Abstract: A light weight vacuum maintained structure, especially useful when cylindrical, includes a plurality of hollow wall members made of a thin, normally flexible material and internally pressurized so as to be form-retaining, preferably of keystone-like shape, which are positioned with respect to each other so as to form an external wall of such structure, exposed to atmospheric pressure, with a vacuum in the interior of the structure, the difference in pressure holding the wall members together to seal off the interior of the structure and prevent loss of vacuum.

Abstract: Tapered stainless steel spool pieces are welded to the ends of stainless steel pipe lengths at the factory to provide subassemblies which are then annealed and thereafter in the field are positioned with the larger free ends of opposed spool pieces disposed to receive weld metal uniting the subassemblies while coolant liquid is maintained in contact with the inside surfaces of the spool pieces.

Abstract: A pipe coupling including an annular lip seal that wipes the contacted pipe portion clean, when inserted therein. The lip seal also, while the pipe is situated in place while in use, precludes the entry of foreign material, such as sand or dirt, between the pipe and coupling. An inner seal further prevents leakage between the pipe and the coupling.

Abstract: A large diameter duct structure is adapted for vertical disposition in an ocean. An elongate tensile core assembly is adapted to be supported at one end, as from a floating platform, and to extend downwardly a desired distance. A plurality of duct wall sections, each of selected length, are alignable in serial order to define a tubular assembly having a diameter substantially greater than that of the core. Support means are engageable with the core at selected locations along the core and with the wall sections. The support means support the wall section substantially concentrically about the core and secure the wall sections from movement relatively along the core. Seals are engageable between the ends of adjacent wall sections disposed about and along the core, and define substantially liquid-tight connections between the wall sections.

Abstract: The invention pertains to an insert for flexible wall hose used in vacuum applications, particularly hydraulic vacuum environments, consisting of a tubular body of nonmetallic elastomeric material adapted to be closely received within the bore of the hose, the insert body being supported against internal collapse by a plurality of metal rings embedded within the insert body material. The rings are axially spaced with respect to the body length whereby the insert body may be readily severed intermediate adjacent rings, and the end regions of the inserts are defined by the elastomeric body material. A plurality of insert bodies are inserted within the hose to be internally supported, and the insert body construction permits the inserts to be readily located within all lengths of hose complete support of the hose in hydraulic vacuum applications and produces minimal flow resistance and turbulence.

Abstract: A jet pipe wall is made from a honeycomb sandwich structure in which the skin forming one side of the sandwich is cut into many small square sheet pieces so that when differential longitudinal expansion occurs between the skins as a result of lying in fluid flows of differing temperature, the total shear felt by the honeycomb is divided equally between those areas of honeycomb covered by respective small sheet pieces, so that the overall shear effect is reduced.

Abstract: Wrap around closures for cables, pipes, splices, and junctions to effect repair, insulation, waterproofing and the like and a method for preparing such closures are described. The closures comprise generally rectangular sheets of heat shrinkable polymer having a large central section which has been hot stretched and cooled while in stretched condition and two small, flat unstretched end sections integral with the central section. Each end section has a layer of non-silicone adhesive covering one of its surfaces, optionally a layer of non-porous support material covering and adhering to the adhesive layer, a layer of silicone adhesive covering and adhering to the non-silicone support layer and a peelably removable cover layer covering the upper surface of the silicone adhesive layer. The several layers lie on the upper surface of one of the end sections and on the lower surface of the other end section.

Abstract: A multi-core duct is constituted by a plurality of resilient conduits bunched together within a protective sleeve. Each of the conduits is formed from a high-strength synthetic plastics material and the protective sleeve is made of a flame-resistant synthetic plastics material.

Abstract: A thermal insulation assembly for use in conjunction with a similar assembly to encircle an elongated body, said assembly comprising a series of abutting similar U shaped elements which have similar radial and axial orientation, said series and orientation being retained by a plurality of elongated rods passing through said elements.

Abstract: Two coaxial metal pipes, whose confronting extremities are each provided with a plurality of peripheral ribs of staggered height separated by two or more peripheral grooves, are interconnected by a coupling sleeve of fiber-reinforced thermosetting resin subdivided into several coaxially interleaved and independently deformable cylindrical shells each terminating in a pair of internal beads engaged in a respective peripheral pipe groove. The shells, increasing in axial tensile strength from the innermost to the outermost one, are preferably separated from one another by interposed antibonding layers of thermoplastic resin. A resinous filler can be inserted between the pipe extremities for electrically insulating them from each other. The shells of the coupling sleeve can be formed by coiling resin-coated filaments around the pipe axis, advantageously with application of an antifriction layer on each inner shell before the thermosetting material thereof has been fully hardened.

