Patent ID: 6253599
Filing Date: 2001-07-03
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
A fixture for pressure testing a cylindrical tube, the fixture comprising,top and bottom end caps comprising respective circular vertically extending flanges having respective outer walls for receiving an inner wall of respective ends of the cylindrical tube, comprising respective circular radially extending outer flanges, and comprising an aperture for communicating a pressurized gas within the cylindrical tube,top and bottom ferrules comprising respective vertically extending inner walls for receiving an outer wall of the respective ends of the cylindrical tube, and comprising respective slanted outer surfaces,top and bottom retaining rings comprising respective slanted inner surfaces for respective abutment to the respective slanted outer surfaces of the top and bottom ferrules, the respective slanted inner surfaces and respective slanted outer surfaces abut to form respective slanted interfaces between the top and bottom retaining rings and the top and bottom ferrules, andtightening means for vertically clamping together respectively the respective circular radially extending outer flanges of the top and bottom end caps to the top and bottom retaining rings, the respective slanted inner surfaces slide against the respective slanted outer surfaces at the respective slanted interfaces to create respective radial compression forces between the respective vertically extending inner walls of the top and bottom ferrules and the outer wall of the cylindrical tube and between the inner wall of the cylindrical tube and the respective outer walls of the respective circular vertically extending flanges when tightening the tightening means to secure the cylindrical tube in the top and bottom end caps, to clamp rigidly the ends of cylindrical tube, the ends of the cylindrical tube transmitting the respective radial compressive forces to the respective circular vertically extending flanges for increasing frictional forces between the ends of the cylindrical tube and the respective ferrules and circular vertically extending flanges for increased pressurization during pressure testing.