A sealing assembly for flanges is described. The sealing assembly includes a wedge, a first sealing element, a second sealing element, and a fastener. The wedge has a first surface, a second surface, and a third surface. The first surface defines a pressure void with a first flange and a second flange. The first sealing element engages the second surface of the wedge and the first flange. The second sealing element engages the third surface of the wedge and the second flange. The fastener couples the first sealing element, the first flange, the second flange, and the second sealing element together. The wedge slides toward the sealing elements responsive to a pressure increase in the pressure void. The sealing elements force the flanges toward each other responsive to the wedge sliding toward the first sealing element and the second sealing element.

A sealing assembly for flanges is described. The sealing assembly includes a wedge, a first sealing element, a second sealing element, and a fastener. The wedge has a first surface, a second surface, and a third surface. The first surface defines a pressure void with a first flange and a second flange. The first sealing element engages the second surface of the wedge and the first flange. The second sealing element engages the third surface of the wedge and the second flange. The fastener couples the first sealing element, the first flange, the second flange, and the second sealing element together. The wedge slides toward the sealing elements responsive to a pressure increase in the pressure void. The sealing elements force the flanges toward each other responsive to the wedge sliding toward the first sealing element and the second sealing element.

A rotary union for use along an incompressible fluid path between a rotating machine component and a non-rotating machine component includes a non-rotating seal carrier including a non-rotating seal element, which together with the non-rotating seal carrier define a net hydraulic surface on an internal side and a net pneumatic surface on an external side. Contact of an incompressible fluid under pressure with the net hydraulic surface creates a closing force, and contact of a compressible fluid under pressure with the net pneumatic surface creates an opening force.

A flow passage joint structure includes: a first external thread portion formed, at an end portion of first piping block, radially outward of flow passage hole; a second external thread portion formed, at an end portion of second piping block, radially outward of flow passage hole; a union nut having a first internal thread portion to be screwed to the first external thread portion, on one side in an axial direction thereof, and having a second internal thread portion to be screwed to the second external thread portion, on another side in the axial direction thereof; and a gasket configured to seal a connection portion between the flow passage holes on a radially inner side of the union nut. The first external thread portion and the first internal thread portion are right-hand threads, and the second external thread portion and the second internal thread portion are left-hand threads.

A flow passage joint structure includes: a first external thread portion formed, at an end portion of first piping block, radially outward of flow passage hole; a second external thread portion formed, at an end portion of second piping block, radially outward of flow passage hole; a union nut having a first internal thread portion to be screwed to the first external thread portion, on one side in an axial direction thereof, and having a second internal thread portion to be screwed to the second external thread portion, on another side in the axial direction thereof; and a gasket configured to seal a connection portion between the flow passage holes on a radially inner side of the union nut. The first external thread portion and the first internal thread portion are right-hand threads, and the second external thread portion and the second internal thread portion are left-hand threads.

A coupling including a first member having a first body portion with threads tapered at a less than standard taper rate extending along an exterior surface thereof and a first flange portion extending therefrom. A first recess extends axially into the first flange portion and a first seal is located within the first recess. A body flange portion extends from the first body portion and axially spaced apart therefrom. A second recess extends axially into the first body flange portion and a second sealing ring is located within the second recess. The second seal is identical in size and shape with the first seal and is interchangeable therewith.

A coupling including a first member having a first body portion with threads tapered at a less than standard taper rate extending along an exterior surface thereof and a first flange portion extending therefrom. A first recess extends axially into the first flange portion and a first seal is located within the first recess. A body flange portion extends from the first body portion and axially spaced apart therefrom. A second recess extends axially into the first body flange portion and a second sealing ring is located within the second recess. The second seal is identical in size and shape with the first seal and is interchangeable therewith.

A pipe fitting system, including a first pipe section with at least one male end, a second pipe section with at least one female end, and a connecting means for releasably connecting the pipe sections together such that the male end is at least partially received within the female end. The connecting means comprising releasably engageable first and second connectors associated with the first and second pipe sections respectively, wherein the first connector comprises at least one outwardly extending protrusion and wherein the second connector comprises corresponding recesses adapted to releasable receive the or each protrusion of the first connector. The pipe fitting system is suitable for applications such as end of line connections, repair/replacement of fixed existing pipes, and in enabling temporary removal of pipes for maintenance or access purposes.

The pipe ball joint includes a casing having a socket portion with a substantially spherical interior surface and a first pipe segment extending from the socket portion. The socket portion has an annular groove disposed adjacent the partially spherical interior surface. A ball pipe section includes a ball segment received in the socket portion of the casing and a second pipe segment extending from the ball segment. A seal assembly is received in the annular groove of the casing and is disposed against the ball segment of the ball pipe section. The seal assembly includes a plurality of nested seal rings that each include a concave face and a convex face.

A device for forming a union of pipe end includes two pipe connectors, each configured for attachment to an end of a length of pipe at one end and for joining to the other of the two connectors at the other end and a nut having a bore with internal threads configured to mate with outer threads on the outer surface of one or both of the two pipe connectors. The outer lateral surface of the nut includes a plurality of handle connection structures. The device includes a handle for increasing the amount of manually-generated torque on the nut during tightening or loosening of the nut with respect to the outer threads. The handle has a nut attachment end configured to engage the handle connection structures and is provided with a mechanism for reversibly locking the handle to any of the plurality of handle connection structures of the nut.