Abstract: A system for making a connection between a first tubular member and a second tubular member having coincident bores for conveying a fluid, the connection having an axis in the general direction of flow of said fluid therethrough, the system comprising a connection (1) and a tensioning tool (100), the connection having a first tubular end (6) comprising a first end flange (16) having an end face (17) and a collar (20) comprising a sleeve (21) and an end stop (30) fixed to the sleeve (21), said sleeve (21) arranged about said flange (18) and said end stop (30) arranged about said tubular end (6), said collar (20) slideable along said tubular end (6), the connection further having a second tubular end (7) comprising a second end flange (43) having an end face (45) and a locking nut (50) about and slideable along said first tubular end (7), the tensioning tool (100) for applying axial tension to said collar (30) relative to said second tubular end (7) characterised in that at least one of said sleeve (20) and sai

Abstract: A connection system for connecting tubular members to each other includes a rotatable connector sleeve on one of the tubular members. A make-up tool has a curved rack of gear teeth that are engagable with the connector sleeve for causing rotation of the connector sleeve in unison with the rack. The make-up tool includes a power tool having a drive motor that rotates a drive shaft. A pinion gear mounted on the drive shaft engages the teeth of the rack to cause the rack to move in a rotational direction when the drive shaft is rotated. This movement causes the connector sleeve to rotate to make-up or break-out the connection.

Abstract: A firefighting segmented monitor for redirecting a trajectory of a pressurized fluid discharge towards a target comprises a flowpath with minimum convolutions. The monitor flowpath comprises in series a stationary segment and three rotating segments including a lower segment, a middle segment and an upper segment connected in series each of which comprises a predetermined curvature. The lower segment swivels in one axis about the stationary segment. A nonorthogonal swivel is arranged on each end of the middle segment at the interfaces with the lower segment and the upper segment, and the swiveling of the middle and upper segments are synchronized with a single rotary input to produce an approximately planar elevational motion of the fluid discharge end of the monitor.

Abstract: A gear operated coupler is provided for coupling and uncoupling mating first and second coupling portions of a piping system component. A sleeve with an attached spur gear includes threads that engage the first coupling portion, and the sleeve slidingly receives the second coupling portion. The coupling portions are maintained in a metal-to-metal seal arrangement by a compensation ring in the sleeve. A pinion plate, carrying an associated pinion gear, is attached to the second coupling portion so that the pinion gear engages the spur gear. A torque applied to an operating nut connected to the pinion gear shaft causes the pinion gear and spur gear to rotate. Depending on the direction of rotation of the pinion gear, the threads of the sleeve advance the first coupling portion toward the second coupling portion until the two are coupled, or the first coupling portion is retracted from the second coupling portion.

Abstract: Fittings of this invention comprise a body having a substantially hollow transport passage extending between a body first end and a body second end. The fitting body ends are adapted to accommodate attachment with respective fluid handling devices. The fitting has a hexagonal outside surface portion for grasping and rotating the fitting. An interlocking attachment member is disposed along an outside surface of the fitting body and is adapted to form an interlocking attachment with a complementary member of a fluid handling device when the fitting is connected thereto. The interlocking attachment member comprises a plurality of ratchet teeth that are configured to register with a complementary fluid handling device member. The fitting body first end includes a tongue that is configured to provide an interference fit within a groove in a fluid handling device opening to provide a leak-tight seal between the fitting the fluid handling device.

Abstract: A copper pipe has a circumferential groove formed in an outer wall to receiver an O-ring seal. The groove is formed a pre-set distance from a free end of the pipe. Two pipe lengths are jointed together by a coupling having a housing with pipe seal-receiving seats at each end for receiving the O-ring seal fitted to the pipe. Caps screw threadingly engage the housing to clamp the pipe lengths in the housing. The fitting can be pre-assembled and used as a push-in fitting with a subsequent tightening by hand.

