This invention relates to a partially carbonitriding heat treated stainless steel ferrule, having a first region with a first hardness and a second region with a second hardness, wherein the first region includes a nitrogen layer having a nitrogen concentration higher than a carbon concentration, and a carbon layer formed under the nitrogen layer and having a carbon concentration higher than a nitrogen concentration, so that the first hardness is greater than the second hardness. Thereby, partial heat treatment is effective at preventing rotational torque of the region, except for the portion to be heat treated, from increasing due to the total hardening.

A fitting for a tube or pipe capable of functioning a high pressures having a first fitting component adapted to receive the conduit end; a conduit gripping device such as a ferrule or ferrules and a second fitting component that can be joined to the first fitting component to cause the conduit gripping device to grip the conduit and seal when assembled. In one aspect of the invention, the first fitting component is constructed from a material that is softer than the material used to construct the second fitting component. An additional aspect of the invention include a retaining portion on the second fitting component that constrains the tube gripping device against pressure. The retaining portion can also be configured to retain the tube gripping device to the second fitting component prior to installation and in a finger-tight condition. A further aspect of the invention includes a first fitting component in which an exterior portion of the component is work hardened radially outward from the tube gripping device. The fitting may optionally be provided with a structure to effect the pull-up by torque functionality.

A connection structure of a corrugated pipe is provided that may include a corrugated pipe, a clamping nut located outside of the corrugated pipe, a confinement ring mounted on a valley of the corrugated pipe and disposed within the clamping nut, a connection body having an insertion portion inserted into the clamping nut and having male threads threaded to the clamping nut, and a packing member located between an end of the corrugated pipe and the insertion portion to compress and deform the end of the corrugated pipe when the clamping nut is clamped and to provide a sealing between the end of the corrugated pipe and the insertion portion. As the packing member provides the sealing between the insertion portion of the connection body and the end of the corrugated pipe, a gap may minimally occur and reliability is increased.

A fitting for a tube or pipe capable of functioning a high pressures having a first fitting component adapted to receive the conduit end; a conduit gripping device such as a ferrule or ferrules and a second fitting component that can be joined to the first fitting component to cause the conduit gripping device to grip the conduit and seal when assembled. In one aspect of the invention, the first fitting component is constructed from a material that is softer than the material used to construct the second fitting component. An additional aspect of the invention include a retaining portion on the second fitting component that constrains the tube gripping device against pressure. The retaining portion can also be configured to retain the tube gripping device to the second fitting component prior to installation and in a finger-tight condition. A further aspect of the invention includes a first fitting component in which an exterior portion of the component is work hardened radially outward from the tube gripping device. The fitting may optionally be provided with a structure to effect the pull-up by torque functionality.

A pipe for simultaneously retaining a first pipe to a first port and a second pipe to a second port includes a first yoke for receiving the first pipe and the first port to retain the first pipe to the first port; a second yoke for receiving the second pipe and the second port to retain the second pipe to the second port; and a hinge joining the first yoke to the second yoke such that the hinge allows the first yoke to pivot relative to the second yoke about a hinge axis between 1) a disassembled position which allows removal of the pipe retainer from the first pipe, the first port, the second pipe, and the second port and 2) an assembled position which prevents removal of the pipe retainer from the first pipe, the first port, the second pipe, and the second port.

A pipe for simultaneously retaining a first pipe to a first port and a second pipe to a second port includes a first yoke for receiving the first pipe and the first port to retain the first pipe to the first port; a second yoke for receiving the second pipe and the second port to retain the second pipe to the second port; and a hinge joining the first yoke to the second yoke such that the hinge allows the first yoke to pivot relative to the second yoke about a hinge axis between 1) a disassembled position which allows removal of the pipe retainer from the first pipe, the first port, the second pipe, and the second port and 2) an assembled position which prevents removal of the pipe retainer from the first pipe, the first port, the second pipe, and the second port.

A conduit fitting of the type having first and second threaded fitting components and at least one conduit gripping device, further includes a stroke limiting member that allows the fitting to be pulled up by applying a predetermined torque. In one embodiment, the stroke limiting member may be a non-integral torque collar. Alternatively, the fitting may also be pulled up by turns or may have an integral torque collar. In still another embodiment, a stroke limiting member is provided that may be used to enable a fitting that is designed to be pulled up by turns to also be pulled up by torque. In other embodiments, the non-integral torque collar may be installed onto one of the fitting components, and then deformed so as to prevent or make it more difficult to remove the torque collar after installation onto the fitting component.

Methods and apparatus for evaluating characteristics of components of a mechanically attached connection are disclosed. Characteristics that may be evaluated include, but are not limited to, the position of a conduit gripping device on a conduit, an amount of axial compression or stroke of the conduit gripping device, and an amount of clamping force applied to the conduit gripping device as the conduit gripping device is axially compressed or stroked.

The present application discloses methods and apparatus for installing fitting components, such as a conduit gripping device, on a conduit to form an assembly. The assembly is joinable with at least one other fitting component to form a fitting. The present application also discloses methods and apparatus for evaluating characteristics of components of a mechanically attached connection. Characteristics that may be evaluated include, but are not limited to, the position of a conduit gripping device on a conduit, an amount of axial compression or stroke of the conduit gripping device, an amount of clamping force applied to the conduit gripping device as the conduit gripping device is compressed, and an amount of torque applied to members that compresses the conduit gripping device.

The present application discloses methods and apparatus for installing fitting components, such as a conduit gripping device, on a conduit to form an assembly. The assembly is joinable with at least one other fitting component to form a fitting. The present application also discloses methods and apparatus for evaluating characteristics of components of a mechanically attached connection. Characteristics that may be evaluated include, but are not limited to, the position of a conduit gripping device on a conduit, an amount of axial compression or stroke of the conduit gripping device, an amount of clamping force applied to the conduit gripping device as the conduit gripping device is compressed, and an amount of torque applied to members that compresses the conduit gripping device.