Apparatus and method for manufacturing insulated pipe assembly

Abstract

An apparatus and method for manufacturing a pipe assembly having an inner pipe and an outer jacket may include a support member, a pair of lance assemblies and a pair of caps. The support member supports the outer jacket of the pipe assembly and is drivable between a first position and a second position. The pair of lance assemblies are configured to be inserted into opposing ends of the inner pipe such that the pair of lance assemblies engage an inner wall of the inner pipe. One of the outer jacket and the inner pipes moves relative to the other of the outer jacket and the inner pipe to center the inner pipe within the outer jacket when the support member is driven from the first position to the second position. Insulation is inserted through at least one cap into a space between the inner pipe and outer jacket.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.