Elbow Patents (Class 285/179)
  • Patent number: 6601878
    Abstract: A connector assembly 8 may include a connector 10 having flow channel 11 defined therein. One end of the flow channel may engagingly receive a tubular conduit 1. A checker 30 may be coupled to the connector 10. The connection checker 30 may engagingly receive a bent portion 1b of the tubular conduit 1 and ensure a proper connecting condition between the connector 10 and the tubular conduit 1. The connection checker 30 also may prevent the connector 10 from rotating relative to the tubular conduit 1. A holder 20 may detachably and pivotally couple the connection checker 30 to the connector 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Togo Seisakucho, Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Mitsubishi Jidosha Engineering Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shigeo Ooi, Yukihiro Hattori, Hiroshi Ooizumi, Kazunori Iida
  • Patent number: 6595554
    Abstract: A pipe elbow is provided having two parts, each part having an arcuate segment and a linking member for connecting to a run of standard pipe. The arcuate segment of the first part fits into the arcuate segment of the second part. By severing a portion of the arcuate segment of the first part at an angle needed for a specific run of pipe and inserting it into the arcuate segment of the second part, the assembled elbow will conform to the required angle. In addition, the arcuate segment of the first part has an inner aspect which is provided with an extended curved region which extends to the collar. The second part is provided with a lip which fits conformingly with the extended curved region of the first part in order to meet industry standards for minimum overlap of mating parts, even at very obtuse angles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Inventor: Dennis S. Byrnes
  • Publication number: 20030116963
    Abstract: A connector for a respiratory assembly is provided. The connector includes a body that has a first end and a second end. The body has a passage disposed therethrough from the first end to the second end to allow for transport of fluids and objects through the body. The passage changes direction approximately 120° between the first end and the second end. The first end includes a coupling that is configured to rotatably engage a first member of the respiratory assembly. The second end includes a coupling that is configured to rotatably engage a second member of the respiratory assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: L. John Teuscher, D. Theron Van Hooser, Edward B. Madsen, Chet M. Crump
  • Publication number: 20030067165
    Abstract: A ring member and ring members made of metal are tightened and installed to the outer circumferential surface of a body made of a resin material. Accordingly, the body is prevented from outward deformation. When a tube joint is used in a high temperature atmosphere, even if any force acts on a fluid tube in the direction to cause detachment from the tube joint due to any external force or the pressure fluid flowing through the inside of the tube joint, then the fluid tube and a connecting member inserted into the body are reliably prevented from disengagement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Publication date: April 10, 2003
    Applicant: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masaaki Muto
  • Publication number: 20030067162
    Abstract: A connector includes a hollow member having an open first end and an open second end joined by a bore extending through the body having a first bore section and a second bore section that is stepwise reduced from the first bore section creating an annular shoulder therebetween. The first bore section tapers inwardly from the shoulder toward a third bore section, a sealing member receiver integrally formed into the connector and located within the second bore section near the third bore section. A sealing member seated within the sealing member receiver and at least partially protrudes inwardly into the second bore section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2001
    Publication date: April 10, 2003
    Inventors: Thomas L. Welsh, Glenn E. Burket, Joseph F. Dick
  • Patent number: 6539715
    Abstract: A 90° swivel connector capable of rotating 360° has threads on one end that screw into a threaded hole in a boss on a compressor portion of a turbocharger and has barbs on the other end of the swivel connector for receiving and retaining a hose. The 360° rotation enables alignment of the swivel connector with the hose to prevent kinking of the hose when the relative angular position of the connector and hose is varied to facilitate diverse engine usage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Mahmood Julazadeh, James C. Smith
  • Patent number: 6505861
    Abstract: The invention relates to a swivel adapter-coupler that is to be positioned between a conventional fixed drop elbow on the end of a hose of a tanker truck for an underground storage tank. The other end of the swivel adapter-coupler attaches to the pipe adapter (either the fill pipe or the vapor pipe) of the underground storage tank, in the conventional quick-connect type connection. The swivel adapter-coupler permits loops and kinks in the hose to be removed by rotating the swivel adapter-coupler in the proper direction. Likewise, the invention relates to a rotatable drop elbow to replace the conventional fixed drop elbow at the end of a hose on a tanker truck. The rotatable drop elbow eliminates loops and kinks in the hose by merely rotating the drop elbow in the proper direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Syltone Industries, LLC.
