Abstract: An expansion joint for ducts for high temperature gases has upstream and downstream members to be secured to spaced apart ends of corresponding duct sections. Each member has an outer flange, the outer flanges disposed towards each other and having a fabric cover secured thereto. The upstream member has an inner flange disposed towards the downstream member. A floating seal has right angular portions of which one overlaps the outer surface of the inner flange and the other overlaps the downstream member. Clips back each portion of the floating seal to hold them to provide a maximum clearance between the boundaries thereof. Resilient seals carried by the floating seal slidably engage the overlapped boundaries of the clearance.

Abstract: A wall-like component which is supported at opposite ends and exposed to thermal stresses has an elongated bilateral enlargement extending substantially parallel to a plane in which the component lies. The enlargement is oriented substantially perpendicularly to an imaginary distance line between the opposite ends. An elongated cavity extends within and codirectionally with the enlargement. The cavity is offset with respect to the enlargement in the direction of one of the ends of the component. The cavity further has a dimension--measured in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the component--which is greater than the thickness of a component portion adjoining the enlargement. As a result, upon breakage of parts of the enlargement under the effect of forces derived from heat-caused expansion of the material of the component, there is obtained a free edge of the component portion and a trough-like part formed together by remaining parts of the enlargement and the cavity for receiving the free edge.

Abstract: A heat-expandable tube-like component includes a tubular wall having a length dimension and defining an inner space; and a septum attached to the tubular wall and dividing the inner space into separate, longitudinally extending passages. The septum has a weakened portion which includes first and second groove-like recesses in opposite faces of the septum. The first recess extends substantially parallel to the length dimension (axial dimension) of the tubular wall. The second groove-like recess extends slightly offset from and parallel to the first groove-like recess. Further, portions of the septum flanked by the first and second recesses are sufficiently weak to break under the effect of forces derived from heat-caused expansion of the component. Also, the recesses are so arranged with respect to one another that upon breakage of the septum portions flanked by the recesses the septum halves obtained by the breakage are adapted to glide past one another.

Abstract: An improved coupling is utilized to interconnect conduits which conduct a flammable fluid, such as LP gas. The coupling includes a plug assembly which is telescopically received in a socket assembly. The socket assembly has retaining elements or balls which engage an annular collar which extends around a body of the plug assembly. In the event of a fire or other condition causing heating of the coupling to a temperature above a predetermined temperature, the plug body is released from the collar and is ejected from the socket assembly to disconnect the coupling. Simultaneously with ejection of the plug body from the socket assembly, a valve in the socket assembly is closed to block a flow of flammable gas through the socket assembly. A single spring is utilized to perform the dual functions of ejecting the plug body from the socket assembly and closing the socket valve.

Abstract: The annular space between inner and outer coaxially-mounted pipes is sealed by a bellows diaphragm with a cylindrical surface corrugated in the longitudinal direction formed in and at one end of said annular space, wherein one end of said bellows is circumferentially attached to a circumferential portion of the outer surface of the inner pipe and the other end of said bellows is circumferentially attached to a circumferential portion of the inner surface of said outer pipe. The other end of said annular space is sealed by a ring attached to a circumferential portion of the outer surface of the inner pipe and to a circumferential portion of the inner surface of the outer pipe. In one version of the invention this ring includes a pressure release valve to allow any high pressure fluids in the annular space to escape.

Abstract: A stationary sealing ring adapted to seal a grooved carrier and a circular housing is disclosed. The sealing ring includes a plurality of stacked, annular parted ring segments dimensioned to slip within the carrier groove and an expander which exerts a radial force on an inner face of each of the segments. The expander is configured to be spaced from the bottom of the groove under operating conditions.

Abstract: A junction for tubular elements comprising tapered and coacting male and female elements. The male element expands more than the female element which expands under conditions of use involving exposure to steam and heat to form a steam-tight joint.

Abstract: The thermal expansion joint for relieving stresses in a pipe line due to thermal expansion consists of a pair of pipe sections wherein each section has one-half of its wall made of a metal having a higher thermal coefficient of expansion than the thermal coefficient of expansion of another metal forming the other half of the pipe section. The two metals are suitably welded along two axially aligned seams disposed on opposite sides of an axis. The section has suitably designed end flanges which can be coupled to each other and also to a flange on, for example, a standard pipe elbow. When the section is coupled to the standard elbow, the metal with the higher thermal coefficient of expansion is disposed on the opposite side from which the free end of the elbow points. Now, the free end of each elbow is coupled within the pipe line so that the fluid path is a modified "Z". To save space, the pair of sections can be formed into a helix.

