Swivel Patents (Class 285/272)
  • Publication number: 20120145813
    Abstract: In a sprinkler head hose adapter, a swivel adapter is rotatably coupled to a head adapter. The swivel adapter defines a bore that extends therethrough and that is in fluid communication with a conduit coupled to the swivel adapter. A coupler is positioned in an end of the conduit and includes a bore in fluid communication with the conduit. A portion of the coupler extends outwardly from the coupler and can be attached to a hose or other apparatus forming part of a sprinkler system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventor: Gregory Kozey
  • Publication number: 20120139233
    Abstract: A hydraulic fluid coupling for attaching two hydraulic hoses that comprises an inline swivel joint to prevent twisting of the hoses. The coupling comprises a first and second coupling portion, with the second coupling portion rotatable relative to the first coupling portion. There are two bearings and a ring shaped piston that slides toward the second bearing in response to fluid pressure inside the coupling. Engagement of the piston with the second bearing urges the second coupling portion towards the first coupling portion, against the action of fluid pressure between the first and second couplings. This reduces the load on the first bearing and transfers some of that load to the second bearing, thereby making it easier to rotate the second coupling portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: 2141632 Ontario Inc.
    Inventors: Stephan E. Bohner, Robert D. Walker
  • Publication number: 20120133126
    Abstract: Problem to be Solved To provide a small, lightweight, cryo-rotary joint. Solution A joint includes a housing 2, a refrigerant tube 3 connected to a refrigerant source and communicated with a target part in a rotating machine, a rotating member 4 loosely fitted inside with the refrigerant tube and fixed to a rotary part of the rotating machine, and a relatively rotating member 5 having a fixed-side member 5a and rotating-side member 5b, wherein the fixed-side member is connected to the refrigerant tube via a refrigerant tube extension section 3a, the rotating-side member is connected to the rotating member via a rotating member extension section 4a, a refrigerant zone is formed by spaces 7 and 8 defined by the refrigerant tube, rotating member, and refrigerant tube and rotating member extension sections, a sealing member 10 is installed between the fixed-side and rotating-side members, and a vacuum chamber and pressure chamber are defined within the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2010
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicants: Kitano Seiki Co., Ltd., National University Corporation Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology
    Inventors: Mitsuru Izumi, Motohiro Miki, Masahiro Kitano
  • Patent number: 8181996
    Abstract: A rotating union (10) comprises a housing (12), a bushing (14), a fluid conduit (16), an annular seal (18) and a cap (20) secured to the housing and having a fluid inlet. The bushing is received within a cylindrical recess (32) in the housing, and the fluid conduit is rotatably received by the bushing and passes through the bushing and a bore (40) in the housing. The annular seal is received within the housing recess, and sealingly engages a cylindrical outer surface (80) of the fluid conduit and the cylindrical wall (46) of the housing recess. The cap has a circular recess (104) and surrounding annular projection (106) which receives the input end of the fluid conduit. The annular seal is sandwiched between the bushing and the annular projection. When the fluid conduit rotates, its outer surface rotates under friction against the annular seal to maintain the seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Nova Scotia Community College
    Inventors: Daniel Mark Bolivar, Peter Foster Allen, Michael Ray Doyle
  • Patent number: 8113544
    Abstract: A fluid union includes a rotatable member with an axis to rotate about, a non-rotatable member, and an actuating member disposed between the rotatable member and the non-rotatable member. The actuating member is moveable along the axis between an engaged position and a non-engaged position and the actuating member is biased towards the non-rotatable member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Hydril USA Manufacturing LLC
    Inventors: Jimmy Fultz, Ryan Gustafson, Jaime Pedraza
  • Patent number: 8113545
    Abstract: A rotary joint having a stationary section (60) having a fluid path (6) in which sealed fluid flows; a sleeve (30) having in it a second connection fluid path (6C) in which the fluid from the fluid path flows, rotatable relative to the stationary section, and made of a rustless material; a rotary seal ring (2) having a first connection fluid path (6B) that has an inner peripheral surface fitting on the outer peripheral surface of the sleeve so as to be connectable to the second connection fluid path, having a first seal surface (2A) on one side face of the rotary seal ring (2), and having a second seal surface (2B) on the other side face of the rotary seal ring (2); a first stationary seal ring (10) having a first relative seal surface (10S) in intimate contact with the first seal surface; and a second stationary seal ring (11) having a second relative seal surface (11S) in intimate contact with the second seal surface and enabling the fluid path and the first connection fluid path to be connection to a space
