Abstract: A nozzle configuration for a static mixer having a retaining shoulder with a square cross-section, an inclined front face and a flat retaining face that is normal to the longitudinal axis of the nozzle. An undercut having a octagonal cross-section is provided immediately adjacent to the retaining face. The faces of the undercut alternately define access surfaces, that are in the same plane as and join with corresponding outer edges of the retaining shoulder, and locking surfaces that undercut the corners of the retaining shoulder for retaining a locking hub on the nozzle. Travelling clockwise around the undercut, each locking face is inclined relative to the preceding access face at an angle of 40.degree. such that it is harder to unlock a locking hub in the clockwise direction than it is to lock it.

Abstract: A fiberglass pipe joint with threaded ends has rough surface areas adjacent to such ends which allow strap wrenches to be used to tighten the threads with a high torque that prevents leakage. The rough areas are formed by partially embedded sand grains which are sprinkled on the resin component prior to curing, or on a wet bonding material after curing.

Abstract: A hot-tapping sleeve is provided for tapping a main pipe and attaching a branch pipe. The tapping sleeve includes a split sleeve having first and second sleeve members which together form a circular bore for receiving a portion of the main pipe. The first and second sleeve members each form approximately one half of the circular bore. A plurality of clamping members pass through associated holes in the first and second sleeve members to clamp the first and second sleeve members together with the main pipe therebetween. A side branch is attached to the first sleeve member which has an opening in fluid communication with the circular bore. A sheet type packing member is located around the opening and is only between the first sleeve member and the main pipe. A metal spray is located on the second sleeve within the circular bore and engages the main pipe for resisting axial displacement of the main pipe to permit tapping of the main pipe while the main pipe is under fluid pressure.

Abstract: A new fluid coupling assembly includes a split male nut positioned over a coupling member or gland of a fluid system. The split male nut members are preferably formed of a precipitation hardenable material. Various interlock arrangements facilitate assembly of the split male nut halves. Moreover, providing indicia on the male nut halves assists in forming the threads and subsequent assembly. A female nut assembly includes a pair of inserts that are secured together by a collar having a shoulder defined by a counterbore. An external portion of the shoulder overlaps a counterbore formed therein to increase the strength of the female nut assembly.

Abstract: An adapter for coupling a pair of pipe elements through an opening formed in a wall includes a flange mounted thereon. The flange is pivotable relative to the adapter, whereby the flange automatically compensates a non-uniform thickness of the opening.

Abstract: A capillary column connector assembly includes a pair of body members fabricated from a resilient, inert ceramic having high compressive strength. Each body member has an inwardly tapering longitudinal throughbore within which the end of a capillary column can be inserted by press-fitting. A split sleeve holds the two body members in mutually facing alignment with inner end surfaces in compressed mutual contact. The inner end surfaces are slightly radiussed in order to deform upon compression and provide a fluid-tight seal surrounding the junction between the inner ends of the longitudinal bores, thereby eliminating the need for any separate sealing gasket.A mechanical assembly comprising an inner spool, an outer housing, a spring, and a bearing-mounted support provide axial compression forces tending to urge the ceramic body members into mutual facing contact with the radiussed surfaces deformed.

Abstract: A locking device for preventing relative rotation of pretorqued compression nuts used in face seal mechanical fittings includes an inner member having a cavity sized to slide onto and non-rotatably enclose the male or first nut of the fitting, an outer member having a first cavity sized to rotatably receive the inner member and a second cavity sized to slide onto and non-rotatably enclose the female or second nut of the fitting, and at least one set screw projecting inwardly through a threaded borehole in the outer member to non-rotatably engage and lock the inner member.

Abstract: A joint for brazing includes a male member having an external surface and a female receptacle having an internal surface. The external surface is positionable in face-to-face relationship with the internal surface when the male member is inserted within the female receptacle. A self-fixturing surface is provided on at least one of the male member and the female receptacle for centering the male member with respect to the female receptacle when the male member is inserted within the female receptacle and to provide substantially equal clearance between and around the male member and the female receptacle for proper capillary attraction of the metallic intermediate bonding material or filler alloy during brazing. The filler alloy is drawn by capillary attraction into the space between the meeting faces defined by the external surface of the male element and the internal surface of the female receptacle.

