Component to component sealing method

Abstract

A polymer fluid flow component configured to sealingly couple with a second fluid flow component, the fluid flow component having a protruding portion and a receiving portion configured to receive the protruding portion. The fluid flow component can include a stop surface disposed on the protruding portion and a cooperating stop surface on the receiving portion to cooperate with the stop surface. The fluid flow component can further include an annular ring integrally formed with the valve, such that the annular ring is subjected to a compressive force when the receiving portion receives the protruding section sealingly coupling the valve and second component. The stop surface can engage the cooperating stop surface to inhibit overtightening of the valve.

1 . A polymer valve configured to sealingly couple with a fluid flow component, the valve comprising: 
 a protruding portion comprising a bore and an axis extending axially therethrough, the protruding portion further comprising a first flange, a first end generally opposed the first flange, and a frustum extending between the first flange and the first end, the frustum having an exterior surface disposed thereon;    a receiving portion configured to operably receive the protruding portion, the receiving portion comprising a second flange and a recess extending from the second flange, the recess having a periphery disposed thereon;    a stop surface disposed on the protruding portion and a cooperating stop surface disposed on at least a portion of the receiving portion configured to operably cooperate with the stop surface; and    an annular ring integrally formed with at least a portion of the valve, wherein the annular ring is operably subjected to a compressive force obliquely oriented with respect to the axis when the receiving portion operably receives the protruding section sealingly coupling the valve and fluid flow component at a position intermediate the first flange and first end on the protruding portion, the valve having a fully engaged position wherein the stop surface operably engages the cooperating stop surface to inhibit overtightening of the valve and damage to the valve.    
   
   
       2 . The valve of  claim 1 , wherein the stop surface is generally planar and the axis is orthogonal to the stop surface.  
   
   
       3 . The valve of  claim 1 , wherein the ring is integrally formed with the protruding portion.  
   
   
       4 . The valve of  claim 1 , wherein the ring is integrally formed with the receiving portion.  
   
   
       5 . The valve of  claim 1 , further comprising a second protruding portion and a second ring integrally formed with at least a portion of the valve, such that when the valve is in the engaged position the first and second rings are operably subjected to an oblique compressive force sealingly coupling the valve and fluid flow component.  
   
   
       6 . The valve of  claim 5 , wherein the receiving portion comprises a flow passage intermediate the rings.  
   
   
       7 . The valve of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid flow component comprises a manifold assembly.  
   
   
       8 . The valve of  claim 1 , further comprising clamping means to secure the protruding portion with respect to the receiving portion.  
   
   
       9 . A polymer manifold configured to sealingly couple with a fluid flow component, the manifold comprising: 
 a receiving portion comprising a first flange and a recess extending from the first flange, the recess having a periphery disposed thereon;    a protruding portion configured to operably couple the receiving portion, the protruding portion comprising a bore and an axis extending axially therethrough, the protruding portion further comprising a second flange, a first end generally opposed the second flange, and a frustum extending between the second flange and the first end, the frustum having an exterior surface disposed thereon;    a stop surface disposed on the protruding portion and a cooperating stop surface disposed on at least a portion of the receiving portion configured to operably cooperate with the stop surface; and    an annular ring integrally formed with at least a portion of the manifold, wherein the annular ring is operably subjected to a compressive force obliquely oriented with respect to the axis when the receiving portion operably receives the protruding section sealingly coupling the manifold and fluid flow component at a position intermediate the second flange and first end on the protruding portion, the manifold having a fully engaged position wherein the stop surface operably engages the cooperating stop surface to inhibit overtightening of the manifold and damage to the manifold.    
   
   
       10 . The manifold of  claim 9 , wherein the stop surface is generally planar and the axis is orthogonal to the stop surface.  
   
   
       11 . The manifold of  claim 9 , wherein the ring is integrally formed with the protruding portion.  
   
   
       12 . The manifold of  claim 9 , wherein the ring is integrally formed with the receiving portion.  
   
   
       13 . The manifold of  claim 9 , further comprising a second protruding portion and a second ring integrally formed with at least a portion of the manifold, such that when the manifold is in the engaged position the first and second rings are operably subjected to an oblique compressive force sealingly coupling the manifold and fluid flow component.  
   
   
       14 . The manifold of  claim 13 , wherein the receiving portion comprises a flow passage intermediate the rings.  
   
