Patent ID: 7419192
Filing Date: 2008-09-02
Classification: F16L

Abstract:
1. A braze free connector suitable for use in a refrigeration system that includes: a connector body having a circular opening that passes through said body for receiving a refrigerant tube therein, said opening having a converging section that tapers downwardly from the entrance of the opening toward the rear of the opening; a refrigerant tube insertable into said opening and having a ferrule slidably mounted upon the tube; a drive member for advancing the ferrule into said opening; said ferrule further including a non-collapsible section that is pushed by said drive member so that the ferrule moves into the connector body opening as the drive member is threaded upon the connector body and a collapsible section having an outer surface that is arranged to move into engagement with the converging section of the opening as the ferrule advances into the opening and an inner surface that is forced into engagement with the refrigerant tube when the ferrule has advanced a given distance into the opening; and a sealant that is pre-coated upon the outer and/or inner surface of the collapsible and/or non-collapsible section of the ferrule, said sealant containing a pressure responsive component for rapidly curing the sealant as the collapsible section of the ferrule is forced into engagement with said refrigerant tube.