In a refrigerant circuit component or valve device, the present invention projection-welds a connector to a cap member and prevents intrusion of spatter into a refrigerant circuit. A-cylinder section in which an inside hole of the connector is open is inserted in an inside hole formed in the center of the cap member. The area between the A-cylinder section and a projection of the connector is used as a spatter generation space. The projection of the connector abuts against the cap member and is projection-welded to form a welded part. The open end of the inside hole of the A-cylinder section is crimped to pressure-join the open end to the open end of the inside hole of the cap member. Spatter is sealed inside the spatter generation space. A portion of the surface layer to which the generated spatter adheres may be removed by machining to provide a spatter-removed structure.

A contoured branch fitting for reducing stress in a header pipe caused by acoustic induced vibration that includes a maximum width, a maximum length, a thickness that is greater along the maximum length and a constant radius between the branch connection and the header connection.

A system for producing chemicals, such as, ethylene or gasoline, at high temperature (above 1100 degrees C.) having a feedstock source. The system includes a chemical conversion portion connected with the feedstock source to receive feedstock and convert the feedstock to ethylene or gasoline. The conversion portion includes a coil array and a furnace that heats the feedstock to temperatures in excess of 1100 C. or 1200 C. or even 1250 C. or even 1300 C. or even 1400 C. A method for producing chemicals, such as ethylene or gasoline, at high temperature.

An assembly including a ceramic body. The assembly comprises a tungsten coupling attached to the ceramic body with a first joint that forms a first helium tight seal between the ceramic body and the tungsten coupling and where the first helium tight seal maintains its integrity at a temperature over 400 C. The assembly includes a metal body attached to the tungsten coupling with a second joint that forms a second helium tight seal between the metal body and the tungsten coupling and where the second helium tight seal maintains its integrity at a temperature over 400 C. A method. A mixture. A coupling.

Flanged fittings with proximal, central, and distal sections between proximal and distal ends, the proximal section including a flange portion with bolt holes, and the central section including curved or angled surfaces, and which provide enhanced structural integrity and function for use in pipeline operations are described. The fittings can include an inner threaded surface capable of receiving a threaded plug to provide a primary seal in the fitting, and then can be capped with a finishing cap at the flange portion following a pipeline tapping process.

A brazing process includes placing an accessory on a tube and interposing a brazing material between a bearing surface of the tube and a complementary bearing surface of the accessory. The brazing material is melted. The bearing surface and the complementary bearing surface together define a chamber having a converging portion whose height perpendicular to the bearing surface decreases radially away from the orifice. The converging portion of the chamber has a radial width greater than one times the thickness of the tube, so that the brazing material is distributed by capillary action in the chamber, and binds the bearing surface and the complementary bearing surface to one another.

An exhaust system comprises a first exhaust pipe having a first aperture, a second exhaust pipe having a second aperture and a bridge mechanically and fluidically interconnecting the first and second exhaust pipes. The bridge includes a first plate including a first curved portion sealingly fixed to an outer surface of the first exhaust pipe. The bridge includes a second plate including a second curved portion sealingly fixed to an outer surface of the second exhaust. The first and second plates each include first and second coupling tubes including first and second frustoconical portions to funnel exhaust from the first exhaust pipe toward the second exhaust pipe and vice versa. The first plate is sealingly coupled to the second plate.

A method of forming a sealed joint between a tubular article (10) and a thin sheet article (14) wherein the articles (10, 14) are made of metallic materials that are capable of fusion welding together. One step in the method involves locating an end of the tubular article in a collar (20) surrounding a hole (12) formed in the thin sheet article (14). An end (22) of the tubular article (14) is positioned to lie substantially flush with a proximal end (24) of the collar (20). Next the ends (22, 24) of the collar and the tubular article are fusion welded forming a circumferential bead (26) creating an integral joint. Consequently in effect the previously separate a tubular article (10) and a thin sheet article (14) become a single piece.

An assembly including a ceramic body. The assembly comprises a tungsten coupling attached to the ceramic body with a first joint that forms a first helium tight seal between the ceramic body and the tungsten coupling and where the first helium tight seal maintains its integrity at a temperature over 400 C. The assembly includes a metal body attached to the tungsten coupling with a second joint that forms a second helium tight seal between the metal body and the tungsten coupling and where the second helium tight seal maintains its integrity at a temperature over 400 C. A method. A mixture. A coupling.

A high strength joint material. A material for a joint between a ceramic body and a metal body. A material for a joint between a ceramic body and a ceramic body.