Abstract: A pipe coupling or connection comprises a female coupling component and a mating male coupling component. Each component is matingly threaded for coupling engagement, and each is provided with an adjacent frusto-conical sealing surface. The sealing surface is provided with a controlled surface roughness, viz. very shallow fine surface variations, preferably formed as microgrooves at a pitch small relative to the pitch of the threads. The slope of the frusto-conical surface of the sealing area of the male component is slightly mismatched with that of the sealing area of the female component to simulate the bearing force vs. axial distance characteristic of shrunk-fit circular cylindrical sealing surfaces. The slight mismatch enables the sealing pressure to be above a design minimum throughout the entire sealing area yet higher at each end of the sealing area.

Abstract: A reduced resistance bead seal is integrally formed on a mounting surface of one of two matingly engageable members to form a leak-free seal between the two members despite any eccentricity or angular variances between the two members. In one embodiment, the reduced resistance bead is formed on an inner conical flange of an inverted flared end of a hollow fluid conduit. The bead presents a deformable surface as a fitting urges the flared end of the conduit into engagement with a conical seat in a receiver where eccentricity or angular variances exist between the flared end of the conduit and the conical seat. A unique method and a unique forming tool are used to form the reduced resistance bead in the flared end of the conduit simultaneously with the flaring of the end of the conduit.

Abstract: A pair of tubular joint members each have a gasket holding annular protuberance on an abutting end face thereof. The protuberance has an inner peripheral surface continuous with the inner peripheral surface of the joint member, and a sealing face adapted to intimately contact an end face of of a gasket at a position radially outward from the inner peripheral surface thereof. The sealing face is most protuberant at a position radially outward from an inner edge thereof. When the most protuberant end of the sealing face comes into contact with the gasket end face, a clearance is formed between the portion of the sealing face radially inward from the protuberant end and the radially inward portion of the gasket end face. The clearance is eliminated by the deformation of the gasket when the pipe joint is tightened up.

Abstract: A coupling assembly for hoses fabricated of plastic and comprising one-piece male and multi-piece snap together female coupling section. The male section includes an externally threaded fitting and an integral hub adapted to fit over the end of a hose section, the hub having integrally formed ribs or barbs. A ferrule inserted into the hose expands the base all into engagement with the ribs or barbs for securing the section to the hose. The female section includes an annular collar fitted over and secured to the end of a hose section. An annular flange terminating in a forwardly axially extending annular sealing lip is formed on the collar and an internally threaded connector is provided including an inwardly extending annular flange adapted to snap over and engage behind the flange for rotatably mounting the connector on the collar.

Abstract: The coupling assembly includes a first pipe and a second pipe connected by a middle sub splined to an outer sleeve. Each pipe includes a tubular body having a first axis and a threaded pin end with a second axis. The middle sub includes threaded boxes on each end with a center seal bore. The threaded boxes of the middle sub threadingly engage the pin ends of the first and second pipes. The threads on one pin are right-handed and the threads on the other pin are left-handed such that upon rotation of the middle sub and outer sleeve, the pins and boxes will threadingly engage upon the rotation in a common direction. The boxes and pin ends have a common axis. Each of the terminal ends of the first and second pipes include dogs which intermesh upon connection of the coupling for the transmission of The axes of the first and second pipes are at an angle with the common axis so as to cause an offset angle between the first pipe and the second pipe.

Abstract: A pipe coupling or connection comprises a female coupling component and a mating male coupling component. Each component is matingly threaded for coupling engagement, and each is provided with an adjacent frusto-conical sealing surface. The sealing surface is provided with a controlled surface roughness, viz. very shallow fine surface variations, preferably formed as microgrooves at a pitch small relative to the pitch of the threads. The slope of the frusto-conical surface of the sealing surface of the male component is slightly mismatched with that of the sealing surface of the female component to simulate the bearing force vs. axial distance characteristic of shrunk-fit circular cylindrical sealing surfaces. The mismatch enables the sealing pressure to be above a design minimum throughout the entire sealing area yet higher at each end of the sealing area. As the coupling is assembled, thread interference in the vicinity of the sealing surface lags the occurrence of interference between the sealing surfaces.

Abstract: A clamp for pipe line fittings is disclosed. The clamp fits over hexagonal nut fittings to prevent the fitting from loosening due to torque, vibration, or other stresses.

Abstract: An electrically-insulated pipe coupling includes a first tubular metal body, a second tubular metal body which has a cylindrical section and which has molded onto it an electrically-insulating covering extending over the end of the body and a portion of the cylindrical section, a coupling member for securing the two metal bodies together at their respective ends and which is disposed over the juncture of the two metal bodies in such a manner that a portion of the electrically-insulating covering molded onto the second tubular body extends beyond the coupling member, and an electrically-insulating barrier extending outwardly from the cylindrical section of the second tubular body and disposed about the portion of the electrically insulating covering extending beyond the coupling member.

