Abstract: A rear view mirror assembly including a housing and a mirror frame mounted in the housing. A pivot base sub-assembly is rotatably mounted in the housing and in mechanical communication with the mirror frame. A stored energy device is fixed to the housing and coupled to the pivot base sub-assembly. A control knob is in communication with the pivot base sub-assembly and adapted to control a scanning position of the mirror frame. The rear view mirror assembly could include a stationary base portion attached to a vehicle door and a mirror housing pivotable with respect to the stationary base portion, such that the mirror housing can be pivoted to view a desired portion of the rear view spectrum.

Abstract: A fail-safe bellows assembly eliminates the usual limit bolts and replaces them with a cylindrical guard that encircles the bellows element with its associated coupling flanges and interconnects said flanges so as to permit a limited safe magnitude of elongation and articulation. The guard is connected to one of said flanges, with a coupling or linking to the other flange that permits the desired safe freedom of movement. In one embodiment one of the flanges has the guard clamped to its periphery while the other flange couples to the guard with pins and apertures. Another embodiment uses pins projecting radially inwardly from the guard at one end, replacing the pins in the flange and cooperating apertures in the guard.In addition to the guards, an elastic sleeve is joined to the periphery of each flange with a fluid-tight seal, and a vent passage through one flange interconnects the inter-flange space with the exterior for safe discharge of any fluid escaping from the bellows element.

Abstract: A fail-safe bellows assembly eliminates the usual limit bolts and replaces them with a cylindrical guard that encircles the bellows element with its associated coupling flanges and interconnects said flanges so as to permit a limited safe magnitude of elongation and articulation. The guard is coupled to both flanges by pins radiating from the flanges that project into apertures in the guard with the apertures lareger than the O.D. of the pins to provide for relative movement of the flanges. A radial gap between the peripheries of the flanges and the guard is filled with a compressible foam layer, and aperture occluders are interposed between foam and guard to prevent extrusion through the apertures of a secondary seal sleeve that bridges the gap between the flanges.

Abstract: The metal housings of multi-branched plastic lined components are welded in situ with the liner in place. A series of grooves in the outer surface of the preformed plastic liner underlie the weld joints and, in cooperation with a vent passage, prevent blow-out of the weld metal and damage to the plastic, all at higher welding temperatures sufficient to obtain deeper weld penetration.

Abstract: A seal load ring having parallel radial faces is installed between the flared gasket portion of the piping plastic liner and the lapped end of a section of metal piping. The plastic engaging face of the ring is provided with a plurality of concentric circular grooves to resist plastic cold flow. The pipe lap has a significantly lesser outside diameter than the outside diameter of the seal load ring, only sufficient to support the joint connecting forces, thereby permitting easier and more economical fabrication of the pipe lap and permitting the use of less ductile less expensive pipe.

Abstract: A conduit consisting of a metal tube, with or without a plastic tube liner, is rendered strain accommodating by securing to its ends fittings that have a first component part to one end of which is joined the usual male or female coupling means or other connector means and to the other end of which is joined a sleeve which, in turn, is connected either directly or through another component part to the metal tube end. Said sleeve is joined to the component part or parts with provision for limited axial and angular movement and a fluid-tight seal therebetween. The plastic lining tube when present may be independently connected to the first component part with a fluid-tight seal or may pass therethrough. Alternatively, a short section of plastic tubing is connected with fluid-tight seals between the two component parts when present or between the first component part and the sleeve.

Abstract: Connection between flange faces is effected with a rigid metal load bearing ring interposed therebetween for assuming the bolt torquing load and, when desired, for providing a fluid seal. Within said load bearing ring are disposed at least one coned ring spring and a force distributing ring for developing a predetermined sealing force against a flare of non-metallic material, usually a plastic. The flare may be at the end of a pipe or fitting liner or associated with an auxiliary or adapter seal. The spring provides automatic compensation for any cold or hot flow of the material within the flare so as to maintain a fluid seal between said flare and a mating surface.

Abstract: Molded plastic liners for pipe spools and fittings are provided with embedded structural anchors having externally projecting parts that are secured to the metal housing by various mechanical fastening arrangements. In a series of embodiments they are welded into the welded seams of the metal housing for the component. Operation under high vacuum is ensured without liner constriction.

Abstract: A seal load ring having a radial face and a tapered face is installed between the flared gasket portion of the piping plastic liner and the frusto-conically flared flange end of a section of light-weight metal piping. The radial face of the ring is provided with a plurality of concentric circular grooves to resist plastic cold flow, and the connection is effected by a split V-clamp.

Abstract: A heat exchanger element is provided with small-bore copper tubing jacketed with perfluoroalkoxy resin wherein the ends of the jacketed copper tubing are each telescoped over the end of a stainless steel nipple having a raised shoulder at its end and an annular groove adjacent thereto. A stainless steel ferrule surrounding a sleeve of polytetrafluoroethylene overlies the joint and for a short distance to either side and is contracted particularly in the region of said nipple groove to squeeze the copper tubing thereinto behind said shoulder. This interlocks the tube with the nipple and establishes a fluid-tight seal between the ferrule, the nipple and the metal tube. The nipples are joined to headers or manifolds by welding or in similar manner.

Abstract: A fluid conduit assembly is provided having at least two snug-fitting concentric pipes each of which is independently impervious to fluid. End fittings are secured to each end of the conduit and have separate portions joined, respectively, to a different one of both of the pipes with a separate fluid tight seal therebetween. The outer pipe is metallic while the inner pipe is non-metallic.

Abstract: An end fitting for metal tubing having a bore provided with spaced annular grooves is also provided with a thin hard metal tubular insert which is disposed within the end of the tubing when the tubing is introduced into the bore and extends from the inner extremity of the metal tube to a point beyond the last annular groove. At least a portion of the insert is expanded radially along with the overlying section of the tubing forcing the latter into said grooves. The insert may have an unexpanded end portion which makes at least a snug fit within the unexpanded tube. The result is substantially increased flex life of the metal tube.

Abstract: A disconnectable union for fluid piping is provided in which a pre-load dependent first seal between disassemblable union members is coaxially related to a second seal operable independently of the pre-loading of the first seal such that the second seal independently contains any fluid that comes in contact with it even if such fluid contact is due to diminution of the pre-loading of the first seal. Various flange joint configurations and seal constructions are disclosed for both plastic lined and unlined metal pipe.

Abstract: A structure having at least two joined contiguous parts, of which at least one is straight and of uniform girth throughout its length, is jacketed with a given fluorocarbon resin by first cross feed extruding a jacket of said resin onto said one part, next providing a joint between said one part and another part, and thereafter coating at least said joint, any exposed surfaces of said one part present between said joint and the adjacent end of said jacket, and a narrow circumferential band at said adjacent end of said jacket with said given resin by spraying in dry powder form, and then applying heat to fuse said sprayed on resin. A heat exchanger is described where the exchanger tubes constitute the straight parts and the manifolds to which they are brazed the other parts.

Abstract: Steel pipe, fittings, joints and valves, lined with PTFE resin are rendered fire-safe for in excess of one hour exposure to open flames by jacketing the components with an enclosure formed from fibrous refractory material. The enclosures are configured and dimensioned to contain a substantially fixed air volume within a predetermined air gap space between the exterior of the component and the interior of the jacket. As an example, high-alumina ceramic fiber mixed with a suitable binder is vacuum formed and then surface coated with an epoxy enamel to produce segments which can be joined around the components to produce satisfactory enclosures. The described segments are reinforced with a metallic skeletal structure which is located so as to permit sizing of openings in the field to accommodate alternative modes of installation.