Abstract: A method and apparatus for winding an elongate member, such as a strip or wire, under tension around a body comprising a frame maintained at a preset distance from the body and movable around the body by means including a belt held against rotation relative to the body and two belt engaging members each selectively adapted to be clamped against and released from the belt. One of the belt engaging members is fixed relative to the frame and the other of the members is movable relative to the frame in a first direction when the one member is engaged with the belt and in the opposite direction when the other member is engaged with the belt to move the frame relative to the body. The frame carries a guide for guiding the elongate member onto the body and a mechanism for tensioning the strip as it is wound on the body.

Abstract: A tubular obturator for use with a hollow body e.g. a pipeline or cylindrical container, terminating in a cylindrical opening for closing the opening when it is desired to subject the body to a pressure test, comprises a cover, the diameter of which is slightly smaller than that of the opening of the body to be tested, and a cylindrical skirt extending from the cover and comprising a plurality of strips.

Abstract: A conduit for conveyance of hot fluids includes an inner tube, through which the fluid passes, made of a material having a low coefficient of thermal expansion, preferably less than 5 .times. 10.sup.-6 per .degree. C and advantageously INVAR .RTM. with a coefficient of 2.3 .times. 10.sup.-6 /.degree. C. The inner tube is anchored at its ends and has no expansion-compensating means in its length is surrounded by a binding wrapping of a material having a coefficient of thermal expansion greater than that of the inner tube, prestressed at the temperature of application to compensate for the relaxation of stress in the wrapping due to the different expansions of inner tube and wrapping, and so as to compensate at least in part for changes in stress on the inner tube resulting from the absence of expansion-compensating means. A longitudinal tensile pre-stress may also be applied. The assembly also includes thermal insulation, disposed either outside the wrapping or between the wrapping and the inner tube.

Abstract: Apparatus for winding at least one strip of an elongate product, such as a wire or ribbon, on to a cylindrical body from a spool of the product comprising means for producing relative rotation of the spool around the cylindrical body, a main drive unit for driving the rotation producing apparatus and connected to the axle of the spool through a differential driven by a secondary drive unit for braking the spool to tension said product. The secondary drive unit may be controlled by the output of a tension sensing mechanism sensing the tension of the product.