Abstract: A coupling for no-hub pipe segments has a shield covering an elastomeric gasket. The shield has a plurality on corrugations oriented transverse to the pipe axis and arranged in discrete areas. These corrugations are separated by corrugations oriented parallel to the pipe axis arranged in discrete areas. Clamping bands securely clamp the shield and gasket to the pipe segments. The pattern of corrugations permits the shield to assume a shouldered shape when the clamping bands are tightened and the coupling is installed on pipes of slightly varying diameter. The gasket is provided with a pattern of thick sealing sectors and adjacent groove sectors laterally spaced relative to thick sealing sectors. This pattern permits the clamping bands and shield to form a restriction impeding the movement of the shield relative to the gasket when the clamping bands are tightened.

Abstract: A gasket and retainer assembly for a tube coupling arranged such that the gasket can be installed into, and removed from, a retained and supported position between the coupling components with a strictly lateral movement. The assembly includes a retainer having a pair of engagement portions located on generally diametrically opposite sides of the gasket to radially grip the associated coupling component.

Abstract: A non-upset tubing section, a tubular coupling, a connection for non-upset tubing sections, and a method for connecting the non-upset tubing section and the tubular coupling are disclosed. Methods for fabricating the non-upset tubing section and the tubular coupling are also disclosed. In one embodiment, the non-upset tubing section has an outer diameter of about 23/8 inches and, in another embodiment has an outer diameter of about 27/8 inches. The non-upset tubing section also has an externally tapered threaded surface having approximately eight rounded threads per linear inch. The tubular coupling has an outer diameter of about 27/8 inches, for use with at least one 23/8 inches OD tubing section, or about 31/2 inches, for use with at least one 27/8 inches OD tubing section. The coupling also has an internally tapered threaded surface having approximately eight rounded threads per linear inch and having a pitch diameter of about 2.258 inches for use with the 23/8 inches OD tubing section or about 2.

Abstract: A retainer for use in a pipe joint having a pair of tubular joint members for holding an annular gasket in position between opposed end faces of the joint members. The retainer comprises an end wall portion positionable on one side face of the gasket, a cylindrical portion extending from the end wall portion substantially perpendicular thereto for preventing the gasket from moving radially thereof, and an engaging portion provided on the cylindrical portion and engageable with an end portion of one of the joint members. The end wall portion has a cutout for passing the gasket therethrough.

Abstract: A fluid coupling provides a cap nut having an internal screw formed inside, a pipe having a mirror-finished surface formed at an end face and a groove in an outer periphery, a device for preventing rotation of the pipe together with the cap nut, in contact with the inner end face of the cap nut, a ferrule fitted in the groove formed in the outer periphery of the pipe, in contact with the device for preventing the rotation of the pipe together with the cap nut, the ferrule which transmits to the pipe a thrust of the cap nut in the pipe's longitudinal direction, a gasket fitted on an end part of the pipe, with the end face of the pipe in contact with the gasket through the entire circumference, and a body mirror-finished at the end face and provided with an external screw formed on the outer periphery, wherein the end face of the body is in contact with one side of the gasket the other side of which is in contact with the pipe, and the external screw of the body and the internal screw of the cap nut is tightene

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a coupling for use with sanitary hose, including a hollow female coupler piece and a hollow male coupler piece, wherein the male coupler piece is threadedly connected into the female coupler piece, and wherein a first end of the male coupler piece extends into a first end of the female coupler piece such that opposing surfaces of the first ends are radially spaced, and wherein one of the surfaces of the first ends includes a plurality of raised pad surfaces of a predetermined geometric design.

Abstract: A flexible pipe connector is disclosed for connecting to a hard plastic pipe. The flexible pipe connector, preferably made of polyethylene, has a tubing member which defines a cylindrical wall with inner and outer surfaces, the cylindrical wall having a male end which has a plurality of undercuts formed on the outer surface. The male end with the undercuts is inserted into the female end of a hard plastic pipe with a melting agent applied at the inner surface thereof. The melting agent melts the inner surface of the pipe's female end to form a liquified layer of hard plastic which is received in the male end's undercuts and then hardens into a reconfigured solid layer. In this manner, the flexible pipe connector, which is inert and normally cannot be attached with glue to a hard plastic pipe, can be sealably secured to a hard plastic pipe as the liquified layer solidifies within the undercuts to prevent separation of the pipe connector and the hard plastic pipe and to provide a seal therebetween.

