Patent Publication Number: US-2020278059-A1

Title: Convex male fitting and systems

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY UNDER 35 U.S.C. § 119 
     The present application for a patent claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/800,899 entitled “Convex Male Fitting and Systems” filed on Feb. 4, 2019 and assigned to the assignees hereof and hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     This application relates generally to the field of connectors for tubular components, and more particularly to an improved connector for joining tubular conduits. Specifically, embodiments of the invention are directed to a convex male connector, systems utilizing the convex male connector, and methods of configuring and using the same. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Piping systems typically comprise a system of pipes used to convey fluids from one location to another. Such piping systems may be employed for a variety of fluids in a variety of applications such as for industrial, automotive, HVAC ducting and other applications. The piping systems typically comprise a network of pipes, tubes or other conduits for conveying fluids that may be made of metal, plastic, fiber, composites, or other materials. The piping systems typically require one or more fittings for operatively coupling a pair of conduits. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     Embodiments of the invention are directed to a connector assembly for establishing improved sealing between a male connector (e.g., a male fitting) and a female connector (e.g., female fitting), and in particular, in some embodiments an improved connector assembly having a line-seal. The connector assembly is structured to increase a seating pressure of the line-seal. The connector assembly comprises a male connector provided at one end of the connector assembly. The male connector typically comprises a male portion with a conical sealing frustum, such that the conical sealing frustum comprises convex sides. Moreover, the connector assembly is structured to be operatively coupled to a female connector such that the conical sealing frustum of the male portion forms a line-seal with the female portion of the female connector to allow transport of a fluid therethrough. 
     One embodiment of the disclosure comprises, male connector for establishing a line-seal for transport of fluids between pipes. The male connector is structured to increase a seating pressure. The male connector comprises a male portion provided at one end of the male connector. The male portion comprises a conical sealing frustum, and the conical sealing frustum comprises convex sides. The male connector is structured to be operatively coupled to a female connector such that the conical sealing frustum forms a substantially line-seal with the female connector for transport of a fluid therethrough. 
     In further accord with embodiments of the disclosure, the male connector is manufactured from a carbon steel material or a stainless steel material. 
     In other embodiments of the disclosure, the male connector comprises one or more layers applied to a least a portion of a surface of the male connector. 
     In still other embodiments of the disclosure, the one or more layers comprise a coating structured to improve predetermined surface properties of the male connector or a plating structured to improve the predetermined surface properties of the male connector, thereby providing predetermined enhanced sealing performance. 
     In yet other embodiments of the disclosure, the fluid, is steam, hot oil, or a predetermined mixture comprising water and glycol. 
     In other embodiments of the disclosure, the male connector is structured for conveying the fluid to and from heat tracer pipes and heating jackets, wherein the fluid is a heating fluid. 
     In further accord with embodiments of the disclosure, the male connector is structured for operatively connecting a flexible metal hose to consecutive heat tracing pipes or heat tracing jacket components. 
     In other embodiments of the disclosure, the male connector is coupled to a process pipe. 
     In still other embodiments of the disclosure, the male connector is associated with a minimum seating torque for establishing the substantially line-seal having a standard deviation of less than 20. 
     Another embodiment of the disclosure comprises a connector assembly for establishing a line-seal for transport of fluids between pipes. The assembly comprises a male connector comprising a male portion provided at one end of the male connector. The male portion comprises a conical sealing frustum provided at one end of the male connector, and the conical sealing frustum comprises convex sides. The assembly further comprises a female connector comprising a female flange having a flange surface at one end of the female connector. The male connector is operatively coupled to the female connector such that the conical sealing frustum forms a substantially line-seal with the flange surface of the female connector for transport of a fluid therethrough. 
     In further accord with embodiments of the disclosure, the male connector comprises one or more layers applied to a least a portion of a surface of the male connector. 
     In other embodiments of the disclosure, the one or more layers comprise a coating structured to improve predetermined surface properties of the male connector or a plating structured to improve the predetermined surface properties of the male connector, thereby providing predetermined enhanced sealing performance. 
     In still other embodiments of the disclosure, the fluid is steam, hot oil, or a mixture comprising water and glycol. 
     In yet other embodiments of the disclosure, the male connector is structured for conveying the fluid to and from heat tracer pipes and heating jackets, wherein the fluid is a heating fluid. 
     In other embodiments of the disclosure, the male connector is structured for operatively connecting a flexible metal hose to consecutive heat tracing pipes or heat tracing jacket components. 
     In further accord with embodiments of the disclosure, the male connector is coupled to a process pipe. 
     In other embodiments of the disclosure, the male connector is associated with a minimum seating torque for establishing the substantially line-seal having a standard deviation of less than 20. 
     Another embodiment of the invention comprises a method for forming a connector assembly for establishing a line-seal for transport of fluids between pipes. The method comprises providing a male connector comprising a male portion provided at one end of the male connector. The male portion comprises a conical sealing frustum provided at one end of the male connector, and the conical sealing frustum comprises convex sides. The method further comprises providing a female connector comprising a female flange having a flange surface one end of the female connector. The method further comprises operatively coupling the male connector to the female connector such that the conical sealing frustum forms a substantially line-seal with the flange surface of the female connector for transport of a process fluid therethrough. 
     To the accomplishment the foregoing and the related ends, the one or more embodiments comprise the features hereinafter described and particularly pointed out in the claims. The following description and the annexed drawings set forth certain illustrative features of the one or more embodiments. These features are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles of various embodiments may be employed, and this description is intended to include all such embodiments and their equivalents. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Having thus described embodiments of the invention in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings. 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a side view  100  of a male connector, in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a detailed sectional view  200  of a portion of the male connector of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a detailed sectional view  300  of a portion of the male connector of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a cross-sectional view  400  of a connector assembly, in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 5A  illustrates a perspective view  500 A of a process system incorporating jacketed pipes, in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 5B  illustrates a schematic sectional view  500 B of a jacketed pipe of  FIG. 5A , in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 6A  illustrates a perspective view  600 A of a male connector installed at a jacketed pipe assembly, in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 6B  illustrates a perspective view  600 B of a connector assembly installed at a jacketed pipe assembly of  FIG. 6A , in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a perspective view  700  of a connection system, in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 8A  illustrates a perspective view  800 A of a tracer piping system, in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 8B  illustrates a detailed sectional view  800 B of a portion of the tracer piping system of  FIG. 8A , in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 8C  illustrates a detailed sectional view  800 C of a portion of the tracer piping system of  FIG. 8A , in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a perspective view  900  of a valve heating jacket system, in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a plot  1000  associated with non-limiting test results depicting improvements to seating torque requirements for establishing sealing, in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
