The present disclosure relates to a nut for a tube fitting coupling assembly for connecting at least one tube to another component of a fluid transport circuit such as a connector, a pump, a valve, a manifold, etc. suitable for, but not limited to, use in a corrosive and/or high purity fluid transport circuit.
In connection with the field of corrosive fluids transport, coupling assemblies are already known for connecting a tube to a body part of another component. Often these coupling assemblies include a ring part mounted on the periphery of the tube and receiving at one end a curved end portion of the tube, and where the sealing is achieved by axially clamping the curved end portion of the tube against a receiving surface through said ring. In some embodiments, the ring is overlaid by a nut for further containment of the tube; however, this nut is sometimes inadequate in sealing, size, and interchangeability. Therefore, there continues to be a need for improved coupling assemblies.
The present disclosure will be well understood and its advantages will appear more clearly from the following detailed description of an embodiment, shown by way of non-limiting example. The description refers to the accompanying drawings in which:
The following description in combination with the figures is provided to assist in understanding the teachings disclosed herein. The following discussion will focus on specific implementations and embodiments of the teachings. This focus is provided to assist in describing the teachings and should not be interpreted as a limitation on the scope or applicability of the teachings. However, other embodiments can be used based on the teachings as disclosed in this application.
The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” “including,” “has,” “having” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of features is not necessarily limited only to those features but may include other features not expressly listed or inherent to such method, article, or apparatus. Further, unless expressly stated to the contrary, “or” refers to an inclusive-or and not to an exclusive-or. For example, a condition A or B is satisfied by any one of the following: A is true (or present) and B is false (or not present), A is false (or not present) and B is true (or present), and both A and B are true (or present).
Also, the use of “a” or “an” is employed to describe elements and components described herein. This is done merely for convenience and to give a general sense of the scope of the invention. This description should be read to include one, at least one, or the singular as also including the plural, or vice versa, unless it is clear that it is meant otherwise. For example, when a single embodiment is described herein, more than one embodiment may be used in place of a single embodiment. Similarly, where more than one embodiment is described herein, a single embodiment may be substituted for that more than one embodiment.
Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. The materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting. To the extent not described herein, many details regarding specific materials and processing acts are conventional and may be found in textbooks and other sources within the tube connector assembly arts.
Embodiments described herein are generally directed to a nut for a connector assembly for a tube including: an annular nut body including a polymer and oriented down a central axis, the annular nut body including: a circumferential split defining a first circumferential portion and a second circumferential portion, where the first circumferential portion and the second circumferential portion are flexibly connected by a pliable bridge portion, where the first circumferential portion includes a first circumferential end and the second circumferential portion includes a second circumferential end, where the first circumferential end and the second circumferential end each include a coupling component adapted to fix the first circumferential end and the second circumferential end together.
Embodiments described herein are generally directed to a nut for a connector assembly for a tube including: an annular nut body oriented down a central axis, the annular nut body having a cross-section taken along the central axis including: an axially projecting portion including exterior threadings and an end portion; and a radially projecting portion disposed axially adjacent to the axially projecting portion, where the radially projecting portion includes a first flange projecting radially inward, where at least one of the first flange or the end portion is adapted to seal against a neighboring component, and where the annular nut body further includes a circumferential split.
Embodiments described herein are generally directed to a connector assembly for a tube including: a body provided with a cavity extending in an axial direction, a ring adapted to be mounted at the periphery of a useful portion of the tube, the ring having at one end a support surface adapted to receive a curved end portion of the tube, and a nut adapted to be screwed onto the body so as to engage the ring to press the curved end portion of the tube against a receiving surface in the axial direction, and an annular receiving part forming the receiving surface and removably mounted on the body, where the nut includes: an annular nut body and oriented down a central axis, the annular nut body having a cross-section taken along the central axis including: an axially projecting portion including external threadings and an end portion; and a radially projecting portion disposed axially adjacent to the axially projecting portion, where at least one of 1) the radially projecting portion includes a first flange projecting radially inward, where at least one of the first flange or the end portion is adapted to seal against receiving part, or 2) where the annular nut body includes a polymer and further includes a circumferential split.
