Patent ID: 7806443
Filing Date: 2010-10-05
Classification: F16L,Y10T

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for connecting air conditioning coolant lines, comprising: a coupler body having a passageway extending therethrough, and said coupler body having an annular groove formed therein adjacent to said passageway; a coolant line having an end portion disposed within said passageway; a nut for receiving said coolant line and threadedly engaging said coupler body; a ferrule tube having said end portion of said coolant line disposed therein, said ferrule tube having an inwardly extending shoulder at a first end thereof for limiting insertion of the coolant line, an elongate tubular portion of substantially constant diameter prior to assembly, said elongate tubular portion extending along a majority of the length of said ferrule tube, from said inwardly extending shoulder to a ferrule portion of said ferrule tube, said ferrule portion having an outwardly extending exterior taper that, prior to assembly, increases in diameter from said elongate tubular portion of said ferrule tube toward said second end of said ferrule tube, and said ferrule portion having an interior taper that is formed on an interior periphery of said ferrule tube at said second end of said ferrule tube, said interior taper decreasing in diameter from said second end of said ferrule tube toward said first end of said ferrule tube; a back ferrule, wherein said threaded engagement of said nut with said coupler body urges said ferrule tube and said back ferrule into a sealing engagement with said coupler body and said coolant line by engagement of said ferrule tube with said coupler body and said coolant line, engagement of said back ferrule with said nut, and engagement of said back ferrule with said interior taper of said ferrule tube; and a flexible annular seal disposed within said passageway of said coupler body for sealingly engaging said ferrule tube, and said flexible annular seal at least partially disposed within said annular groove.