Abstract: Pre-conditioned air hoses for aircraft are provided which consists of a plurality of hose segments and a plurality of hook and loop fasteners closure connections interconnecting the hose segments. When the hose segments are assembled, pre-conditioned air can be carried from a ventilating system to the aircraft on the ground before the aircraft is operational and ready for takeoff.

Abstract: A pipe joint comprises a pair of tubular joint members having a gasket holding annular projection on each of butting faces thereof, an annular gasket interposed between the butting end faces of the joint members, and a nut for connecting the joint members together. When the nut is tightened up, an indentation is formed in a surface of the gasket pressed by each of the gasket holding projections, and the gasket is pressed also by a portion of the end face of each joint member having no annular projection.

Abstract: An improved connecting device for of securing a pipe fitting of one material to a pipe of another. This invention provides a connector body with an insert fitting which does not leak therebetween. Further, the invented device has an integral annular flange, which extends into the surrounding body thereby preventing the body from expanding with heat and slipping with relation to the insert upon engaging the fitting with a nipple or other pipe material, and twisting forcefully.

Abstract: Threaded tubular interference fit interconnections and related production techniques are disclosed that are for example useful with large diameter tubular members, including pipe bodies, that can for example function as casing for oil, gas, geothermal, disposal and other wells. In a preferred aspect of the invention there is root-to-crest and/or flank-to-flank interference between nose and inner portions of male and female threads of the disclosed interconnections, such as substantially to seal them against leakage at the maximum internal and/or external pressure rating of the pipe body, and a run-out portion of the male thread and a corresponding portion of the female thread engage one another with interference to retain threaded engagement between said run-out and corresponding portions at the maximum axial force rating of the pipe body and also at the maximum internal and/or external pressure rating of the pipe body.

Abstract: Herein disclosed is a flared double-wall structure which forms one open end of a metal pipe to be connected to one end of a mating joint. The flared double-wall structure has one annular brim formed on and along the inner sheet face of the double walls and in the open end.

Abstract: A high pressure fluid fitting is provided for repeated connection and disconnection. The fitting includes a threaded nipple and a flanged nipple configured for abutting end-to-end mating with one another. A thrust bearing formed from a metal harder than the flanged nipple is positioned adjacent the flange and on the side thereof opposite the mating face of the flanged nipple. A coupling nut with an inwardly extending annular flange is disposed over the flanged nipple and is threadedly engageable with the threaded nipple. The flange of the coupling nut moves against the thrust bearing and urges the nipples into tight sealing engagement. The smoothness and hardness and chemical dissimilarity of the thrust bearing avoid galling and other friction related damage to the fitting, and hence lead to an extended life for the fitting.

Abstract: A pipe coupling or connection comprises a female coupling component and a mating male coupling component. Each component is matingly threaded for coupling engagement, and each is provided with an adjacent frusto-conical sealing surface. The sealing surface is provided with a controlled surface roughness, viz. very shallow fine surface variations, preferably formed as microgrooves at a pitch small relative to the pitch of the threads. The slope of the frusto-conical surface of the sealing area of the male component is slightly mismatched with that of the sealing area of the female component to simulate the bearing force vs. axial distance characteristic of shrunk-fit circular cylindrical sealing surfaces. The slight mismatch enables the sealing pressure to be above a design minimum throughout the entire sealing area yet higher at each end of the sealing area.

Abstract: A coupling apparatus is provided for quick coupling of pumping equipment to a cylindrical member.

Abstract: A nut retention system for nut connected couplings including an end fitting having an outer end wherein interfering abutments are defined upon the end fitting and nut to limit retraction of the nut on the end fitting when the coupling is disconnected whereby the outer end of the nut will always axially extend beyond the outer end of the end fitting to protect the end fitting outer end and seal located thereon.

Abstract: A pipe joint comprises a pair of tubular joint members having a gasket holding annular projection on each of butting end faces thereof, an annular gasket interposed between the butting end faces of the joint members, a retainer for causing one of the joint members to hold the gasket thereto, and a nut for connecting the joint members together. The retainer comprises an annular portion, a gasket holding portion having a plurality of claws inwardly projecting from the annular portion for holding the outer periphery of the gasket, and a joint member holding portion formed in the annular portion and engageable with the end face of one of the joint members. The gasket is provided on its outer periphery with a slipping-off preventing portion engageable with the claws of the gasket holding portion of the retainer.

