Abstract: A closure device includes a door carrying a series of interconnected shear blocks and a keystone shear block designed to transfer stresses created by pressure acting on the door to a surrounding hub. Each interconnected shear block has a limited rotation relative to its adjacent blocks. A holding band operating handle is in communication with a driving link which, in turn, is in communication with the keystone shear block. Actuating the handle causes the keystone shear block to move in an upward vertical direction. The linear movement of the keystone shear block allows the limited rotation of the interconnected shear blocks to occur, thereby causing the circumferential holding band to collapse within itself from an expanded-engaged position to a contracted-removed position relative to said hub. A pressure warning lock provides a safety device and prevents actuation of the holding band operating handle when the pressure chamber is under pressure.

Abstract: A sensor housing system maintains a sensor—which is used in monitoring an extreme temperature environment such as a combustion unit—at a desired ambient temperature. The system comprises one or more sensors housed within an internal chamber and cooled by air or an inert gas. Gas within the chamber cools the sensor and then exhausts to a second internal chamber which, in turn, exhausts to atmosphere. Both chambers are housed in a directional ball pivot that provides access to the extreme temperature environment and adjusts the angle of the sensor. An air tube having a sweep is directed toward the external surface of the glass wafer and directs a hot gas stream across the surface of the wafer. A failsafe device retracts the chambers from the extreme temperature environment in case of power failure or if for some reason the sensor becomes too hot.

Abstract: A system and method for pumping an underground drip includes a pump barrel housing with a plunger and an elongated stroke actuator cylinder sealed to the pump barrel that vertically reciprocates the plunger. The pump barrel and plunger are preferably vented to avoid vacuum lock during pumping. The plunger pumps the fluid located in the drip upwardly to a low pressure tank or a pressurized surface vessel. A ball valve may be screwed onto the siphon line to allow for insertion and removal of the pump barrel and seals the siphon line if the pump is removed. A stuffing box seals the pump barrel to the upper end of the siphon line to prevent air from entering the system. The stuffing box also allows the pump depth to be easily adjustable by sliding the pump in until the pump tags bottom and then tightening at any point needed.

Abstract: A thrust chamber using a single thrust bearing and having seals secured to the thrust chamber case. Also a skid for a horizontally mounted submersible pump, thrust chamber and drive mechanism. The skid having a thrust chamber mounting bracket which provides positive mounting locations thus allowing for the change out of the thrust chamber without removing the drive mechanism.

Abstract: In undersea laying pipeline which is being unreeled from a ship spool in a plastically deformed state, the pipeline is straightened from the plastic state into a behaviorally elastic state as it is unreeled. The straightened pipeline is dispensed in the behaviorally elastic state through a downstream pipe tensioner while the straightened pipeline upstream of the tensioner is maintained in the behaviorally elastic state. The pipeline laying assemblage may include a flange weld station immediately upstream of the tensioner and/or an anode weld station downstream of the tensioner in the above-waterline freeboard of the ship. The pipeline laying method reduces the number of components and the size and cost of the ships in comparison to conventional systems.

Abstract: A stapler is stacked on top of a roll-type tape dispenser. The tape dispenser top surface and the stapler base bottom surface have complemental three dimensional contours which cause the tape dispenser and stapler longitudinal axes to be in parallel relationship when the surfaces are in abutment, prevent relative displacement of the tape dispenser and the stapler when they are stacked and permit the stapler to be dismounted from the tape dispenser and rested for separate use on a flat surface in a stable condition.

Abstract: A spin-on barrier filter cartridge is provided in which an inverted frustum-shaped filter media defines a clean air chamber. A bottom cap blocks air flow through a bottom of the chamber and a top cap restricts air flow through a top of the chamber into a passage concentric with the chamber. The filter media has a pleated cross-section and an inverted frustum-shaped screen-like core abuts the inner apices of the pleated media. The bottom and top caps are fixed to the bottom and top edges of the media to hold the cartridge together and also to seal the junctions against air flow. A nipple extends upwardly from the top cap and defines the concentric passage. The nipple is threaded for spin-on connection to the vacuum in a direction such that the engagement is tightened in response to vortical air flow in the chamber.

