Abstract: An insulated casing assembly for use in injecting steam into wells, comprising a plurality of interconnected casings, each casing having outer and inner tubular sections, an annular spacing between the two sections containing multilayered thermal insulation enveloped in a low conductivity gas, and tubular bellows connecting and allowing relative movement between the corresponding ends of the two inner sections. A leak-proof connection between adjacent casings includes a diffuser sleeve fitted tightly over the ends of adjacent inner tubular sections, a filler ring fitted on the diffuser sleeve and disposed between adjacent outer tubular sections, and a threaded coupling screwed onto threaded ends of outer tubular sections of adjacent casings.

Abstract: Insulated jacketed conduit units sealed in end to end relation by expansion couplings are insulated, sealed and spaced at the coupling zones with protective combined spacer and sleeve rings or washers which surround the coupled ends of the conduits, are bottomed on and squeezed between the insulation of adjacent units to position the conduit ends for expansion and contraction without breaking the seal therebetween and seat on adjacent ends of the jackets to protect the insulation. The combined spacer and sleeve rings or washers can be molded to have a relatively soft compressible inner washer portion and a tough stiffer sleeve portion with resilient sealing lips in the open ends thereof for sealingly engaging the jackets.

Abstract: A foam extrusion apparatus and method employs an extruder on an upper level extruding foamable extrudate into the upper end of a large elongated barometric leg which extends at a relatively shallow angle into a pool of water at a lower level. A conveyor in the barometric leg extends through a large radius in the pool to guide the extrudate from the pool for further processing. The leg is in the form of an elongated pipeline fabricated from sections and supported on an inclined ramp. Some of the sections are securely anchored to the ramp to resist axial forces when the leg is evacuated. The sections may be reinforced concrete or fabricated reinforced steel of a variety of sectional shapes. Each section is sealed end-to-end so that a vacuum within the leg will draw water from the pool into the leg leaving a vacuum chamber at the upper end of the leg in which the extrudate expands.

Abstract: This invention relates to a flexible connector material of the type used in air circulating systems, such as air conditioning and warm air systems, to span the space between adjacent ducts, whereby vibration in one duct is not transmitted to the other and there is no air loss at the interface. More particularly, the invention relates to a connector material of the type described wherein thermal losses are minimized at the noted interface.

Abstract: A flexible joint for a conduit transporting fluid under pressure includes a pair of spaced rigid rings. An annular flexible element is disposed between and sealingly engaging the rings so as to define a pair of annular exposed side surfaces on the element. One side surface is exposed to pressurized fluid flowing through the conduit, thereby creating a pressure differential across the flexible element between its side surfaces. To resist the load that results from the pressure differential, the flexible element incorporates a body of elastomer that has a thickness between the rings which decreases from the one side surface of the element to the other side surface. The flexible element can thus resiliently accommodate relative motion between the rings, while providing a fluid-tight, pressure-resistant seal.

Abstract: Two coaxial metal pipes, whose confronting extremities are each provided with a plurality of peripheral ribs of staggered height separated by two or more peripheral grooves, are interconnected by a coupling sleeve of fiber-reinforced thermosetting resin subdivided into several coaxially interleaved and independently deformable cylindrical shells each terminating in a pair of internal beads engaged in a respective peripheral pipe groove. The shells, increasing in axial tensile strength from the innermost to the outermost one, are preferably separated from one another by interposed antibonding layers of thermoplastic resin. A resinous filler can be inserted between the pipe extremities for electrically insulating them from each other. The shells of the coupling sleeve can be formed by coiling resin-coated filaments around the pipe axis, advantageously with application of an antifriction layer on each inner shell before the thermosetting material thereof has been fully hardened.

Abstract: An expansion joint for duct work is disclosed, which comprises a pair of frames, spacer means extending outwardly from said frames, and a boot. The boot has five layers: an inner asbestos/aluminum/silica material, a fibrous insulation batt, a middle asbestos/aluminum material, a vapor barrier, and an outer asbestos/fluoroelastomer material.

Abstract: To join two pipe sections carrying fluids that may be at relatively high pressures, a coupling body into which the ends of the pipe sections are inserted has a gasket seal at each end thereof. In order to electrically insulate the sections of pipe from one another, an insulating sleeve is located along a length of the internal surface of the coupling body. An insulating stop member is slidable within the sleeve to separate the ends of the sections of pipe, the stop member being prevented from entering the length of the coupling body that does not have an insulating sleeve. Threads for coupling nuts utilized in achieving the fluid tight seal are formed in the outer surface of the coupling body at each end thereof.

Abstract: A compensator of pliable material for establishing a flexible joint in a pipe, comprising at least one flexible layer of fabric material cooperating with a sealing element of limited thermal stability. A layer of flexible steel foil is disposed between the sealing element and at least one thermally and/or chemically stressed side of the compensator.

Abstract: An expansion compensator for pipelines of the type including a metal casing lined with refractory materials comprising a corrugated sheath and annular distributing members for a coolant supply beneath the corrugated sheath, the distributing members being located at the inner side of the metal casing of the pipeline.

Abstract: A conduit system including conduit units which are interconnected by coupling units during field installation. The conduit units include a pipe, a pipe insulating body, a conduit jacket around the insulating body and conduit sealing members at opposite ends of the conduit unit. The coupling units include a coupling body for telescopically receiving ends of adjacent conduit pipes, an insulating body, a coupling jacket around the insulating body, and coupling sealing members at opposite ends of the coupling unit.When the coupling and conduit units are assembled the sealing member of one unit bridges the juncture of adjacent jacket ends to provide a primary seal against infiltration of moisture. The sealing members of adjacent units sealingly abut each other to provide a secondary seal against moisture infiltration spaced axially from the adjacent ends of the conduit and coupling jackets.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for making an electrically insulative coupling which is inserted between and coupled to two lengths of metallic pipe. The method comprises the steps of machining one end of two short sections of metallic pipe to provide a circumferential groove, inserting O rings onto the grooves, inserting the machined ends of the pipe sections into a central sleeve, injection moulding an outer insulative sleeve over the machined pipe ends and central sleeve, and pressing a metal outer sleeve over the outer insulative sleeve. By this method the electrically insulative coupling is manufactured quickly and inexpensively.

Abstract: A hermetic expansion joint employing an external bellows and means positioned within the bellows for limiting the relative axial displacements of the conduits being joined in both compression and tension. The expansion joint device has, located within the annular chamber defined by the bellows, a layer of compressible refractory material which bridges the joint between the conduits and a shielding tube which envelopes the compressible refractory material. The expansion joint device is further provided, on oppositely disposed fittings which connect the bellows to the conduits, with means for limiting the axial width of the joint.

Abstract: Two sockets of electrically conducting material are provided, each of which has a free end face spaced from the other socket. A tubular coupling member is provided, which consists of plastics material in which reinforcements are embedded. Said coupling member is tightly fitted at each of its ends in one of said sockets and is surrounded by said free end face thereof and provided at each of its ends with an annular bead disposed in the respective socket. Said coupling member is formed with at least one interface which extends throughout the length of the coupling member and is defined by two abutting surfaces. A layer of insulating material surrounds said coupling member between said free end faces.

Abstract: A meter riser for connecting normally buried plastic pipe to metallic couplings which are normally disposed above the ground for connection with utility meters, such as gas meters and the like, and comprising means for connecting the plastic pipe being encased in a metallic sheath, and having insulating means disposed around at least a portion of the metallic sheath and plastic pipe in the proximity of the connecting means securing the plastic pipe to the metallic coupling for protecting the plastic pipe against adverse environmental conditions.