Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for an adaptor for a capless filler pipe of a fuel tank for leak detection testing of a vehicle. In one example, the system may include a threaded hollow shaft having a top end able to receive a nozzle of a leak detection machine, the hollow shaft inserted through a mouth of a filler pipe of a fuel tank, a gasket arranged on the hollow shaft, and an end cylinder having an elastic piece on the hollow shaft configured to create an airtight seal with the fuel mouth. In this way, the adaptor may restrict gas flow through a defined flow path through the adaptor, and not through any other flow paths during leak detection testing.

Abstract: This method for discharging liquid from a tank of a ship that is partially out of the water and has at least one technical access (3), comprises the steps of: opening this technical access, introducing a rigid pipe (13) into the interior of the tank (1) through this technical access (3), placing inside this rigid pipe (13) a lift pump or suction pump (15) that can be without a delivery hose.

Abstract: An air dryer cartridge is provided for a compressed air supply system, in particular a compressed air supply system of a commercial vehicle, with a drying agent box which is filled with a drying agent. The drying agent box can be coupled in an axial direction to a connecting flange of the compressed air supply system. A seal, which is designed as a non-return valve and, in the fitted state of the air dryer cartridge, acts in a sealing manner between the drying agent box and the connecting flange, is arranged on the drying agent box. A method for operating the air dryer cartridge on the compressed air supply system is also provided.

Abstract: A universal adapter to be detachably connected to the round fuel cap retaining lip of most any fuel tank filler neck so that smoke (i.e., a vapor) under pressure can be delivered to the fuel tank of a motor vehicle to test the fuel system for leaks. When connected, the universal adapter lies entirely outside the fuel tank filler neck. The universal adapter includes a circular ring-shaped rim that is manufactured from a flexible material having a spring memory. The flexible rim of the universal adapter is stretched and attached in surrounding sealing engagement against the fuel cap retaining lip of the filler neck. The universal adapter also includes a vapor inlet tube to which the nozzle of a vapor supply hose is attached. According to one embodiment, smoke produced by a smoke-generating machine pressurizes the fuel tank by way of a vapor delivery path which includes the vapor inlet tube of the universal adapter and the fuel tank filler neck of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: A microfluidic diaphragm valve. The valve comprises: an inlet port; an outlet port; a weir positioned between the inlet and outlet ports, the weir having a sealing surface; a diaphragm membrane for sealing engagement with the sealing surface; and a thermal bend actuator for moving the diaphragm membrane between a closed position in which the membrane is sealingly engaged with the sealing surface and an open position in which the membrane is disengaged from said sealing surface.

Abstract: A mechanically-actuated microfluidic valve. The valve comprises an inlet port; an outlet port; a thermal bend actuator; and a valve closure member cooperating with the actuator. Actuation of the thermal bend actuator causes movement of the closure member, thereby regulating a flow of fluid from the inlet port to the outlet port.

Abstract: The invention relates to a use of a duplex steel for the production of an armouring layer of a flexible pipe comprising at least one unbonded armouring layer and at least one unbonded sealing layer wherein the duplex steel comprises in weight percent 0.01-0.05% by weight of carbon (C) at least 0.15% by weight of nitrogen (N) 20.0-23.0% by weight of chromium (Cr) up to 3.0% by weight of nickel (Ni) up to 1.0% by weight of molybdenum (Mo) 3-6% by weight of manganese (Mn) up to 1.0% by weight of copper (Cu) incidental impurities and balance being iron (Fe).

Abstract: A microfluidic pinch valve. The valve comprises a microfluidic channel defined in a compliant body; a valve sleeve defined by a section of the microfluidic channel, the valve sleeve having a membrane wall defining part of an outer surface of the body; a compression member for pinching the membrane wall against an opposed wall of the valve sleeve; and a thermal bend actuator for moving the compression member between a closed position in which the membrane wall is sealingly pinched against the opposed wall, and an open position in which the membrane wall is disengaged from the opposed wall.

Abstract: A microfluidic system.

