Abstract:
A compliant conduit connector system for the sealed joining of two fluid conduits having two or more slip bearings to maintain mechanical connection between the two fluid conduits and a sealing o-ring to maintain a fluid seal between the two fluid conduits is disclosed. A socket having an inner surface including a sealing surface is formed on an end of a first fluid conduit. A plurality of slip bearings are held in position on the outer surface of a second fluid conduit by respective bearing channels attached to an outer surface of the second fluid conduit where the slip bearings are in mechanical contact with an inner surface of the socket formed in the first fluid conduit. A seal, such as an o-ring, is contained and supported in a seal channel attached to the outer surface of the second conduit where the o-ring makes sealing contact with a sealing surface defined as part of the inner surface of the of the first fluid conduit. The axial positioning of the two slip bearings on the second fluid conduit prevent the o-ring from contacting any portion of the inner surface that might have been loaded and worn by the slip bearings when subjected to operational extremes. To assure electrical conductivity between the first and second fluid conduits, an electrically conductor assembly is contained in the retainer ring is contained in a retention groove formed in the socket where the conductor assembly contacts both the first fluid conduit and the second fluid conduit. The design of the exemplary compliant conduit connector prevents sliding induced wear on the sealing surface of the socket of the first fluid conduit which reduces leakage past the seal while allowing for relative motion between the first and second fluid conduits.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The compliant conduit connector system relates to a fluid coupling system for joining two fluid conduits or pipes such that the two conduits are sealed one to the other but are relatively free to move and deflect relative to one another while remaining in a sealed relationship. 
       BACKGROUND ART 
       [0002]    Because of space confinements within an aircraft, there is difficulty in connecting two fluid conduits such as fuel lines within the aircraft structure. Thus, there is a need for a conduit connector system that is easy to install in confined areas. There is also a need to allow relative movement between the fluid conduits due to operational stresses imposed on the fuel system and aircraft structure. Known are ball type joints for connecting fluid conduits such as that disclosed in Mahoff U.S. Pat. No. 4,249,786 Compliant Coupling. In the type of joint disclosed in the Mahoff patent an o-ring is held in a channel formed on the outside surface of a first conduit and is positioned to contact and seal against an inside surface of the second conduit. In Breay et al. U.S. Pat. No. 6,880,859 Conduit Coupling Assembly, a conduit coupling assembly is provided for interconnecting a pair of fluid conduits such as tubes or pipes. The coupling assembly includes a longitudinally split coupler having a pair of coupling halves rotatable about a hinge. A pair of opposed latches hold the split coupler around the tubes clamping o-rings between the coupler and grooves formed in a coupling flange. Electrical conductivity between all of the components is maintained with the use of a bonding/jumper wire. 
         [0003]    In Hoang et al. U.S. Pat. No. 6,971,682 Coupling Assembly, discloses a coupling assembly for connecting first and second fuel handling conduits using two separate split hinged couplings. One conduit pair are inner conduits and a second pair are outer conduits which encircle the inner conduits where both use hinged latch couplings to hold the split ends of the couplings together. The use of two nested conduits and two separate latch couplings provides redundancy and protection against fuel leakage. The latch couplings are held together using latch segments that engage latch pins. 
         [0004]    In EP 1 632 617 A2 Ball joint for pipes and well comprising such a joint, assigned to Uponor Innovation AB published on Aug. 3, 2006, a sealed joint between two pipes using a connecting element that uses two o-rings is disclosed. The connecting element uses a spherical surface formed on the inside surface of a socket section, An o-ring seals this surface to a sealing channel formed on the outside surface of a second pipe. A second o-ring is retained in a groove formed in the outer edge of the first pipe and seals against the seal channel. This design provides for some movement between the first and second pipes but wear coan occur on the spherical surface due to metal to metal contact with the seal channel structure. Once wear and galling occurs, it is highly likely that fluid leakage will occur. 