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Eagle Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hidekazu Takahashi
  • Patent number: 8083266
    Abstract: A gas riser apparatus, and methods for making and using a gas riser apparatus, utilize a swivel-nut having an annular collar section thereof which includes a radially outwardly opening annular groove therein adapted for swaged/crimped attachment to the remainder of the riser, at an above-ground end of the riser. For risers including a rigid metallic pipe section, the above-ground end of the pipe may be configured for swaged/crimped attachment to the annular collar of the swivel-nut through application of radially inwardly directed pressure on the above-ground end of the rigid riser pipe. For risers not having a rigid metallic section, a swage/crimp collar may be utilized for forming a connection between a flexible metal conduit and the swivel-nut, through application of radially inwardly directed pressure applied to the swage/crimp collar while the collar is disposed about the above-ground end of the flexible metal conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Chicago Fittings Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph A. Tarquini, Kevin J. Belousek
  • Publication number: 20110266732
    Abstract: A rotary joint includes a shaft, at least one input member defining an input hole rotatably sleeved on the shaft, and a plurality of sealing members positioned between the shaft. the at least one input member and an output member are fixed on the shaft. The shaft, the at least one input member, and the sealing members defines a circular channel cooperatively communicating with the input hole. The output member defines at least one output hole corresponding to the input member. The shaft defines at least one transmission hole intercommunicating the at least one output hole and the circular channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicants: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD., HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: ZHEN-XING LIU, DA-WEI LIU
  • Patent number: 8047578
    Abstract: A pipe joint arrangement, which is intended for enabling one or more angular deflections successive in a longitudinal direction along an elongated pipeline in one or more planes. A joining piece is connectible with pipeline sections to be coupled with each other successively in the longitudinal direction and includes of frame elements locked to each other in a longitudinal direction and provided therebetween a swivel member with a substantially cylindrical or spherical swiveling face for enabling movement of the frame elements by rotating the same relative to each other with respect to one or more axes of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Inventor: Aarne Hurskainen
  • Publication number: 20110262229
    Abstract: Method of positioning on the sea floor, from a floating vessel (100), an unlaid end portion (2) of a pipe that is being laid from its other end on the sea floor, comprising the steps of: (i) lowering the unlaid end portion of the pipe from a lowering device (20) on the vessel to a lowered position in the sea above the sea floor; (ii) transferring the load of the unlaid end portion of the pipe from the lowering device to means (30) for suspending the unlaid end portion of the pipe from the vessel at the lowered position in the sea; and (iii) lowering the means for suspending and the unlaid end portion of the pipe suspended thereby to the sea floor. There is also disclosed a corresponding method of recovery as well as associated apparatus. Further disclosed is a method for effecting a subsea connection between one line and an object suspended below the surface of the sea by another line, and associated apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2009
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Inventor: Jonathan Richard Tame
  • Publication number: 20110227334
    Abstract: The invention relates to a rotary union for supplying and/or discharging a medium under pressure into or out of an axial cavity of a rotating machine part, comprising a union part (12), which does not rotate and is fixed relative to the device, a rotary union part (15) and with bearing means as well as sealing components, which act in a radial sealing plane between the rotary union part (15) and the union part (12) fixed relative to the device. The rotary union is characterized in that the bearing means comprise individual step bearings (13, 14), which fix the radial distance between the union part (12) fixed relative to the device and the rotary union part (15).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: SMS SIEMAG AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Rudiger Grimmel, Christoph Sundermann, Uwe Berkholz
  • Publication number: 20110221185
    Abstract: A joint connector including a first member and a second member, the second member being rotatably coupled with the first member. The first member may include a first-member top surface, a first-member bottom surface, and a first passageway structure disposed between the first-member top surface and the first-member bottom surface. The second member may include a second-member top surface, a second-member bottom surface, and a second passageway structure connected to the first passageway structure and disposed between the second-member top surface and the second-member bottom surface. Whenever the first passageway structure is parallel to the second passageway structure, the first-member top surface and the second-member top surface share a first imaginary tangent plane, and the first-member bottom surface and the second-member bottom surface share a second imaginary tangent plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Inventor: James Lu