    Inventors: Eric John Butterfield, Peter C. Goodier
  • Patent number: 6494234
    Abstract: A pipe bend for a pipeline for transporting abrasive materials, includes a pair of coupling collars having an outer ring, which has an outer circumferential anchoring groove, and an inner ring secured in the outer ring against axial displacement and made of a more wear-resistant material than the outer ring. Extending between the coupling collars is an arcuate outer pipe portion which is welded at both its ends to the outer rings of the coupling collars, and has a greater inner diameter than the outer rings. Extending at a radial distance to the outer pipe portion between the inner rings of the coupling collars is an arcuate inner pipe portion made of more wear-resistant material than the outer pipe portion and having opposite ends of an inner cross section in coaxial alignment to an inner cross section of the inner rings, for radial support upon the outer pipe portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: Esser-Werke GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Alexander Esser
  • Publication number: 20020185862
    Abstract: An electrical conduit piece of the invention has two external threaded regions, one threaded region having a left hand threaded region and one having a right hand threaded region. This conduit piece is particularly well adapted to be used in conventional conduit systems by coupling to conventional conduit pieces through a coupling of the invention having two internal threaded regions, one threaded region having left hand threads and the other threaded region having right hand threads. A groove may be formed in the internal wall of the coupling, e.g., at or near its longitudinal center to provide an open region in which ends of conduit pieces inserted into the coupling can abut. Residing in the grooved region of the coupling is a locking rind which scores the threads of the conduit pieces at 90° preventing any tangential force from outside of the system from unscrewing one of the conduit pieces from the coupling. In a preferred embodiment, the conduit piece is embodied as a curved or elbow conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2002
    Publication date: December 12, 2002
    Inventor: R. K. Louden
  • Publication number: 20020167166
    Abstract: An improved fitting having an improved flexible tubing tip to connect to flexible tubing, e.g., FUNNY PIPE brand polyethylene pipe, used for sprinkling systems and other fluid delivery systems. According to one aspect of the present invention, one or more annular barbs are positioned at or toward the back of the portion of the fitting inserted into the flexible tubing, with a threaded or spiral or helix portion being positioned at the front of the portion of the fitting inserted into the flexible tubing. According to another aspect of the present invention, the threaded or spiral or helix portion of the fitting is slightly tapered to facilitate insertion into the flexible tubing. According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a double helix spiral thread is used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2002
    Publication date: November 14, 2002
    Inventors: Donald J. Klein, Dennis R. Sweat
  • Publication number: 20020163183
    Abstract: A connector assembly 8 may include a connector 10 having flow channel 11 defined therein. One end of the flow channel may engagingly receive a tubular conduit 1. A checker 30 may be coupled to the connector 10. The connection checker 30 may engagingly receive a bent portion 1b of the tubular conduit 1 and ensure a proper connecting condition between the connector 10 and the tubular conduit 1. The connection checker 30 also may prevent the connector 10 from rotating relative to the tubular conduit 1. A holder 20 may detachably and pivotally couple the connection checker 30 to the connector 10.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2002
    Publication date: November 7, 2002
    Inventors: Shigeo Ooi, Yukihiro Hattori, Hiroshi Ooizumi, Kazunori Iida
  • Patent number: 6474697
    Abstract: An exhaust elbow (1) is provided with a single exhaust outlet (2) with an outlet mounting flange (3) and at least two exhaust inlets (4, 5, 6) with an inlet mounting flange (7) for fastening on the engine block of a motor vehicle. The exhaust guiding of the exhaust elbow (1) between the inlet mounting flange (7) and the outlet mounting flange (3) is formed by a single-walled sheet metal hood (8) forming a collection line. The sheet metal hood (8) surrounds all exhaust inlets (4, 5, 6) together, without individual pipes being formed. Such a simple sheet metal elbow can be manufactured at a low cost and with low weight and nevertheless has sufficient ability to function, is dimensionally stable and can be used in a versatile manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: J. Eberspächer GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Thomas Nording, Thomas Hauber, Tassilo Adam, Uwe Gräss
  • Patent number: 6471251
