Abstract: A pipe joint has a first pipe having an end portion and a first pipe wall thickness, and a second pipe having an end portion. The end portion of the first pipe is welded to the end portion of the second pipe to seal the joint between the first pipe and the second pipe. The first pipe has an outwardly-extending, buckle-inducing deformation that is spaced apart from the pipe joint. A crest height of the deformation is 500% or less of the first pipe wall thickness.

Abstract: A pipe joint has male and female couplers with interfitting features that join pipe sections together when the male coupler is positioned within the female coupler. The couplers can be separate rings or formed in the ends of lengths of pipe. Typically, a male coupler is at one end of a length of pipe and a female coupler is at the opposite end of the pipe. The interfitting features can include three or more ridges or teeth of a first coupler (a male coupler) and the same number of ridges or teeth of a second coupler (a female coupler) each tooth being positioned in a respective transition region of the coupler. Ramp surfaces of the couplers are positioned at opposite sides of each tooth. The ramp surfaces have respective slopes, and the interfitting features are designed to reduce the forces required to push the couplers together into a locked engagement.

Abstract: A pipe ram joint includes first and second couplers that can comprise rings for mounting to the ends of respective pipes or formed in the ends of these pipes. The first coupler can comprise a female ring with a first tooth adjacent to a distal end thereof and a first groove spaced from the distal end. The second coupler can comprise a male ring with a respect second tooth and second groove. When the pipes are rammed together, the first tooth is positioned in the second groove and the second tooth is positioned in the first groove. The couplers have features that reduce the force required to ram the pipe sections together.

Abstract: A pipe gasket is positioned within a pocket in a socket portion of a first end of a first pipe and the end of a spigot pipe is inserted into the socket with the gasket sealing the gap between the pipes. The gasket in one form comprises a blunt rounded nose portion, a central body portion with an insert embedded therein and a rear sealing portion comprising first and second projections, such as fins, that diverge and respectively engage the first pipe and the second pipe.

Abstract: A pipe ram joint includes first and second couplers that can comprise rings for mounting to the ends of respective pipes or formed in the ends of these pipes. The first coupler can comprise a female ring with a first tooth adjacent to a distal end thereof and a first groove spaced from the distal end. The second coupler can comprise a male ring with a respect second tooth and second groove. When the pipes are rammed together, the first tooth is positioned in the second groove and the second tooth is positioned in the first groove. The couplers have features that reduce the force required to ram the pipe sections together.

Abstract: A novel conduit design is disclosed. The conduit includes a cylindrical body having defined therein a first aperture and a second aperture, wherein the first aperture is designed to receive a shaft of a turbine and the second aperture is sufficiently large to facilitate ingress or egress of a probe through the second aperture, and wherein the second aperture is located a distance away from the first aperture such that when a turbine is disposed through the first aperture, an entry by a probe into the cylindrical body through the second aperture is not prevented by presence of the turbine.

Abstract: A generally spherical turbine configured to rotate transversely within a cylindrical pipe under the power of fluid flowing either direction therethrough is operatively coupled with a rotating machine or generator to produce electricity. In one embodiment, the blades of the spherical turbine curve in an approximately 180 degree arc in a plane that is at an inclined angle relative to the rotational axis of a central shaft. In another embodiment, a deflector is provided upstream of the spherical turbine and within the cylindrical pipe to control flow through the spherical turbine by shielding a part thereof. The blades of the spherical turbine are airfoil in cross section to optimize hydrodynamic flow, to minimize cavitation, and to maximize conversion from axial to rotating energy.

Abstract: A generally spherical turbine configured to rotate transversely within a cylindrical pipe under the power of fluid flowing either direction therethrough is operatively coupled with a rotating machine or generator to produce electricity. In one embodiment, the blades of the spherical turbine curve in an approximately 180 degree arc in a plane that is at an inclined angle relative to the rotational axis of a central shaft. In another embodiment, a deflector is provided upstream of the spherical turbine and within the cylindrical pipe to control flow through the spherical turbine by shielding a part thereof. The blades of the spherical turbine are airfoil in cross section to optimize hydrodynamic flow, to minimize cavitation, and to maximize conversion from axial to rotating energy.

Abstract: A slip base support system for tubular posts. The post supporting a highway sign or other highway roadside device is held in a casting that has a triangular, multi-directional base plate. The base plate mates with a similar shaped ground plate, and the two plates are held together with bolts oriented in notches in the apexes of each triangle. Upon impact by a vehicle, the post and support casting break away from the ground plate by ejecting one or more of the bolts laterally from the notches. The post is held within the casting after impact by an internal locking pin, which is retained within the post by grommets, thus minimizing the projectile missiles after impact. To facilitate breakaway, two sheets of galvanized steel having a low coefficient of friction are positioned between the base plate and ground plate. After impact, nearly all parts of the system, including the post, casting, ground plate and bolts, are able to be re-used.

Abstract: A slip base support system for tubular posts. The post supporting a highway sign or other highway roadside device is held in a casting that has a triangular, multi-directional base plate. The base plate mates with a similar shaped ground plate, and the two plates are held together with bolts oriented in notches in the apexes of each triangle. Upon impact by a vehicle, the post and support casting break away from the ground plate by ejecting one or more of the bolts laterally from the notches. The post is held within the casting after impact by an internal locking pin, which is retained within the post by grommets, thus minimizing the projectile missiles after impact. To facilitate breakaway, two sheets of galvanized steel having a low coefficient of friction are positioned between the base plate and ground plate. After impact, nearly all parts of the system, including the post, casting, ground plate and bolts, are able to be re-used.