  • Publication number: 20110221186
    Abstract: A joint connector including a first member which includes a first passageway structure and a first groove structure. The joint connector may also include a second member coupled with the first member, wherein the second member includes a second passageway structure and second groove structure, and wherein the second passageway structure may be connected to the first passageway structure. The joint connector may also include a coupling component coupling the first member with the second member. A first portion of the coupling component may be disposed inside the first groove structure. A second portion of the coupling component may be disposed inside the second groove structure. The first portion of the coupling component may at least partially surround the second portion of the coupling component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Inventor: James Lu
  • Publication number: 20110203458
    Abstract: A membrane gas dryer includes an upstream fitting assembly, a downstream fitting assembly, a purge tube, and a sample element. The upstream fitting assembly and the downstream fitting assembly include fitting bodies and barrier sleeves. The fitting bodies and the barrier sleeves form purge plenums that are in fluid communication with the purge tube. Sealing interfaces on the fitting bodies maintain fluid-tight seals around the purge plenums as the barrier sleeves rotate about fitting bodies. The sample element includes a water-permeable membrane and passes inside the purge tube such that moisture in a sample gas flowing in a downstream direction through the sample element between the fitting body to the downstream fitting body passes moisture through the water-permeable membrane and into a purge gas flowing in the purge tube in one of an upstream direction or a downstream direction between the purge plenums.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Applicant: Perma Pure LLC
    Inventors: T. Paul Smith, David J. Burke
  • Patent number: 7938451
    Abstract: A swivelling coupling assembly for providing a swivellable interconnection between fluid-containing lines. The assembly includes a housing and a retention member for retaining the housing while cooperating with it to allow the housing to spherically swivel therein. The housing has a bore for allowing hydraulic fluid to flow between the interconnected lines. The assembly also includes at least one male component removably mountable within the bore of the housing to be swivellable therein and to prevent external leakage of the fluid. The male component is connected to one line and has a canalization allowing the fluid to flow between the pair of lines through the assembly. Multifunctional swivel functionality is achieved to reduce the torsion on interconnected lines, such as during operation with dynamic machinery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Taimi R&D Inc.
    Inventor: Michel Taillon
  • Patent number: 7905746
    Abstract: An adjustable connector for armored that includes a body, a hub, a clamp and a coupling nut. The body has a flanged end that is angularly disposed to the longitudinal axis and the hub has a mating flange that is angularly disposed to the central axis. The mating flange has a dovetail for receiving the flanged end and joining the body and hub together. The clamp is placed over the flanged end and mating flange and secured in place by tightening the coupling nut on the hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventor: Marc Brodeur
  • Publication number: 20110042936
    Abstract: A swivel assembly includes a lower flange assembly having lower body portion, a first rim portion extending around the lower body portion, and a first fluid passageway. An upper flange assembly includes an upper body portion, a second rim portion extending around the upper body portion, and a second fluid passageway. A mating collar is positioned around the upper body portion and secured to the first rim portion such that the second rim portion is rotatably positioned between the mating collar and the first rim portion and the first fluid passageway is fluidly coupled to the second fluid passageway. Bearing elements are disposed between the first rim portion and the second rim portion and between the second rim portion and the mating collar such that the upper flange assembly and a combination of the lower flange assembly with the mating collar are rotatable with respect to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2010
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Applicant: OPW ENGINEERED SYSTEMS
    Inventor: Bradley S. Andrews
  • Patent number: 7882853