    Abstract: A spirally corrugated pipe elbow according to the present invention is constructed in such a manner that after a bend forming portion of a pipe body P having a given length and including a spirally corrugated pipe wall 1, with a partial portion a of the pipe wall 1 existing in the peripheral direction of the pipe body P left uncut, is cut and removed from the pipe body P in the form of a cut portion having a substantially V-like shape when it is viewed from the side surface side thereof, the thus obtained two cut surfaces are then bent and contacted with each other with the uncut pipe wall portion a set on the large diameter side, and the thus contacted portions t are connected together in a watertight manner using connecting material m. Accordingly, it is possible to provide an elbow having a structure free from the above water leakage and a method capable of manufacturing such elbow easily and quickly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Totaku Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Tatsushi Yoshida, Kimihiro Egoshi
  • Publication number: 20020125718
    Abstract: An elbow fitting having a threaded connection arm extending from a main body portion along an extension of the longitudinal axis thereof, and a tubing arm extending at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the main body portion. The elbow fitting includes a drive member which allows the connection arm of the elbow to be rotatably threaded into a mating device with a driving tool, such as a wrench, without interference from the tubing arm during rotation of the elbow. The drive member is a prism having a polygonal cross-sectional, the flat surfaces of the prism providing gripping surfaces for the driving tool. The prismatic drive member extends outwardly from the closed end of the elbow, the axis of the prismatic drive member being located along an extension of the axis of the main body portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2001
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Inventor: Frank E. Romero
  • Patent number: 6443497
    Abstract: A device for tightening a spout, attached to a previously installed angled pipe having an outside radius of curvature, in a position relative to a stop member having an opening through which at least a length of the pipe extends, comprising, at least one sleeve, comprises: at least a first leg and a second leg which meet at a juncture which defines an angle substantially corresponding to the angled pipe, wherein the first and second legs have a combined total length, wherein the first leg has a leg length and is substantially rigid along at least a portion of the leg length, has an inside radius of curvature that is approximately equal to or greater than the radius of curvature of the angled pipe, and wherein the sleeve has a slit, along the entire total length of the first and second legs, to allow the sleeve to be pressed onto and at least partially about the angled pipe; and a method for using the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Inventor: David B. Gravison
  • Patent number: 6422608
    Abstract: An anti-abrasion pipe fitting for high speed particle-laden flow is disclosed, which includes a plurality of flow fields such as a vortex flow field formed at a flow direction changing portion during a fluid feed by expanding an outer side curved portion and inner side curved portion of the flow direction changing portion to the outside of a standard flow range in an elbow shaped curved coupling pipe formed of an upper side straight portion, a lower side straight portion perpendicular to the upper side straight portion, and a flow direction changing portion formed between the upper side straight portion and the lower side straight portion, so that it is possible to prevent an abrasion at a portion in which a flow direction is changed without forming a protection film formed of an anti-abrasive material at an inner wall of a pipe for thereby increasing the life span of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Dong Lim Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Heon Koo Lee, Jean Gean Han, Youn Je Kim, Byeong Je Na, Dong Won Kim, Dong Goo Kwon, Jerng Dong Kim
  • Patent number: 6418963
    Abstract: A pipe attachment comprises a pipe elbow that is tightly attached to a stand pipe so that the diameter of the stand pipe is greater than the diameter of the pipe elbow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Kvaerner Pulping AB
    Inventors: Rolf Ekholm, Ulf Jansson
  • Publication number: 20020089175
    Abstract: A connector for connecting a length of smooth inside walled, substantially flexible irrigation pipe to an item, such as a sprinkler, another irrigation pipe, or a garden hose, includes a connector body with fittings extending therefrom for connection to both a smooth inside walled, substantially flexible irrigation pipe and to an item to deliver or supply water. In this way an above ground irrigation system having a plurality of sprinklers connected by lengths of irrigation pipes can be constructed and easily repositioned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2001
    Publication date: July 11, 2002
    Inventor: Michael R. Ericksen