     Embodiments of the present invention now may be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all, embodiments of the invention are shown. Indeed, the invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure may satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. In some embodiments, like elements are indicated with like numbers in arithmetic progressions having a difference of 100 (e.g., 10, 110, 210, 310, etc.). 
     The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate specific embodiments. Other embodiments having different structures and operation do not depart from the scope of the present disclosure. Certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and is not to be taken as a limitation on the embodiments described. For example, words such as “top”, “bottom”, “upper,” “lower,” “left,” “right,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “upward,” and “downward” merely describe the configuration shown in the figures. Indeed, the referenced components may be oriented in any direction and the terminology, therefore, should be understood as encompassing such variations unless specified otherwise. Throughout this disclosure, where a process or method is shown or described, the method may be performed in any order or simultaneously, unless it is clear from the context that the method depends on certain actions being performed first. 
     As discussed previously, piping systems typically comprise a system of pipes used to convey fluids from one location to another. Such piping systems may be employed for covering a variety of fluids in a variety of applications such as for industrial, automotive, HVAC ducting and other applications. The piping systems typically comprise a network of pipes for conveying fluids that may be made of metal, plastic, fiber, composites, or other materials. The piping systems typically require one or more connector assemblies for operatively coupling a pair of pipes, as will be discussed in further detail herein. 
     Conventional pipe connectors of a detachable type are typically only effective for transport of certain kinds of fluids and only for certain types of applications at certain pressures and/or temperatures. For example, the sealing (e.g., surface type sealing) provided by conventional pipe connectors may not be adequate for certain fluids (e.g., steam, hot oil, glycol, or the like) at certain pressures and temperatures, and/or in certain applications (e.g., tracer pipes, jacketed pipes, jacketed flanges, or the like). There exists a need for improved connector assemblies and connectors thereof for providing effective sealing for transporting of fluids, and that is compatible with the sealing requirements of a wide variety of fluids (e.g., steam, hot glycol and water-glycol mixture, or the like), and in particular at elevated pressures and/or temperatures. 
     The present invention alleviates the aforementioned concerns and provides a connector assembly, and a convex male connector in particular, for providing effective sealing, regulation and/or transport of fluids. The connector assembly described herein may provide improved connections for use with a wide variety of fluids such as steam, hot glycol and water-glycol mixture in particular, in a variety of applications (e.g., tracer pipes associated with liquid sulfur or hydrogen sulfide gas transport, jacketed pipes, high-performance, such as high-pressure, high-flow, high-temperature or hazardous-material, conveyance of fluids, jacketed flanges, or the like). 
     As used herein, a “pipe” may refer to a tubular elongate member with a predetermined cross-section (e.g., circular, oval, polygonal—such as triangular, square, rectangular, or the like, curvilinear, and/or a suitable combination of the foregoing, or the like, or generally or substantially any of the aforementioned shapes), for example a hollow tube, a hose, or the like. Moreover, as used herein, a “vessel” may be a hollow container, which may include a pipe. 
     A “connector” (e.g., male connector, female connector, or the like), as used herein, may refer to components that are configured for operatively coupling to a pipe to allow for operative coupling of two or more pipes. The connectors of the connector assemblies (e.g. connector assemblies  10 ,  110 , or the like, described herein) may be manufactured from one or more materials selected from a group comprising: metals (e.g., steel, copper, aluminum, iron, alloys thereof, etc.), concrete, cement, plastics, composites, wood, fiberglass, glass, and/or other suitable materials, and may be the same material or a different material than the pipe associated with the connector. 
     A “fluid” as used herein may refer to a liquid, a gas, a vapor, a particulate suspension, a vapor suspension/aerosol, a colloid, an emulsion, a dispersion, a heterogeneous mixture/solution, a homogeneous mixture/solution, a gaseous mixture/solution, and/or a suitable combination thereof. 
     The connector assembly  90 , connectors thereof, and systems in which the connector assemblies  90  are utilized will be described with respect to  FIGS. 1-9  in accordance with embodiments of the invention.  FIG. 1  illustrates a side view  100  of a male connector  10 , in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. The male connector  10  comprises a connector body  16 . The connector body  16  typically defines a coupling end  16   a  and an opposite support end  16   b  (e.g., along an axis X-X). As illustrated by  FIG. 1 , the male connector  10  (e.g., such as a male fitting, or the like) comprises a male portion  12 , provided at the coupling end  16   a  of the connector body  16 . That said, it is understood that the male portion  12  may be provided on one or more ends of the connector body  16 . In particular, the male portion  12  comprises a conical sealing frustum  20  with convex sides  22 . In some embodiments, the male connector  10  (e.g., a male fitting) also comprises a connection portion  14 , structured for operatively coupling (e.g., fastening, or otherwise securing—detachably) the male connector  10  having the male portion  12  with a compatible female connector  40  (e.g., a female fitting, or the like).  FIG. 1  illustrates the male connector  10  comprising the male portion  12  and an external threaded type connection portion  14 , in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. Each of these components will be described in further detail below. 
     As illustrated by  FIG. 1 , in some embodiments, the connector body  16  of the male connector  10  further comprises an end portion  15  provided at the support end  16   b  of the connector body  16 . As such, in some embodiments the connector body  16  of the male connector  10  comprises the male portion  12 , the connection portion  14 , and the end portion  15 , (e.g., such that the connection portion  14  is positioned between the male portion  12  and the end portion  15 , with the male portion  12  forming the coupling end  16   a  of the connector body  16  and the end portion  15  forming the opposite support end  16   b ). In other embodiments, the connector body  16  of the male connector  10  comprises the male portion  12  and the connection portion  14 , with the male portion  12  forming the coupling end  16   a  of the connector body  16  and the connection portion  14  forming the opposite support end (i.e., indicated as support end  16   b ′ in  FIG. 1 ). The connector body  16  is typically structured to be operatively coupled (e.g., fixedly or detachably operatively coupled) to another external pipe, duct, or another component at the support end  16   b  (or  16   b ′ in some embodiments) (e.g., via welding, brazing, using screw-thread mechanisms, using snap/interference fits, or the like). 
