Abstract: An improved toilet fill valve designed to replace a damaged toilet tank valve within a toilet. The improved toilet fill valve includes a first quick connect coupling which separates an upper section of a pipe body mounted to a float from a lower section of the pipe body mounted to an opening located at a bottom of a cistern tank within the toilet. The first quick release coupling includes a female component threadedly attached to the upper section of the pipe body. The first quick release coupling includes a male component end that can be threadedly attached to the lower section of the pipe body.

Abstract: A storage system useful for storing cryogenic liquids is disclosed. The storage system includes a storage vessel, insulation surrounding the storage vessel and a flexible vacuum jacket enclosing them both. The flexible vacuum jacket can be made from a flexible plastic film such as polyimide. Polyimide is preferred due to its ability to remain flexible at cryogenic temperatures. The inner volume of the flexible vacuum jacket is placed under vacuum such that the insulation is maintained under vacuum. The flexible vacuum jacket can collapse against and conform to the insulation when it is evacuated, saving substantially on volume. A fitting for combining multiple passageways is also disclosed, so that multiple passageways can proceed through the vacuum jacket through a single penetration.

Abstract: A method of joining pipe elements in end to end relation includes using a coupling having two or more segments connected to one another end to end surrounding a central space. The coupling also has at least one gripping body positioned between two of the segments. The pipe elements are inserted into the central space. The segments and the gripping body or bodies are moved toward the central space. The segments have arcuate surfaces which engage the outer surface of the pipe element. The gripping body or bodies have gripping surfaces which engage the outer surface of the pipe elements.

Abstract: The method of providing a clamping connection comprising providing one or more clamping hubs, providing two or more clamping segments to engage the clamping hubs, constraining the clamping segments to move approximately radially with respect to the clamp hubs, providing a tension band around the clamping segments which slides circumferentially relative to the clamping segments, and adjusting the ratio of the contact area of the tension band to the clamping hubs and the area of the clamping hubs to compensate for the difference in loading on the clamping hub due to sliding friction between the tension band and the clamping hubs.

Abstract: A universal coupling assembly is provided including a housing having an inner bore that extends along an axis through a fluid port and a flange formed integral with the housing and the inner bore. The flange extends radially outward from the axis and has a mating surface. A nipple extends from the flange along the axis toward the fluid port. The nipple has a mating interface at an end thereof, and the nipple has a junction portion extending at least partially about the nipple and located between the mating interface and the flange. The junction portion and the mating interface are configured to receive at least two different types of interchangeable fittings based on a type of mating joint, and the junction portion is matable with one of a flange fitting, a threaded union fitting, a sweat fitting, an NPT fitting, and a barb fitting.

Abstract: A universal mounting coupling may be inserted into and through the support structure of a self-contained swimming pool to allow for use of a removable externally driven hydraulic propulsion system to produce a self-contained swimming pool for containment of water and generation of water currents therein for exercise, therapy and or rehabilitation of a user.

Abstract: A pipe coupling for connecting pipes of the same or different diameters. The coupling has a barrel sleeve with clamping rings on each end. The clamping rings each carry nested seals. An inner portion of each nested seal may be removed so as to adapt the clamping ring to different pipe diameters. Each clamping ring is hinged, but becomes iron-bound upon tightening, so that each ring eventually bends as a unitary ring member.

Abstract: A mechanical pipe coupling is formed of segments attached end to end to surround a central space. Each segment has a circumferentially extending cavity facing the central space flanked by arcuate keys which project toward the central space. Two arcuate shoulder surfaces are positioned on each segment. The arcuate shoulder surfaces face the central space and are positioned in spaced relation on opposite sides of the cavity between the cavity and the arcuate keys. The arcuate shoulder surfaces are angularly oriented with respect to an axis perpendicular to a plane containing the segments. The coupling is used to couple pipe elements having a circumferential ring located at the ends of the pipe elements. The angular orientation of the arcuate shoulder surfaces provides flexibility to the joint. A method of joining pipe elements having circumferential rings is also disclosed.

Abstract: Plug connection arrangement for connecting a first hollow body, such as a pipe socket, to a second hollow body, such as a hose, by means of a clip. The first hollow body has a pre-assembly portion, on which the clip can be pre-assembled in a pre-assembly position. The first hollow body has a final assembly portion, to which the clip for connecting the first hollow body to the second hollow body is secured in a final assembly position. The pre-assembly portion and the final assembly portion are here arranged offset in the peripheral direction of the first hollow body, so that the clip can be transferred from the pre-assembly position into the final assembly position by twisting relative to the first hollow body (12).

Abstract: A flange for fastening a line to a pump casing, includes: a pump casing passage; and a plurality of stop members protruding in the passage and angularly distributed around the passage, the position of the flange being angularly adjustable by the stop members. A pump may include the fastening flange. A method for adjusting the position of the flange in relation to the pump is also disclosed. This method makes it possible to avoid the position of the pump casing being imposed by the orientation of the fastening flange of the pump casing.

