A pipe coupling assembly for coupling a first end portion of a first pipe with a second pipe includes a socket formed on an end of the second pipe and a locking ring. The socket includes a rim defining an end opening through which at least a portion of the first end portion is inserted, the rim including a rim sealing surface adapted to form a liquid-tight seal around the first end portion. The socket also includes a sleeve portion having an exterior surface and an interior surface defining an interior space for receiving the first end portion, the interior surface comprising at least two socket sealing surfaces adapted to form a liquid-tight seal around the first end portion. The locking ring is adapted to cause the rim sealing surface to compress to form a liquid-tight seal around the first end portion.

A pipe coupling assembly for coupling a first end portion of a first pipe with a second pipe includes a socket formed on an end of the second pipe and a locking ring. The socket includes a rim defining an end opening through which at least a portion of the first end portion is inserted, the rim including a rim sealing surface adapted to form a liquid-tight seal around the first end portion. The socket also includes a sleeve portion having an exterior surface and an interior surface defining an interior space for receiving the first end portion, the interior surface comprising at least two socket sealing surfaces adapted to form a liquid-tight seal around the first end portion. The locking ring is adapted to cause the rim sealing surface to compress to form a liquid-tight seal around the first end portion.

An O-ring seal system for pipe flanges having a backing ring, an O-ring seal positioned within the backing ring, and a vacuum ring positioned within the O-ring seal. The backing ring and the vacuum ring form a rigid base against which mating flanges on pipes can be bolted together, thereby preventing bending of the mating flanges and permitting flange bolts to be torqued to their full tensile load limit without damage to the mating flanges. The O-ring seal system is constructed so that the O-ring seal is retained between the mating flanges without the need to position the O-ring seal in a groove in one of the mating flanges. Bending of the flanges is minimized since the flanges are clamped against the backing ring, minimizing stresses due to bending, thereby extending the service life of the flanges.

An O-ring seal system for pipe flanges having a backing ring, an O-ring seal positioned within the backing ring, and a vacuum ring positioned within the O-ring seal. The backing ring and the vacuum ring form a rigid base against which mating flanges on pipes can be bolted together, thereby preventing bending of the mating flanges and permitting flange bolts to be torqued to their full tensile load limit without damage to the mating flanges. The O-ring seal system is constructed so that the O-ring seal is retained between the mating flanges without the need to position the O-ring seal in a groove in one of the mating flanges. Bending of the flanges is minimized since the flanges are clamped against the backing ring, minimizing stresses due to bending, thereby extending the service life of the flanges.

A fitting is attached to a composite pipe by inserting a tubular root portion of the fitting into an end of the pipe and then tensioning longitudinally-extending tensile elements distributed around the fitting. This moves an outer wedge component of the fitting longitudinally relative to the pipe to force an opposed inner wedge formation radially inwardly toward the roof portion, clamping the fitting to the pipe. The fitting may be an end fitting to enable the pipe to be joined to another pipe or conduit, or may be an in-line fitting used to join two lengths of pipe end-to-end.

A fitting is attached to a composite pipe by inserting a tubular root portion of the fitting into an end of the pipe and then tensioning longitudinally-extending tensile elements distributed around the fitting. This moves an outer wedge component of the fitting longitudinally relative to the pipe to force an opposed inner wedge formation radially inwardly toward the roof portion, clamping the fitting to the pipe. The fitting may be an end fitting to enable the pipe to be joined to another pipe or conduit, or may be an in-line fitting used to join two lengths of pipe end-to-end.

A method of manufacturing a composite connector for a fluid transfer conduit is provided which comprises applying continuous fibre reinforcement, oriented at least partially circumferentially and pre-impregnated with a thermoplastic polymer to a tubular mould portion which extends substantially parallel to a central axis C; applying at least one further mould portion to form a complete mould in which the continuous fibre reinforcement is enclosed and injecting a thermoplastic polymer into the mould to form a connector with a tubular hub portion and a flange portion which extends from the hub portion at an angle to the central axis C. The tubular hub portion comprises a tubular seal section with an inner layer and an outer wherein the inner layer comprises the continuous fibre reinforcement and the outer layer comprises the injected thermoplastic polymer.

Methods and apparatuses for additively manufactured tubular passages, additively manufactured manifolds, and additively manufactured heaters are provided.

A pipe coupling assembly for coupling a first end portion of a first pipe with a second pipe includes a socket formed on an end of the second pipe and a locking ring. The socket includes a rim defining an end opening through which at least a portion of the first end portion is inserted, the rim including a rim sealing surface adapted to form a liquid-tight seal around the first end portion. The socket also includes a sleeve portion having an exterior surface and an interior surface defining an interior space for receiving the first end portion, the interior surface comprising at least two socket sealing surfaces adapted to form a liquid-tight seal around the first end portion. The locking ring is adapted to cause the rim sealing surface to compress to form a liquid-tight seal around the first end portion.

A pipe coupling assembly for coupling a first end portion of a first pipe with a second pipe includes a socket formed on an end of the second pipe and a locking ring. The socket includes a rim defining an end opening through which at least a portion of the first end portion is inserted, the rim including a rim sealing surface adapted to form a liquid-tight seal around the first end portion. The socket also includes a sleeve portion having an exterior surface and an interior surface defining an interior space for receiving the first end portion, the interior surface comprising at least two socket sealing surfaces adapted to form a liquid-tight seal around the first end portion. The locking ring is adapted to cause the rim sealing surface to compress to form a liquid-tight seal around the first end portion.