and a second position may comprise a plurality of tabs each connected to a corresponding radial projection which moves radially inward or outward when the tabs are moved radially inward or outward, and such movement may correspond to each other (i.e., inward movement of the projections when the tabs move inward), or may be different from one another (i.e., inward movement of the projections when the tabs are moved outwardly). The means for allowing an operator to select between a first position and a second position may comprise a collar and ball detent. The means for exerting a force may comprises a spring, and the means may be preselected so that the force adapted to be exerted is a force of at least a preselected amount, or within a preselected range. The means for exerting a force and said connector assembly may be adapted to sealingly engage one end of the tube when a fluid flows through the tube at pressures up to 5,000 psi, 10,000 psi, 15,000 psi, 20,000 psi, and/or 25,000 psi.
In certain embodiments of the present disclosure, a fluidic connection assembly is provided and which comprises a body having a first end and a second end, and having a plurality of sides, and further having a bottom portion with a plurality of latch portions, each corresponding to one of the sides, wherein the latch portions are adapted to be retained in a port when inserted therein, said body further having a passageway therethrough adapted to receive a tube extending through said body, said body further having a plurality of sides each having a slot therein, each slot corresponding to one of the sides of said body, wherein each side of said body which has a slot does not have a corresponding latch portion, wherein the sides with corresponding latch portions of said body are adapted to move inwardly towards the center of the body when a force is exerted thereon, thereby allowing said body to be disconnected from the port, and wherein the second end of said body is adapted to cooperate with a spring for exerting a force against a bottom of the tube.
In addition, certain embodiments provide a method of connecting a tube to a port of a component of an analytical instrument system, which method comprises providing an assembly having a first end and a second end, wherein the assembly is adapted to connect to a port of a component of an analytical instrument system, providing a tube having a first end and a second end and extending through the assembly, and inserting, without any threaded engagement of the assembly with the port, at least a portion of the second end of the tube and the second end of the assembly into the port so that a portion of the assembly is removably held in the port and provides a sealed connection between the second end of the tube and the port, wherein the sealed connection is leakproof at pressures of up to at least 2,500 psi.
In other embodiments, a fluidic connection assembly is provided which comprises a body having a first end and a second end, and having a plurality of tabs located between the first and second ends, wherein each of the plurality of tabs extends radially outwardly from said body, and wherein the second end of said body further has a plurality of radially inwardly extending latch portions, each corresponding to one of the tabs, wherein the latch portions are adapted to engage and retain a first end of a port body when the first end of the port body is between the latch portions of said body and the latch portions are in a closed position, and the latch portions are adapted to move radially outwardly when the corresponding tabs move radially inwardly, said body further having a passageway therethrough adapted to receive a tube extending through said body, and a spring located in said body and having a first end proximal the first end of said body and a second end adapted to exert a force to urge one end of the tube against at least a portion of a port in the port body. The fluidic connection assembly may further comprise a spring and a tube extending through the extension member, through the body, and through the spring. The end of said tube may further comprise a PEEK tip, and the spring may comprise a coiled spring. In addition, the assembly may further comprise a boss in the port of the port body which has a diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the tube. The port may comprise a port within an AI system component, including at least one of a union, tee, cross, pump, valve, column, guard column, manifold, or detector.
In some embodiments, a fluidic connection assembly is provided which comprises a first body having a passageway therethrough and having first end and a second end, and having a plurality of tabs defining the second end, wherein a middle portion of said first body has a plurality of radially inwardly extending shoulder portions, each corresponding to one of the tabs, wherein each of the shoulder portions are adapted to move radially inwardly when a corresponding tab is moved radially inwardly, a second body having a first end and a second end and located within said first body, wherein the first end of said second body abuts the interior surface of the first end of said first body, said second body further having a plurality of middle portions, each adapted to move radially inwardly when a corresponding shoulder portion of said first body moves radially inwardly, and further having latch portions proximal the second end of said second body, wherein the latch portions are adapted to move radially inwardly when the middle portions move radially inwardly, and wherein the latch portions are adapted to removably engage with radially inward projections at a first end of a port body in an AI system, said second body further having a passageway therethrough adapted to receive a tube extending through said second body, and a spring located in said second body and having a first end proximal the first end of said second body and a second end adapted to exert a force to urge one end of the tube against at least a portion of a port in the port body. The assembly may further comprise a spring and a tube extending through said spring, and the end of said tube may comprise a PEEK tip. In addition, the assembly may further comprise a boss in the port of the port body which has a diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the tube. The port may comprise a port within an AI system component, including at least one of a union, tee, cross, pump, valve, column, guard column, manifold, or detector.
In certain embodiments, a fluidic connection assembly is provided which may comprise a body having a first end and a second end, each of the first and second ends having openings therein, and having a hollow portion therein, a first spring located at least partially within the hollow portion of said body, and having a first end abutting an interior surface of the hollow portion of said body, a latch member having an opening therethrough and having a base portion and a top portion, wherein the base portion of said latch member is adapted to fit at least partially within said body, and wherein the top portion has one or more projections adapted to be held in recesses on an exterior portion of said body, and a cap member having an opening therethrough and having first and second sides and an extension on the first side of said cap member which is adapted to extend into at least a portion of the hollow portion of said body and to hold said latch member and said cap member together, wherein the second side of said cap member is adapted to be attached to the second end of said body, and wherein said latch member is adapted to engage with and securely hold an adapter when a portion of one end of the adapter is inserted into the opening of said cap member and the opening of said latch member, and wherein each of said body, said spring, said latch member, and said cap member are adapted to receive at least a portion of tubing therethrough. In addition, the first spring may be in a compressed state when said cap member, said latch member, and said body are assembled together and said first spring is located entirely within the hollow portion of said body. The fluidic connection assembly may further comprise a second spring, wherein said second spring is located within the hollow portion of said body and adjacent to at least one side of said latch member. The second spring may be adapted to push said latch member so that a radially inward projection of said latch member is pressed against a portion of said adapter. The adapter and the inward projection of the latch member may have cooperating ramps or angled portions to allow for easier engagement of the adapter and the inward projection. The fluidic connection assembly may further comprise a tube having one end which extends through the first and second ends of said body, said first spring, said latch member, and extends out of the opening of the second side of said cap member. The first spring may exert a force which urges the end of said tube away from said body. The fluidic connection assembly may further comprise a washer or disc located within said body and adjacent to a second end of said first spring, a sleeve member surrounding at least a portion of said tube, wherein said sleeve member has a first end and a second end, and wherein said first spring exerts a force on said washer and said washer exerts a force on said sleeve, and said sleeve exerts a force on said tube which urges the end of said tube away from said body. The assembly may further comprise a tip surrounding a portion of the tube and at least a portion of which is surrounded by the sleeve, wherein the force exerted on the sleeve is transferred to one end of said tip to urge said tip against a surface of a port. The port may comprise a port within an AI system component, including at least one of a union, tee, cross, pump, valve, column, guard column, manifold, or detector.