Abstract: A mechanical coupling adapted for engagement using a key device. The coupling including first and second assemblies. The first assembly includes a latching body having a key hole, a coupling nut having an interior threaded portion and a toothed end portion, a receptacle body having an exterior threaded portion in constant threaded engagement with the interior threaded portion, and a first latch connected to the receptacle body. The second assembly includes a second latch and is adapted to engage the first assembly. The engagement of the first and second assemblies is accomplished by rotating a key device inserted in the key hole and meshing with the toothed end portion.

Abstract: A servicing device for compressed air handling is proposed, which possesses a principal body (2) and a receiving shell (4) releaseably attached thereto by means of a bayonet connecting device (12). The rotary movement necessary for producing the bayonet connection of the receiving shell (4) is produced using a rotary drive means (33), which is arranged on a holding body (34), on which the receiving shell (4) is mounted in a rotary fashion. It is in this manner that simple mounting and removal of the receiving shell is rendered possible even when there is little space.

Abstract: A fluid-tight coupling (2) for connecting opposite ends of the pipe section (4, 6) to provide a fluid-tight AI seal is described. The fluid-tight seal between the upper and lower tubular sections is provided by an upper and a lower metal-to-metal seal produced respectively between a lower sealing surface (10) of the upper pipe section (4) and an upper sealing surface (12) of an annular interface member (8) and an upper sealing surface (14) of the lower section (6) and a lower sealing surface (16) of the annular interface member (8). The metal-to-metal seals are produced and maintained by a collar (20) arranged coaxially about the coupling region of the tubular sections.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fuel delivery unit for use in fuel tanks of vehicles, having a pump with a housing (2) and at least one outlet opening (3) arranged laterally thereon, having a reservoir (1) which can be filled with fuel and into which the pump can be inserted with little lateral installation space and from whose filling volume fuel is delivered to the outlet opening (3), and a line (15), in particular a rising line, which can be connected to the outlet opening (3), wherein at least the one line (15) can be connected to the outlet opening (3) by means of a releasable, pressure-sealed plug-in connection (S), it being possible for the outlet flow to be deflected in the region of the plug-in connection (S) by means of an elbow (6a).

Abstract: A coupling for releasably engaging a tubular member has a hollow body, in which the tubular member is received, and a sleeve which is movable axially within the hollow body. The sleeve is provided with an array of spacially separated holes and rotatable gripping members are located in these holes for selectively engaging the outer surface of the tubular member. During insertion of the tubular member into the hollow body, the rotatable gripping members move away from the outer surface of the tubular member. Movement of the tubular member in the opposite direction causes the rotatable gripping members to be cammed into contact with the surface of the tubular member.

Abstract: An apparatus for gripping a pipe comprises an outer member having at least one inclined inner surface and an inner member having an inclined outer surface, a tubular member having an opening to accommodate said inner member and a threaded part, and a threaded gear engaged with the threaded part of the tubular member. On rotation of the threaded gear the tubular member moves the inner member which co-operates with the outer member so that said inner member moves towards a pipe to be gripped. The apparatus is particularly useful for applying "non-marking" jaws to the outside of tubulars in the oil and gas industry.

Abstract: An adjustable flange comprises a circular collar portion having a base. The collar defines first and second openings therethrough. A gasket extends from the base and defines an opening coextensive with the first opening. The gasket is sized to fit around the circumference of a pipe. An adjusting means has a first portion for encircling the gasket for applying compressive forces thereto and a second portion extending along the gasket and through the second opening. The first and second portions cooperate such that upon rotation of the second portion, the forces applied by the first portion are varied.

Abstract: A universally articulable supporting sheath comprises an interconnected series of links, each having a convex spherical surface at one end, and a concave spherical surface at its opposite end. The concave and convex surfaces mate with one another to form the sheath. Special links having branch openings may be provided. Various forms of waterproofing seals are provided, including O-rings, axially compressed rings, flexible belts, and ridges on the spherical surfaces. The links can be fitted together by thermal expansion. However, an axially split link is also described, which comprises two parts which snap together. The split parts may be molded as a unit with an integral thin wall hinge. The bending characteristics and bending radius of a sheath can be modified by insertion of spacers between the links at selected locations, or by the insertion of pins into radial holes provided in the links.

