Methods and apparatus for providing quartz glass connectors

US6216492A · kind A · utility

Assignees

• HERAEUS QUARZGLAS GMBH & CO. KG · DE
• SHIN-ETSU QUARTZ PRODUCTS CO., LTD. · JP

Inventors

• Poul E. Breidenbach · Bruchköbel, DE
• Heinz Herzog · Karlstein, DE
• Helmut Leber · Hanau, DE
• Jurgen Pottker · Bruchköbel, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 10, 1998
• Grant date: Apr 17, 2001
• Expiry date: Mar 10, 2018

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C03B23/20
• WIPO field: Materials, metallurgy
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a vitreous quartz pipe or container having a connector including a flange formed from at least one strip or rod-shaped piece of transparent quartz glass which is wound circumferentially around either an inner or outer surface of a portion of the pipe or container and secured to the pipe or container to thereby form a closed-ring flange. The portion of the pipe or container having the attached flange may be an open end of the pipe or container or may be a wall portion where a connector for mounting to fixtures or other fittings may be desired. This type of strip or rod-shaped piece of quartz glass can be made via a conventional pulling technique such that a strip or rod having the appropriate uniform cross-sectional shape is obtained. The prepared strips or rod-shaped pieces are then easily cut with a saw device to appropriate lengths. According to a preferred method of the present invention, a small portion of a strip or rod-shaped piece of transparent quartz glass is made pliable with the direct application of heat. As the portion of the strip or rod-shaped piece of quartz glass becomes pliable, the strip or rod-shaped piec…