Abstract: A vertical barrel of an internal diameter to receive a pig having a selected uncompressible diameter, a reducer to compress the pig to a compressed diameter and a fluid system to introduce fluid pressure into the upper end of the barrel to drive the pig through the reducer.

Abstract: Spigot device including a spigot formed with exterior gripping teeth and sleeve device to telescope over the spigot. The sleeve device is formed with a radially inwardly opening, distally contracting conical bearing surface which mounts a radially inwardly contractible gripper ring device captive therein, and constructed to be driven radially inwardly by the bearing surface as the sleeve is drawn proximally on the spigot to grip a plastic pipe trapped in the annulus between the sleeve and spigot.

Abstract: Spigot device including a spigot formed with exterior gripping teeth and sleeve device to telescope over the spigot. The sleeve device is formed with a radially inwardly opening, distally contracting conical bearing surface which mounts a radially inwardly contractible gripper ring device captive therein, and constructed to be driven radially inwardly by the bearing surface as the sleeve is drawn proximally on the spigot to grip a plastic pipe trapped in the annulus between the sleeve and spigot. The method includes selecting a sleeve device to fit over a spigot and an interfitting retainer collar with an interior distally extending and radially and inwardly sloped bearing surface defining a gripper ring cavity. Selecting a gripper ring device which is contractible radially inwardly and inserting it in the cavity and retaining the gripper ring device to cooperate in forming an annulus for receipt of a plastic pipe and causing the gripper ring device to grip the pipe.

Abstract: Spigot device including a spigot formed with exterior gripping teeth and sleeve device to telescope over the spigot. The sleeve device is formed with a radially inwardly opening, distally contracting conical bearing surface which mounts a radially inwardly contractible gripper ring device captive therein, and constructed to be driven radially inwardly by the bearing surface as the sleeve is drawn proximally on the spigot to grip a plastic pipe trapped in the annulus between the sleeve and spigot. The steps of selecting a spigot device including a distally projecting spigot of a predetermined outside diameter. Selecting a sleeve device formed with a radially inwardly opening interior retainer collar with an interior distally extending and radially and inwardly sloped bearing surface defining a gripper ring cavity.

Abstract: A poppet mounted concentrically on a barrel for axial travel downstream relative thereto from an open to closed position, the poppet biased by a coil sprint to its open position.

Abstract: A control valve assembly and for a gas delivery system is disclosed comprising a valve housing and piping combination adapted to mate with a gas meter outlet, the valve including a main inlet and an auxiliary inlet for bypassing the main inlet, and a poppet disposed within the housing for selectively opening the respective inlets and for closing both inlets. The poppet is controlled by a valve stem extending into the valve housing and coupled to the poppet, such that rotation of the valve stem orients the poppet in the predetermined positions to selectively open the respective inlets. The valve stem is rotated using a lever arm extending radially from the valve stem, where the lever arm is adapted to carry a locking member at a distal end. When the locking member is carried by the lever arm, rotation of the lever arm may be denied due to interference of the locking member with the valve housing, and the poppet in such case prevents flow through either of the inlets.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for zinc plating a meter set assembly used in gas delivery applications, wherein a zinc plating is applied to a steel substrate formed in the configuration of a meter bar. Once the zinc plating is applied through electrodeposition, the meter set assembly is then outgassed in an oven as by curing at 425°-475° F. for 20-35 minutes to drive away any gasses that may be trapped within the zinc coating. Following the outgassing process, a polyester powder coating is applied to the external surfaces of the meter bar.

Abstract: A control valve assembly and for a gas delivery system is disclosed comprising a valve housing and piping combination adapted to mate with a gas meter outlet, the valve including a main inlet and an auxiliary inlet for bypassing the main inlet, and a poppet disposed within the housing for selectively opening the respective inlets and for closing both inlets. The poppet is controlled by a valve stem extending into the valve housing and coupled to the poppet, such that rotation of the valve stem orients the poppet in the predetermined positions to selectively open the respective inlets. The valve stem is rotated using a lever arm extending radially from the valve stem, where the lever arm is adapted to carry a locking member at a distal end. When the locking member is carried by the lever arm, rotation of the lever arm may be denied due to interference of the locking member with the valve housing, and the poppet in such case prevents flow through either of the inlets.

