Abstract: A threaded coupling assembly is provided for joining a pair of confronting conduit members and minimizing electrostatic charge buildup between the conduit members. Each conduit member has an annular flange fixed to the confronting ends thereof. A threaded coupling interconnects the two flanges and includes, in one embodiment, a coupler having an internal annular groove for releasably holding a first annular bonding jumper and an externally threaded outer end. A nut is threaded onto the coupler and has an internal annular bonding jumper retaining groove for a second annular bonding jumper. These bonding jumpers include an annular ring having a plurality of bonding jumper contact flanges at the inner edge which engage the surface of the flanges and made electrical contact therewith and have at least a plurality of spaced retaining tangs at the outer edge which snap into the retaining grooves in the coupler and the nut.

Abstract: At least one planar type plasma ion source is positioned in a main duct through which charged materials pass in a manner whereby its active surface producing plasma faces the flow channel of charged materials inside the duct. The plasma ion source has at least one dielectric sheet, at least one corona electrode in operative proximity with one surface of the dielectric sheet and at least one planar type exciting electrode affixed to the opposite surface of the dielectric sheet and covering the entire area facing the corona electrode.

Abstract: A hose assembly of limited conductivity designed to bleed static electric charges such as encountered in paint spraying. The assembly includes, as is conventional, a stem fitting 1, a reinforced hose 3 fitted over the stem 7 of the fitting 1, and a crimped shell 5. The novel element is a conductive coupling ring 13 that is adapted to establish an electrically conductive path between the hose coupling 1 and the conductive element 26 of the hose 3. The conductive coupling ring 13 includes a number of tines 19 and, when assembled between the coupling 1 and the hose 3 will, on its one side, seat against a shoulder 11 of the coupling 1, and the tines 19, on its other side, will penetrate the reinforcement 23 and 24 of the hose 3 and establish electrical contact with the conductive element 26.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tower for drying gaseous chlorine, in which a high polymeric composite material containing carbon fibers and electroconductive carbon black as the whole or a part of the reinforcing material and the material for giving electroconductivity is used as a wall material thereof for removing static electricity generating within the tower.

Abstract: A hose assembly of limited conductivity designed to dissipate static electric charges, such as encountered in paint spraying. The hose assembly includes a reinforced hose 1 fitted over the nipple 15 of a stem 13, and a shell 14 holding the hose 1 in compression over the nipple 15 of the stem 13. The novel element is a stripe of conductive polymer 11 in the cover 9 of the hose 1 extending from the static drain 7 to the surface of the hose 1. When the shell 14 is compressed over the hose 1, the conductive stripe 11 is seated and held in secure electrically conducting relationship with the inner diameter of the shell 14.

Abstract: Apparatus to reduce static electricity in a work zone comprises:(a) a first electrically conductive cable having tips spaced therealong to dispense positive ions in response to positive voltage application to the first cable,(b) a second electrically conductive cable having tips spaced therealong to dispense negative ions in response to negative voltage application to the second cable,(c) the cables located with adjusted separations from one another so that static electricity at or proximate the work is reduced to acceptable levels, and(d) there being spacers located along the lengths of the cables and holding the cables at said adjusted separations.

Abstract: A controlled dielectric barrier is created surrounding a fastener to isolate its sparking areas. The barrier is formed by creating a cap to define a desired cavity between the cap and the fastener and then dielectric isolation material is placed in the cavity and held in place by the cap until hardened. The cap may then be removed from the fastener as desired.

Abstract: A coupling assembly is provided including a pair of confronting conduit members. Each conduit member has an annular flange fixed to the confronting ends of the conduit members. A circumferentially extending coupler surrounds portions of the flanges. A resilient bonding jumper transversing the circumferential wall of the coupler provides electrical continuity between the conduit members. The bonding jumper includes a body portion and a pair of arms fixed to opposite ends of the body portion. The arms extend in opposite directions. When the coupler is secured to the flanges, each arm contacts one of the flanges and a torque is produced tending to force the other arm into secure electrical contact with its contacted flange.

Abstract: A device for discharging an electrostatic field in a dry cleaning washer positions a source of radioactive material from which electrons flow in a fluid path in said washer, a grounded receiving antenna is arranged in spaced relation to said radioactive material.