     In some embodiments, connector body  16  is in the form of a seamless pipe having a male portion  12  and the connection portion  14  provided on the pipe (e.g., machined into the pipe, brazed, welded, fastened—screwed into, or the like). Typically, the connector body  16  comprises a hollow interior, such that transport of fluid may be facilitated from one end of the male connector  10  to the opposite end of the pipe (e.g., from the coupling end  16   a  to the support end  16   b  in a direction parallel to an axis X-X and vice versa). Typically, the connector body  16  and pipe defines a length “L” from one end to the opposite end, as illustrated (e.g., with the length L spanning the male portion  12 , the connection portion  14 , and the end portion  15 ). In the embodiments where the connector body  16  comprises the male portion  12  and the connection portion  14 , with the and the connection portion  14  forming the support end  16   b ′, the length L may be the same as a length “F”, as illustrated in  FIG. 1  (e.g., with the length F spanning the male portion  12  and the connection portion  14 ). 
     In some embodiments, the male connector  10  and/or the associated pipe is made from a carbon steel material. That said, the male connector  10  and/or the associated pipe may be made from one or more materials selected from a group comprising: metals (e.g., steel, copper, aluminum, iron, alloys thereof, etc.), concrete, cement, plastics, composites, wood, fiberglass, glass, and/or other suitable materials. In some embodiments, the male connector  10 , and in particular the male portion  12 , may be covered with one or more layers, such as a plating, a coating, or the like. Depending on the type of layer, the layer may be corrosion resistant, be resistant to scratches, provide a low friction surface, allow the flow of material into scratches on a surface, provide lubrication to improve seating of components, or the like. In particular, the one or more layers are structured to improve surface properties and provide enhanced sealing performance, as will be discussed in further detail herein. 
     As illustrated by  FIG. 1 , in some embodiments, the connector body  16  typically comprises a pipe structure having an axis X-X. Specifically, the connector body  16  and/or pipe comprises a cylindrical type tubular structure with an internal hollow cavity (e.g., an annular hollow cavity) defining an external diameter “D 1 ” and an internal diameter “A” about the axis X-X. In this regard, in some instances, the connector body  16  is a pipe of nominal size ¾″ with schedule  160  (i.e., an external diameter of 1.050 inches, while the internal diameter A is 0.612 inches). In other instances, the connector body  16  and/or pipe may be of nominal size of ⅛″, ¼″, ⅜″, ½″, ¾″, 1″, 1¼″, 1½″, 2″, 2½″, 3″, 3½″, 4″, 5″, 6″, 8″, 10″, 12″, 14″, 16″-36″, or the like. That said, the connector body  16  may comprise any suitable shape with any suitable cross section(s) such as a circle, an ellipse, an oval, a curvilinear cross section, a rectangle, a polygon, another suitable shape/contour, a suitable combination of the foregoing, and/or generally or substantially any of the aforementioned shapes, with the cross section being constant or variable along the length of the connector body  16 . Specifically, a cross-section of an outer surface and/or a cross-section of an inner surface (defining the interior hollow cavity) of the connector body  16  may comprise any suitable contour such as a circle, an ellipse, an oval, a curvilinear contour, a rectangle, a polygon, another suitable shape/contour, a suitable combination of the foregoing, and/or generally or substantially any of the aforementioned shapes, with the cross section being constant or variable along the length of the connector body  16 . 
     As discussed, the male connector  10  also comprises a connection portion  14 , structured for operative coupling (e.g., fastening, or otherwise securing—detachably) the male connector  10  having the male portion  12  with a compatible female connector  40  having a female portion (e.g., a female flange  46  illustrated in  FIG. 4 ).  FIG. 1  illustrates, an external thread type connection portion  14  provided on the connector body  16 . However, it is understood that the connection portion  14  may comprise any compatible/suitable connection means (e.g., snap-fit type, interference fit type, etc.) and may be provided at a suitable location on the male connector  10 . As illustrated, the connection portion  14  comprises threads  14   a  (e.g., helical pipe threads, tapered threads, straight threads, etc.) and an optional shank  14   b . The threads  14   a  may comprise a major diameter defined by the external diameter D 1 , and a minor diameter “D 2 ” (e.g., a minor diameter D 2  of about 0.945 inches with a tolerance of ±0.005 inches for a connector body/pipe  16  of nominal size ¾″), about the axis X-X. The threads  14   a  may comprise flank angles “T 1 ” and “T 2 ,” as illustrated. In some embodiments, the flank angle T 1  may be 30° and flank angle T 2  may be 45°, while in other embodiments flank angles T 1  and T 2  may be equal. The connection portion  14  may comprise a total length of about “F−E”, where “F” is a length spanning the male portion  12  and the connection portion  14  (e.g., a length F of about 0.864 inches with a tolerance of ±0.016 inches for a connector body/pipe  16  of nominal size ¾″) and “E” is a length of the male portion  12 , as illustrated. It is noted that, in the embodiments where the shank  14   b  is absent, the length of the threads  14   a  may be about F−E. Moreover, the shank  14   b  may comprise a length “G” (e.g., a length G of about 0.125 inches with a tolerance of ±0.030 inches for a connector body/pipe  16  of nominal size ¾″). It is further noted that, in the embodiments where the shank  14   b  is present, the length of the threads  14   a  may be about “F−E−G”. In some embodiments, the connection portion  14  also comprises an internal hollow cavity (e.g., an annular hollow cavity contiguous with that of the end portion  15 ) defining the internal diameter A about the axis X-X. 
     As illustrated by  FIG. 1 , the male portion  12  of the male connector  10  may define a length “E” (e.g., a length E of about 0.315 inches with a tolerance of ±0.016 inches for a connector body/pipe  16  of nominal size ¾″). The male portion  12  typically comprises a conical sealing frustum  20  having convex sides  22 . As illustrated by  FIG. 1 , this conical sealing frustum  20  may begin with a maximum diameter “C” (e.g., a diameter C of about 0.938 inches with a tolerance of ±0.005 inches for a connector body  16  and/or pipe of nominal size ¾″) and taper towards a minimum diameter “B” (e.g., a diameter B of about 0.664 inches with a tolerance of ±0.003 inches for a connector body  16  and/or pipe  16  of nominal size ¾″) forming a convex curved contour therebetween. As such, in some embodiments, the diameter of the conical sealing frustum  20  may vary from diameter C to diameter B along a convex function, a quadratic function (e.g., a function of a conic section such as a circle, ellipse, parabola etc.), an exponential function, a non-linear function, and/or the like (e.g., with the diameters B and C as the limits), to form the convex curved contour therebetween. The conical sealing frustum  20  comprises convex sides  22 , such that a cross-section of the conical sealing frustum  20  defines a convex curved contour along its other surface. The conical sealing frustum  20  having convex sides  22  of the male portion  12  will be described in greater detail below with respect to “Detail K” illustrated in  FIG. 2  and a schematic sectional view illustrated in  FIG. 3 . In some embodiments, the male portion  12  also comprises an internal hollow cavity (e.g., an annular hollow portion contiguous with that of the connection portion  14  and/or the end portion  15 ) defining the internal diameter A about the axis X-X. 
