Abstract: Connector systems for, for example, polymeric solid foam products and products using such systems are disclosed. The connector systems may comprise a pair of hollow coupling members embedded in adjacent foam bodies, such as sections of a surfboard or paddleboard. When axially aligned, the coupling members may be connected together by a connector member that extends into each coupling member. The coupling members have internal projections. The connector member has bent connector channels along which the projections can travel when the connector member is rotated about its axis and in so doing the foam bodies may be connected together or disconnected.

Abstract: A flexible tube system having an end section formed from an inner rigid tube and an outer shell, and the end section is joined to a central flexible portion having an inner decoupler tube, and an outer shell bridge is joined to the outer shell and the flexible central portion to define an insulation space.

Abstract: A battery pack having improved heat dissipation characteristics. A battery pack includes a plurality of battery modules, each including a plurality of battery cells aligned in a direction, and a plurality of barriers, each being between a respective pair of adjacent battery cells of the plurality of battery cells and including a connection portion protruded to the outside of the adjacent battery cells. The battery pack further includes a heat dissipation member connected to connection portions of the plurality of connection portions, and a heat conducting member connected to the heat dissipation member.

Abstract: A steam unit, e.g., for a machine for espresso beverages, includes a supporting island with external fastening, which connects removably to the machine; a tank for frothing milk, a base of which connects removably to the supporting island. A circuit delivers steam from the machine to the tank via the connection at the base of the tank. The tank includes an upper part for heating and emulsifying the beverages.

Abstract: A pipe coupling has an outer shell with a flexible inner liner therein. The liner is secured to the shell by a clamping arrangement, which uses inner rings at the ends of the shell. The inner rings are hydraulically expanded out to the shell to form a seal between the shell and the liner. In use, compressed fluid is provided to a cavity between the liner and the shell to force the liner to seal against a pipe joint.

Abstract: A sealing element that includes a hollow body of metallic material and first and second male sealing members formed at a respective end of the body. The respective male sealing member has an external spherical contact surface designed for mating with a corresponding internal conical contact surface of a female sealing member so as to form a fluid-tight seal between the male sealing member and the female sealing member when their contact surfaces are pressed against each other. Also, a coupling device and a valve device provided with the sealing element.

Abstract: A fluid connection device (1), comprising a tubular shaft (2), the interior of which is divided by a partition (8) into two partial spaces (6,9) separated from each other. A respective side opening (11,12) opens into each of the two partial spaces. The side openings are covered by an elastomeric sleeve (3) so that the side openings are sealed shut as long as no other external forces act on the sleeve. By means of a union nut (4), which is intended to connect the tubular shaft to a container and is screwed onto the fitting thereof, the sleeve is compressed in the axial direction and produces an annular gap that extends across the side openings, by means of which the side openings are flow-connected from then on.

Abstract: A coupling device for a sealed coupling of first and second pipe sections, which are movable with respect to one another and at the ends of which respective flanges are fastened to be mutually sealed. The end face of the second flange, which is directed toward the first flange, includes an annular groove and a sealing element is disposed within the annular groove. The annular groove is configured to be subjected to pressure so as to press the sealing element against the end face of the first flange. The sealing element is a sealing ring made of elastic material.

Abstract: A sealing element that includes a hollow body of metallic material and first and second male sealing members formed at a respective end of the body. The respective male sealing member has an external spherical contact surface designed for mating with a corresponding internal conical contact surface of a female sealing member so as to form a fluid-tight seal between the male sealing member and the female sealing member when their contact surfaces are pressed against each other. Also, a coupling device and a valve device provided with the sealing element.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for making a connection that can be rotationally locked by expansion are disclosed. Threaded tubular ends include a slot cut across a thread at a location along the circumference of the thread. Threading two tubular members that have the slot disposed in either or both of a pin or box end of the tubular members establishes the connection. The slots represent no impediment to the make-up or break-out of a box by pin connection prior to expansion. During expansion of the connection, the threads of either the box or pin end are forced via plastic flow into the slot in the corresponding thread. This results in locking the connection and preventing relative rotation between the two tubular members, which could otherwise loosen the connection.

Abstract: Systems for actuating a pair of pipe flanges to cause the flanges to be sealingly engaged. In one embodiment, a connection includes a first flange, a second flange and a coupling. The first and second flanges have complementary mating surfaces. The coupling engages both the first and second flanges, with the flanges oriented so that their mating surfaces face each other. The coupling movably engages the first flange to form a cavity between the coupling and the flange. When fluid is forced into the cavity, expansion of the cavity moves the first mating surface toward the second mating surface. This is continued until the mating surfaces make contact and a desired amount of pressure is applied between them to create a seal. The pressure of the fluid is distributed evenly through the cavity, so the contact pressure between the mating surfaces of the flanges is also evenly distributed.

Abstract: An assembly and method of joining a pipe with a catch basin, the catch basin having an apertured side wall, the assembly and method including providing an elastomeric ring having an annular hollow expansion space, a foam injection port, a flow checking inflation valve for resesting fluid back flow within the foam injection port, and having a slide stop extending outwardly from the elastomeric ring; inserting the elastomeric ring into the catch basin's aperture; inserting an end of the pipe through the elastomeric ring; and injecting a closed cell resilient foam through the fluid injection port for expansion within the expansion space, the expansion driving the ring's annular inner and outer surfaces inwardly and outwardly, forming a seal spanning between the pipe and the catch basin.