Abstract: A pipe coupling or connection comprises a female coupling component and a mating male coupling component. Each component is matingly threaded for coupling engagement, and each is provided with an adjacent frusto-conical sealing surface. The sealing surface is provided with a controlled surface roughness, viz. very shallow fine surface variations, preferably formed as microgrooves at a pitch small relative to the pitch of the threads. The slope of the frusto-conical surface of the sealing area of the male component is slightly mismatched with that of the sealing area of the female component to simulate the bearing force vs. axial distance characteristic of shrunk-fit circular cylindrical sealing surfaces. The slight mismatch enables the sealing pressure to be above a design minimum throughout the entire sealing area yet higher at each end of the sealing area.

Abstract: A quick-connect, clampable fitting for a flexible hose which comprises a flexible main body of plastic material that is moldable or otherwise affixable to the hose. The main body including an integral flange member having an O-ring ribbed sealing face. The main body nests within a separate reinforcing shell of steel which absorbs the stress applied by the make-up clamp. For affixing the main body to the hose in the filed an alternative embodiment of the main body includes a plurality of channels and galleries into which an adherent fluid may be injected. Silicone rubber is a preferred material for the main body and for the adherent fluid which may be vulcanized.

Abstract: A pipe joint thrust ring to be interposed between a joint member of a pipe joint and a connecting threaded member rotatably fitted to the joint member. The thrust ring comprises a C-shaped body in the form of a circle partly cut away and having spring elasticity. The inner width between opposed ends of the C-shaped body is maller than the outside diameter of the joint member and can be increased to a value equal to the outside diameter of the joint member.

Abstract: In a compression type union for compressing two tubing segments against an intervening washer, a male nut, a female nut, and a pair of caps, the caps having interengaging tongues and slots. The nuts bear against respective caps, and the caps bear against respective heads of the tubing segments. The caps being non-integral with either tubing segment or with either nut, and there is no interengagement of any kind between the nuts and the tubing segments. The union can be joined without concern for positioning either of the nuts.

Abstract: A tube coupling comprises first and second coupling components having transversely extending sealing end faces in aligned face-to-face relationship. First and second nut members are arranged to drive the sealing end faces toward each other. An annular anti-twist member is located between the first nut means and the first coupling member for conducting axial forces from the first nut member to the first coupling component. The annular anti-twist member and the second nut member include axially engaged portions for preventing relative rotation therebetween.

Abstract: A removable clamping device is described which uniformly and effectively joins two fluid transmission lines at their normal termination points, using standard adapter flanges and removable seals and generally "C" shaped clamps having narrow slots therein which are designed to just slip over the smallest diameter of the adapter or fluid line and bear against the respective connecting flanges. The two clamps are held together by threaded bolts which are spaced equally about the clamps and which may be tightened or loosened without exerting undesirable rotational torque about the long axis of the fluid line connection, thus avoiding possible breakage and leakage.

Abstract: Herein disclosed is a flared structure which forms one open end of a metal pipe to be connected to one end of a mating joint. The flared structure has at least one deformed elastic wall portion which is formed circumferentially in the vicinity of the open end of the metal pipe. As the open end is clamped and fastened at the connecting time, the deformed elastic wall portion establishes an elastic force for ensuring a stable connection for a long time.

Abstract: A pipe connector includes an externally threaded connecting tube having an annular flange around the inside wall thereof on the middle, two pipes respectively inserted into the connecting tube and stopped against the annular flange at two opposite ends, two locknuts respectively threaded onto the connecting tube at two opposite ends to squeeze two tapered split ring against the pipes causing them to be locked in place, and two water seal rings respectively stopped between the connecting tube and the tapered split rings to seal the gaps.

Abstract: A coupling for pipes having confronting ends with conical or flat outwardly extending flanges utilizes an elastomeric sealing ring which is placed between the flanges and a variable-diameter clamping device which is positioned to surround the flanges and has two radially inwardly divergent sidewalls each of which is adjacent the exposed side of one of the flanges. The conical radially inner portions of the sidewalls engage and penetrate into the external surfaces of the pipes in response to a reduction of the diameter of the clamping device, and any further reduction of the diameter entails a movement of progressively larger parts of radially outer portions of the sidewalls into engagement with the exposed sides of the adjacent flanges to bring about radial compression of a large portion of the sealing ring.