Abstract: An intermediate conduit extends between and interconnects adjacent pivotally connected ends of a pair of conduits. The intermediate conduit is disposed in at least one turn about the pivotal interconnection, and the distance between the ends of the intermediate conduit is substantially greater than its length. A damping device such as a dashpot interconnects the intermediate conduit and one of the pair of conduits and acts in a direction parallel to the axis of the turns of the intermediate conduit.

Abstract: A filament-reinforced resin-impregnated hollow body having at least one internal circumferential strengthening flange or rib is fabricated by winding a first filamentary winding on each of two mandrel portions, the filament being wound across at least one end of each portion so that the winding extends inwards towards the axis of each mandrel portion. With these two ends spaced opposite one another, a second filamentary winding is wound between the inwardly extending parts of the first winding. A third winding is then applied over the first and second windings. After curing the resin-impregnated windings, the mandrel is removed, leaving an internal flange formed by the inwardly extending parts of the first winding in conjunction with the second winding.

Abstract: An improved composite construction and method for fabrication of equipment having a corrosion resistant liner and an additional erosion resistant liner, in critical areas, on a base metal backing.

Abstract: Conduit sections are provided which have multiple interior partition walls and which are adapted to be interconnected to form continuous passageways for underground cables. Each conduit section consists of a lightweight injection molded plastic material including an enclosing wall which has reinforcing thereon to aid in withstanding pressure and loads to which the sealed underground conduit may be subjected. The conduit section also has improved joint seal characteristics for interconnecting two sections.

Abstract: A sealed lay-in electrical conduit duct which is oil-tight and is comprised of U-shaped sealing collars which telescope into adjacent ends of aligned open ended sheet metal duct sections which are troughs generally U-shaped in cross-section and have their open sides unobstructed throughout their length and closable by a movable sealing trough cover. The sealing collars and duct sections have telescoping bottom and side wall portions, each of which carries elongated cooperating interengaging rib and groove elements which are aligned and extend normally to the longitudinal axis of the duct sections. Each collar member carries a sealing element extending throughout substantially its entire length which covers and seals the line of juncture of the adjacent ends of trough sections held in rigid aligned relation by the collar member.

Abstract: In a rolling mill, a rotatable laying pipe having at least one curved tubular pipe section with entry and exit ends. Replaceable tubular liner members are arranged in end-to-end relationship in each pipe section. Retainers are provided at the entry and exit ends of the pipe sections for retaining the liners in place during operation of the laying head.

Abstract: A tunnel liner and segment are provided for simplifying changes in direction. The segment comprises a pair of liner plates each having a curved elongated skin with spaced parallel dependent sidewalls bent at an angle thereto, said liner plates being in spaced side-by-side relationship, spaced apart a selected greater distance at one end than at the other end, a pair of wedge shaped gusset plates in spaced parallel planes fixed to the sidewalls between said liner plates adjacent the top and bottom respectively of the adjacent sidewalls and an end plate at each end of said pairs of liner plates extending the remote sidewalls of each segment and connected to the sidewalls, gusset plates and skins to form a unitary whole.

Abstract: A thermal insulation assembly for use in conjunction with a similar assembly to encircle an elongated body, said assembly comprising a series of abutting similar U shaped elements which have similar radial and axial orientation, said series and orientation being retained by a plurality of elongated rods passing through said elements.

Abstract: A conduit for conveyance of a fluid and especially liquefied natural gas and comprising an internal circulation pipe for said fluid surrounded with a sheath of insulating material protected by an outer rigid covering, said sheath comprising several fluid-tight lap joints of coaxial structure and variable lap surface and said circulation pipe being interrupted at joint emplacements thus communicating with corresponding fluid-tight annular cylindrical spaces defined between a respective stationary coaxial sleeve surrounding a gap of said circulation pipe and two corrugate or waved compensators respectively connected between one sleeve end and the external surface of said circulation pipe at either side of said gap.

Abstract: A telescoping hollow tube provides means for channeling warm human breath onto a frozen lock. The warm breath thaws the lock. When not in use, the tube telescopes to a small size for easy portability.

Abstract: An illustrative embodiment of the invention is directed to a thermally insulated exhaust duct structure. In this regard, a typical duct comprises an inner stainless steel conduit and one or more sheets of highly-reflective material that are spirally wrapped around and spaced outwardly from the outer surface of the conduit. The adjacent layers of the sheet material, moreover, are spaced from each other a predetermined distance through corrugated strips that are fastened to one side of the sheet material. Thus, when wound about the conduit in an overlaying relationship, the corrugation peaks bear against the sheet of material that is immediately below and thereby estabish a spacing between adjacent layers that is at least equal to the depth of the corrugations. Other features of the inventon include an outer protective stainless steel casing that fits over the spirally wrapped insulating sheet and a roof penetration for the duct structure.