Abstract: A mechanical type boot including a vertically positioned riser in a tubular configuration with an outwardly flanged upper end and an outwardly flanged lower end. Vertical bolt holes are provided through the ends. Vertical bolt holes are provided in a lower flat end of a base flange. Vertical bolt holes are also provided in a flanged lower end of a generally cylindrical split seal cap ring. Vertically extending bolts couple the riser, seal and base flange. An inverted J-shaped tube constitutes a gas well pipe. The tube has a long vertical section located within and extending upwardly from the split seal cap ring. The next intermediate section extends outwardly. A third outboard section extends downwardly for the exhaust of gasses. The lowermost end of the gas well pipe is held in a fluid type relationship with regard to the split seal cap ring.

Abstract: The present invention includes a pattern of fine slits formed in the material of document where sensitive information is intended to be printed or imprinted, wherein the slit pattern modifies the tensile strength of the substrate. In addition, the slit pattern modifies the toner or ink permeability of a substrate to facilitate the penetration of the toner or ink printed or imprinted on the surface of document into the substrate. Further, the design of the slit pattern can be coordinated with a latent image pattern to comprise optical properties such that the physical response of a typical duplicating or photocopy device to the validation mark will allow a copy to be easily discerned from an original.

Abstract: A process and an assembly for producing force-locking connections between tubular members inserted one into the other or for attaching elements slid onto tubular members, by permanent radial expansion of several sleeves slid into the tubular members in a coaxial arrangement. The sleeves are filled with a pressurized fluid and pistons are inserted into end apertures of the sleeves. The apertures of adjoining sleeves which face each other are closed by a single piston. Finally, by bringing the pistons closing the outwardly facing apertures of the outer sleeves closer together, the internal pressure is increased.

Abstract: A system for maintaining a tightness between two parts rotatable relative to each other. The system includes at least two sealing units, with each of the sealing units having at least two possible states or conditions, namely, a first state or condition for ensuring a tightness between the two parts and a second state or condition wherein it does not ensure a tightness. Each sealing unit is deformable and includes a drive arrangement for intermittently actuating each of the sealing units.

Abstract: A blast joint and related handling apparatus and method for installing the blast joint in a pressurized well, using a snubber unit. The blast joint has a pressure rated protective jacket, a pressure operated ring load compensator, and an adjustable tubing anchor.

Abstract: A high pressure hose fitting, and method for sealing the hose to a fitting, is disclosed for use with hoses of the type including a linear disposed about an axially extending passageway, and a reinforcement layer circumventing the liner. The liner is preferably pulled slightly beyond the edge of the reinforcement layer to form a protruding edge region. An end fitting, having a flange with a liner-receiving groove, is inserted into the passageway until the protruding edge of the liner contacts the end wall of the groove, and the flange abuts the reinforcement layer. A swagable collar circumventing the foregoing components is swaged radially inwardly to clamp the liner on its outside diameter.

Abstract: A joint is provided for joining together two sections of a tube wherein the sections are prestressed by a surrounding pressure medium to press the sections together and to resist forces tending to separate the sections and the bursting pressure inside the tube. The pressure medium can be a resin which can be pressurized and subsequently cured or a fluid. The outside diameter of each section, at and near the end to be joined, is enlarged. A coupling means encircles the enlarged portions and couples the two sections together. One or more expandable pressure cavities located within said coupling means and/or within the enlarged portions have the general shape of a flared annuli. The pressure medium fills and expands the pressure cavities and, when pressurized, exerts stresses compressing both sections together at the joint and also applies relatively uniform radial stress in the vicinity of the end of each section.

Abstract: A quick connect coupling (20) for fluid tight connection to a threaded fluid port (22). A body (26) of the quick connect coupling (20) having a cylindrical, externally threaded first end (28) defining an axially extending passage (29) into the coupling body (26). Axially slidable sleeve (42) being mounted on the outside of the coupling body (26) for slidable motion between a seal unassisted position and a seal assisted position, the axially slidable sleeve (42) forcing against an elastomeric seal (30) in the seal assisted position so as to provide a fluid tight seal between an end of the fluid port (22) and the coupling (20).

Abstract: A telescopic joint for repairing underwater pipelines laid at a great depth in which an annular sheath of steel having a yield point of not more than one half that of an outer sleeve of the joint is welded onto an inner cylinder, to create with the inner cylinder an annular chamber or interspace, the cylinder-sheath-sleeve assembly being guided in its telescopic movement by an inner tube welded coaxially to an end of the outer sleeve. The interspace is connected to an oil pump which under adequate pressure can cause the steel sheath to expand, to the extent that it yields, to interlock with the outer sleeve.

Abstract: In a swivel joint which leads high-pressure liquid in a fixed pipe into a rotatable pipe coupled slidably to said fixed pipe, a lubricating chamber is provided in the neighborhood of sliding area between the fixed and rotatable pipes, and lubricant having at least same pressure as that of said high-pressure liquid is led into said lubricating chamber for smooth rotation and prevention of leakage of the high-pressure liquid and abrasion of the sldiing area.

Abstract: A rotary fluid coupling for conveying fluid from a stationary shaft to a hub rotatably mounted on the shaft, or vice versa. The coupling is characterized in having an annular piston which surrounds the shaft and which forms a wall of a chamber connecting a duct in the shaft to a duct in the wall of the hub. A seal is disposed around the shaft between the piston and a closed end of a bore in the hub. In the bore between the piston and the seal is a lubricating material such that pressure exerted on the piston by fluid in the aforesaid chamber will be transmitted by the lubricating material to the seal, preferably a labyrinth seal.