Abstract: A thermal expansion compensating device has a conduit with a first opening and a second opening for connection to a first pipe and a second pipe of a hot water system, respectively, the first and second pipes being formed by removing a section from a length of pipe of the hot water system. A pre-tensioning force is applied to the device to axially displace the first opening from the second opening until after connection of the openings of the pipes. A resiliently deformable pipe segment defines a portion of the conduit between the first opening and the second opening and is resiliently deformed to a tensioned position by the application of the pre-tensioning force. Once the hot water system is activated, the pipes axially thermally expand such that the first opening moves towards the second opening and the pipe segment moves from the tensioned position towards a rest position decreasing the stress on the device.

Abstract: An exhaust device includes a housing, first and second pipes, and a spacer. The first and second pipes are at least partially disposed within the housing. The first and second pipes include respective first and second surfaces. A portion of the second pipe is disposed inside the first pipe. The first and second surfaces cooperate to define an annular volume into which the spacer is disposed to prevent direct communication between the first and second pipes. One of the first and second pipes is fluidly connected to an exhaust gas inlet. The other of the first and second pipes is fluidly connected to an exhaust gas outlet. One of the first and second surfaces defines a radial indentation. The other of the first and second surfaces defines a radial protrusion. The spacer is disposed at least partially within the radial indentation and is in direct communication with the radial protrusion.

Abstract: A gimbal apparatus is disclosed, including a tubular envelope with a variable length between first and second rim structures. A rigid ring structure inside the tubular envelope is connected to diametrically opposite first and second portions of the first rim structure, and is connected to diametrically opposite first and second portions of the second rim structure. A spoke bisects the ring structure.

Abstract: Connectors may be used for connecting case settings in high temperature wells, such as geothermal or oil wells. The connector is simple in design and is able to take up thermal expansion due to temperature change when high temperature media starts to flow through the casings and when the well needs to be cooled down for maintenance.

Abstract: A sealing assembly creating a sealed flow path between fluid ducts. The seal assembly comprises a housing and a tubular element within the housing providing a fluid conduit between the fluid ducts. Two sealing elements each have an internal sealing face sealably engaged with the tube and an external face for sealing, in use, with a respective fluid duct. At least one of the sealing elements is slidable with respect to the tubes. A support is slidably retained by the housing, surrounds one end of the tube and supports one of the slidable sealing elements on the side of the sealing element opposite to its external face. A resilient element within the housing biases the support so as to urge the two sealing elements apart.

Abstract: A vacuum port base comprises an upper face, a lower face, a first channel, and a second channel. The upper face is configured to interface with a vacuum port. The lower face is configured to interface with a surface of a tool. The first channel formed in the lower face is configured to receive an edge breather. The second channel formed within the vacuum port base is configured to receive the vacuum port such that the vacuum port is in fluid communication with the first channel and the edge breather to remove gases from a composite structure.

Abstract: A turbine engine including a combustion chamber having an inner annular shroud and an outer annular shroud that are coaxial with each other and that are connected at their downstream ends respectively to an inner annular link wall and to an outer annular link wall, for linking respectively to an inner casing and to an outer casing. At least a first one of the inner and outer annular link walls includes at least one coolant fluid circuit extending between the radially inner and outer ends of said first annular link wall.

Abstract: A doser for dispensing a cryogenic fluid includes a doser body configured to receive the cryogenic fluid. The dosing arm has a proximal end and a distal end and a central passage extending between the proximal and distal ends. Furthermore, the dosing arm is configured to receive cryogenic fluid from the doser body. A bayonet connection removably connects the proximal end of the dosing arm to the doser body. A dosing head is mounted to the distal end of the dosing arm and is configured to receive cryogenic fluid from the central passage of the dosing arm and to dispense the cryogenic fluid.

Abstract: Crossover tubes for use with cans of a turbine engine. The crossover tubes include an outer member, an inner member that is adapted to move collinearly with the outer member. The crossover tubes also include a pair of flanges and a biasing member positioned between the flanges.

