Abstract: A system and method for leak testing a thermoplastic piping system is disclosed. The leak test system includes a pump assembly having an air pump configured to pressurize a piping system with air, wherein the air pump is configured by design not to output pressure exceeding the piping system design limitations. The pump assembly further includes a pressure sensor, pressure controller, pressure switch, and solenoid valve for maintaining the pressure within the piping system to a prescribed pressure. The leak test system can include tubing for connecting the pump assembly to the piping system, and further include an ultrasonic leak detection device to locate potential leaks identified on the piping system. As such, the leak test system can safely leak test a thermoplastic piping system, including brittle piping, with low pressure air, while being capable of re-pressurizing the system to compensate for pressure variations therein due to leaks and/or other external factors.

Abstract: A pipe coupler has: an axis; and a body portion surrounding the axis. A circumferentially segmented collar extends from a first axial end of the body portion and has an inner diameter surface and an outer diameter surface. A plurality of fingers project from a second axial end of the body portion, axially opposite the first end and have inward radial projections.

Abstract: A valve support apparatus is disclosed as capable of shifting a valve in a piping system in accordance with the thermal expansion of connected piping. The apparatus includes a valve mount, a slide mount, and a base, wherein the valve mount contains a valve attachment assembly to attach a valve. The valve mount can couple with the slide mount, using a mounting assembly, such that the valve mount is vertically and laterally secured about the slide mount, but the valve mount can move along the longitudinal axis of the slide mount. The slide mount, using another mounting assembly, can couple with the base, such that the slide mount is vertically and laterally secured about the base, but the slide mount can move along the longitudinal axis of the base, which is oriented orthogonally to the longitudinal axis of the slide mount. With this configuration, the stress and other loads exerted on the valve due to thermal expansion can be minimized by allowing the valve to be moved to account for the elongated piping.

Abstract: A system and method for leak testing a thermoplastic piping system is disclosed. The leak test system includes a pump assembly having an air pump configured to pressurize a piping system with air, wherein the air pump is configured by design not to output pressure exceeding the piping system design limitations. The pump assembly further includes a pressure sensor, pressure controller, pressure switch, and solenoid valve for maintaining the pressure within the piping system to a prescribed pressure. The leak test system can include tubing for connecting the pump assembly to the piping system, and further include an ultrasonic leak detection device to locate potential leaks identified on the piping system. As such, the leak test system can safely leak test a thermoplastic piping system, including brittle piping, with low pressure air, while being capable of re-pressurizing the system to compensate for pressure variations therein due to leaks and/or other external factors.

Abstract: A valve support apparatus is disclosed as capable of shifting a valve in a piping system in accordance with the thermal expansion of connected piping. The apparatus includes a valve mount, a slide mount, and a base, wherein the valve mount contains a valve attachment assembly to attach a valve. The valve mount can couple with the slide mount, using a mounting assembly, such that the valve mount is vertically and laterally secured about the slide mount, but the valve mount can move along the longitudinal axis of the slide mount. The slide mount, using another mounting assembly, can couple with the base, such that the slide mount is vertically and laterally secured about the base, but the slide mount can move along the longitudinal axis of the base, which is oriented orthogonally to the longitudinal axis of the slide mount. With this configuration, the stress and other loads exerted on the valve due to thermal expansion can be minimized by allowing the valve to be moved to account for the elongated piping.

Abstract: A pipe coupler (30) comprises: an axis (500); a body portion (70) surrounding the axis; a circumferentially segmented collar (72) extending from a first axial end of the body portion and having an inner diameter surface (80) and an outer diameter surface (82); and a plurality of fingers (90) projecting from a second axial end of the body portion, axially opposite the first end and having inward radial projections (96).

Abstract: A pipe clamp adaptor (50; 300; 400) for securing a pipe (22) comprises the unitarily molded combination of: a cradle (70) having a concave surface (74; 424) for accommodating the pipe and a base surface (72); and a closure (76) connected to the cradle by a living hinge for articulation between an open condition and a closed condition, first features (80) on the cradle engageable to complementary second features (82) of the closure to hold the closed condition.

