Materials Patents (Class 285/422)
  • Patent number: 5653477
    Abstract: A high pressure access fitting for a vessel, pipe or like structure includes a body of a material which is weld compatible with the vessel so the fitting may be welded to the wall of the vessel. The fitting includes an internally threaded section made of another material which is a corrosion resistant alloy and which acts to inhibit galvanic corrosion. The threaded section is an insert made of HASTELLOY.RTM., for example, and is threaded in place within the body with fine threads and with a metallic C-ring seal protecting the axial inner ends of the threads. The outer end projects beyond the body and provides a corner for a fillet weld. In addition, the fine threads of the insert/body connection are protected by a high temperature expandable sealing compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1997
    Assignee: Rohrback Cosasco Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: David K. Waterman
  • Patent number: 5595406
    Abstract: A connector for connecting a first fluid-bearing conduit to a second fluid-bearing conduit, thereby providing a substantially leak-free fluid communication between the first and second fluid-bearing conduits. The second fluid-bearing conduit is located in a receiver and communicates with a receiving port. A frustoconical surface on the receiver defines the receiving port. The connector includes a support, a biferrule, and a biferrule compression assembly. The biferrule is provided with a forward end having a spherical head portion, an aft end having a frustoconical tapered portion, and a bore therebetween for receiving the first fluid-bearing conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1997
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Co.
    Inventor: Andrew M. E. Warchol
  • Patent number: 5564227
    Abstract: The disclosure herein describes a device for use in a sap collecting system which is formed of a body of fluid impermeable composition that has a passageway for allowing sap to circulate therethrough; the composition consists of a plastics material and of a plurality of randomly distributed non corrosive hard granules. The granules have a hardness to repress rodent animals to pierce the plastics material and are so distributed in the plastic material that at least one granule will be contacted when the body is gnawed by a rodent animal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Assignee: Les Equipements d'Erabliere CDL Inc.
    Inventor: Jean-Marie Chabot
  • Patent number: 5553895
    Abstract: A coupling assembly includes a female member having a receiving end with an axially extending passageway and inwardly facing groove extending outwardly from said passageway in a position spaced from the receiving end. A split metal locking ring is positioned in the groove. A male member is sized to be received in said receiving end and includes a rib having (i) a ramp tapering in a direction away from the forward end and away from the axis at an angle in the range of 10.degree. to 25.degree., (ii) a cylindrical surface parallel to the axis extending rearwardly from the ramp a distance of at least 0.010 and preferably 0.030 inch and (iii) a shoulder tapering away from the forward end and inwardly toward the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Assignee: Aeroquip Corporation
    Inventors: Terry L. Karl, Gregory J. Gloden, Philip C. Van Riper, John P. Zainea, John T. Myers
  • Patent number: 5553898
    Abstract: A hot-tapping sleeve is provided for tapping a main pipe and attaching a branch pipe. The tapping sleeve includes a split sleeve having first and second sleeve members which together form a circular bore for receiving a portion of the main pipe. The first and second sleeve members each form approximately one half of the circular bore. A plurality of clamping members pass through associated holes in the first and second sleeve members to clamp the first and second sleeve members together with the main pipe therebetween. A side branch is attached to the first sleeve member which has an opening in fluid communication with the circular bore. A sheet type packing member is located around the opening and is only between the first sleeve member and the main pipe. A metal spray is located on the second sleeve within the circular bore and engages the main pipe for resisting axial displacement of the main pipe to permit tapping of the main pipe while the main pipe is under fluid pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Assignee: The Pipe Line Development Company
    Inventor: Elmer V. Rogers, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5547233
    Abstract: A device and a method for making a device for rotatably connecting fluid flow lines such that fluid is flowable between the fluid flow lines. The device has a male component which has a male portion and a female component which has a female portion. The male and female components each have flow line connecting mechanisms. The male portion fits within the female portion such that the male and female components are rotatable with respect to one another. The male portion has both hardened and unhardened regions and the female portion has a hardened region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Assignee: Remanco Hydraulics, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce A. Hoegger
  • Patent number: 5547229
