Abstract: Pressure testing systems comprise a clamp assembly for clamping a device for testing with a test fluid, and a control assembly for controlling application of a clamp pressure to the device. The control assembly comprises a clamp control structure with an activated configuration and an inactivated configuration. In the activated configuration, the clamp control structure permits the clamp pressure to be applied to the device. In the inactivated configuration, the clamp control structure permits the clamp pressure to be released from the device. The control assembly also comprises a safety structure that is actuated by the test fluid between an interlocked configuration and a disengaged configuration. In the interlocked configuration, the safety structure physically prevents the clamp control structure from reconfiguring from the activated configuration to the inactivated configuration.

Abstract: Pressure testing systems comprise a clamp assembly for clamping a device for testing with a test fluid, and a control assembly for controlling application of a clamp pressure to the device. The control assembly comprises a clamp control structure with an activated configuration and an inactivated configuration. In the activated configuration, the clamp control structure permits the clamp pressure to be applied to the device. In the inactivated configuration, the clamp control structure permits the clamp pressure to be released from the device. The control assembly also comprises a safety structure that is actuated by the test fluid between an interlocked configuration and a disengaged configuration. In the interlocked configuration, the safety structure physically prevents the clamp control structure from reconfiguring from the activated configuration to the inactivated configuration.

Abstract: Test flange assemblies comprise a flange body and a piston. The piston is configured to translate relative to the flange body and has an outer surface facing away from the flange body and an inner surface facing toward the flange body. The outer surface defines a circular seal channel for receiving a seal structure between the piston and a flange surface of a flanged component. The outer surface radially inward from the circular seal channel has a surface area that is less than a surface area of the inner surface. Methods of testing pressure containing structures comprise operatively positioning the test flange assembly, positioning a seal structure within the circular seal channel of the piston, coupling the flange body to a flanged component, and pressurizing a volume between the piston and the flange body so that the piston compresses the seal structure between the piston and the flanged component.

Abstract: Test flange assemblies comprise a flange body and a piston. The piston is configured to translate relative to the flange body and has an outer surface facing away from the flange body and an inner surface facing toward the flange body. The outer surface defines a circular seal channel for receiving a seal structure between the piston and a flange surface of a flanged component. The outer surface radially inward from the circular seal channel has a surface area that is less than a surface area of the inner surface. Methods of testing pressure containing structures comprise operatively positioning the test flange assembly, positioning a seal structure within the circular seal channel of the piston, coupling the flange body to a flanged component, and pressurizing a volume between the piston and the flange body so that the piston compresses the seal structure between the piston and the flanged component.

Abstract: Machine tools and methods for machining turbine rotor assemblies are disclosed. Some machine tools include a drill arm that pushes off of a turbine stage that is adjacent to a turbine stage to be machined. Some machine tools include a clamping arm that secures the machine tool to a turbine stage to be machined and an adjacent turbine stage. Some methods include pushing-off of a turbine stage that is adjacent to a turbine stage to be machined. Some methods include securing a machine tool to a turbine stage that is adjacent to a turbine stage to be machined. Some methods include monitoring at least one of a current delivered to a first motor and a voltage applied to the first motor and controlling a second motor in response to the monitoring. Some methods include sequentially machining a turbine stage with cutting tools having increasing lengths and/or diameters.

Abstract: Machine tools and methods for machining turbine rotor assemblies are disclosed. Some machine tools include a drill arm that pushes off of a turbine stage that is adjacent to a turbine stage to be machined. Some machine tools include a clamping arm that secures the machine tool to a turbine stage to be machined and an adjacent turbine stage. Some methods include pushing-off of a turbine stage that is adjacent to a turbine stage to be machined. Some methods include securing a machine tool to a turbine stage that is adjacent to a turbine stage to be machined. Some methods include monitoring at least one of a current delivered to a first motor and a voltage applied to the first motor and controlling a second motor in response to the monitoring. Some methods include sequentially machining a turbine stage with cutting tools having increasing lengths and/or diameters.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a machining tool including two spaced apart flange members adapted to be coupled with a turbine rotor while the rotor is in a first portion of a turbine casing. A carousel may be coupled to the flange members and adapted to rotate relative to the flange members, and adapted to couple with a cutting tool to complete a machining operation. Position of the cutting tool may be sensed and information on the position may be transmitted wirelessly to an operator readable display.