Abstract: A high purity water delivery system has a reservoir (40) of purified water. A distribution line (42) extends downstream from an outlet (44) of the reservoir to a return (46) of the reservoir. A plurality of delivery stations each include an outlet (54?) and a diverter (102; 102?; 102?; 102??). The diverter has an upstream inlet port (104) along the distribution line and a downstream outlet port (106) along the distribution line. The diverter has a supply port (108) downstream of the inlet port and a return port (110) downstream of the supply port. The diverter has a flow restriction (112; 112?; 216) between the supply port and the return port. Each delivery station includes a flow control valve (56?) between the outlet on the one hand and the supply port and return port on the other hand.

Abstract: A containment pipe fitting has an inner member (40; 260), an outer member (42; 262), and a plurality of centralizers (48) positioning the inner member within the outer member. The fitting has at least one connection interface (37; 38; 39; 254; 255) having an internal surface portion (72) of the inner member sized to receive and join a portion of an associated inner/main pipe (31; 32; 33) and an internal surface portion (80) of the outer member sized to receive and join the portion of an associated outer/containment pipe (34; 35; 36). The connection interface further includes an external surface portion of the outer member dimensioned to receive a closure coupling or collar (100; 100?).

Abstract: A pipe clamp adaptor (50; 300; 400) for securing a pipe (22) comprises the unitarily molded combination of: a cradle (70) having a concave surface (74; 424) for accommodating the pipe and a base surface (72); and a closure (76) connected to the cradle by a living hinge for articulation between an open condition and a closed condition, first features (80) on the cradle engageable to complementary second features (82) of the closure to hold the closed condition.

Abstract: A high purity water delivery system has a reservoir (40) of purified water. A distribution line (42) extends downstream from an outlet (44) of the reservoir to a return (46) of the reservoir. A plurality of delivery stations each include an outlet (54?) and a diverter (102; 102?; 102?; 102?'). The diverter has an upstream inlet port (104) along the distribution line and a downstream outlet port (106) along the distribution line. The diverter has a supply port (108) downstream of the inlet port and a return port (110) downstream of the supply port. The diverter has a flow restriction (112; 112?; 216) between the supply port and the return port. Each delivery station includes a flow control valve (56?) between the outlet on the one hand and the supply port and return port on the other hand.

Abstract: A containment pipe fitting has an inner member (40; 260), an outer member (42; 262), and a plurality of centralizers (48) positioning the inner member within the outer member. The fitting has at least one connection interface (37; 38; 39; 254; 255) having an internal surface portion (72) of the inner member sized to receive and join a portion of an associated inner/main pipe (31; 32; 33) and an internal surface portion (80) of the outer member sized to receive and join the portion of an associated outer/containment pipe (34; 35; 36). The connection interface further includes an external surface portion of the outer member dimensioned to receive a closure coupling or collar (100; 100?).

Abstract: A high purity water delivery system has a reservoir (40) of purified water. A distribution line (42) extends downstream from an outlet (44) of the reservoir to a return (46) of the reservoir. A plurality of delivery stations each include an outlet (54?) and a diverter (102; 102?; 102?; 102??). The diverter has an upstream inlet port (104) along the distribution line and a downstream outlet port (106) along the distribution line. The diverter has a supply port (108) downstream of the inlet port and a return port (110) downstream of the supply port. The diverter has a flow restriction (112; 112?; 216) between the supply port and the return port. Each delivery station includes a flow control valve (56?) between the outlet on the one hand and the supply port and return port on the other hand.

Abstract: This invention relates to the automotive appearance industry and more particularly to an environmentally improved vehicle washing system.

Abstract: A welding seal assembly for use in joining and sealing two telescoped tubular elements in a lap joint, specifically a tubular pipe in a pipe socket formed in a pipe fitting. The seal assembly comprises a thermoplastic welding sleeve with an embedded electric heating coil for fitting between the pipe and the socket; a mounting collar including a ring-like body that is fitted over the pipe and against the end of the socket element with a thin-walled, compressible flange extending from the body over the outer side of the socket element and overlying the overlapped elements of the joint; an electrical connector in a radially projecting tab on the ring, including electrical contacts connected to the leads of the heating coil; and a clamp ring surrounding the compressible flange and held captive thereon between the tab on the body and detents on the flange.