Victaulic Company

A flexible joint is used to accommodate dynamic movement such as settlement, seismic and thermal movements. A portion of an outer surface of a ring is surrounded by a sleeve. A coupling attaches the sleeve to the ring. The sleeve is slidably movable on a section of the portion of the outer surface of the ring. The portion of the outer surface comprises first and second grooves, a partial spherical segment, a first frustoconical segment positioned adjacent the partial spherical segment and a second frustoconical segment positioned adjacent the partial spherical segment. The outer surfaces of the first and second frustoconical segments taper away from the partial spherical segment.

A fluid flow rate sensor, which may also be the basis of a valve for a fire suppression system, uses a sensing arm to convey motion of an obturation body or a valve closing member to a sensor system which evaluates the motion and generates a calibrated measure of the flow rate and/or an alarm signal in response if warranted. The obturation body and the valve closing member are capable of both rotation and translational motion, both of which are sensed using the sensing arm. The sensor system is isolated from the fluid within the valve.

Pipe elements have circumferential grooves. The grooves have a first side surface contiguous with a first floor surface. The first side surface and the first floor surface together subtend a first 90° circular arc when viewed in cross section. The grooves also have a second side surface contiguous with a second floor surface. The second side surface is in spaced relation to and in facing relation with the first side surface. The second side surface and the second floor surface together subtend a second 90° circular arc when viewed in cross section. A third floor surface is contiguous with both the first and second floor surfaces and is a flat surface. A coupling used to connect the pipe elements has arcuate projections which engage the grooves of the pipe elements. The arcuate projections have a semi-circular cross section. Relief grooves are positioned adjacent to each arcuate projection.

A ring surrounding a central axis and attachable to an end of a pipe element comprises a forward face extending between a circumferential inner surface that faces the central axis and is adapted to receive the pipe element and a circumferential outer surface that faces away from the central axis. The forward face comprises a first side surface and a sloped surface positioned between the first side surface and the circumferential inner surface. The first side surface and the sloped surface define a pocket within the forward face configured to receive a weld. In a cross-sectional plane including the central axis, the sloped surface extends away from the circumferential inner surface at an obtuse angle. The obtuse angle extends through the ring.

A coupling for joining pipe elements has cast segments attached end to end surrounding a central space. The segments define a channel that receives a gasket. Side surfaces within the channel have angularly oriented capture surfaces which are engaged by bulbous rims on the gasket which prevent the gasket from being dislodged from the channel when at least one pipe element is inserted into the central space. Side surfaces may also have support surfaces between the capture surfaces. The gasket supports the segments in a preassembled state wherein the segments are in spaced relation sufficient to permit insertion of one or more pipe elements while the segments are attached end to end.