Abstract: Insulated jacketed conduit units sealed in end to end relation by expansion couplings are insulated, sealed and spaced at the coupling zones with protective combined spacer and sleeve rings or washers which surround the coupled ends of the conduits, are bottomed on and squeezed between the insulation of adjacent units to position the conduit ends for expansion and contraction without breaking the seal therebetween and seat on adjacent ends of the jackets to protect the insulation. The combined spacer and sleeve rings or washers can be molded to have a relatively soft compressible inner washer portion and a tough stiffer sleeve portion with resilient sealing lips in the open ends thereof for sealingly engaging the jackets.

Abstract: A hydrocyclone assembly suitable for use with high temperature feeds (e.g., hot petroleum liquids). The hydrocyclone body is made of ceramic material with one end being flanged and cooperating with an inlet head. These parts are clamped against a mounting plate by means including one or more spring members of the distorted washer type (e.g., Belleville washer). The mounting minimizes breakage of the hydrocyclone body when used with high temperature fluid feed. Some embodiments employ a plurality of hydrocyclones disposed within a common pressure vessel.

Abstract: An adapter for detachably interconnecting an exhaust stack with an exhaust actuated device comprises a hollow, frustoconically shaped body having first and second ends, and an inclined sidewall extending therebetween. The body first end is open for receiving exhaust gases from the stack therethrough, and the body second end communicates with the first end and is operably connected with the exhaust actuated device. The sidewall of the body includes advancing spiral threads on the exterior surface thereof which are shaped for engaging an interior, free edge of the stack, rotatably locking the adapter therein, thermally expanding and forming a secure and substantially airtight seal therebetween.

Abstract: A solar energy collector comprises a metal tube through which solar-heated fluids may pass. The metal tube is maintained in a high vacuum environment, in the order of 10.sup.-6 torr, by a coaxial transparent glass tube and a pair of metal bellows sealing the ends of the glass tube to the metal tube in flexible seals designed to accommodate relative radial and linear expansion of the glass. The metal tube may be coated with a suitable absorption layer and the assembly of the metal and glass tubes may form a part of a solar system, such, for example, as a nonimaging concentrator in which the tubes are positioned longitudinally of and within an elongated parabolic reflector.

Abstract: A pipe coupling device to relieve stresses within coupled pipe derived as a result of generally transverse motion of the coupled pipes relative to one another. The device sealably couples piping while compensating for generally transverse motion of piping relative to each other without adversely affecting the integrity of the seal.

Abstract: A sill cock assembly is disclosed comprising a fluid outlet for location on the exterior of a wall, a fluid flow inlet adapted for location adjacent the interior of the wall, a conduit connecting the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet, a selectively operable valve located adjacent the fluid flow inlet for alternatively opening and closing the fluid flow inlet, and a pressure release means located adjacent the valve to allow fluid communication in an inwardly direction from the conduit through the valve to the fluid inlet when the fluid pressure within the conduit due to freezing is greater than the fluid pressure of the inlet. A portion of the wall of the conduit is corrugated adjacent the valve to allow expansion of the conduit during freezing.

Abstract: Joints for limiting the stresses on non-ductile components and structures, and methods for fabricating such joints.

Abstract: Filter elements and filter assemblies are provided for use at any operating temperatures, having the filter elements disposed in sealing relationship in a leak-tight seal formed at such operating temperature by thermal expansion of at least two sealing components. Thus, at a lower or higher temperature, such as normal atmospheric temperature, the sealing components are contracted, and release the filter elements from sealing engagement, for removal and replacement, while at the selected operating temperature such sealing components are expanded, to form a thermal leak-tight seal therebetween.

Abstract: A length of fiberglass duct with a thermoplastic sleeve positioned within the duct as a liner, with the sleeve fixed to the duct at the downstream end of the sleeve. Flames or high temperature fluids moving through the duct soften the thermoplastic sleeve and causes the sleeve to collapse blocking further movement through the duct. In an alternative embodiment, the sleeve is used as a splice between two pieces of duct with the heat in the duct causing the softening and collapse of the sleeve.

Abstract: A fluid conducting swivel joint is disclosed which has a sealing system effective against the leakage of fluids of extreme temperature. The joint consists of two housings mounted for relative rotation about an axis, the housings having a fluid passage therethrough. A first annular sealing chamber, having a seal therein, surrounds the passage, and is located adjacent the passage at the interface between the housings. Each housing has a radial flange at said interface, said flanges spaced apart to define an annular tempering chamber therebetween. A second annular sealing chamber, having a seal therein, is positioned between the flanges outboard of the tempering chamber. A temperature controlling chamber is mounted on one or both of said flanges. One of the housings may have an annular insulating chamber, and insulating members may be used to additionally insulate the second sealing chamber.

