Miscellaneous Patents (Class 138/178)
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Patent number: 6053209Abstract: The invention concerns a process for manufacturing ribbed tubes, wherein a stainless steel tube is provided with ribs by helicoidally winding a copper strip around it, and a ribbed tube thus manufactured. In joining the tube and rib, the unmelted copper strip is set on the tube surface edgewise into a melted area produced by a laser beam exclusively on the tube surface, thereby bonding the strip onto the tube by the solidification of the melted tube material. In this manner ribbed tubes can be provided, featuring an internal tube made of corrosion-resistant stainless steel and a helicoidal rib made of copper for increasing the heat exchange surface of the tube, which is distinguished by high thermal conductivity.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 1998Date of Patent: April 25, 2000Assignee: KM Europa Metal AGInventors: Thomas Wagner, Frank Kramer
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Patent number: 6053215Abstract: An air conditioning duct for use in confined spaces such as the instrument panel of an automobile. To eliminate dripping from condensation formed from warm ambient air, the duct is coated with a superabsorbent material which absorbs condensation and promotes evaporation thereby retarding dripping from the conduit for an extended period of several hours. The superabsorbent material may be adhered to the duct by an adhesive or molded in situ in a blow molding process.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 1998Date of Patent: April 25, 2000Assignee: Salflex Polymers Ltd.Inventor: Changize Sadr
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Patent number: 6041822Abstract: Tribo-electrification of conveyed particles in a pipeline of a pneumatic conveying system is reduced by electrically isolating at least one portion of the inner surface of the pipeline, preferably the concave interior surface of at least one elbow. The isolated portion acquires an electric charge of opposite polarity to that of the conveyed particles.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 1998Date of Patent: March 28, 2000Assignee: The University of Western OntarioInventors: Benoit Port, Cedric Briens, Ion Inculet
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Patent number: 6029714Abstract: A stainless steel pipe of the bright annealing finish type, having a highly-soothed inner surface according to the present invention is characterized in that the inner surface roughness of the pipe, expressed in Rmax is 1.0 micrometer or less, and suitable as a clean pipe for use in an apparatus for the production of semiconductors. According to the method of production of the present invention, a stainless steel pipe having a highly-smoothed inner surface can be obtained by cold drawing and bright annealing treatment only. By this method, such a treatment that has been considered to be essential, for example, electrochemical polishing can be omitted, so that the production cost can be greatly reduced. The stainless steel pipe of the invention can thus be widely utilized in the fields of the production of semiconductors and the like.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 1996Date of Patent: February 29, 2000Assignees: Sumitomo Metal Industries, Ltd., Sumikin Stainless Steel Tube Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yoichi Imamura, Munekatsu Furugen, Hajimu Choba
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Patent number: 6016843Abstract: To produce a flanged pipe unit, a separate flange is put on a pipe and then the pipe is subjected to a punching to achieve an interlocked connection between the flange and the pipe. The flanged pipe unit produced by the method of the invention comprises a metal pipe including a larger expanded portion, a smaller expanded portion and a raised portion which are axially aligned so that the smaller expanded portion is placed between the larger expanded portion and the raised portion; and a metal flange having a through bore through which the pipe passes, the through bore including a larger diameter portion, a smaller diameter portion and a tapered end portion which are axially aligned so that the smaller diameter portion is placed between the larger diameter portion and the tapered end portion.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 1997Date of Patent: January 25, 2000Assignee: Calsonic CorporationInventors: Kenichi Wada, Susumu Sato
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Patent number: 6012480Abstract: A cover assembly and methods for covering undersink piping includes insulative cover pieces placed over respective pipe sections such that their ends are adjacent at pipe junctures. Collars are slidable over or inside the cover pieces to be moved to cover the junctures. An alternative cover structure may be wrapped around the pipe juncture to form a generally continuous insulative cover, or alternatively, the fastening structures are insulated such that when the pipe sections are assembled together, the cover pieces and insulating fastening structures form a continuous insulative cover. In an alternative embodiment, one of the cover pieces is dimensioned to slide upwardly and downwardly on a pipe section and a collar structure is placed over the exposed pipe section to provide a continuous cover piece.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 1998Date of Patent: January 11, 2000Inventor: John A. Helmsderfer
