Abstract: A repair device for the in situ repair of a pipe comprises an assembly of at least four short cylindrical, inflatable members 1, 2, 3, 4, which are interconnected by articulated rods 5 which are each articulated by means of a cardan joint 6. When in the pipe, the inflatable members define a cavity 10 for receiving a filler material 7'. Ducts 8 are provided for individually connecting the inflatable members to a source of compressed inflating fluid, and a duct 22 is provided for conveying the filler material to the cavity 10. The outermost inflatable members are provided with attachments for securing a cable or chain 9 thereto. This construction permits the complete and continuous repair of the pipe during advancement of the assembly of inflatable members, even in the region of shoulders 12, internal projections 13, connections with lateral pipelines 14, or bends 12', while ensuring that the injection chamber 10 remains filled with filler material 7'.

Abstract: A hydropneumatic filament-wound pressure vessel is disclosed. The vessel includes a split tank closure and diaphragm assembly comprising a pari of cup-shaped plastic tank liners having cylindrical sidewall portions terminating in circular open mouth portions. A cylindrical ring is interposed between the open mouths of the liners and is sealed to the liners by a fusion welding operation. A cup-shaped elastomeric diaphragm is sealed to the cylindrical ring and separates the interior of the vessel into a pair of pressure chambers. The outer surface of the tank is helically wound with a resin-impregnated continuous filament.

Abstract: A bending device for use in an endoscope, a catheter or the like is of a simple construction having a coil, an operating wire and a pair of limitation members for limiting an axial compression of the coil. The pair of limitation members are arranged along the length of the coil, and are mounted respectively on diametrically-opposite portions of the coil. The coil is bendable in a direction perpendicular to a plane in which the pair of limitation members are disposed. Instead of the coil, a bellows can be used.

Abstract: A plumbing tool for temporarily plugging a pipe which normally contains fluid under pressure. An elongate threaded rod has proximal and distal ends. A hollow elongate sleeve is disposed around the threaded rod. A cylindrical gasket is disposed around the rod between the hollow sleeve and a gasket stop on the distal end of the rod. The stop includes a washer, keyed to the threaded rod to prevent relative rotational motion, and a nut engaged on the distal end of the threaded rod, to permit field removal of the washer and field replacement of the gasket.

Abstract: A hose of elastomeric material has an insert of metal material for making the hose diffusion-proof. To impart plastic memory to the hose, i.e. make it plastically deformable, the insert according to the invention consists of at least two substantially completely overlapping metal foil layers of a ductile metal material which are fully glued and bonded to each other by means of a binder layer.

Abstract: A duct assembly comprises a plurality of ducts longitudinally joined by an interconnecting web. The ducts are preferably arranged in a ribbon format, a single duct in thickness, enabling greater flexibility. The ducts preferably include an inner layer having a bore therethrough and an outer fire retardant layer. A method for manufacturing such a flexible duct is also disclosed.

Abstract: A hose assembly is provided having an elongated tubular member having a nipple portion, a hose having an internal diameter corresponding essentially with the outer diameter of said nipple portion and a metallic shell which coaxially surrounds said nipple portion with the hose located therebetween. The shell has a radially inward flange at one end thereof which extends radially into an annular groove located in the tubular portion to prevent axial movement of the shell relative to the nipple portion. The nipple portion has a reduced diameter annular channel having a plurality of axially spaced circumferential barbs which extend radially outward from the channel with the outer diameter of the barbs being less than the outer diameter of the nipple portion.

Abstract: A pulsation damper and noise attenuator assembly comprising a housing having an inlet port and an outlet port fluidly connecting the interior of the housing to the flow path of the fluid flow system. A base is mounted to the housing and comprises a vent fluidly connecting the interior of the housing to an external fluid source. A sealing member such as an expandable bellows or piston is seated within the housing and creates a fluid tight seal between the fluid flow path and the external fluid source sealing member. The external fluid biases the sealing member in a forward direction. The sealing member acting against the N.sub.2 fluid under pressure absorbs the full force of the hydraulic shock waves or pulsation within a high pressure fluid flow system as the assembly is mounted directly within the flow path of the fluid. The shock wave is exposed across the full face of the sealing member and dampened prior to the fluid continuing along the flow path.

Abstract: A hose jacket for protecting a flexible resilient fluid conveying hose from external damage comprises a plurality of tubular segments formed of a synthetic resin that fit over the hose in end-to-end fashion with the segments having internal and external tapered surfaces at opposite ends, with the internal tapered surface of one segment mating with the external tapered surface of the adjacent segment so as to facilitate articulation of the hose and hose jacket while limiting gaps between the adjoining hose jacket segments. Connector fittings on the hose retain the hose jacket on the hose. A compression spring between the hose jacket and the hose fitting can be used for resiliently urging the segments together.