Abstract: A lightweight, compact, machine tool for radially machining a surface is provided, where the machine tool includes a cutting head having a cutter movably coupled thereto, and the cutter is further coupled to a control member such that the control member can variably control radial movement of the cutter relative to the cutting head.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a boring bar tool including a tool carrier adapted to translate along a boring bar. Adjustable guide members may be coupled with the tool carrier and adapted to contact the boring bar. The guide members may also be adapted to sufficiently support the tool carrier on the boring bar.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a machining tool including two spaced apart flange members adapted to be coupled with a turbine rotor while the rotor is in a first portion of a turbine casing. A carousel may be coupled to the flange members and adapted to rotate relative to the flange members, and adapted to couple with a cutting tool to complete a machining operation. Position of the cutting tool may be sensed and information on the position may be transmitted wirelessly to an operator readable display.

Abstract: Apparatus for delivering a plurality of containers to a plurality of filling machines for filling of the containers with a substance. The apparatus includes a feeding assembly including a first staging area aligned with a first filling machine of the plurality of filling machines for facilitating delivery of containers of the plurality of containers from the first staging area to the first filling machine, a second staging area aligned with a second filling machine of the plurality of filling machines for facilitating delivery of containers of the plurality of containers from the second staging area to the second filling machine, and a receiving area adjacent a supply of the plurality of containers. The feeding assembly is configured to move containers of the plurality of containers from the receiving area to the first staging area and to move containers of the plurality of containers from the receiving area to the second staging area.

Abstract: Apparatus for delivering a plurality of containers to a plurality of filling machines for filling of the containers with a substance. The apparatus includes a feeding assembly including a first staging area aligned with a first filling machine of the plurality of filling machines for facilitating delivery of containers of the plurality of containers from the first staging area to the first filling machine, a second staging area aligned with a second filling machine of the plurality of filling machines for facilitating delivery of containers of the plurality of containers from the second staging area to the second filling machine, and a receiving area adjacent a supply of the plurality of containers. The feeding assembly is configured to move containers of the plurality of containers from the receiving area to the first staging area and to move containers of the plurality of containers from the receiving area to the second staging area.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a boring bar tool including a tool carrier adapted to translate along a boring bar. Adjustable guide members may be coupled with the tool carrier and adapted to contact the boring bar. The guide members may also be adapted to sufficiently support the tool carrier on the boring bar.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for filling and sealing of containers, such as sealable valved bags are provided. A sealable valved bag is placed in an upright, erect position, with its sealable valve structure presented to the apparatus, in a slightly open position, amenable to receipt of a filling nozzle of a filling tube. A bag sealing apparatus is placed at the same position along a processing path as a filling apparatus. The filling apparatus and the sealing apparatus are both configured for reciprocable movement into and out of engagement with successive ones of the bags, to enable filling, and subsequent sealing of each of such bags, without intermediate indexing of bags from a filling station to a sealing station.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for filling and sealing of containers, such as sealable valved bags are provided. A sealable valved bag is placed in an upright, erect position, with its sealable valve structure presented to the apparatus, in a slightly open position, amenable to receipt of a filling nozzle of a filling tube. A bag sealing apparatus is placed at the same position along a processing path as a filling apparatus. The filling apparatus and the sealing apparatus are both configured for reciprocable movement into and out of engagement with successive ones of the bags, to enable filling, and subsequent sealing of each of such bags, without intermediate indexing of bags from a filling station to a sealing station.