Abstract: A combination swivel spray aerator includes a stem that defines an inlet port for supplying water. The stem includes a neck and a swivel connector that is provided at one end of the stem. A spray head is coupled to the swivel connector in a swiveling manner. The spray head includes a housing and a swivel seal that seals between the housing and the swivel connector. A shroud is coupled to the stem for hiding at least the neck of the stem from view in order to provide a clean appearance. The swivel spray aerator further includes a diverter that switches between spray and aeration modes regardless which direction the spray head is rotated. A gimbal mechanism in the spray head allows the spray head to twist without requiring excessive swiveling friction.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for connecting two sub-flow systems (e.g. airplane fuel tanks) and conveying a fluid between the two sub-systems using a pressured balanced transfer tube, particularly when there are large radial and axial movements or offsets between the sub-systems. Unlike conventional fluid transfer systems, the present apparatus allows for the pressure in the transfer tube to be balanced to internalize the pressure forces and prevent the exertion of pressure forces on the sub-systems connected to the transfer tube.

Abstract: A joint assembly for coupling a first conduit to a second conduit includes a first collar configured to be mounted on the first conduit and a second collar configured to be mounted on the second conduit. The second collar may have a central longitudinal axis that is generally aligned with a z-axis. An inner bushing may be coupled to the first collar and have a generally convex surface, and an outer bushing may be coupled to the second collar and have a generally concave surface. The generally convex surface and the generally concave surface may mate with one another and be configured for relative movement such that the first collar gimbals in an xy-plane.

Abstract: A joint assembly for coupling a first conduit to a second conduit includes a first collar configured to be mounted on the first conduit and a second collar configured to be mounted on the second conduit. The second collar may have a central longitudinal axis that is generally aligned with a z-axis. An inner bushing may be coupled to the first collar and have a generally convex surface, and an outer bushing may be coupled to the second collar and have a generally concave surface. The generally convex surface and the generally concave surface may mate with one another and be configured for relative movement such that the first collar gimbals in an xy-plane.

Abstract: A gimballed joint includes an annular bellows seal circumscribed about a joint centerline mounted within forward and aft shrouds having clevises with lugs and a threaded hole disposed through each of lugs. A ring circumscribed about the lugs has counterbored holes. Each of the counterbored holes is aligned with one of the threaded holes. Pins having heads and shanks extending inwardly therefrom are disposed through and the heads engage the counterbored holes. Externally threaded portions of the shanks are threaded into internally threaded holes in the each of the lugs. A key is disposed through a key hole extending inwardly through each of the heads and through threaded together portions of external threads of each of the externally threaded portions and internal threads of each of the internally threaded holes. In one embodiment wear bushings are disposed in the counterbored holes between the heads and the ring.

Abstract: An apparatus for joining cylindrical sections, including a semi-cylindrical profile section or member adapted to be coupled to a cylindrical section on an outer circumferential portion of the profile section or member and including an outer circumferential groove and an inner circumferential ridge; a ring-shaped compression ring or member coupled to the profile section or member and including a circumferential groove on an outer portion thereof and attachment fixtures or members on opposite sides thereof; and a pair of semi-cylindrical tension bands or members forming a ring shape and each including a pair of inner circumferential ridges and attachment fixtures or members on end portions thereof. The circumferential ridge of the profile section or member couples to the circumferential groove of the compression ring or member. One of the circumferential ridges of one of the tension bands or members couples to respective of the circumferential groove of the profile section or member.

Abstract: A breakaway system for a compressed natural gas fueling hose. The system includes an upper ring that surrounds the fueling hose. A lower portion includes three concentric disks that are arranged as a gimbals. An outer disk is coupled to the upper ring with three rods. The lower portion surrounds a male connector. A female connector, generally of the type known a quick-release connector, is coupled to the fueling hose. When the female connector is connected to the male connector, an outer sleeve of the female connector engages the inner disk of the gimbals. When a lateral force is exerted by the hose against the upper ring, the rods cause at least the outer ring to tilt relative to the male connector. Because of the gimbals arrangement, the inner disk always remains substantially flat and thus exerts a force against the sleeve thereby disconnecting the female connector from the male connector.