In certain embodiments, a fluidic connection assembly is provided which may comprise a body having a first end and a second end, each of the first and second ends having openings therein, and having a hollow portion therein, a first spring located at least partially within the hollow portion of said body, and having a first end abutting an interior surface of the hollow portion of said body, a latch member having an opening therethrough and having a base portion, and a cap member having an opening therethrough and having first and second sides, and which is adapted on one side to surround a portion of one end of the body, with the cap further having a base portion which is adapted to receive and hold a second spring therein, with the cap further adapted to receive and hold at least a portion of the latch member therein, with the latch member further adapted to engage with and securely hold an adapter when a portion of one end of the adapter is inserted into the opening of said latch member, and wherein each of said body, said spring, said latch member, and said cap member are adapted to receive at least a portion of tubing therethrough. In addition, the first spring may be in a compressed state when said cap member, said latch member, and said body are assembled together and said first spring is located entirely within the hollow portion of said body. The fluidic connection assembly may further comprise a second spring, wherein said second spring is located within the base portion of said cap and adjacent to at least one side of said latch member. The second spring may be adapted to push said latch member so that a radially inward projection of said latch member is pressed against a portion of said adapter and/or into an annular notch of the adapter. The adapter and the inward projection of the latch member may have cooperating ramps or angled portions to allow for easier engagement of the adapter and the inward projection. The fluidic connection assembly may further comprise a tube having one end which extends through the first and second ends of said body, said first spring, said latch member, and extends out of the opening of the second side of said cap member. The first spring may exert a force which urges the end of said tube away from said body. The fluidic connection assembly may further comprise a washer or disc located within said body and adjacent to a second end of said first spring, a sleeve member surrounding at least a portion of said tube, wherein said sleeve member has a first end and a second end, and wherein said first spring exerts a force on said washer and said washer exerts a force on said sleeve, and said sleeve exerts a force on said tube which urges the end of said tube away from said body. The assembly may further comprise a tip surrounding a portion of the tube and at least a portion of which is surrounded by the sleeve, wherein the force exerted on the sleeve is transferred to one end of said tip to urge said tip against a surface of a port. The port may comprise a port within an AI system component, including at least one of a union, tee, cross, pump, valve, column, guard column, manifold, or detector.
In certain embodiments a method of connecting a tube to a port is provided, with the method comprising the steps of providing a tube having first and second ends, inserting the first end of the tube through a fluidic connection assembly which may comprise a body having a first end and a second end, each of the first and second ends having openings therein, and having a hollow portion therein, a first spring located at least partially within the hollow portion of said body, and having a first end abutting an interior surface of the hollow portion of said body, a latch member having an opening therethrough and having a base portion and a top portion, wherein the base portion of said latch member is adapted to fit at least partially within said body, and wherein the top portion has one or more projections adapted to be held in recesses on an exterior portion of said body, and a cap member having an opening therethrough and having first and second sides and an extension on the first side of said cap member which is adapted to extend into at least a portion of the hollow portion of said body and to hold said latch member and said cap member together, wherein the second side of said cap member is adapted to be attached to the second end of said body, and wherein said latch member is adapted to engage with and securely hold an adapter when a portion of one end of the adapter is inserted into the opening of said cap member and the opening of said latch member, and wherein each of said body, said spring, said latch member, and said cap member are adapted to receive at least a portion of tubing therethrough, inserting a least a portion of tube into an adapter and inserting at least a portion of one end of the adapter into the second end of said body and having the projection of said latch member engage with a portion of the adapter to securely hold the adapter and the latch member together, and engaging the other end of the adapter with a port, such as by threadably engaging threads on the adapter with threads of the port.
Still referring to
As shown in
Also shown in
Referring now to
As shown in
A hinge 33 is located at or near the top of the face 41 and at or near the top of face 43. The hinges 33 allow at least portions of the faces 41 and 43 to move inwardly and outwardly with respect to the longitudinal axis of the fluidic connector 1. Referring to
As shown in
Referring now to
As shown in
Those skilled in the art will appreciate that human strength may vary, sometimes substantially. A fluidic connector assembly which is easily and quickly operable by men and women, strong or weak, would be advantageous. Such an assembly also would be advantageous if the ability to obtain a sealed connection does not vary from user to user, and does not require a narrow range of force or torque to obtain a sealed engagement, and does not require the use of any tools. The fluidic connector assembly 1 provides these advantages. For example, spring member 45 can be selected to require no more than an amount in a range of from two to five (e.g., three) pounds of force to be applied to indentations 40 to move the projections 37 inwardly enough to detach the fluidic connector 1 from a port. Almost all reasonably healthy and non-disabled adult humans are believed able to exert such a force by pinching sides 41 and 43 together between a thumb and finger (and without requiring any tools). Moreover, the fluidic connector assembly 1 of the present disclosure is advantageous because, once connected to a port, the fluidic connector assembly 1 provides a secure sealing engagement. An operator can easily visually check to be sure that the projections 37 are held in a port; such a confirmation is all that is needed for the operator to confirm that a seal has been obtained with the connection. Moreover, the sides 41 and 43 will provide a visual cue and confirmation of a sealing engagement because, once the sealing engagement has been made, the latches 37 will be biased outwardly from the longitudinal axis, and so will the faces 41 and 43, with the location of the faces 41 and 43 easily visible to an operator.
