Abstract: A prestress wire splicing apparatus is used to replace sections of wire used in prestressing concrete pipe, where a section of wire has either failed due to corrosion or has been removed for inspection purposes, and to restore the proper amount of tension necessary to keep the concrete pipe in a net overall compression force. The prestress wire splicing apparatus comprises a set of anchor blocks for attachment to the ends of wires, a stop screw for holding a set of the anchor blocks apart, a clamp bolt for securing a set of the blocks together, and a hydraulic clamping device for pressing a set of blocks toward each other. A splice-wire anchor block is attached to each end of a splice wire. An exposed-wire anchor block is attached to each remaining wire end. A clamping device is attached and operated to compress the anchor blocks together to a desired tension force. A clamp bolt is tightened to maintain the tension and the clamping device is removed.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method for testing the integrity and acceptability of the seal of a package before or after it has been sterilized by any chosen conventional process which may include heat sterilization of a sealed package, aseptic packaging or irradiation. Testing is accomplished by subjecting the package or container to a controlled external pressure, preferably a linear actuator, sufficient to create a selected level of internal pressure. Any suitable means may be used to determine the rate of pressure change within a selected time interval. Upper and lower limits of pressure change determine whether the seal is acceptable.