Pipe removal tool and method
OwnerCarmen T. DeRosainventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A tool to supply heat to a PEX pipe to permit the PEX pipe to be removed from a fitting connection includes a thermal element that can supply heat to the PEX pipe. The thermal element may be heated via electrical processes, such as resistive or inductive heating, or may be heated with a combustion process. The thermal element may be implemented in a pliers to permit the heating element to be placed around the PEX pipe and clamped, to allow the user to pull the PEX pipe off the fitting connection using the pliers. The tool may have a temperature control to regulate an amount of heat provided to the PEX pipe during removal, which control may include a feedback transducer, such as a thermocouple. The tool may be operated with AC or DC power, where the DC power may be provided by one or more batteries.
Claims20
A tool for removing PEX pipe from a fitting, comprising:
- a first handle for a user to grasp the tool;
- a first head portion rigidly coupled to the first handle;
- a second head portion mechanically coupled to the first head portion to permit relative movement with respect to the first head portion;
- the first head portion or the second head portion being provided with a thermal element that includes a concavely curved surface for receiving the PEX pipe;
- a thermal element driver coupled to the thermal element and operative to provide energy to the thermal element to heat the thermal element to a sustained temperature in a range of from about 100° C. to about 150° C.;
- and
- an actuator mechanically coupled to the second head portion to cause the second head portion to move toward or away from the first head portion upon actuation;
- wherein the tool is operative to be held by the first handle by a user to place the first head portion and the second head portion at least partially around the PEX pipe using the actuator and operative to drive the thermal element driver to heat the thermal element to a sustained temperature in the range using the thermal driver to permit the PEX pipe to be heated and removed from the fitting.
A method for removing a PEX pipe from a fitting connection, comprising:
- providing an electrically driven heat source with a concave surface;
- placing the concave surface of the heat source in proximity to the PEX pipe;
- heating the PEX pipe to a sustained temperature in a range of from about 100° C. to about 150° C.;
- and
- applying an urging force to the heated PEX pipe to urge the heated PEX pipe away from the fitting connection.
(canceled)
A method for removing PEX pipe from a fitting connection, comprising:
- providing a tool for heating the PEX pipe, including:
- providing a first handle for a user to grasp the tool;
- rigidly coupling a first head portion to the first handle;
- mechanically coupling a second head portion to the first head portion to permit relative movement with respect to the first head portion;
- providing a thermal element to one or more of the first head portion or the second head portion, the thermal element including a concavely curved surface for receiving the PEX pipe;
- electrically coupling a thermal element driver to the thermal element to control energy provided to the thermal element to heat the thermal element to a sustained temperature in a range of from about 100° C. to about 150° C.;
- and
- mechanically coupling an actuator to the second head portion to cause the second head portion to move toward or away from the first head portion upon actuation;
- connecting an electric power source to the thermal element driver;
- locating the first and the second head portions proximate to the PEX pipe and actuating the actuator to cause the second head portion to move toward the first head portion without contacting the fitting;
- actuating the thermal element driver to provide electrical energy to the thermal element to heat the thermal element and to a sustained temperature in a range of from about 100° C. to about 150° C. thus heating the PEX pipe to loosen the PEX pipe from the fitting connection;
- and
- urging the heated PEX pipe off of the fitting connection.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.