Referring now to
Those skilled in the art will appreciate that, depending on the intended application, including without limitation the expected fluidic pressures, the nature of the fluids to be used, the nature of the samples to be analyzed, and the like, the composition of the materials used, as well as the specific shapes and sizes, of the various components and features of the fluidic connector 1 as shown and described above can be varied. For example, in applications in which biocompatibility is desired, the tubing 5 can be made of polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyaryletherketone (PAEK), polyetherketoneketone (PEKK), fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP), ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), perfluoroalkoxy (PFA, also called perfluoroalkoxyethylene), polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE), polymer-sheathed fused silica (such as PEEKSi1), fused silica, or silica borite, and can further include a filler material, which can include fibers, such as carbon fibers, glass fibers, nanofibers, and/or metallic fiber, depending on the pressures and fluids involved. It is anticipated that the fluidic connector 1 will be of particular usefulness in in vitro applications, such as those in which the fluidic pressures are about 200 psi or less, and in which biological materials are involved. In such situations, it is often desirable for the fluid path to contain only biocompatible materials. In the embodiment shown and described, however, this is achieved because the tubing 5 is the only component of the fluidic connector 1 touching the fluid. In the embodiment shown in
The extension 10 and body 15 can be made of any one of a number of different materials, including any one or more of the following: metal, such as steel, including stainless steel, aluminum, titanium, as well as polymeric materials such as polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyoxymethylene (POM) such as available under the mark DELRIN and known sometimes as acetal, RADEL brand polyphenylsulfone (PPSU), ULTEM brand polyetherimide (PEI), polyetherketoneketone (PEKK), polyaryletherketone (PAEK), polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinylchloride, acrylic, and/or other materials, such a fused silica, silica borite, PEEKsil, and the like. In one embodiment, the extension is made of one or more polymeric materials such as polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyoxymethylene (POM) such as available under the mark DELRIN and known sometimes as acetal, RADEL brand polyphenylsulfone (PPSU), ULTEM brand polyetherimide (PEI), polyetherketoneketone (PEKK), polyaryletherketone (PAEK), polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinylchloride, acrylic, and/or other polymeric materials, with a wire made of a metal located within the spine member 30 and over molded with PEEK, although those skilled in the art will appreciate that any one of a number of additional or different polymers may be used for this purpose. This particular embodiment of the spine member 30 of the extension 10 allows an operator to bend or twist or otherwise shape the extension 10 or a portion thereof, and for that portion of the extension so manipulated by an operator to retain its shape indefinitely.
As noted above, the extension 10 can be optional. If included, extension 10 can be integral with the body 15, or the extension 10 can be a separate piece that is attached to the body 15. The extension 10 can be permanently attached to the body, such as by glue, epoxy, or other adhesive means, or can be attached such as by melting either or both of extension 10 and body 15 and attaching them and then allowing the polymeric material(s) to harden, or by sintering or other methods. In addition, the extension 10 and body 15 can be adapted so that the extension 10 can be removably attached to the body 15, such as by providing latching means or a compression fit. For example, the extension 10 can be adapted so that its base end has a slightly larger area than the top of the body 15 and can be compressed by a user, then inserted into the top of the body 15, such that when the operator releases the pressure on the extension 10 base end, it expands and is removably secured to the body 15.
An embodiment of the operation of the fluidic connector 1 is now described with reference to
As shown in
By pressing faces 41 and 43 inwardly and inserting the bottom portion of assembly 1 into a port, then releasing the pressure on faces 41 and 43, an operator can obtain a connection that is sealed and leak-proof, and provides sufficient force to keep the sealed connection (even when a fluid under high pressures, such as from about 200 psi to about 5000 psi or so is flowing through the tubing 5) in place. An operator can make a desired connection in a LC or other analytical instrument system using the assembly 1 without the need for any torque, such as on a nut, without the need for a threaded connection, and without the need for any additional tools, such as a wrench or the like. Moreover, an operator can disconnect the assembly 1 from a port by pressing faces 41 and 43 inwardly and pulling on the body 15 or other portion of the assembly 1 and easily removing the assembly 1 from the port, again without the need for any application of a torque, without the need for disconnecting a threaded engagement (such as if a nut with threads is used), and without the need for any additional tools.
Referring now to
The body 715, as shown in
Still referring to
The fluidic connector 701 shown in
Referring now to
Referring now to
Still referring to
By pressing faces 741 and 743 inwardly and inserting the bottom portion of assembly 701 into a port of the body 770, then releasing the pressure on faces 741 and 743, an operator can obtain a connection that is sealed and leak-proof, and provides sufficient force to keep the sealed connection (even when a fluid under high pressures, such as from about 200 psi to 5000 psi or so is flowing through the tubing 705) in place. An operator can make a desired connection in a LC or other analytical instrument system using the assembly 701 without the need for any torque, such as on a nut, without the need for a threaded connection, and without the need for any additional tools, such as a wrench or the like. Moreover, an operator can disconnect the assembly 701 from a port in the body 770 by pressing faces 741 and 743 inwardly and pulling on the body 715 or other portion of the assembly 701 and easily removing the assembly 701 from the port of the body 770, again without the needed for any torque, without the need for disconnecting a threaded engagement (such as if a nut with threads is used), and without the need for any additional tools.
Referring now to
An operator can easily assembly the fluidic connector 901 by placing the tubing 905 through the spring 920, through the central passageway through the lower portion 912 and head 910 of the body, and through the central passageway through the spring member 945, and extending from the top end of the fluidic connector 901. The spring member 945 can be removably secured within the head 910 if desired, or can be permanently attached or secured to the head 910. The spring member 945 can be any one of number of different types of spring members, such as an elastomeric spring. The spring member 945 serves to push or bias the four sides of the head 910 outward from the longitudinal axis of the fluidic connector 901. However, the spring member 945 can be selected (such as by selecting its shape, size, and material composition) so that an operator can easily push the two opposing sides of the head 910 which do not have slots 904 towards the longitudinal axis. The slots 904 allow the other two sides to move towards each other, and thus the projections 937 move towards each other and the longitudinal axis, thereby providing a smaller outer diameter than when in a resting or normal position (such as when no additional force is applied to opposing sides of head 910). By squeezing the two opposing sides of head 910 which do not have slots 904, the operator can move the projections closer together for easy insertion of the lower portion of the fluidic connector 901 into a port and, when the operator releases the two opposing sides, the projections 937 move outwardly from the longitudinal axis of the fluidic connector 901 and, due to their now greater outer diameter, can be securely held in place in the port. To remove the fluidic connector 901 once secured to a port, the operator can squeeze the two opposing sides of head 910 which do not have slots 904 towards one another and towards the longitudinal axis, thereby moving the projections 939 towards the longitudinal axis and reducing the outer diameter of the two projections 937, at which point the operator can easily pull the entire (and still assembled) fluidic connector 901 from the port. The fluidic connector 901 thus allows an operator to quickly connect the fluidic connector 901 to a port, to quickly disconnect the fluidic connector 901 from a port, all without requiring the use of any tools or applying a particular force beyond that necessary to insert the fluidic connector 901 into the port as described. Moreover, the spring 920 pushes the flange 925 against the bottom of a port and thereby ensures a sealing connection when the fluidic connector 901 is connected to a port as just described.
