Abstract: An expandable tubing assembly comprises a tubular connector defining overlapping longitudinal slots, the connector comprising end portions and an intermediate portion. The slots extend over the whole length of the connector, but the only slot overlap occurs in the intermediate portion. The assembly further comprises lengths of expandable tubing defining overlapping longitudinal slots and having end portions defining nodes between and beyond the ends of the tubing slots. Tubing threads are formed on the end most tubing nodes. The connector end portions define threads and are coupled with the threads formed on the nodes of the respective end portions of the tubing lengths.

Abstract: A filler neck assembly includes a plastic fuel tank having a wall with an opening extending therethrough. The filler neck assembly also includes a filler neck tube extending through the opening in the fuel tank and having an annular stop flange projecting radially outward from the filler neck tube outside the wall and an annular lock flange projecting radially outward from the filler neck tube formed inside the wall to lock the filler neck tube to the fuel tank. The stop flange and the lock flange provide the sole means for securing the filler neck tube within the opening. The filler neck assembly further includes a seal interposed in the opening between the wall and the filler neck tube and a washer disposed inside the fuel tank between the wall and the lock flange to engage the seal.

Abstract: The present invention provides a connector arrangement for connecting a first tubular to a second tubular. In particular, the present invention relates to a method for connecting tubulars in such a way that the connection is prevented from becoming unmade in response to expansion of the tubulars in a wellbore. More particularly, the present invention provides a tubular connection using a helical or spiral thread insert to seal and maintain mechanical strength in a tubular connection after expansion.

Abstract: A system and method for expanding, joining or securing a plurality of tubes by electromagnetic expansion to a plurality of sheets in a tubular heat transfer system. The system and method involve the automatic sensing and positioning of a electromagnetic coil in operative relationship with at least a portion of a tube and an inner wall of a sheet and then energizing the electromagnetic coil to expand the portion of the tube to engage the inner wall of the sheet, thereby securing the tube thereto. A tubular heat transfer system tube expander and method are also shown.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for attaching a tube member to a housing of a vacuum brake booster is provided. A tube member includes a body portion, an outer surface, a first end, and a second end. A first collar portion is disposed between the first end and the body portion, and extends outward from the outer surface. A lip portion is disposed at the first end and extends outward from the outer surface. The first collar portion and the lip portion define a recess to receive a first housing member. The tube member may further include a second collar portion spaced apart from the first collar portion and extending outward from the outer surface. The second collar portion may preferably define a contact surface for contacting an inner surface of a second housing member.

Abstract: A thread for expandable downhole tubular connections is disclosed. It features a locking pattern on the pin and box, which engages upon expansion of the connection. The locking pattern compensates for longitudinal shrinkage away from a torque shoulder, as a result of expansion. A resilient seal can be incorporated into the design with pin to box clearance disappearing around the seal as a result of expansion. Resilient seals can be used in tandem to trap atmospheric pressure between them. The wellbore hydrostatic pressure helps engage the locking feature by pushing the box into the pin, helped by the trapped low pressure between the seals.

Abstract: A radially expandable tubular connection including a box member having an internal thread and a first seal surface and a pin member having an external thread and a second seal surface. The external thread threadedly engages the internal thread and the first and second seal surfaces form a metal-to-metal seal upon engagement of the seal surfaces. At least one groove is formed on an outer surface of the box member, and the at least one groove is shaped so that the box member radially deforms in a direction toward the pin member in a region near the metal-to-metal seal after radial plastic expansion of the pin and box members after engagement of the threads.

Abstract: A conduit connection joint is formed to connect a tube and a fitting body in fixed fluid tight relation. The joint is made by compressing the tube in a bore in the fitting body so as to cause formation of at least two beads in the tube during the engagement of the tube to the bore wall. A retaining ridge may be formed in the fitting body to further hold the fitting body and tube in engaged relation.

Abstract: A structure for mounting a tube to a header member of heat exchanger is such that the header member has a tube hole and the tube is disposed through the tube hole so that a portion of the tube projects out of and beyond the header member. The portion of the tube which projects outwardly is expanded via the insertion of an expansion wedge to establish a tight contact between the tube and the tube hole.

Abstract: A joint of a soft tube comprises a tube joint, an inner sleeve, and an outer sleeve. The inner sleeve is inserted into the soft tube and then the soft tube is inserted into the outer sleeve; then the connecting end of the tube joint is inserted into the soft tube. Next, by a hand tool clamping the actuating ring to rotate the tube joint, the connecting end of the tube joint is screwed into the inner threaded hole of the inner sleeve. The connecting end will cause the section of the inner sleeve having slots to expand outwards. As a result, the corresponding wall of the soft tube will expand and thereby deform so as to tightly resist against the enlarged end of the outer sleeve. Thereby, radial and axially connecting forces are formed, the soft tube can be firmly and tightly secured to the tube joint.

