Abstract: A method for determining a presence of live 3-phase electrical lines inside a buried pipe or conduit from outside the pipe or conduit and preferably from an above ground location. A sensor suitable for detecting vibratory signals is placed on the ground proximate the location of the buried pipe. The sensor is then used to determine the presence of a current frequency signal and a current harmonic frequency signal, whereby presence of the current frequency signal and/or the current harmonic frequency signal corresponds to a presence of a live 3-phase electrical line within the buried pipe or conduit. Although intended primarily for use in connection with buried pipes, the method may also be employed on exposed pipes and conduits.

Abstract: A method for inspecting joined material interfaces, such as butt fusion pipe joints of plastic pipes, using ultrasonic waveforms to discriminate between acceptable and unacceptable interfaces. The waveforms (amplitude vs time) having been transmitted to a material interface of interest are divided into a number of time zones and the amplitudes of the waveforms within the time zones compared against waveform amplitudes obtained from known acceptable joined material interfaces to determine the quality of the material interface of interest.

Abstract: A low pressure directional stop bypass device including a saddle fitting having an axially extending tubular connection element having a connection element wall forming a lateral bypass port, a valve assembly connected with the axially extending tubular connection element having a first valve port in fluid communication with the lateral bypass port and having a second valve port, and a stuffing box connected with the second valve port. A launch tube assembly is inserted through the stuffing box and the valve assembly into the axially extending tubular connection element. The launch tube element includes an outer tubular member, an inner tubular member disposed within the outer tubular member, and a stopper supply tube having a leading end and a trailing end and disposed within the inner tubular member. A flexible inflatable stopper plug connected with the leading end of the stopper supply tube.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for non-interruptible change out of a gas meter utilizing the meter set assembly swivel connections to create a bypass of the meter. The apparatus is machined to conform to the swivel and the threads of the meter inlet and outlet. A clamping mechanism maintains the meter and the apparatus in place while internal mechanisms create a gap between the swivel and the inlet or outlet of the meter. A sliding mechanism disengages the swivel gasket normally disposed between the meter inlet or outlet and the swivel for replacement during the meter exchange. Once the gap is created, a second apparatus similar to the first apparatus is attached to the other of the meter inlet or outlet. A hose providing fluid communication between the two apparatuses acts as the bypass during change out of the meter.

Abstract: A low pressure directional stop bypass device including a saddle fitting having an axially extending tubular connection element having a connection element wall forming a lateral bypass port, a valve assembly connected with the axially extending tubular connection element having a first valve port in fluid communication with the lateral bypass port and having a second valve port, and a stuffing box connected with the second valve port. A launch tube assembly is inserted through the stuffing box and the valve assembly into the axially extending tubular connection element. The launch tube element includes an outer tubular member, an inner tubular member disposed within the outer tubular member, and a stopper supply tube having a leading end and a trailing end and disposed within the inner tubular member. A flexible inflatable stopper plug connected with the leading end of the stopper supply tube.

Abstract: A method for inspecting joined material interfaces, such as butt fusion pipe joints of plastic pipes, using ultrasonic waveforms to discriminate between acceptable and unacceptable interfaces. The waveforms (amplitude vs time) having been transmitted to a material interface of interest are divided into a number of time zones and the amplitudes of the waveforms within the time zones compared against waveform amplitudes obtained from known acceptable joined material interfaces to determine the quality of the material interface of interest.

Abstract: A method and apparatus in which a first absorption measurement is made over a first frequency interval or set of frequency intervals including one or more absorptions from a spectral band of interest. The first absorption measurement is ideally selected to be near the frequency of a peak in the absorption spectrum, providing high sensitivity at low gas concentrations. A second absorption measurement is made over a second frequency interval. The second absorption measurement is made to include a contribution from the broadening of the absorption spectrum at higher concentrations. The second absorption measurement provides sensitivity at higher concentrations. The two absorption measurements are then combined to deduce the target sample concentration as the absorption line spectrum changes shape with concentration.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for inspecting the walls of an underground pipe from inside the pipe in which an inspection apparatus having a circular planar platform having a plurality of lever arms having one end pivotably attached to one side of the platform, having a pipe inspection device connected to an opposite end, and having a system for pivoting the lever arms is inserted into the underground pipe, with the inspection apparatus oriented with the planar platform disposed perpendicular to the pipe axis. The plurality of lever arms are pivoted toward the inside wall of the pipe, contacting the inside wall with each inspection device as the apparatus is conveyed along a length of the underground pipe.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for non-interruptible change out of a gas meter utilizing the meter set assembly swivel connections to create a bypass of the meter. The apparatus is machined to conform to the swivel and the threads of the meter inlet and outlet. A clamping mechanism maintains the meter and the apparatus in place while internal mechanisms create a gap between the swivel and the inlet or outlet of the meter. A sliding mechanism disengages the swivel gasket normally disposed between the meter inlet or outlet and the swivel for replacement during the meter exchange. Once the gap is created, a second apparatus similar to the first apparatus is attached to the other of the meter inlet or outlet. A hose providing fluid communication between the two apparatuses acts as the bypass during change out of the meter.

Abstract: A method for locating an object buried in soil in which at least one electromagnetic signal is imparted onto the buried object, thereby generating an electromagnetic field around the buried object. The electromagnetic field as well as at least one electromagnetic property of the soil surrounding the buried object, such as moisture content, temperature and density, is then determined. Data related to the at least one electromagnetic property is transmitted to a data processor in which at least one algorithm is applied to the data, whereby a location of the buried object is determined.

Abstract: An excavation shoring system having four vertical, cylindrical poles, each connected to a base element, arranged to constitute corners of a rectangle. At least one vertically oriented shoring panel corresponding to each side of the rectangle is provided, with each of the shoring panels corresponding to adjacent sides of the rectangle having one end rotatably connected to a first pair of diagonally opposed cylindrical poles in a manner forming four vertical walls of uniform height. At least two vertically oriented, U-shaped channels disposed at right angles to each other are connected to a second pair of diagonally opposed cylindrical poles. The U-shaped channels have a channel width substantially corresponding to a thickness of the panels and are oriented to receive a free end of each shoring panel.