Referring now to
In
Referring now for
Referring now to
In this particular embodiment in
Referring now to
Referring first to
Now referring to
Another embodiment is shown in
Referring now to
An enlarged cross-sectional view of the bottom portion of the assembly 1701 shown in
Referring now to
The ring 1755 can be made of any one or more of the following materials, as may be desired for the anticipated use(s) of the assembly 1701: PEEK, PEAK, PEKK, PEI, and/or PPSU. The tip 1750 can be made of any of the following materials, as may be desired for the anticipated use(s) of the assembly 1701: polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyaryletherketone (PAEK), polyetherketoneketone (PEKK), fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP), ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), perfluoroalkoxy (PFA, also called perfluoroalkoxyethylene), polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE), polymer-sheathed fused silica (such as PEEKSi1), fused silica, or silica borite, and can further include a filler material, which can include fibers, such as carbon fibers, glass fibers, nanofibers, and/or metallic fiber, depending on the pressures and fluids involved. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the ring 1755 and tip 1750 can be of any number of desired shapes and sizes, preferably so that the tapered portions of the ring 1755 and the tip 1750 are adapted to cooperate with one another when the assembly 1701 is connected to the port of the body 1770.
Referring now to
Now referring to
Referring now to
Among other features to note include the alternating grooves in the extension member 2110. As indicated by a comparison of
Additional embodiments of a quick connect/disconnect assembly are illustrated in
The assembly 2601 in
The inner and outer tubing 2605a and 2605b are configured so that one end of the inner tubing 2605b abuts against the bottom of the flat-bottomed port of port body 2670. Also shown in
Those skilled in the art will appreciate that, depending on the intended application, including without limitation the expected fluidic pressures, the nature of the fluids to be used, the nature of the samples to be analyzed, and the like, the composition of the materials used, as well as the specific shapes and sizes, of the various components and features of the fluidic connector assembly 2601 as shown and described above can be varied. For example, in applications in which biocompatibility is desired, the tubing 2605a and 2605b can be made of the same or different materials, including for example [polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyaryletherketone (PAEK), polyetherketoneketone (PEKK), fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP), ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), perfluoroalkoxy (PFA, also called perfluoroalkoxyethylene), polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE), polymer-sheathed fused silica (such as PEEKSil), fused silica, or silica borite, and can further include a filler material, which can include fibers, such as carbon fibers, glass fibers, nanofibers, and/or metallic fibers, depending on the pressures and fluids involved. It is anticipated that the assembly 2601 will be of particular usefulness in applications in which biological materials are involved. In such situations, it is often desirable for the fluid path to contain only biocompatible materials. In the embodiment shown and described, this is achieved because the tubing 2605b, the tip 2615 and the port body 2670 are the only components of the assembly 2601 touching the fluid, an even then tip 2615 need not necessarily come into contact with the fluid if the sealing connection between the end of the inner tubing 2605b and the port body 2670 is made. In the embodiment shown in
A user or operator can quickly and easily connect the body 2602 and port 2670. To connect the body 2602 and port 2670, a user can insert one end of tubing 2605a and 2605b into and through the passageway through the longitudinal axis of body 2602, through the sleeve 2610, and into the opening of port 2610. The user can then pinch the two tabs 2640 extending radially outwardly from the longitudinal axis of the body 2602, and push the two tabs 2640 towards the longintudinal axis (i.e., radially inwardly). By doing so, the user thus moves the two inwardly projections 2637 of the body radially outwardly, and thereby increases the inner diameter between the two projections 2637. Once the inner diameter between the two projections 2637 is greater than the outer diameter of the two shoulders or projections 2677 of the port 2670, the bottom end of the body 2602 can easily and quickly fit over the projections 2677. Once the projections 2637 are below and past the projections 2677, the user can simply release the force on the two tabs 2640 and the projections 2637 of body 2602 will automatically move back radially inwardly, thereby engaging faces 2638 and 2678 so that the body 2602 and the port 2670 are held securely and removably together. To disconnect the body 2602 and port 2670 from one another, a user can simply urge the tabs 2640 radially inwardly and towards the longitudinal axis of the assembly 2601, thereby moving the projections 2637 of the body 2602 radially outward and disengaging the projections 2637 and 2677. Once the inner diameter defined by the two projections 2637 is greater than the outer diameter defined by the projections 2677 of the port 2670, the body 2602 can be pulled away and removed from the port 2670 quickly and easily. As shown in
In this particular embodiment, the two tabs 2640 and the bottom portion of the body 2602 can be substantially rectangular in shape. Those skilled in the art will appreciate, however, that the tabs 2640 and/or bottom portion of the body 2602 can be curved and describe an arc around the longitudinal axis, or can even be circular in shape and extend all the way around the longitudinal axis of the assembly 2601 if desired.
Those skilled in the art will appreciate that, when making a connection, a user will also need to push the body 2602 towards the port 2670 and along the longitudinal axis of the assembly 2601, and doing so will thereby compress the spring 2620. As the spring 2620 is compressed, it will exert a force longitudinally against the bearing 2625 and thereby against the sleeve 2610, which in turn exerts a force against the tip 2615, urging it against the bottom face 2673 of the port 2670 and sealing the inner tubing 2605b in the port to provide a leak-free seal. The spring 2620 can be chosen so that its size and compressive force is such that it fits within the body 2602 as shown and also is easily compressed by a user by hand without the need for tools or fixtures, yet will continue to exert a compressive force against the bearing 2625 to keep the tip 2615 abutting the bottom of the port and thus keep the leak-free seal while the assembly 2601 remains in a connected configuration. We believe that, with the appropriate selection of materials and spring size, a leak-free seal of capillary tubing can be obtained in a flat-bottomed port with fluid flowing through the tubing at pressures of up to 20,000 psi without any leakage or extrusion of the tubing from the assembly 2601.
Referring now to
Conventional designs for ports and connections in most UHPLC and HPLC instruments and components typically have a 10-32 coned port with a flat bottom for creating the fluidic seal with one end of tubing connected therein. The standing boss 2672 provides a feature that allows for use of the assembly 2601 with ports like port 2670′ in applications with elevated pressures not common for conventional quick connections. Conventional 10-32 port bottoms typically have a sealing area of 0.0032 square inches, whereas the standing boss 2672 can be used to provide a port bottom face 2673′ with an area of 0.00031 square inches. The sealing area becomes important when considering the pressure applied to the end of the tubing. Assuming the tubing can be pressed by the user, via a fitting assembly 2601 or otherwise by conventional assemblies, to about 10 lbs of load, then the pressure at the tube end in a standard port is 3,125 psi vs. 32,258 in a port 2670′ with the standing boss 2672 and the reduced flat bottomed port face 2673′. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the standing boss 2672 can be provided in a number of ways; it can be machined directly in the port bottom or can be obtained via the use of an additional insert that fits in the port bottom, or in other ways.