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Patent number: 6000438Abstract: A subsea flowline or pipeline with passive insulation having improved transient heat-loss characteristics. The flowline or pipeline has a phase change material insulating the flowline pipe joints and/or pipe sections to greatly extend the cooldown time of produced or processed hydrocarbon fluid mixtures being transported therethrough during shut-in conditions. The phase change material surrounds a carrier pipe of the flowline or pipeline. The phase change material may be either dispersed or encapsulated within standard insulation. Additional insulation and/or a jacket pipe surrounds the phase change material and holds it against the carrier pipe. The phase change material can be of a micro-encapsulated or bulk-encapsulated type.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 1998Date of Patent: December 14, 1999Assignee: McDermott Technology, Inc.Inventor: Theodore R. Ohrn
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Patent number: 5996634Abstract: A stress-bearing umbilicus for conveying fluid between a stationary body and a rotating body comprises an umbilicus body made from an extruded first polyester elastomer material having flexibility. A support block, made from a second polyester elastomer material, is over-molded about at least one region of the umbilicus body. The second polyester elastomer material has flexibility that is greater than the flexibility of the first polyester elastomer material. Surface energy of the region between the support block and the umbilicus body is increased before over-molding to prevent delamination and peeling.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 1996Date of Patent: December 7, 1999Assignee: Baxter International IncInventors: T. Michael Dennehey, Indrajit Patel, Dean M. Glash
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Patent number: 5988225Abstract: A tubular part formed by superplastic forming has a tubular structure made of superplastic material having a tubular wall with an outside surface like an inside surface of a die against which the tubular wall was superplastically formed by heating to superplastic forming temperature, and injecting the forming gas through connectors in end portions of the tubular structure, sealed against escape of forming gas from the tubular structure, to inflate the tubular structure against the inside surface of the die. Two open ends at opposite ends of the tubular wall are made by cutting off the end portions of the tubular structure. An integral projecting pull-out in the tubular wall for connection to a connecting tube is formed simultaneously with the tubular wall against a concave shape on the die.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 1995Date of Patent: November 23, 1999Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventor: David W. Schulz
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Patent number: 5983949Abstract: A long flexible member which is subject to tangling is provided with a non-alpha-numeric code such as a color, textural, or design code, which code is used as an aid in untangling the item by providing a rough estimation of separation of sections along the length of the item. The code changes substantially continuously from one end of the member to the other and helps to identify which sections of the item may be close together. Untangling of the member is greatly facilitated by the code.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 1995Date of Patent: November 16, 1999Inventor: Richard H. Pohle
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Patent number: 5964250Abstract: A transfer tube system includes a transfer tube, a spring, a pair of opposing seats, and a pair of end assemblies that provide independent axial spring loading of the opposing seats. The spring loading assures continuous sealing contact regardless of dynamic loading, dimensional stack-up, or geometry change resulting from interfaced wear. The transfer tube end assemblies include a spherical or conical seat for mating with the transfer tube. Particularly, the transfer tube has spherical ends for seating in the transfer tube end assembly seats. The conical/spherical seats permit angular motion of interfacing components without lift off and therefore assures minimal leakage.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 1997Date of Patent: October 12, 1999Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Peter W. Mueller
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Patent number: 5960820Abstract: An insulative cover assembly for insulating a P-trap drain piping assembly comprises a unitary body including a first section and a second section joined together at a third section, the first section having an body configured to cover a pipe and having a first end, and the second section having a body configured to cover a pipe and having a first end. The third section couples second ends of each of the first and second sections together and comprises a structurally weakened area therein which is manually separateable for forming first and second cover pieces from said unitary body. The ends of the separated first and second sections further include structurally weakened areas for trimming the lengths of the sections during installation whereby the piping assembly is quickly and efficiently covered and insulated generally without the need for special installation tools.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 1997Date of Patent: October 5, 1999Inventor: John A. Helmsderfer
