Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
202 words
Flange connection for a tubular element (1) which comprises quartz material, comprising an essentially circumferential recess or ring groove (2) formed in the tubular element; a spring ring (3) retained in the recess or ring groove having a minor portion of its cross section located in the groove and a remaining and major portion projecting therefrom; a flange ring (4) surrounding the tubular element, with clearance, and having an essentially conical surface (8) in engagement with part of said remaining and major projecting portion of the spring ring at one side thereof; a counter ring (5) surrounding the tubular element, with clearance, and having an essentially conical surface (8) in engagement with part of said remaining and major projecting portion, and located opposite said one side of the projecting portion of the spring ring; and clamping means (6) located beyond said projecting portion and clamping said flange ring and said counter ring onto the spring ring, with the remaining and major portion of the spring ring positioned between the flange ring and the counter ring, while securely holding the spring ring in said circumferential recess or ring groove (2) in the tubular element (1) and compressing the spring ring (3) radially inwardly.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
202 words
Flange connection for a tubular element (1) which comprises quartz material, comprising an essentially circumferential recess or ring groove (2) formed in the tubular element; a spring ring (3) retained in the recess or ring groove having a minor portion of its cross section located in the groove and a remaining and major portion projecting therefrom; a flange ring (4) surrounding the tubular element, with clearance, and having an essentially conical surface (8) in engagement with part of said remaining and major projecting portion of the spring ring at one side thereof; a counter ring (5) surrounding the tubular element, with clearance, and having an essentially conical surface (8) in engagement with part of said remaining and major projecting portion, and located opposite said one side of the projecting portion of the spring ring; and clamping means (6) located beyond said projecting portion and clamping said flange ring and said counter ring onto the spring ring, with the remaining and major portion of the spring ring positioned between the flange ring and the counter ring, while securely holding the spring ring in said circumferential recess or ring groove (2) in the tubular element (1) and compressing the spring ring (3) radially inwardly.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
86 words
Flange connection according to claim 1, wherein the side of the flange ring remote from the counter ring forms a flat surface, and the flange ring has a cross-sectional shape such that the cross section adjacent the tubular element (1) is smaller than the cross section remote from the tubular element, conically increasing and forming said conical surface, linearly increasing by a cone angle α to the final cross-sectional dimension; said final cross-sectional dimension being a maximum in the zone of engagement of said clamping means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
Flange connection according to claim 2, wherein the spring ring is of essentially circular cross section.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
90 words
Flange connection according to claim 2, wherein the side of the counter ring (5) remote from said flange ring (4) forms a flat surface, and the counter ring has a cross-sectional shape such that the cross section adjacent the tubular element (1) is smaller than the cross section remote from the tubular element, conically increasing and forming said conical surface (8), linearly increasing by a cone angle β to the final cross-sectional dimension, said final cross-sectional dimension being a maximum in the zone of engagement of said clamping means (6).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
97 words
Flanged connection connecting two tubular elements (1, 1'), wherein each tubular element includes a flange connection according to claim 4, said tubular elements being positioned in butted alignment, and further including a resilient sealing ring (9) between the butted ends of the tubular elements; connecting attachment openings formed in the flange ring (4, 4') of each tubular element, and in axial alignment; and spring-loaded connecting bolts (10, 11) extending through said aligned openings, connecting the flange rings (4, 4') and securing together the flange rings (4, 4') secured to each one of the tubular elements (1, 1').
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
Flange connection according to claim 4, wherein the spring ring is of essentially circular cross section.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
97 words
Flanged connection connecting two tubular elements (1, 1'), wherein each tubular element includes a flange connection according to claim 6, said tubular elements being positioned in butted alignment, and further including a resilient sealing ring (9) between the butted ends of the tubular elements; connecting attachment openings formed in the flange ring (4, 4') of each tubular element, and in axial alignment; and spring-loaded connecting bolts (10, 11) extending through said aligned openings, connecting the flange rings (4, 4') and securing together the flange rings (4, 4') secured to each one of the tubular elements (1, 1').
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
90 words
Flange connection according to claim 1, wherein the side of the counter ring (5) remote from said flange ring (4) forms a flat surface, and the counter ring has a cross-sectional shape such that the cross section adjacent the tubular element (1) is smaller than the cross section remote from the tubular element, conically increasing and forming said conical surface (8), linearly increasing by a cone angle β to the final cross-sectional dimension, said final cross-sectional dimension being a maximum in the zone of engagement of said clamping means (6).
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
Flange connection according to claim 8, wherein said cone angle is in the order of about 38°.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
Flange connection according to claim 8, wherein the spring ring is of essentially circular cross section.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
Flange connection according to claim 1, wherein the conical surfaces of the flange ring (4) and of the counter ring (5) are equal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
Flange connection according to claim 1, wherein said clamping means (6) comprise connecting screws or bolts.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
Flange connection according to claim 1, further including connecting attachment openings (7) formed in the flange ring (4).
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
98 words
A flanged connection connecting two tubular elements (1, 1'), wherein each tubular element includes a flange connection according to claim 1, said tubular elements being positioned in butted alignment, and further including a resilient sealing ring (9) between the butted ends of the tubular elements; connecting attachment openings formed in the flange ring (4, 4') of each tubular element, and in axial alignment; and spring-loaded connecting bolts (10, 11) extending through said aligned openings, connecting the flange rings (4, 4') and securing together the flange rings (4, 4') secured to each one of the tubular elements (1, 1').
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
Flange connection according to claim 1, wherein the spring ring is of essentially circular cross section.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
97 words
Flanged connection connecting two tubular elements (1, 1'), wherein each tubular element includes a flange connection according to claim 15, said tubular elements being positioned in butted alignment, and further including a resilient sealing ring (9) between the butted ends of the tubular elements; connecting attachment openings formed in the flange ring (4, 4') of each tubular element, and in axial alignment; and spring-loaded connecting bolts (10, 11) extending through said aligned openings, connecting the flange rings (4, 4') and securing together the flange rings (4, 4') secured to each one of the tubular elements (1, 1').
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
Flange connection according to claim 1, wherein the spring ring is a split ring.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
Flange connection according to claim 17, wherein the spring ring is of essentially circular cross section.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
Flange connection according to claim 1, wherein the spring ring is made of spring wire.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
Flange connection according to claim 19, wherein the spring ring is of essentially circular cross section.