         [0005]    In another prior art embodiment, a metal slip ring is positioned adjacent to the o-ring to provide a mechanical centering action to try and improve the centering and hence sealing of the o-ring between the inner and outer surfaces of the first and second conduits. The slip ring is split to allow the ring to be assembled into a groove raised section on either the first or the second conduit. Thus, it is adjacent the o-ring seal on either the inner or outer side of the o-ring. Again, the problem is that this design, while an improvement over the design described about without the slip ring, does leak fluid if there is a substantial degree of relative movement between the first and second conduits. 
         [0006]    If relative axial movement is allowed in the o-ring seal type of connection, any side load on one of the joined conduits results in metal to metal contact on the surface where the o-ring seals against. This eventually results in fluid leakage past the o-ring. The problem is that with an increased range of relative motion between the first and second conduits, there would be leakage past the o-ring on either the outside surface of the first conduit or between the o-ring and the inside surface of the second conduit. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The exemplary compliant connector provides for easy installation of a sealed connection between a first and a second fluid conduit which allows relative motion between the first and second conduits. A socket is formed in an end section of a first fluid conduit which has an inner surface. An o-ring seal is held in a seal channel where a plurality of slip bearings are positioned some distance to either side of the seal channel. The slip bearings are held in bearing channel rings that are formed or attached to the outside surface of a second fluid conduit. In this manner, the slip bearings and the o-ring contact the inner surface of the socket formed as part of the first fluid conduit. The o-ring is ideally in constant contact with the inner surface of the socket formed in the first fluid conduit and with the seal channel around the complete circumferential surface to provide for a fluidic seal between the first and second conduits. In this manner a seal is formed between the inner surface of the first fluid conduit and an outside surface of the second fluid conduit. The slip bearings are positioned in bearing channels axially displaced on both sides of the o-ring. The bearing channels are formed or attached to the outer surface of the second fluid conduit. A plurality of slip bearings are disposed and are supported in a corresponding number of bearing channels. There are bearing channel rings that form the sides of the bearing channels and help hold the slip bearings in position. The positioning of the seal channel rings and hence the slip bearings on both sides of the slip bearing provide for stabilization in the geometry between the first fluid conduit relative to the second fluid conduit in that the relative distance between the outer surface of the second fluid conduit is held substantially concentric to the inner surface of the first fluid conductor at the axial position of the seal channel providing for a good seal by the o-ring. In either the case of relative axial motion or in the case of angular relative motion, the slip bearings hold the first and second fluid conduits in a geometry that facilitates the sealing by the o-ring seal between the inner surface of the socket and the outer surface of the second fluid conduit. Whereas, the prior art couplings do not allow significant radial travel of a second fluid conduit relative to a first fluid conduit, the exemplary compliant conduit connector system allows up to 0.015 inches of travel. Whereas, the prior art couplings are not designed to take high radial loads, the exemplary compliant conduit connector system can absorb these very high radial loads. Whereas, the prior art couplings provide up to +/−2.0 degrees of conical motion, the exemplary compliant conduit connector system allows up to +/−3.7 degrees of conical motion. Whereas, the prior art couplings permit metal to metal contact at the extreme motion limits, the exemplary compliant conduit connector system prevents metal to metal contact between the fluid conduits with the use of the polymeric slip bearings and an elastomeric seal (o-ring). Whereas, most prior art couplings must be externally supported to prevent relative motion that would cause metal to metal contact between the joined conduits, the exemplary compliant conduit connector system permits a fluid conduit such as a tube to be unsupported except by the elastomeric seal (o-ring) and at least two slip bearings. One exception is a series of fuel conveyance products sold by Eaton Corporation as described in the referenced art. However, these prior art couplings do not allow the wide range of motion allowed by the exemplary compliant conduit connector system. 
         [0008]    Significantly, the exemplary compliant connector system provides for contact between an o-ring and a sealing surface area of the inner surface of the socket formed on the first conduit where the sealing surface does not come in contact with the bearing channels or the seal channel. This geometry prevents the wear or galling of the sealing surface so that the o-ring can maintain an effective seal. 