Abstract: Charge accumulation inhibitor (100) in FIG. 2 of fuel filler pipe (200) prevents an accumulation of a portion of electrical charge that a conductor such as cap flange retainer (302) or a fuel dispending metallic spout may otherwise, in absence of inhibitor 100 or grounding of the spout, acquire. Inhibitor (100) is made of semi conductive material such as a nylon 12 filled with conductive particulate to yield a volume of resistivity of between about 1.times.10.sup.2 -1.times.10.sup.5 ohm-centimeters.

Abstract: A composite reinforced hose for conveying paint under pressure is provided with a core tube simultaneously coextruded from two or more thermoplastic synthetic polymers which are in intimate contact with each other. The inner layer of the core tube is nylon or other chemical resistant polymer which is substantially non-conductive and the outer layer is electrically conductive. The conductive polymer layer serves as a ground for static electricity.

Abstract: A system for monitoring a low conductivity liquid carrying an electrostatic charge and flowing along a pipeline comprises two separately insulated conductive wall sections (M.sub.1, M.sub.3) of the pipeline one downstream of the other. Means are connected to each of these sections for providing a signal representing the relaxation current released from the liquid to each of the wall sections and these signals are processed to provide indications or controls dependent upon the conductivity of the liquid, the relaxation time of the liquid, the streaming current, or the charge density carried by the liquid.

Abstract: A device for painting by electrostatic powder spraying wherein a passage for triboelectrifying powder particles is formed in an electrically conductive housing and is surrounded by an electric insulator layer of a synthetic macromolecular material, such as nylon or fluorocarbon resin, containing powder of an electrically conductive material, such as copper, aluminum or carbon. As the electrostatic powder moves through the passage, it frictionally engages the insulator layer and causes an electric charge on the surface of the electric insulator, due to the triboelectrification movement in the electric insulator, and a current flows to the powder. Therefore, powder particles can be continuously triboelectrified without suppling any voltage or with supplying a very low voltage for forming an electric field.

Abstract: In the production and transportation of crude oil and natural gas in dry, cold areas, such as for example, the North Slope of Alaska, static electricity inside equipment like tanks and flowlines is a special problem when it is necessary to gain access to the inside of such equipment. Safer and faster access to the inside of such equipment is facilitated by removing petroleum fluids from the equipment and wetting the appropriate inside area of access of the equipment with a nonflammable liquid that facilitates discharge of the electrostatic potential. For example, the liquid may be a salt solution, an antistatic chemical solution, a solution of conductivity improvers, or a combination thereof. The nonflammable liquid must be flowed (preferably upwardly) into the area of access as a continuous stream of liquid. In other words, the nonflammable liquid is not atomized or turned into a spray. Sprays create electrostatic charges.

Abstract: A hose construction and method of making same are provided wherein such hose construction has an inside surface defining a passage for conveying fluid under pressure and an electrical conductor disposed along the hose construction and having a pair of opposed terminal ends adapted to be placed in communication with the inside passage for dissipating static electricity caused by fluid flow through the passage and wherein such hose construction has an electrically conductive metal clip connected to one of the terminal ends of the electrical conductor and has a portion thereof disposed substantially flush with the inside surface adjacent an associated end portion of the hose construction to facilitate engagement thereof by a hose connector.

Abstract: A fibrous reinforced flexible hose for conveying fluids such as paint under pressure is provided with a composite core tube preferably simultaneously co-extruded from two or more synthetic polymers which are in intimate contact with each other. The inner layer of the composite core tube is nylon or other chemical resistant polymer which may or may not be cross-linked and the outer layer is a cross-linked electrically semi-conductive synthetic polymer layer which serves as a ground for static electricity. In the process of making the hose, the semi-conductive layer is preferably cross-linked by irradiation as a means of improving its higher temperature performance capabilities and to minimize changes in the electrical resistance of the semi-conductive layer that might arise from dynamic use of the hose.

Abstract: A plastic pipe of a thermoplastic material, such as polyvinylchloride provided on its outside with a resilient sealing body of a polyurethane foam plastic, which has been foamed onto said outside and a layer of thermosetting resin with electrically conducting particles being between said body and the plastic pipe in order to ensure a proper conduction, the foam plastic body having a closed surface being integral with the foam plastic body.

Abstract: A closed system for filling a container with a load of powdered, granular, or other dry fluent material and for unloading the load substantially without the emission of dust to the atmosphere. The container has an opening in its top which may be sealingly secured to a filling head during during filling and closed by a removable cover. The filling head is connected to a dust receiver for removing dust laden air displaced from within the container as the load is delivered to the container. The container used with this system may be adapted for fluidized unloading of the powder substantially without the release of dust.