Abstract: Pre-stretched films may be used to increase the rate at which loads can be wrapped and to minimize the exertion required when using traditional handheld film. However, the edges of pre-stretched films are easily damaged, which may result in tearing or failure of the film during use. The present disclosure describes devices, systems, and methods for folding the edges of the film, resulting in a film that is less susceptible to damage and easier to use.

Abstract: A passive activator, used in combination with a vehicle sensing arrangement in a roadway, includes an electrically conductive material such as a wire mesh and placed inside or within a vehicle tire. The electrically conductive material portion forms a closed loop. The electrically conductive material portion may also include a protective layer or liner to prevent damage to the tire or to an inner tube of the tire. The passive activator causes sufficient disturbance of the electro-magnetic field to activate a vehicle detection sensor located in a roadway when a tire equipped with the passive activator passes over the roadway induction loop.

Abstract: The present invention regards a plug (2) for scaling off a pipeline (1), comprising a main body (3), scaling means (6) and gripping means (5) arranged circumferentially around the main body (3) and actuation means (4) for operating the sealing and gripping means (5,6) where the gripping means (5) comprise at least one slip (10) with an outer surface (11) for contact against the pipe wall and an inner gliding surface (12) arranged in abutment against a first angled guiding surface (21), forming an angle ? with a center axis of the plug (2), so that the gripping means (5) when actuated is moved relative to the guiding surface (21) to move the slips (10) in a radial direction where the guiding surface (21) in addition is moved in a radial direction relative to the center axis of the plug (2).

Abstract: A roll formed step rail for a vehicle comprises an elongated rail body having two opposing edges which define a longitudinal channel. The channel receives a pinch clamp which is wider than the channel and has a fastening hole and an alignment means. The rail body is lowered onto the mounting surface of a mounting bracket adapted for rigid connection to a vehicle. The mounting surface defines another fastening hole and another portion of the alignment means. A fastener draws the pinch clamp and the mounting surface toward opposite sides of the opposing edges of the rail body. Because the pinch clamp spans the width of the channel and is aligned properly relative to the mounting surface, the rail body is secured between the clamp and the mounting surface by the tightened fastener.

Abstract: A method for progressively dewatering a pipe or pipeline includes the use of a loose-fitting spherical- or quasi-spherical shaped pig body which rolls forward through the interior space of the pipe and temporarily captures and redistributes a portion of the volume of liquids available for capture and redistribution as the pig body rolls on past. Preferably, the portion captured is less than the volume available for capture. A part of the captured liquid may be redistributed to an upper quadrant of the pipe. Capture and redistribution are accomplished by way of a first bypass pathway and a second bypass pathway. One of the pathways may be a through-body pathway. The pig body may be a hollow pig body with a plurality of spaced-apart ports, a solid pig body with a plurality of paddle-like structures, or a cube-sphere type pig body with recessed external wall surfaces.

Abstract: A rotary expansible chamber device includes intersecting, two-piece vanes that provide expansion/compression chambers as the vanes rotate about a central axis of a rotor housing. The rotor housing has an inner contour defined by a conchoid of rhodonea having a shape coefficient of at least 3. The vanes are captured by a primary and secondary output shaft, with engagement arms of the primary output shaft being juxtaposed between the intersecting vanes. A vane spring helps maintain each vane at a constant length and in sealing engagement with the inner contour of the rotor housing.

Abstract: A method for peer-to-peer sharing of job applicant verification data over a network includes a computerized central exchange that interfaces with requesters, providers, and job applicants. The exchange manages the interactions of each requester, provider, and job applicant by providing access to a communication channel depending on the classification of requester, provider, and job applicant. The communication channel may be an online interface, a facsimile interface, or an electronically stored data interface. Data stored in the database is used in completing subsequent verification requests involving that job applicant and provider. Job applicants may review and place holds on verification data before the data are transmitted to the requester. The exchange tracks the status of the verification transaction from the time of its receipt to its final disposition and may send a notice to the requester, provider, or job applicant that informs the recipient as to the status of the request.