Abstract: A gasket for establishing a seal between the flanges of sanitary pipe fittings having a lumen of pre-determined diameter which comprises an O-ring portion of elastomeric material and an incompressible ring member bonded to said O-ring portion, said ring member having a substantially flat cross-section to limit compression of the O-ring.

Abstract: A coupler apparatus for use with tendon-receiving duct in a segmental precast concrete structure including a coupler body having an interior passageway for receiving the duct therein. The coupler body has a generally U-shaped channel formed at one end thereof. The coupler element has a connector element formed on interior thereof adjacent one end of the coupler body so as to allow the coupler element to receive a variety of implements for the formation of the precast concrete segment.

Abstract: A coupler member for use with concrete segments having a first duct, a first coupler member extending over and around an exterior surface of the first duct and having an end opening adjacent an end of the first duct, a second duct, a second coupler member extending over and around an exterior surface of the second duct and an end opening adjacent to an end of the second duct, and a gasket received in the ends of the first and second coupler members. The gasket serves to prevent liquid from passing between the ends of the coupler members into an interior of either of the first and second ducts. An external seal is affixed to an opposite end of the first coupler member and affixed to an exterior surface of the first duct. An internal seal is interposed in generally liquid-tight relationship between an interior surface of the second coupler member and an exterior surface of the second duct. The ends of the first and second coupler members are generally V-shaped grooves facing one-another.

Abstract: An apparatus for connecting first and second tubular bodies comprising first and second flange assemblies, each of which has a hub and an annular flange in surrounding relationship to the hub, the hubs and flanges having engageable, complementary frustoconical surfaces that, when the first and second flange assemblies are subjected to compressive loading by means of threaded studs and nuts, cooperate to urge seal faces on the hubs into metal-to-metal sealing contact.

Abstract: A closure includes an object to be closed. The object having an opening hole, a plug member to be inserted into the opening hole, and a seal member disposed on the plug member. The seal member is formed of a ring-shaped elastic member and contacts the object to be closed and the plug member to close the object. An insertion portion of the plug member is smaller than theopening hole. An insertion portion of the plug member is provided with a seal member-receiving groove and is smaller than the opening hole. The seal member-receiving groove is provided with a seal member-seating portion, which has an outer surface with a predetermined diameter smaller than that of the opening hole and larger than that of a bottom of the seal member-receiving groove. The seal member has a cross-sectional shape, which can be fitted into the seal member-receiving groove of the plug member. The seal member has an outer diameter larger than the opening hole in a mounting state into the seal member-receiving groove.

Abstract: The portable tank defines a chamber within which is disposed a liner having a sealing interface with a tank discharge assembly. The features of the sealing interface of the liner with the discharge assembly and this discharge assembly itself virtually eliminate any risk that contents of the tank will seep or flow into the space outside of the liner and between the liner and the inner walls of the tank. The method of installing and using the liner system are also disclosed.

Abstract: A modular system for putting together different sized filter elements, especially filter elements having different lengths, more particularly filter devices for hydraulic fluids, comprising a support tube that defines an inner cavity in the corresponding filter element, said tube being surrounded by a filter mat that is substantially cylindrical and that matches the different dimensions and having passages to let the fluid pass through. The filter elements also contain at least one coupling member enabling connection on the end side of a corresponding support tube to an additional support tube having a location on the end side for interacting with and locking on the coupling member. Each coupling member is embodied as an attachment plug element with a crown consisting of interspaced tabs extending in axial direction and hooks for snapping on the location of the attached support tube.

Abstract: An open end of a hollow cylindrical body receives part of a cylindrical component, where the hollow cylindrical body and the cylindrical component each having a groove, the grooves being aligned when the cylindrical component is in its intended final position with respect to the hollow cylindrical body, so that a locking ring is captured by the two grooves. The cylindrical component works together with the hollow cylindrical body to form a ring-shaped space, which extends from one of the two grooves toward the open end of the hollow cylindrical body, thus offering access for a tool to move the locking ring into its intended final position.

Abstract: Provided is a coupling for fluid pipes, comprising a plug and a socket. The socket includes a socket body, a sleeve slidably fitted on the outer peripheral surface of the socket body and urged toward the distal end thereof, and a plurality of locking members provided on the socket body and capable of being engaged with and disengaged from an outer peripheral groove by means of the sleeve. The pipe coupling further comprises a pair of end faces provided individually on the plug and the socket and adapted to abut against each other when the plug and the socket are joined, and a shaped packing provided on one of the coupling end faces and adapted to prevent admission of external air when the coupling end faces abut against each other and to prevent the fluid from leaking out when the coupling end faces are separated from each other.