    Abstract: A new fluid coupling assembly includes a split male nut positioned over a coupling member or gland of a fluid system. The split male nut members are preferably formed of a precipitation hardenable material. Various interlock arrangements facilitate assembly of the split male nut halves. Moreover, providing indicia on the male nut halves assists in forming the threads and subsequent assembly. A female nut assembly includes a pair of inserts that are secured together by a collar having a shoulder defined by a counterbore. An external portion of the shoulder overlaps a counterbore formed therein to increase the strength of the female nut assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Inventor: Paul G. Eidsmore
  • Patent number: 5520492
    Abstract: A sliding part having a metallic main body which is formed with a silver plating layer over a surface thereof slidable in contact with other metallic part. The silver plating layer has a crystal structure so adapted that the intensity of diffraction X-rays diffracted by the (200) plane thereof is at least 1/3 of the intensity of diffraction X-rays diffracted by the (111) plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1996
    Assignee: Fujikin Incorporated
    Inventors: Tadahiro Ohmi, Nobukazu Ikeda, Michio Yamaji, Tsutomu Shinohara, Akihiro Morimoto
  • Patent number: 5393109
    Abstract: In a pipe connection having a cutting ring comprising a metallic compound, in particular an alloy with the constituents CrNiMo, which cutting ring surrounds the pipe wall and can be pressed into same with at least one cutting edge, the cutting ring is cut to length and shaped from an elongate portion, in particular a hollow profile member or tube, that is drawn from stainless steel and cold hardened. A cutting ring (16) according to the invention of that kind is preferably cut to length from a tube drawn from stainless steel, and then shaped and cold hardened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1995
    Assignee: H. Schwer GmbH Edelstahl-Fittings
    Inventor: Paul Gumpel
  • Patent number: 5387015
    Abstract: A one piece cast hopper tee having a vertically directed hollow pipe section with a flange at an upper end thereof for attachment to the bottom of a hopper truck. The bottom end of the vertical pipe section flares outward at the juncture with a generally horizontal pipe section creating a generally elliptical opening from the vertical pipe into the horizontal pipe. In the area of juncture between the two pipes smooth and uninterrupted internal transition surfaces are provided to permit complete and continuous flow of product from the vertical pipe to the horizontal pipe. A pair of wear saddles, one on each side of the external juncture of the flared section of vertical pipe with the horizontal pipe create wear resistant areas having approximately double the wall thickness of the pipe sections. A substantially thicker wall section is formed in the horizontal pipe opposite the elliptical opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1995
    Inventor: David E. Sisk
  • Patent number: 5387016
    Abstract: A connector for joining together a pair of fluid carrying hose members in an automotive vehicle is disclosed. The connector includes a tubular body having a first end, a second end, and a shoulder interposed therebetween, the first end including a plurality of angled barbs projecting from an outer surface thereof. The connector also includes a tubular liner press-fit into the first end of the body and a generally cylindrical, cup-shaped collar surrounding the outer surface of the first end of the body. A roll formed beadlock is formed against an interior surface of the collar to prevent axial displacement of the collar along the body of the connector. A method for making such a connector is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1995
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Thomas J. Joseph, Brett W. Kalem, David C. Letteer, Timothy J. Udell, Glen W. Ostahowski, Claudia M. Anderson
  • Patent number: 5374086
    Abstract: A seal for the articulating ball joint of a vehicle exhaust system to prevent exhaust leakage. Vehicle exhaust systems include several connected sections to direct exhaust from the engine through the catalytic converter and out the tail pipe. At least one articulating ball joint is included to compensate for vibrational movement between the engine and the exhaust system. The joint seal of the present invention incorporate a bi-metal body with a first end secured to a portion of the clamp assembly and a second end which seals the gap between the members of the ball joint to prevent exhaust leakage therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1994
    Assignee: Creative Industries Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth T. Higgins
  • Patent number: 5360239
    Abstract: Threaded tubular interference fit interconnections and related production techniques are disclosed that are for example useful with large diameter tubular members, including pipe bodies, that can for example function as casing for oil, gas, geothermal, disposal and other wells. In a preferred aspect of the invention there is root-to-crest and/or flank-to-flank interference between nose and inner portions of male and female threads of the disclosed interconnections, such as substantially to seal them against leakage at the maximum internal and/or external pressure rating of the pipe body, and a run-out portion of the male thread and a corresponding portion of the female thread engage one another with interference to retain threaded engagement between said run-out and corresponding portions at the maximum axial force rating of the pipe body and also at the maximum internal and/or external pressure rating of the pipe body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1994
    Assignee: Antares Marketing, S.A.
