Sealed pipeline connection and raised pipeline sleeve, and method of making same

A sealed pipeline connection, comprising:

• pipeline pipes with a fluid passage therethrough, a first end of a first of the pipeline pipes positioned adjacent a second end of a second of the pipeline pipes;
• a raised pipeline sleeve, comprising:
• a tubular sleeve body insertable into the pipeline pipes, recessed sleeve shoulders radially positioned about each end of the tubular sleeve body with a central portion therebetween, an outer surface of the tubular sleeve body along the central portion shaped to conform to an inner surface of the pipeline pipes, the recessed sleeve shoulders being recessed a distance radially below the central portion, a raised hump extending radially from the central portion along the outer surface of the tubular sleeve body;
• wherein, as the tubular sleeve body is inserted in the pipeline pipes, the pipeline pipes engage the raised hump and conform the raised hump to the inner surface of the pipeline pipes whereby installation of the tubular sleeve body into and alignment of the tubular sleeve body about the pipeline pipes is facilitated;
• and
• pipeline seals positioned between the recessed sleeve shoulders and the pipeline pipes;
• wherein each of the recessed sleeve shoulders comprises a rim and a recess, the recess positioned between the rim and the central portion.

A method of making a sealed pipeline, comprising:

• providing a raised pipeline sleeve having a tubular sleeve body, the tubular sleeve body having recessed shoulders at each end with a central portion therebetween, the central portion having a raised hump thereon, each of the recessed sleeve shoulders comprising a rim and a recess, the recess positioned between the rim and the central portion;
• installing a pipeline seal onto each of the recessed shoulders of the raised pipeline sleeve;
• forming a sealed pipeline connection between the raised pipeline sleeve and first and second pipeline pipes by:
• installing a first end of the raised pipeline sleeve into a first end of a first of the pipeline pipes and installing a second end of the raised pipeline sleeve into a second end of a second of the pipeline pipes;
• forming a seal between the pipeline seals, the raised pipeline sleeve, and the pipeline pipes;
• and
• facilitating installation and alignment of the tubular sleeve body into the pipeline pipes by engaging and conforming the raised hump to an inner surface of the pipeline pipes as the tubular sleeve body is inserted in the pipeline pipes.