A thermal expansion compensating device has a conduit with a first opening and a second opening for connection to a first pipe and a second pipe of a hot water system, respectively, the first and second pipes being formed by removing a section from a length of pipe of the hot water system. A pre-tensioning force is applied to the device to axially displace the first opening from the second opening until after connection of the openings of the pipes. A resiliently deformable pipe segment defines a portion of the conduit between the first opening and the second opening and is resiliently deformed to a tensioned position by the application of the pre-tensioning force. Once the hot water system is activated, the pipes axially thermally expand such that the first opening moves towards the second opening and the pipe segment moves from the tensioned position towards a rest position decreasing the stress on the device.

A low profile gripping device having a locking assembly attached to a base, wherein the locking assembly comprises a locking strap with pairs of fins disposed for insertion into an aperture of a buckle. The locking assembly comprises an offset anchor block having opposing sides, the locking strap attached to one side, and the buckle attached to the opposing side. The interface between the locking strap and the anchor block forms a groove for seating a flexible polymer tube or polymer coated cable. The groove is located above the base such that the seated tube or cable is substantially centered above the base. The locking strap is inserted through the aperture to secure the tube or cable in the groove, and the fins retain the locking strap in fixed relation to the buckle.

A thermally insulated transfer line for a deep-cooled fluid. The thermally insulated transfer line includes a process line for conduction of the fluid; an insulation envelope lying radially outside the process line and extending in a longitudinal direction of the process line; an insulation space arranged between the process line and the insulation envelope; and a coupling element provided at both ends of the thermally insulated transfer line, to connect the transfer line to a cryogenic tank, the coupling element being operable to attach the process line to a tank process line of the cryogenic tank and thereby establish a fluid-conductive connection between the process line and the tank process line. The coupling element includes an end piece, wherein the insulation envelope transforms into the end piece, and a connecting sleeve arranged concentric to and radially on an outside of the end piece so as to be attached to the end piece. The thermally insulated transfer line also includes a sliding coupling sleeve operable to connect the connecting sleeve to the cryogenic tank.

A thermally insulated transfer line for a deep-cooled fluid. The thermally insulated transfer line includes a process line for conduction of the deep-cooled fluid, an insulation envelope lying radially outside the process line and extending in a longitudinal direction of the process line, and an insulation space between the process line and the insulation envelope. The process line and the insulation envelope, at least in portions along a length in a longitudinal direction of the thermally insulated transfer line, have a U-shape, or a V-shape, or meandering form, or a helical form.

A low profile gripping device having a locking assembly attached to a base, wherein the locking assembly comprises a locking strap with pairs of fins disposed for insertion into an aperture of a buckle. The locking assembly comprises an offset anchor block having opposing sides, the locking strap attached to one side, and the buckle attached to the opposing side. The interface between the locking strap and the anchor block forms a groove for seating a flexible polymer tube or polymer coated cable. The groove is located above the base such that the seated tube or cable is substantially centered above the base. The locking strap is inserted through the aperture to secure the tube or cable in the groove, and the fins retain the locking strap in fixed relation to the buckle.

A module for a vacuum pumping and/or abatement system includes a top side, a bottom side, a front side, a rear side, and two opposing lateral sides, which together define a space. The module comprises an apparatus located wholly within the space and one or more connection points coupled to the apparatus. Each of the connection points is for receiving an input for the apparatus or receiving an output from the apparatus. The one or more connection points are located at the top side. The module has a maximum size in a first system dimension that is equal to a first integer multiple of a fixed system value, the first system dimension being a dimension between the lateral sides. For each connection point, a distance between that connection point and each lateral side in the first system dimension is a respective second integer multiple of the fixed system value.

A module for a vacuum pumping and/or abatement system includes a top side, a bottom side, a front side, a rear side, and two opposing lateral sides, which together define a space. The module comprises an apparatus located wholly within the space and one or more connection points coupled to the apparatus. Each of the connection points is for receiving an input for the apparatus or receiving an output from the apparatus. The one or more connection points are located at the top side. The module has a maximum size in a first system dimension that is equal to a first integer multiple of a fixed system value, the first system dimension being a dimension between the lateral sides. For each connection point, a distance between that connection point and each lateral side in the first system dimension is a respective second integer multiple of the fixed system value.

A vacuum system pipe coupling includes a first coupling member defining a through passage, a second coupling member defining a through passage and a securing unit. The first coupling member has a first end portion having a first lengthways extending axis, a second end portion having a second lengthways extending axis that is laterally offset with respect to the first lengthways extending axis and a first connecting portion connecting the first and second end portions. The second coupling member has a third end portion having a third lengthways extending axis, a fourth end portion having a fourth lengthways extending axis that is laterally offset with respect to the third lengthways extending axis and a second connecting portion connecting the third and fourth end portions. The securing unit is configured to secure the first end portion to the third end portion with the first and third lengthways extending axes in alignment.

A vacuum system pipe coupling includes a first coupling member defining a through passage, a second coupling member defining a through passage and a securing unit. The first coupling member has a first end portion having a first lengthways extending axis, a second end portion having a second lengthways extending axis that is laterally offset with respect to the first lengthways extending axis and a first connecting portion connecting the first and second end portions. The second coupling member has a third end portion having a third lengthways extending axis, a fourth end portion having a fourth lengthways extending axis that is laterally offset with respect to the third lengthways extending axis and a second connecting portion connecting the third and fourth end portions. The securing unit is configured to secure the first end portion to the third end portion with the first and third lengthways extending axes in alignment.

A vacuum pumping and/or abatement system for evacuating and/or abating fluid from an entity, the system comprising: a first module comprising a vacuum pumping apparatus for pumping the fluid from the entity and/or an abatement apparatus for abating the fluid evacuated from the entity; and a second module arranged adjacent to the first module in a first system dimension; wherein the first and second modules each have a maximum size in the first system dimension that is a respective integer multiple of a common fixed system value.