     It is understood that in other embodiments the connector body  16  may have sizes other than the nominal ¾″ size (e.g., nominal size of ⅛″, ¼″, ⅜″, ½″, 1″, 1¼″, 1½″, 2″, 2½″, 3″, 3½″, 4″, 5″, 6″, 8″, 10″, 12″, 14″, 16″-36″, etc.), and as such, the dimensions of the internal diameter A, minimum diameter B, maximum diameter C, external diameter D 1 , minor diameter D 2 , length of the male portion E, length F, and length G, may vary proportionally with the corresponding nominal size of the pipe. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a detailed sectional view  200  (Detail K) of the male connector  10  of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with some embodiments of the invention.  FIG. 3  also illustrates a detailed sectional view  300  of the male connector  10  of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , as discussed, the male portion  12  comprises a conical sealing frustum  20  having convex sides  22 , such that the conical sealing frustum  20  may define a maximum diameter C (illustrated in  FIG. 1 ) and a minimum diameter B (illustrated in  FIG. 1 ), forming convex sides  22  therebetween along an convex axial length “E 1 ” (e.g., a convex axial length E 1  of about 0.188 inches for a connector body/pipe  16  of nominal size ¾″). The conical sealing frustum  20  comprises convex sides  22 , such that a cross-section of the conical sealing frustum  20  defines a convex curved contour along its taper on the outer surface. The conical sealing frustum  20  may generally taper along a slope angle “T 3 ” (e.g., a slope angle T 3  of 36.1°) with a slope length “S” (e.g., a slope length S of about 0.233 inches for a connector body  16  and/or pipe  16  of nominal size ¾″) along a slope line (illustrated in dashed lines). The end of the male connector  10  proximate to the male portion  12  may define a thickness “B 1 ” (e.g., a thickness B 1  of about 0.026 inches for a connector body  16  and/or pipe of nominal size ¾″). In other words, the thickness B 1  is a difference between the minimum diameter B and the internal diameter A (illustrated in  FIG. 1 ). Thickness B 1  may be zero in some embodiments, which is not illustrated in the figures. 
     As discussed, the convex sides  22  of the conical sealing frustum  20  define a convex curved contour along its taper on the other surface. In some embodiments, the diameter of the conical sealing frustum  20  may vary from diameter C to diameter B along a quadratic function of a section of a circle to form the convex curved contour therebetween. Here, the convex contour of the convex sides  22  comprises a convex radius “R” (e.g., a convex radius R of about 0.672 inches for a connector body  16  and/or pipe of nominal size ¾″). Now referring to  FIG. 3 , the convex radius R is defined about a center “O”. This center O may be offset from the axis X-X and may be located at a perpendicular distance of “L 1 ” from free end of the conical sealing frustum  20  and at a perpendicular distance of “B 2 ” from the maximum diameter C of the conical sealing frustum  20 , as illustrated by  FIG. 3 . For instance, for a connector body  16  whose pipe is of a nominal size of ¾″ size, the distance L 1  may be about 0.484 inches and the distance B 2  may be about 0.603 inches. 
     It is noted that in other embodiments not illustrated herein, the diameter of the conical sealing frustum  20  may vary from diameter C to diameter B along a quadratic function of a section of a parabola, an ellipse, or the like to form the convex curved contour therebetween. Here, “R” may be a function defining the distance between the convex contour of the convex sides  22  and a focus “O”. 
     It is understood that in other embodiments the connector body  16  and/or pipe may have a nominal size other than the ¾″ size generally described herein (e.g., nominal size of ⅛″, ¼″, ⅜″, ½″, 1″, 1¼″, 1½″, 2″, 2½″, 3″, 3½″, 4″, 5″, 6″, 8″, 10″, 12″, 14″, 16″-36″, etc.), such that the dimensions of convex axial length E 1 , slope length S, thickness B 1 , convex radius R, distance L 1 , and distance B 2 , may vary proportionally with the corresponding nominal size of the pipe. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a cross-sectional view  400  of a connector assembly  90 , in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. Specifically,  FIG. 4  illustrates, the connector assembly  90 , which comprises the male connector  10  (described with respect to  FIGS. 1-3 ) being operatively coupled to a compatible female connector  40  to form a line-seal. As discussed previously with respect to  FIGS. 1-3 , the male connector  10  comprises a male portion  12  and a connection portion  14 . The male portion  12  comprises a conical sealing frustum  20  having convex sides  22 . The convex sides comprise a tapered curvature, as described with respect to  FIGS. 2-3 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , in some embodiments, the female connector  40  (e.g., female fitting, or the like) comprises a female flange  46  and a female nut  60 , which may be operatively coupled to each other (e.g., integrally, detachably, separate but coupled, or the like as will be described herein). In some embodiments, the female flange  46  and the female nut  60  are separate components that are structured to be detachably coupled to each other, while in other embodiments, the female flange  46  and the female nut  60  are integral portions of the female connector  40 . Typically, the female connector  40 , in particular the female flange  46  and the female nut  60 , are tubular having an opening or internal hollow portion  42 , and are symmetrical about the axis X-X. Like the male connector  10 , the female connector  40  may be operatively coupled to a pipe (e.g., integral with a pipe, brazed, welded, fastened to—screwed, or the like). Typically, the internal hollow portion  42  is structured to facilitate transfer of fluids from one end of the female connector  40  to another opposite end, in the direction of or along the axis X-X. In some embodiments, the internal hollow portion  42  of the female connector  40  is contiguous with the internal hollow portion of the male connector  10 , and the female connector  40  and the male connector  10  are coaxial when the male connector  10  is operatively coupled to the female connector  40 . In this way, fluids may be transferred from an end region of the male connector  10  (e.g., from support end  16   b  via the coupling end  16   a ) to an end region of the female connector  40 , in the direction of or along the axis X-X, or vice versa. 
     The female connector  40  typically comprises the opening or internal hollow portion  42  (e.g., an annular recess/hollow  42 ) that is structured to receive or otherwise accommodate at least a portion of the male connector  10  (e.g., male portion  12 ). This internal hollow portion  42  may be provided by the at least a portion of the female flange  46  and/or at least a portion of the female nut  60 . As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , in some embodiments, the female connector  40  is structured to receive and/or surround the male portion  12  and/or at least a portion of the connection portion  14  of the male connector  10  within the internal hollow portion  42 , when the male connector  10  is operatively coupled to the female connector  40 . Here, the male connection portion  14  of the male connector  10  may be operatively coupled (e.g., detachably secured, or the like) to a compatible or complementary female connection portion  64  of the female nut  60  of the female connector  40  for the coupling of the male connector  10  with the female connector  40 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the female connection portion  64  comprises complementary internal threads provided on the interior surface defining the internal hollow portion  42  of the female nut  60  that are configured to operatively coupled (e.g., assemble and detach) with the threads of the connection portion  14  of the male connector  10 . 
     Furthermore, the female flange  46  of the female connector  40  may further comprise a seat portion  50 , such as a seat having slanted surfaces  52  as illustrated by  FIG. 4 . In typical connectors, the slanted surfaces of male fittings and female fittings are straight with negligible or no curvature in the cross section, and are typically structured to form surface to surface contact, and thus, a surface to surface seal (e.g., a straight male surface with another corresponding straight female surface). However, the male connector  10  of the present disclosure is structured such that, the convex sides  22  of the conical sealing frustum  20  of the male connector  10  forms a line contact  55  with the slanted surfaces  52  of the female connector  40 , when the male connector  10  is operatively coupled to the female connector  40 . This line contact  55  may take the form of a circumferential line contact or a narrow ring of contact (e.g., a circle  55  about the central axis X-X in a plane perpendicular to the central axis X-X). Alternatively, it should also be understood that the convex sides  22  of the conical sealing frustum  20  of the male connector  10  allows for slight angular misalignment with the female connector  40  (e.g., the male connector  10  and the female connector  40  may be slightly off angle) and the line contact  55  is still formed between convex sides  22  and the slanted surfaces  52 . In this way, the connector assembly  90  of the male connector  10  and the female connector  40  forms a line-seal  55  for transfer of fluids therebetween. Moreover, the male connector  10  of the present invention may be assembled with any existing compatible female connector  40  to form the line-seal  55 , even though the female connector  40  may be conventionally structured for a surface to surface seal, and hence obviates the need to replace existing surface-contact type female connectors in order to form the line seal. 