         [0009]    Another feature of the exemplary compliant connector system is the incorporation of a conductor assembly held partially within a retaining ring where the retaining ring engages a retainer groove formed in the socket which bifurcates the inner surface and thereby mechanically retains the first fluid conduit to the second fluid conduit. The conductor assembly contacts both the socket through the retaining ring and the outer surface of the second fluid conduit to provide for electrical conductivity between the first fluid conduit and the second fluid conduit. The retaining ring engages the retainer groove formed in the inner surface of the second fluid conduit and the outer surface of the second fluid conduit. Electrically conducting loops and a conducting ring continuously make electrical contact with both the first and second fluid conduits through the retaining ring. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional view of the compliant conduit connector without a retainer ring; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the compliant conduit connector with a retainer ring; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a cross-section view of the compliant conduit connector showing the first conduit in alignment with the second conduit; and 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a cross-section view of the compliant conduit connector showing the first conduit orientated at an angle to the second conduit. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    Referring now to the discussion that follows and also to the drawings, illustrative approaches to the disclosed systems and methods are shown in detail. Although the drawings represent some possible approaches, the drawings are not necessarily to scale and certain features may be exaggerated, removed, or partially sectioned to better illustrate and explain the present disclosure. Further, the descriptions set forth herein are not intended to be exhaustive or otherwise limit or restrict the claims to the precise forms and configurations shown in the drawings and disclosed in the following detailed description. 
         [0015]    Moreover, a number of constants may be introduced in the discussion that follows. In some cases illustrative values of the constants are provided. In other cases, no specific values are given. The values of the constants will depend on characteristics of the associated hardware and the interrelationship of such characteristics with one another as well as environmental conditions and the operational conditions associated with the disclosed system. 
         [0016]    Now referring to  FIG. 1  of the drawings, an exemplary cross-section view of the compliant conduit connector system  20  is shown. A first fluid conduit  22  is mechanically connected to a second fluid conduit  24  using the compliant conduit connector system  20  to provide a fluidic seal there between. Note that the following discussion regarding the first fluid coupling  23  is equally applicable to the second fluid coupling  25  and visa versa. 
         [0017]    Mounting flanges  28 ,  30  are used to secure the first and third conduits  22 ,  26  to system components such as fuel pumps, fuel tanks, fuel filters or fuel valves. When in operation, these components will exhibit relative motion and hence, there is a need for compliance in any device that connects them such as the exemplary compliant conduit system  20  shown in  FIG. 1  which is especially adaptable for use in fuel handling systems. 
         [0018]    Formed on one end of the first and third fluid conduits  22 ,  26  are respective first and second sockets  32 ,  34  which house and are part of the first and second fluid couplings  23 ,  25 . At the far end of each of the sockets  32 ,  34  are respective outer ring sections  32 A,  34 A which include a retaining groove (see  FIG. 2 ) formed in and bifurcating an inner surface  36  of the socket  40 . 
         [0019]    Now referring to the drawings and specifically to  FIG. 2 , a partial exploded assembly drawing of the exemplary compliant conduit connector system  20  is shown. The first fluid conduit  22  is joined to the second fluid conduit  24  using the first conduit coupler  23 . A first socket  32  is formed on the end of the first fluid conduit  22  which has an outer ring section  32 A and an inner surface  36 . 
         [0020]    An o-ring  40  is positioned in a seal channel  42  (see  FIG. 2 ) that is formed or attached to an outer surface  38  of the second fluid conduit  24 . The o-ring  40  fits in this seal channel  42  and provides a fluid seal between the first conduit and the second conduit  22 ,  24  by contacting both the seal channel  42  and an inner surface  36  of the first fluid conduit  22 . This allows for the maintenance of a fluid seal between the first fluid conduit  22  and the second conduit  24  even when there is some minimal movement or angular displacement between the first and second fluid conduits  22 ,  24 . To better maintain the geometrical relationship between the first and second fluid conduits  22 ,  24 , a plurality of slip bearings  44 ,  46  are positioned in bearing channels  44 ,  46  formed on the outer surface  38  of the second conduit  24  where at least one slip bearing  48 ,  49  is located on each side of the o-ring  40  at a predetermined distance from the o-ring  40 . Note that the following discussion regarding the first fluid coupling  23  is equally applicable to the second fluid coupling  25  and visa versa. 
