Patent ID: 7311882

Claim:
A connector assembly that provides fluid communication between first fluid-bearing conduits and second fluid-bearing conduits that comprises: a plurality of first fluid-bearing conduits; a corresponding plurality of second fluid-bearing conduits; a support plate; a manifold that is positioned on the support plate and that defines a plurality of recess regions within the manifold and having a plurality of channels wherein each channel has a first opening at a lower end of each recess region and a second opening at a lower surface of the manifold, wherein each of the second fluid-bearing conduits is positioned within one of the channels so that the distal end of each second fluid-bearing conduit is positioned in or near the first opening wherein the manifold is made of a rigid material; a ferrule plate that is positioned on the manifold and that defines a plurality of protrusions wherein each protrusion fits into a corresponding recess region of the manifold and the ferrule plate has a plurality of passages with each passage traversing the height of the ferrule plate and through the protrusion and wherein each of the first fluid-bearing conduits is positioned within one of the passages so that a proximal end of each first fluid-bearing conduit abuts a distal end of a corresponding second fluid-bearing conduit wherein the protrusions are made of a compliant material and wherein each recess region of the manifold has a cavity structure with a conical-shaped exterior surface and each protrusion of the ferrule plate has a corresponding conical-shaped exterior surface; and means for applying an axial force on the ferrule plate to case the plurality of protrusions of the ferrule plate to contact a corresponding recess region of the manifold.