Capillary tubing connector

Abstract

A connector for connecting a first fluid-bearing conduit to a second fluid-bearing conduit, thereby providing a substantially leak-free fluid communication between the first and second fluid-bearing conduits. The second fluid-bearing conduit is located in a receiver and communicates with a receiving port. A frustoconical surface on the receiver defines the receiving port. The connector includes a support, a biferrule, and a biferrule compression assembly. The biferrule is provided with a forward end having a spherical head portion, an aft end having a frustoconical tapered portion, and a bore therebetween for receiving the first fluid-bearing conduit. The biferrule compression assembly includes a compression collar, a support for supporting the biferrule, and biasing means to a) compress the compression collar on the aft end of the biferrule to engage a first fluid seal that is preferably reversible, between the aft end of the biferrule and the first conduit, and b) urge the forward end of the biferrule into a second fluid seal with the frustoconical surface on the a receiving port. The spherical head portion is circular when viewed in transverse cross section such that when the forward end of the biferrule is urged onto the receiver port by the biasing means, the biferrule will engage the frustoconical surface in a substantially circular line contact.