  • Publication number: 20020070548
    Abstract: An induction port assembly that conforms to United States Pharmacopia Standards is formed of stainless steel, and is made in two sections that are welded together along a junction plane at a 45° angle to the axes of the tubular sections. The stainless steel induction port assembly is reduced in weight, by using thin wall sections, and includes coupling sections at the outer ends of the tubular portions. The coupling sections can be hardened on the outer surfaces that couple to other components. The interior surface of the tubular induction port assembly is polished after welding to the desired standards.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2000
    Publication date: June 13, 2002
    Inventors: Daryl L. Roberts, Virgil A. Marple
  • Publication number: 20020053799
    Abstract: A latchable line connector having a plug-in part for connecting at least one pressure or flow line, such as a fuel line, into a plug-in opening of a connector counterpart. Mechanical stress between the plug-in part and the connector counterpart is reduced by resilient latching arms that grip around and behind the plug-in part in the plugged-in position and thereby latch it relative to the connector counterpart in a manner secure against tilting and twisting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2001
    Publication date: May 9, 2002
    Inventors: Josef Brandt, Marco Isenburg
  • Publication number: 20020017786
    Abstract: An exhaust elbow (1) is provided with a single exhaust outlet (2) with an outlet mounting flange (3) and at least two exhaust inlets (4, 5, 6) with an inlet mounting flange (7) for fastening on the engine block of a motor vehicle. The exhaust guiding of the exhaust elbow (1) between the inlet mounting flange (7) and the outlet mounting flange (3) is formed by a single-walled sheet metal hood (8) forming a collection line. The sheet metal hood (8) surrounds all exhaust inlets (4, 5, 6) together, without individual pipes being formed. Such a simple sheet metal elbow can be manufactured at a low cost and with low weight and nevertheless has sufficient ability to function, is dimensionally stable and can be used in a versatile manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2001
    Publication date: February 14, 2002
    Inventors: Thomas Nording, Thomas Hauber, Tassilo Adam, Uwe Grass
  • Patent number: 6331020
    Abstract: The invention provides a one-piece flex pipe connection that has a bend, and any angle to a termination of a thread, groove or a 360° swivel flange. Additionally the invention provides a flex pipe coupling with a bend and with one end having a groove clamp connection and the other having a thread, groove or the 360° flange swivel. The last piece is a 360° bend swivel to a thread, groove or a 360° flange swivel. A preferred flex pipe coupling apparatus has a connector body with angularly related ends and with a central portion between the ends. At least one of the ends has a cylindrical recess. A shoulder at an axial end of the recess near the central portion cooperates with an end of a flex pipe inserted in the recess. An annular seal receiver in the cylindrical recess near the shoulder holds a resilient seal for sealing the end of the flex pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Assignee: Pacific Flo-Rite, Inc.
    Inventor: Alfred J. Brunella
  • Patent number: 6329493
    Abstract: Plumbing articles made from a thermoplastic resin comprising a poly(biphenyl ether sulfone) and a poly(aryl ether sulfone) comprising bisphenol A residues.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: BP Corporation North America Inc.
    Inventors: Mohammad J. El-Hibri, Barry L. Dickinson
  • Patent number: 6290266
    Abstract: A suction elbow is divided in a plurality of sub-channels similar to each other by one or more guide vanes made of a curved plate and flat plates connected to the curved plate based on the following formulas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Inventor: Michihiko Kawano
  • Patent number: 6283510
    Abstract: An angle-shaped line entrance (1) has two branches (3) and (4) set at angles to each other and functions for the attachment to a wall (2) or a housing in the area of a corresponding hole-shaped opening. In this way, oblong structures, for example, hoses (5) or cables or the like, can be guided and affixed on or through the wall (2), such that the corresponding oblong structures enter into the first branch (4), while the second branch (3) itself is connected to the housing or its wall (2). In the angular area, the two branches (3) and (4) can be swung relative to each other, so that they can also take on an aligned position. Locking in the angular usage position is done by coupling via a movement for the attachment of the oblong structure at least in the first branch (4), in such a way that both movements can be performed with the same activation component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Anton Hummel Verwaltungs GmbH
    Inventors: Mario Bartholomä, Fritz Zügel, Volker Götz, Jürgen Adolf
