Abstract: A joint having a male joint member and female joint member with enhanced ease of assembly, in which a raised stop on the male joint member is limited to displacement between a constriction on the female joint member and a locking ring segment, in which the locking ring segment and constriction are separated by an unobstructed traverse region that allows the male joint member to slide axially when under stress without separation from the female joint member, and in which a compressible spacer is installed between the male joint member and female joint member to ensure that the raised stop is installed in an intermediate position between the constriction and the locking ring segment. The compressible spacer withstands forces associated with assembly but allows the joint to compress during extreme events to prevent failure of the joint during extreme events, such as earthquakes, floods, and landslides.

Abstract: A joint having a male joint member and female joint member, in which a raised stop on the male joint member is limited to displacement between a constriction on the female joint member and a locking ring segment, and in which the locking ring segment and constriction are separated by an unobstructed traverse region that allows the male joint member to slide axially when under stress without separation from the female joint member. The rounded shape of the groove that accommodates the locking ring segment acts like a universal joint, allowing deflection between the male and female joint members without separation. The female joint member flares on the inside of its distal region to accommodate such deflection. Thus the male and female joint members have a degree of axial and radial flexibility.

Abstract: A joint having a male joint member and female joint member with enhanced ease of assembly, in which a raised stop on the male joint member is limited to displacement between a constriction on the female joint member and a locking ring segment, in which the locking ring segment and constriction are separated by an unobstructed traverse region that allows the male joint member to slide axially when under stress without separation from the female joint member, and in which a compressible spacer is installed between the male joint member and female joint member to ensure that the raised stop is installed in an intermediate position between the constriction and the locking ring segment. The compressible spacer withstands forces associated with assembly but allows the joint to compress during extreme events to prevent failure of the joint during extreme events, such as earthquakes, floods, and landslides.

Abstract: A gasket comprising a central opening having a first diameter; an inner region adjacent to the central opening, the inner region having an approximately constant first axial thickness and a first radial length; an outer region adjacent to the inner region, the outer region having a second axial thickness and a second radial length, the second axial thickness being less than the first axial thickness, and the second radial length being no more than about thrice the first radial length; and wherein the gasket is constructed from an elastomeric material. The gasket may be used in a pipe joint including at least one threaded pipe flange joined to another pipe flange.

Abstract: A joint having a male joint member and female joint member, in which a raised stop on the male joint member is limited to displacement between a constriction on the female joint member and a locking ring segment, and in which the locking ring segment and constriction are separated by an unobstructed traverse region that allows the male joint member to slide axially when under stress without separation from the female joint member. The rounded shape of the groove that accommodates the locking ring segment acts like a universal joint, allowing deflection between the male and female joint members without separation. The female joint member flares on the inside of its distal region to accommodate such deflection. Thus the male and female joint members have a degree of axial and radial flexibility that prevents separation under stress, such as during earth movement events such as earthquakes, floods, and landslides.

Abstract: A rail car buffer with a capsule body and a mechanical ring spring and a hydraulic spring arranged in parallel in the body. The hydraulic spring includes an internal reservoir to receive hydraulic oil displaced during collapse of the buffer.

Abstract: A rail car buffer includes a standard capsule body and a high pressure hydraulic buffer spring only in the body. The hydraulic spring has a high compression ratio and is charged with very high pressure gas and hydraulic oil.

Abstract: A rail car buffer has a capsule body and a spring assembly with an elastomer spring and a gas filled hydraulic spring in the body. Expansion of the buffer after collapse is snubbed by the gas filled hydraulic spring to convert energy stored in the elastomer spring to heat.