Abstract: A device for deflecting a continuously supplied thread by means of a curved guide tube. The guide tube is formed of a plurality of contiguously abutting segments which are disposed between the entry and exit openings of a casing. The space between the inner wall of the casing and the outer circumference of the segments is filled with a bonding agent which fixes the segments in the desired spatial curvature for the guide tube when it hardens. Furthermore, a method for producing such device is disclosed which utilizes an expandable mandrel to hold the segments in the desired spatial curvature position prior to being fixed in position by the bonding agent.

Abstract: A device for deflecting a continuously supplied thread by means of a curved guide tube. The guide tube is formed of a plurality of contiguously abutting segments which are disposed between the entry and exit openings of a casing. The space between the inner wall of the casing and the outer circumference of the segments is filled with a bonding agent which fixes the segments in the desired spatial curvature for the guide tube when it hardens. Furthermore, a method for producing such device is disclosed which utilizes an expandable mandrel to hold the segments in the desired spatial curvature position prior to being fixed in position by the bonding agent.

Abstract: Lengths of lay-in ducts, each in the form of an open top trough having exterior connecting flanges at its ends, are connected together in end to end relation in a run by bolts passed through the flanges. Each trough is provided with a cover which terminates a slight distance short of the trough ends. A joint sealing device common to the adjacent end portions of two connected troughs provides a seal between the device itself and the tops of the adjacent end portions of the trough, between the end portions of the covers and their associated troughs, and between the adjacent end portions of the covers themselves. The device extends across the troughs, and has one end hingedly connected to a supporting bracket which, in turn, is clamped fixedly in position on one of the connected trough flanges by one of the connecting bolts connecting the flanges together.

Abstract: An improved plastic composite pipe structure includes an outer corrugated pipe, an inner smooth-walled liner, and joining means including a bell fitting at one end of the liner extending beyond the outer corrugated pipe and a spigot fitting at the other end. The corrugations of the outer pipe at the spigot end are undercut so as to slide over and provide crush resistance to the joint that is formed when the spigot of one composite pipe section is inserted into and engaged with the bell of an adjacent composite pipe section. A seal, for example, an elastomeric gasket, solvent weld, or elastomer-based adhesive is used to provide a leakproof joint. Optionally, an outer pipe cover can be utilized as a component of the composite pipe.

Abstract: The present application discloses and claims the method of producing a blast joint for oil well production tubing. The method disclosed and claimed herein relates to assembling, upon the exterior of a length of production tubing, a stack of short length refractory rings resistant to abrasion and capable of enduring high temperature, to be used in a string of oil well production tubing.

Abstract: An illustrative embodiment of the invention relates to a preburned ceramic refractory covering for a water cooled member forming a structural portion of a metallurgical furnace. The covering comprises an inner layer of split ceramic refractory tiles at least partially encircling the structural member, and a C-shaped ceramic refractory collar which slideably engages the split tiles disposed about the member and supports the tiles thereon.

Abstract: This invention provides an all-wooden culvert shaped as an equilateral triangle in which the three sides are joined solely by interlocking of the structural members in notches in each member. All sides are composed of a series of identical members which feature facilitates member fabrication and allows for culvert installation by unskilled labor.

Abstract: Tubular discharge bodies are provided for sanitary flow fittings. The discharge bodies are provided with an annular fitted element which may be placed in two settings or removed to enable three different pivoting ranges of 0.degree., 90.degree. or 360.degree..

Abstract: Self-supporting pipelines, especially useful for installations in arctic and antarctic regions and floating on permafrost even when said permafrost is molten, comprise prefabricated field units of assembled pipe elements composed of pipes enveloped by spaced shells and having within the space between pipe and shell buoyancy-imparting and insulating means such as foamed plastic. Said pipe elements are connected with each other by flexible joints to form the pipeline. The pipelines do not require foundations or piles. The field units can be mass-prefabricated under workshop conditions independently from the weather.

Abstract: The invention relates to a preburned ceramic refractory covering for a water cooled metallic pipe forming a structural portion of a furnace. The pipe is covered by a layer of fibrous insulating material where the refractory covering is formed by interlocking shapes which are interlocked and maintained in assembled position by pins welded to the pipe and positioned along edge surfaces of the shapes.

Abstract: Corrugated, flexible, metal duct formed of a helically wound strip of lightweight metal characterized by a pair of interlocked U-shaped seam elements which constitute one leg of a common corrugation of contiguous convolutions of the strip and extend radially throughout the length of that leg so that the areas at the base of each U-shaped seam element abuts against the adjacent corrugation leg and is locked against separation thereby. Apparatus which makes such duct through the use of rollers only and void of any mandrel means is also shown.