Abstract: A bypass valve is connected in line with the distribution line of a gas meter and includes a cylindrical housing with an inlet port connected to the distribution line, an outlet port connected to the gas consumer, and a poppet cage defined by two annular seats disposed internally between the two ports and formed with flow apertures. The housing is formed with an auxiliary port disposed between the inlet port and the outlet port. A threaded fitting for connecting to an auxiliary gas source extends through the auxiliary port and connects to the outlet seat of the cage. A cylindrical poppet is slidably disposed within the cage and is biased against the outlet seat by a coil spring interposed between the poppet and the inlet seat.

Abstract: Selecting a dimension representing the distance between a residential gas hookup, downwardly through an intended subterranean trench to a gas main typically located along a public right of way, such as a street, and selecting a plastic pipe having a predetermined length at least equal to such dimension. Then, fabricating at a manufacturing site remote from the intended site of installation, a kit including a metallic riser having an upper end formed with a coupling screw thread and a lower end. Inserting one extremity of the plastic pipe through the riser to leave an excess length projecting from such lower end, forming a joint between the plastic pipe and such upper end, coiling such excess length into a coil and securing the assembly in a package to form the kit. A selected number of the kits may then be stored in their packaged form for subsequent shipment to the installation site to be installed and connected to make a hookup between the hookup location at respective residences and such main gas line.

Abstract: A gas service line field completion kit for providing a service line connection through a gas meter between a gas distribution main and a gas service inlet pipe fitting spaced a predetermined distance from the main. The kit is characterized by forming an integral gas meter mounting assembly including a pressure regulator mounted thereon, forming an integral riser assembly including a shut-off valve mounted thereto and having an excess coiled length of plastic gas distribution tubing projecting therefrom, packaging the riser assembly and mounting assembly to form the kit, and storing the kit for subsequent shipment. The gas service line completion kit may be rapidly installed in the field by unpackaging the kit at the installation site, coupling the outlet end of the mounting assembly to the gas service inlet pipe, coupling the outlet end of the shut-off valve to the inlet end of the mounting assembly, and uncoiling and coupling the excess length of plastic tubing to the gas distribution main.

Abstract: A method of providing a continuous supply of gas to the gas utilities of a residential or commercial building while the gas meter is disconnected from the gas service lines. The method employs a bypass valve comprising a tubular fitting to be connected in line with the gas service line conducting gas from the gas meter to such building. An auxiliary source of gas may be coupled with an auxiliary port formed on the outer wall of the fitting, such that activation of the auxiliary source acts to drive a poppet through the bypass valve to seal off the gas meter from the gas service lines. Thus the gas meter may be disconnected from such gas service lines, as the auxiliary source will provide continuous gas supply to the utilities of the building.

Abstract: An excess flow control valve for telescopical receipt in a cylindrical fluid distribution pipe to control downstream flow therein. The excess flow valve includes a cylindrical pressure reducer fitting for mounting the valve in the pipe and is formed with an upstream facing annular valve seat and a downstream diverging venturi nozzle therethrough. A poppet valve barrel having a central chamber is mounted to the pressure reducer fitting, the chamber formed with a plurality of peripheral inlet flow passages disposed upstream of the fitting and further including at the upstream end thereof, a gland. A poppet having an cylindrical base and an upstream projecting stem is slidably received in the chamber and the stem is received in the gland. The stem includes a stop ring at the upstream end thereof and a compression spring is disposed over the stem in an interposed relationship between the valve barrel and the stop ring to bias the poppet away from the valve seat.