Abstract: A fluid assembly is disclosed. The fluid assembly includes a first conduit having a generally annular first body and a first longitudinal channel extending therethrough and a second conduit having a generally annular second body disposed over a portion of the first conduit and having a second longitudinal channel in communication with the first longitudinal channel. The second conduit further includes a retainer fixture. The assembly also includes a seal assembly including an annular seal having first and second seal members, an o-ring disposed within the seal generally against the first and second members, and a retainer biasing the o-ring toward the first and second seal members. The seal assembly is disposed between the first fuel conduit and the second fuel conduit such that the first seal member engages the first conduit and the second seal member engages the second conduit. The retainer engages the retainer fixture, and the seal assembly releasably connects the first conduit and the second conduit.

Abstract: A conduit mounting device for entrapping a conduit that includes a body having a U-shaped channel formed longitudinally through the body. The U-shaped channel receives the conduit therethrough and defines a leg on either side of the U-shaped channel. A retainer insert is mounted transversely in the U-shaped channel to sandwich the conduit between the retainer insert and the body in the U-shaped channel. The legs of the body are folded behind the retainer insert in the U-shaped channel to transversely entrap the retainer insert and conduit in the U-shaped channel. A device for further longitudinally retaining the retainer insert within the U-shaped channel, in addition to a device for rotatably locking the conduit within the U-shaped channel, may also be provided.

Abstract: A coupling assembly includes first and second coupling members or glands having end faces that sealingly engage opposite faces of an annular gasket. An end face of the coupling member includes a circumferentially continuous seal bead disposed adjacent the bore of the coupling member. A bead thus contacts the gasket along a radially inner region thereof. Disposed over a major portion of the radial face is a substantially planar region. The planar region is adapted to engage the gasket during make-up so that the user encounters an increase or positive feedback of increased torque once the coupling assembly is properly made-up. The end face also includes a raised ring disposed along the radial perimeter. The ring extends outwardly from the end face a dimension slightly greater than that of the bead so that it provides initial engagement with the gasket. This locks the coupling member and gasket against relative rotation during make-up.

Abstract: A clamped flange pipe or tube fitting assembly includes a resilient seal ring compressed in a chamber formed by cooperating recesses in opposed flanges. The chamber and seal ring are dimensionally related in a manner to produce circumferentially continuous, radially spaced primary and secondary seal areas and to assure a continuous interior surface between the connected pipes or tubes with no recesses to entrap process fluids.

Abstract: A flange protector for protecting opposing flanges of a pipe joint from corrosion and leakage. The flange protector is comprised of a transparent, flexible, elastomeric band for wrapping around the periphery of the opposing pipe flanges of the pipe joint. The band has metal straps that support a fastener for pulling the ends of the band together tightly around the pipe flanges and lubrication inserts for injecting a lubricant through the transparent band to the surfaces of the flanges. The transparent band is sufficiently clear so as to allow visualization of the amount of the lubricant present at the flanged pipe joint and the presence of any corrosion of the flange surfaces without the removal of the flange protector from the flanged pipe joint.

Abstract: A gasket is provided for joining lengths of pipe having dissimilar end faces which are of approximately equal diameters and which are substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the pipes. The end faces each include a circular recess which are of differing diameters. The gasket has a first side which has a surface contour which is a mirror image of one of the faces and the opposite side has a surface contour which is a mirror image of the other end face. The outer periphery of said gasket is of a substantially lesser thickness than its inner marginal portion so that compression during use of the thicker inner marginal portion is minimized.

Abstract: In a weldless joint 13, screwing a fastening member 13 into a joint body allows two pipes to move closer to each other in an axial direction without rotating. The two pipes can be thus connected without welded. Packings and disposed in the joint body prevent the leakage of gas through the contact surfaces of the pipes and, further, the leakage of gas from the inside of the joint body to the outside thereof. Accordingly, no packing or sealing element is needed on the periphery of the fastening member.

