Machine and method for making a protective joint about an annular junction portion of a pipeline

21:

• The machine of claim 19, further comprising a control system configured to control a position of the heating unit along the annular path, a position of the spray unit along the annular path, and a position of the extrusion die along the annular path.

22:

• The machine of claim 19, further comprising a control system configured to control an operating status of the heating unit, an operating status of the spray unit, and an operating status of the extrusion die.

23:

• The machine of claim 19, further comprising a carriage advanceable along the annular path in a first direction about the annular junction portion and advanceable in a second direction opposite to the first direction, wherein the heating unit, the spray unit and the extrusion die are each mounted on the carriage.

24:

• The machine of claim 23, wherein the heating unit, the spray unit and the extrusion die are sequentially arranged along the carriage.

25:

• The machine of claim 23, further comprising another heating unit and another spray unit mounted on the carriage.

26:

• The machine of claim 25, wherein the heating unit and the other heating unit are mounted on opposite ends of the carriage.

27:

• The machine of claim 25, wherein the heating unit and the other heating unit are mounted 180° apart from each other.

28:

• The machine of claim 25, wherein each spray unit is mounted between the extrusion die and one of the heating units.

29:

• The machine of claim 19, wherein the heating unit and the spray unit are part of an assembly comprising:
• a plurality of nozzles distributed along a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the pipeline, and
• a U-shaped inductor arranged about the plurality of nozzles.

32:

• The method of claim 30, further comprising controlling, via a control system, a position of the heating unit along the annular path, a position of the spray unit along the annular path, and a position of the extrusion die along the annular path.

33:

• The method of claim 30, further comprising controlling, via a control system, an operating status of the heating unit, an operating status of the spray unit, and an operating status of the extrusion die.

34:

• The method of claim 30, further comprising advancing a carriage along the annular path in a first direction about the annular junction portion and advancing the carriage in a second direction opposite to the first direction about the annular junction portion, wherein the heating unit, the spray unit and the extrusion die are each mounted to the carriage.

35:

• The method of claim 30, wherein heating the annular junction portion, spraying the polymer material and applying the protective foil sequentially occurs during a revolution of the carriage in a first direction about the annular junction portion and returning the carriage occurs in a revolution of the carriage in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

36:

• The method of claim 30, further comprising advancing along the annular path another heating unit and another spray unit.

37:

• The method of claim 30, wherein applying the protective foil occurs after the polymer material has been applied along the entire annular junction portion.