         [0021]    The slip bearings  48 , 49  are metal bands or rings that can be made from many materials or combinations of materials such as one of a selected group of low friction polymeric materials such as PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene) filled with bronze powder or PEEK (Polyetheretherketone) filled with PTFE. The slip bearings  44 ,  46  are split to allow assembly onto the bearing channel  48 ,  49  that is formed or attached to the outside surface  38  of the second fluid conduit  24 . The edges of the slip bearings  44 ,  46  are radiused to facilitate changes in the angular alignment of the first and second fluid conduits  22 ,  24 . As the angle of one of the first or second fluid conduits  22 ,  24  is changed, the slip bearings  44 ,  46  slide on the inner surface  36  of the socket  32  formed in the first fluid conduit  22  and act to maintain the desired gap or separation between the inner surface  36  and the outer surface  38  of the first and second fluid conduits  22 ,  24  so that the o-ring  40  can properly seal the interface. The connection socket  40  is shown formed on the end of the first fluid conduit  22  which includes the socket  40  having an inner surface  36  and a retainer groove  53 . 
         [0022]    In addition, the use of at least two slip bearings  44 ,  46  that are axially displaced from the o-ring  40  allow for the absorption of the forces generated between the first and second fluid conduits to be transferred through the slip bearings  44 ,  46  which do not ever touch the inner surface  36  in the area where the o-ring  40  makes contact with the inner surface  36 . Thus, there is no wear or galling of the inner surface  36  where the o-ring  40  seals against. This area is identified as sealing surface  41  in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . 
         [0023]    The slip bearings  44 ,  46  allow the bending type loads placed on the first and second fluid conduits  22 ,  24  to be increased while still maintaining a seal between the first and second fluid conduits. The placement of the slip bearing on both sides of the o-ring seal  40  and the seal channel  42  provides this high load and high deflection capability. 
         [0024]    A specific area of the inner surface  36  is contacted by the o-ring  40  throughout the operation extremes of the compliant conduit connector system  20  which is identified using dashed lines as the sealing surface  41 . This sealing surface  41  after assembly of the first fluid conduit  22  to the second fluid conduit  24 , never makes metal to metal contact with either the seal channel  42  or either of the bearing channels  48 ,  49 . The motion of the first fluid conduit  22  to the second fluid conduit  24  is limited inwardly by the conduit end  51  contacting the socket  32  and at the other extreme outwardly, by the retaining ring  50  contacting the second bearing channel  49  at the second bearing channel ring  49 B (see  FIG. 3 ). These movement extremes define the boundaries of the sealing surface  41  by the movement of the o-ring  40  as these movement extremes are reached. 
         [0025]    The o-ring  40  is held in a seal channel  42  while the first and second slip bearings  44 ,  46  are held in respective first and second bearing channels  48 ,  49 . The o-ring  40  can seal against the second tube outer surface  38  at the bottom of the seal channel  42  or the o-ring  40  can seal against one or both of the seal channel rings  42 A,  42 B (see  FIG. 3 ). 
         [0026]    The slip bearings  44 ,  46  can be made of a low friction material such as, for example, Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) filled with bronze powder or Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) filled with PTFE. The slip bearings  44 ,  46  function to maintain the clearance between the inner surface  36  of the socket  32  and the seal channel  42  within a given range to insure good sealing by the o-ring  40  while allowing some degree of movement of the first fluid conduit  22  relative to the second fluid conduit  24 . This movement can be either axial, radial or conical or a combination thereof. In addition, the use of at least two slip bearings  44 ,  46  that are axially displaced from the o-ring  40  allow for the absorption of the forces generated between the first and second fluid conduits to be transferred through the slip bearings  44 ,  46  which do not ever touch the inner surface  36  in the area where the o-ring  40  makes contact with the inner surface  36 . Thus, there is no wear or galling of the inner surface  36  where the o-ring  40  seals against. This area is identified as sealing surface  41  in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . 
