Pipe joints or couplings – Having plural independent paths – For concentric tubes or pipes
Reexamination Certificate
1998-09-08
2001-02-06
Nicholson, Eric K (Department: 3627)
Pipe joints or couplings
Having plural independent paths
For concentric tubes or pipes
C285S151100, C285S192000, C285S207000, C285S139200
Reexamination Certificate
active
06183021
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a fluid containment device and more particularly to a dual containment fitting that protectively seals a portion of pass-through tubing.
There are a number of existing dual containment-type fittings such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,983,506, 4,871,196, and 3,861,719. Each of these patents describes inner tubing surrounded by an outer containment tubing. However, in each of these cases the inner tubing is not a true pass-through tubing but rather a tubing that terminates at the fitting creating the risk that the inner tubing may form a leak between itself and the fitting. While the outer containment tubing is there to collect any leakage, a true pass-through tubing would eliminate this risk leaving the outer containment tubing to handle only those leaks that are due to damage and/or wear to the inner tube rather than those leaks caused by a poor fitting connection.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,498,036 discloses in
FIG. 5
a dual containment fitting that is mounted to the wall of an instrument cabinet. The outer containment tubing is attached to the fitting while the inner tubing passes through the outer tubing, the fitting, and into the instrument cabinet. The portion of the fitting that extends into the instrument cabinet leaves the bore, through which the inner tubing passes, open to the cabinet creating potential for danger to the instrument cabinet components. The outer tubing will contain leakage from the inner tubing, however, the level of fluid contained in the outer tubing may rise to a level such that fluid seeps into the bore surrounding the inner tubing. The fluid may continue to seep forward until it reaches the end of the bore and pours into the instrument cabinet damaging the instruments within.
Further, U.S. Pat. No. 5,498,036 provides no manner in which to fixedly position the inner tubing. Rather, the inner tubing is left to slide freely within the fitting and outer tubing.
In view of the above, there is a need for dual containment fitting that incorporates a true pass-through inner tubing to eliminate the possibility of leakage at the connection point of the inner tubing and the fitting. Further, it is desirable that this fitting provide for sealed protection at both ends of the fitting bore and that the fitting provide a manner in which the inner tubing may be fixedly positioned.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A pass-through dual containment fitting that protectively seals a portion of pass-through tubing has a fitting body that incorporates a first end, a second end and a collar, each having a longitudinal bore for receiving the pass-through tubing. The second end having an extending nose portion. A radially compressive sealing device is engagable with the first end of the fitting body. When the radially compressive sealing device is fully engaged with the first end a fluid-tight seal is formed between the device and the fitting body. A dual containment sealing device incorporates containment tubing having a flared end and a flared end fitting. The extending nose portion of the fitting body is inserted into the flared end. The flared end fitting engages the second end of the fitting body to compress the flared end to the extending nose portion to form a fluid-tight seal between the dual containment sealing device and the fitting body.
An object and advantage of an embodiment of the present invention is that the fitting allows for use of a true pass-through inner tubing. As a result, the need for the inner tubing to be coupled to the fitting body is eliminated, thereby eliminating a leakage source.
Another object and advantage of an embodiment of the present invention is that the fitting body may be equipped with protective seals at either end. Specifically, one end of the fitting body is equipped with a dual containment sealing device which provides leakage protection for the pass-through inner tubing. Additionally, the other end of the fitting body is equipped with a radially compressive sealing device which prevents leakage from the fitting body bore should the leakage contained in the dual containment sealing device seep forward into the fitting body bore.
Yet another object and advantage of an embodiment of the present invention is that the fitting body is designed to fix a section of the pass-through tubing to the fitting thereby providing further structural integrity. The fitting body secures the pass-through tubing axially as well as radially.
Yet another object and advantage of an embodiment of the present invention is that the compressive sealing device may also serve to hold the pass-through inner tubing in a fixed position making the tubing easier to handle and work with in reference to additional connections to the pass-through tubing.
Yet another object and advantage of an embodiment of the present invention is that the collar of the fitting body may incorporate a groove to receive an o-ring. With the o-ring in place, a fluid-tight seal may be made between the fitting body and the surface to which it is mounted. Said surface may include a wall, cabinet panel, or bench board.
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Soderstrom, Sr. Eric G.
Walsh Matthew E.
Wolf Gary A.
Fluoroware, Inc.
Nicholson Eric K
Patterson, Thuente Skaar & Christensen
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