Now referring to
In
The adapter 2860 also has a seat portion 2862 therein which, in the embodiment shown in
Turning now to
In the assembly 2901, an adapter 2970 is used together with the body 2602 to connect the tubing 2605a and 2605b to a union 2910. As illustrated in
The bottom end of the adapter 2970 has an externally threaded portion 2951, which is adapted to removably engage with an internally threaded recess portion of the first or top end of the union 2910 shown in
A cross-sectional view of another alternative embodiment is provided in
The first body 3002 has arms or tabs 3040 on either side. It will be appreciated that the arms 3040 can be rectangular, arc-shaped, or circular and extend all the way around the longitudinal axis of the body 3002, or may have such other shape as desired. The body 3002 also has inwardly radially projecting shoulders 3006 on either side. When a user presses the arms 3040 radially inwardly, the shoulders 3006 also move radially inwardly. When the shoulders 3006 move radially inwardly, they press inwardly against portions 3007 of the second body 3003. When the portions 3007 of the second body 3003 are moved inwardly towards the longitudinal axis of the assembly 3001, the projections 3077 at the second or bottom end of the second body 3003 also move radially inwardly and therefore define a narrower outer diameter proximal the second or bottom end of the second body 3003. As shown in
As also shown in
The connector 3070 in
Those skilled in the art will appreciate that, depending on the intended application, including without limitation the expected fluidic pressures, the nature of the fluids to be used, the nature of the samples to be analyzed, and the like, the composition of the materials used, as well as the specific shapes and sizes, of the various components and features of the fluidic connector assembly 3001 as shown and described above can be varied. For example, in applications in which biocompatibility is desired, the tubing 3005 can be made of the same or different materials, including for example [polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyaryletherketone (PAEK), polyetherketoneketone (PEKK), fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP), ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), perfluoroalkoxy (PFA, also called perfluoroalkoxyethylene), polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE), polymer-sheathed fused silica (such as PEEKSi1), fused silica, or silica borite, and can further include a filler material, which can include fibers, such as carbon fibers, glass fibers, nanofibers, and/or metallic fibers, depending on the pressures and fluids involved. It is anticipated that the assembly 2601 will be of particular usefulness in applications in which biological materials are involved. In such situations, it is often desirable for the fluid path to contain only biocompatible materials. In the embodiment shown and described, this is achieved because the tubing 3005, the tip 3015 and the port body 3070 are the only components of the assembly 3001 touching the fluid, and even then tip 3015 need not necessarily come into contact with the fluid if the sealing connection between the end of the tubing 3005 and the port body 3070 is made.
In the embodiment shown in
A user or operator can quickly and easily connect the assembly 3001. To connect the first body 3002 and second body 3003 with the connector 3070, a user can insert one end of tubing 3005 into and through the passageway through the longitudinal axis of first body 3002, second body 3003, spring 3020, washer 3025, bearing 3068, and through the sleeve 3010, and into the opening of connector 3079. The user can then pinch the two tabs 3040 extending radially inwardly towards the longitudinal axis of the body 2602, which then pushes the two shoulders 3006 towards the longitudinal axis (i.e., radially inwardly). By doing so, the user thus moves the two projections 3077 of the second body 3003 radially inwardly, and thereby decreases the outer diameter of the bottom end of the second body 3003 as defined by the two projections 3077. Once the outer diameter defined by the two projections 3077 is less than the inner diameter of the two shoulders or projections 3071 at the top end of the connector 3070, the bottom end of the second body 3003 can easily and quickly fit past the projections 3071 and into the recess at the top end of the connector 3070. Once the projections 3077 are below and past the projections 3071, the user can simply release the force on the two tabs 3040 and the projections 3077 of the second body 3003 will automatically move back radially outwardly, thereby engaging the projections 3071 and 3077 so that the bottom end of the second body 3003 and the top end of the connector 3070 are held securely and removably together. To disconnect the second body 3003 and the connector 3070 from one another, a user can simply urge the tabs 3040 radially inwardly and towards the longitudinal axis of the assembly 3001, thereby moving the projections 3077 of the second body 3003 radially inward and disengaging the projections 3077 and 3071. Once the outer diameter defined by the two projections 3077 is less than the inner diameter defined by the projections 3071 of the connector 3070, the bottom end of the second body 3003 can be pulled away and removed from the connector 3070 quickly and easily.
Those skilled in the art will appreciate that, when making a connection, a user will also need to push the first body 3002, and thereby the second body 3003, longitudinally towards the connector 3070 and along the longitudinal axis of the assembly 3001. Doing so will thereby compress the spring 3020. As the spring 3020 is compressed, it will exert a force longitudinally against the washer 3025 and thereby against the sleeve 3010, which in turn exerts a force against the tip 3015, urging it against the bottom face of the port at the top end of the connector 3070 and sealing the tubing 3005 in the port of the connector 3070 to provide a leak-free seal. It will be appreciated that the spring 3020 can be selected so that it is strong enough to continue to exert enough force on the sleeve 3010 and thereby tip 3015 as long as the assembly 3001 remains in a connected configuration, yet will be of such strength that a user will be able to compress the spring 3020 when making a connection with assembly 3001 by hand and without the need for any tools or fixtures. We believe that, with the appropriate selection of materials and spring size, a leak-free seal of capillary tubing can be obtained in a flat-bottomed port with fluid flowing through the tubing at pressures of up to 20,000 psi without any leakage or extrusion of the tubing from the assembly 3001.
Referring now to
In
An insert 3180 can be located at the top end of the recess defined at the second or bottom end of the adapter 3170. As illustrated in
Located in a recess on the bottom side of the insert 3180 is a filter element 3190, which can be a frit of a conventional type. As shown in
Referring now to
As shown in
The adapter 3270 has an end portion 3271 proximal the second end of the adapter 3270, which is located in a recess located within and proximal to a first end of the connector 3280. As shown in
Still referring to
To connect the adapter 3270 and connector 3280 when they are not yet connected, an operator can easily and quickly move the collar 3202 away from the left end of the connector 3280 and towards the right end, thereby moving the ball 3250 up and out of the reduced diameter portion 3276, then insert the first end portion 3271 of the adapter 3270 into the recess in the end of the connector 3280. The operator can then push the collar 3202 back towards the left (in
The connector 3280 shown in
Referring now to
In
Referring now to
To disconnect the assembly 3501 from the connected configuration shown in
As also shown in
Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the embodiments shown and described in the present disclosure can be used in a variety of different configurations. For example, although the embodiments shown and described above have referred to use with flat-bottomed ports, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the assembly in its various embodiments of this disclosure can also be used in coned ports or other types of connections. In addition, various types of tubing and fitting assembly configurations may be used in addition to those shown and described, including without limitation those face-sealing assemblies shown and described in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/922,041 filed on Oct. 23, 2015, and titled “Face-Sealing Fluidic Connection System,” which was published as U.S. published patent application US 2016/0116088 A1 on Apr. 28, 2016, and is hereby incorporated by reference as fully set forth herein.
