Abstract: A pipe coupling includes a clamp housing including at least one end having two opposing clamp members and one or more tightening elements for tightening the clamp members towards each other in a direction transverse to an axial length of the clamp housing so as to apply a radially-inward clamping force on a pipe being clamped in the clamp housing. An at least partially annular seal is mounted in the at least one end of the clamp housing. The seal has a folded-inwards configuration in which a foldable portion of the seal is folded inwards to create a first inner diameter, and a folded-outwards configuration in which the foldable portion of the seal is unfolded outwards to create a second inner diameter larger than the first inner diameter.

Abstract: A hydraulic fluid line coupling system is disclosed. The coupling may include a female fitting, a male fitting, first and second elastomeric seals between the female fitting and male fitting, and a cylindrical collar surrounding the female fitting, male fitting, and first and second elastomeric seals.

Abstract: Various novel connectors are provided. In one embodiment, the connector includes a collar configured to receive first and second components. In this embodiment, the connector may also include a load ring configured to be received in a groove of the second component and to move into and out of engagement with the collar when the second component is received by the collar. The connector of this illustrative embodiment may also include a cotter configured for installation to the second component and to inhibit disengagement of the load ring from the collar. In some embodiments, engagement of the load ring and the collar effects securing of the first and second components to one another. Other devices, systems, and methods related to connectors are also disclosed.

Abstract: A lockable disc brake swivel for use in a drill string is comprised of a tubular swivel housing having a rotatably mounted swivel stem. A disc brake housing is mounted to the swivel housing to encase a radially extending brake disc engaged for rotation with the swivel stem. The disc brake housing also has a disc brake surface that may be selectively engaged with the brake disc to allow or prevent rotation of the swivel stem. The brake piston may be hydraulically or pneumatically activated.

Abstract: A gasket is adapted for sealing a joint between bell and spigot ends of corrugated pipes. The gasket generally includes a pair of seal lobes which provide a redundant double seal, together with an anchoring portion sized to be received in a trough defined by the pipe corrugation and at least one anti-roll lip adapted to engage the anchoring corrugation.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided through which in one preferred embodiment a faucet attachment adapter includes a seal, a seal housing, an adapter housing and a hose adapter. A first end of the seal is mounted to an interior of the seal housing. A second end of the seal is mounted to an interior of the adapter housing. The adapter housing is free to rotate relative to the seal housing. An end of the seal housing may be placed over a faucet or spigot. Rotation of the second end of the seal relative to the first end of the seal allows the seal to rotate between an open orientation and a sealing orientation around the faucet or spigot. An end of a hose is connectable to the hose adapter. A spray or scrubber attachment may then be connected to the other end of the hose. A locking mechanism may be utilized to prevent unwanted rotation of the adapter housing relative to the seal housing.

Abstract: A pipe joint is connected with a connecting pipe, and includes a pipe joint body and a nut member. When the connecting pipe formed with a bead expanded in the radial direction is connected with this pipe joint, a male thread of the pipe joint body is engaged with a female thread of the nut member to hold the bead between a tapered face and a tapered face. In addition, the joined portion between the bead and the tapered face forms a first sealed portion, and a joined portion between the bead and the tapered face forms a second sealed portion. Still further, a tapered face of the pipe joint body is joined with the tapered face of the nut member to form a third sealed portion.

Abstract: A hydraulic fluid line coupling system is disclosed. The coupling may include a female fitting, a male fitting, first and second elastomeric seals between the female fitting and male fitting, and a clamp surrounding the female fitting, male fitting, and first and second elastomeric seals.

Abstract: A fitting for joining pipe elements together includes housing portions held preassembled in spaced apart relation to permit pipe elements to be inserted without disassembly of the fitting. Elbow and tee fittings include sealing elements which support the housing portions in spaced relation. Angled surfaces on each housing portion interact with one another to rotate the housing portions in opposite directions to form a rigid joint between the fitting and the pipe elements.

Abstract: Provided are connector assemblies for connecting pipes. For example, a connector assembly can include a connector formed with a hollow into which a pipe is inserted. A large diameter portion on at least one side of both end portions of the hollow where the large diameter portion is formed has a relatively large inner diameter and a housing space inside. The connector assembly also includes a ring-shaped sealing member provided in the hosing space and a grip member provided adjacent to the sealing member in the housing space. Further, the grip member has a body portion formed to contact an inner circumferential surface of the large diameter portion and a pair of sharp portions formed to be bent from both sides of the body portion and to partially bite into the outer circumferential surface of the pipe by crimping the outer circumferential surface of the large diameter portion.

Abstract: A pipe coupling for coupling adjacent pipe ends of a pair of pipes includes a sleeve, a sealing gasket operatively coupled with the sleeve adjacent an open end of the sleeve, and a clamping element for compressing the sleeve or the sealing gasket into tightened engagement with one of the pipe ends. The clamping element includes two bolt flanges nominally spaced apart by a gap and a double threaded fastening bolt with two external threaded portions, which engage with two corresponding fastening nuts having right-hand thread and left-hand thread, respectively. Accordingly, when the fastening bolt is rotated, both of the fastening nuts move towards or away from one another, thereby rapidly moving the bolt flanges to shrink the gap and compress the clamping element or to expand the gap. As such, less time and labor are required to operate the pipe coupling in the field.