Embodiments described herein are generally directed to a connector assembly for a tube including: a body provided with a cavity extending in an axial direction, an annular receiving part forming a receiving surface and removably mounted on the body, and a nut adapted to be screwed onto the body so as to engage the annular receiving part to press the tube against the receiving surface in the axial direction, where the nut includes: an annular nut body and oriented down a central axis, the annular nut body having a cross-section taken along the central axis including: an axially projecting portion including external threadings and an end portion; and a radially projecting portion disposed axially adjacent to the axially projecting portion, where at least one of 1) the radially projecting portion includes a first flange projecting radially inward, where at least one of the first flange or the end portion is adapted to seal against receiving part, or 2) where the annular nut body includes a polymer and further includes a circumferential split.
Still referring to
Still referring to
Still referring to
Still referring to
As shown best in
Still referring to
As shown in
This sealing system allows at the same time to avoid any radial deformation of the receiving part 50 which can lead to the formation of retention zones disturbing the flow of the fluid. As an alternative, the sealing between the receiving part and the body could be achieved by any other suitable system, for example, by a gasket partly compressed in at least one groove formed in one of the receiving part and the body, and another part which could be compressed against the other of the receiving part and the body.
Still referring to
As illustrated best in
Finally, the receiving part 50 includes a useful radially internal surface (hereinafter the useful surface) 56 intended to make the junction between the useful portion 14 of the tube 10 and the main section 70 of the cavity 30. In other words, as illustrated in
In an embodiment, the internal diameter D3 of the tube 10 and the diameter D1 of the main section 70 of the cavity 30 of the body may be substantially identical. The useful surface 56 may be thus exactly aligned with the internal surface of the tube 10 and the internal surface of the cavity 30, the three elements forming a cylindrical conduit of constant diameter. In a case where the internal diameter of the tube 10 and the diameter of the main section of the cavity of the body 2 may be substantially identical, the effective internal surface of the receiving part 50 may be cylindrical, the diameter of which may be substantially equal to the internal diameter of the main section. According to another embodiment, when the internal diameter of the tube 10 and the diameter of the main section of the body 2 cavity may be different, the effective internal surface of the receiving part 50 can expand over at least a part of its axial length. For example, the effective internal surface may, on at least one axial section, have a generally frustoconical shape.
In order to further improve the sealing between the tube 10 and the receiving part 50, the latter may have an annular groove, in particular a groove with a curved axial cross-section, configured to cooperate positively with the compressed end portion of the tube 10. The positive fit between the receiving surface 50 and the curved portion of the tube 10 increases the contact area between the two parts and thus reduces the risk of leakage.
Still referring to
Still referring to
Still referring to
Still referring to
As will be explained hereinafter, the connector assembly 1 according to the described embodiments allows connecting tubes of different diameters to the same cavity 30 of the body 2. To do this, it suffices to adapt the receiving part 50 and the ring 40 to the diameter of the tube to be connected. In the example of
As shown in
In the example, due to the difference in diameter between the tube 110 and the main section 170 of the cavity 130, the useful surface 156 flares over at least a part of its axial length, particularly towards the front. In other words, the useful surface 156 has a spacing c with the axis X which increases from its rear end 156b or a point between said rear end 156b and its front end 156a, towards its front end 156a.
In the example of
As shown in
Still referring to
In a number of embodiments, the receiving part 750 may include a first engaging portion 751 adapted to seal the body 702 to the receiving part 750. In a number of embodiments, the receiving part 750 may include a second engaging portion 769 adapted to seal the nut 760 to the receiving part 750. In a number of embodiments, the receiving part 750 may include a third engaging portion 753 adapted to seal against a neighboring component to the receiving part 750. There are variable structures of the third engaging portion 753 as illustrated below.
In a number of embodiments, the second flange 767B may include an axially oriented tab 768 disposed radially and adapted to lock the nut against a neighboring component (e.g. body 702). The axially oriented tab 768 may have a rectilinear cross-section. The axially oriented tab 768 may have an arcuate cross-section. The axially oriented tab may have a length, LAOT, and the axially projecting portion has a length, LAPP, where LAPP>LAOT, such as LAPP>1.5 LAOT, such as LAPP>2 LAOT, such as LAPP>3 LAOT, or such as LAPP>5 LAOT. In a number of embodiments, the axially oriented tab 768 may include a bridge portion 768A and a head portion 768B. In a number of embodiments, the bridge portion 768A has a width, WBP, and the head portion 768B has a width, WHP, where WHP>WBP, such as WHP>1.5 WBP, such as WHP>2 WBP, such as WHP>3 WBP, or such as WHP>5 WBP. The annular structure of the nut 760 may be described in further detail below.
