Abstract: A connection device for joining two pipe sections in a body of water has a first tubular body having a spherical face; a second tubular body having at least one spherical face; a tubular pusher arranged about the second tubular body and having a spherical face; a first mechanism for coupling the second tubular body between the first tubular body and the tubular pusher and providing a spherical coupling between the first and the second tubular body; and a second mechanism for blocking any movement about the spherical coupling of the second tubular body with respect to the first tubular body and the tubular pusher.

Abstract: Erroneous operations are to be inhibited. A device connector includes a device-side connector and a wire-side connector. The device-side connector is fixed to a case by a fixing bolt that is threaded to a bolt fixing hole provided in the case. The wire-side connector is fixed to the case by a fastening bolt, and is connected to the device-side connector. The wire-side connector includes a connector shell that has an insertion hole through which the fastening bolt is to be passed, and a cover member configured to be attached to cover the connector shell. The cover member includes a housing portion disposed on the axis of the fixing bolt.

Abstract: A claw clamp has a first half and a second half with a claw formed at one end of each half. Substantially opposite the claw end of the first half a first hole having a larger diameter portion and a smaller diameter portion is formed. Between the first hole and the claw a second hole is formed. A first rod having threads on one end and an enlarged end opposite the threads passes through the first hole and retains a spring inside the first half. A second rod having threads on one end and a knob or hex head opposite the threads passes through the second hole. The threads engage corresponding threads cut into the bottom half. The spring biases the two halves together while the knob or hex head allows the clamp to be tightened.

Abstract: A connector for an off-shore oil installation is provided. The connector is configured for connecting first and second tubular elements having a common axis along which a releasable connection is made by a ball-type connector that is axially engageable and that presents an inner cylindrical sleeve and an outer cylindrical sleeve. The first tubular element constituting an inner connection element terminating at a downstream end and being received in a complementary region of the outer second tubular element. The connector includes a laminated ball joint having a center of rotation situated on the common axis and secured to one of the tubular elements.

Abstract: The tube (60) includes first and second portions (66, 58) that each have mating spherical sections (82, 84) at adjacent ends (72, 74) of each portion (66, 68). The second portion (68) includes a spring sleeve (92) configured to surround an outlet end (72) of the first portion (66). A spring (102) is captured inside the spring sleeve (92) and secured between a retaining clip (100) and a shoulder (88) protruding from the exterior surface of an outlet end (72) of the first portion (66) to maintain fluid seals between the spherical sections (82, 84). The spherical sections (82, 84) permit slidable motion relative to each other thereby facilitating rotational and angular motion between the tube portions (66, 68). One of the two portions (66, 68) may include a telescope mount (110) to permit limited axial motion of the tube (60).

Abstract: The tube (60) includes first and second portions (66, 68) that each have mating spherical sections (82, 84) at adjacent ends (72, 74) of each portion (66, 68). The second portion (68) includes a spring sleeve (92) configured to surround an outlet end (72) of the first portion (66). A spring (102) is captured inside the spring sleeve (92) and secured between a retaining clip (100) and a shoulder (88) protruding from the exterior surface of an outlet end (72) of the first portion (66) to maintain fluid seals between the spherical sections (82, 84). The spherical sections (82, 84) permit, slidable motion relative to each other thereby facilitating rotational and angular motion between the tube portions (66, 68). One of the two portions (66, 68) may include a telescope mount (110) to permit limited axial motion of the tube (60).

Abstract: A connector for use with a subsea riser installation is provided. The connector comprises a body, wherein the body comprises a first connecting face comprising a through-passageway and adapted for connection to a first external conduit element and a ball joint within the body, wherein the ball joint comprises a through-passageway which is substantially aligned with the through-passageway in the first face, and a second connecting face on an opposite side of the connector to the first connecting face and adapted for connection to a second external conduit element. The connector further comprises at least one detent mechanism adapted to engage a corresponding locating feature on the ball joint, wherein the through-passageway are maintained in alignment and wherein the ball joint is prevented from moving relative to the body until a predetermined bending moment is applied to the ball joint across the axis of the through-passageway in the ball joint.

Abstract: A joint for connecting two tubes. The joint includes a first tube that provides a ball interface at its end. The joint also includes a second tube that provides a cup interface inside its wall. The cup interface of the second tube and the ball interface of the first tube form a cup-ball interface. This cup-ball interface is located in the interior of the second tube.