    Inventor: Erich F. Klementich
  • Patent number: 5350205
    Abstract: A high pressure fluid fitting is provided for repeated connection and disconnection. The fitting includes a threaded nipple and a flanged nipple configured for abutting end-to-end mating with one another. A thrust bearing formed from a metal harder than the flanged nipple is positioned adjacent the flange and on the side thereof opposite the mating face of the flanged nipple. A coupling nut with an inwardly extending annular flange is disposed over the flanged nipple and is threadedly engageable with the threaded nipple. The flange of the coupling nut moves against the thrust bearing and urges the nipples into tight sealing engagement. The smoothness and hardness and chemical dissimilarity of the thrust bearing avoid galling and other friction related damage to the fitting, and hence lead to an extended life for the fitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1994
    Assignee: EWAL Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Lewis L. Aldridge, Kenneth W. Sawyer
  • Patent number: 5312140
    Abstract: A fluid swivel is described, of the type which includes a ring-shaped outer structure (12, FIG. 2 ) that rotates about a ring-shaped inner structure (14), and which form an annular chamber (18) between them and a pair of gap passages (24, 26) between them which are sealed by pressure seals (30, 32). The outer structure includes a body (70) forming part of the annular chamber and a seal ring (72) mounted on an end of the body and abutting one side of the pressure seal. The seal ring is axially shiftable on the end of the body, so that when the body expands radially as a result of high pressure fluid being introduced into the annular chamber, the seal ring does not have to expand a similar amount and therefore does not have to cause a large increase in the width of the extrusion gap (62) at the downstream end of the pressure seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1994
    Assignee: Imodco, Inc.
    Inventor: Jack Pollack
  • Patent number: 5308124
    Abstract: A pipe joint thrust ring to be interposed between a joint member of a pipe joint and a connecting threaded member rotatably fitted to the joint member. The thrust ring comprises a C-shaped body in the form of a circle partly cut away and having spring elasticity. The inner width between opposed ends of the C-shaped body is maller than the outside diameter of the joint member and can be increased to a value equal to the outside diameter of the joint member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1994
    Assignee: Fujikin Incorporated
    Inventors: Michio Yamaji, Nobukazu Ikeda, Naoya Masuda, Tetsuya Kojima
  • Patent number: 5303958
    Abstract: A fitting for attachment to a tube by swaging is disclosed. The fitting comprises a cylindrical sleeve having a tapered outer surface and an inner surface for receiving the tube. A cylindrical swaging ring having a tapered inner surface engages the tapered outer surface of the sleeve such that axial movement of the ring in a forward direction with respect to the sleeve causes the ring to apply a radial force to the sleeve to swage it to the tube. The swaging ring is comprised of a lightweight, high strength material, such as a composite material, having high tensile strength in a circumferential direction and a high modulus of elasticity, with relatively low density and low elongation properties. One preferred composite material comprises an epoxy resin matrix and a high strength graphite fiber. The swaging ring is locked onto the sleeve both before and after swaging by one or more protrusions on the outer surface of the sleeve which cooperatively engage an annular groove in the swaging ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1994
    Assignee: The Deutsch Company
    Inventors: Arthur J. Hyatt, Biing-Kwang K. Hsieh, Charles W. Hensley, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5303960
    Abstract: This invention provides an expansion joint that uses a flexible sealing element in conjunction with a packed seal in a manner that allows a reduction in break-away forces and permits continued operation of the joint after a failure of the bellows or bellows attachment point. The expansion arrangement includes a flexible sealing element, usually in form of a bellows, and a containment chamber in communication with the exterior portion of the flexible sealing element or bellows and an interior portion of the packed seal. The containment chamber has an opening that permits relative movement between the ends of the expansion joint and is sealed by the packed seal. In the event of a bellows failure, the packing material acts to restrict or prevent leakage from the containment chamber to the outside environment. The packed seal is made of a combination of materials that provide packing friction coefficient of less than 200 lbs/in.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1994
    Inventor: John T. Gaughan
  • Patent number: 5280968
    Abstract: A pivot pin for use in joint assemblies for ducting and, more particularly, relating to pivot pins interfitting into gimbal joints used to flexibly connect sections of high pressure aircraft ducting together so that said sections of ducting may rotate at said joints relative to each other. There is a reservoir for lubricant integrally formed in the pivot pin and located so that lubricant can seap into the bore into which the pivot pin has been inserted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 25, 1994
    Assignee: Stainless Steel Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur L. Moore, Peter Wolff