     In this way, the male connector  10  provides effective line-sealing for transport of fluids, and is compatible with the sealing requirements of a wide variety of fluids such as steam, hot glycol and water-glycol mixture in particular, in a variety of applications (e.g., tracer pipes associated with liquid sulfur or hydrogen sulfide gas transport, jacketed pipes, high-performance—such as high-pressure, high-flow, high-temperature or hazardous-material, jacketed flanges, conveyance of fluids, or the like). Not only does the present invention provide effective line-sealing as discussed above, the connector assembly  90 , and more particularly, the male connector  10  of the present invention is also structured to increase a seating pressure of the seal, decrease seating torque required for forming the seal, and improve the sealing performance. For example, in some embodiments, depending on the fluid being used, the size of the pipes, the pressures and/or temperatures of the systems, or the like, the connector assembly  90  of the present disclosure improves the operating pressure resistance compared to traditional surface to surface sealing connectors by 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 200, or the like percent (or any range of percentages that falling within, outside overlapping any of these values). For example, in some embodiments, depending on the fluid being used, the size of the pipes, the pressures and/or temperatures of the systems, or the like, the connector assembly  90  of the present disclosure decreases the seating torque required for establishing the line-seal, in comparison with traditional straight fitting (e.g., having a straight frustum male connector) by 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, or the like percent (or any range of percentages that fall within, outside, or overlap any of these values). In this regard, non-limiting test results depicting improvements to seating torque requirements for establishing sealing provided by the convex male connector of the present invention are illustrated and described with respect to  FIG. 10  in further detail below. Moreover, some non-limiting applications of the connector assembly  90  will be described with respect to  FIGS. 5A-9  in further detail below. 
     As a non-limiting example, it is envisaged that, in some applications, the line-seal  50  may presumably deteriorate due to wear and tear during use of the connector assembly  90 , during manufacturing, packaging, shipping, assembly, or the like utilization that could potentially cause surface flaws in the connector assembly  90  (e.g., male connector  10  and/or female connector  40 ). For instance, a scratch across the slanted surfaces  52  and/or the conical sealing frustum  20  may cause a break/by-pass in the line-seal  55 . In order to preclude such a scenario, as yet another improvement provided by the invention, the male connector  10  and particularly, the convex sides  22  of the conical sealing frustum  20  of the male portion  12  may comprise one or more layers, as previously discussed herein. In some embodiments the one or more layers may comprise a plating. The plating may comprise a hard metal (e.g., harder than a coating), such as a chrome, zinc, alloy, or other plating. In general, a plating may increase the hardness of the underling material (e.g., the connector material), which may make the surface more resistant to scratches. Additionally, the plating may provide corrosion protection of the underlying surface. Moreover, the plating may also provide a low-friction surface to aid in seating the connector(s) (e.g., the male connector  10  and the female connector  40 , or the like). 
     In some embodiments, the one or more layers may comprise a coating. The coating may be a soft material (e.g., softer than a plating), such as Teflon, paint, grease, film, or the like coating. In general, a coating may include the ability to at least partially (or completely) flow into and/or fill any scratches within the connector(s) (e.g., the male connector  10  and the female connector  40 , or the like), and allow for improved sealing in the event a scratch is located within the connector(s). Furthermore, the coating may also provide corrosion protection. Moreover, the coating may also provide lubrication to aid in improving the seating of the connector(s) (e.g., the male connector  10  and the female connector  40 , or the like). In some embodiments the coating may comprise a fluorocarbon coating, such as Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or Teflon™ (not illustrated in the figures). The fluorocarbon coating is structured such that (i) the fluorocarbon coating comprises high surface hardness to prevent deterioration, and (ii) the fluorocarbon coating comprises a trace amount of compressibility (typically greater than that of the material of the male connector  10 ) that would allow the coating to deform when the line-seal is formed, thereby allowing compensation or rectification of any scratches/surface abrasions. It should be understood with respect to the coatings, the flow of material or particles of the coating may facilitate decrease/removal of any scratches/surface abrasions. 
     It should be understood that the one or more layers, such as the coating, plating, or the like, may be structured to provide a gasket-like sealing property. It should be understood, that with or without the use of the one or more layers (e.g., plating, coatings, or the like), the shape of the fittings, in particular the male connector  10 , as described herein provides for improved sealing (e.g., at lower torque values), and thus the fluid sealing can be formed as needed without the use of a gasket. 
     The steps of forming and/or assembling the connector assembly  90  will now be described in further detail. Initially, the male connector  10  is constructed and/or manufactured according to the features and functions described above. The connector body  16  of the male connector  10  may be operatively coupled (e.g., affixed to or integral with) a pipe or other conduit (e.g., illustrated at  FIGS. 5A-8C ). The female flange  46  and the female nut  60  of the female connector  40  as described above are also provided. Also, optionally, an end portion of the female flange  46  (e.g., an end away from the seat portion  50 ) of the female connector  40  may be operatively coupled to a second pipe or other conduit (e.g., illustrated at  FIGS. 6 b   - 7 ). Next, the female nut  60  may be operatively coupled (e.g., snap-fit onto, rotatably connected during manufacturing, or otherwise coupled with) the female flange  46 , when the female flange  46  and the female nut  60  are provided separately. Next, the male portion  12  of the male connector  10  is inserted within the internal hollow portion  46  of the female connector  40 . Next, the connection portion  14  of the male connector  10  may be operatively coupled (e.g., detachably secured, or the like) to the compatible/complementary female connection portion  64  of the female connector  40 . In this regard, in the instances where the connection portions ( 14 ,  64 ) form a pair of compatible/complementary threads as illustrated by  FIG. 4 , the female nut  60  (coupled to the female flange  46 ) may be rotated about the male connector  10  and about the female flange  46 , thereby causing the progressive engagement of the threads, and consequently causing the female flange  46  and the male portion  12  of the male connector  10  to move towards one another in an axial direction, until the convex sides  22  of the conical sealing frustum  20  and the slanted surfaces  52  of the female connector  40  establish a line contact seal  55  there between. It is noted that, for disassembly, the foregoing steps may be performed in a reverse order. 
       FIG. 5A  illustrates a perspective view  500 A of a process system  501  having one or more jacketed pipes  580  and incorporating a plurality of connector assemblies ( 590   a ,  590   b ). Specifically, the process system  501  is associated with transport of a process fluid (also referred to as a transport fluid) such as liquid sulfur or hydrogen sulfide, a high-pressure fluid, a high-flow fluid, a high-temperature fluid, or the like. As discussed, the process system  501  may comprise a network of process pipe(s)  580  (also referred to as main pipes) in the form of jacketed pipes ( 580   a ,  580   b ) that are structured to transport/convey the transport fluid. The structure of the jacketed pipes will be described with respect to Detail L illustrated in  FIG. 5B . 
