Abstract: A riser system for underwater oil and gas wells features subsections with flanges that may be fastened together. Riser pipes extend between the flanges, through apertures with tapered seats. The riser pipes may be may from aluminum to reduce the weight of the riser system and may be a composite of two or more sections coupled together by compression fittings.

Abstract: A spool has a spirally-wound, elongated channel having a C-shaped cross-section with a pair of arms extending from a central web. The channel is oriented with the pair of arms parallel to the axis of the spool and with the central web extending radially, relative to the axis of the spool. The channel has a plurality of adjacent windings, a first and second of the arms of spirally-wound channel cumulatively forming the inner and outer surfaces of the spool. The arms are spaced apart a distance approximating the width of the central web, such that the central web of the windings of the channel is received between the arms of adjacent windings and is retained therein to establish an overlap of windings in the axial direction. Other embodiments feature S, B and E-shaped channels to form the spool, some embodiments having inner and outer layers of channel.

Abstract: A coiled heat pipe and methods of making a coiled heat pipe are provided. The coiled heat pipe includes a sealed-exterior coil and a plurality of interior-perforated coils. The exterior coil and the plurality of interior-perforated coils are be formed from a single aluminum sheet. The exterior coil is sealed and houses, or otherwise contains, a partial vacuum and a working fluid.

Abstract: A method for determining a die profile for forming a metal part having a desired shape. The method includes the steps of providing a nominal die profile, determining a springback profile based on the nominal die profile and employing a compensation strategy to determine the die profile based on the nominal die profile and the springback profile. There are disclosed five (5) compensation strategies: (1) a reversed die-normal technique; (2) a reversed radial rotation technique; (3) a reversed resultant vector technique; (4) a reversed path technique; and (5) a mirror image of resultant vector technique. Associated methods of making a die based on the die profile determined above and making a metal part under a set of forming conditions from the die are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for determining a die profile for forming a metal part having a desired shape. The method includes the steps of providing a nominal die profile, determining a springback profile based on the nominal die profile and employing a compensation strategy to determine the die profile based on the nominal die profile and the springback profile. There are disclosed five (5) compensation strategies: (1) a reversed die-normal technique; (2) a reversed radial rotation technique; (3) a reversed resultant vector technique; (4) a reversed path technique; and (5) a mirror image of resultant vector technique. Associated methods of making a die based on the die profile determined above and making a metal part under a set of forming conditions from the die are also disclosed.