Abstract: An automobile exhaust-pipe joint structure and a coil spring for use therein. The exhaust pipe connection structure includes a first exhaust pipe having a first flange section, a second exhaust pipe having a second flange section, a ball joint section for connecting the first and second exhaust pipes flexibly, and coupling mechanisms provided at a plurality of positions of the first and second flange sections. One exemplary coupling mechanism includes a bolt member penetrating the first flange section and being secured, at one end part thereof, to the second flange section, and a coil spring of deformed cross-section interposed between the other end part of the bolt member and the first flange section, wherein the cross-section of a wire is reduced in diameter, in the compressing direction with a dimensional ratio between the short diameter and long diameter thereof being in the range of 1.1–2.6.

Abstract: There is provided a spring comprised of a wire which includes an elastic, coiled central portion and opposing end portions formed as hooks. Each hook terminates in an end having a hole therethrough. The spring is useful with an exhaust system of the type having a pair of sections joined but not affixed to one another to thereby form a flexible joint. A loop is fixedly connected to each section adjacent to the joint. The opposing hooks of the spring are securely received by the loops, and a safety wire is received through the hole in the end of each hook and secured to the corresponding loop. In an aircraft having an exposed exhaust system, the safety wire prevents a broken spring or loop from impacting and damaging vital components of the aircraft, particularly a pusher propeller positioned to the rear of the exhaust system.

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: Disclosed is an apparatus for passing solid objects for use in a robotic tool changing system. The apparatus comprises a housing mounted on either a master assembly or a tool assembly. A tubular member is disposed in the housing and defines a passage through which solid objects can pass. The tubular member includes a head portion at one end and a stem portion at the other end that is connected to a solid objects feed tube. Means are provided for retaining the tubular member in the opening in the housing for movement relative to the housing during the coupling and uncoupling of the master and tool assemblies to accommodate misalignment of the master and tool assemblies. Another apparatus is disclosed for passing solid objects from a source to a work tool. The apparatus comprises first and second housings mounted on a master assembly and tool assembly, each housing tubular members.

Abstract: A universal pipe joint for attaching two round pipes together accommodating misalignment using a female adapter fitting (30) engaging a male adapter fitting (44), each having a radial interior and exterior diameter (38) and (50) with a compression nut (52) urging them together. The female fitting has external threads (40) with a number of locking grooves (42) at right angles to the threads, and a compression nut with a spring-loaded ball (54) therein that clicks into the grooves while the nut is being tightened. When the nut is fully tightened, the radial diameters are compressed and the ball (62) is locked into the groove with a set screw (66). Thus securing the connection and eliminating loosening by over the road operation of a vehicle to which the device is attached. A second embodiment replaces the compression nut with a pair of flanges (68) held together by nuts and bolts.

Abstract: A connecting structure for exhaust pipes wherein a first connecting flange is connected to peripheries of downstream-end portions of a plurality of upstream exhaust pipes, a second connecting flange is connected to peripheries of upstream-end portions of a plurality of downstream exhaust pipes, and a plurality of spherical joints is provided between the two connecting flanges. Additionally, each of the spherical joints includes an annular seal unit adapted to be held in place between the fist and second connecting flanges, a spherical bearing surface formed on one of the connecting flanges, and a flat bearing surface on the other one of the connecting flanges. Each annular seal unit including a spherical portion on one side, and a flat portion on an opposite side. The spherical bearing surfaces on the one connecting flange are in slidable spherical contact with respective spherical portions formed on the annular seal units.

Abstract: A system for coupling a ball fitting connected to a first tubing to a socket fitting connected to a second tubing. A first coupling forms an aperture having a diameter that is larger than the diameter of the ball fitting, and receives the ball fitting. The first coupling forms an annular race, with an annular surface disposed between the annular race and the aperture. First split ring pieces are assembled into a first ring that forms an aperture having a diameter that is smaller than the diameter of the ball fitting, and receives the first tubing. The first ring forms an annular ridge that engages the annular race, and aligns the first split ring pieces. The annular surface applies uniform axial pressure to a first surface of the first ring. The first ring has a second surface opposing the first surface that applies uniform axial pressure to a back portion of the ball fitting.

Abstract: Two steel pipes are each connected to a mounting flange for joining the two pipes, the flanges in one embodiment being fixed stationary to each other and in a second embodiment fixed movable relative to each other. A compressed knitted wire mesh seal is between the two flanges in a dynamic embodiment. Each flange has a spherical inner concave or outer convex surface and the seal has an inner concave and outer convex spherical surface. The seal outer convex spherical surface has a radius smaller than the mating flange concave inner surface. The origins of the two radii are offset. The seal inner concave spherical surface has a radius that is larger than the mating spherical outer convex surface of the corresponding flange. The seal contacts the two flanges in an annular set of pressure points to provide enhanced sealing action.