Abstract: The present invention relates to face seal fittings for conduits or glands which employ metal gaskets. The fitting of the invention uses two annular end formations on each conduit endwall which sequentially engage the gasket to form two independent seals. The fitting is intended to be used in applications which have special cleanliness requirements.

Abstract: A plug-type connection for a tubular body comprising a tubular holding element (1) slit in crown-like manner to form tongues (2) to receive the tubular body (30), and an annular collet (20) to be inserted onto the holding element (1) to clamp the end region of the tubular body (30) to the holding element (1). The collet (20) is a single piece and U-shaped in longitudinal section and has an inner arm (21) which is slit in crown-like manner and an outer arm (22). A circumferential shoulder (8) is formed on the holding element (1) outside the central bore (3). A pin (26) on the end of the outer arm (22) of the collet (20) fits into a depression (9) in the shoulder (8) of the holding element (1). A spherically shaped projection (27) fits into spherically shaped recess (10) in the shoulder (8) of the holding element (1). The recess (10 ) is staggered by an angle of rotation with respect to the depression (9). The spherically shaped projection (27) is located on the end of the pin (26).

Abstract: A conduit coupling includes a plurality of semi-cylindrical shells hingedly mounted relative to one another to receive first and second conduits therewithin. Externally threaded clamp rods are radially directed through the first shell to secure the first and second conduits within the coupling structure. The first and second shells include respective flanges at a second edge of each shell that are arranged for confronting and continguous relationship when in a closed orientation relative to one another, with a flange fastener directed through the first shell flange threadedly received within the second shell flange to clamp the first and second shells relative to one another.

Abstract: A pipe restraining member comprising a collar member, flanges disposed on the collar member for connecting the collar member to a support, the collar member and the support being adapted cooperatively to encircle a first pipe member, lugs disposed on the collar member for connecting the collar member to a collar assembly encircling a second pipe member, and discrete groups of protrusions extending inwardly from an inside surface of the collar member and adapted to engage an external surface of the first pipe.

Abstract: A pipe fitting 20 adapted for joining pipe 28, 30 comprises a swage ring 22, 24, 52 with a locking mechanism area 42, 63 which can lockingly engage with either a coupling body 26 and/or a pipe 28, 30, 56 which has a locking mechanism 44, 64 in order to prevent relative motion between the swage ring 22, 24 and the coupling body 26 and/or the swage ring 52 and the pipe 56. Such an arrangement prevents the swage ring 22, 24 from backing off of the fitting 20 should the fitting 20 be subject to flexing due to bending forces.

Abstract: A duct joining system having two L-shaped connectors for each duct corner. Each connector has two substantially perpendicular legs forming a corner region and has an inside and an outside surface with the outside surface of one L-shaped connector abutting the outside surface of the other L-shaped connector when the ducts are joined. An irregularly shaped opening is formed in the corner region of each L-shaped connector in alignment with the opening in the abutting connector. A tab having an enlarged head and a stem is integrally formed with and extends inwardly from the peripheral edge of each of the openings. A score line is formed at the base of the stem of each tab on the outside surface of the connector to allow the tab to be bent outwardly about the score line so that the tab can be inserted through the opening in the abutting L-shaped connector and than bent over to lock the connectors together.

Abstract: A gasket and retainer arrangement for use in a coupling of the type having first and second coupling components with opposed end faces including sealing ribs extending axially therefrom with an annular sealing gasket interposed therebetween comprises a retainer device for maintaining the gasket in a predetermined located position relative to the end face of one of the components. The retainer includes a generally sleeve-like body defining a retaining portion closely received over the one component at an area rearwardly from the associated radial end face. A plurality of axially extending leg portions are spaced about the retaining portion and extend axially beyond the associated end face. The annular sealing gasket has an outer periphery of a diameter at least slightly greater than the inner diameter of the sleeve-like body with recesses formed in the outer periphery to receive the axially extending leg portions whereby the gasket is maintained in aligned relationship with the end face.

Abstract: A metal gasket for a face-seal fitting has an outer section in the form of a circular annulus, an inner section in the form of a circular annulus and having a shorter axial dimension than the outer section. The inner section and outer sections are joined by a tapered section having conical faces on opposite sides thereof facing toward the axis of the gasket. A method of prolonging the useful life of a tubular element in a face seal fitting involves repeatedly engaging an end of the tubular element with the conical face and, when the end of the tubular element wears, engaging the end with a radial face adjacent to the conical face. .Iadd.