    Abstract: The invention pertains to a rotary feed-through for supplying a fluid to a rotating machine part with a hollow shaft (3) that is rotatably supported in a housing (1, 2) and has a first sliding surface (29), with a sealing bushing (31) that is arranged in a rotationally fixed fashion within the housing (1, 2) coaxial to the shaft (3) and has a second sliding surface (30) for contacting the first sliding surface (29), and with a collecting chamber (27) that is arranged within the housing (1, 2) and serves for collecting the leakage fluid escaping between the two sliding surfaces (29, 30). The leakage fluid collected within the rotary feed-through can be monitored with the aid of a detection channel (26, 33, 34, 37, 39, 47) in the housing (1, 2) that is connected to the collecting chamber (27) and contains a leakage sensor (41).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: OTT-Jakob GmbH & Co. Spanntechnik KG
    Inventors: Peter Mohr, Wolfgang Bechteler, Stephan Gast, Hans Leidl
  • Patent number: 7878553
    Abstract: A connection assembly for creating a releasable fluid seal connection between two or more sections of tubing includes a male fitting and a female fitting. Connection assemblies generally include the male fitting having a pair of clasps that releasably interact with corresponding catch structures on the female fitting. Interactions between the female and male fittings can be rotatable with respect to the male and/or female fittings. Buckle structures are also disclosed having connection capabilities for a plurality of sections of tubing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Value Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Clark Wicks, Bruce Alan Williams
  • Patent number: 7862088
    Abstract: A swivel includes two coaxial, mutually rotatable members and is provided with flexible hoses or cables connected between the rotatable members for transferring operating and/or controlling media or the like between the rotatable members. The flexible hoses or cables are connected to the rotatable members by use of quick-couplings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Inventor: Jaroslav Sranka
  • Publication number: 20100310050
    Abstract: A rotating union for an X-ray target is provided. The rotating union for the X-ray target comprises a housing, a coolant-slinging device comprising a rotating shaft having an inner diameter and an outer diameter, a proximal end and a distal end, and a bore therein, one or more slingers coupled to a proximal end of the rotating shaft; a drain annulus coupled to the one or more slingers, wherein the one or more slingers are configured to direct a coolant to the drain annulus and the drain annulus is configured to direct the coolant through a primary coolant outlet; and a stationary tube having a first end and a second end, wherein at least a portion of the stationary tube is disposed within the bore of the rotating shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2009
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Walter John Smith, Vance Scott Robinson, Aniruddha Dattatraya Gadre, Mark Alan Frontera
  • Patent number: 7845901
    Abstract: Devices for intaking gases from the boundary layer through ducts hollowed out in blades. These devices are suitable for variable setting blades, installed on the stator using pivots. The seal is maintained despite the variation in the relative position between the moving pivots through which ducts pass, and the fixed intake header pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventors: Stephan Yves Aubin, Thomas Julien Roland Earith, Didier Rene Andre Escure, Thierry Jean-Jacques Obrecht, Stephane Rousselin
  • Publication number: 20100295294
    Abstract: A coupling device for transferring a medium from a stationary part to a rotating part, including a stationary first ring, which is fixed in place on a stationary part, a second, rotatable ring, which is fixed in place on a rotatable part and rotates along with the rotatable part, a bearing, which is situated between the first ring and the second ring, an annular gap, which is situated between the first ring and the second ring, a supply line, which is disposed at the first ring for the supply of the medium, a discharge line, which is situated at the second ring for the conveying of the medium, the discharge line rotating along with the second ring, an inner sealing element, which seals the annular gap at a radially inner side, and an outer sealing element, which seals the annular gap at a radially outer side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2008
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Inventors: Ralf Kochendoerfer, Tobias Gnausch
  • Publication number: 20100230956
    Abstract: A seal designed, in particular, to connect together two ducts for carrying fluid or gas, including: a female endpiece having a first end, a male endpiece having a second end, the male endpiece being received in the female endpiece. Said seal includes a sliding element situated between the first end of the female endpiece and the second end of the male endpiece, said sliding element including a stack of at least two layers of an intermetallic material, making it possible to prevent the propagation of a crack from one layer to the next layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2007
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Inventor: Charles Laubie
  • Patent number: 7784836
    Abstract: An air filter connecting unit having a connecting flange (11) and a connecting nipple (20) that can be coupled to the connecting flange via a snap connection. The connecting flange (11) has a round receptacle (13) provided with an inside thread flight (12) that is subdivided into individual, resilient, curved thread flight segments (12.1, 12.2, . . . , 12.n). The associated connecting nipple (20) has a generally cylindrical construction and an advancing thread (22) which ends in a free-running groove (23) on the connecting nipple.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Mann & Hummel GmbH