Abstract: A multiline fluid distribution system having an articulated fluid loading arm, which is swingable in vertical and horizontal planes, for selectively coupling the swingable fluid outlet end of the loading arm to any one of a plurality of parallel fluid transfer lines extending horizontally in a honey comb-like array. The fluid outlet end of the loading arm is supported on and transported by a carriage to the designated fluid transfer line for coupling therewith.

Abstract: A rotational power coupling consists of drive shaft couplings and stationary housings within which the shafts rotate. One housing has a flange with external threads; the other has a plain flange. A threaded nut engages the threaded flange and draws the two flanges together, locking the housings. The nut is surrounded by a collar which can rotate about it. A handle extends from the collar. The nut has external teeth, and the collar has oppositely directed pawls. When the pawls engage the teeth, the handle may be used to turn the collar.

Abstract: A fluid connector system including a modified plumbing union having a rotatable member for drawing said union into a fluid tight condition. A drive tool is electric motor actuated and includes a reduction gear train providing an output gear engaging an integral peripheral spur gear on the rotatable member. A housing member attached to the connector assembly provides coaxial alignment for an interface socket on the drive tool. A hand lever actuated latching system includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced latching balls selectively wedged against the housing member attached to the connector assembly or to secure the drive tool to the connector assembly with its output gear in mesh with the integral peripheral spur gear. The drive motor is torque, spped and direction controllable.

Abstract: A robot hand changer has a first joint member mounted on a robot arm, a second joint member mounted on a robot hand, and an engaging member mounted on the first joint member and angularly movable with respect to the second joint member for coupling the first and second joint members against each other. The robot hand changer also has an optical signal transmission device including sets of optical fibers disposed in confronting relation out of contact with each other for transmitting control signals across mating surfaces when the robot arm and the robot hand are coupled to each other, and photoelectric transducer circuits for converting electric signals to optical signals and vice versa. The robot hand arm further includes a detecting device for detecting dirt on the mating surface.

Abstract: A coupling device for ducts comprises locking elements constrained to the flange of a first duct which are connected to movement means to move them toward or away from the flange of a second duct. The movement means are actuated by a thrust ring which is rotated around the axis of the first duct. Along the contact side of the flange of the first duct are provided elastically stressed seals which interact between the flange of the first duct and the flange of said connected duct. Said seals consist of floating rings running and oscillating in recesses made in the flange, said floating rings being acted upon by elastic elements inserted in said recesses.

Abstract: Apparatus for the transfer of material from one container to another container. The one container is placed in an attachment having a 45.degree. coupling joined by a straight bend to a fixed part with a 45.degree. second coupling. A motor rotates bend relative to the fixed part. Gears ensure an equivalent joint rotation of the attachment with respect to the bend. The one container is turned over and its content flows into the other container. This apparatus is particularly useful with polluting, toxic and radioactive products.

Abstract: A shaft connection (10) for rapid mounting and dismounting of a tire building drum by rotating a clamping ring (38) on a sleeve member (20) of a main shaft (14) around an end piece (24) of a drum shaft (12) positioned in the sleeve member (20) to engage or disengage overlapping lugs (42,44) on the clamping ring (38) and end piece (24). Screw members (56,58) connect the clamping ring (38) to a segmental ring (54) in a circumferential slot (68) in the sleeve member (20) for rotating the clamping ring (38). Resilient means (60) are associated with at least some of the screw members (56) and biasing the clamping ring (38) and outer lugs (42) against the inner lugs (44) of the end piece (24) to provide a tight fit between the sleeve member (20) and end piece (24). A central shaft (104) has a sliding connection 112' between a retractable inboard section (116) with a sliding connection (112') with an outboard section (114) for engagement after mounting of the sleeve member (20) over the end piece (24).

