A coupling for joining two pipes, such as casing joints includes opposed ends having threads for engaging threaded ends of the respective pipes and a generally centrally located corrugated section, which provides the coupling with a degree of flexion in response to lateral stresses or loads.

The invention relates to a method for determining if a flexible joint means is out of alignment, i.e., if excess torque or pressure has caused malformation or malpositioning of the joint means. This is accomplished by incorporating a flexible leveling means onto a visible surface of the joint means. The leveling means has horizontal and vertical markings which permit simple visible inspection of the joint and a simple determination of the position and condition of the joint.

An expansion joint includes: an outer tube including first and second ends and extending therebetween, the outer tube including first and second flanges, the first being located at the first end, the second being located at the second end and connectable to a downstream pipe; an inner tube including third and fourth ends and extending therebetween, the inner tube being located inside the outer and including third and middle flanges, the third flange being located at the third end and connectable to the upstream pipe, the middle flange being located at a middle portion between the third and fourth ends; and a closure including an outer peripheral portion connected to the first flange, an inner peripheral portion connected to the middle flange, and an elastic portion connecting the outer and inner peripheral portions. The first end is spaced from the third and located between the third and fourth ends.

A flexible connection for use between a vertical, large diameter cold water conveying pipe and a floating platform that supports the cold water conveying pipe or another pipe to permit the pipe and the platform to rotate in roll and pitch directions relative to one another without imposing excessive bending moments or strain on the cold water pipe. The flexible connection also contains internal and external pressure across the connection. The flexible connection includes an articulation mechanism that interconnects the vertical cold water conveying pipe and the platform or a pipe on the platform, and a flexible, fluid impermeable bellows.

A flexible connection for use between a vertical, large diameter cold water conveying pipe and a floating platform that supports the cold water conveying pipe or another pipe to permit the pipe and the platform to rotate in roll and pitch directions relative to one another without imposing excessive bending moments or strain on the cold water pipe. The flexible connection also contains internal and external pressure across the connection. The flexible connection includes an articulation mechanism that interconnects the vertical cold water conveying pipe and the platform or a pipe on the platform, and a flexible, fluid impermeable bellows.

A low-pressure tubular system includes a multitude of interconnected tube sections having a longitudinal axis. Each of the tube sections includes a central part and two outer end parts. The tubular system is configured to maintain a low-pressure environment within the connected tube sections. The system further includes a multitude of expansion joints connecting the tube sections. Each of the expansion joints includes a sleeve made of a flexible sheet material and includes a ring shaped endless central part and two ring shaped endless outer end parts. Each of the outer end parts of the expansion joints are arranged to extend coaxial with an adjacent tube section and surround and sealingly engage the outer end part of said adjacent tube section.

A low-pressure tubular system includes a multitude of interconnected tube sections having a longitudinal axis. Each of the tube sections includes a central part and two outer end parts. The tubular system is configured to maintain a low-pressure environment within the connected tube sections. The system further includes a multitude of expansion joints connecting the tube sections. Each of the expansion joints includes a sleeve made of a flexible sheet material and includes a ring shaped endless central part and two ring shaped endless outer end parts. Each of the outer end parts of the expansion joints are arranged to extend coaxial with an adjacent tube section and surround and sealingly engage the outer end part of said adjacent tube section.

An expansion joint for flexibly joining two tube segments for producing a tube for an evacuated tube transport system (ETT), wherein the expansion joint includes two annular rims and an annular flexible and airtight sleeve for rendering the expansion joint airtight wherein the sleeve includes two annular bead sections connected by an annular flexible carcass wherein each annular bead section includes a bead wire, and wherein the bead sections are designed to airtightly co-operate with rims that are fixed to the outside perimeter of each of the tube segments, wherein the rims are fixed at, or close to the opening of the tube segments.