Abstract: A reamer for removing material from a packing cylinder bore of an expansion joint is disclosed. A housing is provided which consists of a hollow cylindrical body having a threaded outer surface and a threaded inner surface. The threaded outer surface of the housing is adapted to cooperate with a threaded sidewall of a cavity formed in the packing cylinder such that the housing can be selectively retained therein. A shaft assembly is provided within the hollow cylindrical body of the housing. The shaft assembly includes a head portion, a threaded intermediate portion, and a bit portion. The threaded intermediate portion is adapted to engage the threaded inner surface of the housing. Rotation of the shaft assembly causes the bit portion to be rotated and advanced through the packing cylinder bore to remove the packing material therefrom.

Abstract: An improved ball and socket type joint for use in a fluid conduit and an improved method of forming such a joint are disclosed. The joint comprises ball and socket portions each provided with communicating internal passageways. The socket portion of the joint is formed from two members, namely a cylindrically draped socket retainer body and a socket transition. A first end of the socket retainer body is provided with a ball retaining flange, while a second end is adapted to mate with and be welded to a neck region provided on the socket transition. The ball portion of the joint includes a spherically shaped end. To assemble the joint, the socket retainer is initially disposed about the spherical end of the ball portion so as to enclose it. The second end of the socket retainer is then moved toward the socket transition until they mate. Lastly, the socket retainer and the socket transition are welded together so as to form an integral socket portion for permanently retaining the ball.

Abstract: A guided expansion joint (1) for fluidically connecting two pipes (2,3) in sealed relationship includes low friction annular guides (11,12) at each end of the expansion joint (1) intermediate the slip (4) and the external sleeve (5). A conventional stuffing box (18) provides the seal between the external sleeve (5) and slip (4) while the annular guides (11,12) protect the slip (4) against wear and scoring in the event that the slip (4) and external sleeve (5) depart from the preferred aligned relationship.