Abstract: When liquid petroleum samples are taken from petroleum producing and transporting equipment in cold, dry areas, for example, northern Alaska, there is a danger of electrostatic sparking and explosion of the flammable liquids being sampled. This hazard is reduced by gentle sampling techniques and cooling the sample. The liquid sample line is cooled and the flow rate of the petroleum liquid is prevented from exceeding 1 meter per second. In addition, the liquid is flowed upward in the sample container thereby preventing flashing, agitation, and higher flow rates. For added safety, the sample container or the container and sample line may be prefilled with a noncombustible fluid. The container may also be made of metal and connected by an electrical conductor directly or indirectly to the equipment being sampled.

Abstract: A fitting for the end of a plastic pipe segment includes a body having an open-ended bore in which the pipe segment is received. A wedge-shaped grip ring and annular gasket are fitted over the pipe segment and compresses against an annular shoulder provided in the sidewall of the bore by a compression nut threaded into the open end of the bore. Abutting complimentarily inclined surfaces on the compression nut and the grip ring provide simultaneous radial compression of the grip ring and axial compression of the gasket when the compression nut is tightened. A sleeve-shaped stiffener within the pipe segment prevents deformation of the pipe wall. A plurality of radially extending serrations on the inside surface of the grip ring and on the outside surface of the stiffener engage the inner and outer surfaces of the pipe wall to secure the pipe segment to the fitting. An electrically conductive collar may be provided within the bore to establish electrical continuity between adjacent pipe segments.

Abstract: A thermally insulated pipe particularly destined for mining industries, comprising an outer and an inner pipe, whereinbetween an insulating layer is arranged, the outer pipe being made of a synthetic material. The surface of the outer pipe is provided with an outside surface layer, being electrically conductive, which layer is connected with the inner pipe in an electrically conducting manner. The insulating material inbetween the two pipes is heat resistant.

Abstract: A hose construction having means for dissipating static electricity and method of making same are provided and such hose construction comprises a polymeric inner tubular layer, a braided layer disposed against the inner tubular layer and comprised of a plurality of filaments, and an electrically conductive layer made of carbonaceous particles overlying the braided layer and including particles dispersed between the filaments, the particles are disposed in overlapped relation in layer form and enable relative movement therebetween while maintaining electrical continuity to enable dissipation of the static electricity. The hose construction may comprise an additional braided layer disposed around the electrically conductive layer and sandwiching the electrically conductive layer between the braided layers as well as a protective layer disposed around the entire hose construction.

Abstract: The electrostatic charge generated by nonconductive liquids flowing through a pipeline and other apparatus is reduced by exposing the liquid to gamma radiation. In a preferred arrangement, a capsule containing cobalt-60 is suspended in the flowing liquid immediately before the liquid is discharged into a vessel in which it may be in contact with air.

Abstract: The disclosure herein describes a floating deck for use in a liquid storage tank, which comprises a generally circular planar platform formed of a plurality of interconnected modular units made of cellular foam plastic; the modular units are of different shape and include at least: a first series of panels, each being in the form of a truncated triangle and a second series of panels, each having a shape that includes at least a parallelogram portion and a small triangular shaped portion outwardly projecting from one side of the parallelogram portion at the upper end thereof; the triangular-shaped portion has a dimension which corresponds to the truncated portion of the triangle of the first series of panels so as to form a continuous platform when both series of panels are interconnected to one another. Other shapes of panels are also disclosed.

Abstract: This disclosure teaches protecting from lightning damage a reinforced concrete pipe line. The pipe line generally comprises a plurality of pipe lengths each having a bell at one end and a spigot at the other end thereof. The bell of one pipe length receives the spigot of a next pipe length fitted therein. Each of the pipe lengths is provided with at least one longitudinal metallic reinforcing wire or rod having a bell end and a spigot end. The pipe line carries lightning electrical current along a relatively long portion thereof by means of an electrical lead joining the bell end of the reinforcing wire or rod of one pipe length to the spigot end of the reinforcing wire or rod of the next pipe length. By this expedient lightning electrical energy is dissipated into the earth through the relatively long portion of the pipe line.

Abstract: an improved fluid bearing track structure in which the metal surface of the track is enclosed by a transparent envelope having the inner surface coated with a transparent metal film which is grounded with the metal track surface to prevent static buildup.