Abstract: The present invention pertains to a process and a system for controlling the intake valves of an internal combustion engine comprising at least two valves per cylinder. During the closing of the intake valves of a cylinder, provisions are made for closing a first valve and then for closing a second valve, the time between the closing of the first valve and the closing of the second valve being such that it permits the propagation toward the second valve of at least one overpressure generated in the first port by the closing of the first valve.

Abstract: A multiple cylinder engine is described, provided with an electronically controlled hydraulic system for actuating the intake valves, in which intake valves and exhaust valves are controlled by a single camshaft.

Abstract: A valve timing control device comprises a drive side rotation member for rotating with a crank shaft with synchronization, a driven side rotation member arranged coaxially with the drive side rotation member and slidable therewith, the driven side rotation member rotating with the camshaft, and a rotation phase position adjustment mechanism for adjusting a relative rotation phase between the drive side rotation member and the driven side rotation member by an operating oil. The drive side rotation member and the driven side rotation member form a vertical sliding surface relative to a rotation axis, and an oil reservoir is formed at the driven side rotation member. The oil reservoir is open to the sliding surface and is connected to a drain for the operating oil.

Abstract: A device for electrically adjusting the relative rotation of two shafts, particularly a camshaft (15) in relation to a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine is provided. The adjusting device includes an adjusting gear system which is embodied as a triple-shaft gear mechanism and is provided with a crankshaft-fixed input part, a camshaft-fixed output part, and an adjusting shaft (13) that is connected in a torsion-proof manner to an electric adjusting motor shaft (32) of an electric adjusting motor (3). The adjusting motor (3) is configured as a brushless DC motor having a housing-fixed stator (35) and a permanent magnet rotor (34). A high degree of adjustment accuracy and adjustment speed are provided with minimal space requirements and low power consumption.

Abstract: A rocker arm 1 includes an arm body 4 prepared from a single plate material by means of a press work. The arm body 4 includes a pair of parallel side walls 5 and a connecting wall 6 bridging between the opposite side walls 5 and also having a pivot support hole 7 defined at a location generally intermediate of the length of the arm body 4. A roller support pin for rotatably supporting a roller 10 for driving engagement with a cam is mounted on one ends 1a of the opposite side walls 5, while the opposite end 1b of the connecting wall 6 defines an overlapped structure 13 formed by bending an end overlap piece 12, extending integrally from a side edge of the connecting wall 6, backwardly to overlap the connecting wall 6. This overlapped structure 13 in turn defines an adjustment element 16 having a mounting hole 15 defined therein for adjustably receiving a valve driving member 14. The rocker arm 1 may be designed to be an end pivot type, in which case the adjustment element 16 is provided with a pivot member.

Abstract: An apparatus for and method of utilizing the temperature of one electronic component (203) reduces pre-cycle warm-up of another component (107 or 113). For example, a temperature sensor (205) for a driver (203) of an electronic component (107 or 133), such as a glow plug or fuel injector coil, is utilized to determine when a temperature condition is exceeded. When that temperature condition is exceeded (305), pre-cycle warm-up for the electronic component associated with the component is reduced (311).

Abstract: A stating device for an internal combustion engine predicts whether a starter is required to assist a crank of the engine before igniting fuel in a cylinder in an expansion stroke, and starts the starter before igniting the fuel in a cylinder in an expansion stroke if it is decided that the starter is required.

Abstract: A recoil starter having improved durability by inhibiting excessive deformation of a damper spring, and capable of receiving a damper spring with high shock-absorbing and force-storing capabilities. The recoil starter includes a rope reel and a cam which are rotated by pulling a recoil rope, so that a rotation of the cam is transmitted to an engine via a ratchet mechanism to start the engine. A damper spring which couples the rope reel and the cam to each other has, at opposite ends thereof, engaging portions radially movably supported by holding portions of the rope reel and the cam, respectively, so that substantially the overall length of the damper spring winds and tightens uniformly around outer peripheral surfaces of both bosses of the rope reel and the cam due to a startup resistance of the engine.