Still referring to
According to one embodiment, the body 2 and/or the receiving part 50, and/or the tube 10, 110, 210, and/or the ring 40, and/or the nut 60, may be made of a plastic material. According to one embodiment, at least one of these elements is, for example, made of a fluoropolymer. According to another embodiment, each of these elements is, for example, a fluoropolymer. In the context of the described embodiments, the term “fluoropolymer” refers to any polymer having in its chain at least one monomer chosen from compounds containing a vinyl group capable of polymerizing, or propagating, a polymerization reaction, and which contains, directly attached to said vinyl group, at least one fluorine atom, one fluoroalkyl group or one fluoroalkoxy group. By way of example of monomer, mention may be made of vinyl fluoride; vinylidene fluoride (VF2); trifluoroethylene (VF3); chlorotrifluoroethylene (CTFE); 1,2-difluoroethylene; tetrafluoroethylene (TFE); hexafluoropropylene (HFP); perfluoro(alkyl vinyl)ethers such as perfluoro(methyl vinyl)ether (PMVE), perfluoro (ethyl vinyl)ether (PEVE) and perfluoro(propyl vinyl)ether (PPVE); perfluoro(1,3-dioxole); perfluoro(2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxole) (PDD); the product of formula CF2═CFOCF2CF(CF3)OCF2CF2X where X is SO2F, CO2H, CH2OH, CH2OCN or CH2OPO3H; the product of formula CF2═CFOCF2CF2SO2F; the product of formula F(CF2)nCH2OCF═CF2 where n is 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5; the product of formula R1CH2OCF═CF2 where R1 is hydrogen or F(CF2)z and z is 1, 2, 3 or 4; the product of formula R3OCF═CH2 where R3 is F(CF2)z— and z is 1, 2, 3 or 4; perfluorobutylethylene (PFBE); 3,3,3-trifluoropropene; 2-trifluoromethyl-3,3,3-trifluoro-1-propene. The fluoropolymer may be a homopolymer or a copolymer; it may also include non-fluorinated monomers such as ethylene. In particular, the fluorinated polymer may be chosen from fluorinated ethylene-propylene (FEP), ethylenetetrafluoroethylene (ETFE), polytetrafluoroethyleneperfluoro-propylvinylether (PFA), polytetrafluoroethylene-perfluoromethylvinylether (MFA), polytetrafluoroethylene polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), ethylene chlorotrifluoroethylene (ECTFE), polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE), or a combination thereof. Fluoropolymers allow avoiding contamination possibilities, which can be advantageous for high purity applications. Fluoropolymers also have the advantage of resisting chemicals, in particular acids such as sulfuric acid (H2SO4), hydrofluoric acid (HF) or phosphoric (H3PO4), which are used, in particular, for the manufacture of semiconductors. It should be noted that, although they are not intended to be in direct contact with the fluid, the nut 60 and the ring 40 may also be made of fluoropolymer.
According to one embodiment, the receiving part 50 may be made of one of the materials chosen from polytetrafluoroethyleneperfluoropropylvinylether (PFA), polytetrafluoroethylene-perfluoromethylvinyl ether (MFA) and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), or a combination thereof.
According to another embodiment, the ring 40 may be made of one of the materials chosen from polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), ethylenetetrafluoroethylene (ETFE), ethylenechlorotrifluoroethylene (ECTFE), polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE), or a combination thereof.
According to another embodiment, the nut 60 may be made of ethylenetetrafluoroethylene (ETFE) or polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), or a combination thereof.
According to another embodiment, the body 2 may be made of polytetrafluoroethyleneperfluoro-propylvinylether (PFA) or polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), or a combination thereof.
According to another embodiment, the tube 10, 110, 210 may, for example, be made of polytetrafluoroethyleneperfluoro-propylvinylether (PFA), fluorinated ethylene-propylene (FEP), polytetrafluoroethylene-perfluoromethylvinyl ether (MFA), ethylenetetrafluoroethylene (ETFE) or polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), or a combination thereof.
