A system for detecting leaks comprises at least one pipeline element, a leak detection device, and a pre-formed, heat-shrinkable sleeve comprising at least one inlet aperture. A method of manufacturing the sleeve comprises the steps of applying a cross-linkable material around a standard-sized sleeve mold, cross-linking the material, removing the cross-linked material from the mold, heating and stretching the cross-linked material around a stretching sleeve mold, allowing the material to cool, and removing the cooled sleeve from the mold. A method of monitoring a leak comprises the steps of receiving the pipeline element in the sleeve and applying heat to the sleeve, whereby the sleeve shrinks and conforms substantially around the profile of the pipeline element and at least a portion of the leak detection device.

A system for detecting leaks comprises at least one pipeline element, a leak detection device, and a pre-formed, heat-shrinkable sleeve comprising at least one inlet aperture. A method of manufacturing the sleeve comprises the steps of applying a cross-linkable material around a standard-sized sleeve mold, cross-linking the material, removing the cross-linked material from the mold, heating and stretching the cross-linked material around a stretching sleeve mold, allowing the material to cool, and removing the cooled sleeve from the mold. A method of monitoring a leak comprises the steps of receiving the pipeline element in the sleeve and applying heat to the sleeve, whereby the sleeve shrinks and conforms substantially around the profile of the pipeline element and at least a portion of the leak detection device.

A vacuum system pipe coupling includes a first coupling member and a second coupling member. The vacuum system pipe coupling has a seal system that is to be positioned to seal between the first and second coupling members and a securing system to releasably secure the first coupling member to the second coupling member. The seal system has an inner seal element and an outer seal element spaced from the inner seal element. The first coupling member is provided with a flow passage configured to conduct a pressurized gas to a space between the inner and outer seal elements to shield the outer seal element from fluid flowing through the pipe coupling in the event of failure of the inner seal element.

A work machine that can detect abnormality such as a malfunction and wear and tear of each of hydraulic pumps including control equipment with high precision and that can reduce equipment cost is provided. A controller 9 according to the present invention includes a volumetric-transfer-efficiency-calculating section 94 that calculates a volumetric transfer efficiency .sub.C representing a transfer efficiency of hydraulic oil between a hydraulic cylinder 11 and hydraulic pumps 21 to 23 on the basis of a target discharge flow rate calculated by a target-discharge-flow-rate-calculating section 932 and the speed of the hydraulic cylinder 11 that is detected by a speed sensor 28, and an abnormality decision section 95 that decides whether any one of the hydraulic pumps 21 to 23 is abnormal on the basis of the volumetric transfer efficiency .sub.C calculated by the volumetric-transfer-efficiency-calculating section 94.

A connection comprising a first duct, a second duct, a flexible tube which comprises a first end configured to cover part of the first duct, and a second end configured to cover part of the second duct, a first clamping system configured to clamp the first end of the flexible tube around the first duct, and a second clamping system configured to clamp the second end of the flexible tube around the second duct.

A method for forming a field joint between pipe sections is provided, preferably for pre-insulated pipe sections containing a carrier pipe surrounded by insulation and an outer jacket. The carrier pipes are joined, and an air tube is positioned so that its first end is within the joint area, and its second end extends beyond the joint area. A sleeve is sealed over the joint area, joining the jackets, with the sleeve positioned to cover the first end but not the second end of the tube. Air is injected into the tube to pressurize the cavity within the jacket, and the tube bore is sealed to allow air pressure testing. If the testing shows no loss of air pressure, the bore of the tube is sealed permanently to complete the seal on the field joint. Also provided is a piping system having a field joint formed by this method.

A system may include a sealing sleeve disposable about a tubing union joining a lower tubing and an upper tubing, at least one lower seal disposable proximate a lower end of the tubing union between the sealing sleeve and the lower tubing, and at least one upper seal disposable proximate an upper end of the tubing union between the sealing sleeve and the upper tubing. The at least one upper seal, the at least one lower seal, and the sealing sleeve form a pressure test cavity about the tubing union. The system may also include a fluid path configured to provide fluid communication between the pressure test cavity and a pressure test port.

A particulate-accommodating fluid flow directing apparatus comprises a failure detection housing containing a flow directing insert, the housing serving as a pressure boundary; failure at any location along the insert being detectable by means associated with the housing. The insert can be manufactured of erosion resistant materials, including non-ductile materials such as ceramics. The insert is sealed to the housing at an inlet and a discharge forming a pressure chamber between the insert and housing. The pressure chamber can be maintained at a pad pressure complementary to the process pressure, the pad pressure being maintained and monitored for indication of insert failure.

A test device for hyperbaric testing of a part of a subsea device is provided. The test device includes a test pot configured to provide a test chamber around of a part of the subsea device that is to be tested. A mount of the test device is configured to attach the test pot to the subsea device such that the test pot is affixed to the subsea device and can be pressurized without becoming detached from the subsea device during testing. The test device further includes at least one seal for sealing the test device to the subsea device such that the test chamber is sealed from the surrounding environment. A pressure port is further provided for pressurizing a medium in the test chamber to a test pressure that is relatively higher than an ambient pressure in the surrounding environment.