Abstract: A gear drive assembly for internal combustion and heat engines requiring the conversion and transfer of reciprocal linear powered motion input into undirectional rotary output. A rack and pinion assembly having linear power input on the rack and a one-way friction clutch engageable by a pinion gear coupled with a concentric movement cam ring. Cam followers on the rack drive the linear motion input on its return non-power stroke imparting enhanced momentum input thereto.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine 10 includes a first combustion chamber (20) in each of its cylinders (12). First fuel injector (24) injects a first volume of fuel into the chamber (20). A housing (28) defining an auxiliary combustion chamber (30) is coupled to the engine (10). The housing (28) includes a passage (32) that extends from the auxiliary combustion chamber (30) to the first combustion chamber (20). Fluid communication through the passage (32) is controlled by a valve (34). When the valve (34) is in an extended position it provides a high impedance to the flow of fluid between the auxiliary combustion chamber (30) and the first combustion chamber (20). However when in a retracted position, the valve (34) allows unimpeded fluid flow between the two chambers. An auxiliary air and fuel injector (38) to inject a fuel/air mixture into the auxiliary combustion chamber (34). Air for the auxiliary injector (38) is sourced from outside of the first combustion chamber (20), i.e.

Abstract: Vehicular accelerator pedal device includes: a depression amount detection section for detecting an amount of depression, by a human operator, of an accelerator pedal and generating a depression amount signal; a throttle control section for controlling a throttle opening based upon the depression amount signal; a pedal reaction impartment section for imparting the accelerator pedal with a reaction force in accordance with the amount of depression; and a pedal reaction control section for, when operation has been performed for returning the pedal from a depressed position, controlling the reaction force based upon the amount of depression of the accelerator pedal.

Abstract: An electronic control for determining knocking in an internal combustion engine having an intake injector for injecting fuel into an air intake port and an in-cylinder injector for directly injecting fuel into a combustion chamber. Knocking is determined based on an output signal from a knock sensor during a knock determination period. The electronic control unit alters the knock determination period in accordance with the ratio of the amount of fuel injected by the two injectors.

Abstract: A method of balancing combustion among cylinders of an internal combustion engine. For each cylinder, a normalized peak firing pressure is calculated as the ratio of its peak firing pressure to its combustion pressure. Each cylinder's normalized peak firing pressure is compared to a target value for normalized peak firing pressure. The fuel flow is adjusted to any cylinder whose normalized peak firing pressure is not substantially equal to the target value.

Abstract: A method for controlling a fuel injector provided with an electrically operated electomagnetic actuator in such a manner as to open the injector for a determined injection time; the method providing that the injector be operated with a first current waveform if the injection time is greater than a predetermined threshold value, and that the injector be operated with a second current waveform if the injection time is less than the predetermined threshold value; both the current waveforms have an identical initial portion, during which the current passing through the injector is caused to rise until it reaches a peak value, which is maintained by cyclic switching of the voltage applied to the injector between two different values.

Abstract: A fuel feed apparatus including a sub-tank is received in a fuel tank having multiple tank sections. Multiple jet pumps respectively transfers fuel received in the tank sections into the sub-tank. Therefore, even if a fuel amount received in a single tank section decreases, fuel can be steadily supplied from another tank section. Intermediately pressurized fuel in a fuel pump is supplied to the jet pumps, so that fuel can be steadily supplied to the jet pumps regardless of fuel consumption amount in an engine. Fuel is drawn from an upstream side of a pressure regulator, and supplied to the jet pump. The pressure regulator has an urging unit, and controls fuel pressure without using a diaphragm. Therefore, the pressure regulator is simplified and downsized.

Abstract: A coupling valve structure 26 is provided for a fuel supply module 20. The module has a fuel pump 20 disposed in a fuel reservoir 18, a feed line 21 in fluid communication with an outlet of the fuel pump for feeding fuel to a high pressure pump 16 and thus to an engine, and a return line 22 for returning excess fuel from the engine or high pressure fuel pump to the reservoir 18. The coupling valve structure 26 includes a check valve 28 constructed and arranged to communicate with the feed line to permit fuel to be delivered to the engine and to prevent the fuel from draining back to the fuel pump, and a pressure relief valve 30 integrally connected with the check valve via a conduit 23.