According to one embodiment, the receiving part 50 may be made of one of the materials chosen from polytetrafluoroethyleneperfluoropropylvinylether (PFA), polytetrafluoroethylene-perfluoromethylvinyl ether (MFA) and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), or a combination thereof.
According to another embodiment, the ring 40 may be made of one of the materials chosen from polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), ethylenetetrafluoroethylene (ETFE), ethylenechlorotrifluoroethylene (ECTFE), polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE), polytetrafluoroethyleneperfluoropropylvinylether (PFA), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), or a combination thereof.
According to another embodiment, the nut 60 may be made of ethylenetetrafluoroethylene (ETFE) or polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), or a combination thereof.
According to another embodiment, the body 2 may be made of polytetrafluoroethyleneperfluoro-propylvinylether (PFA) or polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), or a combination thereof.
According to a particular embodiment, the receiving part 50 may thus be made of a material that is more flexible than the body 2, the stiffness of which must be sufficient to ensure a good resistance of its connection by screwing with the nut 60. The receiving part 50 may also be made of a material that is more flexible than the ring 40 (in other words, the receiving part 50 may be made of a material whose Young's modulus is smaller than that of the material forming the ring 40) ensuring a better punching effect during tightening and therefore better sealing.
The connector assembly, according to one embodiment, can be adapted for use in a circuit for transporting toxic and/or corrosive fluids, in particular of the type which can be used in the semiconductor industry, where the sealing requirements are very stringent. Liquid chemicals used in the manufacture of semiconductors are, for example, solvents such as trichloroethylene, acetone, etc., for cleaning or degreasing operations, and acids and/or bases such as sulfuric acid, nitric acid, hydrochloric acid, etc., used to carry out semiconductor attacks or to perform surface preparations and regenerations.
Notably, the use of the nut 60, 160, 760, 860 may provide a simplification of the coupling assembly 1, 701 by eliminating components and increasing ease of assembly. Further, use of the nut 60, 160, 760, 860 may improve assembly forces required, compensate for axial tolerances and correct misalignment between neighboring components and provide noise reduction and vibration decoupling within the coupling assembly 1, 701 by preventing undesired movement between the neighboring components. Further, the nut 60, 160, 760, 860 may be a simple installation and be retrofit, reusable, and cost effective across several possible assemblies of varying complexity as the circumferential split 885 (along with the bridge portion 861C) may allow for the nut 860 to be easily coupled over the connector assembly described herein, while providing the ability to retrofit over existing connector assemblies 1, 701 having tubes of different diameters and sizes and maintaining sealing of the connector assembly. Lastly, the use of the nut 60, 160, 760, may decrease the leakage rate, thereby increasing the lifetime of the coupling assembly 1, 701.
Many different aspects and embodiments are possible. Some of those aspects and embodiments are described below. After reading this specification, skilled artisans will appreciate that those aspects and embodiments are only illustrative and do not limit the scope of the present invention. Exemplary embodiments may be in accordance with any one or more of the embodiments as listed below.
Embodiment 1. A nut for a connector assembly for a tube comprising: an annular nut body comprising a polymer and oriented down a central axis, the annular nut body comprising: a circumferential split defining a first circumferential portion and a second circumferential portion, wherein the first circumferential portion and the second circumferential portion are flexibly connected by a pliable bridge portion, wherein the first circumferential portion comprises a first circumferential end and the second circumferential portion comprises a second circumferential end, wherein the first circumferential end and the second circumferential end each comprise a coupling component adapted to fix the first circumferential end and the second circumferential end together.
Embodiment 2. A nut for a connector assembly for a tube comprising: an annular nut body oriented down a central axis, the annular nut body having a cross-section taken along the central axis comprising: an axially projecting portion comprising exterior threadings and an end portion; and a radially projecting portion disposed axially adjacent to the axially projecting portion, wherein the radially projecting portion comprises a first flange projecting radially inward, wherein at least one of the first flange or the end portion is adapted to seal against a neighboring component, and wherein the annular nut body further comprises a circumferential split.