Abstract: A medium connector including a passage configured to allow for the flow of medium, and a multi-portion engagement surface positioned about the passage. The multi-portion engagement surface includes a first surface portion, and a second surface portion. The first surface portion is configured to provide an interference fit with a corresponding sealing surface of a mating connector. The second surface portion is configured to provide a clearance fit with the corresponding sealing surface of the mating connector. The ratio of the first surface portion and the second surface portion is selected to regulate an engagement force between the medium connector and the mating connector.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device executed as small fire-hose (1), which is made of plastic material, such as e.g. polyethylene foil, at its one extremity having a coupling bag (3) for connection to any type of draw-off point (2, 14) of the water supply and preferably at its other extremity being provided with a nozzle (7) fastened to it, disposable fire-hose (1) and coupling bag (3) having a flat cross-section in its non-use condition and having an approximately circular cross-section in its using condition or water-filled condition, as a result of which the disposable fire-hose (1) can be stored in a very compact way when in its non-use condition and is extremely cost-effective due to its material and can be disposed of after use, if necessary.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a gas delivery device or conduit for a fuel cell stack. According to an embodiment, a gas delivery device for a fuel cell system includes a hollow ceramic element comprising a dielectric material and a hollow flexible element which compensates for differences in coefficients of thermal expansion between components of the fuel cell system. According to an embodiment, a fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack or column, a gas delivery line fluidly connected to the stack or column, and a coefficient of thermal expansion compensator/isolator located in the gas delivery line. The coefficient of thermal expansion compensator/isolator includes a hollow ceramic element comprising a dielectric material and a hollow flexible element which compensates for differences in coefficients of thermal expansion between components of the fuel cell system.

Abstract: Even if a bellows is provided in the vicinity of a fuel check valve to be installed between a fuel filler port and a tank, the valve can be operated stably with a structure in which a valve body of the check valve comprises an annular main body section and a tubular extension section extending over the substantially whole length of the inner peripheral side of the bellows.

Abstract: A check valve assembly is disclosed which is inserted in a fluid flow conduit leading from a source of fluid flow to a mechanism utilizing the fluid flow. The check valve assembly comprises a housing having an inlet port and an outlet port that communicate with a central chamber in the housing, and a valve disposed in the central chamber adapted to permit fluid flow from the inlet port through the chamber to the outlet port and prevent fluid flow from the outlet port through the chamber to the inlet port. The housing comprises a first attachment piece associated with the inlet port and adapted to be attached to the fluid flow conduit leading from the source of fluid flow, and a second attachment piece associated with the outlet port and adapted to be attached to one of several adapter elements. Various types of adapter elements are disclosed which include sections for connecting the adapter element to the second attachment piece and to the fluid flow conduit leading to the mechanism utilizing the fluid flow.

Abstract: An adapter to be used in conjunction with a tubular flushing device to unclog a drain pipe. The tubular flushing device expands during usage. The tubular flushing device is to fit within the adapter and is to expand during usage into tight contact with the interior wall of the adapter. The fore end of the adapter is tapered slightly to facilitate tight connection with the inlet opening of the drain pipe.

Abstract: Multi-path rotatable fluid couplings are formed from modular elements so as to have one, two or three axes about which relative rotation of supply and discharge conduits may occur. These modular elements may be employed in an articulated delivery system for multiple fluids wherein, for example, six pivot axes are provided through a combination of two or more couplings with interconnecting rigid conduits.

Abstract: A mounted check valve assembly to be installed between two fluid vessels comprises a check valve having a cylindrical body annularly bulged midway, a pipe securely fixed at one end to one of the vessels and engaged at the other end with one end of the check valve, and a hose connected at one end to the other vessel and fitted at the other end over the check valve and farther over the end portion of the pipe to support the same.

Abstract: There is disclosed a universal joint for multiple conduit system wherein all of the conduits pass through the interior of the joint. The conduits which pass through the universal joint on axes offset from the pivot axes of the joint are provided with first and second pivot means which are preferably fluid swivels. The fluid swivels provide the requisite flexibility to the conduits when the universal joint is flexed.

