Abstract: A pipe union assembly with embodiments which are capable of use over a very wide temperature range and which may be cycled through temperatures varying widely from the ambient assembly temperature and also over a wide range of pressures without the need to be retightened. Embodiments of the invention also include structures to automatically check the flow of fluids from the components of the pipe union upon disassembly of the union. The pipe union generally comprises one or more fitting members and a sealing member. The sealing member receives a ridge formed on each fitting member in a sealing fashion. One or more external sleeves hold the fitting member and the sealing member in sealing engagement. The materials from which each fitting member and sealing member are fabricated may be chosen so as to exhibit the proper hardness characteristics and thermal expansion coefficients. A compensating washer is also provided to increase compensation for thermal contractions at low temperatures.

Abstract: A safety device for automatically preventing an injectile propelled within a pipeline having a terminus from inadvertently escaping the pipeline at a coupling point. The safety device automatically engages upon decoupling, thereby safe-guarding the pipeline operator and surrounding area from injury and/or damage due to injectiles that have been previously injected within or passed through the pipeline and that could otherwise inadvertently escape the pipeline upon decoupling. A preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a base, means for clamping and means for automatically halting the progress of the injectile. One embodiment of the present invention further comprises means for horizontally positioning the means for automatically halting the progress of the injectile, means for vertically positioning the means for automatically halting the progress of the injectile and means for displacing the means for automatically halting the progress of the injectile.

Abstract: A pipe union assembly with embodiments which are capable of use over a very wide temperature range and which may be cycled through temperatures varying widely from the ambient assembly temperature and also over a wide range of pressures without the need to be retightened. Embodiments of the invention also include structures to automatically check the flow of fluids from the components of the pipe union upon disassembly of the union. The pipe union generally comprises one or more fitting members and a sealing member. The sealing member receives a ridge formed on each fitting member in a sealing fashion. One or more external sleeves hold the fitting member and the sealing member in sealing engagement. The materials from which each fitting member and sealing member are fabricated may be chosen so as to exhibit the proper hardness characteristics and thermal expansion coefficients. A compensating washer is also provided to increase compensation for thermal contractions at low temperatures.