Abstract: In a method for determining an exhaust gas recirculation amount for an internal combustion engine having a cylinder with an intake duct and an exhaust duct, wherein an outer exhaust recirculation amount is determined from an exhaust gas temperature, a fresh gas temperature, a fresh gas amount and an inner exhaust gas recirculation amount, and wherein the inner exhaust gas recirculation amount takes the combustion gas amount into consideration which during a charge change remains in the combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A paintball backpack includes a housing including a plurality of isolated compartments having open top end portions. The compartments include a plurality of releasable flap portions connected adjacent the top end portions. The housing further has a lower cavity provided with an outlet positioned substantially medially thereof. The lower cavity is disposed subjacent the compartments and has a bottom surface sloping downwardly and inwardly towards the outlet. The backpack further includes a harness including a plurality of shoulder portions adjacent the flap portions of the housing and extending about a user's torso and a belt section integral therewith. The backpack further includes a mechanism for selectively moving paintballs from the top end portions to the lower cavity and a mechanism for dispensing paintballs outwardly and away from the lower cavity wherein the paintballs are projected from the housing at a predetermined velocity.

Abstract: A telescopic guide for a concrete saw includes a plurality of sleeves, a wheel and mounting plate.

Abstract: In the sawing process and device according to the invention, the pieces to be sawed are mounted on at least one support table and caused to bear against a layer of wires. Inclination structure in the form of wedges or pieces for angular adjustment by pivoting and blocking, are provided to mount the pieces obliquely with angles of inclination between one of their prismatic surfaces and a horizontal working plane. There is thus obtained a precise beginning of sawing with sawed slices of equal thickness and a careful end of cutting without chipping.

Abstract: A point chisel for use with a power tool includes an elongate stem (1) having, at its power tool side a shank (2) for securing the chisel in the power tool and, at its workpiece side, a useful region (3) having its outer diameter (H) tapering toward its workpiece end and having a cross-section (5) formed as a concave polygon by a plurality of axial grooves (4) extending radially toward a core diameter (K) that likewise tapers toward the workpiece side end of the useful region (3).

Abstract: A portable cooking apparatus is provided comprising a fire bowl comprising an exterior undersurface and an internal chamber; a lid removably engagable with the fire bowl; and a stand to be locatable against the exterior undersurface of the fire bowl for support during a usage position, and during a non-use position, the stand is situated atop the lid while the lid is situated atop the fire bowl to thereby enclose the internal chamber of the fire bowl.

Abstract: A double walled waste grease collecting tank for use in collection system in which the collecting tank is partially submersed in a hot water bath to soften or melt grease at the container walls to facilitate emptying the solid or semi-solid collected grease. The double walled collecting tank has fill openings in its outer wall adjacent its bottom which are normally closed by removable plugs. The plugs are removed to enable hot water to enter the space between the double walls when the tank is submerged into the hot water bath, then replaced when the tank is emptied. Closable vent openings provided adjacent the top of the outer wall are opened to permit rapid filling and emptying the air space between the double walls, and closed when the tank is emptied.

Abstract: There is provided a medicament dispenser comprising a medicament container having a dispensing mechanism; a container seat for receipt of the container; an anchor station; and a coupling between said container seat and said anchor station capable on deformation of moving the container seat relative to the anchor station to actuate the dispensing mechanism. The coupling is reversibly deformable in response to the application of non-mechanical energy thereto. The non-mechanical energy may comprise heat energy, electrical current energy, electrical field energy or magnetic field energy.

Abstract: A front-worn respiratory tube without fastening assemblies namely fastening rings, hooks, buttons, clamps, sheaths or strips, includes a head-top-portion tube, a forehead-portion tube, a mouth-eyebrow-portion tube, a mouthpiece and a fish-mouth-shaped mouthpiece in a downward direction in sequence. Wherein, the aforesaid five parts are either wedge-type structures or join-type structures at three parts (from the head-top-portion tube to the forehead-portion tube, from the forehead-portion tube to the mouth-eyebrow-portion tube, and from the mouth-eyebrow-portion tube to the mouthpiece portion). The forehead-portion tube utilizes water drag force to have the tube steadily staying close to the user's head. A water-drop-shaped sectional area at the head-top-portion tube is capable of minimizing water drag. The aforesaid structure according to the invention is adaptable to head dimensions and a height of a nose tip of the user.

Abstract: A personal air purifier employs tapered reticulated foam semi-cylinders sized to be closely received within a user's nostrils through slight expansion of the nostril. The semi-cylinders include a flat base and a spherical shaped surface at a distal end with flattened surfaces circumferentially spaced about the semi-cylinder for enhanced fit within the nostril. A lanyard is attached to tabs extending from the semi-cylinders to secure the personal air purifier when not inserted in the nostrils.