Abstract: An extension apparatus for rainwater downspouts comprising a multi-piece, articulated extension device that is attachable to the lowermost portion of a rainwater downspout. The apparatus includes a pivotable joint for articulate movement around the joint. The apparatus further includes elastic members on the apparatus side panels to return the apparatus to an original, resting position after articulation.

Abstract: A raintight compression connector has a connector body with first and second portions and a bore extending therethrough for connection to a conduit. An upper sealing ring is dimensioned to contact the connector body to make sealing contact with a conduit. The upper sealing ring has first, second and third regions. The first region has a first sloping surface to contact a recess shoulder in the connector body and the third region has a third sloping surface to contact an inner surface of the connector body. Specific slopes for these sloping surfaces are disclosed. The upper sealing ring can also be used in a raintight compression coupler.

Abstract: A pipe connector comprises a first connection, a second connection and a third connection. Longitudinal axes of the connections are located substantially in a first plane. The first connection and the second connection are arranged on a common side in relation to a second plane, wherein the second plane is aligned perpendicular to the first plane and runs through the longitudinal axis of the third connection. The first connection and the second connection are linked by means of a U-shaped pipe section, wherein an elongated pipe section has the third connection being formed out from the U-shaped pipe section. The first connection and the second connection are spaced from one another in such a manner that the first connection and the second connection are accessible for connection of pipe lines by means of a tool, in particular a pressing tool.

Abstract: A rotary coupling includes an annular outer section which has a female end, a threaded portion, and a Z-ring relief. A connector pipe has a connection end, a shoulder, and a seal end. A Z-ring is housed within the Z-ring relief and packing seals are housed within a packing chamber; and a retainer ring is threadably received into the threaded portion of the outer section. The retainer ring receives compression screws there-through, wherein in the engaged position the compression screws urge a packing end of the Z-ring longitudinally against packing seals thereby compressing the packing seals into the packing chamber creating a seal. The compression screws are movable between an engaged and disengaged position in order that in the disengaged position the compression pressure against the Z-ring and packing seals is released by backing off the compression screws without disassembly of the rotary coupling.

Abstract: A pressure clamp for connecting pressure vessel segments can include a pair of semi-circular sections, which can be placed around the ends of the segments, so that there is a slight gap between the semi-circular sections. The inner surfaces of the semi-circular sections can be formed with two notches with beveled surfaces. The beveled surfaces can engage corresponding slanted surfaces on the segment ends, to urge the segments towards each other as the clamp is tightened. A pair of jack screws can be threaded through the semi-circular sections so that the jack screws extend slightly outwardly from one of the sections and contact the other section at the beginning of the tightening process, to establish an initial assembly gap. As fasteners tighten the clamp around the segment, the jack screws can be backed out to maintain a uniformly decreasing assembly gap between the semi-circular sections.

Abstract: A flange joint system for SRF cavities. The flange joint system includes a set of high force spring clamps that produce high force on the simple flanges of Superconducting Radio Frequency (SRF) cavities to squeeze conventional metallic seals. The system establishes the required vacuum and RF-tight seal with minimum particle contamination to the inside of the cavity assembly. The spring clamps are designed to stay within their elastic range while being forced open enough to mount over the flange pair. Upon release, the clamps have enough force to plastically deform metallic seal surfaces and continue to a new equilibrium sprung dimension where the flanges remain held against one another with enough preload such that normal handling will not break the seal.

Abstract: A hydraulic system includes a housing having a housing bore defined by a bore inner surface, wherein the bore inner surface has an internal thread formed thereon and an insert having a flange formed adjacent a first end, a sealing feature formed adjacent a second end opposite the first end, and a cylindrical outer surface extending between the first end and the second end, the cylindrical outer surface having an external buttress thread configured to mesh with the internal thread of the housing bore. The sealing feature and the flange are configured to interface with the housing to provide a fluid seal.

Abstract: A tubular threaded joint is constituted by a pin and a box each having a contact surface comprising an unthreaded metal contact portion including a seal portion and a shoulder portion and a threaded portion. Of the contact surface of at least one of the pin and the box, the surfaces of the seal portion and the shoulder portion has a first lubricating coating in the form of a solid lubricating coating, and the surface of the threaded portion or the entire surface of the contact surface has a second lubricating coating selected from a viscous liquid lubricating coating and a solid lubricating coating. The first lubricating coating has a coefficient of friction which is higher than that of the second lubricating coating, and the second lubricating coating is positioned on top in a portion where both the first lubricating coating and the second lubricating coating are present.

Abstract: A fire hose coupling comprises a body having a first end connected to a fire hose and a second end having either male or female threads or, alternatively, a quarter-turn sexless coupler. The fire hose coupling comprises a recessed portion formed in an outer surface of the body. The recessed portion is shaped to define a visuotactile directional indicator such as an arrow. The recessed portion may include a light-reflecting surface to enhance visibility such as a super reflective metal film, a photo luminescent coating, or a phosfluorescent coating. The recessed directional indicator may be formed in female, male or sexless (Storz) couplings.