  • Patent number: 5265919
    Abstract: In order to provide a pipe joint of stainless steel including more than 10% of Cr which joint has excellent shape memory effect, the stainless steel comprises up to 0.10% of C, 3.0 to 6.0% of Si, 6.0 to 25.0% of Mn, up to 7.0% of Ni, more than 10.0 to 17.0% of Cr, 0.02 to 0.30% of N, 2.0 to 10.0% of Co, and optionally one or more selected from 0.05 to 0.8% of Nb, 0.05 to 0.8% of V, 0.05 to 0.8% of Zr, 0.05 to 0.8% of Ti, up to 2.0% of Mo and up to 2.0% of Cu and the alloying components are balanced so that no .delta.-ferritic phase may substantially appear in the annealed condition. Since the joint is treated so that it has such a shape memory effect that it will recover the memorized original shape with a smaller diameter when heated to an appropriate temperature, it can fasten a pipe or pipes merely by heating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1993
    Assignee: Nisshin Steel Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshihiko Takemoto, Masayuki Kinugasa, Teruo Tanaka, Takashi Igawa
  • Patent number: 5259650
    Abstract: A releasable fast-action coupling has a female part formed centered on an axis with an axially outwardly open bore having a smooth-walled inner portion of predetermined diameter and an outer portion of somewhat greater diameter and formed with an internal screwthread. A male tube part having an end engageable in the bore has an inner portion engageable in the inner bore portion and formed with a radially outwardly open groove, an outer portion engageable in the outer bore portion when the inner tube portion is in the inner bore portion and formed with a radially outwardly open groove, and a radially outwardly projecting ridge axially inwardly engaging the bore shoulder when the tube part is fitted in the bore. An elastic seal ring seated in the groove of the tube inner portion radially outwardly engages the bore inner portion when the tube part is fitted in the bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1993
    Assignee: Friedrich Grohe Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Werner Gnauert, Detlef Hochstein
  • Patent number: 5232251
    Abstract: This invention provides an expansion joint that uses a flexible sealing element in conjunction with a packed seal in a manner that allows a reduction in break-away forces and permits continued operation of the joint after a failure of the bellows or bellows attachment point. The expansion arrangement includes a flexible sealing element, usually in form of a bellows, and a containment chamber in communication with the exterior portion of the flexible sealing element or bellows and an interior portion of the packed seal. The containment chamber has an opening that permits relative movement between the ends of the expansion joint and is sealed by the packed seal. In the event of a bellows failure, the packing material acts to restrict or prevent leakage from the containment chamber to the outside environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1993
    Inventor: John T. Gaughan
  • Patent number: 5183298
    Abstract: Cast iron fittings are coupled with reducer fittings in a fluid handling network to reduce the flow diameter in various pipe sections of the network. Each main fitting and reducer fitting has two or more tabs about their mating open ends which are aligned and connected one to the other to maintain the fittings coupled together. Reducer fittings having standard size, large diameter ends, are provided with variously sized smaller diameter ends to selectively reduce the flow. The reducer fittings are straight-through sections useful with main fittings of various types, including Tees, elbows, right-angle bends and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1993
    Inventor: Michael B. Harrington
  • Patent number: 5174611
    Abstract: An improved releasable coupling for a tube is disclosed. The coupling contains a socket with at least four stepped bores. Located within the first bore is a compresion means (such as a collar) which has an inner surface inclined to the axis of first bore. A collet is mounted within the compression means and is so configured that, when the collet is caused to move inwardly, the inclined surface of the compression means causes the jaws of the collet to move inwardly. The coupling also contains a tube support located within the second bore. At least four sealing means are disposed within the third bore: a first O-ring is contiguous with a first washer, which in turn is contiguous with a second O-ring, which in turn is contiguous with a second washer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1992
    Assignee: Legris, Incorporated
    Inventors: Gene S. Byrd, Daniel Belisaire, Kenneth H. Podmore
  • Patent number: 5156422
    Abstract: A swivel joint for the interconnection between pipes on an upper structure side and a lower structure side of a construction equipment of the upper structure revolving type. The swivel joint has formed therein a fluid passage for fuel supply oil to be supplied from a fuel oil tank on the lower structure side to an engine on the upper structure side and another fluid passage for return oil to be returned from the engine to the tank. The fluid passages are formed in an isolated condition from an other fluid passage so that fuel supply oil or return oil may not be mixed with any other fluid within the swivel joint or may not leak to the outer side of the swivel joint.Another swivel joint is also disclosed wherein a body is divided in an axial direction into two parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1992