       FIG. 5B  illustrates a schematic sectional view  500 B of a jacketed pipe at Detail L of  FIG. 5A . The jacketed pipe  580   a  typically comprises a core pipe  581   a  (also referred to as a carrier pipe, a center pipe, a first pipe) and an outer pipe  582   a  (also referred to a second pipe, or the like) at least partially surrounding (e.g., completely surrounding, or the like) the core pipe  581   a , such that an annular hollow portion is formed there between. In some embodiments, the outer pipe  582   a  may comprise a flange  506   a  on one end or both ends. The process fluid (also referred to as a transport fluid) such as liquid sulfur or hydrogen sulfide, a high-pressure fluid, a high-flow fluid, a high-temperature fluid, etc., may be transported through the core pipe  581   a . In order to maintain predetermined properties of the process fluid during transport, e.g., to maintain the process fluid at a predetermined temperature (e.g., at or above a melting point of the process fluid, above a crystallization temperature, at a desired temperature for a liquid or gaseous state, or the like), a jacket fluid is conveyed in the annular hollow portion between the core pipe  581   a  and the outer pipe  582   a . Here, jacket fluid is a suitable fluid such as steam, hot oil, water, glycol, water glycol mixture, etc., therein having fluid properties and operating characteristics such that the jacket fluid in the annular hollow portion is configured to maintain predetermined properties of the process fluid during transport in the core pipe  581   a . Moreover, the outer pipe  582   a  may comprise a pipe connection Pa. The components, features, structure and function of the jacketed pipe  580   b  (and any other jacketed pipes of the process system  501 ) may be substantially similar to the jacketed pipe  580   a  described above. As such, the jacketed pipe  580   b  may comprise a core pipe  581   b  and an outer pipe  582   b  (e.g., having a pipe connection Pb) and a flange  506   b.    
     Now referring to  FIG. 5A , because it may not be possible to manufacture contiguous jacketed pipes along the entire length of the process system  501 , multiple jacketed pipes ( 580   a ,  580   b ) may need to be joined to cover the length of the process system  501 . Here, the jacketed pipe assembles  580   a  and  580   b  may need to be joined via a flange-to-flange connection formed by flanges ( 506   a ,  506   b ). However, the flanges ( 506   a ,  506   b ) at proximate ends of the pair of jacketed pipes ( 580   a ,  580   b ) may not be optimal for or may impede flow of jacket fluid between the jacketed pipes ( 580   a ,  580   b ). To solve this problem, a connection system  595  comprising one or more connector assemblies ( 590   a ,  590   b ) along with one or more bridge pipes  585  (also referred to as a hose pipe) may be provided at pipe connection locations (Pa, Pb) to establish operative fluidic connection and sealing between the outer pipes  582   a  and  582   b  of the jacketed pipes ( 580   a ,  580   b ) to allow flow of jacket fluid between the jacketed pipes ( 580   a ,  580   b ). These connector assemblies ( 590   a ,  590   b ) may be substantially similar to the connector assemblies ( 90 ,  690 ,  790   a - 790   b ) of  FIGS. 4, 6B and 7  respectively, and the connection system  595  may be substantially similar to the connection system  795  of  FIG. 7 , as described in detail below. 
       FIG. 6A  illustrates a perspective view  600 A of a male connector  610  installed at a jacketed pipe  680 , in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. In particular,  FIG. 6A  illustrates the male connector  610 , substantially similar to the male connector  10  described previously with respect to  FIGS. 1-4 , being assembled to an outer pipe  682  of a jacketed pipe  680  at a pipe connection location Pa (substantially similar to the jacketed pipes ( 580   a ,  580   b ) described above). As discussed, the outer pipe  682  may be a vessel that covers a core pipe  681  (not illustrated) similar to core pipes ( 581   a ,  581   b ) associated with liquid sulfur or hydrogen sulfide gas transport, a high-performance (e.g., high-pressure, high-flow, high-temperature or hazardous-material) pipe, a pipe structured for facilitating or monitoring flow of fluids such as steam, hot glycol and water-glycol mixture, or another fluid/suspension/mixture, or the like. As illustrated by  FIG. 6A , the connector body  616  of the male connector  610  may be operatively coupled (e.g., affixed permanently by welding, or the like) to the jacketed pipe  680  at the support end  616   b  of the connector body  616 , opposite the male portion  612  having conical sealing frustum  620  having convex sides  622 . As discussed previously, the male connector  610  also comprises a connection portion  614 . Moreover, the jacketed pipe  680  may be covered by insulation exposing the male connector  610 . 
       FIG. 6B  illustrates a perspective view  600 B of a connector assembly  690  installed at a jacketed pipe of  FIG. 6A , in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. In particular,  FIG. 6  illustrates the male connector  610 , as described previously with respect to  FIG. 6A , being assembled to a corresponding female connector  640 , substantially similar to the female connector  40  described with respect to  FIG. 4 , to form the connector assembly  690 . The female connector  640  is operatively coupled (e.g., affixed permanently, detachably, or the like) to a bridge pipe  685  (or another pipe) at an end opposite the female nut  660 . The pipe  685  may be a flexible hose (e.g., metal sheathed, or the like).  FIG. 6B  illustrates the male connector  610  being operatively coupled to (e.g., assembled with) the female connector  640  to form a line-seal therebetween (not illustrated) via the male portion  612  of the male connector  610 . It should be understood that the jacketed pipe  680 , may utilize the connector assembly  690  along with the bridge pipe  685 , e.g., to jump over pipe flanges, to provide or receive fluid that heats or cools process fluid located within the process pipe around which the jacketed pipe is in covering relation, as discussed previously with respect to  FIGS. 5A-5B  and below with respect to  FIG. 7 . As such, the outer pipe  682  indicated by  FIGS. 6A and 6B  typically may be an insulated pipe surrounded by insulation  682   i  (such as aluminum cladding) forming the outer surface in some embodiments. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a perspective view  700  of a connection system  795 , in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. Specifically,  FIG. 7  illustrates a perspective view  700  of a jacketed pipe  780  having an outer pipe  782  provided around a core pipe  781  (not illustrated) (substantially similar to the jacketed pipes ( 580   a ,  580   b ,  680 ) described above) having the connection system  795 , in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. Similar to  FIGS. 6A-6B ,  FIG. 7  illustrates a first male connector  710   a  (substantially similar to the male connector  10  described previously with respect to  FIGS. 1-4  and/or male connector  610  of  FIGS. 6A-6B ) being assembled to a first jacketed pipe  780   a  (covered in insulation), substantially similar to the pipes ( 580   a ,  580   b  and  680 ) described above, at a first location.  FIG. 7  further illustrates a second male connector  710   b  (substantially similar to the male connector  10  described previously with respect to  FIGS. 1-4  and/or male connector  610  of  FIGS. 6A-6B ) being assembled to a second jacketed pipe  780   b  at a second location away from the first location. It should be understood that the first jacketed pipe  780   a  and the second jacketed pipe  780   b  meet at a flange-to-flange connection (not illustrated) due to the covering insulation. 
     Similar to  FIGS. 4 and 6A-6B ,  FIG. 7  illustrates each male connector ( 710   a ,  710   b ) being assembled to a corresponding female connector ( 740   a ,  740   b ), to form a first connector assembly  790   a  and a second connector assembly  790   b , respectively. Moreover, the female connectors ( 740   a ,  740   b ) each, in turn, are connected/affixed to opposite ends of a bridge pipe  785 , as illustrated by  FIG. 7 . Accordingly, the bridge pipe  785  has a first female connector  740   a  on one end, and a second female connector  740   b  on the opposite end. The female connectors ( 740   a ,  740   b ) are substantially similar to the female connectors  40  and  640  described previously. Furthermore,  FIG. 7  illustrates the male connector  710   a  being operatively coupled to/assembled with the female connector  740   a  to form a line-seal therebetween (not illustrated), and the male connector  710   b  being operatively coupled to/assembled with the female connector  740   b  to form a line-seal therebetween (not illustrated) in order to use the bridge pipe  785  to allow fluid to flow from the first jacketed pipe  780   a  to the second jacketed pipe  780   b . As such, the male connectors ( 710   a ,  710   b ) and the bridge pipe  785  are used to jump the flange-to-flange connection (not illustrated) between the first jacked pipe  780   a  and the second jacketed pipe  780   b  in order to maintain the flow of fluid therebetween. 
