Two versions of a portable tool repair the seats of tube fittings and the flared ends of tubing. Each version operates on the principle of lapping to remove imperfections from tube and fitting interfacing surfaces

Rush, R. E.

Tucker, P. E.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

Knurled Done Wheel 
is
Thread To 
to Seal for AIf
Hall Urrrorr 
Fig
Clamp Blocks for 
l/4.3/8.1/2. and. 5/BTubing	 Fig.2 
September 1969	 Brief 69-10379 
NASA TECH BRIEF 
NASA Tech Briefs are issued to summarize specific innovations derived from the U.S. space program, 
to encourage their commercial application. Copies are available to the public at 15 cents each 
from the Clearinghouse for Federal Scientific and Technical Information, Springfield, Virginia 22151. 
Tool Repairs Tube Components In Situ
Knurled Dove Wheel 
A portable tool has been designed in two versions, 
one for repairing the seats of tube fittings (half unions) 
and the other for repairing the flared ends of tubing. 
Each version operates on a like principle, that of 
lapping to remove imperfections from tube and fitting 
interfacing surfaces. 
The version used to lap the conical surface of a 
half union is shown in figure 1. The half union is 
screwed into the threaded end of the tool until it seats 
against the diamond-coated lapping surface. With 
the half union held against the lapping surface, the 
knurled drive wheel is rotated by hand until all im-
perfections have been removed from the conical sur-
face that is to interface with a tube flare. 
The tool version used to remove imperfections from 
the flares on tube ends is illustrated in figure 2. In
this case, clamp blocks are used to hold the flare 
against the diamond-coated lapping surface while 
the knurled drive wheel is rotated by hand to achieve 
the lapping action. 
Notes: 
1. A variety of adapters for the half union lapping 
tool and clamp blocks for the flare lapping tool 
permit cleanup of numerous sizes. 
2. Each tool version includes a vacuum system for 
continuous removal of debris generated during - 
the lapping operation. 
3. This Tech Brief is complete in itself. No addi-
tional information is available.
(continued overleaf) 
This document was prepared under the sponsorship of the National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration. Neither the United States 
Government nor any person acting on behalf of the United States
Government assumes any liability resulting from the use of the 
information contained in this document, or warrants that such use 
will be free from privately owned rights.
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19690000374 2020-03-16T18:14:24+00:00Z
Patent status: 
No patent action is contemplated by NASA. 
Source: Philip E. Tucker and Robert E. Rush of

North American Rockwell Corporation

under contract to

Manned Spacecraft Center

(MSC-15348 and 15363) 
Brief 69-10379
Category 05


Tool repairs tube components in situ

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