Patent ID: 6764110
Filing Date: 2004-07-20
Classification: F16L,Y10T

Abstract:
A tubular connector comprising:a first hub having a through bore, an interior end and an external surface, wherein the first hub has a plurality of threads on a portion of the external surface; a second hub having a through bore and a first end and a second end; a coupling nut coaxially mounted on the second hub, wherein the coupling nut has a plurality of internal threads adapted to threadedly engage the threads on the external surface of the first hub, wherein tightening the coupling nut forces the interior end of the first hub towards the first end of the second hub; a keeper ring mounted on the second hub adjacent to the coupling nut to limit axial movement of the coupling nut along a length of the second hub toward the second end of the second hub; a seal having a through bore, wherein the seal is mounted on the first end of the second hub and prevents ingress or egress of fluid between the interior end of the first hub and the first end of the second hub when the coupling nut is tightened to sufficiently compress the seal between the interior end of the first hub and the first end of the second hub to sealingly engage the interior end of the first hub and the first end of the second hub; and heating means for heating the coupling nut; whereby when the coupling nut is heat-expanded less torque is required to tighten or loosen the coupling nut.