In addition to the tubing assemblies shown and described in US Published Patent Application No. 2016/0116088 A1, other types of tubing assemblies may be used in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. Turning to
The tube 3605 can be any one of a number of materials. In one particular embodiment, tube 3604 may be a capillary tube. Similarly, sleeve 3610 can be comprised of various materials. Tip 3615 also can be made of various materials. The tubing 3605, tip 3615, and sleeve 3610 may comprise any one or more of the following materials, and need not comprise the same material as each other. Tubing 3605, sleeve 3610, and tip 3615 may comprise any one or more of materials, which may include metal, such as steel, including stainless steel, aluminum, titanium, as well as polymeric materials such as polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyoxymethylene (POM) such as available under the mark DELRIN and known sometimes as acetal, RADEL brand polyphenylsulfone (PPSU), ULTEM brand polyetherimide (PEI), polyetherketoneketone (PEKK), polyaryletherketone (PAEK), polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinylchloride, acrylic, and/or other materials, such a fused silica, silica borite, PEEKsil, and the like.
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring now to
In
A washer 4025 is also shown in
The cap 4006 shown in
Still referring to
In
As shown in
The fluidic connection assembly 4001, as well as adapter 4050 and union 4070, in accordance with the present disclosure may comprise any one or more of various materials, which may include metal, such as steel, including stainless steel, aluminum, titanium, as well as polymeric materials such as polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyoxymethylene (POM) such as available under the mark DELRIN and known sometimes as acetal, RADEL brand polyphenylsulfone (PPSU), ULTEM brand polyetherimide (PEI), polyetherketoneketone (PEKK), polyaryletherketone (PAEK), polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinylchloride, acrylic, and/or other materials, such a fused silica, silica borite, PEEKsil, and the like. The tubing 4005, tip 4015, and sleeve in the assembly 4001 similarly may comprise any one or more of the foregoing materials. In addition, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the various constituent components of the assembly 4001, and/or adapter 4050 and/or union 4070, may comprise the same or may comprise different materials. For example, assembly 4001 in one particular embodiment may have a body 4002 which comprises PEEK, a cap 4006 which comprises PEEK, and a latch 4008 which comprises PEEK, while springs 4020 and 4007 comprise a metal such as stainless steel, and such an assembly 4001 can be used with an adapter 4050 made of metal such as stainless steel, and a union 4070 which comprise a metal or PEEK. Those skilled in the art will further appreciate that, for those components made of polymeric materials, the polymeric material may include fibers, including carbon fibers, metallic fibers, and the like. It will be further appreciated that, even if an adapter 4050 comprises metal, the overall fluidic connection made with assembly 4001 can still be biocompatible, as long as the tubing tip 4015 of the tubing 4005 extending through the assembly 4001, the adapter 4050, and in sealing engagement with the bottom of the port 4072 of the union 4070, as well as the union 4070, comprise biocompatible materials.
Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that the material and size of spring members 4020 and 4007 can be selected so that the spring members 4020 and 4007 provide the desired amount of force, or biasing, when engaged (as described in more detail above) in a fluidic connection in a desired application. For example, one of skill would appreciate that it would be advantageous to have the spring member 4020 and spring 4007 provide a greater biasing force when the assembly 4001 will be used in an application with a greater fluidic pressure, than might be the case if the assembly 4001 is to be used in an application with a relatively small fluidic pressure. For example, not all fluidic connections in a given AI system used for a given application need operate under the same fluid pressure. The fluid pressures may change even in such situations for different connections in the AI system.
Methods of making a fluidic connection or disconnecting tubing from a port or component with respect to the assembly 4001 as shown in
The spring 4020 may be selected to provide a preselected force or range of force adapted to be sufficient to force the tip 4015 against the bottom face of the port or component to provide a sealing engagement which does not leak and which will be sufficient to prevent the tubing 4005 from being forced out of a sealing engagement due to the intended pressures for the fluid flowing through the tubing 4005. It will also be appreciated that the spring 4020 may be selected so that the force required to compress the spring, such as by inserting one end of the adapter 4050 into the cap 4006 and latch 4008 and securely engage the adapter 4050 with the assembly 4001, is relatively limited and does not require any tools or equipment, but can be done by an operator or user by hand. Moreover, it will be appreciated that the adapter 4050 and assembly 4001 connection, once made, may be permanent or may be a removable connection, especially if the intended use of the assembly 4001 is for lower pressure applications and therefore the force required to keep the assembly 4001 and adapter 4050 secured together is not as great. In such situations, the second spring 4007 can be selected to provide a relatively lower force against the bottom of the latch 4008.
Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that the embodiments shown and described in the present disclosure can be used in a variety of different configurations. For example, although the embodiments shown and described above have referred to use with flat-bottomed ports, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the assembly in its various embodiments of this disclosure can also be used in coned ports or other types of connections, including those described above. In addition, various types of tubing and fitting assembly configurations may be used in addition to those shown and described, including without limitation those face-sealing assemblies shown and described in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/922,041 filed on Oct. 23, 2015, and titled “Face-Sealing Fluidic Connection System,” which was published as U.S. published patent application US 2016/0116088 A1 on Apr. 28, 2016, and is hereby incorporated by reference as fully set forth herein.
In addition to the tubing assemblies shown and described in US Published Patent Application No. 2016/0116088 A1, other types of tubing assemblies may be used in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, such as those illustrated in
We believe that the assembly 4001 can be used to achieve leak-free, sealing connections without any extrusion of tubing 4005 from a port (such as port 4072) when fluid is flowing through the tubing 4005 at pressures of up to at least 20,000 psi, including for biocompatible applications.
Referring now to
The body 5002 is generally hollow, with one end (the right hand side as shown in the orientation of
A washer 5025 is also shown in
Still referring to
Now referring to
As also shown in
In
Referring now to
Still referring to
It will be appreciated that the external threaded portion 5054 of the adapter 5050 is adapted to removably engage with an internally threaded portion of a port or other component (not shown in
It will be appreciated from the foregoing disclosure that the assembly 5001a allows an operator or user to easily insert the end of the tubing having the tip 5015 and the end 5052 of the adapter 5050 into a flat-bottomed port by engaging internal threads of the port or component (not shown) with the external threads of the adapter 5050. The force exerted by the biasing of the spring 5020 will maintain a sealing engagement of the tip 5015 and the bottom face of the port of component. We believe that the assembly 5001a can be used to achieve leak-free, sealing connections without any extrusion of tubing 5005 from a port when fluid is flowing through the tubing 5005 at pressures of up to at least 20,000 psi, including for biocompatible applications.