Abstract: A method of forming lengths of pipe for assembly together to form fluid flow conduits includes the steps of providing a pipe having a first inner diameter and a central longitudinal axis, providing a ferrule which has an annular first end, having an inner diameter equal to the pipe inner diameter and having a second end formed into a flange adapted to form a flange coupling when abutted against and connected to another similar flange. The flanges have end faces countersunk approximately 1.degree. to 5.degree.. The first end of each ferrule is welded to an end of a pipe, whereby the end face of the flange assumes an orientation wherein the end face is substantially normal to the central longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A pipe joint assembly comprises a pair of cylindrical pipe ends of the same internal diameter in axially contiguous aligned relationship. Connecting flanges extend radially outward of each of the pipe end and have opposed faces defining a circumferentially continuous packing groove including a first axially narrow portion opening to the cylindrical interior of the pipe ends and a second axially wider portion radially outward of the first portion. An elastomeric gasket positioned in the packing groove. The gasket is sized and dimensioned to completely fill the first axially narrow portion and extend to within the second portion. The radial inner extent of the gasket provides a smooth continuation of the cylindrical interior surfaces of said pipe ends when the flange faces are at their limit of movement toward one another.

Abstract: An erosion resistant pipe flange assembly and a method for preventing erosion of metal pipe flanges connecting larger diameter pipe to smaller diameter pipe. The erosion resistant pipe flange assembly includes a flange section, a reducer section integrally formed with said flange section, and a replaceable liner for preventing erosion and abrasion of the interior of said pipe flange assembly.

Abstract: A pipe coupling for coupling together two lengths of pipe comprising first and second collars or flanges secured to the ends of the lengths of pipe and having joining surfaces thereon which abut one another on securing the lengths of pipe together,radially aligned grooves are formed in the joining surfaces for receiving a seal which includes a rigid first seal component and a flexible second seal component bonded to the first seal component,the seal extending partially into both grooves to seal between the joining surfaces of the collars.

Abstract: A composite sanitary fitting in which an inner body portion is secured within a overmolded stiffening sleeve which provides strength and rigidity to the fitting. The main body is comprised of a plastic such as PFA and the outer stiffening sleeve is comprised of a more rigid durable plastic such as PEEK. The main body portion has a flange portion which at the connecting end. The stiffening sleeve has an U-shaped portion extends around three sides of the flange locking the sleeve on the body portion.

Abstract: Apparatus for handling process fluid, that is a meter includes a mass flow meter block. A deformable metal seal is positioned between the mass flow meter block and a thermal mass flow sensor in deformable engagement with a pair of edges formed thereon to provide a low contamination, high integrity metal seal.

Abstract: FIG. 2A shows an alignment and sealing arrangement for connecting two non-gender opposed conduit parts (20) and (20'). Seal (22) is captured by two opposed seal protrusions (20C) and (20C') residing on conduit part's end. Bore (18A) of alignment element (18) closely receives opposed alignment protrusions located on conduit parts' end. The alignment protrusions are substantially referenced to their respective passageways. Axial force is applied to displace opposed conduit parts toward one another to cause seal protrusions to compress seal, drawing conduit parts' passageways (20E) and (20E') into an aligned relation, and reducing adjacent mating faces into approximate flush relation with one intersection (30). This coupling has one seal removed from direct contact with media, eliminates any appreciable media entrapment space, and desirably reduces flow disturbance along passageways of conduits.

Abstract: A connecting apparatus for conveyance of cryogenic fluid has a pair of connecting members formed of thermal insulating material. Each has a flange with an axial tubular protrusion and a rim extending over the protrusion so as to form an annular cavity therebetween. Each flange and its protrusion has a central bore. When the two members are fitted together, the combined bore conveys of cryogenic fluid therethrough. The protrusions have overlapping lips with a snug fit to substantially retain the cryogenic fluid in the combined bore. A detachable retainer holds the members in union with an o-ring seal between the rims. The respective cavities form an enclosed cavity that provides thermal insulation between the ring seal and the tubular protrusions for the cryogenic fluid in the common bore.

Abstract: A vacuum sealing structure (1) for connecting a first connection part (13) with a second connection part (43) via a gasket (31). The first connection part (13) or the second connection part (43) is provided with a jaw (43a), having an end portion which is broadened outwardly of a pipe member forming a vacuum passage, and a support member (21) having an annular tapered groove (21a). The second connection part (43a) directly contacts the gasket (31) and a tapered groove (21a). Thus the second connection part tapered jaw (43a) is tightly pressed against the gasket (31) by fastening the support member (21) with a fastening member (15), thereby achieving a vacuum sealing structure for facilitating the sealing of a body (2) to be vacuum sealed. The body may be a viewing port (41). Since it is not necessary to secure the body (2) to a flange (21), welding for securing will not be required and no trouble will be caused with sealing.

