A low-pressure tubular system, for instance a vacuum tube train transportation system, comprising: a multitude of interconnected tube sections having a longitudinal axis; wherein each of the tube sections comprise a central part and two outer end parts; wherein the tubular system is configured to maintain a low-pressure environment within the connected tube sections; wherein the system further comprises a multitude of expansion joints connecting the tube sections; wherein each of the expansion joints comprises a sleeve made of a flexible sheet material and comprising a ring shaped endless central part and two ring shaped endless outer end parts; and wherein 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.

An expansion joint including a hollow elastomeric body having coupling flanges at each open end configured to connect to flanges of a pipe system. The hollow elastomeric body is made of a material including an elastomer and fibers. A stretchable sensor is located within the material of the hollow elastomeric body. The sensor is configured to provide a varying electrical characteristic when the sensor is stretched or contracts. An analysis circuit is connected to the sensor, the analysis circuit configured to receive the varying electrical characteristic and to emit a signal corresponding to a level of the electrical characteristic received by the analysis circuit.

An expansion joint comprising a hollow elastomeric body having coupling flanges at each open end configured to connect to flanges of a pipe system. The hollow elastomeric body is comprised of a material comprising an elastomer and fibers. A stretchable sensor is located within the material of the hollow elastomeric body. The sensor is configured to provide a varying electrical characteristic when the sensor is stretched, contracts and deteriorates or wears. An analysis circuit is connected to the sensor, the analysis circuit configured to receive the varying electrical characteristic and to emit a signal corresponding to a level of the electrical characteristic received by the analysis circuit.

A coupler assembly (10) and method of manufacture (10) for use with pipe comprising a unitary annular body (20) forming first and second cylindrical openings for surrounding a pipe or piping sections to facilitate forming a fluid-tight seal therein. The unitary annular body (20) comprises a medial portion (64) formed from a first material having a first durometer and first and second lateral portions (56, 58) integrally connected to opposite ends of the medial portion (64). The first and second lateral portions (56, 58) are made from a second material having a second durometer relatively higher than the first durometer of the first material. The coupler assembly (10) further comprises at least one clamping assembly (26) surrounding the unitary annular body member (20) adapted for compressing the coupler assembly (10) into a fluid-tight seal.

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.

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.