Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a flexible conduit which includes a flexible member and a rigid member in fluid communication with the flexible member. The apparatus has a releasable connector and a shock absorber. The releasable connector has a first member and a second member. When a releasing force is applied to the flexible conduit, the releasable connector separates. The shock absorber is configured to absorb a load when the releasable connector separates. The shock absorber may include a compressible material that includes a metal, such as a metal foam or a corrugated metal sheet. The releasable connector and the shock absorber may be integrally formed together.

Abstract: An expansion loop for a piping system. The expansion loop has a first flexible conduit with a first end and a second end and a second flexible conduit with a first end and a second end. A first rigid conduit is connected between the first ends of the first and second flexible conduits. Additional rigid conduits are connected to both of the second ends of the flexible conduits. These additional rigid conduits include a stainless-steel elbow, a conversion conduit, and a copper conduit. The expansion loop may be installed wherein the flexible conduits are bent, when fluid flows, the flexible conduits straighten out and are not bent.

Abstract: A basket strainer insert having a body with one or more magnets disposed therein. The basket strainer insert includes a baffle to disrupt the flow of liquid through the basket strainer and facilitates the attraction of metallic particles to the body. The baffle has a plurality of lobes secured to the body with connection portions and separated from each other by gaps. The lobes may have an inward bend, an outward bend, or may be planar.

Abstract: A pipeline strainer having a body with a straining element therein. One or more magnets are removably inserted into the straining element and configured to be removed from the body without causing liquid within the cavity to drain from the pipeline strainer. A drywell is used to house the magnets. The movement of withdrawing the magnets pulls metal particles along the outer surface of the drywell toward a debris drain. A baffle is disposed at the end of the drywell that is adjacent or near the debris drain to reduce turbulence from the fluid flow within the pipeline strainer.

Abstract: An apparatus having a flexible conduit which includes a flexible member and a rigid member in fluid communication with the flexible member, and a releasable connector. The releasable connector has a first member and a second member. When a releasing force is applied to the flexible conduit, the releasable connector separates. The apparatus also includes a shock absorber to configured to absorb a load when the releasable connector separates. The shock absorber may include elastomeric pads between rigid plates, a rotary dampener, a spring, rod and piston, or an elastic strap.

Abstract: A basket strainer insert having a body with one or more magnets disposed therein. The basket strainer insert includes a baffle that is removable. The movement of withdrawing the baffle from the body allows magnetic debris to be removed. A baffle may be disposed at the center of the elongate intermediate portion of the body. The baffle may comprise a collar and two or more symmetrical lobes, each lobe comprising an upper portion and a lower portion. Alternatively, the baffle may be a hollow shape with a plurality of apertures.

Abstract: A pipeline strainer having a body with a straining element therein. One or more magnets are removably inserted into the straining element and configured to be removed from the body without causing liquid within the cavity to drain from the pipeline strainer. A drywell is used to house the magnets. The movement of withdrawing the magnets pulls metal particles along the outer surface of the drywell toward a debris drain.

Abstract: An expansion joint including a hollow elastomeric body having coupling flanges at each open end configured to connect to flanges of a pipe system. The hollow elastomeric body is made of a material including an elastomer and fibers. A stretchable sensor is located within the material of the hollow elastomeric body. The sensor is configured to provide a varying electrical characteristic when the sensor is stretched or contracts. An analysis circuit is connected to the sensor, the analysis circuit configured to receive the varying electrical characteristic and to emit a signal corresponding to a level of the electrical characteristic received by the analysis circuit.

Abstract: A pipeline strainer having a body with a straining element therein. A portion of the straining element is in the path of fluid flowing from the inlet to the outlet of the body. A first end of the straining element may be parallel to the inlet, or may be coextensive with the inlet. The second end of the straining element may be disposed proximate a debris drain. A first axis from the inlet for fluid to the outlet for fluid and a second axis from the inlet for fluid to the debris drain may form an angle of less than 30°. A rotatable plug may be disposed in the debris drain. The straining element may include at least one corrugation. A cover plate may be removable secured to the bottom of the body of the pipeline strainer.

Abstract: A pipeline strainer having a body with a straining element therein. The body has a Y-shape and defines a cavity to receive the straining element. The cavity may be defined in part by a recess that comprises a surface which may be used to guide the straining element as it is inserted into the cavity. The recess may form a dome. The recess, when viewed cross sectionally, may have a linear segment and a curvilinear segment. A rounded protrusion may be created on an outer surface of the body as a result of the recess.

