Patent ID: 8882158
Filing Date: 2014-11-11
Classification: F16L,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A redundantly-sealed connection system for carrying a closed-loop flow of refrigerant in an aircraft, the system comprising: a male fitting including a first groove positioned around an outer diameter of the male fitting and a radially extending flange projecting from the outer diameter of the male fitting; a female fitting including an inner diameter disposed to receive the male fitting, said female fitting further including a radially extending flange projecting from the outer diameter of the female fitting, wherein the flange projecting from the outer diameter of the male fitting and the flange projecting from the outer diameter of the female fitting abut at an interface of the male fitting to the female fitting, the female fitting including a second groove at the interface of the male fitting to the female fitting; an aperture in the flange projecting from the outer diameter of the male fitting and an aperture in the flange projecting from the outer diameter of the female fitting, wherein said aperture in the flange projecting from the outer diameter of the male fitting and said aperture in the flange projecting from the outer diameter of the female fitting are configured to receive a nut and bolt securing the flange projecting from the outer diameter of the male fitting to the flange projecting from the outer diameter of the female fitting; a first sealing ring in the first groove, the first sealing ring being an O-ring; and a second sealing ring in the second groove, wherein the O-ring is compatible with the refrigerant; wherein the O-ring has operational integrity over a temperature range that is no greater than a nominal temperature range of the system; wherein the second sealing ring has operational integrity at a wider temperature range than the first sealing ring; wherein the second sealing ring is positioned to provide redundancy of sealing relative to the first sealing ring, and wherein the second sealing ring is metallic.