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US 6,883,835 B2Granted
Polyfusion pipe repair system and method
AssigneeBasic Resources, Inc.
InventorsJeffrey L. Krout, Mitchell D. Giannola
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus and method for sealing a leak in a plastic pipe is provided. The apparatus includes a body and an electrofusion element. The body is constructed of a substantially rigid material and has an upper surface and a lower surface. The lower surface is adapted to be positionable about at least a leak portion of a plastic pipe. The electrofusion element is disposed about the lower surface of the body and operable to sealably couple with the plastic pipe to encapsulate the leak.
Claims16
An apparatus for use in repairing a leak in a plastic pipe, the apparatus comprising:
- a first portion having a first pipe engaging electrofusion surface, a second pipe engaging electrofusion surface, a first contact surface, and a second contact surface;
- and
- a second portion having a first pipe engaging electrofusion surface, a second pipe engaging electrofusion surface, a first contact surface, and a second contact surface wherein the first portion and the second portion are operable to encapsulate the leak, the first pipe engaging electrofusion surfaces of the first and second portions are operable to couple around the pipe to form a first seal, the second pipe engaging electrofusion surfaces of the first and second portions are operable to couple around the pipe to form a second seal, the first contact surfaces of the first and second portions are operable to sealably couple with one another, and the second contact surfaces of the first and second portions are operable to sealably couple with one another;
- a sealable vent coupled to the apparatus and in communication with the leak in the plastic pipe when the first and second portions are positioned to encapsulate the plastic pipe;
- a first terminal attached to the first portion;
- a second terminal electrically coupleable to the first terminal;
- and
- a communication line positioned to electrically couple the first and second portions when the first and second portions are positioned for engagement such that when electricity is applied to the first and second terminals, the electricity is communicated to energize the electrofusion surfaces of the first and second portions.
5 more elements
A method for sealing a leak in a plastic pipe comprising:
- providing an apparatus comprising:
- a first portion having a first pipe engaging electrofusion surface, a second pipe engaging electrofusion surface, a first contact surface, and a second contact surface,
- a second portion having a first pipe engaging electrofusion surface, a second pipe engaging electrofusion surface, a first contact surface, and a second contact surface wherein the first portion and the second portion are operable to encapsulate the leak, the first pipe engaging electrofusion surfaces of the first and second portions are operable to couple around the pipe to form a first seal, the second pipe engaging electrofusion surfaces of the first and second portions are operable to couple around the pipe to form a second seal, the first contact surfaces of the first and second portions are operable to sealably couple with one another, and the second contact surfaces of the first and second portions are operable to sealably couple with one another,
- a sealable vent coupled to the apparatus and in communication with the leak in the plastic pipe when the first and second portions are positioned to encapsulate the plastic pipe,
- a first terminal attached to the first portion,
- a second terminal electrically coupleable to the first terminal,
- a communication line positioned to electrically couple the first and second portions when the first and second portions are positioned for engagement such that when electricity is applied to the first and second terminals, the electricity is communicated to energize the electrofusion surfaces of the first and second portions;
- and
- encapsulating the leak in the plastic pipe with the a first portion and a second portion;
- electrofusing the first portion and the second portion together at the first contact surfaces;
- electrofusing the first portion and the second portion together at the second contact surfaces;
- electrofusing the first and second pipe engaging electrofusion surfaces of the first and second portions;
- and
- electrofusing the second pipe engaging electrofusion surfaces of the first and second portions.
11 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.