Abstract: A two-piece flange adapter including two identical flange parts. Each flange part has two ends, with each end having a planar mating surface disposed at each end of the channel disposed on an inner diameter surface of the flange part. A projection extends from one planar mating surface and is formed to continue the channel for a predetermined distance past the planar mating surface. The other end of the flange and channel define a groove having a depth that accepts the projection of a mating flange part to form a complete channel. A gasket having a cross-sectional area with an internal cavity is compressively disposed in a pocket defined by the channel and the mating pipes. The cross-sectional area of the gasket occupies less than 87% of the pocket and can also occupy approximately 82-84% of the pocket.

Abstract: This variable-angle tubular connection includes a first tubular section (4) which has a flange ring (10), a second tubular section (6) which has an end flange (12) and a clamping device (8) for clamping the flange ring (10) against the end flange (12). The clamping device (8) has at least one linking segment (22), suitable for being applied against the flange ring (10), and components (24) for clamping the linking segment (22) against the flange ring. The end flange (12) has traversing recesses (20) through which the clamping components extend. The end flange is fixed to the second tubular section (6). Application to the sealed junction of tubing elements.

Abstract: The loose-flange type fitting according to the present invention is closely sealed with an elastic gasket whose both the sides and outer circumferential face are pressed against a pipe collars and a reinforcing ring so that the seal contact therebetween increases in degree together with rising of a tubeside internal pressure, in which the seal material comprising an annular elastic gasket, a metallic reinforcing ring disposed on the outer circumferential side of the elastic gasket and the inner circumferential face of the elastic gasket having substantially a V-shaped cross-section and the axial width of the gasket being broader than that of the reinforcing ring under non-compression conditions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a coupling for cylinders or pipes. The invention provides an improved coupling having an innovative pipe grip preventing inadvertent separation of the two items being coupled. The improved releasable band-clamp coupling comprises a central housing of cross-section resembling a wide, low-wall channel, the housing being curved to be larger than the outer diameter of a pipe. Two curved outer clamp members each configured to contact a wall of the housing and to support a ring seal member and to support a sloped mechanical grip ring, there being further provided proximate to the ends of the curved outer clamp members a pair of substantially parallel pair of clamping extensions.

Abstract: A pipe coupling assembly including a fitting having an opening surrounded by an inwardly facing conical surface. A pipe element has an end portion with an outwardly facing conical surface that fits within the opening and engages the inwardly facing conical surface. A shoulder is positioned on the pipe element. A retaining ring surrounds the pipe element and engages the shoulder. A fastener connects the retaining ring to the fitting. The fastener is adjustably tightenable to draw the retaining ring toward the fitting and force the pipe end portion into engagement with the fitting. One or more seals may be positioned between the engaged conical surfaces. The seal may be made of graphite for high temperature applications. An adapter ring that fits between the pipe and the fitting is also disclosed. The adapter ring has conical surfaces that engage the conical surfaces of the pipe and the fitting.

Abstract: A desanding vessel is inserted in a high velocity fluid stream containing entrained particulates. The vessel comprises an upper freeboard portion having a large cross-sectional wherein the fluid stream velocity drops and particulates fall from suspension. Preferably the fluid stream is introduced offset upwardly from an axis of a horizontally oriented cylindrical vessel, released particulates falling to accumulate in a lower belly portion. The freeboard portion is maintained using a depending flow barrier adjacent the vessel's outlet which sets the depth of accumulation in the belly portion. A cleanout enables periodic removal of accumulations.

Abstract: A remotely operable coupling device is disclosed. The device is suitable for coupling misaligned first and second conduits. The device includes a first connector and a second connector. The first connector is attached to the first conduit and includes a first flange with a ball end extending therefrom. The second connector is attached to the second conduit and receives the first connector. The second connector includes a first mechanism operable to position a second flange adjacent the first flange and to dispose the ball end into a socket member. The second connector also includes a second mechanism disposed about the adjacent first and second flanges and operable to hold the flanges adjacent one another and maintain the ball end disposed within the socket.

Abstract: A sweat flange, piping system utilizing the same, and method of installing a circulator to a copper pipe. The sweat flange includes a base portion having a predetermined shape and at least two bolt openings dimensioned to accept at least two mounting bolts. A shoulder portion extends from the base portion and includes a substantially circular pipe opening that extends through the base portion and the shoulder portion. The pipe opening includes a first portion dimensioned to accept the pipe and a second portion of decreased diameter in order to limit the travel of the pipe through the opening. The sweat flange is attached to the pipe by inserting the pipe into the pipe opening of the flange and soldering the two together using art recognized soldering techniques. The piping system includes at least one pipe, a sweat, a pair of mounting bolts and a circulator or other pump.