Methods and apparatus for providing quartz glass connectors

摘要

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 piece of quartz glass is made to conform to the curvature of the underlying inner or outer pipe or container surface. At the same time, heat is applied to the pipe or container surface and the facing underside of the strip or rod-shaped piece of quartz glass and light pressure forms a secure weld between the pipe or container surface and the strip or rod-shaped piece of quartz glass. To achieve a flange having a radial depth greater than the corresponding dimensional thickness of a single prepared strip or rod-shaped piece of quartz glass, multiple layers of the strip or rod-shaped piece of quartz glass may be applied one upon the other extending radially from the surface of the pipe or container.