Apparatus and system for electro-fusion of polyethylene pipeline
AssigneeShawcor Ltd.
InventorsPawel Boczkowski, Mark Brandon, Jeremy Joseph Ellis, Dilip Tailor, Pascal Laferriere
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for forming a connection between two tubular sections having a polymeric outer surface jacket, using electrofusion to fusion bond a casing of similar, non-crosslinked polymer to the outer surface of the tubular sections.
Claims14
A method of attaching a heat shrinkable casing to an outer surface jacket of a pipeline at a pipe joint, comprising:
- a. wrapping or fitting the heat shrinkable casing around the pipe joint so that a side portion of the casing overlaps an end portion of the outer surface jacket on either side of the pipe joint, to form an interface region on each side of the pipe joint, said interface region defined as being between the end portion of the outer surface jacket and the side portion of the casing;
- said interface region, end portion, and/or side portion having an electric heating element around the pipe or casing circumference;
- b. applying heat to at least said side portions to shrink the casing or at least the side portions thereof;
- c. wrapping an adhesive tape around said side portions to provide pressure between the side portions arid the end portions at the interface region;
- d. applying an electric current to said electric heating element of a sufficient energy to heat said electric heating element to a temperature sufficient to fuse said side portions to said end portions.
A method of attaching a casing to an outer surface jacket of a pipeline at a pipe joint, comprising:
- a. wrapping or fitting a casing around the pipe joint so that a side portion of the casing overlaps an end portion of the outer surface jacket on either side of the pipe joint, to form an interface region on each side of the pipe joint, said interface region defined as being between the end portion of the outer surface jacket and the side portion of the casing;
- said interface region, end portion, and/or side portion having both an electric heating element and an adhesive strip around its circumference;
- b. applying an electric current to said electric heating element of a sufficient energy to heat said electric heating element to a temperature sufficient to fuse said side portions to said end portions.
A method of attaching a casing to an outer surface jacket of a pipeline at a pipe joint, comprising:
- a. wrapping or fitting a casing around the pipe joint so that a side portion of the casing overlaps an end portion of the outer surface jacket on either side of the pipe joint, to form an interface region on each side of the pipe joint, said interface region defined as being between the end portion of the outer surface jacket and the side portion of the casing;
- said interface region, end portion, and/or side portion having an electric heating element around its circumference;
- b. applying a first electric current to said electric heating element, said first electric current of insufficient energy to fuse said side portions to said end portions, but of sufficient energy to warm and render more uniform a temperature of the heating element;
- c. applying a second electric current to said electric heating element of a sufficient energy to heat said electric heating element to a temperature sufficient to fuse said side portions to said end portions.
A heating element for use in electrofusing a casing to an outer surface jacket of a pipeline at a pipe joint, said heating element comprising:
- a. a wire mesh body and two ends, said body of sufficient length and flexibility to be capable of snugly wrapping around a circumference of said outer surface jacket in a manner that the two ends are proximate to one another but not touching;
- b. each of said two ends having a labyrinth configuration and a lead extending therefrom for connection to a power source.
9-10. (canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.