Abstract: A device and method for permanent sealing of a connection between a larger diameter water pipe and a smaller diameter water pipe provided by a valved fitting. The device includes a first member and a second member for securing the first member to the larger diameter pipe. The first member defines a chamber for receiving the valved fitting and has a profile for engagement with the external surface of the larger diameter pipe surrounding the valved fitting and an inlet to the chamber for introducing a settable sealing material.

Abstract: A leak detector for detecting and locating leaks in a water supply pipe of plastics, the leak detector comprising a first sensor at a first position arranged to detect a leak signal travelling along a pipe, a second sensor arranged to detect a leak signal travelling along the pipe at a second position spaced from the first position, and a processing device adapted to receive the signals from the first sensor and the second sensor. The processing device may be adapted to determine the velocity of the signals from characteristics of the leak signals. The processing device is adapted to use the velocity and distance between the first sensor and the second sensor to determine the location of a leak. The characteristics may be the relationship between the phase and frequency of the leak signals.

Abstract: Apparatus for converting a flexible liner 2 including a layer 3 of composite material comprising thermoplastics material and reinforcing fibres, into a structural member within a duct 1, has a front portion 6 for insertion in the liner 2, a central portion 7 for heating one side of the layer 3 and a rear portion 20 which forces the heated layer 3 against the duct 1 for consolidation and cooling under pressure. The central portion 7 has heating means 8 producing hot gas which is forced under pressure through the layer 3 of composite material to heat the layer 3, and provides an air gap 14 on the opposite side of the layer 3 while heating takes place. This ensures uniform heating of the layer 3, to melt the thermoplastics material which then mixes intimately with the reinforcing fibres, and is consolidated and cooled to form the structural member.

Abstract: An apparatus as disclosed for mounting a liquid-filled pipe by the use of ultrasound techniques. The apparatus comprises a vehicle capable of fitting inside the pipe, and of being transported along the pipe by the liquid flowing into it, together with rings of several ultrasonic transducers spaced circumferentially round the vehicle. The rings are so arranged that one ring operates in the reflection mode purely radially while two further rings operate as a pair in a longitudinal refraction mode. A fourth ring is used in a circumferential refraction/reflection mode. The vehicle has an associated power supply, data gathering and storage capability and a vehicle for measuring the distance traveled along the pipe.

Abstract: A pipe (4) is rehabilitated by means of a tubular liner (5) which is introduced into the pipe in a contracted form, expanded into contact with the pipe wall, and hardened to retain its form. The liner (5) comprises composite material formed by knitting, braiding or weaving tows of intermingled filaments of thermoplastic and reinforcing fiber, the liner being heated during application to the pipe in order to melt the thermoplastic. The composite material may be created as a sleeve. Alternatively, a sheet of the material may be calendered and rolled up into a tubular form, overlapping edge margins of the sheet being bonded together after expansion of the tube into contact with the pipe wall.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for filtering microorganisms from a sample and culturing the microorganisms employs a membrane filter (3) in a filter holder (10) in which holder the membrane filter is supported on an absorbent support (26) which is maintained in an expansible compressed state against the membrane filter so that any expansion of the membrane filter when wetted by a sample does not cause bubbling of the membrane filter away from its support entrapping air bubbles and so preventing supply of nutrient from culture medium supplied to the support from reaching the microorganisms on the membrane filter.

Abstract: A fluid flow meter of the fluidic oscillator type and suitable for electrically conducting liquids, for example for metering domestic water supplies, comprises a feed back oscillator with magnets creating a magnetic field across at least one of the flow paths and a pair of electrodes detecting the resultant potential difference across the flow path. The frequency of the detected signal gives a measure of the flow rate and a counter of the cycles will give the total flow over a period.

Abstract: A fluid flow meter of the fluidic oscillator type and suitable for electrically conducting liquids, for example for metering domestic water supplies, comprises a feed back oscillator with magnets creating a magnetic field across at least one of the flow paths and a pair of electrodes detecting the resultant potential difference across the flow path. The frequency of the detected signal gives a measure of the flow rate and a counter of the cycles will give the total flow over a period.