Abstract: Coupling devices have a housing comprised of first and second housing parts together forming an interior cavity which houses a rotatable coupler, preferably comprised of first and second coupler segments, the device being coupled or not depending upon the coupler's position within the cavity. Each housing part has one or more concave cavity wall portion(s) for rotatably retaining the coupler or a coupler segment in the cavity or in a housing part cavity portion. The coupler or each segment has one or more convex outer surface wall portion(s). The concave cavity wall portion(s) slip fit engage the coupler or coupler segment convex surface wall portions and rotatably retain the coupler or segment(s) within the housing cavity or housing part cavity portion.

Abstract: A pivot pin for use in joint assemblies for ducting and, more particularly, relating to pivot pins interfitting into gimbal joints used to flexibly connect sections of high pressure aircraft ducting together so that said sections of ducting may rotate at said joints relative to each other. There is a reservoir for lubricant integrally formed in the pivot pin and located so that lubricant can seap into the bore into which the pivot pin has been inserted.

Abstract: A spring-loaded coupling device for releasably interconnecting confronting ends of first and second fluid carrying conduits is provided. A pair of symmetrical arcuate coupling halves are pivotally jointed together at first adjacent ends for circumferentially surrounding the conduit ends. A latch is mounted adjacent the opposite end of one of the halves. This latch includes a flange having a slot opening outwardly and an outwardly extending flat spring lock terminating in an end surface. A toggle is provided which has a first end pivotally mounted adjacent the opposite end of the other of the halves, and has a second end extendable longitudinally beyond the opposite end of the first of the halves. The toggle includes a locking pin adjacent the second end of the toggle and engageable with the slot when the coupling halves are closed around the sleeve and has a spring urging the toggle to pivot in a direction to move the locking pin into the slot.

Abstract: An ink jet recorder comprises a first tank as an ink supply source, a second tank as an ink supply source for the first tank, and three switching means and a pump arranged in an ink supply path. By controlling the open/close states of the switching means and operation condition of the pump, a print mode, supply mode, pressure mode, circulation mode or store mode can be selectively established.

Abstract: The remotely operable ball connector includes a female member having a remotely operable locking assembly thereon which receives an articulated ball member, which ball member has mounted thereon an over-center locking ring assembly for moving the ball member into a locking position in the female member and for receiving a plurality of inwardly moving radial locking fingers to connect the ball member to the female member.

Abstract: An aircraft duct gimbaled joint is disclosed which permits the ducting to be deflected when high pressure--high temperature gases, vibration and gravitational forces upon take off and during vertical climbs cause substantial expansion and movement. The gimbaled joint comprises two spaced apart end rings, each formed with a pair of perpendicular protruding lobes which are inserted into slots formed in the end face of a center ring. The protruding lobes of the end rings are pivotally connected to the center ring by pivot pins which are doubly supported by the inner and outer walls of the center ring. The lobes of the first end ring are rotated 90 degrees relative to the second end ring providing movement about a vertical and horizontal axis. The rings are sealed by a flexible bellows which fit over and enclose the center ring.

Abstract: A flexible gimbal joint for pipes including an internal flexible seal interconnecting the pipes and an external gimbal ring which also provides secondary sealing. The joint includes spherical portions with mating sinusoidal free edges, the external ring and four trunnion pins, each pin coupled to the ring, two pins pivotally coupled to the first spherical portion and two other pins pivotally coupled to the second spherical portion. The inner surface of the ring is formed substantially as a spherical portion and has a diameter slightly greater than the outer surfaces of the first and second spherical portions. The ring surrounds these spherical portions, covering the gap between them, and thus acts as a secondary seal, while protecting the main internal seal. All axial loads on the joint are assumed by the spherical portions, the external ring and the trunnion pins, so the joint is easily flexed.

Abstract: This is a coupling arrangement which is usable in an overhead irrigation system of the traveling or moving type more commonly known as center pivot and laterally moving irrigation systems. The present coupling arrangement is connected between the slightly spaced ends of two pipes which are generally aligned. A flexible coupling in the nature of a mechanical interlock is positioned within and between the ends of the pipes and a sealing arrangement is disposed around the coupling with the coupling itself being constructed and arranged to provide for and accept misalignment to some degree between the pipes and also for some swiveling. This is also an alignment arrangement for irrigation systems.