Abstract: A pipe joint is provided whereby fluid pipelines, such as exhaust pipes, or the like, can be connected hermetically, in such a manner that the relative angle therebetween can vary, while ensuring satisfactory manufacturing precision of the sealing surface of a ring-shaped sealing ring.

Abstract: A knuckle joint 18 for the exhaust system of an internal combustion engine comprises first and second pipe segments 20, 22, the second pipe segment having an outwardly deformed end portion 24 which enters with clearance into a flared end portion 26 of the first pipe segment. There is a flange 32 on the first pipe segment and a flange 34 on the second pipe segment. A plurality of circumferentially spaced bolts 36 pass through corresponding holes in the flanges, there being a nut 40 on each of the bolts. On each bolt there is a coil spring 38 between the flanges, and a coil spring 42 between the flange 32 and the nut.

Abstract: The invention relates to an articulated pipe connection for two conducting arts of a motor vehicle which comprises spherical connecting pieces for joining the two conducting parts and has at least on one connecting piece a flange-shaped connecting piece abuttable axially against the latter, said connecting piece being connected with spring tension by spring means with the other connecting piece, with the connecting pieces being held together by the spring means with a pretensioning force.

Abstract: An exhaust system for a motor vehicle internal combustion engine is described in which the lower end of the exhaust manifold (10) and the upper end of the down pipe (12a, 12b) each comprise two or more conduits which are sector shaped in cross section and are arranged to form a complete circle split by radial walls. The circumference of the down pipe is sealed by a flexible ball joint (14) against the circumference of the manifold (10) and the radial walls (16c) of the down pipe (12a, 12b) are spaced from the radial walls (10a) of the manifold by a small gap sufficient to permit pivoting of the down pipe relative to the manifold. The down pipe (12a, 12b) is urged against the manifold (10) by clamping bolts (20) the heads of which are pivotable relative to the exhaust system about an axis passing through the pivotal center of the flexible ball joint.

Abstract: In a semiconductor wafer heat-treating apparatus, there is provided a piping connection device on a gas inlet pipe leading to the heat-treating apparatus and a gas outlet pipe derived from the heat-treating apparatus. The piping connection device has a spherical convex connecting element, and a concave connecting element having a concave spherical surface into which the spherical element is snugly fitted. A pair of presser plates are placed on the outer surfaces of the two connecting elements and clamped by bolts so as to press confronting sealing surfaces of the convex and concave connecting elements against each other. Because the outer surfaces of the two connecting elements to be engaged with the pair of presser plates are spherically fashioned, the connection surfaces can present a satisfactory sealing condition without subjecting the pair of the pipes connected by the piping connection device to excessive biasing forces even though the two pipes are angled to each other.

Abstract: A novel quick disconnect ball joint coupling which utilizes as a misalignment ball locking mechanism, a combination of a plurality of locking balls and a locking sleeve. The locking sleeve provides an annular race or groove for receiving the locking balls, thereby obviating the high stress point-to-point contact problem associated with prior art locking ball techniques, but still provides the advantage of high speed, low torque rotation available with the use of such locking balls. More specifically, in the present invention, the locking balls do not come in direct contact with the misalignment ball, but are instead positioned in an annular groove on the exterior surface of the locking sleeve between the locking sleeve and the quick disconnect releasing sleeve. The locking sleeve is preferably spring loaded so that upon rotation, the locking sleeve remains stable with respect to the misalignment ball, thereby gaining the benefits of the low friction of a ball and race configuration during rotation.

Abstract: An omni-directional yieldable joint for a vehicle exhaust stack includes an upper cylindrical member having a pair of elongated pivot sockets mounted on its lower end; a lower cylindrical member has a pair of elongated pivot rods mounted at its upper end for riding in the pivot sockets and making the upper and lower cylindrical members pivotable with respect to each other; a pair of springs attached between the upper and lower cylindrical members holds the two sections tightly together and, when the joint pivots due to the exhaust stack striking an overhead object, the stack will lean and the springs will stretch as much as necessary until the stack passes under and clears the obstruction, whereupon the springs will pull the upper and lower sections back into their normally vertical and axial alignment.

Abstract: A resilient ball joint support including two plates movable with respect to each other and connected together by at least one ball joint, the transmission of a load between the plates being provided, partly through at least one cushion formed of at least one sealed envelope confining at least one fluid which is pressurized by the action of the load and partly by at least one ball joint centering the plates with respect to each other.

