Abstract: A connector (30) for pipelines and risers has a body (34) with a packing and sealing (36) is connected thereto. A plurality of elastomeric packing seals (38) are provided between the body (34) and a pipe or riser. A packing and sealing reaction ring (42) is provided at an end of the body (34) opposite the packing/seal flange (36) and abuts the last of the plurality of elastomeric packing seals (38). An outer fastener bolt circle (44) is formed through the packing and sealing flange (36), and fasteners of the outer fastener bolt circle (44) extend through the packing/seal flange (36) into the body (34) of the connector (30). An inner fastener bolt circle (46) is formed through the packing and sealing flange (36), and fasteners of the inner fastener bolt circle extend through passageways of the elastomeric packing seals (38) to be received by the packing/seal reaction ring (42).

Abstract: A tensile load is applied to a sensor element that will carry the tensile load in the absence of a substance and will fail to carry the tensile load in the presence of the substance. The sensor element is disposed in a flow of fluid, and a flow control member is actuated to shut off the flow of fluid when the sensor element fails to carry the tensile load. In a preferred implementation, a hydrocarbon sensing valve includes a polystyrene sensor element suspending the flow control member above a valve seat. The sensor element is disposed in a cavity in the top of the flow control member, and a channel member directs fluid from the inlet port to the cavity. The sensor element is pinned to the channel member, and the flow control member is pinned to the sensor element.

Abstract: A tensile load is applied to a sensor element that will carry the tensile load in the absence of a substance and will fail to carry the tensile load in the presence of the substance. The sensor element is disposed in a flow of fluid, and a flow control member is actuated to shut off the flow of fluid when the sensor element fails to carry the tensile load. In a preferred implementation, a hydrocarbon sensing valve includes a polystyrene sensor element suspending the flow control member above a valve seat. The sensor element is disposed in a cavity in the top of the flow control member, and a channel member directs fluid from the inlet port to the cavity. The sensor element is pinned to the channel member, and the flow control member is pinned to the sensor element.