Abstract: For the transportation of a fluid such as a methanol or glycol there is provided a multi-conduit umbilical (20) having a conduit which comprises a hose (10,21,22) having a lining layer (11) of polyethylene, for example cross-linked polyethylene, arranged to restrain permeation of fluid from the bore of the hose (10,21,22).

Abstract: A flexible hose particularly suitable for use with automatically operated swimming pool cleaners, the hose being blow moulded from suitable plastics material such that separate lengths can be cut with each length having an integral coupling component at each end. Preferably there will be a male component at one end and a female component at the other end.

Abstract: A method is provided for replacing a length of a branch gas main 1 joined to a spine main 2 with a length of replacement main 7 having an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the branch main. In the method access is gained to the bore of the branch main and one end of the replacement main 7 is fed along the branch main 1 via the access point and towards the spine main 2 until the branch main 1 has been replaced. During and after the feeding step gas is prevented from entering any clearance 20 between the mains 1 and 7 by means of a head 9 attached to the leading end of the main 7. After the feeding step a sealant 25 is injected into the branch main 1 to form a seal within the clearance 20.

Abstract: A flow conditioner comprising an apertured circular plate to be placed in a conduit in an orientation substantially perpendicular to the axis of the conduit. The apertures are circular and are arranged in a plurality of radially spaced circular arrays around a central aperture. The center of the central aperture and the centers of the circular arrays coincide with the center of the circular plate. The apertures in each circular array are equally spaced apart around the center of the plate, and all the apertures in any one circular array are of substantially the same diameter. The size and number of apertures are such that the impedance to flow presented by the plate increases with the radius on which a given array of apertures is arranged.

Abstract: A bent pipe to which external force, such as an internal pressure and a bending moment, is applied singly or in combination, characterized in that the relationship among the outside diameter D.sub.0 of the bent part, the radius of curvature R of the bent part, the outside diameter D.sub.0 of the straight part, the wall thickness T.sub.0 of the straight part, the central cross section angle .phi. of the bent part and the wall thickness t of the pipe, is in the range defined by the following equations (1) and (2): ##EQU1## whereby the bent pipe has a sectional form of high strength.

Abstract: A hose coupling for being attached to one end of a hose comprising a coupling portion for joining the hose coupling to another mateable coupling, and a generally tubular sleeve portion extending rearward from the coupling portion along the outer surface of the hose to discourage bending of the hose along a predetermined distance adjacent to the coupling portion. In one embodiment, both the coupling portion and the tubular sleeve portion are simultaneously molded onto the end of the hose. In another embodiment, a coupling portion is first attached to the hose end by crimping and the tubular sleeve portion then molded onto the outer crimped portion of the coupling portion.

Abstract: An apparatus for blocking the openings of a branched pipe (2) in a branched portion of a pipeline (1) prior to lining the inner surface of the pipeline (1) with a tubular lining material (100) for maintenance/repair or reinforcement purposes includes a spring-biased plug-housing assembly which carries a plurality of plugs for blocking the branch pipe openings. The plugs are installed one at a time into the branch pipe openings and are retained in the openings by a friction fit. The plug-housing assembly dispenses one plug at a time without the possibility of inadvertent dispensing of the remaining unused plugs. The plugs have cut-away portions in the outer periphery thereof, which cut-away portions cooperate for storage and installation purposes with struts on the plug-housing assembly.

Abstract: A fire resistant plastic structure comprises a pair of parallel walls, wherein the spacing between the walls is filled with an array of mutually spaced strut elements, thereby providing a flow path for a cooling fluid throughout the spacing.

Abstract: Downstream extending convolutions (52) disposed on the inside corner (72) of an angled conduit (50) eliminate or reduce the two-dimensional boundary layer separation region (44) thereby eliminating or reducing the pressure losses associated with the separation region (44). The convolutions (52) may be formed into either the angled conduit wall or in an insert (200) which is positioned on the inside corner surface of the conduit.

Abstract: An orifice installation for sealing a plate within a fitting is disclosed. The plate has a seal surrounding its outer circumference. The seal has a large base area of elastomeric material and an outer and inner periphery face. A central circumferential extension larger than the distance in the fitting for permitting entry of a plate carrying device is formed between the shoulders. Circumferential indentations formed in the base separate the shoulders from the extension.

Abstract: High performance hoses are disclosed which are characterized by enhanced heat resistance, leading to prolonged service life, and hence are suitable for use in automobile power steering units. Inner tubes are formed of hydrogenated acrylonitrile/butadiene copolymer rubbers of a selected composition. The inner tubes may be of a double-layered construction composed of an inner layer of hydrogenated acrylonitrile/butadiene copolymer rubber and an outer layer of rubber composition which comprises specified amounts of a selected class of sulfurs, organic peroxide and triazine compounds combined with selected sulfur-curable base rubbers.