   
       15 . The manifold of  claim 9 , wherein the fluid flow component comprises a valve assembly.  
   
   
       16 . The manifold of  claim 9 , further comprising clamping means to secure the protruding portion with respect to the receiving portion.  
   
   
       17 . A polymer valve and manifold assembly for sealingly coupling a valve and a manifold, the assembly comprising: 
 a male protruding portion disposed on the valve, the protruding portion comprising a bore and an axis extending axially therethrough, the protruding portion further comprising a first flange, a first end generally opposed the first flange, and a frustum extending between the first flange and the first end, the frustum having an exterior surface disposed thereon;    a receiving portion disposed on the manifold configured to operably receive the protruding portion, the receiving portion comprising a second flange and a recess extending from the second flange, the recess having a periphery disposed thereon;    a stop surface disposed on the protruding portion and a cooperating stop surface disposed on at least a portion of the receiving portion configured to operably cooperate with the stop surface; and    an annular ring integrally formed with at least a portion of the assembly, wherein the annular ring is operably subjected to a compressive force obliquely oriented with respect to the axis when the receiving portion operably receives the protruding section sealingly coupling the valve and manifold at a position intermediate the first flange and first end on the male protruding portion, the assembly having a fully engaged position wherein the stop surface operably engages the cooperating stop surface to inhibit overtightening of the assembly and damage to the assembly.    
   
   
       18 . The assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the stop surface is generally planar and the axis is orthogonal to the stop surface.  
   
   
       19 . The assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the ring is integrally formed with the protruding portion.  
   
   
       20 . The assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the ring is integrally formed with the receiving portion.  
   
   
       21 . The assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the assembly comprises a second protruding portion and a second ring integrally formed with at least a portion of the assembly, such that when the assembly is in the engaged position the first and second rings are operably subjected to an oblique compressive force sealingly coupling the valve and manifold.  
   
   
       22 . The assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the receiving portion comprises a flow passage intermediate the rings.  
   
   
       23 . The assembly of  claim 17 , further comprising clamping means to secure the protruding portion with respect to the receiving portion.  
   
   
       24 . A fluid flow component selected from the group consisting of a valve, a manifold, and a tubing end portion, the fluid flow component configured to couple with a second component, the fluid flow component comprising: 
 a protruding portion comprising a bore and an axis extending axially therethrough, the protruding portion further comprising a first flange, a first end generally opposed the first flange, and a frustum extending between the first flange and the first end, the frustum having an exterior surface disposed thereon;    a receiving portion configured to operably receive the protruding portion, the receiving portion comprising a second flange and a recess extending from the second flange, the recess having a periphery disposed thereon;    a stop surface disposed on the protruding portion and a cooperating stop surface disposed on at least a portion of the receiving portion configured to operably cooperate with the stop surface; and    an annular ring integrally formed with at least a portion of the fluid flow component, wherein the annular ring is operably subjected to a compressive force obliquely oriented with respect to the axis when the receiving portion operably receives the protruding section sealingly coupling the fluid flow component and second component at a position intermediate the first flange and first end on the protruding portion, the fluid flow component having a fully engaged position wherein the stop surface operably engages the cooperating stop surface to inhibit overtightening of the fluid flow component and damage to the fluid flow component.    
   
   
       25 . The fluid flow component of  claim 24 , wherein the stop surface is generally planar and the axis is orthogonal to the stop surface.  
   
   
       26 . The fluid flow component of  claim 24 , wherein the ring is integrally formed with the protruding portion.  
   
   
       27 . The fluid flow component of  claim 24 , wherein the ring is integrally formed with the receiving portion.  
   
   
       28 . The fluid flow component of  claim 24 , further comprising a second protruding portion and a second ring integrally formed with at least a portion of the fluid flow component, such that when the fluid flow component is in the engaged position the first and second rings are operably subjected to an oblique compressive force sealingly coupling the fluid flow component and second component.  
   
   
       29 . The fluid flow component of  claim 28 , wherein the receiving portion comprises a flow passage intermediate the rings.  
   
   
       30 . The fluid flow component of  claim 24 , wherein the second component is selected from the group consisting of a valve, a manifold, and a tubing end portion.  
   
   
       31 . The fluid flow component of  claim 24 , further comprising clamping means to secure the protruding portion with respect to the receiving portion.