Perimeter weld flanges

Details Perimeter weld flanges Perimeter weld flanges

1997-10-09

2001-08-07

Ramirez, Ramon O. (Department: 3632)

Supports

Brackets

Specially mounted or attached

C248S231900, C248S220210, C285S405000, C285S416000, C220S584000, C403S271000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06270045

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an improved flange design for weldable metal-gasketed ultra-high vacuum (UHV) joints. The invention has particular utility with respect to all-metal flanged manifolds and will be described in connection with such utility, although other utilities are contemplated.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Vacuum systems are used in scientific research, the semiconductor industry, many analytical instruments, and various similar applications. Processes or experiments that require high or ultra-high vacuum (UHV) typically employ all-metal vacuum joints or seals. Referring to
FIG. 1
, such a joint typically comprises a flange
10
that includes an annular recess
15
and an annular knife edge
20
. The flange
10
is intended for mating with another like flange
10
separated by a soft, metallic gasket
25
. The opposing knife edges
20
are pressed into the gasket
25
by tightening bolts (not shown) forming the UHV seal, e.g. in accordance with the teachings of U.S. Pat. No. 3,208,758. Non-metal gaskets may be used in certain applications. Most embodiments utilize circular flanges; however, the flanges do not need to be circular.
Prior art flanges
10
, seen in
FIGS. 2A-2C
and
3
A and
3
B, utilize a stepped internal diameter
30
, and weld easily only to tube
35
or to tube-like projections machined onto another shape
40
. Frequently, an extension tube
35
is welded into a cylindrical main vacuum chamber
70
and a flange
10
is welded onto the extension tube
35
. The weld between the extension tube
35
and the cylindrical main chamber
70
is a difficult, non-planar weld which can cause inaccuracy in the flange's positioning. For spherical main chambers
65
and centered flange ports
10
the weld is a simple planar weld, but an extension tube
35
is still required. The extension tube
35
moves the port opening away from the surface of the sphere which interferes with the access and visibility of the interior of the main chamber. Also, the weld of the extension tube
35
to the interior of the flange
10
decreases the possible working diameter of the flange's bore
45
, and can only be accessed from the interior of the chamber for smaller sized flanges. This requires that at least one port on the chamber be large enough to accommodate a welding torch, restricting the minimum size of the chamber.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a flange which overcomes the aforesaid and other disadvantages of the prior art. Another object of the invention is to provide an improved flange design and method of attaching a flange to a receiving shape.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
The present invention provides a perimeter weldable flange design comprising a weld lip surrounding said flange, in which a hole of diameter equal to the weld lip diameter is machined into the receiving shape, and the flange attached thereto by a weld made on the interior surface of the receiving shape, i.e. the surface exposed to vacuum. With proper tooling, this interior surface weld can be performed readily though the bore of the flange from the outside.


REFERENCES:
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patent: 2294806 (1942-09-01), Samans
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patent: 3208758 (1965-09-01), Carlson et al.
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patent: 4290456 (1981-09-01), Ahrbeck
patent: 4450613 (1984-05-01), Ryan et al.
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patent: 4506431 (1985-03-01), Mercier
patent: 4718637 (1988-01-01), Contin
patent: 4724975 (1988-02-01), Leventry
patent: 5593123 (1997-01-01), Crawford
patent: 5625947 (1997-05-01), Crawford
patent: 5660418 (1997-08-01), Crawford
patent: 5671956 (1997-09-01), Crawford
patent: 115712 (1941-06-01), None

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