The fluidic connection assembly 5001 and assembly 5001a, as well as adapter 5050, in accordance with the present disclosure may comprise any one or more of various materials, which may include metal, such as steel, including stainless steel, aluminum, titanium, as well as polymeric materials such as polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyoxymethylene (POM) such as available under the mark DELRIN and known sometimes as acetal, RADEL brand polyphenylsulfone (PPSU), ULTEM brand polyetherimide (PEI), polyetherketoneketone (PEKK), polyaryletherketone (PAEK), polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinylchloride, acrylic, and/or other materials, such a fused silica, silica borite, PEEKsil, and the like. The tubing 5005, tip 5015, and sleeve 5010 in the assembly 5001 similarly may comprise any one or more of the foregoing materials. In addition, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the various constituent components of the assembly 5001, and/or adapter 5050, may comprise the same or may comprise different materials. For example, assembly 5001 in one particular embodiment may have a body 5002 which comprises PEEK, a cap 5006 which comprises PEEK, and a latch 5008 which comprises PEEK, while springs 5020 and 5007 comprise a metal such as stainless steel, and such an assembly 5001 can be used with an adapter 5050 made of metal such as stainless steel. Those skilled in the art will further appreciate that, for those components made of polymeric materials, the polymeric material may include fibers, including carbon fibers, metallic fibers, and the like. It will be further appreciated that, even if an adapter 5050 comprises metal, the overall fluidic connection made with assembly 5001a can still be biocompatible, as long as the tubing tip 5015 of the tubing 5005 extending through the assembly 5001a, and in sealing engagement with the bottom of the port, comprise biocompatible materials.
Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that the material and size of spring members 5020 and 5007 can be selected so that the spring members 5020 and 5007 provide the desired amount of force, or biasing, when engaged (as described in more detail above) in a fluidic connection in a desired application. For example, one of skill would appreciate that it would be advantageous to have the spring member 5020 and spring 5007 provide a greater biasing force when the assembly 5001 will be used in an application with a greater fluidic pressure, than might be the case if the assembly 5001 is to be used in an application with a relatively small fluidic pressure. For example, not all fluidic connections in a given AI system used for a given application need operate under the same fluid pressure. The fluid pressures may change even in such situations for different connections in the AI system.
Methods of making a fluidic connection or disconnecting tubing from a port or component with respect to the assembly 5001 and
The user or operator alternatively may simply obtain a tube 5005 and place one end through the interior passageway of the assembly 5001 once assembled. In either case, an adapter 5050 can be provided and the user or operator can insert one end of the tube 5005 into the passageway through the adapter 5050, and insert one end 5057 of the adapter 5050 into the opening of the cap 5006 and the interior portions of latch 5008 and/or body 5002. As noted and described above, the annular projection or flange 5053 of the adapter 5050 has ramped or angled portions adapted to engage with the ramped portions of the latch 5008 to allow the user or operator to compress the spring 5020 more easily and have the latch 5008 securely engage with and hold the adapter 5050 in place. An operator or user can then insert the threaded end of the adapter 5050 into a port or other component such as any of the types described above, and then engage the threaded portion of the port or component (not shown) to obtain a secure and sealed fluidic connection. To disconnect the assembly 5001 from the port or component, a user may turn the assembly 5001 and/or the port or other component (not shown) in the opposite direction to disengage the threaded portions from one another, then remove the adapter 5050 and assembly 5001 and the tube 5005 from the port or other component.
The spring 5020 may be selected to provide a preselected force or range of force adapted to be sufficient to force the tip 5015 against the bottom face of the port or component to provide a sealing engagement which does not leak and which will be sufficient to prevent the tubing 5005 from being forced out of a sealing engagement due to the intended pressures for the fluid flowing through the tubing 5005. It will also be appreciated that the spring 5020 may be selected so that the force required to compress the spring, such as by inserting one end of the adapter 5050 into the cap 5006 and latch 5008 and securely engage the adapter 5050 with the assembly 5001, is relatively limited and does not require any tools or equipment, but can be done by an operator or user by hand. Moreover, it will be appreciated that the adapter 5050 and assembly 5001 connection, once made, may be permanent or may be a removable connection, especially if the intended use of the assembly 5001 is for lower pressure applications and therefore the force required to keep the assembly 5001 and adapter 5050 secured together is not as great. In such situations, the second spring 5007 can be selected to provide a relatively lower force against the bottom of the latch 5008.
Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that the embodiments shown and described in the present disclosure can be used in a variety of different configurations. For example, although the embodiments shown and described above have referred to use with flat-bottomed ports, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the assembly in its various embodiments of this disclosure can also be used in coned ports or other types of connections, including those described above. In addition, various types of tubing and fitting assembly configurations may be used in addition to those shown and described, including without limitation those face-sealing assemblies shown and described in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/922,041 filed on Oct. 23, 2015, and titled “Face-Sealing Fluidic Connection System,” which was published as U.S. published patent application US 2016/0116088 A1 on Apr. 28, 2016, and is hereby incorporated by reference as fully set forth herein.
In addition to the tubing assemblies shown and described in US Published Patent Application No. 2016/0116088 A1, other types of tubing assemblies may be used in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, such as those illustrated in
While the present invention has been shown and described in various embodiments, those skilled in the art will appreciate from the drawings and the foregoing discussion that various changes, modifications, and variations may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the claims. Those skilled in the art will further appreciate that various materials can be used in place of or in addition to those described herein, and that the embodiments shown and described can be used in additional applications and provide additional advantages beyond those set forth herein. Hence, the embodiments shown and described in the drawings and the above discussion are merely illustrative and do not limit the scope of the invention as defined in the claims herein. The embodiments and specific forms, materials, and the like are merely illustrative and do not limit the scope of the invention or the claims herein.
Claims
1. A fluidic connection assembly comprising:
- a body having a first end and a second end, each of the first and second ends having openings therein, and having a hollow portion therein;
- a first spring located at least partially within the hollow portion of said body, and having a first end abutting an interior surface of the hollow portion of said body;
- a latching member having an opening therethrough and having a first portion adapted to fit at least partially within said body;
- a cap member having an opening therethrough and having first and second sides, wherein a portion of the first side of said cap member is adapted to extend into at least a portion of the hollow portion of said body and wherein the second side of said cap member is adapted to be attached to the second end of said body;
- a tube having a first outer diameter and extending through the body, the first spring, and the cap member, wherein the tube has an end that extends outwardly from the cap member and the body and has a sealing face having a second diameter that is less than the first outer diameter; and
- wherein said latching member is adapted to engage with and securely hold an adapter when a portion of one end of the adapter is inserted into the opening of said cap member and the opening of said latching member.
