Pipe coupling assembly and method
AssigneePolyflow LLC
InventorsLiang Yu, James Fenwick Mason
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A pipe coupling assembly for joining two sections of polymer pipe, the pipe coupling assembly comprising: an insert configured for positioning within an end region of a first section of polymer pipe and an end region of a second section of polymer pipe, such that an annular gap is formed between the insert and the end regions of polymer pipe; an adhesive configured for sealing the annular gap between the insert and the end regions; and an external coupler for positioning over the end regions and joining the first and second sections of polymer pipe.
Claims15
A multilayer polymer pipe assembly used in transporting and/or distributing oilfield fluid, at an internal pressure of up to 3000 psi, comprising:
- a first section and a second section of multilayer polymer pipe, the first and second sections of multilayer polymer pipe each comprising:
- an inner layer comprising a chemical barrier layer;
- and
- an outer layer comprising a structural support layer;
- an insert positioned within an end region of the first section of multilayer polymer pipe and an end region of the second section of multilayer polymer pipe, such that an annular gap is formed between the insert and the end regions of multilayer polymer pipe;
- an adhesive positioned internal to the end regions and sealing a surface of the insert and the annular gap between the insert and the end regions;
- and
- an external coupler positioned over the end regions and joining the first and second sections of multilayer polymer pipe,
- wherein the external coupler is an electrofusion coupler, and
- wherein the electrofusion coupler is configured to bond to an outer surface of the end regions of multilayer polymer pipe.
A method of joining two sections of multilayer polymer pipe, the method comprising:
- providing a surface of an insert with an adhesive coating;
- locating a first end of the adhesive coated insert within an end region of a first section of multilayer polymer pipe, the adhesive being positioned internal to the end region of the first section of the multilayer polymer pipe, and locating a second end of the adhesive coated insert within an end region of a second section of multilayer polymer pipe, the adhesive being positioned internal to the end region of the second section of the multilayer polymer pipe, such that the adhesive seals an annular gap between the insert and the end regions;
- and
- joining the first and second sections of multilayer polymer pipe together using an external coupler positioned over the end regions, the external coupler being an electrofusion coupler configured to bond to a first outer surface of the end region of the first section of the multilayer polymer pipe and to a second outer surface of the end region of the second section of the multilayer polymer pipe,
- wherein the joining of the first and second sections is sufficient to transport or distribute an oilfield fluid at an internal pressure of up to 3000 psi, and
- wherein the first section of the multilayer polymer pipe and the second section of the multilayer polymer pipe each comprise an inner layer comprising a chemical barrier layer and an outer layer comprising a structural support layer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.