  • Patent number: 6279964
    Abstract: A removable connector for use between angled, immovable high pressure lines is disclosed. One embodiment of the connector utilizes a tubular elbow portion having a mating flange on each end and an adapter which mates with one of the elbow flanges. The remaining elbow flange mates with a flange at the end of one of the high pressure lines and the free end of the adapter mates with a flange at the end of the other high pressure line. The mating flange surfaces are frusto-conical in shape and corresponding frusto-conical seal rings are placed between the mating surfaces. The elbow and adapter are adapted to have their respective ends placed at the pipe flanges and their bodies rotated toward each other until their opposite ends mate with each other. The flanges are then bolted together and tightened to ensure sealing engagement and bring the elbow and adapter into alignment with the pipes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Specialty Piping Components, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth A. Watts
  • Patent number: 6270125
    Abstract: An assembly (110) for joining at least two tubes (12, 14) is provided by a connector (112), a plurality of linear inserts (20) and a plurality of ring members (30). Each of the tubes (12, 14) has a tube end (16) and an internal conduit (18). The connector (112) has a central portion (115) with an internal conduit (118) having a permanently formed feature (119) therein, and a plurality of arms (117). Each arm (117) extends from the central portion (115) and terminates in an arm end (116), such that there is one arm (117) and one arm end (116) paired with each tube end (16). The internal conduit (118) of the connector (112) extends through the arms (117) to the respective arm ends (116). There is one linear insert (20) for each arm end/tube end pair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: Mercury Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: William W. Rowley, Richard T. Seman
  • Publication number: 20010004153
    Abstract: A pipe elbow is provided having two parts, each part having an arcuate segment and a linking member for connecting to a run of standard pipe. The arcuate segment of the first part fits into the arcuate segment of the second part. By severing a portion of the arcuate segment of the first part at an angle needed for a specific run of pipe and inserting it into the arcuate segment of the second part, the assembled elbow will conform to the required angle. In addition, the arcuate segment of the first part has an inner aspect which is provided with an extended curved region which extends to the collar. The second part is provided with a lip which fits conformingly with the extended curved region of the first part in order to meet industry standards for minimum overlap of mating parts, even at very obtuse angles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2001
    Publication date: June 21, 2001
    Inventor: Dennis S. Byrnes
  • Patent number: 6248952
    Abstract: A protective splash shield assembly for electrical wiring has a plurality of fasteners installed in slots. The fastener has an elbow shaped conduit guide connected thereto with a distal end connected to a corrugated tubular conduit that extends along a wall of the splash shield. The fastener has a conduit connected to it that extends transverse from the splash shield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Reeves, Andreas Lindenbach
  • Patent number: 6231085
    Abstract: An improved tubing adapter or coupling apparatus, and combination of same with other fittings, is characterized by an adapter member having a first end including at least one exterior barb for engagement with tubing and a sleeve member operatively positioned around the adapter. In some systems, the tubing or hose may include a fitting at its other extremity, such as a hose end, an ell, or another coupling. The sleeve member of the coupling apparatus preferably includes one or more view ports. The ports can enable the user to visually confirm the tubing has been properly and completely assembled onto the adapter member, and, following initial assembly, to visually ascertain the position of the tubing on the adapter. The apparatus also preferably includes corresponding engagement detents on the adapter and sleeve member, for initial engagement of the retaining member with the adapter member prior to assembly with tubing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: Irrigation Development Company
    Inventor: Donald O. Olson
  • Patent number: 6231087
    Abstract: An anchor support is provided for a double-containment piping assembly having at least one outer piping component defining a first diameter, and at least one inner piping component received within the at least one outer piping component and defining a second diameter less than the first diameter and forming an approximately annular space between the inner and outer piping components. The anchor support has a cylindrical outer-component support section defining a first approximately annular support surface having a first diameter approximately equal to the first diameter of the at least one outer piping component for contacting and supporting the outer piping component. An approximately cylindrical inner-component support section of the anchor support is spaced laterally relative to, and located approximately at an opposite end of the anchor support relative to the outer-component support section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Inventor: Christopher G. Ziu