Abstract: A substantially squeak-free heat cured exhaust seal adapted to be interposed between a pair of confronting pipes in sealing relationship therewith, comprises a one-piece substantially rigid grommet and a heat cured seal body of annular configuration and flat radial surfaces of different area at either end. The seal body comprises a mixture of metallic fibers, non-metallic filler, a thermally stable lubricant and a resin binder, and the grommet covers the entire inner circumference of the seal body, at least partially the large flat radial surface at one end of the seal body, and optionally at least partially the small flat radial surface of the seal body at the other end thereof.

Abstract: A resilient ball joint support is provided including two plates movable with respect to each other and connected together by at least one ball joint, the transmission of a load between said plates being provided, partly through at least one cushion formed of at least one sealed envelope confining at least one fluid which is pressurized by the action of said load and partly by at least one ball joint centering said plates with respect to each other.

Abstract: A two-part type cable insert nozzle has spherical seats formed on a female die and a male die. An automatic restoring member restores the female die to coaxial alignment with the male die. The automatic restoring member may include a pressing element surrounding the male die between a nozzle holder for coupling together the female die and the male die and a flange portion fixedly secured to the outer circumference of a tubular portion of the male die and spaced from and opposed to the nozzle holder. Alternatively, the member may be a spring provided within cable insert holes extending through the male die and the female die.

Abstract: A flexible joint, especially adapted for pipes in an exhaust system of an engine is disclosed. A locking ring is disposed over a flared end of the first pipe and a stop flange and a slidable locking flange are provided on the second pipe with a wave spring disposed between them. A sealing ring having a spherical surface is seated against a sealing socket in the flared end of the first pipe. Complementary bayonet coupling members on the locking ring and on the locking flange, respectively, are provided whereby the joint may be assembled by pressing the locking ring and the locking flange together against the resistance of the wave spring and rotating them relative to each other to engage the bayonet coupling.

Abstract: A coupling device for pipelines, such as offshore oil or gas lines, comprises a casing having at least one opening for the introduction of the end of a pipe section and an internal frusto-conical wall surface around said opening and diverging away therefrom, said surface constituting a seat for a spherical member firmly connected with a pipe section, said spherical member being at its opposite side influenced by a pressure member, for instance a frusto-conical member biased by a pressure member to firmly engage said frusto-conical surface while allowing said spherical member to turn relative to said frusto-conical wall surface.The casing may be a two-part casing having two opposite aligned openings for the introduction of pipe sections and frusto-conical wall surfaces diverging towards each other, each of said wall surfaces forming the seat for the respective spherical member with its associated pressure member.

Abstract: A flexible exhaust coupling comprising first and second passage elements, the first passage element being fluid-connected to the engine for receiving the exhaust gases to be discharged from an automobile engine through the second passage element, and a ring seal member having a spherical sealing surface and carried by one of the first and second passage elements, the other of the first and second passage elements having a mating spherical surface. The first and second passage elements are resiliently urged by springs in a direction close towards each other to permit the spherical sealing surface to gas-tightly and slidingly contact the mating spherical surface thereby constituting a resiliently yieldable joint between the first and second passage elements, and at least one air channel is defined exteriorly of the ring seal member for the passage of cooling air to forcibly cool the ring seal member.

Abstract: An articulating type exhaust connector for a vehicle having a transversely mounted engine with an exhaust manifold moveable with respect to an exhaust header conduit caused by engine roll. The articulated connector includes a seating surface formed at the outlet of the manifold and a seal carried on the end of the header which engages the manifold. The end of the header and seal carried thereby is biased against the manifold by means of a flange and bolt connector and a washer type spring between the flange and the header so that the seal is pushed against the seat permitting the header and seal to articulate a substantial angular amount with respect to the manifold.

Abstract: A flexible joint for deep-sea oil installations.This joint combines the two parts of a swivel joint, consisting of a spherical ring-shaped male adapter and a spherical ring-shaped female adapter, by using means of connection comprising a plurality of identical resilient devices, positioned in even numbers in two crowns, the far ends of these devices resting on two ring-shaped end-plates, the upper end-plate being integral and coaxial with the male adapter, and the lower end-plate being connected to the upper end-plate by a system that also attaches it coaxially to the male adapter, and the close ends of the resilient devices resting, by means of thrust-plates, either on one of two opposed shoulders associated to the male adapter, equidistant from the end-plates on which the far ends of the two crowns rest, or on one face of a ring-shaped flange integral and coaxial with the female adapter.Prestressing of the resilient devices makes this joint particularly suitable for use with riser pipes.

