Entegris, Inc.

Steven A Fischer

Michael Stoick

James Donoho

Eric Soderstrom

Michael A Stein

Jeffrey C Kubesh

Todd J Edlund

John A Leys

Steven P Kolbow

Carlos Cadavid

Todd M Ulschmid

A method for sealingly coupling a first component and a second component. The method includes forming a polymer male portion attached to the first component. The male portion has a first axis and a first bore extending therethrough. The male portion has a first stop surface, a second stop surface and an annular sealing portion intermediate the first stop surface and the second stop surface. The method also includes forming a polymer female portion attached to the second component. The female portion has a second axis and a second bore extending therethrough. The female portion has a third stop surface, a fourth stop surface and an annular ring intermediate the third stop surface and the fourth stop surface. The male portion is urged towards the female portion so that at least one of the first stop surface is adjacent the third stop surface or the second stop surface is adjacent the fourth stop surface. The annular ring is subjected to a compressive force in an oblique direction with respect to at least one of the first axis and the second axis by contact with the annular sealing portion.

Component to component sealing method

In one embodiment, a sight tube flowmeter is formed of a plurality of fluoropolymer components welded together to form a unitary flowmeter body. The components can comprise a PFA upright sight tube having two end portions, a flow conduit extending therethrough and two fitting portions that are uniquely welded onto each end of the sight tube, and a fluoropolymer float device movable to various positions within the flow conduit depending on the flow level of the fluid flowing therethrough. The float device can be of conventional design or for those flowmeter embodiments where low fluid flow rates are to be measured, an elongate float can be utilized. The floats and, in particular, a designated portion thereof, are visible through the sight tube to provide visual indication of the position, and thus the flow rate of fluid flowing through the flowmeter. In addition, alternative embodiments include the implementation of the unique sight tube and elongate float design in conventional flowmeters.

Fluoropolymer flowmeter

A coupling ideally suited for sealing between components such as a fluoropolymer valve body ( ) and a fluoropolymer manifold ( ) or for coupling tubing end portions, utilizes structure on said components for defining the sealing surfaces. In a preferred embodiment, the coupling comprises a male protruding portion ( ), a recessed female receiving portion ( ), and a clamping means. The clamping means ( ) has an inner threaded surface for engaging a correspondingly threaded portion of the male protruding portion. The male protruding portion is shaped, generally, as a converging rounded conical frustum ( ) having an exterior surface, a primary sealing surface, a first stop surface ( ), a second cooperating stop surface, and a fluid flow duct. The fluid flow duct is preferably concentrically positioned. The recessed portion has a circular perimeter, an inwardly projecting annular ring ( ), a first cooperating stop surface, a second stop ( ) surface, and a fluid flow duct. The male protruding portion forms a seal by confronting the primary sealing surface and the annular sealing ring.

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Savage, MN, United States of America

Steven A Fischer