Abstract: There is disclosed a universal joint for multiple flowline system wherein all of the conduits pass through the interior of the joint. The conduits whichpass through the universal joint on axes offset from the pivot axes of the joint are provided with flexing means which enable the offset conduit to rotate around a pivot axis of the universal joint when the joint is flexed.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a diverter coupling, for use in connection with a water-powered appliance, for coupling the appliance to a water outlet, typically a standard household faucet. The diverter coupling is constructed predominantly of molded plastic parts, to accommodate low cost manufacture, and includes detachable sections mounted respectively on the faucet outlet and on the end of the inlet tubing to the appliance. When the two parts are coupled together, water flow from the faucet is diverted into the appliance inlet, flows through the appliance, and is returned and discharged at the sink. Pressure regulating means prevents overloading of the appliance by excessive water pressure.

Abstract: A sanitary fitting adapted to be rotatably mounted to a sanitary fixture is disclosed. The sanitary fitting includes a valve body and spout assembly and may be of unitary design. The valve body and spout assembly is rotatably mounted on a tubular manifold which is rigidly mounted to the sanitary fixture. Flexible hose means is coupled between a supply source and the valve body. Special seal means, such as O-rings, lubricants or the like, is not required since the flexible hose means is coupled to the valve body whereby water does not contact the rotatable connection.

Abstract: A system for mooring a ship or like floating vessel to an offshore structure and for transferring a fluid between duct means provided on said ship and structure, respectively, comprising at least one hawser and at least one fluid transferring hose pipe connected with one end thereof to duct means on one of the ship and the structure and with its opposite free end to one end of said hawser, wherein the improvement consists in that said hose pipe end is provided with connecting means which, in the stowage position, is normally connected to one of the ship and the structure, said means being adapted to be detached from said one of the ship and the structure, in order to be attached to the other one of said ship and structure whereas a tow-line is provided for at the same time drawings along the hawser towards its operative position, said hose pipe end being provided with pipe fittings for removable connection to duct means on the other one of said ship and structure.

Abstract: A device for connecting two tubes having a small cross-section perpendicular to a universal coupling element which connects to each other a first component and a second component of an articulated marine structure, said tubes are associated respectively to said first and second components, while said universal coupling element is essentially constituted by a solid core provided with four cross-pins the respective axes of which extend in four orthogonal radial directions. Two opposed cross-pins are supported in respective contact zones by bearing surfaces defined by one of said components, while the remaining two opposed cross-pins are supported in respective contact zones by bearing surfaces defined by the other component.

Abstract: An articulated branch assembly comprising pipe member and appropriately arranged combinations of fluid carrying swivels, ball joints, or rubber hose is fixed to the outboard end of a conventional marine cargo loading arm. The branch assembly is used for bunkering vessels while the arm is supported off the cargo manifold adjacent to the bunker manifold. Fitting marine cargo arms with the bunkering assembly and supporting the arm off the cargo manifold permits, for a large percentage of vessels, simultaneous bunkering and cargo transfer through the other cargo arms in the bank. The branch assembly also: eliminates in many cases the need for a separate bunker arm(s), avoids overstressing of the smaller, weaker bunker manifolds, and makes the bunker manifolds more accessible without resorting to long lengths of hose or auxiliary bunkering saddles.

Abstract: An articulated riser including at least two framed structures comprised of a plurality of fluid-handling lines connected by multiple fluid-handling line flexible joints. The articulated riser of the present invention provides a system wherein fluid-handling lines may be connected between a structure on the subsea bottom and a floating vessel either for the production of crude oil and natural gas offshore, or for the operational functions before or after producing a subsea well, or any combination thereof. The articulated riser of the present invention may extend to a foundation structure situated on the subsea bottom or to an upright self-standing riser, providing a manifold for a plurality of fluid-handling lines to be connected to a floating vessel. Means may be provided for either partially or substantially totally providing buoyancy for the articulated riser.