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Patent number: 5952449Abstract: A method for producing an aromatic polycarbonate, which comprises subjecting to a transesterification polymerization reaction at least one polymerizable material for an aromatic polycarbonate. The transesterification polymerization reaction is performed in one or more polymerizers which is or are connected through a pipeline system. The pipeline system comprises one or more pipes through which a molten aromatic polycarbonate having a number average molecular weight increased by the transesterification polymerization reaction is passed while contacting an inner wall of the pipe or pipes. The pipeline system has at least one viscous polycarbonate passage region in which a molten aromatic polycarbonate having a number average molecular weight of 4,000 or more is passed through the pipe. The pipes in the viscous polycarbonate passage region of the pipeline system have no bent portion or not more than 50 bent portions in total.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 1998Date of Patent: September 14, 1999Assignee: Asahi Kasei Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Muneaki Aminaka, Kyosuke Komiya, Kazumi Hasegawa
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Patent number: 5937912Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing an hydraulic hose having ends of different internal diameters. An uncured hose is produced by conventional extrusion. The uncured hose is placed upon a mandrel having a reduced diameter end. That end of the uncured hose proximate the reduced diameter of the mandrel is covered by a heat responsive shrink tube. The shrink tube is heated to mold the end of the hose about the mandrel. Thereafter, the hose is vulcanized.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 1998Date of Patent: August 17, 1999Assignee: Dayco Products, Inc.Inventor: Ramzan Ally
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Patent number: 5933870Abstract: A sheathing device is disclosed for covering and securing the entire length of the adjustable straps of a traditional cap. In this disclosure, a traditional cap has a front, back, top, bottom, at least one strap, and an engagement mechanism for releasibly engaging the strap at alternate points to adjust the size of the cap. The back has an opening at the bottom such that the bottom is parted to define two sides. The strap is attached to one side of the cap proximate to the opening. In one embodiment, the article comprises a sheathing. The sheathing has an inside region of adequate size to envelop the strap. Additionally, the sheathing's length is adjustable, allowing a user to customize its length such that it spans from one side to the other side to substantially conceal the strap when the opening is adjusted for the user's head. For example, the sheathing may comprises severable material allowing the user to cut the sheathing to the customized length.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 1996Date of Patent: August 10, 1999Inventors: Raymond C. Egan, Jr., Thomas C. Burns
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Patent number: 5931200Abstract: A connector system that is useful for attaching a flexible hose assembly to PEX pipe produced by either the Engle or Silane process. One embodiment relates to a connector system using a nipple in combination with either an expandable PEX ring or a compression ring and threaded nut. The nipple has on one end a hose barb that is attachable to a flexible hose segment and on the other end a male connector attachable to a PEX supply pipe. Another embodiment relates to a flexible hose assembly comprising a flexible hose segment and at least one connector system comprising a nipple attached to one end of the hose segment in combination with either an expandable PEX ring or a compression ring and nut for securing the end of the nipple opposite the hose segment to a PEX pipe.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 1997Date of Patent: August 3, 1999Assignee: LSP Products Group, Inc.Inventors: Philip A. Mulvey, Billy J. Hobbs
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Patent number: 5915413Abstract: An insulative cover assembly for insulating a P-trap drain piping assembly comprises a unitary body with a first cover section and a second cover section, the first cover section having an elongated body terminating in an approximately 180.degree. bend, and the second cover section having an elongated body terminating in an approximately 90.degree.. The first and second cover sections each include a longitudinal slit thereon for being spread apart and positioned over the pipes. Measurement indicia is positioned on a surface of said body, the measurement indicia provides an indication of the length of the cover sections for proper sizing and installation of said cover section on a pipe.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 1997Date of Patent: June 29, 1999Inventor: John A. Helmsderfer
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Patent number: 5915412Abstract: An insulative cover assembly for insulating a P-trap drain piping assembly comprises a unitary first cover piece having a generally elongated body terminating in an approximately 180.degree. bend at the end of the body. The elongated body is longitudinally slit along its length for being positioned over the straight and J-shaped pipe sections of the P-trapped pipe assembly and is configured and dimensioned for continuously and simultaneously covering the joint straight and J-shaped pipe sections and the juncture therebetween. A second cover piece has a generally elongated body terminating in an approximately 90.degree. bend at one end of the second cover piece. The second cover piece is longitudinally slit along its length to be positioned over the L-shaped pipe section of the P-trap assembly with a portion of the second cover piece body proximate the 90.degree.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 1997Date of Patent: June 29, 1999Inventor: John A. Helmsderfer