  • Patent number: 6227578
    Abstract: A corrugated resin elbow comprises a corrugate-shaped synthetic resin pipe wall which includes a plurality of valley portions, a plurality of ridge portions and side surfaces respectively interposed between the valley portions and the ridge portions. At least one of the valley portions and the side surfaces which is disposed on the bend small diameter side of the substantially middle portion of the pipe wall in the longitudinal direction thereof is contractingly heated and deformed to thereby work the corrugate-shaped pipe wall into a bent attitude having a given angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: Totaku Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Kouki Fukui, Isao Kurimoto
  • Patent number: 6209319
    Abstract: A pipe assembly includes an inner pipe and an outer laminated pipe disposed around the inner pipe for use in conveying exhaust gases from an internal combustion engine. The outer pipe is formed from two or more laminated layers to reduce noise emission. The outer pipe surrounds the inner pipe to protect the inner pipe, and muffle the inner pipe, while the inner pipe provides support for the outer pipe, either consistently contacting the outer pipe at the upstream inlet portion, or contacting the outer pipe at three areas spaced from each other on the outer pipe at the downstream outlet portion. The three contacting areas at the downstream outlet portion create an air-filled space at least partially separating the inner pipe and the outer laminated pipe. The air-filled space insulates the inner pipe so that exhaust gases moving through the inner pipe do not cool significantly as a result of heat dissipating by conduction or convection to the outer pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Fumihiko Maeda, Ryan S. Chapman
  • Patent number: 6203766
    Abstract: A catalyst dumping device (10) for unloading a catalyst (50) inside a reactor (1), in which smashed used catalyst is thrown into a dumping pipe (11) formed of a plurality of pipe member (12) provided to the reactor (1) to unload to outside of the reactor (1) by fall by dead weight. Accordingly, the catalyst can be unloaded only by throwing the catalyst into the dumping pipe (11), thereby improving work efficiency. Furthermore, no special apparatus such as a vacuum apparatus is unnecessary, thereby reducing cost for the special apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Softard Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuhiko Kawakami, Nobuyoshi Sawamura, Shinichi Nagata
  • Patent number: 6193879
    Abstract: Reject waste water adapter coupling fitting, system and installation method for use with a household undercounter reverse osmosis (R/O) water filtration installation associated with an in-counter sink having a garbage disposer with its outlet connected by standard slip fit plumbing fittings to a sink drain trap plumbed to the household sewer system. The R/O reject waste water undercounter drain line is coupled into the sink drain trap in parallel drainage relation with the disposer outlet plumbing fittings by a baffle Tee plumbing fitting having first and second inlets perpendicular to one another with their input drainage liquid flow separated by an internal baffle. The garbage disposer outlet is coupled by a standard slip fit single inlet/outlet conduit plumbing fitting to the baffle Tee first inlet. The baffle Tee has a single outlet slip coupled to the inlet of the trap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Eco-Tech, Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis E. Bowman
  • Patent number: 6179323
    Abstract: A vehicle occupant safety apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) having a side structure (16) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14). The protection device (14) has a deflated condition and has an inflated condition in which the protection device is inflated between the occupant and the vehicle side structure. The safety apparatus (10) also comprises an inflator (22) for providing inflation fluid for inflating the protection device (14), and a fill tube (20) for directing inflation fluid into the protection device. The apparatus further comprises a support (60) for supporting the inflator (22) and the fill tube (20) relative to each other. The support (60) has a fluid flow passage (210) for directing inflation fluid from the inflator (22) to the fill tube (20). In a preferred embodiment, the support (60) comprises a clamp having a first portion clamped on the inflator (22) and a second portion clamped on the fill tube (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.