Abstract: A separation column comprising a column tube and terminal flanges, wherein the terminal flanges are attached to the column tube by means of a two-layer material which encloses a portion of the column tube and a portion of one of said terminal flanges, said two-layer material comprising a fusible plastic layer in contact with the column tube and said terminal flange and an outer hose of shrinking plastic, having been subjected to a heat treatment causing the fusible plastic layer to fuse and the shrinking plastic hose to shrink.

Abstract: An improved combination glass door closure and ducted (e.g., tubular) heat exchanging grate for fireplaces. The combination grate includes a ducted heat exchanger suitable for positioning within a fireplace cavity. The heat exchanger comprises a plurality of hollow, generally parallel, C-shaped heat exchanger members which are carried by a glass door fireplace closure. One end of each of the heat exchanger members is attached to the fireplace closure by means of a sliding or floating seal and means are provided for preferentially directing the flow of air to the centermost heat exchanger members.

Abstract: A sealing joint in the form of a coupling utilized to connect two gas conveying lines and in which the lines on either side of the joint have different co-efficients of expansion and in which the coupling permits lateral movement between said two lines while retaining a sealed joint for said gas lines.

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: An equalizing arrangement for a low temperature line having at least one rigid inner tube used for the conduction of a cryogenic medium which contains at least one tubular compensating element for the equalization of length changes in which an expansion device is associated with the compensating element permitting the length of the compensating element to be preset as a function of the inner tube temperature to prevent forces from acting upon the terminations connected to the low temperature line during a cooling process.

Abstract: A support which can be assembled and disassembled at room temperature and events translational and rotational motion at temperatures below room temperature. A truncated cone is located between an outer support housing and an inner housing which is to be supported. The narrow end of the cone is sized to fit over the inner housing and the wide end of the cone is sized to fit within the outer support housing. The cone is comprised of a material which has a higher thermal expansion coefficient than the inner housing.

Abstract: An exhaust pipe of a front engine mounted transversely to roll about an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle is joined to a tailpipe by an improved high temperature resistant flexible coupling including a spherically surfaced ring seal supported between a tubular end segment of a first pipe and a free end spherical surface on a second pipe; the second pipe having a flange connected thereto and a pair of bolts are resiliently coupled to the flange fixed on the first pipe to bias the spherical lip against a high temperature lubricant surface on the seal to define a joint with minimal resistance to roll motion so that it readily accommodates substantial angular offset between the first and second pipe segments during high temperature exhaust conditions while maintaining a positively sealed surface at the joint.

Abstract: A conduit system composed of insulated jacketed conduit units each having an exposed male conduit end and an opposite integral female conduit end with an internal seal ring carrying groove slidably and sealingly receiving the male end of an adjacent unit thereby forming an expansion coupling between the units. A flexible insulation ring surrounds the coupled ends of the adjacent units and a sleeve surrounds the ring and the adjacent ends of the jackets of the units and is sealed to the jackets. The conduit cores of the units are thus surrounded with insulation and jackets or sleeves and are free to expand and contract withot opening up leakage paths or buckling the installed conduit system regardless of temperature variations normally encountered by the system.

Abstract: A coupling for sealingly joining together two sections of gas-containing pipe. The coupling comprises an annular housing having two end sections with an inside diameter substantially the same as the pipe outside diameter, and an intermediate section with an inside diameter greater than the pipe outside diameter and forming an annular space therebetween. The two end sections are capable of being welded to the pipe, and into the annular intermediate space is inserted an annular elongated C-shaped sleeve. Also included are pressurization means for compressing the sleeve against the pipe sections to seal the joint therebetween.

Abstract: A joint assembly for a nonambient temperature pipeline which in a preferred embodiment is designed for low temperature service, comprising a slip-lock joint including inner and outer spool members connected with upstream and downstream pipeline segments, respectively, and contacting primary seals with sloping surfaces arranged so that as the pipeline temperature is lowered from ambient, the line contracts thereby causing the spools to move relative to each other and progressively increasing the tightness of the primary seal. During movement, a spring-loaded shear key locks in place in a shear key receiving slot, which is maintained after the initial cooldown of the pipeline. This maintains the tightness of the joint and accommodates any further contraction movements in the pipeline.

Abstract: A pipeline coupling adapted for mounting over a pipe to which connection is to be made. It includes an annular seal ring of elastomeric material supported by the coupling and adapted for deformation to a confined sealing position between the coupling and the pipe. Means such as a plurality of circumferentially spaced about and hydraulically actuatable pistons are arranged for applying a compressive force to the seal ring to thereby deform the seal ring to the confined sealing position. Means are provided which are operably associated with the seal ring for automatically accommodating increases and decreases in the volume of the confined seal ring to thereby reduce variations in the confined pressure of the seal ring caused by variations in temperature. One form of such automatic means includes springs arranged to apply substantially uniform counter forces to the aforesaid pistons.