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Patent number: 5913325Abstract: A cover assembly and methods for covering undersink piping includes insulative cover pieces placed over respective pipe sections such that their ends are adjacent at pipe junctures. Collars are slidable over or inside the cover pieces to be moved to cover the junctures. An alternative cover structure may be wrapped around the pipe juncture to form a generally continuous insulative cover, or alternatively, the fastening structures are insulated such that when the pipe sections are assembled together, the cover pieces and insulating fastening structures form a continuous insulative cover. In an alternative embodiment, one of the cover pieces is dimensioned to slide upwardly and downwardly on a pipe section and a collar structure is placed over the exposed pipe section to provide a continuous cover piece.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 1998Date of Patent: June 22, 1999Inventor: John A. Helmsderfer
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Patent number: 5913338Abstract: A loop pipe for redirecting a flowing fluid such as water 180.degree. is formed by a casting process using a mold and includes a linear intermediate portion and first and second linear end portions each disposed on a respective end of the intermediate portion and forming a continuous inner channel for passing the fluid. The loop pipe is in the form of a single piece casting formed in a mold using three elongated, linear inserts which are removable from the casting once formed to provide the casting with the aforementioned continuous inner channel for re-routing the fluid 180.degree.. The two end portions of the loop pipe are provided with connecting arrangements such as threads or barbs and the casting is adapted to receive a threaded plug to close the aperture through which the middle insert forming the linear intermediate portion of the loop pipe is removed from the casting. The loop pipe may be cast from plastic or any of the more commonly used metals such as iron, aluminum or zinc.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 1996Date of Patent: June 22, 1999Inventor: Roger V. Bettenhausen
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Patent number: 5911237Abstract: A cover assembly and methods for covering undersink piping includes insulative cover pieces placed over respective pipe sections such that their ends are adjacent at pipe junctures. Collars are slidable over or inside the cover pieces to be moved to cover the junctures. An alternative cover structure may be wrapped around the pipe juncture to form a generally continuous insulative cover, or alternatively, the fastening structures are insulated such that when the pipe sections are assembled together, the cover pieces and insulating fastening structures form a continuous insulative cover. In an alternative embodiment, one of the cover pieces is dimensioned to slide upwardly and downwardly on a pipe section and a collar structure is placed over the exposed pipe section to provide a continuous cover piece.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 1997Date of Patent: June 15, 1999Assignee: McGuire Manufacturing Co., Inc.Inventor: John A. Helmsderfer
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Patent number: 5904175Abstract: A cover assembly and methods for covering undersink piping includes insulative cover pieces placed over respective pipe sections such that their ends are adjacent at pipe junctures. Collars are slidable over or inside the cover pieces to be moved to cover the junctures. An alternative cover structure may be wrapped around the pipe juncture to form a generally continuous insulative cover, or alternatively, the fastening structures are insulated such that when the pipe sections are assembled together, the cover pieces and insulating fastening structures form a continuous insulative cover. In an alternative embodiment, one of the cover pieces is dimensioned to slide upwardly and downwardly on a pipe section and a collar structure is placed over the exposed pipe section to provide a continuous cover piece.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 1997Date of Patent: May 18, 1999Assignee: McGuire Manufacturing Co., Inc.Inventor: John A. Helmsderfer
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Patent number: 5904185Abstract: A conduit for the circulation of fluid under pressure comprising a tubular enclosure delimited by a thin wall and fixed on a rigid base slab of molded material. The upper part of the enclosure comprises, in cross-section, at least three thin wall segments, including two lateral segments each extending from a lower side to an upper side, and at least one upper segment closing the enclosure by connecting the upper sides of the lateral segments. Each lateral thin wall segment is joined to a rigid support element of molded material fixed at its base to the corresponding side of the slab and comprising an inner surface conjugate with that of the lateral segment onto which the latter is applied. The inner surface extends from the level of the upper surface of the slab as to a level sufficient to maintain the rigidity of the lateral segment over its entire height.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 1996Date of Patent: May 18, 1999Assignee: Societe Civile de Brevets MatiereInventor: Marcel Matiere
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Patent number: 5899233Abstract: An end fitting closes at least one end of a passageway having an external periphery and an internal periphery to be cast-in-place within a part. A fitting body has at least one elongated, blind-ended aperture formed therein. The aperture is defined at least in part by a first surface having a complimentary shape with respect to the external periphery of the cast-in-place passageway for receiving an end of the passageway disposed extending at least partially therein to close the passageway during casting of the part. The fitting body is composed of material essentially identical to material being used during casting of the part. The fitting body is positionable within a casting mold for forming the part to be cast, such that machining the cast part after casting opens the blind-end of the fitting to allow fluid flow through the passageway cast-in-place within the part.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 1997Date of Patent: May 4, 1999Assignee: ITT Automotive, Inc.Inventors: David J. Haga, James D. McDaniel, Roger B. Nagel