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Kobe Seiko Sho
    Inventor: Yoshihide Shibano
  • Patent number: 5139288
    Abstract: A coupling device (10) provides sealing members (24), (26), preferably Indium wire O-rings (72), (74), suitable for sealing engagement with an insulating member (28) under cryogenic, high-pressure conditions. Coupling device (10) is designed to couple a first metal pipe attached to a first adapter (12), and a second metal pipe attached to a second adapter (14), so that fluid may be conveyed via bore (36), chamber (84), and bore (48) under such cryogenic high-pressure conditions. According to the invention, the coupling device (10) provides effective sealing under these extreme conditions while also providing thermal and electrical insulation due to the advantageous construction featuring insulating member (28), first collar member (20) and second collar member (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1992
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Habib Najm, Cecil J. Davis, Gregory E. Gardner
  • Patent number: 5131697
    Abstract: A pipe is especially fabricated for use in conjunction with locking pin type threadless couplings. The pipe has a thin wall configuration achieved by fabricating it from high tensile steel produced by cold working, or reducing, low carbon steel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1992
    Assignee: American Fence Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul W. Shumway
  • Patent number: 5123678
    Abstract: The device has a first metallic junction element affixed to a first pipe element and a second metallic junction element affixed to second pipe element. One of the junction elements is provided with an elastic lip cooperating with a frontal face provided on the other junction element.The element provided with an elastic lip has a nozzle element made of a metal or metallic alloy that is compatible from a welding point of view, with the material of the pipe element to which it is joined by welding, and cooperates with a tightening nut, and an end piece having an axial cross-section in the shape of a horizontal u so as to define the said elastic lip, the said end piece being made of a material that is different to that of the nozzle element so as to provide improved mechanical characteristics giving the elasticity that is necessary for the junction, and being affixed to the free end of the nozzle element by diffusion welding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1992
    Assignee: Societe anonyme: Societe Europeene de Propulsion
    Inventors: Guy Froger, Philippe Burgnies
  • Patent number: 5112088
    Abstract: A link assembly for a bellows joint interposed in high pressure aircraft ducting wherein at least one of the links is preferably machines to have a pair of spaced apart legs of one width and an arcuate web extending therebetween of a width greater than said legs. Each of said links is preferably of a metal alloy wherein the hardness of each link differs from the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1992
    Assignee: Stainless Steel Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur L. Moore, Peter Wolff, Leon H. Ruther, Walter E. Pike
  • Patent number: 5094795
    Abstract: A method is shown for forming a flange on an end of a plastic pipe liner of the type used to line a tubular member. A reinforced disc having a rigid portion and an elastomeric portion is placed about the liner exterior and moved into position flush with the flanged end of the tubular member. A retaining ring is placed about the reinforced disc and the disc and liner exposed end are heated to render the materials malleable. A forming unit is then used to apply force to the liner to flow the liner into a reformed shape having a greater external diameter than the remainder of the liner. The forming operation also bonds the reinforced disc to the reformed liner end to further resist any tendency of the liner end to be retracted into the interior of the tubular member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1992
    Inventors: James S. McMillan, Sama'an Tarsha
  • Patent number: 5090740
    Abstract: An aluminum manifold (10) is provided of prismoid shape which is octagonal in cross section and has eight planar surfaces (52). An integral collet (18) is formed between two annular shoulders (22, 26) near one end to facilitate clamping the manifold (10) with a conventional clamping assembly (16). Grooves (56) extend longitudinally along centerlines of the planar surfaces (52). Ports (54) adapted to connect to standard industrial fittings are located on centerlines of adjacent surfaces (52) in open communication with a central bore (28) extending through the manifold (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1992
    Inventors: Richard F. Creager, Mark Blanding, Jack VanRhee, Walter R. Hartuniewicz
  • Patent number: 5080401
    Abstract: In a rotary coupling for conducting a medium under pressure from a stationary machine part to a rotating machine part, a radially movable bushing is provided between a housing and a rotatable shaft of the rotating machine part. The radial gap between the housing and the bushing is bridged or spanned by a plurality of elastic sealing members to provide radial adjustability. A ceramic coating to minimize radial differences due to thermal expansion during frictional heating can also be provided on the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1992
    Assignee: Glyco-Antriebstechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Bodo Stich
  • Patent number: 5042847
