FITTING WITH A LIQUID SEAL
The present disclosure is directed to an instrumentation fitting with a liquid seal to prevent fluid leakage therefrom. The instrumentation fitting includes a connector configured to connect to an apparatus having a pressurized region with fluid therein. A sealing grommet is positionable within the connector and an extension tube is engageable with the sealing grommet within the connector. The extension tube is configured to extend to a height H above the pressurized region and fill with liquid to a height level h to provide a hydraulic head sufficient to equalize the pressure within the pressurized region.
1 . A fitting comprising:
a connector configured to connect to an apparatus having a pressurized region with fluid therein;
a sealing grommet positionable within the connector;
a tube engageable with the sealing grommet within the connector;
a nut configured to releasably hold the tube in a sealing arrangement with the connector; and
wherein the tube is configured to extend to a height H above the pressurized region and fill with fluid to a height level h to provide a hydraulic head sufficient to equalize the pressure within the pressurized region.
2 . The fitting of claim 1 further comprising an instrumentation line extending from the pressurized region and egressing out from the tube.
3 . The fitting of claim 2 , wherein the instrumentation line transmits a signal indicative of a parameter measurement in the pressurized region.
4 . The fitting of claim 3 , wherein the parameter measurement includes one of a pressure, a temperature or a flow measurement.
5 . The fitting of claim 2 , wherein the instrumentation line includes a braided external sheath.
6 . The fitting of claim 2 , wherein the instrumentation line includes multiple lines.
7 . The fitting of claim 1 , wherein the sealing grommet includes a tapered outer wall engageable with a tapered inner wall of the connector and a through hole configured to receive a portion of the tube.
8 . The fitting of claim 7 , wherein a forward end of the tube extends completely through the sealing grommet and engages with the connector in an installed position.
9 . The compressor system of claim 1 , wherein the tube includes a curved portion.
10 . The fitting of claim 1 further comprising an outlet seal positioned proximate an outlet end of the tube.
11 . The fitting of claim 10 , wherein the outlet seal includes a through aperture for an instrumentation line to extend therethrough.
12 . The fitting of claim 1 , further comprising a seal washer fixed to the tube and engageable with the sealing grommet.
13 . The fitting of claim 1 , wherein grommet sealingly engages with the tube, the connector and an instrumentation line in an installed position.
14 . A fitting comprising:
a connector configured to connect to an apparatus having a pressurized region with fluid therein;
a sealing grommet with an internal channel positionable within the connector;
a tube engageable within the internal channel of the sealing grommet;
a seal washer fixed to the tube and engageable with an end of the sealing grommet; and
a nut configured to releasably hold the tube in a sealing arrangement with the connector.
15 . The fitting of claim 14 further comprising an instrumentation line extending from the pressurized region and egressing out from the tube.
16 . The fitting of claim 14 , wherein the seal washer is of a rigid construction.
17 . The fitting of claim 14 , wherein the seal washer is fixed with a fluid tight seal at an interface with the tube.
18 . The fitting of claim 14 , wherein the sealing grommet includes a tapered outer wall engageable with an inner wall of the connector and a through hole configured to receive a portion of the tube.
19 . The fitting of claim 18 , wherein a forward end of the tube is positioned within the sealing grommet in an installed position.
20 . The compressor system of claim 14 , wherein the seal washer is sealingly engaged with an end of the sealing grommet.
21 . The fitting of claim 14 wherein the seal washer includes a recessed cavity for receiving a portion of the sealing grommet therein.
22 . The fitting of claim 14 further comprising an outlet seal positioned within an outlet end of the tube.
23 . The fitting of claim 14 , wherein grommet sealingly engages with the tube, the connector and instrumentation lines in an installed position.
24 . A method comprising:
measuring a parameter within a pressurized fluid region of a machine;
connecting a fitting with a tube extending therefrom to the machine;
routing an instrumentation line from the pressurized region through the fitting and out of an outlet of the tube;
wherein the tube extends to a predefined height H above a fitting connection location; and
filling the tube with liquid from the pressurized region to a height h sufficient to prevent fluid from the pressurized region from egressing out of the tube outlet.
25 . The method of claim 24 further comprising:
sealingly engaging the fitting, the tube and an instrumentation line proximate a forward end of the tube with a sealing grommet.
26 . The method of claim 24 further comprising:
sealing the instrumentation line proximate an aft end of the tube with an outlet seal.