Abstract: A novel seal around conduits passed through walls of fluid-containing housings embodying a stretchable annular butyl-rubber-like sheet washer stretch-fitted upon the inner end of the conduit and conformed to the inner wall portion of the housing around the conduit and held there-against by the pressure of the fluid against the washer irrespective of the contour or irregularities or material of the inner wall surface.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to slip joint means for use in connecting pairs of axially spaced risers in an off-shore multi-line riser system that conveys petroleum from a collection point on the ocean floor to a floating buoy for delivery to tankers. The slip joint permits considerable latitude in the movement of the riser system yet assuring leak proof joints at the points of movement by providing elastic seals that facilitate motion between conveying conduits.

Abstract: A pipe swivel joint for simultaneous transfer of a plurality of separate fluids between a plurality of inlet conduits and a plurality of corresponding outlet conduits comprises a plurality of stacked sections or stages of staggered diameter which are readily removable for repair and service. Each of the removable stages includes an annular inner element having a radially extending inlet port therethrough, an annular outer element rotatably surrounding the inner element and one or more seal plates connected to the axial ends of the inner element. An annular fluid flow passage for each section is defined by the outer surface of the inner element, the inner surface of the outer element and the surface of the connected seal plates. Each of the fluid flow passages is connected to an outlet conduit by a radial outlet port through the outer member and the fluid flow passage is connected to an inlet conduit by the inlet port through the inner member.

Abstract: A high pressure coupling for releasably coupling high pressure tubular elements in sealed relationship, the coupling comprising a first tubular member having a socket formation, a second tubular member having a spigot formation sealingly engaged with the socket formation in mating relationship therewith, one member having an annular recess and the other member having a radially directed annular bearing surface to cooperate with a locking sleeve, and a radially deformable locking sleeve positioned in the annular recess, the locking sleeve being located against radial deformation out of the recess by the bearing surface engaging with the bearing surface of the locking sleeve. The coupling further includes bias means operative between the tubular members to provide a predetermined bias force to restrain axial separation of the mated formations.

Abstract: There is provided a pressure-compensating pipe joint which includes sleeve members adapted to be affixed to respective lengths of pipe to be joined, and telescoping means which allows the sleeve members to move axially with respect to each other while maintaining fluid-type communication between them.A number of piston-type contraction units are located exteriorly of the sleeve members and of the telescoping means, and are connected to link members attached to the sleeve members. By placing the contraction units outside of the general telescoping arrangement of the pipe joint, replacement and repair of these units is a relatively simple matter.

Abstract: An interconnector for the coaxially adjacent permeate tubes of filtration apparatus comprises a molded elastomeric spheroidal body having opposed coaxial bores for receiving the tube ends which extend from filter membrane modules. Complementarily shaped interdigitated pairs of anti-telescoping devices are interposed between membrane modules in mutual interacting relationship and without contacting the interconnector.

Abstract: A filter assembly for extruded polymer melts is described which comprises a filter having retained between inlet and outlet manifolds with a contact pressure that can be varied. A primary seal device between the manifold and the housing is located in a rabbet in either the housing or the manifold at the contact plane. This seal responds to pressure from the polymer melt flow by deforming and increasing the contact pressure between the manifold and the housing. Thus the greater the pressure at which the melt is extruded, the tighter is the seal.

Abstract: A conduit-cleaning assembly has a swivel coupling connected between a high-pressure hose and a conduit-cleaning nozzle. This coupling has an outer end tube connected to the hose, an intermediate outer tube threaded with the outer end tube, and an inner tube connected to the nozzle and forming with the outer tubes an axis-defining passage for liquid to flow into the nozzle from the hose. This inner tube is partially received in the outer tubes and has an inner-tube end whose outer edge engages an annular seal whose outer periphery is locked to the outer end tube. A bearing is provided between the inner tube and the intermediate tube to allow the parts to rotate relative to each other. The annular seal has a pair of opposite pressure-equalizing surfaces both exposed to the full pressure inside the swivel.

