A pipe flange (10) comprising: a circular flange plate (12) having a central (hub 14) for attaching the flange plate (12) to an end of a pipe (16), the hub (14) having a first annular portion (18) with a first inside diameter adapted to closely receive the outside diameter of the end of the pipe (16) therein. The pipe flange (12) also comprises a second annular portion formed by an annular lip (20) with a second inside diameter substantially equal to or greater than the inside diameter of the end of the pipe wherein, in use, a weld can be applied around the inside circumference of the hub (14) between the annular lip (20) and the end of the pipe.

A connector for use in an ultra-high vacuum system is disclosed herein. The connector has a metal conduit section with a first hardness, a metal fitting with a second hardness greater than the first hardness, and a metallic reaction-inhibiting barrier positioned between the conduit section and the fitting to sealingly attach the fitting to the conduit section. In some embodiments, application of a mechanical stressor such as stretching or treatment with a mechanical oxide disruptor removes oxide from and prevents oxide re-formation on the faying surface of the conduit section. In alternate embodiments, oxide is removed from the faying surface of the conduit section and oxide re-formation is subsequently prevented by applying an oxide inhibitor. The reaction-inhibiting barrier substantially inhibits metallic and chemical interaction between the conduit section and the fitting under ultra-high vacuum, temperature cycling, mechanical stress, and reactive chemical conditions, as are present during manufacturing.

After an annular plate is blanked from a metal flat plate in a blanking step, an inner peripheral portion of the annular plate is deformed upward in a burring step. As a result, a hat-shaped intermediate product having an upstanding tubular portion and an annular plate portion is formed. After that, an outer peripheral portion of the annular plate portion is folded step by step toward an inner peripheral side of the annular plate portion. As a result, a folded portion composed of a first folded portion and a second folded portion is formed, whereby a connection portion having a second flange portion is formed.

Internal clamping of a weld-neck fitting to a pipe in preparation for precision tack welding of the fitting to the pipe is established by a pair of alignment and clamping wedge members, each having alignment and gripping members and angulated reaction surfaces which are positioned within the pipe and weld-neck fitting with the angulated reaction surfaces in relatively moveable engagement. One of the alignment and clamping wedge members is moved linearly, causing the angulated reaction surfaces to translate the linear movement to lateral movement, forcing the alignment and gripping members laterally against the internal surfaces of the pipe and fitting and supporting the fitting in precision aligned relation with the pipe to facilitate tack welding. A gauge member confirms precision alignment of the fitting with the pipe before and after applying the tack welds, then the alignment and clamping apparatus is loosened by opposite linear movement of the wedge members which are removed to permit final weld connection of the fitting to the pipe.

Internal clamping of a weld-neck fitting to a pipe in preparation for precision tack welding of the fitting to the pipe is established by a pair of alignment and clamping wedge members, each having alignment and gripping members and angulated reaction surfaces which are positioned within the pipe and weld-neck fitting with the angulated reaction surfaces in relatively moveable engagement. One of the alignment and clamping wedge members is moved linearly, causing the angulated reaction surfaces to translate the linear movement to lateral movement, forcing the alignment and gripping members laterally against the internal surfaces of the pipe and fitting and supporting the fitting in precision aligned relation with the pipe to facilitate tack welding. A gauge member confirms precision alignment of the fitting with the pipe before and after applying the tack welds, then the alignment and clamping apparatus is loosened by opposite linear movement of the wedge members which are removed to permit final weld connection of the fitting to the pipe.

Internal clamping of a weld-neck fitting to a pipe in preparation for precision tack welding of the fitting to the pipe is established by a pair of alignment and clamping wedge members, each having alignment and gripping members and angulated reaction surfaces which are positioned within the pipe and weld-neck fitting with the angulated reaction surfaces in relatively moveable engagement. One of the alignment and clamping wedge members is moved linearly, causing the angulated reaction surfaces to translate the linear movement to lateral movement, forcing the alignment and gripping members laterally against the internal surfaces of the pipe and fitting and supporting the fitting in precision aligned relation with the pipe to facilitate tack welding. A gauge member confirms precision alignment of the fitting with the pipe before and after applying the tack welds, then the alignment and clamping apparatus is loosened by opposite linear movement of the wedge members which are removed to permit final weld connection of the fitting to the pipe.

Internal clamping of a weld-neck fitting to a pipe in preparation for precision tack welding of the fitting to the pipe is established by a pair of alignment and clamping wedge members, each having alignment and gripping members and angulated reaction surfaces which are positioned within the pipe and weld-neck fitting with the angulated reaction surfaces in relatively moveable engagement. One of the alignment and clamping wedge members is moved linearly, causing the angulated reaction surfaces to translate the linear movement to lateral movement, forcing the alignment and gripping members laterally against the internal surfaces of the pipe and fitting and supporting the fitting in precision aligned relation with the pipe to facilitate tack welding. A gauge member confirms precision alignment of the fitting with the pipe before and after applying the tack welds, then the alignment and clamping apparatus is loosened by opposite linear movement of the wedge members which are removed to permit final weld connection of the fitting to the pipe.

A ground connect duct includes a ground connect flange with an inner diameter and an outer diameter, wherein the inner diameter is between 7.000 inches and 9.000 inches and the outer diameter is between 9.000 inches and 11.000 inches, a V-band flange, and a duct body with the inner diameter, wherein the duct body is coupled to the ground connect flange and the V-band flange to have an overall length between 6.261 inches and 8.261 inches and to dispose the V-band flange at an angle between 6.000 degrees and 8.000 degrees relative to the ground connect flange.

A ground connect duct includes a ground connect flange with an inner diameter and an outer diameter, wherein the inner diameter is between 7.000 inches and 9.000 inches and the outer diameter is between 9.000 inches and 11.000 inches, a V-band flange, and a duct body with the inner diameter, wherein the duct body is coupled to the ground connect flange and the V-band flange to have an overall length between 6.261 inches and 8.261 inches and to dispose the V-band flange at an angle between 6.000 degrees and 8.000 degrees relative to the ground connect flange.

Connection arrangement for an air conditioning system, comprising a connector, which is connected to a first pipe and has a passage channel and at least one cylindrical portion, which can be inserted into a further pipe or into another component of the air conditioning system, and a radial flange, to which a sealing element is assigned, characterized in that a support body is assigned to the radial flange, the support body enclosing the passage channel and being provided with a radially protruding projection, the projection being equipped to be able to receive at least one fastening means and mobile air conditioning system, comprising the connection arrangement.