         [0027]    During assembly, the first fluid conduit  22  is inserted into the second fluid conduit  24  and then the flange  28  is used to mount the first and second fluid conduits  22 ,  24  to a device such as a fuel pump (not shown). The second fluid conduit  24  is inserted into the first socket  32  so that the second bearing channel  49  axially extends into the first socket  32  so that the retaining ring  50  can be inserted into the first socket  32  to engage the retaining groove  53 . The retaining ring  50  of the retaining ring assembly  52  functions to prevent the second fluid conduit  24  from being withdrawn from the first fluid conduit  24 . An optional element shown as conductor assembly  54  is shown as an additional element that can be added to the retaining ring  50  to form the retaining ring assembly  52  provides an electrical grounding path between the first and second fluid conduits  22 ,  24  to prevent electrical discharge or sparking in certain applications. 
         [0028]    Now referring to  FIG. 3  of the drawings, a partial cross-sectional view of the compliant conduit connection system  20  is shown. The first fluid conduit  22  is joined to the second fluid conduit  24  using the first conduit coupler  23 . A first socket  32  is formed on the end of the first fluid conduit  22  which has an outer ring section  32 A and an inner surface  36 . A specific area of the inner surface  36  is contacted by the o-ring  40  throughout the operation extremes of the compliant conduit connector system  20  which is identified using dashed lines as the sealing surface  41 . After assembly of the first fluid conduit  22  to the second fluid conduit  24 , the sealing surface  41  never makes metal to metal contact with either the seal channel  42  or either of the bearing channels  48 ,  49 . The motion of the first fluid conduit  22  relative to the second fluid conduit  24  is limited inwardly by the conduit end  51  contacting the socket  32  and at the other extreme outwardly, by the retaining ring  50  contacting the second bearing channel  49  at the second bearing channel ring  49 B (see  FIG. 3 ). These movement extremes define the boundaries of the sealing surface  41  by the movement of the o-ring  40  as these movement extremes are reached. 
         [0029]    The o-ring  40  is held in a seal channel  42  while the first and second slip bearings  44 ,  46  are held in respective first and second bearing channels  48 ,  49 . The o-ring  40  can seal against the second tube outer surface at the bottom of the seal channel  42  or the o-ring  40  can seal against one or both of the seal channel rings  42 A,  42 B (see  FIG. 3 ). 
         [0030]    The slip bearings  44 ,  46  can be made of a low friction material such as, for example, PTFE filled with bronze powder or PEEK filled with PTFE. The slip bearings  44 ,  46  function to maintain the clearance between the inner surface  36  of the socket  32  and the seal channel  42  within a given range to insure good sealing by the o-ring  40  while allowing some degree of movement of the first fluid conduit  22  relative to the second fluid conduit  24 . This movement can be either axial, radial or conical or a combination thereof. In addition, the use of at least two slip bearings  44 ,  46  that are axially displaced from the o-ring  40  allow for the absorption of the forces generated between the first and second fluid conduits to be transferred through the slip bearings  44 ,  46  which do not ever touch the inner surface  36  in the area where the o-ring  40  makes contact with the inner surface  36 . Thus, there is no wear or galling of the inner surface  36  at the sealing surface  41  where the o-ring  40  seals against. 
         [0031]    During assembly, the first fluid conduit  22  is inserted into the second fluid conduit  24  and then the flange  28  is used to mount the first and second fluid conduits  22 ,  24  to a device such as a fuel pump (not shown). The second fluid conduit  24  is inserted into the first socket  32  so that the second bearing channel  49  axially extends into the first socket  32  so that the retaining ring  50  can be inserted into the first socket  32  to engage the retaining groove  53 . The retaining ring  50  functions to prevent the second fluid conduit  24  from being withdrawn from the first fluid conduit  24 . An optional element as shown as grounding contactors  54  can be added to retaining ring  50  to provide an electrical grounding path between the first and second fluid conduits  22 ,  24  to prevent electrical discharge or sparks in certain applications. 