    Inventors: Klemens Dworatzek, Ralf Bauder
  • Publication number: 20100194101
    Abstract: A swivel joint comprises a pipe part and a swivel nut (2). The pipe part has a first end (4a) and a second end (4b) and the swivel nut (2) has a first end (11a) and a second end (11b). The swivel nut (2) is positioned on the pipe part such that the first end (11a) of the swivel nut (2) forms a swivel connection with the first end (4a) of the pipe part. The swivel nut (2) and the pipe part comprise shoulders (10, 17) against each other for preventing separation of the swivel nut (2) from the pipe part. The swivel nut (2) is made such that the swivel nut (2) and the pipe part are connected together by pushing the first end (11a) of the swivel nut (2) towards the first end (4a) of the pipe part whereby the swivel nut (2) and the pipe part are connected by a snap joint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: Uponor Innovation Ab
    Inventors: Thomas Larsson, HÃ¥kan Persson, Peter Hauki
  • Patent number: 7735880
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a quick joint coupling for liquid tight joining of lines under high pressure and comprising a sleeve shaped female part and a male part being introducible into the female part. A male part related to the female part comprises a cylindrical part being introducible into the female part of an envelope surface of which presents a first groove having a certain width. The first groove receives a ring being axially displaceable between the two walls of the groove, which the ring has substantially the same thickness as the depth of the first groove, and which the female part comprises a cylindrical space for receiving the cylindrical part of the male part. The envelope surface of the space is provided with at least a second groove for receiving elastically movable locking means out off and into the cylindrical part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Weo Hydraulic AB
    Inventor: Weimar Ohlsson
  • Publication number: 20100140927
    Abstract: A gas riser apparatus, and methods for making and using a gas riser apparatus, utilize a swivel-nut having an annular collar section thereof which includes a radially outwardly opening annular groove therein adapted for swaged/crimped attachment to the remainder of the riser, at an above-ground end of the riser. For risers including a rigid metallic pipe section, the above-ground end of the pipe may be configured for swaged/crimped attachment to the annular collar of the swivel-nut through application of radially inwardly directed pressure on the above-ground end of the rigid riser pipe. For risers not having a rigid metallic section, a swage/crimp collar may be utilized for forming a connection between a flexible metal conduit and the swivel-nut, through application of radially inwardly directed pressure applied to the swage/crimp collar while the collar is disposed about the above-ground end of the flexible metal conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2010
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: CHICAGO FITTINGS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joseph A. Tarquini, Kevin J. Belousek
  • Patent number: 7717477
    Abstract: A manipulator operative in hygienic environments. A swivel operative to flexibly transport gas includes a fixed part comprising a plurality of members divisible to permit the swivel to be cleaned, a moveable part journaled in the fixed part, and a cavity arranged between the fixed part and the moveable part, the cavity operative to decrease a speed of gas flow whereby particles present in the gas are stopped and deposited in the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: ABB AB
    Inventor: Mats Thulin
  • Patent number: 7701716
    Abstract: Embodiments of a heat-transfer mechanism are described. This heat-transfer mechanism includes a first heatpipe having a first end and a second end, and a second heatpipe having a third end and a fourth end. Moreover, a heatpipe coupler is thermally coupled to the second end of the first heatpipe and the third end of the second heatpipe. This heatpipe coupler includes a housing surrounding a cavity and a liquid metal contained within the cavity, thereby providing a thermal path from the first end of the first heatpipe, which is configured to couple to a condenser, to the fourth end of the second heatpipe, which is configured to couple to an evaporator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Lidio Blanco, Jr., Douglas L. Heirich
  • Patent number: 7661722
    Abstract: A gas riser apparatus, and methods for making and using a gas riser apparatus, utilize a swivel-nut having an annular collar section thereof which includes a radially outwardly opening annular groove therein adapted for swaged/crimped attachment to the remainder of the riser, at an above-ground end of the riser. For risers including a rigid metallic pipe section, the above-ground end of the pipe may be configured for swaged/crimped attachment to the annular collar of the swivel-nut through application of radially inwardly directed pressure on the above-ground end of the rigid riser pipe. For risers not having a rigid metallic section, a swage/crimp collar may be utilized for forming a connection between a flexible metal conduit and the swivel-nut, through application of radially inwardly directed pressure applied to the swage/crimp collar while the collar is disposed about the above-ground end of the flexible metal conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Chicago Fittings Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph A. Tarquini, Kevin J. Belousek
