Abstract: A grooved contracting connector is comprised of a resilient sheet member in the form of a coil having a plurality of circumferential grooves in the resilient sheet member coil. In one embodiment, an adhesive is applied to the inner surface of the resilient sheet member coil at least in the area between the grooves. Resilient sheet member coil is expanded to a larger diameter and held in the expanded condition by the heat sensitive bonding material. In connecting together tubular members, the tubular members are inserted, the connector is heated with the heat sensitive adhesive bonding material at least partially melting to allow the connector to contract firmly onto the tubing to form a tight and strong connection upon cooling.

Abstract: A stackable cable carrying reel has spaced parallel rings connected by exterior spokes arranged to permit a plurality of reels to be stacked, locking devices being provided to enable each reel to be locked to its next adjacent reel. Each reel has structure permitting an end of its cable to be connected a power supply.

Abstract: Refrigeration is produced while delivering transmission pipeline gas of elevated pressure to a branch pipeline of lower pressure by expanding the gas in a turbo-expander to a pressure below the branch pipeline pressure and recovering refrigeration from the expanded gas which is then compressed by a centrifugal compressor directly driven by the turbo-expander to the pressure required for delivery into the branch pipeline. Preferably, the gas is dehydrated by adding methanol and separating aqueous methanol condensate from the expanded gas, and the condensate is distilled with compression heat to recover methanol for reuse.

Abstract: A connecting device for connecting together tubular members is comprised of a resilient sheet member in the form of a coil having at least partially overlapping surfaces. The inner diameter of the sheet member coil is less than the outer diameter of the members to be joined. A layer of heat sensitive adhesive bonding material is provided over the inner surface and subsequently after the formation of the connection on the outer surface of the sheet member coil. The sheet member coil is expanded to a larger diameter against the resiliently inwardly directed force of the sheet member and held in the expanded condition by heat sensitive adhesive bonding material. The expanded larger diameter is of a sufficient diameter to receive the ends of the members to be joined.

Abstract: The high pressure of pipeline gas is reduced to the low pressure of a distribution system with simultaneous generation of refrigeration by passing the gas through two successive centrifugal compressors driven by two turbo-expanders in which the compressed gas is expanded to successively lower pressures. Refrigeration is recovered from the gas as it leaves each turbo-expander. Methanol is injected into the pipeline gas before it is expanded to prevent ice formation. Aqueous methanol condensate separated from the expanded gas is distilled for the recovery and reuse of methanol.

Abstract: A device is provided for connecting together the ends of pipes or tubing or for repairing a fault in a pipe or tubing. The device is comprised of a resilient sheet member in the form of a coil having a layer of heat sensitive bonding material applied to the inner surface of the resilient sheet member. The resilient sheet member coil is formed to an inner diameter slightly less than the outer diameter of the pipe or tubing. In the case where the resilient sheet member is used as a connector, the resilient sheet member is sprung to a diameter larger than the outer diameter of the pipe or tubing and retained in this expanded form by a heat sensitive material which melts upon being heated to allow contraction of the connector. At the same time, the heat sensitive bonding material forms a tight bond to the two ends of the pipes or tubing to be connected.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for restricting fluid flow in a pipeline. An improved inflatable sleeve flow restricting apparatus is disclosed which in one embodiment has restrictor arms extending from one or both ends of the flow restrictor cartridge for engagement with the pipeline side wall at their other ends restricting the inflation of the inflatable sleeve thereby allowing inflation to greater inflation fluid pressures providing pipeline fluid flow restriction in pipelines having pressures of up to about 125 psig. A combination boring-insertion tool is described which utilizes fluid pressure to provide force for the hole cutter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for repairing or relining an underground pipeline without having to excavate the pipe is enabled by attaching an expandable sealing unit to the end of a predetermined length of flexible tubing and feeding it through the pipeline. The flexible tubing is fed through the existing pipeline from a point beyond where the existing pipeline exits the earth, usually within the basement of a building. Once positioned in the desired location, the expandable sealing unit is expanded to form a tight seal at the desired location within the pipe by means of heating the expandable sealing unit by a heating unit connected to the source of energy through electrical conductors which pass through the flexible tubing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for repairing or relining an underground pipeline without having to excavate the pipe is enabled by attaching an expandable sealing unit to the end of a predetermined length of flexible tubing and feeding it through the pipeline. The flexible tubing is fed through the existing pipeline from a point beyond where the existing pipeline exits the earth, usually within the basement of a building. Once positioned in the desired location, the expandable sealing unit is expanded to form a tight seal at the desired location within the pipe by means of heating the expandable sealing unit by a heating unit connected to the source of energy through electrical conductors which pass through the flexible tubing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of sealing and cutting an underground pipeline, such as a gas line or the like, at or near a point where it connects to a main utilizes an expandable plug which may be inserted in the line without the need to excavate to obtain access to the point of sealing. A thermally stabilized cross-linked preshrunk polyolefin plug is inserted into the line on a heater element. The plug may be inserted from a point where the line exits the earth. Once the plug is inserted on the end of the heater element, the heater element is heated causing the plug to expand fitting it tightly inside of the line at or near the main. The heater element may then be withdrawn, and the line may be cut adjacent the inserted plug.