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Patent number: 5896896Abstract: A method of conveying a fluid (I) in a pipeline, the pipe having a porous structure or a porous lining into which a fluid (II) which is at least partially immiscible with the conveyed fluid is injected. A pipeline for conveying a fluid (I) having a porous structure or a porous lining allowing a fluid (II), which is at least partially immiscible with the fluid (II), to be retained in the pores.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 1997Date of Patent: April 27, 1999Assignee: Institut Francais du PetroleInventor: Alexandre Rojey
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Patent number: 5893395Abstract: The malleable ragglestick 100 as shown in FIG. 1 comprises a plastic tube 110 of FIG. 2 having a circular axial cross-section as shown in FIG. 3 and having two (2) opposing sets of a multiplicity of cylindrically shaped depressions 130 as shown in FIG. 4, generally spaced apart.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 1996Date of Patent: April 13, 1999Inventors: A. Eugene Davis, D. Lawrence Moody, Jr.
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Patent number: 5884669Abstract: Components of the fuel delivery device can be connected with each other or with the internal combustion engine (14) by the fuel line (16). The fuel line (16) is embodied as a pipe and is fastened on a connector (20). The pipe (16) has a contact bead (36) on its exterior circumference near the connector (20). By severing the pipe (16), it is possible to create a new connector by its rest (16a), which has the contact bead (36) and remains on the connector (20), on which it is possible to again fasten a new fuel line, for example in the form of a flexible hose. The preparation of the pipe (16) with the contact bead (36) makes the easy removal of the fuel line or of the components connected therewith possible.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 1997Date of Patent: March 23, 1999Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventor: Hans-Peter Braun
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Patent number: 5868172Abstract: A wastewater treatment apparatus is provided which includes at least an aeration chamber and a clarification chamber having a common wall therebetween, a transfer port opening through the common wall between a lower portion of the clarification chamber and the aeration chamber, an aerator mechanism in the aeration chamber for creating wastewater flow currents which flow through an inlet portion of a flow augmenting device located in the common wall above the transfer port. The flow augmenting device is a conduit or pipe having a discharge outlet adjacent the lower portion of the clarification chamber through which exits the flow from the aeration chamber resulting in solid particles being agitated and returned from the clarification chamber lower portion into the aeration chamber through the transfer port.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 1996Date of Patent: February 9, 1999Assignee: Norwalk Wastewater Equipment CompanyInventor: Jan D. Graves
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Patent number: 5848619Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing an hydraulic hose having ends of different internal diameters. An uncured hose is produced by conventional extrusion. The uncured hose is placed upon a mandrel having a reduced diameter end. That end of the uncured hose proximate the reduced diameter of the mandrel is covered by a heat responsive shrink tube. The shrink tube is heated to mold the end of the hose about the mandrel. Thereafter, the hose is vulcanized.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 1997Date of Patent: December 15, 1998Assignee: Dayco Products, Inc.Inventor: Ramzan Ally
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Patent number: 5819808Abstract: A method for reducing stress at a junction of high pressure fluid flow passages in a body involves passage intersected by a secondary passage. The depression is formed to generally surround an outlet of the secondary passage but be spaced therefrom In one embodiment, the depression is circular, i.e. ring-shaped.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 1995Date of Patent: October 13, 1998Assignee: Perkins LimitedInventor: Paul John Smith
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Patent number: 5791379Abstract: A pipe cage (18) for protecting persons from a hot process pipe (12). The pipe cage includes first and second clips (20,22) separated by a predetermined distance and engaging the hot process pipe (12) and first and second sets of spacer bars (24,26) extending from a respective one of the first and second clips (20,22). A first ring (28) is connected to surround the first set of bars (24) and a second ring (30) is connected to surround the second set of spacer bars (26). A plurality of ribs (32) are connected between the first and second rings (28,30), wherein the plurality of ribs (32) are spaced from and extend parallel to the hot process pipe (12) preventing contact of the hot process pipe (12) by a person in an area surrounding the pipe while providing ambient air exposure to the hot process pipe (12).Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 1997Date of Patent: August 11, 1998Inventor: Michael J. Piorkowski
