An exhaust adapter secures an exhaust tube relative to an exhaust pipe. The exhaust adapter is formed to have an annular shape enclosing a through hole, and is mounted on the outer peripheral surface of the exhaust tube and on the inner peripheral surface of the exhaust pipe by inserting the exhaust tube into the through hole. When the exhaust adapter is being fitted on the outer peripheral surface of the exhaust tube, the inner peripheral surface of the exhaust adapter presses the outer peripheral surface of the exhaust tube, and when the exhaust adapter is being fitted on the inner peripheral surface of the exhaust pipe, the outer peripheral surface of the exhaust adapter presses the inner peripheral surface of the exhaust pipe.

A method of sealing an annulus of an electrically trace-heated pipe-in-pipe structure including introducing a flowable filler material to mold a sealing mass in situ is disclosed. The sealing mass closes a restriction at which the annulus is narrowed radially and embeds at least one heating element that extends generally longitudinally through the restriction. The structure includes an inner ring spaced within an outer ring to define the annulus between the rings. The annulus is narrowed radially by one or more projections that extend radially into the annulus from at least one of the rings toward the other of said rings. The restriction may include multiple bores, each of which may contain a sealing mass around a respective heating element in the bore.

A method of sealing an annulus of an electrically trace-heated pipe-in-pipe structure including introducing a flowable filler material to mold a sealing mass in situ is disclosed. The sealing mass closes a restriction at which the annulus is narrowed radially and embeds at least one heating element that extends generally longitudinally through the restriction. The structure includes an inner ring spaced within an outer ring to define the annulus between the rings. The annulus is narrowed radially by one or more projections that extend radially into the annulus from at least one of the rings toward the other of said rings. The restriction may include multiple bores, each of which may contain a sealing mass around a respective heating element in the bore.

A method of sealing an annulus between inner and outer pipe sections of a pipe-in-pipe system includes positioning a sealing mass in the annulus in contact with the inner and outer pipe sections. Deforming the sealing mass occurs, for example by shearing and compression, by effecting relative longitudinal movement between the inner and outer pipe sections. Fixing the inner and outer pipe sections against reverse relative longitudinal movement to maintain deformation of the sealing mass is then performed. The inner pipe section and a displaced outer pipe section may be fixed by welding them to respective pipes of an adjoining pipe-in-pipe structure. Opposed ramp surfaces, each being similarly inclined relative to the longitudinal direction, extend into the annulus from respective ones of the pipe sections such that the sealing mass may be compressed between the ramp surfaces.

A method of sealing an annulus between inner and outer pipe sections of a pipe-in-pipe system includes positioning a sealing mass in the annulus in contact with the inner and outer pipe sections. Deforming the sealing mass occurs, for example by shearing and compression, by effecting relative longitudinal movement between the inner and outer pipe sections. Fixing the inner and outer pipe sections against reverse relative longitudinal movement to maintain deformation of the sealing mass is then performed. The inner pipe section and a displaced outer pipe section may be fixed by welding them to respective pipes of an adjoining pipe-in-pipe structure. Opposed ramp surfaces, each being similarly inclined relative to the longitudinal direction, extend into the annulus from respective ones of the pipe sections such that the sealing mass may be compressed between the ramp surfaces.

A method and apparatus for assembling a high purity liquid distribution system is described. A distal end portion of the tube is heated then pushed over a sleeve so that the distal end portion can have a shrink seal fit over the sleeve to mitigate accidental or inadvertent pull out of the tube from a fitting. Other benefits are also achieved such as minimal flow restriction of the liquid flowing through the joint and the tube.

A method and apparatus for assembling a high purity liquid distribution system is described. A distal end portion of the tube is heated then pushed over a sleeve so that the distal end portion can have a shrink seal fit over the sleeve to mitigate accidental or inadvertent pull out of the tube from a fitting. Other benefits are also achieved such as minimal flow restriction of the liquid flowing through the joint and the tube.

An exhaust tube holding member is supported by an exhaust pipe and holds, on an inner peripheral surface thereof, an exhaust tube to be inserted into the exhaust pipe. The exhaust tube holding member includes a first annular portion, a second annular portion, and an outward protruding portion. The first annular portion is formed with a first through hole. The second annular portion is formed with a second through hole in communication with the first through hole and having an inner diameter larger than that of the first through hole, and is connected to the first annular portion. The outward protruding portion protrudes peripherally outward from an outer peripheral surface of the second annular portion and is supported by the exhaust pipe. The inward protruding portion protrudes peripherally inward from an inner peripheral surface of the second annular portion and is supported by the exhaust pipe.

An exhaust tube holding member is supported by an exhaust pipe and holds, on an inner peripheral surface thereof, an exhaust tube to be inserted into the exhaust pipe. The exhaust tube holding member includes a first annular portion, a second annular portion, and an outward protruding portion. The first annular portion is formed with a first through hole. The second annular portion is formed with a second through hole in communication with the first through hole and having an inner diameter larger than that of the first through hole, and is connected to the first annular portion. The outward protruding portion protrudes peripherally outward from an outer peripheral surface of the second annular portion and is supported by the exhaust pipe. The inward protruding portion protrudes peripherally inward from an inner peripheral surface of the second annular portion and is supported by the exhaust pipe.

The present inventive concept includes a duct system and method for using same to map and locate ducts. A preferred embodiment of the duct system includes a duct, a plurality of electronic information modules and an oversheath at least partially covering the plurality of information modules and fixing the information modules to the duct. The plurality of information modules are configured to emit a positional signal to enable location of the information modules and associated duct(s) and/or mapping of the duct system.