Abstract: A universal joint for a fluid conduit comprises a pair of tubular connectors with cylindrical end portions adapted to be sealingly secured to two adjacent parts of the conduit. A bellows with respective cylindrical ends is sealingly secured within the cylindrical end portions of the tubular connectors, which are also formed with spherically shaped portions fitting one within the other outside the bellows. A spherically shaped load transmitting sleeve is connected to two pairs of diametrically opposed pivots at right angles to each other, with one pair of pivots connecting the sleeve and the outer spherically shaped connector portion, and the other pair of pivots connecting the sleeve and the inner spherically shaped connector portion.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a double gimbal joint construction for rigid conduit or duct systems. The joint includes a gimbal assembly consisting of a pair of sheet metal concentrically related rings maintained in radial spaced relationship by annular spacers located at 90.degree. circumferential intervals about the rings wherein pivot pins extend through the spacers. Annular conduit receiving collars are pivotally attached to the gimbal ring assembly by fork lugs pivotally connected to the spacer and pivot pin assemblies intermediate the inner and outer rings. The construction permits a "double" shear relationship to be established at the fork lugs and pivot pins improving anti-shear characteristics, and the sheet metal construction reduces costs.

Abstract: An automatic pressurized connecting device having a wide angle of attachment and in which thermal seizure is eliminated. The device includes a main frame mounted on wheels which run on rails, a rotary shaft fitted on the main frame, a first bracket mounted on the rotary shaft, and the body rockably coupled to the first bracket. A main shaft is inserted into a central portion of the body and the high pressure water supplying rotary universal joint is coupled to a front end portion of the main shaft. A seal plug is coupled to a front end portion of the universal joint. A motor is provided on a second bracket for rotating the main shaft. A high pressure water supplying port in the body communicates with a water supplying port formed in a front end portion of the main shaft.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for connecting to a floating structure the upper end of a pipe assembly disposed substantially vertically in an ocean and the like. The pipe can be an upwelling pipe in an ocean thermal energy conversion installation. Gimbal apparatus are coupled between the pipe and the structure concentrically about the pipe. The gimbal apparatus define two orthogonal gimbal axes about which the pipe can move relative to the structure. The gimbal apparatus carry essentially all of the load between the pipe and the structure. Ball joint apparatus are coupled between the upper end of the pipe and the structure to define the boundaries of a path of fluid flow between the pipe and the structure. The ball joint apparatus includes an element associated with the pipe and an element associated with the structure. The ball joint apparatus is centered in the intersection of the gimbal axes.

Abstract: A ball joint having first and second tubular members to be connected; the first tubular member extending toward the second tubular member and having an internal annular sealing means; the second tubular member extending toward the first tubular member and having an external annular spherical surface engaging within said sealing means, means for interconnecting the first and second tubular members so that relative pivoting of the members about the center of the annular spherical surface, the second tubular member and the sealing means being removable and replaceable through the flange connecting to the second tubular member.

Abstract: There is disclosed a flex joint for connecting the upper end of wellhead equipment including a blowout preventer stack with the lower end of a riser pipe which includes means for use in sensing and producing a signal representing the angle between and relative direction of the longitudinal axes of the stack and pipe.

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

Abstract: A ball joint having tubular end members connected by a gimbal ring for pivoting without relative axial rotation, and pressure balanced sleeves extending between the end members within the gimbal ring to provide a fluid-tight flowway through the joint.

Abstract: A flexible duct assembly comprising axially first and second duct parts, a mounting system adjustably supporting the second duct part with respect to the first duct part, a primary seal between complementary relatively movable surfaces of the first and second parts, and a secondary seal between the first and second duct parts, the secondary seal being afforded protection from the interior of the duct assembly by the primary seal. The secondary seal may be an annular sliding seal or an annular strip of elastomeric material bonded on opposite sides to relatively movable facing surfaces of the first and second parts.