Abstract: A bypass valve to be connected in line with a gas service line conducting gas from a gas meter to the corresponding residence or commercial building includes an open ended tubular fitting forming a flow chamber therein having a flow inlet end and a flow outlet end and an auxiliary port formed thereon to allow for access to the gas service line by an auxiliary gas source. An open ended poppet cage is mounted internally in the flow chamber and has one end thereof connected to the auxiliary port and further has a number of ports formed in the side wall thereof defining cage outlets. A poppet comprising a cylindrical center body with enlarged-in-cross section disks at the opposite ends thereof is disposed inside the poppet cage and has free axial movement therein.

Abstract: A field completion tool including a open frame formed on the top end with a yoke including a centrally located threaded drive bore receiving a threaded drive shaft having a spigot thrust fitting on the bottom end thereof. The frame includes on the bottom end an oversized hex nut which forms a clearance bore that may optionally be threaded but which is of sufficient size to telescope over a plastic pipe projecting upwardly from the top end of a meter riser which is telescoped over the length of a plastic pipe projecting from an underground gas utility distribution system. The frame includes a handle for grasping with one hand and may be used to rotate the frame to thread the hex nut to couple the frame to the top end of the meter riser. The frame has a clamping means which blocks relative movement of the upwardly projecting plastic pipe relative to the frame.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for attaining fusion temperature at substantially the same time throughout an interface between thermoplastic articles by the controlled application of heat. The method includes providing a sensed temperature signal corresponding with the temperature at the interface, generating a desired temperature signal (such as an analog ramp signal which increases linearly with time) corresponding with a predetermined heat application rate which causes the temperature at substantially all portions of the interface to rise substantially uniformly, providing a heat control signal corresponding with any difference between said signals, and applying heat to the interface at a rate determined by the heat control signal to achieve fusion temperature throughout the interface at the same time.

Abstract: A fusion weld method and assembly for forming a fusion welded joint between abutting pipe sections having the same exterior diameter and having a predetermined melting temperature. The assembly includes an extruded welding collar having an interior surface fabricated to closely receive the inserted pipe sections. A welding sleeve comprising a pair of spaced apart sections is received within collar recesses dimensioned to place the sleeve in flush relationship with the collar interior and immediately adjacent the pipe sections. The welding sleeve sections are located on opposite sides of the pipe ends to isolate the pipe ends from their heating effect, and the connecting lead between the sections is recessed for the same reason. The close fit of the collar and sleeve sections with the pipe sections enables development of internal bonding pressures sufficient to constrain the wire turns of the sleeve sections against thermal drift, and to produce a fusion bond of adequate depth and continuity.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming a fusion welded butt joint between thermoplastic pipe sections. Thermoplastic tubular insert sleeves having end flanges are inserted into the ends of the pipe sections with the flanges located in abutting relation. A coupling collar mounting a heating device is slid along one of the pipe sections into overlying relation with the butt joint formed by the engaged flanges. The heating device is energized to fusion weld the coupling sleeve to the pipe sections and to the flanges. The insert sleeves internally support the butt joint area of the pipe sections against thermal sagging during the fusion welding, and the flanges in their molten state tend to flow and compensate for dimensional discrepancies in the pipe sections.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for thermal fusion of thermoplastic pipes. Heat is applied to a joint interface between thermoplastic pipes and a thermoplastic coupling at a slow rate to raise the temperature of the interface to a predetermined preheat temperature, and then at a rapid rate to quickly raise the temperature to the fusion point, resulting in proper localized fusion heating at the joint interface.

Abstract: A fitting formed with a circular flange formed coaxially with a spigot which is formed along its length with a series of frusto-conically shaped, axially spaced apart, sealing rings which are formed at their enlarged ends with respective annular holding rings. A metallic stiffener tube is received telescopically in the fitting to provide support against radial inward collapse thereof. The spigot may be formed adjacent the flange with an enlarged in diameter centering shoulder and may be formed at its extremity remote from the flange with a reduced in diameter stress relief nipple. A finishing sleeve is provided for telescopical receipt over a polyethelene pipe fitted over the spigot. Thus the spigot may be inserted into the end of the plastic pipe to expand such pipe to an expanded configuration.