Face seal fitting having a polyimide sealing component for facilitating a face seal

A face seal connection system for facilitating a face seal connection between first and second conduits, the face seal connection system comprising:

• a first connection component comprising a fluid passageway, and an end defining a mating face formed normal to an axis of the fluid passageway;
• a second connection component securable to the first connection component, the second connection component comprising a fluid passageway configured to be aligned with the fluid passageway of the first connection component, the second connection component further comprising an end defining a mating face operable to be seated directly against the mating face of the first connection component;
• a polyimide sealing component comprising an opening configured to be aligned with the fluid passageways of the first and second connection components, the polyimide sealing component being configured to be situated between the first and second connection components,
• wherein, upon the first and second connection components being subject to a threshold compression load, the mating faces of the first and second connection components are caused to seat directly against each other, and the polyimide sealing component is caused to compress and elastically deform to form a face seal, and
• wherein one of the first connection component or the second connection component comprises a counter bore formed in at least a portion of an end thereof, and wherein the polyimide sealing component is configured to be seated within the counter bore, the polyimide sealing component being sized and configured to extend above the mating face prior to the compression of the polyimide sealing component and the formation of the face seal.

A face seal connection comprising:

• a first conduit;
• a second conduit;
• a face seal connection system supported about and fluidly connecting the first and second conduits and forming a face seal, the face seal connection system comprising:
• a first connection component supported on the first conduit comprising a fluid passageway, and an end defining a mating face formed normal to an axis of the fluid passageway;
• a second connection component supported on the second conduit and securable to the first connection component, the second connection component comprising a fluid passageway aligned with the fluid passageway of the first connection component, the second connection component further comprising an end defining a mating face operable to be seated directly against the mating face of the first connection component;
• a polyimide sealing component comprising an opening aligned with the fluid passageways of the first and second connection components, the polyimide sealing component situated between the first and second connection components, wherein, with the first and second connection components under a threshold compression load, the mating faces of the first and second connection components are caused to seat directly against each other, and the polyimide sealing component is compressed and elastically deformed as part of the face seal,
• wherein one of the first connection component or the second connection component comprises a counter bore formed in at least a portion of an end thereof, and wherein the polyimide sealing component is configured to be seated within the counter bore, the polyimide sealing component being sized and configured to extend above the mating face prior to the compression of the polyimide sealing component and the formation of the face seal.

A method for facilitating formation of a face seal within a connection system, the method comprising:

• configuring a first connection component to comprise a fluid passageway, and an end defining a mating face formed normal to an axis of the fluid passageway;
• configuring a second connection component to be securable to the first connection component, and to comprise a fluid passageway configured to be aligned with the fluid passageway of the first connection component, the second connection component further being configured to comprise an end defining a mating face operable to be seated directly against the mating face of the first connection component;
• providing a polyimide sealing component comprising an opening configured to be aligned with the fluid passageways of the first and second connection components, the polyimide sealing component being configured to be situated between the first and second connection components;
• configuring the mating faces of the first and second connection components to seat directly against each other, and the polyimide sealing component to compress and elastically deform under a threshold compression load applied between the first and second connection components, so as to be flush with the mating faces, and to form a face seal;
• and
• configuring one of the first connection component or the second connection component to comprise a counter bore formed in at least a portion of an end thereof, wherein the polyimide sealing component is configured to be seated within the counter bore, the polyimide sealing component being sized and configured to extend above the mating face prior to the compression of the polyimide sealing component and the formation of the face seal.