  • Patent number: 7614663
    Abstract: A conduit is provided for use in association with an air conditioning or refrigeration system. The conduit has first and second conduit portions, and a swivel providing fluid communication between the first and second conduit portions. The swivel permits rotational movement of the first conduit portion relative to the second conduit portion. The swivel is constrained to prevent linear movement between the first and second portions at the swivel. The conduit also has a fitting for external connection of the conduit to a pressure port of an air conditioning or refrigeration system. The conduit provides sealed fluid communication from the first conduit portion, swivel and second conduit portion to the air conditioning or refrigeration system when the fitting is connected to the air conditioning or refrigeration system. There are also conduit adapters, injection hose assemblies, charging manifolds with swivels, and methods of utilizing such conduits and swivels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Brasscorp Limited
    Inventors: Jack Brass, Steven M Knowles, Gregory R. W. McEwan
  • Publication number: 20090274545
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a tubular gripping assembly for use with a top drive to handle a tubular includes a tubular gripping tool having a mandrel and gripping elements operatively coupled to the mandrel; and a link assembly attached to the mandrel, wherein a load of the link assembly is transferred to the mandrel. In another embodiment, the tubular gripping assembly includes a swivel having selectively actuatable seals. In yet another embodiment, the tubular gripping assembly includes a thread compensator to facilitate tubular make-up. In yet another embodiment, the tubular gripping assembly includes a wedge lock release apparatus to facilitate the release of gripping elements from the tubular.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2009
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Inventors: Martin Liess, John D. Hooker, II, Reinhard Grosch, Thomas Kotschy, Andreas Carlsson
  • Patent number: 7549678
    Abstract: Systems for actuating a pair of pipe flanges to cause the flanges to be sealingly engaged. In one embodiment, a connection includes a first flange, a second flange and a coupling. The first and second flanges have complementary mating surfaces. The coupling engages both the first and second flanges, with the flanges oriented so that their mating surfaces face each other. The coupling movably engages the first flange to form a cavity between the coupling and the flange. When fluid is forced into the cavity, expansion of the cavity moves the first mating surface toward the second mating surface. This is continued until the mating surfaces make contact and a desired amount of pressure is applied between them to create a seal. The pressure of the fluid is distributed evenly through the cavity, so the contact pressure between the mating surfaces of the flanges is also evenly distributed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Taper-Lok Corporation
    Inventors: Erik M. Howard, Charles Armbrust
  • Publication number: 20090102189
    Abstract: A high pressure rotary swivel assembly for use in high temperature environments using a single source of fluid for operation and cooling, having an external sleeve to accommodate a low volume and/or low pressure fluid cooling circuit having a path over the majority of the external surface of the swivel body to absorb ambient heat, where the cooling circuit is fed by redirecting a small portion of the high pressure and high volume operating fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2007
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Inventors: Douglas E. Wright, Gerald P. Zink
  • Patent number: 7520042
    Abstract: An end piece for a flexible connector comprises a sleeve defining the proximal end thereof. A length of corrugated tubing is extended into the sleeve and the sleeve is crimped thereby joining the length of corrugated tubing to the end piece. For high pressure applications a length of polymeric tubing, a length of mesh tubing, and an outer sleeve are positioned in a surrounding relationship to the sleeve of the end piece and the outer sleeve is crimped thereby securing the length of mesh tubing to the end piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Flex-Ing, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas L. Ingram
  • Patent number: 7490622
    Abstract: A quick exhaust valve is preferably constructed having a port connector, an input body, and an exhaust body. The input body and exhaust body are preferably arranged in a rotatable relationship with the port connector such that an input port of the input body can be arranged in a desired orientation with respect to a connected device and still permit communication between ports in the input and exhaust bodies and a port in the port connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Smart Parts, Inc.
