Casing with provision for closing an opening therein
OwnerDilip K. Tailor, Jeffrey A.D. State +1inventors
InventorsDilip K. Tailor, Jeffrey A.D. State, Amarjit Tathgur
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A casing member (11) for forming a connection between tubular sections, having at least end portions that are heat shrinkable. The member (11) has a patch member (12, 16) bonded to a surface of a portion of the member (11). The patch member (12, 16) may be bonded to a continuous imperforate portion of the member (11), or an opening (22) may be formed through the patch member (12, 16) and through the adjacent portion of the member. The patch member facilitates application of a plug (23) for closing the opening (22).
Claims23
A casing member for forming a connection between first and second tubular pipe sections, the casing member comprising:
- a tubular sleeve having a first end, a second end, and a continuous central section extending between the first and second ends;
- the first end sized to fit over an end portion of the first tubular pipe section;
- the second end sized to fit over an end portion of the second tubular pipe section, each of the first and second ends being heat-shrinkable;
- and
- a patch bonded to a surface of the central section.
A casing member for forming a connection between first and second tubular pipe sections, the casing member comprising:
- a one piece tubular sleeve having a first end, a second end, and a central section extending between the first and second ends, the tubular sleeve formed of a crosslinked plastic material;
- the first end sized to receive therein an end portion of the first tubular pipe section;
- the second end sized to receive therein an end portion of the second tubular pipe section, each of the first and second ends of the tubular sleeve being heat-shrinkable;
- at least one patch bonded to a receiving portion of the central section and spaced away from either of the first and second ends, the at least one patch formed of a plastic material that is less crosslinked than the tubular sleeve;
- and
- a hole extending through the patch and the portion of the central section.
A method of sealing and insulating a weld joint between two lengths of insulated pipe, each pipe having an uninsulated end portion adjacent the weld joint, the method comprising the steps of:
- applying a casing member over the weld joint, the casing member having a pair of ends, an interconnecting tubular sleeve, and a patch secured to the tubular sleeve;
- positioning the casing member so that each of the ends overlaps an adjacent portion of the pipe insulation;
- bonding each of the ends to the adjacent portion of the pipe insulation;
- providing a hole through the patch and the tubular sleeve;
- providing a foam composition within the tubular sleeve;
- and
- closing the hole with a plug.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.