Embodiment 3. A connector assembly for a tube comprising: a body provided with a cavity extending in an axial direction, a ring adapted to be mounted at the periphery of a useful portion of the tube, the ring having at one end a support surface adapted to receive a curved end portion of the tube, and a nut adapted to be screwed onto the body so as to engage the ring to press the curved end portion of the tube against a receiving surface in the axial direction, and an annular receiving part forming the receiving surface and removably mounted on the body, wherein the nut comprises: an annular nut body and oriented down a central axis, the annular nut body having a cross-section taken along the central axis comprising: an axially projecting portion comprising external threadings and an end portion; and a radially projecting portion disposed axially adjacent to the axially projecting portion, wherein at least one of 1) the radially projecting portion comprises a first flange projecting radially inward, wherein at least one of the first flange or the end portion is adapted to seal against receiving part, or 2) wherein the annular nut body comprises a polymer and further comprises a circumferential split.
Embodiment 4. A connector assembly for a tube comprising: a body provided with a cavity extending in an axial direction, an annular receiving part forming a receiving surface and removably mounted on the body, and a nut adapted to be screwed onto the body so as to engage the annular receiving part to press the tube against the receiving surface in the axial direction, wherein the nut comprises: an annular nut body and oriented down a central axis, the annular nut body having a cross-section taken along the central axis comprising: an axially projecting portion comprising external threadings and an end portion; and a radially projecting portion disposed axially adjacent to the axially projecting portion, wherein at least one of 1) the radially projecting portion comprises a first flange projecting radially inward, wherein at least one of the first flange or the end portion is adapted to seal against receiving part, or 2) wherein the annular nut body comprises a polymer and further comprises a circumferential split.
Embodiment 5. The nut or connector assembly according to any of embodiments 2-4, wherein the axially projecting portion comprises a second flange projecting radially outward, wherein the second flange comprises an axially oriented tab is disposed radially and adapted to lock the nut against a neighboring component.
Embodiment 6. The nut or connector assembly according to embodiment 5, wherein the axially oriented tab has a rectilinear cross-section.
Embodiment 7. The nut or connector assembly according to embodiment 5, wherein the axially oriented tab has a length, LAOT, and the axially projecting portion has a length, LAPP, and wherein LAPP>LAOT, such as LAPP>1.5 LAOT, such as LAPP>2 LAOT, such as LAPP>3 LAOT, or such as LAPP>5 LAOT.
Embodiment 8. The nut or connector assembly according to embodiment 5, wherein the axially oriented tab comprises a bridge portion and a head portion.
Embodiment 9. The nut or connector assembly according to embodiment 8, wherein the bridge portion has a width, WBP, and the head portion has a width, WHP, and wherein WHP>WBP, such as WHP>1.5 WBP, such as WHP>2 WBP, such as WHP>3 WBP, or such as WHP>5 WBP.
Embodiment 10. The nut or connector assembly according to embodiment 5, wherein the second flange has a width, WSF, that varies around a circumference of the annular nut body.
Embodiment 11. The nut or connector assembly according to embodiment 5, wherein the first flange has a width, WFF, and the second flange has a width, WSF, and wherein WSF>WFF, such as WSF>1.5 WFF, such as WSF>2 WFF, such as WSF>3 WFF, or such as WSF>5 WFF.
Embodiment 12. The nut or connector assembly according to any of embodiments 2-4, wherein the first flange has an arcuate cross-section.
Embodiment 13. The nut or connector assembly according to any of embodiments 2-4, wherein the annular nut body comprises a pliable bridge portion flexibly connecting a first circumferential portion and a second circumferential portion.
Embodiment 14. The nut or connector assembly according to any of embodiments 1-4, wherein the nut comprises a polymer comprising at least one of polytetrafluoroethyleneperfluoropropylvinylether (PFA), polytetrafluoroethylene-perfluoromethylvinyl ether (MFA), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), fluorinated ethylene-propylene (FEP), ethylenetetrafluoroethylene (ETFE), polytetrafluoroethyleneperfluoro-propylvinylether (PFA), polytetrafluoroethylene-perfluoromethylvinylether (MFA), polytetrafluoroethylene polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), ethylene chlorotrifluoroethylene (ECTFE), polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE), or a combination thereof.