Abstract: The present application relates to an axial turbomachine housing designed to channel a primary annular flow in the low-pressure compressor of the said turbomachine. The housing comprises a first shell and a second shell designed to be contiguous and coaxial. The first shell comprises a flange and a centering surface substantially cylindrical. The second shell comprises a flange and radial centering member designed to mate with the centering surface. The flange of the first shell includes cut-outs distributed along its circumference, and the centering member extends axially from the flange of the second shell through the said cut-outs to the centering surface where the two flanges are in contact.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a modular plug connector which has a plug comprising a plurality of plug modules and has a mating plug comprising a plurality of mating plug modules, in which each plug module forms a plug module pair with a mating plug module, wherein the plug and the mating plug can assume an interconnected state and wherein at least one of the plug module pairs has at least one locking device, which can assume a locking state in the interconnected state of the plug and the mating plug, in which locking state the locking device prevents the plug module and the mating plug module of said plug module pair from separating from each other.

Abstract: A curvic seal for use in a gas turbine engine is provided. The curvic seal includes a split ring including a first slit extending therethrough, and a biasing ring coupled to the split ring and extending along a radially inner side thereof. The biasing ring is configured to bias against the split ring and restrict airflow through the first slit.

Abstract: A pipe connection comprises a connecting piece, a pipe and a clamping ring. The pipe and the clamping ring are made of a material having memory properties. An end of the pipe and the clamping ring have been reversibly expanded co-jointly and firmly and sealingly shrunk to the connecting piece by back shrinkage. Preferably the clamping ring is made from a cross-linked polyolefin by injection molding.

Abstract: A mechanical system for a turbomachine includes a turbomachine part to be attached and a plurality of threaded attachment elements mounted on the turbomachine part in sequence along a line. The attachment elements fix the turbomachine part to the turbomachine. At least some of the attachment elements are arranged to be prevented from rotating by mutual cooperation about their corresponding thread axes, by a rotation prevention system provided on each of these attachment elements called self-locking elements. The self-locked elements cooperate in pairs, each pair including two directly consecutive self-locked elements along the line. At least one of the pairs has a distance between the thread axes of its two self-locked elements less than the distance between one of these two thread axes and the axis of either of the two attachment elements arranged along the line on each side of the at least one of the pairs.

Abstract: A mechanical assembly such as a torque transfer strut for a rotating superconducting machine. The torque transfer strut includes a composite tube having a first end received in a clamping fitting, which may include an end housing or lug, a clamping wedge screwed onto a threaded end housing, and an annular clamping member applying a radial clamping force to the first end of the composite tube at ambient temperature. When cooled, shrinkage of the end housing in the axial direction causes the annular clamping member to maintain or increase radial clamping force, causing the clamping wedge to apply increasing radial force to an inner member deflecting outwardly a plurality of axial fingers. The first end of the composite tube remains clamped between the inner member and an outer member, together defining an annular channel receiving the first end of the composite tube.

Abstract: A connector for connecting at least two receptor modules for a liquid medium, wherein the connector has a first connection end for the connection to a first receptor module and a second connection end for the connection to a second receptor module. The connector has a pressure equalization chamber between the first and second connection ends, in which a compressible insert is disposed. The compressible insert lies in part against the interior wall of the pressure equalization chamber. A least one longitudinal channel for a fluid communication between the first and second connection ends is provided between the interior wall of the pressure equalization chamber and the compressible insert. The compressible insert can be compacted as a result of a volume expansion of the liquid medium due to temperature conditions.

Abstract: A heat exchanger is provided that includes an expansion joint that accommodates thermal expansion of an inner casing relative to an outer casing. The expansion joint is positioned between the inner casing and the outer casing and is shielded from high temperature fluid flows by a wall of the heat exchanger and by thermal insulation.

Abstract: A method of assembling a heat exchanger in a gas turbine engine assembly is provided. The method includes providing a structural body including a wall having an elongated slot, providing a heat exchanger operably associated with a bracket, and providing a slip joint for coupling the bracket to the structural body. The slip joint includes a standoff, an elongated member, and a biasing member disposed about the elongated member. The standoff is inserted through the wall so that the biasing member imparts a predetermined biasing force between the bracket and the structural body. The slip joint allows relative sliding movement between the bracket and the structural body when a sliding force due to thermal expansion or contraction is greater than the biasing force.