Abstract: An expansion joint for interconnecting pipes or hoses which includes a floating sleeve and a pair of pipe or hose fittings slidably mounted on the sleeve. The fittings are provided with seals to coact with the sleeve and wipers to coact with the sleeve together with stop means for restricting the relative movement between the fittings and the sleeve.

Abstract: Disclosed is a self tightening hose coupling which when applied to a hose comprises a floating sandwich like structure including a floating stem, hose, and tapered wedge segments which operate as a unit and float between a nipple and a compression sleeve. The compression sleeve has a tapered interior which matches the taper of the wedges and is constructed to permit the interior placement of a locking ring which operates against a split retaining ring mounted on the nipple thereby preventing the floating sandwich like structure from being pulled out when internal fluid or tensile pressures, occur under operating conditions.

Abstract: The preferred embodiment of the invention disclosed herein includes a first sleeve member having a slightly enlarged diameter portion at one end thereof and a second sleeve member having one end telescopically received within the enlarged diameter portion such that said first and second sleeve members are movable between expanded and contracted positions. Also included is a third sleeve member fixed to the outer surface of the second sleeve member and extending axially about the enlarged diameter portion and a portion of the smaller diameter portion of the first sleeve member. The third sleeve member is radially spaced from the first sleeve member forming a pressure chamber which communicates with the interior of said sleeve members through ports formed in the enlarged diameter portion. Thus, fluid pressure acts in the pressure chamber to counteract separation forces in an associated pipeline.

Abstract: A joint between adjacent ends of two pipes arranged to convey liquid under pressure, and which permits relative movement of the pipes, has a first sealing surface of annular form associated with one of the pipe ends and a sealing member supported by the other pipe and movable axially relatively thereto, and having a second sealing surface of annular form which co-operates with the first sealing surface, the sealing member being urgeable away from the first sealing surface by the pressure of liquid within the pipes against a restraining force to provide a clearance between the sealing surfaces which is adequate to permit relative transverse movement of the sealing surfaces to take place without sliding contact, but at the same time provides a high resistance to the flow of fluid between them.

Abstract: A pressure compensated slide joint for sealing first and second tubes having high pressure fluid flowing therethrough comprising a metallic, resilient sealing element extending from the first tube into an interference fit with the interior surface of the second tube, and an annular chamber, variable lengthwise in the axial direction, formed from two parts, each coupled to one of the tubes and in a slidable, sealing relationship with the other, and which has a vent communicating with the interior of the second tube. The sealing element is formed of a frustoconical portion and a ring portion having a curved outer surface contacting the interior surface of the second tube.

Abstract: This invention provides a pipe joint which includes a first pipe end and a second pipe end juxtaposed in substantial alignment. The pipe joint is capable of providing for movement of one pipe end with respect to the other, and also for pressure-compensation. A sleeve member spans between and externally of both pipe ends. Two annular ring structures are positioned between the pipe ends and respective ends of the sleeve member. Sealing surface engagement takes place between each annular ring structure, its respective pipe end, and the sleeve member. Articulating means are provided for interconnecting each annular ring structure with the opposite pipe end, thereby to permit the pressure-compensation.

Abstract: A leak-tight connecting device for the connection of two pipes comprising a primary ball-and-socket joint traversed by a bore, a secondary connecting support for said ball-and-socket joint, said secondary support comprising first and second outer sealing joints and a common central sealing joint located between said first and second outer sealing joints, each said sealing joint being disposed between said ball and socket joint and said support to define with said support and said ball-and-socket joint two chambers, means for connecting said chambers to a source of an incompressible fluid under pressure, mechanical means externally connecting said ball-and-socket joint and said secondary support, said mechanical means being pivotally coupled to each said joint and said support and operable to transmit torque from one of said joint and support to the other for various relative angular dispositions of said joint and said support and means for biasing at least one of said outer sealing joints bounding said chambe