Embodiment 15. The nut according to embodiment 1, wherein the coupling component of at least one of the first circumferential end and the second circumferential end comprises at least one of nuts, bolts, bearings, battens, buckles, clips, flanges, frogs, grommets, hook-and-eyes, latches, pegs, nails, rivets, tongue-and grooves, screw anchors, snap fasteners, stitches, threaded fasteners, ties, toggle bolts, wedges anchors, screws, bolts, clamps, clasps, clips, latches, pins, rivets, ties, or nails.
Embodiment 16. The connector assembly according to any of embodiments 3-4, wherein there is a seal between the body and the receiving part.
Embodiment 17. The connector assembly according to embodiment 16, wherein the seal comprises a male element and a female element.
Embodiment 18. The connector assembly according to any of embodiments 3-4, wherein the cavity of the body comprises a main section and an enlarged end section opening outwards, wherein the body comprises a shoulder at the junction between the main section and the end section, and wherein the receiving part is mounted inside the body against the shoulder.
Embodiment 19. The connector assembly according to embodiment 18, wherein the receiving part has a useful internal surface configured to connect the main section of the cavity and the useful portion of the tube.
Embodiment 20. The connector assembly according to embodiment 18, wherein the useful internal surface of the receiving part is cylindrical with a diameter substantially equal to the internal diameter of the main section.
Embodiment 21. The connector assembly according to embodiment 18, wherein the useful internal surface of the receiving part is frustoconical.
Embodiment 22. The connector assembly according to any of embodiments 3-4, wherein the body and the receiving part lock the receiving part relative to the body in the radial direction.
Embodiment 23. The connector assembly according to embodiment 3, wherein the nut is mounted at the periphery of the ring.
Embodiment 24. The connector assembly according to embodiment 3, wherein the ring comprises a rib.
Embodiment 25. The connector assembly according to any of embodiments 3-4, wherein the nut is configured to be screwed into the cavity of the body.
Embodiment 26. The connector assembly according to embodiment 3, wherein the receiving part has an annular groove.
Embodiment 27. The connector assembly according to embodiment 3, wherein the tube comprises an end portion which is curved against the support surface of the ring.
Embodiment 28. The connector assembly according to embodiment 27, wherein the support surface of the ring contacts only a portion of the end portion of the tube.
Embodiment 29. The connector assembly according to embodiment 28, wherein the support surface of the ring comprises a beveled surface.
Embodiment 30. The connector assembly according to any of embodiments 3-4, wherein the body is a pump, a valve, a manifold, a fitting, or a stopper.
Embodiment 31. The connector assembly according to any of embodiments 3-4, wherein the nut provides a leakage rate of as between 100-500 cc/min via the sealing of at least one of the first flange or the end portion against receiving part.
Embodiment 32. The connector assembly according to embodiment 3, wherein the circumferential split is parallel to the central axis.
Embodiment 33. The connector assembly according to embodiment 3, wherein the circumferential split is diagonal along the central axis.
Embodiment 34. The connector assembly according to embodiment 3, wherein the circumferential split is zig-zag shape along the central axis.
Note that not all of the features described above are required, that a portion of a specific feature may not be required, and that one or more features may be provided in addition to those described. Still further, the order in which features are described is not necessarily the order in which the features are installed.
Certain features are, for clarity, described herein in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any subcombinations.
Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described above with regard to specific embodiments, however, the benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any feature(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential feature of any or all the claims.
The specification and illustrations of the embodiments described herein are intended to provide a general understanding of the structure of the various embodiments. The specification and illustrations are not intended to serve as an exhaustive and comprehensive description of all of the elements and features of apparatus and systems that use the structures or methods described herein. Separate embodiments may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment, and conversely, various features that are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any subcombination. Further, reference to values stated in ranges includes each and every value within that range. Many other embodiments may be apparent to skilled artisans only after reading this specification. Other embodiments may be used and derived from the disclosure, such that a structural substitution, logical substitution, or any change may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, the disclosure is to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive.
This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/371,478, entitled “NUT FOR TUBE CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY,” by Julien NALLET et al., filed Aug. 15, 2022, and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/371,807, entitled “NUT FOR TUBE CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY,” by Julien NALLET et al., filed Aug. 18, 2022, all of which are assigned to the current assignee hereof and incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
63371807 | Aug 2022 | US | |
63371478 | Aug 2022 | US |