    Inventor: Richard E. Shellabarger
  • Patent number: 6179342
    Abstract: A bend conduit having a low pressure loss coefficient is provided. The bend conduit includes a first end serving as an inlet of a fluid, a second end serving as an outlet of the fluid, and an intermediate section which is positioned between the first and second ends, which has inner and outer curved portions, and serves to guide the fluid to flow from the first end to the second end, is expanded in volume axially, outwardly oriented at the center of the bend conduit toward outer portion to be a ball-like shape, having a cut off corner with reference to the inlet flow at an inclined angle(&agr;) of 40 to 50 degree in inner curved portion, and cross sectional area ratio between the middle of intermediate section and first end section is larger than 1.2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Inventor: Hsin-Der Shen
  • Patent number: 6164337
    Abstract: A bubble jet fitting for use in a pool or spa provides for a lay-length short enough to allow its installation within a six-inch dam wall. The bubble jet fitting has an outlet portion which in one use provides for solvent welding therein of either one of two different standard sizes of PVC pipe. An axially extending annular recess of the fitting may receive a surfacing layer of plaster or fiberglass to form a water-tight interface with the surrounding wall of the pool or spa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Inventors: Gary K. Weise, Richard Kesl
  • Patent number: 6164706
    Abstract: A molded sweep elbow tube connector includes a molded tube connector member comprising a first linear tube end portion, a second linear tube end portion, and a curved sweep tube portion defined by a relatively large sweep radius and joining the two end portions to form an integral one-piece molded part. The tube connector member forms an interior passageway for carrying a flow of fluid, characterized by a sweep bend between the two end portions, permitting fluid laminar flow through the tube connector. The tube connector member has a thick wall thickness over at least a portion of the curved sweep tube portion and a thin wall thickness over the first linear tube end. The thin wall thickness facilitates the removal of a curved core pin from the part through a linear tube end portion after injection molding, since the plastic material will flex enough to permit the pin to be stripped without damaging the part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Inventor: Frank F. Hayes, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6164702
    Abstract: A continuous fiber reinforced thermoplastic pipe coupling is disclosed having improved resistance to applied stress when used with pipe lengths being joined together. The fiber reinforcement is aligned during placement in a particular manner and placed at a predetermined fiber angles dictated mechanical forces being applied such as by internal fluid pressures in the coupled pipe lengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: ADC acquisition Company
    Inventors: David Edgar Hauber, Robert John Langone, James Andrew Mondo
  • Patent number: 6155608
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for sampling downhole fluids comprising a tool (36) attached to a connector (34) that is locked into position within a pipe section (32) is disclosed. The pipe section (32) has a longitudinal slot (62) with first and second sides (78, 80). The pipe section (32) also includes a transverse slot (64) that extends perpendicularly from the first side (78) of the longitudinal slot (62) and a hole (66) that extends perpendicularly from the second side (80) of the longitudinal slot (62). The connector (34) is inserted into the hole (66) such that the connector (34) may be rotated between an insertion position and an operating position. The connector head (100) of the connector (34) is closely received within the longitudinal slot (62) such that when the connector (34) is in the operating position, the connector head (100) contacts the first side (78) of the longitudinal slot (62) to lock the connector (34) within the pipe section (32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Neal G. Skinner, Don L. Weeks
  • Patent number: 6125891
    Abstract: A curved pipe segment, preferably a U-bend made from a silicon carbide-containing material having a body portion with an inner and outer surface, an inner bend circumference of curvature and an outer bend circumference, and an inlet end and an outlet end, said pipe segment having an integrally molded support flange extending from the outer surface near the center of the body portion, along the outer bend circumference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: Silicon Carbide Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark L. Witmer, Martin R. Metzger
  • Patent number: 6123366
    Abstract: A pipe reinforcing device includes a tubular connecting member with a pair of internal threads at opposite ends thereof, and a pair of sleeves extending outwardly from the internal threads. The sleeves have a slightly larger inner diameter than the threads. Pipes are inserted into the sleeves, and screwed into the threads. The sleeves extend substantially beyond the external threads on the pipes and completely enclose them. When the pipes are deflected, stress on their external threads is relieved by the sleeves, so that the pipes are prevented from fracturing at the external threads. In a second embodiment, U-shaped sleeves are attached to the adjacent ends of a pair of pipes joined by a conventional connector. A connecting member is positioned against the pipes opposite the sleeves. The sleeves are secured to the connecting member by bolts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Inventors: Ioannis Kiriakopolos, Ulla B. Kiriakopolos
  • Patent number: 6092844
