Fusion bead testing device and method of testing a fusion bead
AssigneeControlpoint Ltd
InventorsEric Bridgstock, Michael Bailey, Andrew Walker, Christopher Jordan, Philip Jennings
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Abstract
A fusion bead testing device is provided for testing the strength of a fusion bead removed from a pipe joint. The testing device comprises a first pressing means for exerting a force against the fusion bead. If the fusion bead splits as a result of the applied force then the fusion bead fails a quality control test and the fusion bead and consequently the pipe joint from which the bead was removed are deemed too weak. The fusion bead testing apparatus comprises an automatic split detection device for detecting a split in the bead.
Claims40
A fusion bead testing device for testing a fusion bead removed from a pipe joint, the fusion bead testing device comprising:
- a first pressing means for exerting a force on the fusion bead;
- a driving means, operation of which causes the fusion bead to move relative to the first pressing means such that the first pressing means exerts a force at a plurality of points along a length of the fusion bead;
- and
- a split detection device for detecting a split in the fusion bead,
- wherein the split detection device comprises a signal emitter and a signal receiver, wherein the signal emitter and the signal receiver are arranged on opposing sides of the fusion bead in use, and the signal receiver detects a signal from the signal emitter when a split occurs in the fusion bead.
A fusion bead testing device for testing a fusion bead removed from a pipe joint, the fusion bead testing device comprising:
- a first pressing means for exerting a force on the fusion bead;
- a driving means, operation of which causes the fusion bead to move relative to the first pressing means such that the first pressing means exerts a force at a plurality of points along a length of the fusion bead;
- and
- a wheel for engaging the fusion bead to move the fusion bead,
- wherein the driving means is configured for rotating the wheel, and wherein rotation of the wheel by the driving means moves the fusion bead relative to the first pressing means.
A fusion bead testing method, comprising:
- testing a strength of a fusion bead with a fusion bead testing device, the fusion bead testing device comprising a pressing means for exerting a force on the fusion bead, and the fusion bead testing device further comprising a driving means;
- and
- the testing comprising operating the driving means to cause the fusion bead to move relative to the pressing means such that the pressing means exerts the force at a plurality of points along a length of the fusion bead, and
- wherein the testing comprises testing a strength of the fusion bead along substantially the entire length of the fusion bead.
A fusion bead testing method, comprising:
- removing a fusion bead from a fused pipe joint, wherein the removing comprises removing the fusion bead which has formed on at least one of (a) an exterior of the fused pipe joint and (b) an interior of the fused pipe joint;
- and
- then testing a strength of the fusion bead with a fusion bead testing device, the fusion bead testing device comprising a pressing means for exerting a force on the fusion bead.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.