Abstract: A coupler for connecting first and second tendons may comprise a body including first and second ends, a passageway therethrough and an access port; first and second wedges each configured to receive an end of the first and second tendons, respectively, each of the wedges being positioned in the passageway and oriented so as to resist withdrawal from the coupler of a tendon received therein; and first and second pistons positioned within the passageway proximate the first and second wedges, respectively; wherein the first and second pistons define a pressure chamber therebetween; wherein the pressure chamber is in fluid communication with the access port; and wherein the first and second pistons are configured to bear on the first and second wedges, respectively, and urge the first and second wedges apart in response to pressure in the pressure chamber.

Abstract: A coupler may include a first chuck, the first chuck including an outer surface and first external threads and a second chuck, the second chuck including an outer surface and second external threads having a reverse orientation relative to the first external threads. The coupler may also include a coupler body including a first end, a second end, and a passageway extending between the first end and the second end, the first end secured to the first chuck, the second end secured to the second chuck, the first end including first internal threads engaging the first external threads, the second end including second internal threads engaging the second external threads.

Abstract: A method for forming a concrete anchor may comprise the steps of providing an anchor body, at least partially encapsulating the anchor body in a sealing cover, providing at least one tubular member, engaging an end surface of the tubular member against a surface of the sealing cover so as to weld the member to the sealing cover.

Abstract: A cover is provided for sealing a concrete anchor including a flange and a bore extending through the flange. The bore defines an axis and the flange has a first side and a second side. The cover includes a first cover portion for covering a portion of the anchor proximate the first side of the flange, a second cover portion for covering a portion of the anchor proximate the second side of the flange, and a latch coupling the first cover portion and the second cover portion together with the anchor disposed between the latch.

Abstract: A coupler may include a first chuck, the first chuck including an outer surface and first external threads and a second chuck, the second chuck including an outer surface and second external threads having a reverse orientation relative to the first external threads. The coupler may also include a coupler body including a first end, a second end, and a passageway extending between the first end and the second end, the first end secured to the first chuck, the second end secured to the second chuck, the first end including first internal threads engaging the first external threads, the second end including second internal threads engaging the second external threads.

Abstract: A coupler for connecting first and second tendons may comprise a body including first and second ends, a passageway therethrough and an access port; first and second wedges each configured to receive an end of the first and second tendons, respectively, each of the wedges being positioned in the passageway and oriented so as to resist withdrawal from the coupler of a tendon received therein; and first and second pistons positioned within the passageway proximate the first and second wedges, respectively; wherein the first and second pistons define a pressure chamber therebetween; wherein the pressure chamber is in fluid communication with the access port; and wherein the first and second pistons are configured to bear on the first and second wedges, respectively, and urge the first and second wedges apart in response to pressure in the pressure chamber.

Abstract: A method for forming a concrete anchor may comprise the steps of providing an anchor body, at least partially encapsulating the anchor body in a sealing cover, providing at least one tubular member, engaging an end surface of the tubular member against a surface of the sealing cover so as to weld the member to the sealing cover.

Abstract: A cover is provided for sealing a concrete anchor including a flange and a bore extending through the flange. The bore defines an axis and the flange has a first side and a second side. The cover includes a first cover portion for covering a portion of the anchor proximate the first side of the flange, a second cover portion for covering a portion of the anchor proximate the second side of the flange, and a latch coupling the first cover portion and the second cover portion together with the anchor disposed between the latch.

Abstract: A wedge for a concrete post-tension reinforcement anchorage system is shaped such that the compressive force on the tendon after tensioning of the anchorage system is substantially evenly distributed over a length of the outer surface of the tendon that is engaged by the internal surface of the wedge. The external surface of the wedge may have a first section with a first taper angle and a second section with a second taper angle, the second taper angle being larger than the first taper angle. The internal surface of the wedge may have a first section with a first taper angle and a second section with a second taper angle, the second taper angle being greater than the first taper angle. An anchor with a bore with two taper angles and tooth profiles of threading patterns on the internal surface of the wedge are also disclosed.

Abstract: A wedge for a concrete post-tension reinforcement anchorage system is shaped such that the compressive force on the tendon after tensioning of the anchorage system is substantially evenly distributed over a length of the outer surface of the tendon that is engaged by the internal surface of the wedge. The external surface of the wedge may have a first section with a first taper angle and a second section with a second taper angle, the second taper angle being larger than the first taper angle. The internal surface of the wedge may have a first section with a first taper angle and a second section with a second taper angle, the second taper angle being greater than the first taper angle. An anchor with a bore with two taper angles and tooth profiles of threading patterns on the internal surface of the wedge are also disclosed.

Abstract: A wedge for a concrete post-tension reinforcement anchorage system is shaped such that the compressive force on the tendon after tensioning of the anchorage system is substantially evenly distributed over a length of the outer surface of the tendon that is engaged by the internal surface of the wedge. The external surface of the wedge may have a first section with a first taper angle and a second section with a second taper angle, the second taper angle being larger than the first taper angle. The internal surface of the wedge may have a first section with a first taper angle and a second section with a second taper angle, the second taper angle being greater than the first taper angle. An anchor with a bore with two taper angles and tooth profiles of threading patterns on the internal surface of the wedge are also disclosed.