Abstract: An API groove seal is a metal ring of cross-section like a capital letter omega arranged so that the tips of its limbs provide the sole contact with the groove base before and after compression. The central or heel region may abut on the outer side wall of the groove. A family of seals for different pressure ratings has a common profile, differing only in respect of the thickness of the limbs.

Abstract: A coupling apparatus includes first and second coupling members each having the form of a hollow conduit having a radially extending flange at a first end, an axially extending sleeve defining a second end adapted to connect with a fluid transport fitting, and a fluid transport passageway running axially therethrough. Each flange has a generally planar axially facing frontside surface. In one embodiment, the frontside surface of the first coupling member flange has at least one integral tongue extending axially outwardly therefrom, and the frontside surface of the second coupling member flange has at least one groove disposed axially therein. Each tongue is placed within a respective tongue to form a liquid-tight seal when frontside surfaces of the first and second coupling member flanges are joined together. In another embodiment, the frontside surfaces of each first and second coupling flange include at least one groove disposed axially therein.

Abstract: A connecting device comprises a connecting part (2) surrounding and fixed to the end of a tube (1). Connecting part (2) includes a ring-shaped hollow (5) at its downstream end. A flange (8) on th downstream end of the tube is located in hollow (5) and retains the connecting part (2). A ring-shaped groove (9) is also arranged at the downstream end of robe (1). Groove 9 is intended to receive a leakproof gasket (10). Assembly of the connecting part (2) onto the end of the tube (1) is carried out by means of a rivet snap tool (12). The tool (12) includes a support (13), a truncated central protrusion (14), and a rib (15).

Abstract: A ring-shaped metal gasket with the cross-section thereof being substantially rectangular shaped, with the ratio (t/w) of the thickness t of the ring portion to the width w thereof being in the range of 0.5 to 4, having a Vickers hardness in the range of 50 to 120; a vacuum flange for a metal gasket, including a sealing groove for receiving a metal gasket at the surface of the flange, the width of a cross section of the groove gradually decreasing in the direction of the depth thereof, an outer side wall section of the sealing groove being substantially perpendicular to the flange surface, and an inner side wall section of the sealing groove being inclined with respect to the flange surface, with a difference in level being provided so that the flange surface positioned to the inside of the sealing groove is lower than the flange surface positioned to the outside of the sealing groove, and a vacuum seal structure including the above gasket and flange are disclosed.

Abstract: A bore seal assembly for sealing between adjoining tubular members having a seal pocket formed in the adjacent ends thereof which comprises a cylindrical seal sleeve having a bore and two radially outwardly extending sealing lips for engaging the seal pocket, a cylindrical finger spring mounted within the bore of the seal sleeve and having an annular central section and a plurality of fingers extending axially outwardly therefrom for urging the sealing lips against the seal pocket, and a cylindrical wear sleeve having a curvilinear outer diameter for supporting the fingers and transferring the contact point between the fingers and the wear sleeve toward the ends of the fingers to thereby increase the stiffness of the fingers and maintain a spring force sufficient to overcome the force caused by contraction of the seal sleeve in low temperatures.

Abstract: A tandem seal device is provided for interposing and compressing between joined pieces of pipe in a flow line to prevent fluid leakage therebetween. The tandem seal device comprising a retainer body having an inner pair and an outer pair of continuous grooves. A first pair of seal elements, fabricated from a first material, being disposed in the inner pair of grooves. A second pair of seal elements, fabricated from a second material, being disposed in the outer pair of grooves.

Abstract: An ultra high vacuum (UHV) joint is scaled by an elastomer O-ring (7) between adjacent flanges (3,4), fitting in a seal cavity formed by grooves (41,42) in the flange (3,4) surfaces. The groove surfaces (41,42) are highly polished and shaped such that the O-ring (7) conforms to the groove surfaces (41,42) and contacts them substantially entirely when the flanges (3,4) are clamped together. This improved structure significantly reduces the permeation through and the gas leakage around the seal (7). The resulting seal (7) can support a vacuum of 10.sup.-11 torr or better. The conformal-groove geometry of the present invention can be used with seals other than elastomer seals, such as soft metal seals (55,65).

Abstract: A face sealing fitting includes two connectable tubular elements each having an annular end formation and a metal gasket including an outer annular section with a first axial dimension, an inner annular section concentric with the outer annular section and having a smaller axial dimension, and a tapered section having bevel faces between the inner and outer annular sections. Portions of the annular end formations which project axially the farthest beyond the tubular elements have a diameter substantially equal to the inner diameter of the inner annular gasket section and lie along the inner surface of the tubular elements to minimize dead volumes along the flowpath through the fitting.

