Abstract: A pipe coupling (10) for coupling and sealing adjacent ends of two pipe sections (12, 14) of the same or different outer diameters. The pipe coupling (10) includes an annular sleeve (24), a pair of annular gaskets (22) and a pair of follower flanges (20) that surround the adjacent ends of the pipe sections (12, 14). The gaskets (22) have inclined front walls (42) that are angled generally complementary to clamping surfaces (28) formed at opposite ends of the sleeve (24). The gaskets further include inclined back walls (52). As the follower flanges (20) are urged toward the opposite ends of the sleeve (24), the inclined back walls (52) of the gaskets (22) cooperate with skirts (32) formed on the follower flanges (22) to cause the gaskets (22) to readily toe-in toward the outer walls of the pipe sections (12, 14) at relatively low torque and cause sealing engagement with pipe ends sections (12, 14).

Abstract: A utility data gathering system is disclosed as comprising a register including a series of index members coupled to a meter mechanism. Each index member includes a plurality of contacts and a switch arm moveable with its index member. The meter mechanism is responsive to utility consumption for moving the index members to positions indicative of the utility consumed, whereby each switch arm completes in normal operation a circuit with just one of its plurality of contacts dependent upon the position of its index member. A digital computer is programmed for performing first and second scans of each contact of each index member to obtain corresponding first and second sets of data indicative of a completed circuit through the switch arm and contacts of each index member. The completed circuit data obtained from each of the first and second scans are compared and if the circuit data of the first and second scans are different, an alarm manifestation is generated.

Abstract: A method of stiffening a flexible pipe using inserts or stiffeners. To account for non-uniformities and toe in of the flexible pipe, the method involves inserting a pipe stiffener into an end of the pipe and expanding the pipe stiffener within the end to a desired diameter. The stiffener is expanded using an expander, and may be sized to any desired diameter. The pipe stiffener may be expanded within the pipe until its outside diameter approximates the inside diameter of the pipe. Alternatively, the pipe stiffener may be expanded within the pipe by an expander until its inside diameter approximates the inside diameter of the pipe before the pipe stiffener is expanded within the pipe. Finally, the stiffener may be expanded within the pipe until the outside diameter of the pipe approximates the outside diameter of other pipes to be joined thereto.

Abstract: An automatic center cavity equalizing valve for equalizing pressure in a main valve. The equalizing valve includes a body with a bore for providing fluid communication between an upstream port and a center cavity port, and a downstream port and the center cavity port. A metal ball is disposed within the bore and is arranged to mate with upstream and downstream seats to seal communication with the upstream or downstream port and the center cavity port depending upon the differential pressure across valve. The metal ball is spring biased against the downstream seat to prevent damage to the downstream seat due to rattling. In addition, access plugs are provided at opposite ends of the bore to allow for access to the interior of the bore for repairing or replacing the metal ball, the seats, and/or other internal components.

Abstract: A plastic pipe adaptor (10) includes a length of pipe (12) having a plastic pipe wall (14) with a substantially rigid pipe stiffener (32) disposed inside the pipe and a substantially rigid collar (34) disposed about the pipe exteriorly of the pipe wall (14), the collar having a recess (40) therein. The stiffener (32) and collar (34) are positioned such that a portion (50) of the plastic pipe wall is disposed between the stiffener (32) and the collar recess (40) and at least a portion (52) of the pipe stiffener is deflected outwardly against the pipe wall portion (50) by an amount sufficient to wedge the pipe wall portion (50) into engagement with the collar recess (40). The result is a firm grip to the pipe which allows the collar to serve as an attachment to another member such as a mechanical joint (30). A method of making the adaptor (10) is also described.

Abstract: A turbine gas flow meter (10) includes a meter body (12) including an inlet portion (24) having an inlet body (32) mounted therein, with an exit end (30) of the body inlet portion being defined at an internal plenum (22) of the meter body, and a removable turbine meter measuring module (44) including a rotor assembly (48) which is inserted into the plenum with an inlet end (127) of the rotor assembly and the exit end of the inlet portion defining an interface therebetween. A closed space (114) is formed about the rotor assembly within the plenum between an inner wall (106) of the body and outer walls (116, 118) of the rotor assembly. An axial gap (128) between a surface (130) of the rotor assembly inlet end and a surface (132) of the body inlet portion exit end, and/or radial notches in either of the surfaces (130, 132), provide fluid pressure communication from the interface to the closed space.

Abstract: An electronic expander (12) allows for reading a plurality of utility meters (14) with an interrogation device (30) via a common electronic access point (16) wherein the interrogation device (30) interrogates and receives meter usage data from all of the meters (14) during a single coupling with the common electronic access point (16).