       FIGS. 8A-8C  illustrate perspective views  800 A- 800 C of a tracer piping system  801 , in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. Specifically,  FIG. 8A  illustrates a perspective view  800 A of a tracer piping system  801 , such an application associated with transport of a process fluid such as liquid sulfur or hydrogen sulfide, a high-pressure fluid, a high-flow fluid, a high-temperature fluid, etc. Typically, the tracer piping system  801  comprises a network of main pipe(s) (e.g., process pipes)  802  that are structured to transport/convey the process fluid. The tracer piping system  801  may further comprise a tracer pipe assembly  884  for heating the process fluid within the main pipe(s)  802 . In this regard, the tracer pipe assembly  884  facilitates flow of a tracer fluid such as steam, hot oil, water, glycol, water glycol mixture, or the like therein, e.g., for heating the process fluid within the main pipe(s)  802 . However, it may not be possible to manufacture contiguous tracer pipes along the entire length of the main pipes(s)  802 . Here, sections of the tracer pipes (e.g.,  884   a ,  884   d , etc.) may need to be joined to cover the length of the main pipe(s)  802 . Moreover, in some instances, e.g., at a bend  804  of the main pipe(s)  802 , it may be optimal to place sections of tracer pipes radially distant on the circumference of the bend  804  to obtain optimal heating of the process fluid within the main pipe(s)  802 . In this regard, connector assemblies ( 890 ,  890 ′) together with tracer bridge pipes ( 885 ,  885 ′) (also referred to as tracer hose pipes) are used to form connection systems ( 895 ,  895 ′) which are employed to establish operative fluidic connection and sealing between the sections of the tracer pipes (e.g.,  884   a ,  884   d , etc.). As non-limiting examples, the tracer bridge pipe  885  with connector assemblies  890  illustrated at “Detail M” at  FIG. 8B , the tracer bridge pipe  885 ′ with connector assemblies  890 ′ illustrated at “Detail N” at  FIG. 8C , or the like, may be utilized to establish operative fluidic connection and sealing between the sections of the tracer pipes (e.g.,  884   a ,  884   d , etc.). These tracer bridge pipes ( 895 ,  895 ′) may be substantially similar to the bridge pipes  585 - 785  described previously. 
       FIG. 8B  illustrates a perspective view  800 B of Detail M of  FIG. 8A . 
     Specifically,  FIG. 8B  illustrates a portion of a tracer pipe assembly  884  having a plurality of tracer pipes ( 884   a ,  884   b ,  884   c ), which are operatively connected by a plurality of connection systems ( 895   a ,  895   b ). Specifically, connection system  895  comprises two male connectors  810   a  and  810   b  (substantially similar to the male connectors  10 ,  610 ,  710   a - 710   b , described previously) being operatively coupled to corresponding female connectors (not illustrated) to form respective connector assemblies ( 890   a ,  890   b ). The connector assemblies ( 890   a ,  890   b ) are operatively coupled via a tracer bridge pipe  885 , forming a connection system  895   a , for establishing operative fluidic connection and sealing between the sections of the tracer pipes ( 884   a ,  884   b ), in a manner similar to that described with respect to the jacketed pipe assemblies of  FIGS. 5A-7 . In a similar manner, operative fluidic connection and sealing between the sections of the tracer pipes ( 884   b ,  884   c ) may be established via connection system  895   b.    
       FIG. 8C  illustrates a perspective view  800 C of Detail N of  FIG. 8A . Specifically,  FIG. 8C  illustrates a connection system  895 ′ comprising two connector assemblies ( 890   a ′,  890   b ′) together with a tracer bridge pipe  885 ′ for establishing operative fluidic connection and sealing between the sections of the tracer pipes ( 884   c ,  884   d ) around the bend the bend  804  of the main pipe  802 , in a manner similar to that described with respect to the jacketed pipe assemblies of  FIGS. 5A-7  and tracer pipe tracer pipe assembly of  FIG. 8B . 
       FIG. 9  illustrates a perspective view of a valve heating jacket system  900 , in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. Specifically,  FIG. 9  illustrates a perspective view of a heat jacket  986  positioned at or bolted onto a valve (or another component) to provide heat. The heating fluid (e.g., tracer fluid or jacket fluid) typically flows through a chamber in the casing of the heat jacket  986 . The casing is structured to conduct heat from the chamber to the valve. Moreover, the casing of the heat jacket  986  may comprise one or more female connectors ( 940   a ,  940   b ) for facilitating flow of heating fluid into and/or away from the heat jacket  986 . The female connectors ( 940   a ,  940   b ) are structured to be coupled to corresponding male connectors ( 910   a ,  910   b ) (not illustrated) of a bridge pipe that are substantially similar to male connectors  10 ,  610 ,  710   a - 710   b , described previously. Alternatively, one or more male connectors may be operatively coupled to the heat jacket  986  and the one or more female connectors may be operatively coupled to the bridge pipe. In still other embodiments the heat jacket  986  may have at least one male connector and at least one female connector, while the bridge pipe may have at least one male connector and at least one female connector. 
       FIG. 10  illustrates a plot  1000  associated with non-limiting test results depicting improvements to seating torque requirements for establishing sealing, in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. As discussed previously, the connector assembly  90 , and more particularly, the male connector  10  of the present invention, provides effective line-sealing for transport of fluids, and is compatible with the sealing requirements of a wide variety of fluids such as steam, hot glycol and water-glycol mixture in particular, in a variety of applications (e.g., tracer pipes associated with liquid sulfur or hydrogen sulfide gas transport, jacketed pipes, high-performance—such as high-pressure, high-flow, high-temperature or hazardous-material, jacketed flanges, conveyance of fluids, or the like). Not only does the present invention provide effective line-sealing, the connector assembly  90 , and more particularly, the male connector  10  of the present invention is also structured to decrease the seating pressure required for establishing the seal, as described herein. 
     Testing was conducted to determine the performance and characteristics of the connector assembly  90 , and more particularly, the convex male connector  10  of the present invention in comparison with conventional straight fittings having a straight frustum male connector (not illustrated). Identical tests were conducted on samples of both the conventional straight fittings and the male connector  10  of the present invention. For the conventional straight fittings, the test method involved, for each sample, placing the straight frustum male connector within a hollow portion of a corresponding female connector, applying seating torque to couple the two and gradually increasing the seating torque applied to a nut of the female connector until a seal was accomplished between the male and female components. The minimum seating torque  1004  that was required for establishing the seal was tabulated for each sample of the conventional straight fitting  1002 , as indicated by Table 1 below. Similarly, for the convex male connector  10  of the present invention, the test method involved, for each sample, placing the convex male connector  10  within a hollow portion of a corresponding female connector  40 , applying seating torque to couple the two and gradually increasing the seating torque applied to a female nut  60  of the female connector  40  until a seal (i.e., line seal) was accomplished between the male and female connectors ( 10 ,  40 ). The minimum seating torque  1004  that was required for establishing the seal was tabulated for each sample of the convex male connector  1003 , as indicated by Table 1 below. The plots of these measured minimum seating torques  1004  for establishing seals for each sample of both the conventional straight fitting  1002  and the convex male connector  1003  of the present invention are illustrated by  FIG. 10 . 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
             