    Abstract: A metal to ceramic sealed joint which can withstand wide variations in temperature and maintain a good seal is provided for use in a device adapted to withstand thermal cycling from about 20 to about 1000 degrees C. The sealed joint includes a metal member, a ceramic member having an end portion, and an active metal braze forming a joint to seal the metal member to the ceramic member. The joint is positioned remote from the end portion of the ceramic member to avoid stresses at the ends or edges of the ceramic member. The sealed joint is particularly suited for use to form sealed metal to ceramic joints in a thermoelectric generator such as a sodium heat engine where a solid ceramic electrolyte is joined to metal parts in the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1991
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: John V. Lasecki, Robert F. Novak, James R. McBride
  • Patent number: 4993755
    Abstract: A quick connect fitting in which tubing can be inserted into a pre-assembled fitting where it will become sealed and locked against pull-out. A main fitting body has an open-ended recess in which is located a movable piston to seal against the body and an inserted tube. The piston wedges over a conical extension on a sealing gland retained by a screw-on cap. The sealing gland has rearward, circumferentially spaced fingers radially movable. An axially shiftable ring, in one position, allows the fingers to expand to receive the tube, and, when shifted to a second position, moves the finger to engage the extension surface of the tube to lock against withdrawal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1991
    Assignee: Master Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert L. Johnston
  • Patent number: 4988130
    Abstract: A pair of flanges are fixed to a pipe end of a port of a plasma vacuum vessel and another pipe end to be connected thereto. These flanges each have a ring-shaped knife edge. A copper gasket is interposed between the respective knife edges of the two flanges. A predetermined number of bolts are tightened to fix the flanges to each other. As a result, the knife edges bite into the copper gasket, and a linear sealing load from the knife edges acts on the gasket, thereby sealing and isolating the space inside the port from the outside. The number n of bolts are given by3(B+28)/65-0.ltoreq.n.ltoreq.3(B+28)/65+0.02B,and the flange thickness t is given by ##EQU1## where B is the diameter of a circle passing through the respective central axes of the n number of bolts. Thus, the bolt number and the flange thickness are reduced without lowering the sealing performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 29, 1991
    Assignees: Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute, Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Kenjiro Obara, Kazuyuki Nakamura, Yoshio Murakami, Masamitsu Naganuma, Kazunori Kitamura, Takao Uchida
  • Patent number: 4958862
    Abstract: Hermetic metal pipe joint, comprising a male element with at least one external tapered thread and a female element with complementary internal threads. An end part of the male element beyond each thread has a conical seal surface and the female element has a conical seal surface with the same taper as that of the conical surface of the male element. The two conical surfaces on the male and female elements mate upon tightening of the joint. The length of the seal surface of the female element along the generatrix is greater than that of the corresponding seal surface of the male element. These two seal surfaces of the male and female elements have a taper in the range 6.25 to 9.25% relative to the axis of the conical seal surface. The length of the surface of the male element which comes into contact with the corresponding surface of the female element is between 0.5 and 2.5 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 25, 1990
    Assignee: Dalmine SpA
    Inventors: Cataldo Cappelli, Norberto Morlotti
  • Patent number: 4927181
    Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and related method for sealing leaks at the surface of an article, comprising a plurality of interlocking links constructed to form a circumferential collar on the circumferential surface surrounding a leak. The links are constructed and arranged to exert radial pressure on the circumferential surface of the article. A sealing means is disposed between the circumferential surface of the article and the links.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 22, 1990
    Inventor: Alfredo A. Ciotola
  • Patent number: 4913464
    Abstract: An improved tubular joint between two tubular members having their mating ends with inner sealing surfaces tapering outward in the direction toward the other tubular member and with a sealing ring having outer sealing surfaces for engaging the inner sealing surfaces of the tubular members. The improvement lies in the provision of an insert sleeve having a tapered portion and a tubular portion, the insert sleeve is cold forged in place over a damaged sealing surface of one of the tubular members and has a tapered inner sealing surface for sealing with the outer surface of the sealing ring. This improved joint is particularly useful in subsea wellheads. The tight gripping and sealing engagement of the insert sleeve within the tubular member is augmented by grooves within a recess on the interior of the tubular member being repaired or sharp annular teeth around the exterior of the tubular portion of the insert sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Assignee: Cameron Iron Works U.S.A., Inc.