Abstract: A system for filtering vibrations from an internal combustion engine towards an exhaust pipe wherein an interruption is arranged on the latter and as close as possible to the source of the vibrations, the ends of the pipe facing the level of the interruption having the shape of a spherical area, a composite joint between these ends being then re-established via a first internal, cylindrical element with beveled ends fitting together within the preceding areas and a second external element supported by the central part of the latter while its ends hold tightness segments against the upper part of the spherical areas, at least one space being provided between these two elements allowing the placement of a ring, two envelopes being in addition crimped onto the widened ends of the second element supported on the spherical areas, thus holding the composite joint in place.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a connector for mechanically joining members having large force loading while enabling limited relative angular movement therebetween. The connector employs a plurality of stacked metal roll plates to provide rolling metal-to-metal contact while avoiding sliding movement of contacting members transmitting the force load between connector members. Each of the roll plates is provided with a concave and convex load carrying surface with the radius of the concave surface greater than that of the convex surface to provide rolling rather than sliding contact. To obtain universal angular movement, one embodiment of the connector employs a single stack of spherical surface roll plates while a second embodiment employs a plurality of roll plate stacks having substantially cylindrical load carrying surfaces.

Abstract: A sealing arrangement for sealing the clearance between the outlet end of a rigidly mounted jet pipe and the inlet end of another pipe tiltable three-dimensionally with respect to the rigidly mounted pipe, one of the pipes being formed with a ball socket-like surface. A ring shaped seal support is mounted on the pipe not having the ball socket-like surface. A sealing ring in the support is formed of segments which overlap one another in the circumferential and axial directions, the sealing ring protruding from the support toward the ball socket-like surface. A corrugated flat spring is located between the sealing ring and the base of the seal support to urge the sealing ring toward the ball socket-like surface. The sealing ring is pressed against the ball socket-like surface and one wall of the support by pressure in the pipes when the engine is running, and that wall of the support is provided with pressure equalizing pockets.

Abstract: A flexible coupling for use in engine exhaust systems includes a pair of flanges maintained at a fixed distance with respect to one another by a pair of spaced shouldered bolt components and wherein one of the fixed flanges has a free end directed therefrom supportingly receiving a ring seal with a spherical surface thereon; and wherein the other of the flanges includes an edge portion thereon bent over to form a spring seat and to define a pipe opening to receive a spherically flared end of a downstream pipe and supportingly receiving one end of a coil spring that surrounds the downstream pipe, the coil spring having the opposite end thereof supported by one of the spaced flanges and a movable retainer ring on an outer spherical surface of the spherically flared end whereby a resilient force is maintained continuously around the outer surface of the flared end of the downstream pipe to bias it into sealing engagement with the ring seal and to force the ring seal into a sealed shouldered relationship with the

Abstract: The exhaust manifold for a transversely mounted automobile engine terminates adjacent to the engine in an outlet having an articulated connection with the inlet of an exhaust header that terminates in an exhaust pipe discharging to the atmosphere.The articulated connection comprises an annular coupling portion having a spherical surface at the header inlet removably interfitting within a downstream enlarging conical sealing surface at the manifold outlet. An annular flange adjacent to the inlet of the header may be seated in sealing engagement against a second sealing surface of the annular coupling portion. A collar is yieldingly urged against the annular flange by spring means removably secured to the header to enable replacement of the annular coupling portion and to maintain the latter during operation in sealing engagement with the conical sealing surface.

Abstract: The exhaust manifold for a transversely mounted automobile engine terminates adjacent to the engine in an outlet having an articulated connection with the inlet of an exhaust header that terminates in an exhaust pipe discharging to the atmosphere.The articulated connection comprises an annular coupling portion having a spherical surface at the header inlet seated in sealing engagement with a downstream enlarging conical sealing surface defining the manifold outlet. An annular flange adjacent to the inlet of the header may be seated in sealing engagement against a second sealing surface of the annular coupling portion. The sealing engagements may be maintained by a collar yieldingly urged against the annular flange by spring means that engage the collar at spaced locations on a line parallel to the roll axis of the engine and passing through the center of the first named spherical surface.

Abstract: A safety test facility for testing sodium-cooled nuclear reactor components includes a reactor vessel and a heat exchanger submerged in sodium in the tank. The reactor vessel and heat exchanger are connected by an expansion/deflection pipe coupling comprising a pair of coaxially and slidably engaged tubular elements having radially enlarged opposed end portions of which at least a part is of spherical contour adapted to engage conical sockets in the ends of pipes leading out of the reactor vessel and in to the heat exchanger. A spring surrounding the pipe coupling urges the end portions apart and into engagement with the spherical sockets. Since the pipe coupling is submerged in liquid a limited amount of leakage of sodium from the pipe can be tolerated.

Abstract: A ball joint for support of and orientation of a device in any direction stabilized against rotation on its own axis including means locking the ball in a selected position.