Abstract: A method for sealingly coupling a first component and a second component. The method includes forming a polymer male portion attached to the first component. The male portion has a first axis and a first bore extending therethrough. The male portion has a first stop surface, a second stop surface and an annular sealing portion intermediate the first stop surface and the second stop surface. The method also includes forming a polymer female portion attached to the second component. The female portion has a second axis and a second bore extending therethrough. The female portion has a third stop surface, a fourth stop surface and an annular ring intermediate the third stop surface and the fourth stop surface. The male portion is urged towards the female portion so that at least one of the first stop surface is adjacent the third stop surface or the second stop surface is adjacent the fourth stop surface.

Abstract: A method for sealingly coupling a first component and a second component. The method includes forming a polymer male portion attached to the first component. The male portion has a first axis and a first bore extending therethrough. The male portion has a first stop surface, a second stop surface and an annular sealing portion intermediate the first stop surface and the second stop surface. The method also includes forming a polymer female portion attached to the second component. The female portion has a second axis and a second bore extending therethrough. The female portion has a third stop surface, a fourth stop surface and an annular ring intermediate the third stop surface and the fourth stop surface. The male portion is urged towards the female portion so that at least one of the first stop surface is adjacent the third stop surface or the second stop surface is adjacent the fourth stop surface.

Abstract: A coupling ideally suited for sealing between components such as a fluoropolymer valve body (50) and a fluoropolymer manifold (52) or for coupling tubing end portions, utilizes structure on said components for defining the sealing surfaces. In a preferred embodiment, the coupling comprises a male protruding portion (62), a recessed female receiving portion (64), and a clamping means. The clamping means (92) has an inner threaded surface for engaging a correspondingly threaded portion of the male protruding portion. The male protruding portion is shaped, generally, as a converging rounded conical frustum (65.1) having an exterior surface, a primary sealing surface, a first stop surface (78), a second cooperating stop surface, and a fluid flow duct. The fluid flow duct is preferably concentrically positioned. The recessed portion has a circular perimeter, an inwardly projecting annular ring (74), a first cooperating stop surface, a second stop (82) surface, and a fluid flow duct.

Abstract: A coupling ideally suited for sealing between components such as a fluoropolymer valve body (50) and a fluoropolymer manifold (52) or for coupling tubing end portions, utilizes structure on said components for defining the sealing surfaces. In a preferred embodiment, the coupling comprises a male protruding portion (62), a recessed female receiving portion (64), and a clamping means. The clamping means (92) has an inner threaded surface for engaging a correspondingly threaded portion of the male protruding portion. The male protruding portion is shaped, generally, as a converging rounded conical frustum (65.1) having an exterior surface, a primary sealing surface, a first stop surface (78), a second cooperating stop surface, and a fluid flow duct. The fluid flow duct is preferably concentrically positioned. The recessed portion has a circular perimeter, an inwardly projecting annular ring (74), a first cooperating stop surface, a second stop (82) surface, and a fluid flow duct.

Abstract: The invention comprises a three-way diaphragm valve. The valve has a housing having three flow ducts each leading into an open interior chamber. The open interior chamber is divided into a central chamber, an upper chamber and a lower chamber. A first valve seat is positioned between the central chamber and the upper chamber. A second valve seat is positioned between the central chamber and the lower chamber. A central valve stem assembly is slidably mounted in the valve and has a first valve member and a second valve member positioned to alternately engage the first valve seat and second valve seat respectively, to direct flow from one passageway to another. A spring bears against the valve stem assembly to bias the relative position of the valve members and valve seats in a first predetermined position.

Abstract: A housing of electrical insulating material for a thermal protector used with an inductive device, such as a ballast transformer, in which the housing has an open portion through which the case of the thermal protector is accessible to be placed adjacent a part of the inductive device to sense its temperature. The housing also has an aperture through which a current carrying inductor device lead wire connected to the protector extends. An adhesive tape on the housing is used to fasten the housing to the inductor. An insulated part of the housing protects a junction of a current carrying wire connected to the protector and a wire of a coil of the inductive device.

Abstract: An apparatus to isolate a microphone from the speaker audio of a telephone handset, preventing feedback howl. The acoustic insulator consists of a single piece of pliable material that has a smaller diameter element (104) that extends through the handset housing. A hollow passage (102) extends the length of the insulator. The microphone (101) is inserted into the insulator in the larger diameter element (103). The insulator is held in the housing by overlapping ridges (105) encircling the outside of the larger element (103).

Abstract: A lamp ballast is disclosed which includes a main winding, and an auxiliary winding connected in series with the main winding. The auxiliary winding is wound concentrically with the main winding and with substantially fewer turns than it. The pitch (space between two adjacent turns) of the auxiliary winding is much higher than that of the main winding so that the turns of the auxiliary winding are spaced over the entire length of the main winding. When a voltage pulse of comparatively low amplitude is applied across the auxiliary winding by a conventional electronic lamp starter, a substantially higher amplitude pulse, which is sufficient to ignite a sodium lamp appears across the main winding, by reason of the improved transformer action between the two windings. Thereafter, the ballast provides sufficient support to the lamp to keep it on.