Abstract: A connector device for an underwater pipe system which comprises one or m conduits, for connecting pipe sections together or to valves, well heads or similar, whereby such a pipe section comprises an end flange (2) which can be introduced into grooves extending in the transverse direction of a housing (1) by mutual movement of the pipe section and the housing transversely of their longitudinal direction, said housing containing an axially shiftable sleeve unit (7) having a through going duct for each conduit, and said device comprising means for biasing the end flange against surfaces in the grooves. In order to achieve sealing the sleeve unit or units (7) are equipped with at least one main sealing ring (13,19) for each duct, adapted to be pressed against a seat (15) on an end flange, and the sleeve unit or units are locked against rotation and have external threads which cooperate with internal threads in a socket (6) which partly surrounds the sleeve unit or units (7).

Abstract: A clamping apparatus for joining two flanges by means of clamping members circumferentially spaced around the flanges and radially forced inwardly to engage and compress the two flanges in a clamping space of the clamping members includes a clamping roller chain extending around the clamping members with the clamping rollers engaging the outer surfaces of the clamping members which are supported independently of the clamping chain by a support ring in such a manner as to be freely movable in radial direction but under the control of an operating rim which engages all the clamping members for simultaneous radial movement and a tensioning structure for the clamping roller chain which is associated with said guide rim for forcing said clamping members inwardly into firm engagement with said flanges or releasing the clamping members and moving them outwardly out of engagement with the flanges.

Abstract: A drilling head with an upper body assembly removably clamped onto a stationary spool via a bayonet-type coupler clamp rotated into clamped and unclamped positions by a remote controlled hydraulic motor connected to the clamp by a ring and pinion gear. The upper body assembly has a kelly bushing, a corrugated drive bushing rotatable with the kelly bushing, a drive ring rotatable with the drive bushing a bearing assembly surrounding the drive ring, and an elastomeric stripper connected to the drive ring for rotation therewith. The stripper is adapted for sealing engagement with a rotating kelly drive which slides down through the drilling head. Quick connect/disconnect lubrication fittings on the clamp and upper body assembly are releasably mated upon rotation of the clamp to the clamped position to provide lubrication from a single lubrication line to both the bearing assembly and seals via passageways formed in the outer body of the upper body assembly.

Abstract: A quick connection device has a supporting structure for connection elements constrained to the union body by means of radial engagement members engaged in a movable manner with a substantially spherical reaction surface of the union body. In this manner any coplanarity defect or difference in thickness of the end flange of the pipe to be connected is compensated for through appropriate rotation of the supporting structure of the quick connection device along said spherical surface.

Abstract: A hingeable segmented pipe coupling includes dual or plural coupling segments which are hingeable relative to each other in the absence of transverse hinge pins, at least one pair of bolting pads including arcuate surfaces which roll with respect to each other, and each of which includes a fulcrum for engagement with a headed securing member associated with those bolting pads. In preferred embodiments, the bolting faces of the bolting pads are contoured to prevent rotational movement of the coupling segments about the axis of the securing member.

Abstract: An automated cylinder connector is disclosed, which substantially reduces the time required to connect and disconnect a gas line from a gas cylinder. In one embodiment, a threaded connector, defining a conduit for gas flow, is designed to be attached to the valve outlet of a gas cylinder. The connector includes a threaded collar having a bevel gear which engages a similarly shaped bevel gear on an independent, motorized drive member. When the drive member is held against the threaded connector, so that the bevel gears are engaged, and when power is applied to the drive member, the collar on the connector rotates, and is threadedly engaged with the gas cylinder. In another embodiment, the threaded connector takes the form of a turbine which is rotated by a stream of compressed air. Rotation of the turbine screws the connector into the gas cylinder. In both embodiments, a plurality of threaded connectors can be grouped together, and suspended above a plurality of cylinders, by a set of springs.

Abstract: Quick-action coupling for the elements of an extension tube used in ocean oil well drilling, comprising a female tubular element (3) and a male tubular element (4) of the rising column. When fitted into another, these form between them an annular groove (10) open in its upper part and limited in its lower part by an axial bearing surface made on the periphery of one of the tubular elements (3, 4), this having a dimension sufficient to allow the locking collar (13) to be introduced.