    Inventor: Danial Jones
  • Patent number: 7490868
    Abstract: A device and method variously and separately used for achieving a correction between the fluid-flow interfaces of the pipe segments, pump housings and valves in pipe systems when inserted therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Inventor: John M. Prestridge
  • Publication number: 20080314381
    Abstract: Positive locking device for components of snorkels and other equipment such as diving regulators, buoyancy compensator hoses and the like. The locking device in a preferred embodiment comprises a hard plastic C-shaped ring or clamp which is preferably mechanically and/or chemically bonded into a soft plastic component connector during molding of that component. The ring or clamp provides an effective locking feature which prevents inadvertent demating of components during a dive or other activity that could otherwise result in a dangerous loss of function. An additional embodiment of the invention provides an optional indexing feature which serves the useful function of audible and tactile feedback during adjustment of components having the locking device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventor: Dean R. Garraffa
  • Publication number: 20080296405
    Abstract: A rotary joint for a decoking tool. The rotary joint includes a seal assembly that has one or more primary seals and one or more secondary seals. The secondary seals become operative upon the presence of a leak in the primary seals such that the rotary joint can continue to be used until a scheduled maintenance outage. A selective vent is used to route leaking fluid so that one or the other of the primary and secondary seals can be activated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2007
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventors: Lloyd D. Hanson, William B. Jones, JR.
  • Patent number: 7458615
    Abstract: A connector for use with a conduit to supply gases to a user is disclosed. The connector comprises a pair of connectors, adapted to fit together and swivel relative to one another. More particularly, the connector may comprise a female and male connector assemblies, adapted to be push fit together. The female connector assembly preferably has an extended shoulder and a number of triangular guide slots, the slots being shaped so as to be wider at one end. The male connector assembly preferably comprises a connector and a sleeve that when joined, cannot be easily separated by axial or torsional tension applied to either, but may rotate freely relative to each other. The sleeve preferably has a number of guide ridges running axially along its outside surface that slidably mate with the guide slots on the female connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited
    Inventors: Craig Karl White, Jason Peter Van Beurden
  • Publication number: 20080277927
    Abstract: A faucet having a swivel joint for adjusting the position of an outlet of the faucet. A flow coupler is fixed to a first faucet tube and a sleeve is removably and pivotally linked to the flow coupler by a fastener. A second faucet tube is then removably linked to the sleeve allowing the second faucet tube and sleeve to pivot about the flow coupler to adjust the outlet of the faucet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2008
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Mueller, Mario E. Semchuck
  • Publication number: 20080231048
    Abstract: A pneumatic swivel elbow is provided according to the invention. The pneumatic swivel elbow includes an internal passage extending through the pneumatic swivel elbow and substantially changing in direction. The pneumatic swivel elbow further includes a male coupling portion formed on one end and adapted to be sealingly inserted into and engaged with a corresponding bore of a mating component and being configured to sealingly rotate within the corresponding bore. The pneumatic swivel elbow further includes a conduit coupling portion formed on a substantially opposite end from the male coupling portion. The conduit coupling portion is configured to sealingly receive a pneumatic conduit and is configured to allow the pneumatic conduit to rotate within the conduit coupling portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2007
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Applicant: Norgren, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Steven Hillis, Chuck Stephens
  • Patent number: 7363672
    Abstract: An automatic pool cleaner accessory is provided comprising a tubular assembly (6) for connection to, or for inclusion in, a pool cleaner suction hose (4). The tubular assembly includes first and second tubular members (8, 9) generally coaxial with each other and freely relatively rotatable about a common axis in an inoperative condition of the accessory. Means (16) are provided for inhibiting relative rotation of the members in the operative condition with suction applied to the interior thereof. The accessory is preferably used in combination with a connector tube (7) for installation in a suction hose assembly, the connector tube comprising a central portion (21) of substantially rigid tube having at one end a first terminal portion (22) with its axis extending at an incline to that of the straight central portion, and at the other end a second terminal portion (23) having its axis likewise extending at an incline to the axis of the straight central portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Inventor: Kenneth Lewis Hawksworth