Abstract: A respiratory mask provides improved sealing through the use of an intraoral mouthpiece with a large sealing area. A tubular extension, configured at one end to accept standard respiratory fittings, is the conduit for gas delivery to the intraoral mouthpiece. The respiratory mask may also include an intraoral oropharyngeal airway which flexes so that it can be inserted without the need for rotation or use of a tongue blade. The respiratory mask may also include an external shield to enhance sealing and provide a barrier of protection for the healthcare provider. The mask's design allows for a novel handgrip technique that allows a single healthcare provider to ventilate with enhanced sealing.

Abstract: A hands-fee anesthesia mask includes a mask for providing anesthesia to the patient, a mask strap for holding the mask against a patient's mouth, and a jaw raising strap for raising the patient's jaw up and forward so as to unobstruct the patient's airway.

Abstract: An earplug of the type that includes a soft foam body (14) and a more rigid core (16) that stiffens the body during its insertion into the ear canal, is mass produced so the front end (30) of the stiff core cannot rub along the surface of the ear canal during insertion. The core is elongated and bonded to the body, and the core has a front end (30) that is recessed from the front end (36) of the body, so the soft foam material of the body prevents the front end of the core from contacting the ear canal. The earplug can be mass produced by extruding the soft foam through an extrusion head (42), around the cores, with a long core device having been cut into the cores and with the extrusion (52) cut at locations to leave foam material forward of each core front end.

Abstract: The present invention features a device to prevent the unwanted flow of urine in incontinent human males. This penile clamp is designed to provide an external pressure applied to the underside of the penis at the base thereof to close the urethral canal. The apparatus includes a rigid projection on the lower member of the device that applies a concentrated force on the canal. The upper bar of the device provides an attachment for a pad as an integral part of an easily disinfected clamp that is hinged at one end and provided with an adjustable tensioning closure device at its other end. The closure device is easily removable to allow one hand release of the penis restriction. A screw-type adjustment is easily set and is easily disassembled by a quick-release apparatus. While the clamp can be closed over the penis of an incontinent male to prevent urination, it does not appreciably restrict blood flow therein.

Abstract: A bandaging system for use in the treatment of a patient with a venous leg ulcer comprising as an inner layer in the system a highly absorbent bandage which bandage comprises at least 5% by weight of a highly absorbent fiber and as a further layer in the system an elastic bandage.

Abstract: Fine or short hair is held in place by a barrette having a fastener material known as Velcro®, comprising hook and loop portions. The barrette comprises a flat strip of flexible material having a decorative upper surface and a lower surface. One end of the strip's lower surface is attached to the hook portion of the fastener material. The loop portion of the fastener material is attached to the lower surface of the other end of the strip. Releasable contact between the hook and loop portions of the fastener material is achieved by bending the strip about a line perpendicular to its length, with the short, fine, curly or kinky hair being trapped by and held between the complementary surfaces of the fastener material. The hooks and loops of the fastener material are closely spaced so that constraining forces are applied to individual hair filaments or small hair filament groups. Fastening is facilitated, optionally by a snap attachment.

Abstract: Provided herein is a method for cleaning a process chamber for semiconductor and/or flat panel display manufacturing. This method comprises the steps of converting a non-cleaning feed gas to a cleaning gas in a remote location and then delivering the cleaning gas to the process chamber for cleaning. Such method may further comprise the step of activating the cleaning gas outside the chamber before the delivery of the gas to the chamber. Also provided is a method of eliminating non-cleaning feed gas from the cleaning gas by cryo condensation.

Abstract: A protective cover for a vehicle comprising a sheet or a web of a flexible material that possesses a property of buckling or curving in the upward direction from the vehicle with the formation of a canopy-type shield for protecting the vehicle from direct sun rays, birds' droppings, etc. The sheet has a length exceeding the length of the upper surface periphery of the vehicle so that the upwardly curved canopy is formed either by applying two oppositely directed forces to the opposite ends of the sheet or by prestressing the sheet. The sheet can be made from plastic or a fabric that incorporates springing metal strips that tend to curve upward when they are in a free state. The sheet can be conveniently stored in wound state in a cylindrical cassette. Storage of the flexible material in a wound state enhances the property of bucking or curving when the sheet is withdrawn from the cassette.