Abstract: A method of forming a fastener that includes an axial centerline, a seating surface angled with respect to the axial centerline at an angle ? and adapted to contact an angled seat of a bore, the smallest diameter of the seating surface being designated a seating diameter, and a threaded connecting portion for engaging a threaded portion of a bore, the threaded connecting portion including a point designated a proximal contact point, the distance from the seating diameter to the proximal contact point in the direction of the axial centerline being the clamped length of the fastener, the method including steps of determining a value for at least a first one of angle ?, seating diameter D and clamped length L, solving the equation ?=arctan (D/(2L)) to calculate at least a second one of angle ?, seating diameter D and clamped length L, and forming a fastener based on the determined and calculated values. Also a fastener and fastener system based on the method.

Abstract: Slip joint having a stacked washer seal, a male part and a female part. The female part has a small and a large inner diameter. The male part has substantially constant inner and outer diameters and a ring on the outer diameter. A gap is located between the male and female part. At least two washers and a flat shim are located in the gap. Each washer and flat shim has a first side, a second side, a first end and a second end. The first side of a first washer abuts an end of the male part. A second side of the washer contacts a first side of a flat shim. The second side of the shim contacts the first side of a second washer. The second side of the second washer contacts a first side of a second flat shim or an end of the female part.

Abstract: A relatively inexpensive bushing easily installed extending through walls, particularly, gypsum board membrane walls for providing firestopping around a limited number of linear penetrating members such as cables or wires. This grommet construction includes first and second half sections for facilitating attachment around cables more easily. A split internal seal preferably of resilient foam material is positioned within a split mechanical shell which facilitates placing of the bushing around penetrating members prior to placement thereof through walls or after positioned thereof penetrating through a panel such as wallboard. A split mechanical shell with a two-piece foam insert retained within a bore extending therethrough can be formed as two separable half cylindrical shells. Barbs are included on the outer portion of the shell to facilitate mounting thereof. The foam firestopping seal portion can be intumescent.

Abstract: New expansion compensating device and manufacturing method of the same, of those used in solar power absorber tubes featuring a dual bellows design where the height of the waves of the bellows is not regular, but the second wave is greater (where it supports more load) and diminishes towards the ends. With this design improving the performance of the receiver is achieved because it shortens the length of the device and consequently there is more surface area receiving solar radiation as well as it decreases the necessary diameter of glass tube and therefore its cost.

Abstract: An expansion joint is shown for an insulated pipeline used to convey high temperature fluids such as steam. The expansion joint uses a flexible bellows and additional insulating and joining components to provide a watertight encasement for a traditional metal expansion joint. The bellows arrangement compensates for any relative movement of the inner fluid conveying pipes with respect to the outer layers of insulating material and outer jacket in order to protect the integrity of the assembly and prevent the intrusion of water or other contaminants which could lead to corrosion or early failure of the piping system.

Abstract: A flexible cryogenic transfer hose for connecting two cryogenic facilities, has a length of at least 20 m, and: an inner flexible hose with at least two segments, interconnected via at least two transverse inner connecting members, an outer hose surrounding the inner hose and including a watertight elastomeric or composite material, the outer hose having at least two segments mutually connected via two outer connecting members, the outer hose having a wall thickness of at least 2 cm, a bend radius of at least 2 m, and an internal diameter of at least 20 cm, the inner hose being kept at a distance from the outer hose via spacer elements bridging a distance between the outer wall of the inner hose and an inner wall of the outer hose, which distance is between 0.1 and 0.8 times the internal diameter dio of the inner hose.

Abstract: A method of forming a fastener that includes an axial centerline, a seating surface angled with respect to the axial centerline at an angle ? and adapted to contact an angled seat of a bore, the smallest diameter of the seating surface being designated a seating diameter, and a threaded connecting portion for engaging a threaded portion of a bore, the threaded connecting portion including a point designated a proximal contact point, the distance from the seating diameter to the proximal contact point in the direction of the axial centerline being the clamped length of the fastener, the method including steps of determining a value for at least a first one of angle ?, seating diameter D and clamped length L, solving the equation ?=arctan(D/(2L)) to calculate at least a second one of angle ?, seating diameter D and clamped length L, and forming a fastener based on the determined and calculated values. Also a fastener and fastener system based on the method.