2. The fluidic connection assembly of claim 1 wherein said first spring is in a compressed state when said cap member, said latching member, and said body are assembled together and said first spring is located entirely within the hollow portion of said body.
3. The fluidic connection assembly of claim 1 further comprising a second spring, wherein said second spring is located within the hollow portion of said body and adjacent to at least one side of said latching member.
4. The fluidic connection assembly of claim 3 wherein said second spring is adapted to bias said latching member so that a radially inward projection of said latching member is pressed against a portion of said adapter when a first end of the adapter is inserted into said latching member.
5. The fluidic connection assembly of claim 1 wherein said first spring exerts a force which urges the end of said tube away from said body.
6. The fluidic connection assembly of claim 5 further comprising a washer located within said body and adjacent to a second end of said first spring, a sleeve member surrounding at least a portion of said tube, wherein said sleeve member has a first end and a second end, and wherein said first spring exerts a force on said washer and said washer exerts a force on said sleeve member, and said sleeve member exerts a force on said tube which urges the one end of said tube away from said body.
7. A fluidic connection assembly comprising:
- a body having a first end and a second end, each of the first and second ends having openings therein, and having a hollow portion therein;
- a first spring member located at least partially within the hollow portion of said body;
- a latch member having an opening therethrough and having a base portion adapted to removably fit at least partially within said body;
- a cap member having an opening therethrough and having first and second sides and is adapted to removably hold said latch member and said cap member together and to be attached to the second end of said body, and wherein said latch member is adapted to removably hold an adapter when a portion of the adapter is inserted into the opening of said cap member and the opening of said latch member, wherein each of said body, said first spring member, said latch member, and said cap member have a passage therethrough; and
- a tube having a maximum outer diameter and extending through the passage of the body, the first spring member, the latch member, and the cap member, wherein an end of the tube extending from the cap member has a sealing portion having a diameter that is less than the maximum outer diameter of the tube.
8. The fluidic connection assembly of claim 7 wherein said first spring member is in a compressed state when said cap member, said latch member, and said body are assembled together and said first spring member is located entirely within the hollow portion of said body.
9. The fluidic connection assembly of claim 7 further comprising a second spring member, wherein said second spring member is at least partially located within a pocket portion of said body and adjacent to at least one side of said latch member.
10. The fluidic connection assembly of claim 9 wherein said second spring member is adapted to bias said latch member so that a radially inward projection of said latch member is pressed against a portion of said adapter when the adapter is inserted into said latch member.
11. The fluidic connection assembly of claim 7 wherein said first spring member urges the end of said tube away from said body.
12. The fluidic connection assembly of claim 7 further comprising a washer located within said body and adjacent to a second end of said first spring member and a passageway comprising tubing and a sleeve member surrounding at least a portion of said tubing, said sleeve member having a first end and a second end, and wherein said first spring member exerts a force on said washer and said washer exerts a force on said sleeve member, and said sleeve member urges an end of said tubing away from said body.
13. The fluidic connection assembly of claim 7 wherein at least one of said body, said latch member, and said cap member comprises polyetherketoneketone.
14. The fluid connection assembly of claim 7, wherein said assembly is adapted to provide a leak-free connection of one end of tubing when fluid is flowing through the tubing at pressures up to at least 5,000 psi.
15. The fluidic connection assembly of claim 7, wherein when a first end of the adapter is located within the second end of the body, a radially inward projection of the latch member presses against a portion of the first end of the adapter.
16. The fluidic connection assembly of claim 15, wherein a second end of the adapter is adapted to removably engage a port.
17. The fluidic connection assembly of claim 16 wherein the port comprises a flat-bottomed port.
18. A fluidic connection assembly comprising:
- a body having a first end and a second end, each of the first and second ends having openings therein, and having a hollow portion therein;
- a first spring located within the hollow portion of the body, and having a first end abutting an interior surface proximal the first end of the body;
- a latch member having an opening therethrough and adapted to be removably attached to a portion of the body;
- a cap member having an opening therethrough and having first and second sides, wherein the second side of the cap member is adapted to be attached to the second end of the body, and wherein the latch member is adapted to removably hold an adapter when a portion of one end of the adapter is inserted into the opening of the cap member and the opening of the latch member, wherein each of the body, the first spring, the latch member, and the cap member have a passage therethrough; and
- a tube extending through the passages of the body, the first spring, the latch member, and the cap member and having a first end having a first portion having a first outer diameter and a second portion having a second outer diameter, wherein the second outer diameter is less than the first outer diameter and the second portion is adapted to sealingly engage with a port.
19. The fluidic connection assembly of claim 18 further comprising a second spring, wherein said second spring is located within the hollow portion of the body and adjacent to at least one side of the latch member.
20. The fluidic connection assembly of claim 19 wherein the second spring is adapted to bias the latch member so that a radially inward projection of the latch member is pressed against a portion of the adapter when a first end of the adapter is inserted into the latch member.
21. A fluidic connection assembly comprising:
- a body having a first end and a second end, each of the first and second ends having openings therein, and having a hollow portion therein;
- a first spring located within the hollow portion of the body, and having a first end abutting an interior surface proximal the first end of the body;
- a latch member having an opening therethrough and adapted to be removably attached to a portion of the body;
- a cap member having an opening therethrough, wherein each of the body, the first spring, the latch member, and the cap member have a passage therethrough; and
- a tube extending through the passages of the body, the first spring, the latch member, and the cap member, and having a first end having a sealing face with a first outer diameter and adapted to sealingly engage with a portion of a flat-bottomed port having a second outer diameter that is less than the first outer diameter of the tube.
22. The fluidic connection assembly according to claim 21, wherein the assembly is adapted to sealingly engage with the port without the application of torque.
23. The fluidic connection assembly according to claim 22, wherein the assembly is adapted to sealingly engage with the port by hand and without the use of a tool.
24. The fluidic connection assembly according to claim 23, wherein the assembly is adapted to sealingly engage with the port when a fluid flows through the tube with a pressure of 5,000 psi or more.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 8, 2021
Publication Date: Feb 24, 2022
Inventors: Eric Beemer (ANACORTES, WA), Scott Ellis (ANACORTES, WA), Craig Graham (ANACORTES, WA), Nathaniel Nienhuis (COUPEVILLE, WA), Troy Sanders (OAK HARBOR, WA)
Application Number: 17/453,886
