Patent ID: 8147690

Claim:
A chromatography column, comprising: a tube comprising an annular first end face circumscribing a first tube opening, an annular second end face circumscribing a second tube opening, an axial bore in fluid communication with the first tube opening and the second tube opening, and an annular protrusion extending axially from the first end face to an axial protrusion height and having an inner diameter greater than an inner diameter of the axial bore, wherein the annular protrusion circumscribes a chamber in fluid communication with the axial bore at the first tube opening; a fit assembly comprising a first frit and a ring surrounding the first fit wherein the frit assembly has a frit opening having an inner diameter less than the inner diameter of the annular protrusion, the ring having an outer diameter greater than an outer diameter of the annular protrusion and having a yield strength less than a yield strength of the annular protrusion, the ring contacting the annular protrusion, wherein the first frit and a portion of the ring less than the inner diameter of the chamber cooperatively define a chamber boundary axially opposite to the first end face and the chamber has an axial chamber height extending from the first end face to the chamber boundary; a first end fitting securely fastened to the tube and comprising a fit retaining surface contacting the ring, wherein the ring is axially compressed between the frit retaining surface and the annular protrusion, the ring is deformed around the annular protrusion, and the chamber height is reduced to less than the protrusion height; a second frit disposed in fluid communication with the second tube opening; and a second end fitting in which the second frit is disposed, the second end fitting securely fastened to the tube.