US 11,852,270 B2
Compact, blind-mate fluid fitting
David E. Swernofsky, Richardson, TX (US); and Robert Larson, Dallas, TX (US)
Assigned to Raytheon Company, Waltham, MA (US)
Filed by Raytheon Company, Waltham, MA (US)
Filed on Jul. 30, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/390,863.
Prior Publication US 2023/0036437 A1, Feb. 2, 2023
Int. Cl. F16L 37/52 (2006.01); F16L 17/00 (2006.01)
CPC F16L 37/52 (2013.01) [F16L 17/00 (2013.01)] 21 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A blind-mate fluid fitting comprising:
a shoulder comprising a stop surface operable to interface with a surface of a first component having a fluid port defining a central port axis of the fluid port, wherein the stop surface comprises a tapered configuration, and
a fitting portion extending from one side of the shoulder and operable to be inserted into the fluid port, the fitting portion defining a central fitting axis, the fitting portion comprising:
a sealing portion comprising an annular channel and a compliant seal disposed in the annular channel, the compliant seal operable to seal against the fluid port when the central fitting axis is positioned in at least one of a plurality of different non-zero angles relative to the central port axis;
an end portion extending from the sealing portion and defining a distal end, the end portion comprising a decreasing non-uniform cross-section along the central fitting axis from the sealing portion to the distal end, the end portion being operable to provide clearance between the fitting portion and the fluid port when the central fitting axis is positioned at one of the plurality of different non-zero angles relative to the central port axis; and
an intermediate portion extending from the sealing portion, the intermediate portion comprising a decreasing non-uniform cross-section along the central fitting axis from the sealing portion towards the shoulder, the intermediate portion being operable to provide clearance between the fitting portion and the fluid port when the central fitting axis is positioned at one of the plurality of different non-zero angles relative to the central port axis.