    Inventors: William M. Taylor, William Hopson
  • Patent number: 4909548
    Abstract: A compound tapered flange assembly for sealing axially aligned flanged tubular members. Opposed annular recesses are formed in each flange. Each recess has a radial shoulder tapered with respect to a transverse plane disposed between the flanges such that the axial distance between the radial plane and the shoulder at a maximum diameter is greater than the axial distance from the plane to the shoulder at a minimum diameter. Each recess also has an inside frustoconical surface tapered with respect to the longitudinal axis with a minimum inside diameter adjacent the shoulder, and a maximum inside diameter adjacent a face of the flange. A bifrustoconical annular seal ring has outside and end surfaces complementarily tapered to engage the shoulder and the inside surface of the recesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 20, 1990
    Assignee: Bas-Tex Corporation
    Inventor: Joseph J. Welkey
  • Patent number: 4896991
    Abstract: A joining structure for coupling and pipes in frames used in bicycles and similar vehicles including engaging projections formed on either connecting projections of the coupling or the pipe ends, and insertion cut-outs formed in the mating connecting extensions or pipe ends. After insertion, the mated parts are rotated until they are machanically locked in place by locking slots. Bonding agents may be used to increase the strength of the joints and/or intermediate parts can be used to securely join the connecting extensions and pipes by the use of locking slots and the application of bonding agents. The design provides overlapping in the joints between the intermediate parts and the pipes to increase the bonding surface area and thus the mechanical strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1990
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Fukurotani Seisakusho
    Inventor: Masanori Yashuhara
  • Patent number: 4890867
    Abstract: A coupling combination comprising a ferrule ring having a portion outwardly of the outer surface of said pipe and having an integral deformable ferrule arm extending longitudinally therefrom adjacent to the outer surface of the pipe, the ring being placed over the pipe such that the ring surrounds an end portion thereof; a cam ring also located outwardly of the outer surface of the pipe and longitudinally placed from the deformable ferrule arm, and having a curved surface arranged to deform the ferrule arm into the pipe upon longitudinal movement of the cam ring against the ferrule; and a plurality of bolts passing through a portion of the cam ring and into the ferrule ring for affecting such longitudinal movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1990
    Assignee: Simplex Wire & Cable
    Inventors: Kerry D. Briggs, Hadfield, Donald A.