Abstract: The pressure in a high-pressure steam boiler or other pressure fluid tank is occasionally relieved by means of a discharge device having a pressure-relief valve mounted on an ejection conduit opening into a hood connected to a discharge conduit. A break in continuity is provided between this ejection conduit and this hood in order to allow relative movements thereof under thermal expansion; furthermore the ejection conduit opens into the hood through a generally transversely directed nozzle system so that the jet issuing therefrom has a zero or negligible axial velocity component.

Abstract: A flexible linearly expansible expansion joint including a flexible sleeve utilized in the connection of one tubular member to a second tubular member. The flexible sleeve encircles the one tubular member and is attached at one end thereto, the opposed end including an elongated cylindrical portion having a diameter less than the diameter of the second tubular member wherein the elongated cylindrical portion extends into the second tubular member and an O-ring is disposed around the outer surface of the cylindrical portion and fits within an annular area defined by the outer surface of the flexible sleeve and the inner surface of the second tubular member to provide a fluid tight seal between the first and second tubular members.

Abstract: A slip joint interconnects the exhaust gas duct of a gas turbine engine to the hot gas inlet duct of an associated heat exchanger by a flange clamping arrangement. The joint allows translational motion of the heat exchanger in the fore and aft axis relative the engine resulting from thermal expansion in the heat exchanger. In addition, a limited amount of misalignment between the engine exhaust gas duct and the heat exchanger hot gas inlet duct is permitted. The easily assembled simple flange clamping arrangement allows a low clamping pressure and thus a low resistance to slip between the two elements.

Abstract: Penetrations or passageways through fire rated or fire resistant walls, floors, partitions, and ceilings are frequently necessary to provide for present or future pipes, cables or conduits. A fitting placed in the penetration provides a seal to prevent the passing of fire, products of combustion, gas vapor or liquid through the penetration under normal conditions and under adverse conditions of fire or elevated temperatures. The fitting includes an elastomeric-like material, under pressure, which provides the initial barrier. An intumescent material, which responds to heat is provided to expand and fill any void created by the degeneration of the elastomeric material in response to the heat or fire. The fitting may include an outer exposed layer of intumescent material to serve as an insulator.

Abstract: Joints for high temperature and high pressure conduits are disclosed wherein two conduit members are joined in such a manner that permits axial and radial movement due to temperature variations therein while at the same time provides sealing of the joints by means of segmented sealing rings disposed in grooves and extending into a space defined by a sleeve-like extension on one conduit member and a bushing like extension on a second conduit member.

Abstract: A packing for a wellhead assembly to seal between a casing and a bore within the wellhead as the casing moves longitudinally in the wellhead in response to thermal conditions. The packing is mounted on the exterior free upper end portion of the casing inside the wellhead bore.

Abstract: A geothermal energy transfer and utilization system makes use of thermal energy stored in hot solute-bearing well water to generate super-heated steam from an injected flow of clean water. The super-heated steam is then used for operating a turbine-driven pump at the well bottom for pumping the hot solute-bearing water at high pressure and in liquid state to the earth's surface, where it is used by transfer of its heat to a closed-loop steam generator-turbine-alternator combination for the beneficial generation of electrical or other power. Residual concentrated solute-bearing water is pumped back into the earth. The clean cooled water regenerated at the surface-located system is returned to the deep well pumping system also for lubrication of a fluid bearing arrangement supporting the turbine-driven pump system. The deep well pump system is supported within the well casing pipe from the earth's surface by the turbine exhaust steam conduit.

Abstract: A product is continuously processed by passing it upwardly through a vertical heat exchange cylinder while continuously scraping the inner surface of the cylinder free of any product which may adhere thereto. This cylinder is surrounded by upper and lower outer cylinders to form upper and lower annular spaces through which respective heat exchange media are circulated, whereby the product can first be heated and then promptly cooled while passing through the heat exchange cylinder. To allow for different rates of expansion and contraction of the cylinders, a double expansion joint is provided between the two outer cylinders; and a temperature sensing device protrudes through this joint and into the heat exchange cylinder to measure the temperature of the product as it passes from the heating section to the cooling section of the heat exchange cylinder.

Abstract: The tank wall is provided with a cylindrical collar in which a perforated tube base is mounted; the base having a set of tubes passing through in gas-tight relation. A thin sheet metal membrane is secured peripherally on the tube base to form an enclosed gas-tight chamber through which the tubes pass. The membrane is also perforated to permit passage of the tubes in a gas-tight relationship. The enclosed chamber permits monitoring of the imperviousness of the connections between the tubes and the tube base.