Abstract: A metal pipe 10 is joined to another metal component 12 by shrinking the outer component onto the external circumference of the pipe. The internal diameter b of the outer component is initially smaller than the external diameter a of the pipe, but the outer component is heated so that it expands to a diameter at which it will fit over the pipe. When the outer component is fitted over the pipe and the temperature of the outer component allowed to drop, it will contract onto the surface of the pipe to make a permanent strong joint between the two parts.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of assembling a thermally responsive fluid coupling of a pressure reducing fuel regulator is provided. The fuel regulator includes an inlet conduit having a longitudinally extending ridge. A generally annular bushing is positioned over the inlet conduit. The bushing includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced figures and a cutout dimensioned to receive the ridge of the inlet conduit. A fluid-carrying member is positioned at least partially within the inlet conduit. A collar is positioned over the inlet conduit. The collar includes a first end adapted to be releasably connected to a cooperative fluid coupling and a second end. The second end of the collar is secured between the plurality of fingers of the bushing and the inlet conduit for preventing axial movement between the collar and the fluid-carrying member.

Abstract: A joint is provided permitting relative radial and axial movement between a first wall thermally expanding at a first amount and a second wall thermally expanding at a second amount. The joint includes a first fixed connection between a first edge of the second wall and the first wall. The joint also includes an endplate including a first edge and a second fixed connection between a second edge of the second wall and the first edge of the endplate. The joint also includes a clip and a third fixed connection between the clip and the first wall. The joint further includes a fourth fixed connection between the clip and the endplate, the clip permitting the relative radial and axial movement.

Abstract: A trailer hitch assembly includes a receiver portion including a cylindrically-shaped cavity, a bushing member received within the cavity of the receiver portion, and a hitch member that includes a shaft pivotally received within the bushing member. At least a selected one of the bushing member and the shaft is constructed of a material that substantially eliminates the need for using a separately applied lubricant during use of the trailer hitch assembly.

Abstract: A casing of a hydraulic machine such as a gas turbine is formed as a horizontally split type flangeless casing. The flangeless casing consists of an upper casing and a lower casing joined together at joint faces and fastened by fastening bolts. The fastening bolt has a screw thread which engages the threaded hole on the joint face of the lower casing. A bolt hole having an internal screw thread and through which the fastening bolt passes is provided in the upper casing. A sleeve having an external screw thread is fitted into the bolt hole of the upper casing by engaging the external screw of the sleeve with the internal sleeve of the bolt hole. An enlarged diameter portion is formed on a shaft of the fastening bolt at the portion where the enlarged diameter portion abuts an upper end face of the sleeve when the fastening bolt is screwed into the threaded hole in the lower casing.

Abstract: Exhaust system assemblies employ wire bushings for thermal compensation to minimize noise due to “stick-slip” while the system cools. In a preferred embodiment, the wire bushings are formed of at least one strand of wire coiled about male end portions of pipe sections used in the system, each of which male end portions are inserted into a female end portion and held therein by an interference fit. The strand of wire is spot welded at spaced locations to the male end portions to provide bearing surfaces between the spot welds that move slightly as the exhaust system heats and cools to relieve thermal stress in small, substantially inaudible increments.

Abstract: A thermal expansion connection for rigid pipes in low-pressure applications subject to thermal expansion and shrinkage. The connection is formed between the distal end of a first rigid pipe received within the proximal end of a second rigid pipe. At least one seal is disposed between the first and second rigid pipes to prevent fluid communication through the connection. The second rigid pipe defines a collar at the proximal end thereof for receiving the distal end of the first rigid pipe and the seals. The first rigid pipe distal end defines a radial recess for receiving and maintaining the position of each seal. A gap is defined between the first rigid pipe distal end and the second rigid pipe collar to allow for thermal expansion and contraction of the first and second rigid pipes.

Abstract: A first flange and a second flange are superposed and fastened with a bolt and a nut in a fastening operation, to implement a fastening structure used at temperature lower than atmospheric temperature for the fastening operation. Assuming that the first flange has a thickness L1 and a coefficient of linear expansion &agr;1, the second flange has a thickness L2 and a coefficient of linear expansion &agr;2, superposed first flange and second flange have a thickness L, and the bolt has a coefficient of linear expansion &agr;, a relation of L·&agr;≧L1·&agr;1+L2·&agr;2 is satisfied, i.e. heat shrinkage of the bolt is not smaller than the total heat shrinkage of the first and second flanges. Thus, impairment of sealing property due to heat shrinkage is avoided at a flange junction used at low temperature.