            
               
                   
               
               
                 Minimum Seating Torque for Sample Connections 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Sample 
                 Straight 
                 Convex Male 
               
               
                   
                 No. 1001 
                 Fitting 1002 
                 Fitting 1003 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 Minimum 
                 1 
                 100 
                 30 
               
               
                 Seating Torque 
                 2 
                 75 
                 30 
               
               
                 Required for 
                 3 
                 40 
                 30 
               
               
                 Seal (ft-lb) 
                 4 
                 60 
                 30 
               
               
                 1004: 
                 5 
                 85 
                 35 
               
               
                   
                 6 
                 90 
                 30 
               
               
                   
                 7 
                 70 
                 30 
               
               
                   
                 8 
                 75 
                 35 
               
               
                   
                 9 
                 65 
                 30 
               
               
                   
                 10 
                 65 
                 35 
               
               
                   
                 11 
                 35 
               
               
                   
                 12 
                 35 
               
               
                   
                 13 
                 25 
               
               
                   
                 14 
                 55 
               
               
                   
                 15 
                 60 
               
               
                 Average 
                   
                 62.3 
                 31.5 
               
               
                 Seating Torque 
               
               
                 (ft-lb) 1005: 
               
               
                 Standard 
                   
                 21.6 
                 2.4 
               
               
                 Deviation 1006: 
               
               
                 Percentage 
                   
                 100% 
                 51% 
               
               
                 of Original 
               
               
                 Average Torque 
               
               
                 1007: 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     As indicated by both Table 1 and  FIG. 10 , the minimum seating torque  1004  required for establishing sealing is significantly reduced for the convex male connector  1003  of the present invention in comparison with that required for the conventional straight fitting  1002 . Indeed, the average  1005   b  of the minimum seating torques required for the samples of the convex male connector  1003  was determined to be about 31.5 ft-lb, which is only about 51% of the average  1005   a  seating torque of about 62.3 ft-lb required for the samples of the conventional straight fitting  1002  (i.e., a 49% reduction). These values are indicated at  1005  and  1007  at Table 1 and average plots ( 1005   a ,  1005   b ) of  FIG. 10 . Moreover, the standard deviation  1006  of the measured minimum seating torque requirements  1004  across the samples of the convex male connector  1003  was determined to be about 2.4, which is a drastic improvement over the very high standard deviation  1006  of about 21.6 obtained across the samples of the conventional straight fitting  1002 . 
     That said, it is understood that in some embodiments, depending on the fluid being used, the size of the pipes, the pressures and/or temperatures of the systems, or the like, the connector assembly  90  of the present disclosure decreases the seating torque required for establishing the line-seal, in comparison with traditional straight fitting (e.g., having a straight frustum male connector) by 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, or the like percent (or any range of percentages that falling within, outside overlapping any of these values). Moreover, it is understood that in some embodiments, depending on the fluid being used, the size of the pipes, the pressures and/or temperatures of the systems, or the like, the connector assembly  90  of the present disclosure exhibits a standard deviation of less than 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10, 10.5, 15, 17, 20, 22, 25, 30, 40, 50 for the seating torque required for establishing the line-seal. 
     It should be understood that portions of various embodiments of the invention described herein may be combined with other portions of different embodiments of the invention described herein, to form other embodiments of the present that are not specifically disclosed in a single illustrated embodiment, but instead make up one or more combinations of the various embodiments described herein. 
     It should be understood that when the terms generally or substantially are used herein to describe the orientations of horizontally, vertically, parallel, perpendicular, or the like, the terms mean that the orientations may be +/−1, 2, 3, 4, 4, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 degrees, or the like, or any range that falls within, overlaps, or is outside of these degrees. 
     It should be understood that the dimensions described herein may vary by 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100, 120, 150, 175, 200, 500, 600, 700%, or the like, or any range that falls within, overlaps, or is outside of these values. 
     It should be understood that the components herein may be operatively coupled together. Moreover, it should be understood that “operatively coupled,” when used herein, means that the components may be formed integrally with each other, or may be formed separately and coupled together. Furthermore, “operatively coupled” means that the components may be formed directly to each other, or to each other with one or more components located between the components that are operatively coupled together. Furthermore, “operatively coupled” may mean that the components are detachable from each other, or that they are permanently coupled together. 
     Also, it will be understood that, where possible, any of the advantages, features, functions, devices, and/or operational aspects of any of the embodiments of the present invention described and/or contemplated herein may be included in any of the other embodiments of the present invention described and/or contemplated herein, and/or vice versa. In addition, where possible, any terms expressed in the singular form herein are meant to also include the plural form and/or vice versa, unless explicitly stated otherwise. Accordingly, the terms “a” and/or “an” shall mean “one or more.” 
     While certain exemplary embodiments have been described and shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments are merely illustrative of and not restrictive on the broad invention, and that this invention not be limited to the specific constructions and arrangements shown and described, since various other changes, combinations, omissions, modifications and substitutions, in addition to those set forth in the above paragraphs, are possible. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations, modifications, and combinations of the just described embodiments can be configured without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described herein.