Electrofusion fittings for lined pipes
AssigneeSubsea 7 Limited
InventorsChristopher Bruce, Chris Woods, Andrew Cupples, Ross McSkimming
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A liner bridge for a lined pipeline has bores extending through a tubular wall and terminals fitted in the bores, each terminal being exposed to an inward side of the wall for conducting electricity to an electrofusion element. A sealing interface between each terminal and its surrounding bore has one or more projecting formations of the terminal and at least one complementary formation of the bore engaged with the or each of the projecting formations. The interface can also include a sealing mass in the bore.
Claims24
A liner bridge for a lined pipeline, the liner bridge comprising:
- a tubular wall;
- at least one bore extending through the wall from an inward side to an outward side;
- at least one electrofusion element;
- a terminal fitted in the or each bore and having a. contact end exposed to the inward side of the wall for conducting electricity to the or each electrofusion element;
- and
- a sealing interface between the terminal and the surrounding bore;
- wherein the sealing interface comprises at least one projecting formation of the terminal extending radially outwardly with respect to the bore and at least one complementary formation of the bore extending radially inwardly with respect to the bore, engaged with the or each projecting formation of the terminal;
- and wherein the tubular wall is of resilient material that conforms to the or each projecting formation of the terminal.
A method of manufacturing a liner bridge for a lined pipeline, the method comprising:
- inserting a terminal into a bore that extends through a tubular wall of the liner bridge, leaving a contact end of the terminal exposed to an inward side of the wall for conducting electricity to at least one electrofusion element of the liner bridge;
- and
- forming a sealing interface by engaging at least one projecting formation of the terminal extending radially outwardly with respect to the bore with at least one complementary formation of the bore extending radially inwardly with respect to the bore,
- wherein the tubular wall is of resilient material that conforms to the or each projecting formation of the terminal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.