Abstract: A compressed seal expansion joint for fluidically connecting in a sealed relationship adjacent ends of two conduits adapted for carrying fluids of varying temperatures, said expansion joint comprising telescopically arranged outer and inner pipe members adapted to be connected to each of said conduits, said outer pipe member defining an annular packing chamber opening through its inner surface for containing at least two cylindrical guide rings disposed at opposite ends of said chamber, said rings being of a generally rectangular cross section having their long faces longitudinal to the members axis and selected of an elastic and semi-plastic packing composition pressurized by tensioned hoop bands circumscribing said outer pipe member and selected to elastically deform said outer pipe member and communicate a circumferentially compressive force to said guide rings so as to create bearing and frictional loadings and seal between said guide ring surfaces and said pipe member surfaces during axial and rotational

Abstract: A cryogenic fluid piping system is provided with two or more coupled pipe spools, each spool having an inner and outer pipe, the inner for carrying cryogenic fluid. The pipe spools are also configured with a bayonet connection to allow expansion and contraction of the system without failure. A leak control device and pressure relief device are included to protect the system from catastrophic failure in the event of a cryogenic fluid leak from the inner pipe.

Abstract: An attachment system (601) for maintaining a passageway (603) of a tube (605) in axial alignment with a passageway (607) through a housing (609) includes a spring (611) having an exterior edge (613) and an interior area (615) passing the tube (605). The housing (609) has an exterior mating surface (404) around the passageway (607). A mating end (402) of the tube (605) abuts against the mating surface (404). A spring retainer (617) apart from mating surface (404) restrains the movement of the spring (611) away from the mating surface (404). A tubular coupler (619) in proximity to the mating end (402) restricts the movement of the mating end (402) toward the interior area (615) of the spring (605).

Abstract: A tubular lead-in fixture including an attachment element (3) for a temporary attachment of the lead-in fixture, and an axially extending, radially widening region (8) provided within an embeddable length (L) of the lead-in fixture (1) and limited by spaced from each other, radial shoulders, and in which an intumescent mass (7) is received.

Abstract: A tubular connector adapted to extend between two tubular components comprising a tubular body having an internal diameter, a first free end including an annular radial flange having a tapered surface adapted to engage a complementary seating surface on a first of the two tubular components, the internal diameter remaining constant through the first free end; and a second free end having an annular bulbous shape adapted to seat within a cylindrical end of a second of the two tubular components.

Abstract: A method for sealing a gap (4) between a leadthrough (2) provided in a constructional element (1) and an object (3) extending through the leadthrough (2), the method including placing in the gap (4) a plurality of elongate sealing elements, formed as hot melt elements (5) provided with heat-activated blowing agent, and applying heat to the hot melt element from outside; and a sealing element used by the method.

Abstract: A core spray sparger for use in a nuclear reactor pressure vessel. The core spray sparger includes a plurality of core spray lines, a coupling apparatus, a bracket assembly, and an end clamp assembly. The core spray line includes a core spray line end cap.

Abstract: A thermal insert connection in which a joint (16) located between a receiving component (12) and an insertable component (10) is sealed by applying a seal (17) which lies on a surface area (20a, 20b) which forms a groove (18) for receiving the seal (17). The seal (17) is first inserted after the thermal insert is assembled and cooled so that the seal is not subjected to thermal stress during the thermal insertion process.

Abstract: A fire protection sleeve (1) for a pipeline (4), which extends through an opening (2) in a wall (3), is surrounded circumferentially at least partly by intumescing material (10) contained in a fire-resistant folded fabric tube (5). The fabric tube (5) forms several circumferential, unilateral inner folds (6) and the folds (6) are sewn in each case with a yarn (8), to an opposite side of the tube, and the yarn melts or burns in the event of a fire.