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Patent number: 5787934Abstract: The method for preventing the propagation of cracks in plastic pipes consists substantially in that at predetermined locations of the tube sections of reduced diameter are foreseen, but to provide these sections with a view of reinstating the static strength simultaneously with a reinforcement which does not form a homogeneous compound with the material of the tube. This is made preferably by application of a correspondingly designed crack stopping element between to tube ends or by inserting such a element between same.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 1995Date of Patent: August 4, 1998Assignee: EMPA Eidgenossische Materialprufungs- und Forschung-SanstaltInventor: Peter Flueler
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Patent number: 5785093Abstract: An improved vehicle includes fluid conducting apparatuses such as tubing and fittings which make up a piping system installed on the vehicle. The material used to make the fluid conducting apparatuses satisfies a specified ratio between the modulus of elasticity and the yield strength of the material. When the fluid conducting apparatuses are filled with frozen water such that the internal volume of the apparatuses has expanded by 10%, if the material has a modulus of elasticity of less than 20.5 times the yield strength of the material, then the material will not yield but will return substantially to its original shape and dimensions when the stress of the frozen water is removed.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 1996Date of Patent: July 28, 1998Assignee: Stanley Aviation CorporationInventor: David E. Jewell
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Patent number: 5778942Abstract: An improved vehicle includes fluid conducting apparatuses such as tubing and fittings which make up a fluid conducting system installed on the vehicle. The material used to make the fluid conducting apparatuses satisfies a specified ratio between the modulus of elasticity and the yield strength of the material. When the fluid conducting apparatuses are filled with frozen water such that the internal volume of the apparatuses has expanded by 10%, if the material has a modulus of elasticity of less than 20.5 times the yield strength of the material, then the material will not yield but will return substantially to its original shape and dimensions when the stress of the frozen water is removed.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 1997Date of Patent: July 14, 1998Assignee: Stanley Aviation CorporationInventor: David E. Jewell
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Patent number: 5746253Abstract: A cover assembly including a crushable support (100) for supporting an elastomeric tube is described, the elastomeric tube being recoverable to at least a part of its original size and shape after collapse of said support, comprising: a plurality of substantially longitudinally extending portions (12); a plurality of connection portions (14), each longitudinally extending portion (12) being connected to, and spaced apart from neighboring longitudinally extending portions (12) by at least one of said connection portions (14) to form a rigid structure; and said at least one of said connection portions (14) including at least one frangible zone (16).Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 1996Date of Patent: May 5, 1998Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Herbert Dust, Gerhard Lohmeier, Manfred G. Viebranz
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Patent number: 5743302Abstract: A non-metallic pipe collar is provided which encircles the external surface of a pipe. The pipe collar may be provided in several segments or single collar with a hinged portion which allows the collar to be spread open and placed around a pipe.In an alternate embodiment shims having a tapered outer surface are placed against the outer surface of the pipe before the pipe collar is placed around the pipe. The pipe collar has a tapered inner surface thus causing an interference fit between the shims and the pipe collar.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 1996Date of Patent: April 28, 1998Inventor: Jess McNeely
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Patent number: 5738149Abstract: A manifold assembly for supplying plastic material from a plastic source to a mold assembly in an injection molding machine includes a flexible manifold having an interior conduit connected between the plastic source and the mold assembly. The flexible manifold is configured to define an input connector, a first curved segment attached to the input connector, a second curved segment, an output connector attaching the second curved segment to the mold assembly, and an intermediary segment connecting the first and second curved segments. This provides the flexible manifold with a generally S-shaped configuration that flexes with temperature changes to maintain a substantially constant positioning between the input connector and the output connector, preventing thermally induced movement of the mold assembly with respect to the input connector as heated plastic is injected through the conduit.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 1996Date of Patent: April 14, 1998Assignee: Electra Form, Inc.Inventors: Charles J. Brun, Jr., Anthony F. Newport