Abstract: A seal ring (4) and connection joint (1) for connecting and sealing conduits/pressure vessels (2, 3) and the like is disclosed. The seal ring comprises a sealing portion (5) having a pair of seal lips (6, 7) sloping radially outwardly to a web portion (8), the web portion extending radially outwardly to a spigot (9) having portions projecting transversely to the web. The thickness of the spigot in the radial direction (w) is substantially greater than the thickness of the web in the transverse direction (t), and the seal lips project transversely from the web by a distance (h) which is substantially greater than the thickness of the web in the transverse direction (t). This configuration provides improved seal characteristics. The joint (1) comprises the seal ring interposed at the interface between two conduit (or vessel) members (2, 3), the conduit or vessel members being provided with respective recesses (10, 11) arranged to receive the sealing lips and spigot of the seal ring.

Abstract: A leak-tight seal is formed by sandwiching a metal gasket between opposing annular ridges surrounding the port to be sealed. The gasket is of metal soft enough to be penetrated by the ridges and includes an annular flange disposed in grooves adjacent the ridges.

Abstract: A clamp assembly is for connecting the two hubs of a hub connector with each hub in sealing engagement with a seal ring, the hubs having flat opposing surfaces with ring grooves and tapered annular surfaces on the opposite side of the hubs from the ring grooves. The clamp assembly includes a flat sided, adapter ring for positioning between the opposing faces of the hubs, the adapter having a ring groove on each side for engaging seal rings located in the ring grooves in the faces of the hubs, a plurality of tapped holes in the outside wall of the adapter ring, a plurality of clamp segments positioned around the adapter ring, studs connected to the tapped holes in the adapter ring and extending through openings in the clamp segments and nuts on the studs outside the clamp segments for moving the clamp segments toward the hubs to cause the inclined surfaces on the clamp segments to force the hubs into sealing engagement with the seal rings.

Abstract: A leak-tight seal is formed by sandwiching a metal gasket between opposing annular ridges surrounding the port to be sealed. The gasket is of metal soft enough to be penetrated by the ridges and includes an annular flange disposed in grooves adjacent the ridges.

Abstract: A multiaxial pipe system is provided particularly for use in underground fuel transfer between a fuel storage tank and one or more dispensing pumps. The pipe system includes a primary fuel flow line and a vapor recovery line mounted within a common outer containment conduit. Adapter fittings are provided on the ends of the fuel flow and vapor recovery lines for quick and easy connection to biaxial pipe fittings located respectively at the fuel storage tank and at each dispensing pump.

Abstract: The present invention relates to face seal fittings for conduits or glands which employ metal gaskets. The fitting of the invention uses two annular end formations on each conduit endwall which sequentially engage the gasket to form two independent seals. The fitting is intended to be used in applications which have special cleanliness requirements.

Abstract: A metallic sealing ring which in radial cross-section is hollow and of sinuous profile having axial end faces sinuously curved so as each to define an axially outward facing deep peripheral groove, the interior of the ring profile being in communication with the exterior thereof.

Abstract: An improved waveguide flange is disclosed for high power operation that helps prevent arcs from being initiated at the junctions between waveguide sections. The flanges at the end of the waveguide sections have counterbores surrounding the waveguide tubes. When the sections are bolted together the counterbores form a groove that holds a fully annealed copper gasket. Each counterbore has a beveled step that is specially configured to insure the gasket forms a metal-to-metal vacuum seal without gaps or sharp edges. The resultant inner surface of the waveguide is smooth across the junctions between waveguide sections, and arcing is prevented.

Abstract: This invention is a small hand piston type pump design to pump small quanity of flammable liquids safely from a drum. The pump has a grounding clip, and a bonding clip attached and a metal bung adapter to ensure that static build up during the pumping process is adequately grounded from not only the pump but the vessel into which the liquid is being pumped and the drum. The pump also contains a flame arrestor in the spout and a check ball and a strainer in the pickup tube to ensure that a fire within the pump will not extend into the drum and a strainer in the pickup tube to further arrest any flames. The pump is made out of carbon steel, glass and teflon so that the parts have good chemical resitance and are long lasting. The pump has a sealing device design for longjevity. This sealing device has a packing gland whose edges are beveled. It fits into a conically channel between the packing head and packing nut and when the packing nut is tighten the packing gland is forced towards the shaft.

