Abstract: A guide tube for use in a rock drill string includes a main portion, a sleeve disposed at a first end of the main portion, and a male thread portion disposed at a second end of the main portion. The sleeve forms a recess having a female thread. A flush channel extends through the guide tube. The main portion includes a section of reduced cross-section disposed adjacent the sleeve for defining a generally radially extending shoulder between the waist and the sleeve. The shoulder serves to support the guide tube on a rig as percussion is applied to the guide tube for loosening a threaded joint between the guide tube and another member.

Abstract: A serviceable design for a pressure vessel or reservoir includes a removable retainer accessible from a location external to the reservoir. Many existing, commercially available components can be used with only slight modification while providing ease of access to repair/replace seal members if so desired.

Abstract: A gasket 17 for a demountable pipe joint 1 of an hygienic food processing system, the gasket 17 comprising a first part 19 defining a surface 27 for providing a smooth transition from a first pipe end 3 to a second pipe end 5 at a pipe joint 1, the sides of the gasket 17 each defining a plateau 25 adjacent the surface 27 for abutting the pipe ends 3, 5, in use, to produce an hygienic seal, wherein the first part 19 of the gasket 17 is made from a plastics material having sufficient structural strength when not fully supported to withstand pressures within the pipes 3, 5, during use, without damaging or separating from the pipe ends. Such a gasket has been found to be extremely efficient and appropriate in hygienic food processing systems, which in the past have relied heavily on elastomeric gaskets.

Abstract: A quick connect body having first, second and third ports carries an insert extending from the first port to the third port and forming first and second flow paths through the body from the first and second ports, respectively, to concentrically mounted conduits attached to the third port and to one end of the insert. Retainer elements are mounted on the body and/or the insert to sealingly couple first and second conduits to the body and the insert.

Abstract: A detachable coupling includes a housing having wall, an end that has an inner wall, and a receiving space that has an opening in the end. The opening and the receiving space receives a tubular insertion part that has a retaining rib. An indicating part is removably mounted to the end of the receiving housing and includes a support ring and a lever. The lever has a free end and a inner end and is pivotally mounted to the support ring and extends into the receiving space. A support projection is positioned on the inner end of the lever and contacts the inner wall. Insertion of the tubular insertion part causes the retaining rib to contact the free end of the lever and results in the pivoting of the lever. Pivoting of the lever disengages the support projection from the inner wall and dismounts the indicating part from the housing.

Abstract: A threaded connector includes a pin member having a large thread step and a small thread step. The pin member has a first sealing surface between the steps. Threads on the steps of the pin member each have load flanks and stab flanks. The connector includes a box member having a large thread step and a small thread step corresponding to the thread steps on the pin member. The box member has a second sealing surface corresponding to the first sealing surface. Threads on the steps of the box member have load flanks and stab flanks corresponding to the threads on the pin member. The threads on the large thread step have a first clearance between corresponding stab flanks on the pin and box members when the pin and box members are assembled and the corresponding load flanks are engaged. The threads on the small step have a second clearance between corresponding stab flanks when the pin and box members are assembled. The first clearance in one embodiment is smaller than the second clearance.

Abstract: A universal conduit connector. The universal conduit connector has a flexible conduit with an intermediate portion of a predetermined length with identical connector ends affixed to ends of the flexible conduit. Each connector end has a stem extending therefrom and has a through hole formed therethrough. The stems have intermediate portions with a smaller diameter and a beveled barb on a tip of the stem with a larger diameter. A plurality of threaded nut cups are provided, each having an aperture formed therein that is sized larger than the diameter of the barb tip. A plurality of resilient washers dimensioned to fit within a matched threaded nut cup and having a through hole sized to fit tightly around the intermediate portion of the stem are provided. The resilient washers are adapted to be engaged with the engagement means to retain the threaded nut cup with the connector ends.

Abstract: A pipe connector for offshore risers has conical thread forms. The connector has a pin with a nose, an external shoulder, and conical first and second pin threaded sections. The first and second pin threaded sections are axially separated by a pin intermediate section that is free of threads. The first and second pin threaded sections are formed on a single continuous taper and on a continuous helix. The intermediate section is also conical and at the same taper as the pin first and second threaded sections. The connecter has a box with a rim, an internal base, and a conical receptacle between the rim and the base. The conical receptacle has first and second box threaded sections that make up with the pin threaded sections. The box also has an intermediate section between its first and second threaded connections that is free of threads. The intermediate sections make up with radial interference. Upper and lower metal-to-metal sealing surfaces are located at the nose and at the base of the pin.

Abstract: A diffusion-tight fluid conduit for hydrocarbon-containing fluids has a corrugated pipe of corrosion-resistant metal with a corrugated inner side and a corrugated outer side, wherein the outer side is exposed. An inner pipe of plastic material is arranged inside the corrugated pipe and has a smooth inner side and a smooth outer side. A first coupling member is seal-tightly connected by material bonding to a first end of the corrugated pipe.

Abstract: A coupling assembly for connecting two members is provided that includes a first “male” member and a second “female” member. The first member includes a release sleeve moveably mounted thereon having a rigid release portion and a flexible sealing portion. The second member is integrated into an apparatus, such as a pump, and includes a duct therethrough for receiving the first member. Upon connection of the first and second members, the flexible sealing portion sealingly engages a recessed seat portion of the second member to substantially inhibit the ingression of contaminates into the duct when the first and second members are connected. The foregoing coupling assembly is advantageous because it allows the second member to be formed directly into an apparatus. In other embodiments, the coupling assembly provides an improved release sleeve that releases the male member from both a conventional female member and an integral female member.

Abstract: A special fitting for installing a flanged nipple from the exterior of a duct. The threaded nipple has a handling stem formed integrally therewith, which is used to hold the nipple and flange inside the duct while a flexible cup seal washer is deformed and passed through the space between the handling stem and the duct. Thereafter, the fitting is drawn up with a nut and the handling stem cut off to provide a nipple.