Patent ID: 7699358
Filing Date: 2010-04-20
Classification: F16L

Abstract:
1. A ferrule of a tube end fitting installed on an outer surface of a tube end, comprising: a ferrule body having a generally cylindrical interior wall before the fitting is completely pulled-up that closely surrounds a tube end, a tapered nose portion that engages a camming surface of the fitting, and a driven surface on a back end thereof that engages a ferrule drive surface, said tapered nose portion having a forward edge, said ferrule body comprises stainless steel and is case hardened about its entire surface, said ferrule body having at least one recess in said generally cylindrical interior wall to provide at least a cylindrical forward section adjoining said forward edge of said ferrule body and a cylindrical rearward section adjoining said back end of said ferrule body, wherein after complete pull-up of the tube fitting: said forward edge of said tapered nose portion penetrates an outer surface of a tube end; at least a portion of said rearward section adjacent said back end is radially spaced from the tube end outer surface; at least a portion of said forward section is convex when viewed in longitudinal section, said convex portion having at least a portion thereof which is axially spaced from said forward edge; and a swaged region on said tube end outer surface.