Abstract: Methods and an apparatus for measuring gas flow with greater reliability than earlier single-rotor and double-rotor turbine meters and dual turbine meter systems are disclosed. The apparatus comprises two independent rotors, in close proximity of each other, housed in the same meter body, but isolated from the effects of each other. No pressure and temperature correction are needed for accuracy performance comparison between the two rotors. Because of the two rotor averaging technique, the reliability of the volume totalization is greatly improved over earlier double-rotor and single-rotor designs.

Abstract: The present invention is a dial in-bound MIU capable of deriving its operating current from a telephone line. The MIU is coupled to the telephone line using conventional practices. The MIU has the capacity to initiate data transmission at a predetermined time or upon demand by the customer or the utility company. The MIU includes a microprocessor which serves as the command processing center for the MIU. The microprocessor also manages all time dependent functions for the MIU. When the microprocessor determines that data transmission is required, the MIU dials up a central computer using a modem built into the MIU circuitry.

Abstract: The remote instrument reading and telemetry system of the present invention includes at least one instrument link interconnected to a data gathering device and a remote station interrogation apparatus. The interrogation apparatus and instrument link both include radio transmitters and receivers so information and instructions can be communicated between them. In the interrogation mode, the interrogation apparatus instructs the instrument link to transmit information (e.g., data from the data gathering device) in a specified manner, within certain time frames, and in a specific frequency channel. Before requesting the transmission of information, the interrogation apparatus determines which of the available reply radio channels is the best for transmission of information and instructs the instrument link to use this reply channel.

Abstract: A call in-bound remote reading and data collection system for the remote reading of utility meters, including a data processor and a remotely located meter interface unit (MIU) interconnected to at least one utility meter to be read. Also disclosed is a meter interface unit and a method for the remote reading of utility meters and the collection of data. The data processor collects, stores and processes data and includes a modem to interconnect the data processor to conventional telephone lines. The MIU is interconnected to the telephone lines and the data processor, to transmit scheduled meter reading to the data processing means, when a prespecified interval has elapsed. The MIU is also interconnected to transmit unscheduled or demand meter readings when the MIU receives telephone line transmissions requesting such a reading (e.g. receipt of a specified tone). A modem is used to interconnect the MIU so it can communicate over the telephone lines.

Abstract: A valve is presented comprising a valve body defining a chamber, a valve stem extending into said chamber, a disk attached to the valve stem, a discrete annular seat movably disposed in the chamber, a resilient ring disposed in the chamber adjacent the annular seat, and a retainer fixed in the chamber on a side of the seat opposite from the ring, wherein the ring exercises a bias on the seat in a direction toward the disk, urging the seat into engagement with the disk. The invention further contemplates a method for making the valve.

Abstract: A plastic ball valve having improved valve stem sealing means.

Abstract: A pipe coupling member comprising a collar member, flanges disposed on the collar member for connecting the collar member a support member, the collar member and the support member being adapted cooperatively to substantially encircle a first pipe member, lugs disposed on the collar member for connecting the collar member to a collar assembly substantially encircling a second pipe member, and elongated protrusions extending inwardly from an inside surface of the collar member and adapted to engage an external surface of the first pipe member.

Abstract: A pipe restraining member comprising a collar member, flanges disposed on the collar member for connecting the collar member to a support, the collar member and the support being adapted cooperatively to encircle a first pipe member, lugs disposed on the collar member for connecting the collar member to a collar assembly encircling a second pipe member, and discrete groups of protrusions extending inwardly from an inside surface of the collar member and adapted to engage an external surface of the first pipe.

Abstract: A valve stem sealing means comprising first and second seal assemblies, the first seal assembly being proximate a valve plug and comprising an expandable ring adapted to be expanded by pressure within the valve to effect a first seal around the valve stem, and the second seal assembly being nearer a free end of the valve stem and comprising a second expandable ring adapted to be expanded by contact with a selectively movable member to effect a second seal around the stem.

Abstract: A method for assembling a plastic ball valve having improved sealing means.

Abstract: A plastic ball valve having improved ball sealing means.

Abstract: A valve stem sealing means comprising first and second seal assemblies, the first seal assembly being proximate a valve plug and comprising an expandable ring adapted to be expanded by pressure within the valve to effect a first seal around the valve stem, and the second seal assembly being nearer a free end of the valve stem and comprising a second expandable ring adapted to be expanded by contact with a selectively movable member to effect a second seal around the stem.

Abstract: Methods and an apparatus for measuring gas flow with greater reliability than earlier single-rotor and double-rotor turbine meters and dual turbine meter systems are disclosed. The apparatus comprises two independent rotors, in close proximity of each other, housed in the same meter body, but isolated from the effects of each other. No pressure and temperature correction are needed for accuracy performance comparison between the two rotors. Because of the two rotor averaging technique, the reliability of the volume totalization is greatly improved over earlier double-rotor and single-rotor designs.