  • Patent number: 7338091
    Abstract: A swivel joint system for a cryogenic liquid transfer line, such as a liquefied natural gas line, and for return of cold gas associated with the cryogenic liquid transfer. The system includes a swivel joint for the passage of the cryogenic liquid and a swivel joint for the return of the cold gas. Each swivel joint includes a conduit with a fixed conduit portion and a rotating conduit portion, rotating relative to the fixed conduit portion, and a rotational guide interposed between the fixed and rotating conduit portions. The swivel joint device for the passage of the gas return is integrated in the swivel joint device for the passage of the cryogenic liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Societe Europeenne d'Ingeniere Mecanique-Eurodim
    Inventor: Jean-Pierre Ghilardi
  • Patent number: 7328921
    Abstract: A device which allows fluid to enter and/or exit the device axially or radially thru multiple ports, on and/or offset from the axis of rotation. One end of the assembly can be rotated axially with respect to the other while keeping fluids isolated from each other. Compared to existing multi-path fluid swivel joint designs, this approach is simple in construction, compact in size, and exhibits a relatively low pressure drop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corporation
    Inventor: Michael J. Miciukiewicz
  • Publication number: 20080012304
    Abstract: A rotating table provided with a determined gap Db and serving as a rotating body is rotatably mounted on a fixed base. Seal-member accommodating spaces serving as annular grooves are partitioned and formed in a fixed surface. Annular seal members are disposed in the seal-member accommodating spaces. When a vacuum is supplied to a communication passage, the absorbed seal members contact with the fixed surface and a rotated surface to seal gaps therebetween. When a positive pressure is supplied to the communication passage, the seal members are relocated in the seal-member accommodating spaces. The seal-member accommodating space has a taper portion, thereby preventing the seal members from biting. While the rotating table is being rotatably driven, no vacuum is supplied to the communication passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2004
    Publication date: January 17, 2008
    Applicant: Koganei Corporation
    Inventor: Teruhiko Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 7278662
    Abstract: A coupling device (1) for releasably connecting tubular elongate members (4, 5) with improved efficiency. The coupling device (1) comprises first and second end piece connectors (2, 3) which are threadably secured or otherwise attached to connection ends (6, 7) of first and second tubular elongate members (4, 5). First and second end piece connectors (2, 3) are connected by rotating each end piece connector (2, 3) a minimal amount relative to each other, such that the rotation simultaneously locks end piece connectors (2, 3) together and engages mating tapers (31, 32) thus sealing the two end piece connectors (2, 3) and creating a leak proof seal. Coupling device (1) is just as easily disengaged, by rotating the two end piece connectors (2, 3) each in the opposite direction from engagement. A similar coupling device (1?) with all the same features as coupling device (1) plus a swivel feature is incorporated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Inventor: Joe G. Bristor
  • Patent number: 7141099
    Abstract: A flare tank apparatus for separating combustible gases from a mixture of such gases and a liquid, for example combustible gases in drilling fluid from an oil or gas drill string. The apparatus has an inlet conduit having two or more connectors which permit components of the inlet conduit to swivel relative to each other. The connectors can be loosened to permit swivelling without disassembling the inlet conduit. The swivelling of the connectors permits the free end of the inlet conduit to be moved and positioned for connection to the outlet end of a flare line from the drill string and to be positioned against the holding tank of the flare tank apparatus for convenient transport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Wellco Energy Services Partnership
    Inventors: Stanley R. J. Ross, Roddy J. Ross
  • Patent number: 7108292
    Abstract: An apparatus for coupling ends of a first hose and a second hose. The apparatus comprises a male coupler configured to attach to the first hose, and a female coupler having an inner cavity and being configured to attach to the second hose in the inner cavity by way of a first ferrule assembly. The first ferrule assembly comprises an outer ferrule positionable on an outside surface of the second hose proximate a first end of the second hose, and an inner ferrule positionable on an inside surface of the second hose and configured to rotatably couple with the female coupler so that the inner ferrule may swivel relative to the female coupler thereby enabling the female coupler to be swiveled about the second hose without rotating the second hose. The male coupler and the female coupler are configured to couple to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Fiskars Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel J. Lipscomb, Alexander P. Kobryn, Lorena E. Yin