    Abstract: A pipe coupler for connecting pipes together is disclosed. The pipe coupler includes a cylindrical socket. A pair of insertion grooves are formed inside the socket, and each of a pair of packings is inserted into each of the insertion grooves to seal off connecting portions of two pipes. A plurality of withdrawing paths are formed inside both end portions of the socket, and a pair of binding grooves respectively communicate to the pluralities of the withdrawing paths. A plurality of protuberances are formed on each of the connecting portions of the two pipes correspondingly to the plurality of the withdrawing paths, for being inserted into the plurality of the withdrawing paths. The connecting portions of the two pipes are slightly rotated after entering into the socket so as to make the protuberances disposed within the binding grooves and between the withdrawing paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Inventor: Do Yean Lee
  • Patent number: 6086116
    Abstract: The invention relates to a pipe joint for joining pipes with a bent pipe or branch (1) comprising a body (2) having an inner diameter less than the exterior diameter of the pipe (4) to be joined, and sleeve portions (3a, 3b) having an inner diameter substantially equal to the exterior diameter of the pipe (4) to be joined. Thus a step is formed between the body (2) and the sleeve portions (3a, 3b). The sleeve portion (3a, 3b) is eccentrically disposed relative to the body (2) in such a way that at the outer edge of the pipe joint the height of the step between the body (2) and the sleeve portion (3a, 3b) is substantially equal to the wall thickness (e) of the pipe (4) to be joined, and at the inner edge of the pipe joint the height of the step is less than 0.5 times the wall thickness (e) of the pipe (4) to be joined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Uponor Innovation AB
    Inventor: Jarmo Smahl
  • Patent number: 6086114
    Abstract: An anchor support is provided for a double-containment piping assembly having at least one outer piping component defining a first diameter, and at least one inner piping component received within the at least one outer piping component and defining a second diameter less than the first diameter and forming an approximately annular space between the inner and outer piping components. The anchor support has a cylindrical outer-component support section defining a first approximately annular support surface having a first diameter approximately equal to the first diameter of the at least one outer piping component for contacting and supporting the outer piping component. An approximately cylindrical inner-component support section of the anchor support is spaced laterally relative to, and located approximately at an opposite end of the anchor support relative to the outer-component support section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Inventor: Christopher G. Ziu
  • Patent number: 6073658
    Abstract: An elbow for conveying particulate material comprising a plurality of tubular shaped sections jointed at a junction to form a flow passage having a bend for changing the direction of material being transported wherein the sections consist essentially of silicon carbide which joined at the junction by sintering to form a unitary elbow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Robert E. Bailey
  • Patent number: 6070915
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved coupling device for tube and that is configured with a tube and an insert that can be fixedly disposed within the tube. The insert includes at least an enlarged portion that has an annular groove thereof, and a receiving space. The tube is provided with a plurality of through holes at the middle portion or end portions. The insert can be disposed within the tube and the outer of the tube is machined to form an annular recess corresponding to the annular groove in a manner such that the insert is fixedly disposed within the tube. Wherein each of the two tubes is provided with an insert in the position to be connected, and the tubes is arranged side-by-side at the area to be connected. An enclosing element is deployed to the connecting area such that the tubes are fixedly connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Inventor: Chung-I Luo
  • Patent number: 6053537
    Abstract: A connector for coupling a tube to an annular boss of a vessel wall, the annular boss having a wall with an inner surface. The connector includes a coupling body having first and second end portions with a throughway extending between the first and second end portions. The first end portion is adapted to receive and retain the tube. The second end portion includes an encircling seal and a grab ring to engage and retain the second end portion in the annular boss. The coupling body includes a sleeve encircling the second end portion, and an annular gap located between the sleeve and the second end portion for insertion of the wall of the annular boss into the annular gap to engage the seal and the grab ring, so that the sleeve supports the wall of the annular boss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: John Guest Engineering Limited
    Inventor: Timothy Stephen Guest
  • Patent number: 6050613
    Abstract: An end plug for a stab-type coupler for a plastic pipe, the coupler having a first shell with a passageway therethrough. The end plug includes a hollow, cylindrical portion having a first end and a second end. An end wall is sealably attached to the cylindrical portion first end. External threads are formed on the cylindrical portion at the first end wherein the external threads engage internal threads on an end of the first shell. At least one vent hole is provided in the cylindrical portion of the end plug between the internal threads and the second end with the vent hole allowing fluid to vent when the external threads are partially unthreaded from the internal threads on the shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: Continental Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald W. Wartluft