Abstract: An axial seal assembly is provided at the interface between adjacent wheels and spacers of a gas turbine rotor and disposed about tubes passing through openings in the rotor adjacent the rotor rim and carrying a thermal medium. Each seal assembly includes a support bushing for supporting a land of the thermal medium carrying tube, an axially registering seat bushing disposed in the opposed opening and a frustoconical seal between the seal bushing and seat. The seal bushing includes a radial flange having an annular recess for retaining the outer diameter edge of the seal, while the seat bushing has an axially facing annular surface forming a seat for engagement by the inner diameter edge of the seal.

Abstract: A deformable fluid supply line for use on a semiconductor fabrication machine is described which includes a generally S-shaped expandable joint connecting between two straight conduit sections for providing full communication thereinbetween and for providing stress absorbing characteristics such that the expandable joint can be stretched or otherwise deformed by at least 2 cm without breaking connections with the two straight conduit sections. When the generally S-shaped expandable joint is provided with a length of at least 10 cm, a deformation of at least 3.5 cm can be tolerated by the expandable joint without causing failure or otherwise damages in the connections with the two straight conduit sections. The deformable fluid supply line can survive an earthquake of the magnitude of Richter 5 scale. The invention further discloses a method for connecting a deformable fluid supply line to a fabrication machine by using an S-shaped joint connected in between two straight conduit sections.

Abstract: A fluid coupling (60) for connecting fluid conduits includes a thermally sensitive member (30) and a coupling nut (40) which fit together for conjoint operation. The thermally sensitive member (30) has a resiliently expanded end (36) which engages a cooperating structure (14) on a fluid-carrying member (10) to retain it in place while permitting relative rotation. The thermally sensitive member (30) has a flange portion (34) that, when assembled, is in axial shear between the coupling nut (40) and the fluid-carrying member (10). When exposed to excessive temperature, the flange portion (34) softens, allowing the fluid-carrying member (10) to move and an in-line valve to close, thus shutting off the flow of gas. In another embodiment, the thermally sensitive member (84) is a bushing that is received within the plug body (80) of a quick-disconnect type coupling.

Abstract: In order, in a particularly simple way, to allow multiple separation and connection of line sections of a line, through which a hot and highly compressed medium flows, in particular a pipeline, through which steam flows, there is provided a double-walled flanged connection. The double-walled flange connection is formed of an outer flange and an inner flange, between which an interspace, through which a cooling medium is capable of flowing, is formed. The apparatus is particularly suitable for the connection of line sections of a steam turbine.

Abstract: A method is used for interfacing materials of dissimilar thermal expansion in an X-ray tube. Initially, a first joint is identified, which has a first component to be received into a second component. Typically, the first component has a higher coefficient of expansion than the second component, so the purpose of the invention is to reduce the physical expansion of that component in the joint. A plurality of slots is introduced along the approximate axial length of a coupling member at the joint, to achieve the aforementioned purpose. The coupling member is provided between the two components, and has a thermal expansion rate greater than one component and less than the other component.

Abstract: An expansion joint seal between a gas turbine exhaust duct and an axially adjacent exhaust ductwork comprising plural layers of axially adjacent layers of flexible seal plates, each layer comprising a plurality of arcuate segments which together form a 360.degree. annulus; and further wherein the plural layers of flexible seal plates are secured at one end to the gas turbine exhaust duct, with opposite ends of the seal plates slidably engaged with at least one surface of the exhaust ductwork.

Abstract: A quartz tank for wet semiconductor wafer processing includes one or more ports extending through the tank for the exchange of fluids with the tank. The openings may be aligned with a T-shaped quartz stem having an enlarged end retained on the interior side of said quartz tank in sealing abutment therewith. The lower end of the quartz stem may have external threads to abut with a suitable union. The union may include a nut having a reduced diameter lower end to engage an enlarged end of the tubing member connected to the bottom of the quartz stem. An o-ring seal may be sandwiched between the tubing and the lower end of the quartz stem. The nut may be formed of a carbon-fiber reinforced fluorocarbon material such as perfluoroalkoxy.

Abstract: An exhaust gas diffuser interface includes a stainless steel shell with varying levels of insulation. The varying levels of insulation concentrate thermal expansion and contraction at the turbine outlet end allowing it to be connected to the outlet by way of a seal weld. This construction allows expansion and contraction of the diffuser interface in unison with the attached turbine outlet, as well as the diffuser inlet.