Apparatus and method for resistive implant welding of reinforced thermosetting resin pipe joints in a single step process

A system for coupling pipes comprising:

• a first pipe having a tapered, spigot end;
• a second pipe having a tapered, socket end adapted to internally receive the tapered, spigot end of the first pipe;
• wherein the first pipe and the second pipe are made from a reinforced thermosetting resin (RTR), and
• a resistive element comprising:
• a first layer and a second layer of thermoplastic material;
• and
• an electrically conducting resistive heating element with positive and negative terminals for connecting electrical power,
• wherein the electrically conducting resistive heating element is sandwiched by the first layer and the second layer of thermoplastic material,
• wherein the resistive element is disposed between an exterior of the first pipe and an interior of the second pipe,
• wherein, upon application of electrical power to the positive and negative terminals of the resistive element, the electrically conducting resistive heating element generates heat sufficient to melt the thermoplastic material such that, when the heat is removed, the hardened thermoplastic material seals the first pipe to the second pipe.

A method of coupling a first pipe and a second pipe to a coupler, wherein the first pipe, the second pipe, and the coupler are made from a reinforced thermosetting resin (RTR), wherein the first pipe and the second pipe respectively have a tapered, spigot end, wherein the coupler has a tapered socket ends adapted to internally receive the tapered, spigot ends of the first pipe and the second pipe, the method comprising:

• disposing a resistive element between an exterior of the first pipe, an exterior of the second pipe, and an interior of the coupler, wherein the resistive element comprises a first thermoplastic layer;
• a second thermoplastic layer, and an electrically conducting resistive heating element with positive and negative terminals for connecting electrical power, and wherein the electrically conducting resistive heating element is sandwiched by the first layer and the second layer of thermoplastic material;
• inserting the first pipe and the second pipe into respective ends of the coupler;
• and
• applying electrical power to the resistive element to cause the electrically conducting resistive heating element to generate heat sufficient to melt the thermoplastic material such that, when the heat is removed, the hardened thermoplastic material seals the first pipe and the second pipe to the coupler.

A method of coupling a first pipe and a second pipe, wherein the first pipe and the second pipe are made from a reinforced thermosetting resin (RTR), wherein the first pipe has a tapered, spigot end, wherein the second pipe has a tapered socket ends adapted to internally receive the tapered, spigot ends of the first pipe, the method comprising:

• disposing a resistive element between an exterior of the first pipe and an interior of the second pipe, wherein the resistive element comprises a first thermoplastic layer;
• a second thermoplastic layer, and an electrically conducting resistive heating element with positive and negative terminals for connecting electrical power, and wherein the electrically conducting resistive heating element is sandwiched by the first layer and the second layer of thermoplastic material,
• inserting the first pipe into the second pipe;
• and
• applying electrical power to the resistive element to cause the electrically conducting resistive heating element to generate heat sufficient to melt the thermoplastic material such that, when the heat is removed, the hardened thermoplastic material seals the first pipe to the second pipe.