Device and Method for a Fluid-Tight Connection
A device for connecting a fluid conduit to an orifice of a vessel includes a flexible fitting, a deformable fitting, and one or more compression fittings. The flexible fitting can fix a position of the fluid conduit with respect to the orifice of the vessel, and the deformable fitting can provide a fluid seal between the fluid conduit and the orifice of the vessel. A method for connecting a fluid conduit to an orifice of a vessel includes urging a deformable fitting against both a surface of the fluid conduit and the orifice, urging a flexible fitting toward a surface of the fluid conduit, and attaching the flexible fitting to the orifice.
1 . A device for connecting a fluid conduit to an orifice of a vessel, comprising:
a flexible fitting for substantially fixing a position of the fluid conduit with respect to the orifice of the vessel;
a deformable fitting for providing a substantially fluid-tight seal between the fluid conduit and the orifice of the vessel; and
at least one compression fitting for urging the flexible fitting toward an outer surface of the fluid conduit to substantially fix the position of the fluid conduit, and for urging the deformable fitting toward both the outer surface and the orifice.
2 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the flexible fitting comprises a plurality of fingers defining an axial passage for receiving the fluid conduit.
3 . The device of claim 2 , wherein the plurality of flexible fingers define a tapered outer surface.
4 . The device of claim 3 , wherein the at least one compression fitting defines a tapered inner surface that urges the fingers toward the outer surface of the fluid conduit by applying a pressure to the outer surface of the plurality of flexible fingers.
5 . The device of claim 4 , wherein inner surface of the compression fitting and the outer surface of the plurality of fingers are threaded.
6 . The device of claim 2 , wherein the flexible fitting further comprises a band from which the plurality of fingers axially extend, the band defining the axial passage in cooperation with the plurality of fingers.
7 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the flexible fitting comprises a collet.
8 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the flexible fitting comprises stainless steel.
9 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one compression fitting consists of a single fitting that directly contacts the flexible fitting.
10 . The device of claim 9 , wherein the flexible fitting directly contacts the deformable fitting, and is urged against the deformable fitting by the single fitting.
11 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one compression fitting comprises a first compression fitting for urging the flexible fitting toward the outer surface of the fluid conduit, and a second compression fitting for urging the deformable fitting toward both the outer surface and the orifice.
12 . The device of claim 11 , wherein the first compression fitting is disposed between the deformable fitting and the flexible fitting.
13 . The device of claim 11 , wherein the first compression fitting is fixedly attached to the flexible fitting.
14 . The device of claim 13 , wherein the first compression fitting and the flexible fitting are formed from a single piece of a metallic material.
15 . The device of claim 9 , wherein at least a portion of the single fitting is disposed between the flexible fitting and the deformable fitting.
16 . The device of claim 15 , wherein the single fitting is in direct contact with the deformable fitting.
17 . The device of claim 15 , wherein the flexible fitting is threadably attached to the single fitting, and the flexible fitting applies substantially no force to the deformable fitting.
18 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the deformable fitting comprises a ferrule.
19 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the deformable fitting comprises a polymer.
20 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the vessel comprises a chromatography column.
21 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the fluid conduit comprises a tube.
22 . A device for connecting a fluid conduit to an orifice of a vessel, comprising:
a slidable flexible fitting for substantially fixing a position of the fluid conduit with respect to the orifice of the vessel;
a deformable fitting for providing a substantially fluid-tight seal between the fluid conduit and the orifice of the vessel;
a first compression fitting for urging the flexible fitting toward an outer surface of the fluid conduit to substantially fix the position of the fluid conduit; and
a second compression fitting for urging the deformable fitting toward both the outer surface and the orifice.
23 . The method of claim 22 , wherein the first compression fitting is configured for threadable attachment to the second compression fitting.
24 . A method for connecting a fluid conduit to an orifice of a vessel, comprising:
urging a deformable fitting against both a surface of the fluid conduit and the orifice to provide a substantially fluid-tight seal between the fluid conduit and the orifice;
urging a flexible fitting toward a surface of the fluid conduit to substantially fix a position of the fluid conduit relative to a position of the flexible fitting; and
attaching, directly or indirectly, the flexible fitting to the orifice to substantially fix the position of the flexible fitting relative to a position of the orifice.
25 . The method of claim 24 , wherein urging the flexible fitting comprises threadably attaching a compression fitting to the flexible fitting.
26 . The method of claim 24 , wherein the surface of the fluid conduit is an exterior surface having a orientation substantially parallel to an axis defined by a lumen of the fluid conduit.
27 . The method of claim 24 , wherein urging the deformable fitting comprises applying a force of less than about 20 lbs to the deformable fitting.
28 . The method of claim 24 , where the substantially fluid-tight seal is resistant to a pressure of at least about 18 Kpsi.