Abstract: The erectable, collapsible shelter has a canopy with at least three sides and three corners, a leg assembly, and a perimeter truss linkage assembly having a plurality of perimeter truss pairs of link members connected to the leg assembly. The legs preferably have telescoping upper and lower sections with lower section for engagement with ground, and a slider member slidably mounted to the upper section of each of the legs. A canopy peak support assembly is provided that is movable between a raised position and a lowered position, with the canopy peak support assembly supporting the canopy above the top of the leg assembly in the raised position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for servicing a pressurized system is described. A purge fitting can be used to vent the pressurized system. Venting can release a gas, such as air, from the system. The pressurized system can be a climate control system (e.g., an air conditioning or refrigeration system), a brake system, a hydraulic system, or a service device for servicing a climate control system. The purge fitting allows air that may be trapped in the pressurized system to be vented by depressing a purge actuator, such as a purge button attached to the fitting. The air can be vented from an opening adjacent to the actuator or other orifice. By purging air directly from the system, the amount of air introduced into the system during servicing can be minimized. The invention also features a coupling member that can be compact in size.

Abstract: An integrated in-line tube and check valve assembly fabricated by end-form mandrel expanding an outlet end portion of deformable tube stock, such as metal, of nominal starting diameter, and concurrently end-forming a valve seat on the inside of the expanded tube section where it necks down and integrally joins the upstream nominal diameter portion of the tube. A valve ball and a valve spring are then fitted into the expanded tube section, together with a spring holder if needed. The expanded end portion of the tube is then again deformed by an end-form swaging operation that reduces the diameter of the expanded tube outlet end so as to form a cavity within the tube in which the spring is captured in compression for resiliently biasing the valve ball against the valve seat.

Abstract: A fluid flow management system that includes a feedback system in communication with a fluid system component having discrete elements that, when joined together, define a joint and chamber. The fluid flow management system further includes a feedback fluid source in fluid communication with the chamber and with a pressure transducer. The feedback fluid source, transducer, and chamber collectively define a substantially closed system so that fluid introduced by the feedback fluid source eventually reaches static equilibrium. Separation of, or relative movement between, the discrete elements of the fluid system components permits fluid to escape the chamber, thereby causing a pressure change that is detected by the pressure transducer. The pressure transducer then generates and transmits a signal indicating a loss of joint integrity. The signal may be used to aid in the implementation of various actions concerning the system wherein the fluid system component is employed.

Abstract: A fuel cutoff valve has a casing main body, a first float having a smaller specific gravity than a fuel, a second float having a greater specific gravity than the fuel, and a spring. The first float has a float main body and a buoyancy body of a foamed resin. The first float's specific gravity therefore is smaller than the fuel's specific gravity. The first float rises by buoyancy to close a first connection conduit, when a liquid level in a fuel tank exceeds a first liquid level. The second float rises by buoyancy and pressing of the spring to close a second connection conduit, when the liquid level exceeds a second liquid level, higher than the first liquid level. The second float lowers to open the second connection conduit, when the liquid level becomes lower than the second liquid level but is still higher than the first liquid level.

Abstract: A valve body is provided that be used as a balanced normally open valve, a balanced closed valve, or as a three way valve. The valve body incorporates a valve plug provided with a pressure port such that pressure chambers are created in the valve body when the valve is being used as either a normally open valve or a normally closed valve.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus that acts as a fail save shut off valve. More specifically, the invention relates to a fail save shut off valve that allows fluid flow during normal operational conditions, but prevents the flow of fluids in the event of system failure upstream that causes over-pressurization. The present invention is particularly well suited for use in conjunction with hot gas filtering systems, which utilize ceramic candle filters. Used in such a hot gas system the present invention stops the flow of hot gas and prevents any particulate laden gas from entering the clean side of the system.

Abstract: A gas supply system for pulse-wise feeding a reactant gas to a reactor, the gas supply system comprising: a first valve being a four-port diaphragm valve; a second valve which in an open state brings the first port into fluid communication with an exhaust and in a closed state closes off said fluid communication; wherein the gas supply system provides a reactant flow state in which the first valve is in an open state and the second valve is in a closed state, and wherein the gas supply system provides a purge state in which the first valve is closed and the second valve is in a open state. Also disclosed are a method of switching a process fluid by operating a gas supply system according to the invention and a valve assembly for use in such a gas supply system.

