Granted Patent B2

US 12,553,546 · App. 18/503,968 · Granted Feb 17, 2026

Inventors: Christopher T. Cantrell (Jackson, MI); Gregory Kiernan (Grass Lake, MI); Ravi Soni (Okemos, MI); Eric R. Marx (Michigan Center, MI)

Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited

F16L19/0206F16L19/025F16L2201/10

Abstract

Claims (46)

1 . A fluid fitting, comprising:

a nut;

a sleeve; and

a union, wherein:

the union includes a stop and the nut includes a stop, together comprising corresponding stops,

the union and the nut include corresponding markings configured to provide a visual indication of a connection of the nut with the union,

the markings of the union and the nut have different circumferential widths, and

a difference in the circumferential widths between the markings of the union and the nut correspond to an expected amount of deformation.

2 . The fluid fitting of claim 1 , wherein the corresponding markings of either or both of the nut and the union include a plurality of visual indicators to indicate that a sealing limit has been reached for a first connection of the union and the nut and at least one corresponding subsequent connection of the union and the nut.

3 . The fluid fitting of claim 1 , wherein the circumferential widths of the markings of the union and the nut define a difference between a minimum rotational position and a maximum rotational position of the union relative to the nut in which the nut and the union are connected, wherein a first circumferential edge of the markings corresponds to the minimum rotational position, and a second circumferential edge of the makings indicates the maximum rotational position.

4 . The fluid fitting of claim 1 , wherein the expected amount of deformation includes at least a minimum limit, wherein the minimum limit is based, at least in part, on an expected loss of pressure during an expected life of the fluid fitting.

5 . The fluid fitting of claim 1 , wherein the expected amount of deformation includes at least a maximum limit, wherein the maximum limit is based, at least in part, on a torque at which galling is expected to occur between the union and the nut.

6 . The fluid fitting of claim 1 , wherein:

the union and the nut extend along and rotate about a central axis,

an intersection point is defined where threads of the union intersect with a plane perpendicular to the axis of the fluid fitting,

a stop angle is defined between the stop of the union and the intersection point, and

the stop angle is determined based, at least in part, on the expected amount of deformation.

7 . The fluid fitting of claim 1 , wherein the corresponding stops contact or engage with each other when the nut is connected with the union.

8 . A fluid fitting, comprising:

a nut;

a sleeve; and

a union, wherein:

the union includes a stop and the nut includes a stop, together comprising corresponding stops,

the corresponding stops contact or engage with each other when the nut is connected with the union in a first connection,

the corresponding stops provide a first visual indication of a sufficient connection between the nut and the union,

the nut and the union include corresponding markings configured to provide a second visual indication of a connection of the nut with the union, and

the corresponding markings of either or both of the nut and the union includes a plurality of visual indicators to indicate a sufficient connection between the nut and a union has been reached for at least one subsequent connection;

wherein the markings of the union and the nut each has a circumferential width, and a difference in circumferential widths corresponds to an expected amount of deformation; and

wherein the circumferential widths of the markings of the union and the nut define a difference between a minimum rotational position and a maximum rotational position of the union relative to the nut in which the nut and the union are connected,

a first circumferential edge of the markings corresponds to the minimum rotational position,

a second circumferential edge of the makings indicates the maximum rotational position, and

wherein in the minimum rotational position, a gap exists between the nut and the union.

9 . The fluid fitting of claim 8 , wherein the corresponding stops contact or engage with each other when the nut is connected with the union.

10 . The fluid fitting of claim 8 , wherein the corresponding markings include a first marking disposed on the nut and a second marking disposed on the union.

11 . The fluid fitting of claim 8 , wherein the corresponding markings of the second visual indication are readable via an electronic scanner.

12 . A fluid fitting, comprising:

a nut;

a sleeve; and

a union, wherein:

the union includes a stop and the nut includes a stop, together comprising corresponding stops,

the union and the nut include corresponding markings configured to provide a visual indication of a connection of the nut with the union,

the markings of the union and the nut have different circumferential widths, wherein:

the union and the nut extend along and rotate about a central axis,

an intersection point is defined where threads of the union intersect with a plane perpendicular to the axis of the fluid fitting,

a stop angle is defined between the stop of the union and the intersection point, and

the stop angle is determined based, at least in part, on the expected amount of deformation.

Continuity (8)

References Cited (21)