Abstract: An internal swage fitting for swaging a tube. The fitting includes a tube connection region with one or more radial grooves and an expansion cavity at the end adjacent to the end of the tube to be swaged. The expansion cavity accommodates flowing tube material during the swaging process with minimal axial pressure on the fitting. The expansion cavity also includes a stop wall to fix the location of the tube in the fitting. The expansion cavity enables swaging of tube materials of relatively high ductility without accounting for setback. It therefore eliminates the need for a collar to establish setback during swaging.

Abstract: The self-flaring plastic fitting is generally utilized in coupling one section of tubing to another section of tubing. In the present invention, at least one of the sections of tubing has an end portion with a substantially uniform diameter and a groove about its periphery. The fitting itself includes a fitting body and a fitting nut. The fitting body is provided with a tapered nose section while the fitting nut is provided with a groove engaging device. In assembling the fitting, the end of the section of tubing incorporating the groove is place proximate the tapered nose section of the fitting body while the opposite end of the section of tubing is inserted through the fitting nut. The fitting nut is then pushed towards the fitting body where the groove engaging device of the fitting nut engages the groove of the tubing.

Abstract: A composite pipe assembly comprises a pipe having a pipe wall, a housing comprising a tubular portion having an inner surface, said tubular portion being disposed around the outside of the pipe, and a tubular forge member having an outer surface. The forge member is disposed within the housing whereby a portion of the pipe wall is disposed between the inner surface of the tubular portion of the housing and the outer surface of said forge member. The forge member is deformed radially outwards against the pipe and the housing, preferably to beyond its yield point, and the tubular portion of the housing is thereby deformed radially outwards to a partial yield point. As a result, the tubular portion of the housing applies a compressive force radially inwards against the pipe wall and the forge member applies a force radially outwards against the pipe wall which serves to secure the housing to the pipe and provide a seal between the pipe and the inner surface of the tubular portion of the housing.

Abstract: A fitting/manifold assembly and method are provided for a heat exchanger. The method includes the steps of providing a manifold (22) including a wall (30) having an aperture (32) therethrough; providing a fitting (24) including a body (42), a nipple (44) extending from the body (42) and having an interior surface (50), and an opening (54) extending through the body (42) to allow access to the interior surface (50); inserting the nipple (44) into the aperture (32) from one side of the wall (30) so that the body (42) of the fitting (24) is on the one side of the wall (30) and a portion (48) of the nipple (44) is on the other side of the wall (30); deforming the interior surface (50) of the nipple (44) with a deforming tool (60, 104) inserted through the opening (54) in the body (42) to enlarge the portion (48) to a shape that restricts retraction of the nipple (44) from the aperture (32).

Abstract: A pipe joint is comprised of a joint base member having an opening for a fluid conduit, a flange member fixed with the joint base member and a metal pipe having a first enlarged portion inserted into the opening, a second enlarged portion placed in an installation bore of the flange and a bulging portion pressed against a second end surface of the flange member. The bulging portion is formed by making the outer surface of the pipe swell at the same time when the pipe is inserted into the installation bore and enlarged by a enlargement punch to form the second enlarged portion.

Abstract: In an apparatus for connecting tubular members together by cold forging a plurality of rollers are carried on a shaft which includes a tapered portion cooperating with the rollers to force the rollers radially outwardly to forge the tubular member into the end portion of a surrounding tubular member. The forging apparatus is provided with a gear mechanism which incrementally rotates the rollers upon completion of each reciprocal pass so that substantially all of the internal surface of the tubular member is contacted by the rollers to forge the tubular member into the end portion of the surrounding tubular member.

Abstract: The present invention provides in combination with a ball-valve, an improvement comprising a threadless metallic fitting that incorporates both a male portion and a female portion formed as an integral unitary structure extending from at least one end wall of a housing portion of the ball-valve. The threadless metallic fitting includes a sleeve portion having a female interior surface adapted for receiving one of a tube and a pipe section therein and a male exterior surface having at least two distinct cylindrical sections. There is also a driver member having at least two distinct cylindrical sections for engaging the male exterior surface of the sleeve portion for deforming the sleeve portion and concurrently deforming such one of such tube and pipe section engaged within the sleeve portion when the driver member is forced longitudinally along the male exterior surface of the sleeve portion so as to effect an air tight seal between the pipe section and the female interior surface of the fitting.

Abstract: A swivel fitting includes a first annular member and a second annular member. The first annular member has a second end which is threaded and a first end which receives the first end of the second annular member. The second annular member has a second end which is received within a tube or hose. The members are coupled together by expanding a frusto-conical end section of the second annular member within the first annular member, so that a radial lip on the frusto-conical section seats within an annular grove formed within the first annular member. The swivel fitting is sealed with an O-ring which is sandwiched between the radially extending stop on the first annular member and a shoulder on the second annular member.

Abstract: A tube and fitting assembly is made by the method of relatively moving a tube into an internal bore in a fitting with the internal bore extending end-to-end in the fitting, longitudinally compressing the tube to radially expand it into engagement with the wall of the internal bore, internally threading either the tube or the fitting and with the threads being adapted to receive a second member until it is sealed fluid-tight against the tube and there is therefore no need for a fluid-tight seal between the tube and the first fitting.