Abstract: A wedge for a concrete post-tension reinforcement anchorage system is shaped such that the compressive force on the tendon after tensioning of the anchorage system is substantially evenly distributed over a length of the outer surface of the tendon that is engaged by the internal surface of the wedge. The external surface of the wedge may have a first section with a first taper angle and a second section with a second taper angle, the second taper angle being larger than the first taper angle. The internal surface of the wedge may have a first section with a first taper angle and a second section with a second taper angle, the second taper angle being greater than the first taper angle. An anchor with a bore with two taper angles and tooth profiles of threading patterns on the internal surface of the wedge are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for operating a two-stage, high-pressure pumping system includes a low-pressure pump having an output configured to deliver a hydraulic fluid under a low-pressure at a high-volume to drive a tool associated with the two-stage, high-pressure, pumping system under low load conditions. The system also includes a high-pressure pump having an output configured to deliver the hydraulic fluid under a high-pressure at a low-volume to drive the tool under high load conditions. A pilot-operated device is included that is configured to selectively drive the tool with pressure from at least one of the output of the low-pressure pump and the output of the high-pressure pump. The pilot-operated device receives pilot pressure from the output of the low-pressure pump to control selectively driving the tool with the output of the two stage pump.

Abstract: The present invention provides a slab lift bracket that includes an collar portion with a center, an upper surface, a lower surface, an outer surface, and an inner surface. The slab lift bracket also includes a plurality of protruding members that are distributed around and fixed to the collar portion. The protruding members extend outwardly and downwardly of the collar portion at spaced apart locations, and have a hook shaped free end.

Abstract: The present invention provides a slab lift bracket that includes an collar portion with a center, an upper surface, a lower surface, an outer surface, and an inner surface. The slab lift bracket also includes a plurality of protruding members that are distributed around and fixed to the collar portion. The protruding members extend outwardly and downwardly of the collar portion at spaced apart locations, and have a hook shaped free end.

Abstract: A system and method for operating a two-stage, high-pressure pumping system includes a low-pressure pump having an output configured to deliver a hydraulic fluid under a low-pressure at a high-volume to drive a tool associated with the two-stage, high-pressure, pumping system under low load conditions. The system also includes a high-pressure pump having an output configured to deliver the hydraulic fluid under a high-pressure at a low-volume to drive the tool under high load conditions. A pilot-operated device is included that is configured to selectively drive the tool with pressure from at least one of the output of the low-pressure pump and the output of the high-pressure pump. The pilot-operated device receives pilot pressure from the output of the low-pressure pump to control selectively driving the tool with the output of the two stage pump.

Abstract: A bi-directional metering valve assembly is provided to selectively direct hydraulic fluid under high pressure to a load. The assembly includes a valve block defining a first port that receives hydraulic fluid from a source, and a second port that directs hydraulic fluid toward a load. A rotatable valve member defines first and second apertures in an axial face that may be placed in selective communication with the first and second ports, respectively, to direct hydraulic fluid from the source to the load. At least one metering sealing assembly provides an interface between the valve block and the valve member. The metering sealing assembly includes a gasket that surrounds one of the first and second ports and defines a flange that is sized to completely overlap and seal the corresponding aperture. The valve member is operable to control the direction of fluid flow, and make fine adjustments to the hydraulic fluid flow rate.

Abstract: A system and method for stressing tendons includes a hydraulically actuated puller configured to pull a tendon extending from a structure and a user input configured to receive a user-desired stressing parameter indicating at least one of a desired stressing magnitude and desired stressing distance. A processor is included that is configured to receive the user-desired stressing parameter from the user input and control the hydraulically actuated puller to apply at least one of the desired stressing magnitude and the desired stressing distance to the tendon.

Abstract: A bi-directional metering valve assembly is provided to selectively direct hydraulic fluid under high pressure to a load. The assembly includes a valve block defining a first port that receives hydraulic fluid from a source, and a second port that directs hydraulic fluid toward a load. A rotatable valve member defines first and second apertures in an axial face that may be placed in selective communication with the first and second ports, respectively, to direct hydraulic fluid from the source to the load. At least one metering sealing assembly provides an interface between the valve block and the valve member. The metering sealing assembly includes a gasket that surrounds one of the first and second ports and defines a flange that is sized to completely overlap and seal the corresponding aperture. The valve member is operable to control the direction of fluid flow, and make fine adjustments to the hydraulic fluid flow rate.

Abstract: A computer has instruction pipeline circuitry capable of executing two instruction set architectures (ISA's). A binary translator translates at least a selected portion of a computer program from a lower-performance one of the ISA's to a higher-performance one of the ISA's. Hardware initiates a query when about to execute a program region coded in the lower-performance ISA, to determine whether a higher-performance translation exists. If so, the about-to-be-executed instruction is aborted, and control transfers to the higher-performance translation. After execution of the higher-performance translation, execution of the lower-performance region is reestablished at a point downstream from the aborted instruction, in a context logically equivalent to that which would have prevailed had the code of the lower-performance region been allowed to proceed.