         [0032]    Clearly shown is the seal section  41  on the inner surface  36  of the socket  32  where the o-ring  40  contacts and seals against the inner surface  36  throughout the full range of relative motion between the first and second fluid conduits  22 , 24 . The second fluid conduit  24  can move axially until the end  51  of the second fluid conduit  24  contacts the bottom of the socket  32 . At the other extreme, the second fluid conduit  24  can move axially outward until the second bearing channel ring  49 B contacts the retaining ring  60 . In this exemplary illustration, the first fluid conduit  22  is in axial alignment as shown by the coinciding centerlines CL and CL′ where the first fluid conduit  22  has centerline CL and the second fluid conduit  24  has centerline CL′. 
         [0033]    In  FIG. 3  an exploded view of a portion of the exemplary compliant conduit connector system  20  is shown which more clearly shows the construction of the retaining ring assembly  52  which consists of the retaining ring  50  and the conductor assembly  54 . The conductor assembly  54  includes a conductor ring  54 A which is attached to a plurality of conductor loops  54 B where the conductor ring  54 A electrically contacts the retaining ring  50  and the conductor loops  54 B electrically contact the outer surface  38  of the second fluid conduit  24 . The conductor assembly  54  is allowed to slide in a ring slot  60  formed in the retaining ring  50 . The use of the conductor assembly  54  is optional depending on whether electrical conduction is desired between the first and second fluid conduits  22 ,  24  which is desirable in, for example, fuel system applications. 
         [0034]    Now referring to  FIG. 4  of the drawings, a partial cross-sectional view of the compliant conduit connection system  20  is shown. The first fluid conduit  22  is joined to the second fluid conduit  24  using the first conduit coupler  23 . In this view, a degree of misalignment between the first and second fluid conduits  22 ,  24  is shown by the difference in alignment between the centerline CL of the first fluid conduit and the centerline CL′ of the second fluid conduit  24 . This misalignment can be induced during assembly or during operation and results in the first bearing channel  48  moving downward and the second bearing channel  49  moving upward as depicted in the partial cross-sectional view of  FIG. 4 . In fact, the first bearing channel  48  and specifically the first bearing channel rings  48 A and  48 B move away from the inner surface  36  while on their opposite side the first bearing channel rings  48 A and  48 B move closer to the inner surface  36 . In a similar manner, the second bearing channel  49  and specifically the second bearing channel rings  49 A and  49 B move away from the inner surface  36  while on the opposite side the second bearing channel rings  49 A and  49 B move towards from the inner surface  36 . In the opposite extreme of motion of the first fluid conduit  22  relative to the second fluid conduit  24 , the first bearing channel  48  and specifically the first bearing channel rings  48 A and  48 B move towards the inner surface  36  while on their opposite side the first bearing channel rings  48 A and  48 B move away the inner surface  36 . In a similar manner, the second bearing channel  49  and specifically the second bearing channel rings  49 A and  49 B towards the inner surface  36  while on the opposite side the second bearing channel rings  49 A and  49 B move away the inner surface  36 . 
         [0035]    A first socket  32  is formed on the end of the first fluid conduit  22  which has an outer ring section  32 A and an inner surface  36 . A specific area of the inner surface  36  is contacted by the o-ring  40  throughout the operation extremes of the compliant conduit connector system  20  which is identified using dashed lines as the sealing surface  41 . After assembly of the first fluid conduit  22  to the second fluid conduit  24 , the sealing surface  41  never makes metal to metal contact with either the seal channel  42  or either of the bearing channels  48 ,  49 . The motion of the first fluid conduit  22  to the second fluid conduit  24  is limited inwardly by the conduit end  51  contacting the socket  32  and at the other extreme outwardly, by the retaining ring  50  contacting the second bearing channel  49  at the second bearing channel ring  49 B (see also  FIG. 3 ). These movement extremes define the boundaries of the sealing surface  41  by the movement of the o-ring  40  as these movement extremes are reached. 