Abstract: A latching microregulator for regulating liquid flow on micro-scale levels comprises a substrate having an inlet port and an outlet port, a valve element defining a valve chamber for opening and closing the inlet port, and an actuator assembly for actuating the valve element. The valve chamber is configured to contain a volume of fluid, and the inlet port and the outlet port are in fluid communication with the valve chamber to provide a liquid flow path through the chamber. The actuator assembly comprises a cantilever beam for moving the valve element between an open position and a closed position, an actuator, such as a piezoelectric element, for moving the cantilever beam, and a latch, such as a permanent magnet, for securing the cantilever beam in the closed position. A flow regulation system comprises a plurality of fluid channels of varied flow conductance and a plurality of latching microregulators for selectively blocking or allowing flow through each of the fluid channels.

Abstract: Pressure-regulating valve having a throttle mounted in a tube section such that it can be pivoted about a pivot axis from an open position into a closed position. The throttle having a pressure relief valve mounted therein.

Abstract: A microvalve for controlling fluid flow, including a body portion having a plurality of spaced openings formed therein, a shutter located adjacent to and substantially parallel with the body portion having a plurality of spaced openings formed therein, a drive mechanism for causing the shutter to move laterally with respect to the body portion so that the spaced openings of the shutter are brought into and out of alignment with the spaced openings of the body portion, wherein the microvalve is in an open position and a closed position, respectively, and, a latching mechanism for preventing the shutter from moving laterally with respect to the body portion.

Abstract: The Invention relates to an exhaust valve for a semiconductor manufacturing process, which can improve sealability of the exhaust valve, prevent leakage of exhaust gas, and increase the cleaning period, more concretely, The exhaust valve includes a valve body having a chamber formed at the center thereof; a rotary cylinder rotatably coupled to the chamber of the valve body; a protective cover coupled to the outer circumferential surface of the rotary cylinder; an exhaust guide member coupled to the lower portion of the valve body; an adapter seated on the upper portion of the valve body and surrounding the shaft portion of the rotary cylinder; an actuator coupled to the upper portion of the adapter for rotating the rotary cylinder; and sensing means mounted at the upper portion of the valve body, wherein a first sealing member is mounted between the rotary cylinder and the protective cover.

Abstract: Microfluidic devices having a plurality of functional features for performing one or more fluidic operations in parallel are provided. Reagents, samples or other fluids common to multiple functional features (“common fluids”) may be input into a microfluidic device or system through one or more distributing inputs that divide and distribute the common fluids as desired. The use of a multi-layer fabrication technique allows multiple distributing inputs to distribute to multiple functional features in a microfluidic device without undesirable fluid channel intersections.

Abstract: A hydraulic fluid reservoir (10, 10?, 10?, 10??) comprises a body 12, 12?, 12? 12??) defining a variable volume chamber having one end portion movable with the level of fluid in the chamber. A biasing member (18, 18?, 18?, 18??) acting on a traction rod (16, 16?, 16?, 16??) extending from the movable end portion restrains movement thereof under fluid pressure. The fluid pressure in the variable volume chamber advantageously counterbalances the force of reaction in the biasing member (18, 18?, 18?, 18??).

Abstract: A tube plug kit including a tube plug having a housing member and a locking member, the housing member having a smooth longitudinal bore communicating with a threaded portion, the locking member mounted on the housing member. An insert member having a first threaded end portion is received within the threaded portion of the bore, an enlarged portion positioned to be drawn within the smooth portion of the longitudinal bore in response to rotation of the insert member in the longitudinal bore and a drive portion configured to receive a torque applying tool in a rotationally driving manner. A torque limiting region is located in the insert member to limit an amount of torque the drive portion can transmit to the first threaded end portion.

Abstract: A tubular insulating apparatus (10) for insulating a first tubular (8) within a second tubular (20) for use in the oil and gas exploration and production industry. An inner insulating member (4) surrounds the outer circumference of a pipeline (8) and a rigid spacer member (16) supports the pipeline (8) within the second tubular (20), the rigid spacer member (16) being provided at the ends of the apparatus (10). A substantially resilient member (2) is also provided on the outer most face of the inner insulating member (4) and a helically arranged cut (6) is provided therethrough in order to allow tensile and compressive forces caused by a bending moment acting along the longitudinal axis (14) of the apparatus (10) when e.g. the pipeline (8) is placed upon a reel, to be substantially relieved. Methods of manufacturing and installing the apparatus (10) are also provided.