  • Patent number: 4883292
    Abstract: This invention relates to a corrosion resisting steel pipe having a kind of double construction in which an outer carbon steel pipe member is lined with respect to its whole length with a corrosion resisting material consisting of Ti, and a method of manufacturing the same, and more particularly to a doubly-constructed corrosion resisting steel pipe of a unit length consisting of an outer pipe member composed of an end tube and a general tube joined to the end tube, a short tube of a Ti metal attached to an end portion of the end tube metallurgically by the diffusion welding, and an inner pipe member of a Ti metal attached to the whole of the inner surface of the outer pipe member including the inner surface of the short tube of a Ti metal joined to the end tube, the inner pipe member of a Ti metal being seal-welded with an Ti metal at the end portion of the end tube, a pipe of a predetermined length obtained by connecting the steel pipes of a unit length being sealed at its joint portion with a Ti metal so t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1989
    Assignee: Kuroki Kogyosho Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takanori Kuroki
  • Patent number: 4875712
    Abstract: In a joint structure for a tube support plate and a tube, a ceramic tube is provided aligned with a retaining hole of a tube support plate cooled by cooling medium and a bellows is placed in or near the retaining hole. An end of the bellows is fixed directly or indirectly to the tube support plate and the other end thereof is linked to the ceramic tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1989
    Assignee: Asahi Glass Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Noriyuki Oda, Tetsuo Takehara, Katsumi Higashi, Keiji Muramatsu
  • Patent number: 4872713
    Abstract: A device for coupling to an object such as a pipe, particularly for joining pipes together, comprising a tubular sleeve of which at least one end portion has a wall that is weakened to facilitate radial deformation, a shape memory alloy driver having a portion of the sleeve other than the weakened portion positioned in the direction of its recovery, and a collar of a dimensionally heat-recoverable polymeric material having at least part of the weakened portion of the sleeve positioned in the direction of its recovery.Tensile strength or a seal or both between the sleeve and the object is provided by the shape memory alloy driver which deforms the sleeve into sealing contact with the pipes. Relief from transverse strain imposed on the joint between the pipes and the device is provided by the weakened portion of the sleeve which is supported by the collar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1989
    Assignee: Raychem Corporation
    Inventor: Michael Kapgan
  • Patent number: 4867488
    Abstract: This invention pertains to bolted mechanical pipe joints using toothed gripper rings to prevent separation of the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1989
    Assignee: United States Pipe and Foundry Company
    Inventor: Lawrence S. Jones
  • Patent number: 4865355
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for blocking off process lines between various pieces of processing equipment, for example, storage tanks, wherein a block housing is provided having pipes on opposite faces thereof connected to the processing vessels. Means are provided for blocking the flow using an axial expansion means for insertion into seats provided on opposite faces of the block housing. During periods of time of normal operation, i.e., when blocking of the process lines is not desired, a flow-thru pipe assembly having male and female ends thereto and locking means provided thereto is provided for insertion into the block housing and for mating and joining the opposite pipes on the opposite faces of the block housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1989
    Inventors: Roger S. McVay, Steven R. McVay, W. E. Brooks, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4844517
    Abstract: A coupling for swaged attachment to thin wall tubing. The coupling is a cylindrical body with a longitudinal axis and an inner peripheral wall. At least one groove is located in the inner peripheral wall. In one embodiment, the groove is substantially rectangular in cross section. The rectangular groove has a base and two side walls. The side walls meet the base to form corners. The corners have a radius of curvature of at least the depth of the groove. Alternatively, the cross section of the groove can be ramped in shape. The ramped shape groove has a base and two side walls. One of the two side walls meets the base at about 90.degree., and the second side wall meets the base at an angle substantially greater than 90.degree.. In a third embodiment of the invention, the groove is ramped with one side wall meeting the inner peripheral wall of the coupling sleeve at about 90.degree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1989
    Assignee: Sierracin Corporation
    Inventors: Mark J. Beiley, Makram T. Mikhail, Patrick J. Callanan
  • Patent number: 4838581
    Abstract: In a joint structure for a tube support plate and a tube, a ceramic tube is provided aligned with a retaining hole of a tube support plate cooled by cooling medium and a bellows is placed in or near the retaining hole. An end of the bellows is fixed directly or indirectly to the tube support plate and the other end thereof is linked to the ceramic tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1989
    Assignee: Asahi Glass Company Ltd.
    Inventors: Noriyuki Oda, Tetsuo Takehara, Katsumi Higashi, Keiji Muramatsu
  • Patent number: 4784413
    Abstract: An assembly comprising a thin-walled metal tubing coupled to a flange. The tubing is used as a passage for supplying oil or air, and has a small diameter. A short metal cylinder having a wall thickness larger than that of the tubing is fitted over the tubing. The tubing and the cylinder are welded together at their front ends. The cylinder to which the tubing is welded is inserted in a hole formed in the flange. The outer surface of the cylinder is welded to the fringe of the hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1988
    Assignee: Usui Kokusai Sangyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasuaki Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 4770449
    Abstract: Various embodiments of mechanism for attaching a high pressure tube to an opening in a housing using a tapered opening into which a high pressure tube end is inserted. A securing device is positioned about the tube end and the securing device is press fitted into place in the opening so that it is press fitted not only to the housing on an outer diameter portion but also inwardly against the tube end, sealing the opening and the tube so as to hold about 5,000 p.s.i. pressure and also securing the tube against forces tending to move the tube axially or rotationally so as to loosen the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1988
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Carl E. Goubeaux, Donald M. Flory