Abstract: An emergency redundant mounting flange is provided for incorporation into an oil-well blow-out-preventer (BOP), enabling rapid, tight-fitting attachment of an oil containment cap over a BOP outflow port in an emergency. This flange extends radially outward from the protected port, and includes an annular region with a connection feature, such as a ring of bolt-holes, permitting cap attachment. The cap, also provided, is a barrel-shaped diameter-reduction pipe which can be connected onto the emergency mounting flange at its bottom end, and onto a standard riser pipe at its top end, thus containing or stopping the flow of oil. After installation, the cap fully encloses the protected port, while creating a tight seal with the emergency mounting flange. Extension of these methods to bell-and-spigot plumbing fixtures, including reinforced concrete pipe, is also provided.

Abstract: An RFID tag and an RFID access card configured to reduce detuning effects from a typical RFID environment. The present invention provides an RFID tag that is specifically configured to reduce the detuning effects caused by initiating communication between an RFID tag and an RFID tag reader in the presence of materials such as metal, liquid, and the human body. In one embodiment, the present invention provides an RFID tag comprising an electronic circuit portion attached to a main antenna body portion, the main antenna body portion having two opposite side portions, which are substantially symmetrical with respect to one another, wherein each side portion extends outwardly to form a generally side-oriented v-shape.

Abstract: A connection for a tube is formed by placing a coiled spring around an end of a tube and inserting a barbed tubular portion from a connection into the tube. The connection forces the tube to expand applying pressure against the coil spring and forcing it to expand and exert radial pressure against the tube towards the inserted tubular portion.

Abstract: A pipe gasket and a method of forming a pipe joint between a metal spigot pipe and metal belled pipe. The gasket has three regions to facilitate a seal. A seal region forms the primary seal within the groove of the belled pipe. A sleeve region extending from the seal region forms a sleeve around the end of an inserted spigot pipe to protect the pipe from contact with fluids flowing there through. A retainer region coupled to the sleeve region covers the end of the spigot pipe and also acts as a stop to prevent over-insertion of the spigot pipe into the belled pipe. The three regions cooperate to form a sleeve around the spigot pipe end and to prevent over-insertion of the spigot pipe into the belled pipe.

Abstract: A tube or pipe coupling joint structure comprises a pair of spaced flange members adapted for relative movement toward each other along a longitudinal axis. Each of the flange members has a face surface which is generally a surface of revolution about the longitudinal axis with the face surfaces on the respective flange members being located in opposed relationship to each other. A relatively smooth thin metal gasket is positioned between the opposed face surfaces of the flange members and each of the face surfaces comprises a sealing protrusion and a stop surface for limiting penetration of the sealing protrusion into the gasket. Moreover, each sealing protrusion is a circumferentially continuous flat and polished narrow sealing band of narrow width lying in a plane which is normal or deviates from normal to the longitudinal axis by no more than about 1 to 3 degrees.

Abstract: A convertible fitting capable of selectively achieving a brazed, soldered or flared connection to a conduit. The fitting includes an interior passage and an exterior thread. The passage receives smooth wall conduit, such as tubing, for a braze or soldered connection, and an insert receivable within the fitting includes a conduit flare engaging surface and a seal cooperable with the fitting wherein the tightening of a conventional flare nut simultaneously seals the conduit flare to the insert and the insert to the fitting.

Abstract: The stuffing box chamber in a fitting, particularly a valve, contains a deformable stuffing box seal. The seal includes conventional sealing material and a constituent material such as zinc or aluminum having a standard potential that is less positive in the electrochemical potential series than the potential of the material defining the stuffing box chamber, i.e., the constituent material is less precious. Dust, granules or filaments of less precious material are mixed with the standard sealing material. Another embodiment includes alternating layers of discs made from the conventional and less precious materials. A further embodiment provides that the less precious material is an envelope or coating surrounding the conventional sealing material.