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Patent number: 5701929Abstract: An insulative cover assembly for insulating a P-trap drain piping assembly comprises a unitary body including a first section and a second section joined together at a third section, the first section having an body configured to cover a pipe and having a first end, and the second section having a body configured to cover a pipe and having a first end. The third section couples second ends of each of the first and second sections together and comprises a structurally weakened area therein which is manually separateable for forming first and second cover pieces from said unitary body. The ends of the separated first and second sections further include structurally weakened areas for trimming the lengths of the sections during installation whereby the piping assembly is quickly and efficiently covered and insulated generally without the need for special installation tools.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 1996Date of Patent: December 30, 1997Inventor: John A. Helmsderfer
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Patent number: 5699828Abstract: An insulative cover assembly for insulating a P-trap drain piping assembly comprises a unitary body with a first cover section and a second cover section, the first cover section having an elongated body terminating in an approximately 180.degree. bend, and the second cover section having an elongated body terminating in an approximately 90.degree.. The first and second cover sections each include a longitudinal slit thereon for being spread apart and positioned over the pipes. Measurement indicia is positioned on a surface of said body, the measurement indicia provides an indication of the length of the cover sections for proper sizing and installation of said cover section on a pipe.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 1996Date of Patent: December 23, 1997Inventor: John A. Helmsderfer
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Patent number: 5678598Abstract: A cover assembly and methods for covering undersink piping includes insulative cover pieces placed over respective pipe sections such that their ends are adjacent at pipe junctures. Collars are slidable over or inside the cover pieces to be moved to cover the junctures. An alternative cover structure may be wrapped around the pipe juncture to form a generally continuous insulative cover, or alternatively, the fastening structures are insulated such that when the pipe sections are assembled together, the cover pieces and insulating fastening structures form a continuous insulative cover. In an alternative embodiment, one of the cover pieces is dimensioned to slide upwardly and downwardly on a pipe section and a collar structure is placed over the exposed pipe section to provide a continuous cover piece.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 1996Date of Patent: October 21, 1997Inventor: John A. Helmsderfer
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Patent number: 5649566Abstract: A cover assembly and methods for covering undersink piping includes insulative cover pieces placed over respective pipe sections such that their ends are adjacent at pipe junctures. Collars are slidable over or inside the cover pieces to be moved to cover the junctures. An alternative cover structure may be wrapped around the pipe juncture to form a generally continuous insulative cover, or alternatively, the fastening structures are insulated such that when the pipe sections are assembled together, the cover pieces and insulating fastening structures form a continuous insulative cover. In an alternative embodiment, one of the cover pieces is dimensioned to slide upwardly and downwardly on a pipe section and a collar structure is placed over the exposed pipe section to provide a continuous cover piece.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 1996Date of Patent: July 22, 1997Inventor: John A. Helmsderfer
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Patent number: 5590690Abstract: A centering support for a double-containment pipe assembly is adapted to support a plurality of primary pipes within a single containment pipe. A first support half of the centering support defines a plurality of first curved support surfaces for supporting one or more primary pipes, wherein each first curved support surface is defined by a radius greater than or equal to the outside radius of the primary pipe to be supported by the respective support surface. A second support half of the centering support similarly defines a plurality of second curved support surfaces for supporting one or more primary pipes, and each second curved support surface is defined by a radius greater than or equal to the outside radius of the primary pipe to be supported by the respective support surface.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 1995Date of Patent: January 7, 1997Assignee: Christopher G. ZiuInventor: Christopher G. Ziu
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Patent number: 5586568Abstract: A cover assembly and methods for coveting undersink piping includes insulative cover pieces placed over respective pipe sections such that their ends are adjacent at pipe junctures. Collars are slidable over or inside the cover pieces to be moved to cover the junctures. An alternative cover structure may be wrapped around the pipe juncture to form a generally continuous insulative cover, or alternatively, the fastening structures are insulated such that when the pipe sections are assembled together, the cover pieces and insulating fastening structures form a continuous insulative cover. In an alternative embodiment, one of the cover pieces is dimensioned to slide upwardly and downwardly on a pipe section and a collar structure is placed over the exposed pipe section to provide a continuous cover piece.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 1994Date of Patent: December 24, 1996Inventor: John A. Helmsderfer
