Push-to-Connect Conduit Fitting With Fixed Gland Seal Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing push to connect fitting assemblies face issues with spring overstressing and inconsistent spring compression due to fluid pressure, leading to potential damage to seals and reduced service life, particularly in applications involving metal conduits.
Innovation Solution
The fitting assembly incorporates a retainer body with fixed gland configuration and barrel-shaped gripping members, preventing fluid pressure-driven spring compression, and includes a retainer body with segmented colleting tabs to enhance grip and reduce conduit vibration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a traditional push to connect fitting allows fluid pressure to compress the spring, then the conduit can be securely retained, but the spring becomes overstressed and seal integrity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The conduit retaining arrangement is segmented into distinct functional components: gripping members for radial retention, colleting tabs for axial positioning, and a fixed gland for seal support. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function without transmitting fluid pressure-induced compression forces to the spring, thereby maintaining seal integrity while ensuring secure conduit retention.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring is extracted from the load-bearing path of fluid pressure forces. The fixed gland configuration prevents fluid pressure from transmitting compression forces to the spring, effectively removing the spring from the force transmission chain. This allows the spring to maintain constant gripping force without overstressing, while other components handle the fluid pressure loads.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the spring is allowed to compress under fluid pressure, then the fitting adapts to pressure conditions, but the service life of the fitting is reduced due to spring damage
Solution Approach 1:
The fixed gland configuration provides beforehand protection by preventing fluid pressure from compressing the spring in the first place. This prior cushioning approach eliminates the need for the spring to adapt to pressure conditions, thereby preventing spring damage and extending the service life of the fitting while maintaining reliable conduit retention under pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixed gland creates a rigid structural copy of the support function that the spring would otherwise provide under compression. Instead of allowing the spring to compress and adapt, the fixed gland structure provides equivalent support and positioning functionality without the detrimental compression effects, thereby extending service life.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the gripping members are allowed to move axially under fluid pressure, then the fitting can accommodate pressure variations, but inconsistent spring compression occurs leading to unreliable sealing
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping members are segmented from the axial load path by the fixed gland configuration. This segmentation prevents fluid pressure from causing axial movement of the gripping members and inconsistent spring compression. Each gripping member maintains its precise manufactured position and compression force, ensuring reliable and consistent sealing while the overall fitting remains adaptable to pressure variations through other mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A push to connect fitting includes first and second fitting components and a conduit releasing insert. The first and second fitting components are assembled to define an internal cavity enclosing a conduit retaining arrangement axially movable between an outboard conduit gripping position and an inboard conduit releasing position. The conduit releasing insert includes a fitting interlocking feature releasably engaging the second fitting component, and a releasing feature engaging the conduit retaining arrangement to secure the conduit retaining arrangement in the conduit releasing position against axial outboard movement. Movement of the conduit releasing insert to disengage the fitting interlocking feature from the second fitting component permits outboard axial movement of the conduit retaining arrangement to the conduit gripping position.