High pressure fuel fittings

Abstract

A method of manufacturing a ball and cone fluid fitting includes providing a first conduit with a generally spherical-shaped exterior surface, and providing a second conduit with a generally conical-shaped interior surface. The generally conical-shaped surface is coined with a master ball to create a seating surface for the generally spherical-shaped exterior surface of the first conduit. At least a portion of the generally spherical-shaped exterior surface is coated with a softer metal.

1 . A method of manufacturing a ball and cone fluid fitting comprising:
 providing a first conduit with a generally spherical-shaped exterior surface;   providing a second conduit with a generally conical-shaped interior surface; and   coining the generally conical-shaped surface with a master ball to create a seating surface for the generally spherical-shaped exterior surface of the first conduit.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising coating at least a portion of the generally spherical-shaped exterior surface with a softer metal. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein coating at least a portion of the generally spherical-shaped exterior surface includes copper electroplating. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein coating the portion of the generally spherical-shaped exterior surface reduces its surface roughness by about 50 percent. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the coating has a thickness of about 0.0005 inch. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein providing the first conduit with a generally spherical-shaped exterior surface includes providing a prefabricated ball portion, providing a prefabricated stem portion, and joining the prefabricated ball and stem portions together. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the prefabricated ball portion includes a surface finish of about 0.05 micron, a roundness of about 0.0006 millimeter, and a diameter tolerance of about 0.0012 millimeter.