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Patent number: 5575312Abstract: A fire retarding heating and cooling duct to impede the progress of fires in buildings and houses. The fire retarding duct is comprised of a duct core covered with a heat meltable plastic material that will melt at temperatures in the range of 180.degree. F. and above. The duct core is preferably constructed in short sections of about six feet for connection between heating and cooling, and building inlet and outlet plenums. The heat meltable plastic duct covering melts almost immediately when a building fire enters a plenum preventing the spread of a fire throughout the duct system.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 1995Date of Patent: November 19, 1996Assignee: CASCO ManufacturingInventor: Clifford A. Schroeder
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Patent number: 5564463Abstract: An insulative cover assembly for insulating a P-trap drain piping assembly comprises a unitary first cover piece having a generally elongated body terminating in an approximately 180.degree. bend at the end of the body. The elongated body is longitudinally slit along its length for being positioned over the straight and J-shaped pipe sections of the P-trapped pipe assembly and is configured and dimensioned for continuously and simultaneously covering the joint straight and J-shaped pipe sections and the juncture therebetween. A second cover piece has a generally elongated body terminating in an approximately 90.degree. bend at one end of the second cover piece. The second cover piece is longitudinally slit along its length to be positioned over the L-shaped pipe section of the P-trap assembly with a portion of the second cover piece body proximate the 90.degree.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 1994Date of Patent: October 15, 1996Inventor: John A. Helmsderfer
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Patent number: 5564413Abstract: An oil well pipe for a casing, comprising an oil well body, a sliding layer formed on an outside surface of the oil well body and a protective layer formed on an outside surface of the sliding layer, the sliding layer contains an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer having 5 to 60 weight % vinyl acetate. The sliding layer may also contain a maleic acid modified polyethylene or the ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer may be a maleic acid modified ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 1994Date of Patent: October 15, 1996Assignee: NKK CorporationInventors: Mitsuaki Hori, Hisao Nakamura, Yoshihiro Okano, Shoichi Ohsuka, Toshiyuki Kurosawa
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Patent number: 5562127Abstract: Multilayered tubing which exhibits one or more desirable characteristics of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) tubings, such as clarity, flexibility and toughness, but without the environmental and health hazards associated with PVC materials, is provided. Also provided is a method of preparing such tubing.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 1995Date of Patent: October 8, 1996Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Dan L. Fanselow, Walton J. Hammar, John H. Ko, James C. Margl, Debra L. Wilfong
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Patent number: 5555913Abstract: The invention relates to a plastic hose with a coloring and/or metallization on its surface, which is produced by stamping on a hot stamping film, as well as to a process for the production thereof. As a result of the hot stamping full-surface colored or metallized surfaces can be created for plastic hoses.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 1995Date of Patent: September 17, 1996Assignee: Hans Grohe GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Armin Waidele, Dieter Katzer
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Patent number: 5542264Abstract: A water reservoir is provided for a refrigerator. The reservoir is formed as an elongated tubular member bent into a single U-shape with the tubular member having a constant cross section along its length and a constant vertical rise along its length from an inlet to an outlet. The two legs angle upwardly at a common slope and the legs are substantially the same length so that the inlet and outlet are adjacent to one another. The reservoir thus forms a compact shape which fits into a previously unused space behind a crisper drawer within the refrigerator compartment.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 1995Date of Patent: August 6, 1996Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Gregory G. Hortin, Michael H. Fisher, Joseph L. Coleman, Scott D. Adams
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Patent number: 5524675Abstract: A safety device for automatically preventing an injectile propelled within a pipeline having a terminus from inadvertently escaping the pipeline at a coupling point. The safety device automatically engages upon decoupling, thereby safe-guarding the pipeline operator and surrounding area from injury and/or damage due to injectiles that have been previously injected within or passed through the pipeline and that could otherwise inadvertently escape the pipeline upon decoupling. A preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a base, means for clamping and means for automatically halting the progress of the injectile. One embodiment of the present invention further comprises means for horizontally positioning the means for automatically halting the progress of the injectile, means for vertically positioning the means for automatically halting the progress of the injectile and means for displacing the means for automatically halting the progress of the injectile.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 1994Date of Patent: June 11, 1996Inventor: Martin H. Berger