Abstract: A pipeline strainer having a body with a straining element therein. A cleaning tool is disposed in the body to dislodge debris from the straining element. The debris may be removed from the body through a debris drain. The cleaning tool comprises a portion within the body and a portion outside of the body. A handle may comprise the portion outside of the body.

Abstract: A flexible conduit having a rigid portion, a flexible portion and a releasable connector secured to the rigid portion to support the flexible conduit. The releasable connector includes a male member and a female member. One of the two members are secured together with a biasing element such as a retaining ring, and a detent. Both members may include detents, with each detent on the male member including a retaining ring.

Abstract: A flexible conduit having a rigid portion, a flexible portion and a releasable connector secured to the rigid portion to support the flexible conduit. The releasable connector includes a male member and a female member. One of the two members includes at least one biased plungers and the other includes at least one detent. The plungers and detents are vertically spaced along the longitudinal axes of the members. A clevis may be used to secure the releasable connector to the rigid portion of the flexible conduit. A second support connected to the male and female members may be used. Also a method of supporting a flexible conduit with a releasable connector.

Abstract: A device for use in a pipeline including a fluid conduit section constructed of a flexible material. The fluid conduit section has a first end, which includes a first mounting arrangement, and a second end, which includes a second mounting arrangement. The fluid conduit section also has a length defined between the first and second ends, an internal diameter, and a fluid passage therethrough to allow fluid to flow from the first to the second end. The device also includes a plurality of longitudinally extending vanes positioned within the fluid conduit section, wherein radially inner edges of the vanes are in direct contact with the radially inner edges of adjacent vanes, and radially outer edges of the vanes contact one of the first and second ends, but are separated from the internal diameter of a remainder of the fluid conduit section, such that a space is defined therebetween.

Abstract: A fluid flow stabilizer for use in a flow of fluid in a conduit between a source of turbulence and a fluid control device. The stabilizer comprises a fluid conduit section having a first end with a mounting arrangement for mounting the first end to the fluid conduit and a second end with a mounting arrangement for mounting the second end to the fluid conduit, the fluid conduit section having a fluid passage therethrough to allow fluid to flow from the first end to the second end, and a flow straightening device positioned in the fluid conduit section. The fluid conduit section may be constructed to absorb at least one of shock, vibration and alignment in the conduit.

Abstract: A method of displaying a product which has features with differently configured permutations is provided, which is especially useful when using a computer program to display the product, such as on a web site of a global computer network. The method provides for different permutations to be selected of the various features and a composite image is generated and displayed of the selected permutations. In this manner, images of the individual permutations must be stored rather than images of all of the different possible combinations of permutations. Such a method considerably reduces the storage requirements for displaying all of the various combinations.

Abstract: A multi-link seal assembly having material that swells when exposed to fire is provided. The multi-link seal assembly includes a plurality of seal blocks. Each seal block is made of a material that swells when exposed to fire, wherein the material consists of 2.4 weight percent expandable graphite, 6.6 weight percent brominated diphenyl oxide, 2.0 weight percent antimony trioxide, 16.8 weight percent carbon black, and remaining material to bring the total weight percent to 100 weight percent. Further, each seal block expands when the temperature reaches 300 degrees Celsius and forms a hard, crust-like barrier when exposed to fire. Each of the seal blocks are arcuate in shape such that when joined together to form a seal belt and unjoined ends of the seal belt are configured to be joined together to form a continuous ring. The continuous ring is configured to be disposed about a pipe.

Abstract: A annular seal assembly having a friction-reducing layer, such as wire mesh, on the inner surface that is in contact with a pipe, whereby the friction-reducing layer decreases the coefficient of friction between the pipe and the seal assembly is decreased so that the seal is not dislodged from the wall when the pipe is pushed through the seal assembly.

Abstract: A annular seal assembly having a friction-reducing layer, such as wire mesh, on the inner surface that is in contact with a pipe, whereby the friction-reducing layer decreases the coefficient of friction between the pipe and the seal assembly is decreased so that the seal is not dislodged from the wall when the pipe is pushed through the seal assembly.

Abstract: A pipe guide apparatus and system. The pipe guide includes a first member being secured to the pipe and having at least one element extending parallel to an axis of the pipe and a second member being secured to a fixed structural component and having at least one element extending parallel to the pipe axis. In addition, a layered member is provided wherein the elements of the first and second members and the layered member are configured and engaged in a mating relationship to permit axial movement of the first member relative to the second member, yet to prevent non-axial pipe movement due to external forces. In this mating relationship, the layered member further acts to absorb shock or vibration due to pipe movement, thereby greatly reducing noise being transferred to the surrounding environment. A plurality of pipe guides, alone or in combination with an expansion joint member, may be employed within the pipe guide system.