Patent ID: 7380835

Claim:
A junction plate and flow line assembly for providing a fluid flow path, comprising: (a) an outer housing comprising a longitudinal channel, and a distal region; (b) a linearly stationary rotating nut mounted in the longitudinal channel, said rotating nut comprising a proximal portion adapted to be coupled to a torque tool, and a threaded distal portion rotatably mounted in the distal region of the outer housing; (c) a lead screw rotatably engaging the threaded distal portion such that when the rotating nut is rotated in a first direction, it causes longitudinal movement of the lead screw toward the proximal portion and when the rotating nut is rotated in a second direction opposite from the first direction, it causes longitudinal movement of the lead screw away from the proximal portion; (d) a flow path sleeve comprising an outer surface, said flow path sleeve comprising an inner diameter sized to receive the lead screw, said flow path sleeve further comprising at least one sleeve lug mounted on the outer surface; (e) a slideable flow path comprising an outer wall, a section extending outward from the outer wall, a first region comprising a proximal section adjacent to the lead screw, a distal section opposite the proximal section, and an outer diameter sized to slideably fit within the inner diameter of the cylindrical flow path sleeve, said first region further comprising a first flow path longitudinally aligned with the lead screw, and a first sealing surface mounted in the distal section, said section further comprising an internal flow path in fluid communication with, and not longitudinally aligned with, the first flow path; and (f) a junction plate comprising a slot adapted to engage said sleeve lug such that the flow path sleeve can be longitudinally locked into position, said junction plate further comprising an inner stationary flow path comprising a first end segment mounted to be coupled with the distal region and positioned in substantial longitudinal alignment with the first region of the slideable flow path, said first end segment comprising a second sealing surface positioned such that when the lead screw is advanced toward the inner stationary flow path, the first and second sealing surfaces come into contact with each other to form a pressure seal between the inner stationary flow path and the distal section of the slideable flow path.