This invention relates to an improved component (10) for replacing pipes, in particular underground pipes. The invention also relates to a trenchless method of removing pipes using the improved component, and a kit of parts for use in removing pipes. The improved component (10) is securable to a cable (14) and has a body (30) with a recess (26) to accommodate the end (18) of the pipe (12) in use, the recess being surrounded by a collar (24). The improved component is a two-part component, the first part (20) being securable to the cable (14) and the second part (22) including the body, the two parts being made of different materials. There is also provided a kit of parts including cooperating alignment elements of standard dimensions, and a method of removing an underground pipe.

A method of using a mechanical joint restraint includes inserting an end of a pipe length into a gland bore of a gland, a ring bore of a gripping ring, and a gasket bore of a gasket, the gland, the gripping ring, and the gasket together forming the mechanical joint restraint; inserting at least a portion of the gasket of the mechanical joint restraint into a socket of a piping element; inserting the end of the pipe length into the socket of the piping element; and drawing the gland towards a flange of the piping element to compress the gasket into sealing engagement with the piping element and the pipe length.

A method of manufacturing a joint flange using a thickness-increased, machined pipe is provided. The method includes a pipe cutting operation in which a pipe is cut to a predetermined length, a flange forming operation in which a flange having a mounting hole for installing the pipe is formed by die casting, a bump-forming operation in which a thickness-increased part, which is formed by increasing a thickness of one end of the pipe, is bumped to form a first bead locked to the flange, a machining operation in which a circumference of the thickness-increased part is machined to form a sealing groove having an O-ring installed, and a fixing operation in which the pipe is inserted in the mounting hole of the flange and the other end of the pipe is pressed to form a second bead so that the pipe is pressed to a lower end of the flange.

A fluidic connection device (10) for a fluid circuit, in particular of a vehicle, this device comprising: a first pipe (12), a tubular end-piece engaged in the first pipe (12), a first flange (16) mounted around the first pipe (12), a second flange (18) mounted around the end-piece, at least one element (20) for attaching the first and second flanges (16, 18) one against the other, and a non-return insert valve (100) mounted within the first pipe (12).

Clamps can be secured to a slip joint and limit flow through the same by seating on a diffuser axially regardless of wear and damage in the slip joint. An extension from the clamp seats to the inlet mixer. These extensions can be adjusted from outside the clamp to achieve an individual preload or flow limitation through the slip joint. The extension may be an O-ring or other shape. A biasing drive may connect to and move the extension from an outside surface of the clamp. The biasing drive may include a threaded cap in an outer groove that is linked to a plunger via a spring. Clamps are fabricated of materials that maintain their physical properties when exposed to an operating nuclear reactor environment and may be relatively rigid and resilient metals.

A seal assembly includes a connector body having an open end configured for receiving a free end of a pipe and an adaptor for securing at the free end of the pipe. The adaptor has a first ring, configured to be mounted around the circumference of the free end of a pipe, and a second ring configured to cooperate with the first ring in order to drive the first ring into engagement with an outer surface of the pipe. A mechanical interlock arrangement is configured for driving the adaptor in the direction of the connector body, when the adaptor is secured at the free end of the pipe. The mechanical interlock arrangement is further configured for preventing or limiting axial movement of the pipe relative to the connector body, when the adaptor is secured to the outer surface of the pipe and when the free end of the pipe is in sealing contact with a metal seal surface of the connector body.

A gland assembly includes a gland defining an annular ring, the annular ring defining a first gland end and a second gland end disposed opposite from the first gland end; and a gasket, the gasket defining a first gasket end and a second gasket end, the first gasket end disposed opposite from the second gasket end, a gasket bore extending through the gasket from the first gasket end to the second gasket end, a gland collar defined at the first gasket end, the gasket bore receiving the second gland end of the annular ring.

A vacuum pump comprises an inlet flange for connecting to a vacuum chamber, where the inlet flange comprises a plurality of apertures for receiving a plurality of protruding fixing elements extending from the vacuum chamber. The protruding fixing elements comprise an enlarged retaining portion at an end remote from the vacuum chamber and a fastener receiving portion having at least one radial dimension that is smaller than a corresponding dimension of the enlarged retaining portion. A fastening mechanism is provided that comprises a plurality of slots each extending from a same side of a plurality of apertures. The fastening mechanism is configured to be rotatable between a mounting position in which the apertures are aligned with the protruding fixing elements and a sealing position in which the slots are aligned with the protruding fixing elements.

A method of using a mechanical joint restraint includes inserting an end of a pipe length into a gland bore of a gland, a ring bore of a gripping ring, and a gasket bore of a gasket, the gland, the gripping ring, and the gasket together forming the mechanical joint restraint; inserting at least a portion of the gasket of the mechanical joint restraint into a socket of a piping element; inserting the end of the pipe length into the socket of the piping element; and drawing the gland towards a flange of the piping element to compress the gasket into sealing engagement with the piping element and the pipe length.

A connection assembly between two portions of a line including an inner conduit for transporting a cryogenic fluid, the assembly including two flanges which are respectively arranged at the ends of the line portions and which are configured to be held in contact with one another by virtue of a fixing arrangement. The contact zone between the two flanges includes at least two grooves for positioning seals and at least one conduit opening out, for the one part, between the two seals and, for the other part, into an expansion chamber for the cryogenic fluid. The expansion chamber is arranged in one, or in the vicinity of one, of the first connection flange and the second connection flange. The expansion chamber includes a detector for detecting the presence of the cryogenic fluid in the expansion chamber or a recess configured for the installation of such a detector.