Surface analysis preceding electrofusion of thermoplastics

Apparatus for making a surface-analysis determination precedent to electrofusion welding, in which a pipe or pipes to-welded to an electrofusion fitting are prescribed to meet a passing surface-quality condition, comprising the steps of:

• control circuitry and memory for linking to an electrofusion processor that completes an electrofusion welding operation between an electrofusion fitting to an applicable section of pipe stock if such is passable for the purpose;
• and
• at least one signal-outputting device for inspecting at least a portion of the applicable section of the pipe stock contemporaneously prior to operation of the electrofusion processor, the at least one signal-outputting device having an output to feed to the control circuitry from which the control circuitry determines alternately a “pass” condition and consequently enable operation of the electrofusion processor, and hence welding, or alternatively disables operation of the electrofusion processor so that presumptively an operator would disassemble and then re-assemble the at least one signal-outputting device or fitting or both for a successive measurement, whereby during the interim the operator is afforded opportunity to skin, scrape or otherwise clean the applicable pipe section in order to obtain a “pass” condition.

A method comprising a surface-analysis determination precedent to electrofusion welding, in which a pipe or pipes to-welded to an electrofusion fitting are prescribed to meet a passing surface-quality condition, comprising the steps of:

• supplying an electrofusion fitting and an electrofusion processor for completing electrofusion welding of said electrofusion fitting to an applicable section of pipe stock;
• providing at least one signal-outputting device for inspecting at least a portion of the applicable section of the pipe stock contemporaneously prior to operation of the electrofusion processor;
• feeding the output of the at least one signal-outputting device to control circuitry to determine alternately a “pass” condition or not, and consequently provide an operator with an indication of which as well as store the determination results to memory for future audit purposes, whereby the absence of a “pass” indication affords the operator opportunity to postpone the electrofusion welding operation as for presumptively disassembling and then re-assembling the at least one signal-outputting device or fitting or both for a successive measurement so that during the interim the operator might skin, scrape or otherwise clean the applicable pipe section in order to obtain a “pass” condition.

Apparatus for making a surface-analysis determination precedent to electrofusion welding, in which a pipe or pipes to-welded to an electrofusion fitting are prescribed to meet a passing surface-quality condition, comprising the steps of:

• control circuitry and memory for linking to an electrofusion processor that completes an electrofusion welding operation between an electrofusion fitting to an applicable section of pipe stock if such is passable for the purpose;
• and
• at least one signal-outputting device for inspecting at least a portion of the applicable section of the pipe stock contemporaneously prior to operation of the electrofusion processor, the at least one signal-outputting device having an output to feed to the control circuitry from which the control circuitry determines alternately a “pass” condition or not, and consequently provides an operator with an indication of which as well as store the determination results to memory for future audit purposes, whereby the absence of a “pass” indication affords the operator opportunity to postpone the electrofusion welding operation as for presumptively disassembling and then re-assembling the at least one signal-outputting device or fitting or both for a successive measurement so that during the interim the operator might skin, scrape or otherwise clean the applicable pipe section in order to obtain a “pass” condition.