         [0036]    The o-ring  40  is held in a seal channel  42  while the first and second slip bearings  44 ,  46  are held substantially within respective first and second bearing channels  48 ,  49 . The o-ring  40  can seal against the outer surface  38  of the second fluid conduit  24  at the bottom of the seal channel  42  or the o-ring  40  can seal against one or both of the seal channel rings  42 A,  42 B (see  FIG. 3 ). 
         [0037]    The slip bearings  44 ,  46  can be made of a low friction material such as, for example, PTFE filled with bronze powder or PEEK filled with PTFE. The slip bearings  44 ,  46  function to maintain the clearance between the inner surface  36  of the socket  32  and the seal channel  42  within a given range to insure good sealing by the o-ring  40  while allowing some degree of movement of the first fluid conduit  22  relative to the second fluid conduit  24 . This movement can be either axial, radial or conical or a combination thereof. In addition, the use of at least two slip bearings  44 ,  46  that are axially displaced from the o-ring  40  allow for the absorption of the forces generated between the first and second fluid conduits to be transferred through the slip bearings  44 ,  46  which do not ever touch the inner surface  36  in the area where the o-ring  40  makes contact with the inner surface  36 . Thus, there is no wear or galling of the inner surface  36  where the o-ring  40  seals against this sealing surface  41 . 
         [0038]    During assembly, the first fluid conduit  22  is inserted into the second fluid conduit  24  and then the flange  28  is used to mount the first and second fluid conduits  22 ,  24  to a device such as a fuel pump (not shown). The second fluid conduit  24  is inserted into the first socket  32  so that the second bearing channel  49  axially extends into the first socket  32  so that the retaining ring  50  can be inserted into the first socket  32  to engage the retaining groove  53 . The retaining ring  50  functions to prevent the second fluid conduit  24  from being withdrawn from the first fluid conduit  24 . An optional element as shown as grounding contactors  54  can be added to retaining ring  50  to provide an electrical grounding path between the first and second fluid conduits  22 ,  24  to prevent electrical discharge or sparks in certain applications. 
         [0039]    Clearly shown is the seal section  41  on the inner surface  36  of the socket  32  where the o-ring  40  contacts and seals against the inner surface  36  throughout the full range of relative motion between the first and second fluid conduits  22 , 24 . The second fluid conduit  24  can move axially until the end  51  of the second fluid conduit  24  contacts the bottom of the socket  32 . At the other extreme, the second fluid conduit  24  can move axially outward until the second bearing channel ring  49 B contacts the retaining ring  60 . In this exemplary illustration, the first fluid conduit  22  is in axial alignment as shown by the coinciding centerlines CL and CL′ where the first fluid conduit  22  has centerline CL and the second fluid conduit  24  has centerline CL′. 
         [0040]    An exploded view of a portion of the compliant conduit connector system  20  is shown which more clearly shows the construction of the retaining ring assembly  52  consisting of the retaining ring  50  and the conductor assembly  54 . The conductor assembly  54  includes a conductor ring  54 A which is attached to a plurality of conductor loops  54 B where the conductor ring  54 A electrically contacts the retaining ring  50  and the conductor loops  54 B electrically contact the second fluid conduit  24 . The conductor assembly  54  is allowed to slide in a ring slot  60  formed in the retaining ring  50 . The use of the conductor assembly  54  is optional depending on whether electrical conduction is desired between the first and second fluid conduits  22 ,  24  which is desirable in, for example, fuel system applications. 
         [0041]    This disclosure has been particularly shown and described with reference to the foregoing illustrations, which are merely illustrative of the best modes for carrying out the disclosure. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that various alternatives to the illustrations of the disclosure described herein may be employed in practicing the disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined in the following claims. It is intended that the following claims define the scope of the disclosure and that the method and apparatus within the scope of these claims and their equivalents be covered thereby. This description of the disclosure should be understood to include all novel and non-obvious combinations of elements described herein, and claims may be presented in this or a later application to any novel and non-obvious combination of these elements. Moreover, the foregoing illustrations are illustrative, and no single feature or element is essential to all possible combinations that may be claimed in this or a later application.