Abstract: A nonswiveling rotatable link formed from flexible conduits extending between two parallel planes of which one is rotatable relative to the other is stabilized without the use of a gear wheel mated to teeth on each of the two planes. The link instead includes two flexible conduits which together form two loops or circles, one on each plane. Each conduit also forms an arc traversing the gap between the planes, through which the conduit passes and reverses direction while transferring from one plane to the other as one plane rotates, the two arcs curving in opposite directions and overlapping to form a closed crossover loop. Tension within the crossover loop and thus proper alignment of the conduits is provided by pairs of idlers forced apart laterally inside the loop by a spring or cylinder mounting which maintains expansive pressure as conditions in the conduits cause the loop to expand or contract.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an arrangement for centering conduits to facilitate coupling an end flange of a stationary conduit with an end flange of a conduit section removable in the vertical direction. The conduits interconnect materials processing apparatus in a large-area cell for reprocessing irradiated nuclear fuel. The interface separating the connected flanges is in a vertical plane. The joining of the stationary end flange to the end flange of the movable conduit section is carried out by remote handling and the operator performs the connecting process with the aid of a television monitor. To enable the process of coupling the flanges to be carried out quickly, safely, and in a simple manner, the arrangement of the invention includes an upwardly projecting vertical centering key mounted on the stationary pipe conduit. A V-shaped guide defining mutually adjacent centering surfaces is mounted on the removable conduit section.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a connecting arrangement for interconnecting o widely spaced stationary end flanges corresponding to two conduits with an interconnecting conduit section. The two conduits lead to processing components in a large-area cell for reprocessing irradiated nuclear fuels and the processing components are mounted in racks in the cell. When remote-controlled maintenance is carried out and the racks are exchanged, it must be possible for the interconnecting conduit section to be removed simply and quickly by remote-controlled handling and replaced simply and quickly after the exchange is completed. For this purpose, the conduit section has two connecting end flanges lying in respective planes parallel to each other and with their flange engaging surfaces facing in the same direction. The stationary end flanges which have to be interconnected by the conduit section are also arranged parallel to each other and their flange engaging surfaces face in the same direction.

Abstract: A connector unit for a number of different coupling applications such as for interconnecting a pair of pipes or other structural parts which must be mounted near each other and at an angle with respect to each other. The connector unit includes a pair of side members which are spaced apart and to which are mounted the structural parts to be interconnected. Each side member has a respective ring rotatably mounted thereon by a first set of balls, and the two rings are rotatably coupled to each other by a second set of balls. Each set of balls is in an annular race formed by a pair of mating grooves. The balls of each set are fed into a respective race through a hole in the respective ring, then the hole is plugged to keep the balls in place. The race between the two rings is inclined at an angle relative to the race between each side member and the respective ring.

Abstract: An unrestricted, leakproof, rotatable fluid flow joint comprising: a flexible rod mechanism, a first elbow, a second elbow, and a resilient O-ring; the first elbow including a mechanism for rotatably receiving the second elbow, a mechanism for rotatably connecting the elbows with the flexible rod mechanism, and a mechanism for guiding the flexible rod into the mechanism for rotatably connecting the second elbow including a mechanism for rotatably mating with the mechanism for receiving and mechanism for rotatably connecting the elbows wherein the flexible rod slidably inserts within at least a portion of the mechanism for rotatably connecting to connect the first and second elbows; and wherein at least one of the elbows includes a mechanism for holding the O-ring between the flexible rod and the end of the second elbow, the O-ring disposed in resilient contact with and between the mechanism for receiving and the mechanism for mating.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for coupling a fixed unit, such as a fluid riser or electrical cable rising from a sea bed and fixed in space, with a movable unit, such as a production vessel floating on the prevailing sea. The apparatus includes a pair of vertically spaced, coaxial, relatively shiftable disks, the lower disk being coupled with the riser or cable, and the upper disk being coupled with the vessel. A conduit extends between and can be moved onto and off the members as a function of the rotation of the vessel due to the wave action. The upper and lower members move in a manner to allow the conduit to move onto the circumferential extent of the outer periphery of one member and off the circumferential extent of the outer periphery of the other member as a function of the rotation of the vessel through at least two revolutions in one direction.