Fluid Fitting with Integrated Fluid Management Device

Abstract

What is presented is a fluid fitting used in a facility that has a plurality of surfaces and a source of fluid pressure. The fluid fitting comprises a mounting component, a conduit adapter, a port, and a fluid management device. The mounting component makes the fluid fitting mountable on the external side of the surface. The conduit adapter is connectable to the fluid handling conduit on the internal side of the surface. The port has a flow path to the conduit adapter that enables a fluid connection between the conduit adapter and the port. The fluid management device is permanently incorporated in the flow path such that the fluid management device is permanently connected to the port at the fluid dispensing point.

1 . A fluid fitting for use in a facility having a surface and a source of fluid pressure, comprising:
 the surface having an external side and an internal side;   the facility having a fluid handling conduit extending from the source of fluid pressure to the internal side of the surface;   said fluid fitting comprising:
 a mounting component to enable said fluid fitting to be mounted to the external side of the surface; 
 a conduit adapter connectable to the fluid handling conduit in the internal side of the surface; 
 a port protruding from said fluid fitting on the external side of the surface, said port having a fluid dispensing point on the external side of the surface and said port having a flow path to said conduit adapter to enable a fluid connection between said conduit adapter and said port, said flow path establishing a fluid connection from said fluid handling conduit to said port through the external side of the surface; and 
 a fluid management device permanently incorporated in said flow path such that said fluid management device is permanently connected to said port. 
   
     
     
         2 . The fluid fitting of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a second port protruding from said fluid fitting on the external side of the surface, said second port having a second fluid dispensing point on the external side of the surface; and 
 said second port having a second flow path to said conduit adapter to enable a fluid connection between said conduit adapter and said second port. 
 
     
     
         3 . The fluid fitting of  claim 1  wherein said fluid management device provides functionality on the external side of the surface. 
     
     
         4 . The fluid fitting of  claim 1  wherein said fluid management device provides functionality between the internal side and external side of the surface. 
     
     
         5 . The fluid fitting of  claim 1  wherein said fluid management device comprises a flow measuring device for indicating the rate of fluid flow in said flow path. 
     
     
         6 . The fluid fitting of  claim 1  wherein said fluid management device comprises a flow measuring device for indicating the rate of fluid flow in said flow path and said flow measuring device is a Thorpe tube and ball. 
     
     
         7 . The fluid fitting of  claim 1  wherein said fluid management device comprises a flow measuring device for indicating the rate of fluid flow in said flow path;
 said flow measuring device is a Thorpe tube comprising a vertically mounted tube and an indicator floater placed within said vertically mounted tube. 
 
     
     
         8 . The fluid fitting of  claim 1  wherein:
 said fluid management device provides functionality on the external side of the surface; and 
 said fluid management device comprises:
 a flowmeter to receive and control the fluid flow rate in said flow path; 
 a flow measuring device for indicating the fluid flow rate in said flow path; and 
 said flow measuring device is a Thorpe tube comprising a vertically mounted tube and an indicator floater placed within said vertically mounted tube. 
 
 
     
     
         9 . The fluid fitting of  claim 1  wherein:
 said fluid management device provides functionality on the external side of the surface; and 
 said fluid management device comprises:
 a flowmeter with one or more selectable calibrated orifices to select the fluid flow rate in said flow path; 
 a flow measuring device for indicating the fluid flow rate in said flow path; and 
 said flow measuring device is a Thorpe tube comprising a vertically mounted tube and an indicator floater placed within said vertically mounted tube. 
 
 
     
     
         10 . The fluid fitting of  claim 1  wherein said surface is a wall, a semi-recessed flat wall, a service column, a horizontal headwall, a ceiling mounted service column, an equipment rail, a wall panel, a floor panel, a ceiling panel, a bed, a surgical table, or a floor pedestal. 
     
     
         11 . The fluid fitting of  claim 1  wherein the fluid fitting supplies fluid under positive pressure. 
     
     
         12 . The fluid fitting of  claim 1  wherein the fluid fitting supplies a vacuum. 
     
     
         13 . A fluid fitting for use in a facility that has a surface and a source of fluid pressure, comprising:
 the surface having an external side and an internal side;   the facility having a fluid handling conduit extending from the source of fluid pressure to the internal side of the surface; and   said fluid fitting comprising:
 a mounting component to enable said fluid fitting to be mounted to the external side of the surface; 
 a conduit adapter connectable to the fluid handling conduit in the internal side of the surface; 
 a port protruding from said fluid fitting on the external side of the surface, said port having a fluid dispensing point on the external side of the surface and said port having a flow path to said conduit adapter to enable a fluid connection between said conduit adapter and said port, said flow path establishing a fluid connection from said fluid handling conduit to said port through the external side of the surface; 
 a second port protruding from said fluid fitting on the external side of the surface, said second port having a second flow path to said conduit adapter to enable a fluid connection between said conduit adapter and said second port; 
 a fluid management device permanently incorporated in said flow path such that said fluid management device is permanently connected to said port, said fluid management device provides functionality on the external side of the surface; and 
 said fluid management device comprises:
 a flowmeter to receive and control the fluid flow rate in said flow path; and 
 a Thorpe tube for indicating the fluid flow rate in said flow path, said Thorpe tube comprises a vertically mounted tube and an indicator floater placed within said vertically mounted tube. 
 
   
     
     
         14 . The fluid fitting of  claim 12  wherein said surface is a wall, a semi-recessed flat wall, a service column, a horizontal headwall, a ceiling mounted service column, an equipment rail, a wall panel, a floor panel, a ceiling panel, a bed, a surgical table, or a floor pedestal. 
     
     
         15 . The fluid fitting of  claim 1  wherein the fluid fitting supplies a vacuum. 
     
     
         16 . The fluid fitting of  claim 12  wherein the fluid fitting supplies fluid under positive pressure.