Abstract: A union joint capable of perfectly hermetically connecting pipes so that a gas passing the pipes never leaks from the junction of the pipes even if the pressure of the gas is as high as 150 kg/cm.sup.2. The union joint comprises a first sleeve hermetically joined to a pipe, a second sleeve hermetically joined to another pipe to be connected to the pipe joined to the first sleeve, one or a plurality of metallic gaskets placed between the respective sealing surfaces of the first and second sleeves so as to be compressed between the sealing surfaces of the first and second sleeves when the first and second sleeves are drawn axially toward each other, a coupling nut for drawing the first and second sleeves axially toward each other, and a thrust bearing interposed between the first sleeve and the coupling nut to allow the coupling nut to be rotated relative to the first sleeve.

Abstract: In the present invention, when a multi-injection molded body made of at least a first and a second resins is molded, catching means are formed generally by pressing a part of the surface about an opening of a concave section formed in a first molded body made of the first resin to project interior side wall faces of the concave section inward, and injecting a second resin to mold a second molded body thus formed has catching means in the concave section, so that the second molded body is tightly fixed to the first molded body.

Abstract: A metal seal has features that make it particularly useful for wide temperature variations of the fluid flowing through the conduits that it seals. The seal ring locates within a groove in the face of each conduit. The seal ring engages the outer wall of the grooves. The seal ring has inner legs that engage the inner wall of the grooves. The legs are separated from a mid-section of the seal ring by a slot. The radial width of the seal ring is greater than the distance radially across the grooves so as to provide an interference fit. The deformation of the seal is elastic, not permanent. The sealing surfaces are cylindrical or conical. The seal is not axially compressed.

Abstract: A union joint capable of connecting two pipes in a perfectly sealed joint. The union joint comprises a first sleeve hermetically joined to a first pipe, a second sleeve hermetically joined to a second pipe, a metallic gasket interposed between the first and second sleeves so as to be compressed between the respective pressing surfaces of the first and second sleeves when the first and second sleeves are drawn axially toward each other and a coupling nut combined with the first sleeve so as to be screwed on the second sleeve to draw the first and second sleeves axially toward each other.

Abstract: A pair of flanges are fixed to a pipe end of a port of a plasma vacuum vessel and another pipe end to be connected thereto. These flanges each have a ring-shaped knife edge. A copper gasket is interposed between the respective knife edges of the two flanges. A predetermined number of bolts are tightened to fix the flanges to each other. As a result, the knife edges bite into the copper gasket, and a linear sealing load from the knife edges acts on the gasket, thereby sealing and isolating the space inside the port from the outside. The number n of bolts are given by3(B+28)/65-0.ltoreq.n.ltoreq.3(B+28)/65+0.02B,and the flange thickness t is given by ##EQU1## where B is the diameter of a circle passing through the respective central axes of the n number of bolts. Thus, the bolt number and the flange thickness are reduced without lowering the sealing performance.

Abstract: A design for sealing metal-to-metal, of sections of rocket shell with fusible vitreous inorganic "glass-ceramic" compositions, which will not burn-out from high temperatures of rocket-exhaust, is disclosed. The design is intended to set up a thermal-gradient across the cross section of the sealed metal flanges. The thermal-gradient utilizes the useful property of the vitreous state of the seal, viz., the continuous viscosity change from the relatively low viscosity of molten glass at high temperature, to a very high viscosity of almost solid state at lower temperatures. This mechanism achieves a leak-proof "glass-ceramic" or glass seal between the metal flange joints of sections of rocket-shell. The vitreous seal is capable of withstanding a wide range of temperature inside the rocket, of -50.degree. C., to over 1000.degree. C., without failure when the rocket is fired.

Abstract: A clamping connection unit for joining two hollow cylindrical pipes together is described. The unit consists of two abutting identically constructed coupling halves (1,2), an elastic O-ring (16) placed between them and a clamping connection (15) pressing the two coupling halves together. The clamping connection is in the form of a pipe clamp and is chamfered off on the internal surfaces of the clamping jaws to form V-shaped surfaces which slide down on similarly chamfered surfaces of annular ridges at the pipe ends to connect the two coupling halves together without leaving a gap.

Abstract: A metallic spring member 30 cooperates with grooves 32, 34 disposed in pressure containing members 10, 12. The spring member 30 has an E-shaped cross section and is compressed both horizontally and vertically when the members 10, 12 are fully engaged. The seal is self-energizing under normal operating conditions and able to accommodate small, but significant relative motion between the pressure containing members 10, 12 during conditions of abnormally high and unevenly distributed temperature.