US 8,424,924 B2Granted

Electromagnetic bond welding of thermoplastic pipe distribution systems

AssigneeTAS Acquisition Corp.

InventorsDrew LaMarca, Tom Zich

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Abstract

A thermoplastic pipe distribution system is assembled by electromagnetic bond welding of a thermoplastic pipe to a thermoplastic fusion pipe joint assembly comprising a threaded fusion pipe ring, a threaded fusion pipe socket, and a susceptor layer between the fusion pipe ring and the fusion pipe socket. The fusion pipe ring is screwed into the fusion pipe socket, and the pipe is inserted into the fusion pipe ring. An induction coil is placed around the fusion pipe socket. Radiated electromagnetic energy heats the susceptor layer to melt at least a portion of the susceptor layer, at least a portion of the fusion pipe ring, at least a portion of the fusion pipe socket, and at least a portion of the pipe. The fusion pipe ring is further screwed in to compress the molten material. The joint is then cooled to solidify the molten material.

Claims42

Dependent claims

A fusion pipe joint assembly comprising:

a fusion pipe ring comprising:
a first front face;
a first rear face;
a first inside surface region;
a first outside surface region having a first diameter threaded with an outside thread, wherein the first outside surface region adjoins the front face;
and
a second outside surface region having a second diameter less than or equal to the first diameter;
wherein at least one of the first outside surface region and the second outside surface region comprises a first thermoplastic material;
a fusion pipe socket comprising:
a second front face;
a second rear face;
a third outside surface region;
a second inside surface region having a third diameter threaded with an inside thread configured to engage with the outside thread of the fusion pipe ring, wherein the second inside surface region adjoins the second front face;
and
a third inside surface region having a fourth diameter configured to mate with the second outside surface region of the fusion pipe ring;
wherein at least one of the second inside surface region and the third inside surface region comprises a second thermoplastic material;
and
at least one of:
a first susceptor layer disposed between the first outside surface region of the fusion pipe ring and the second inside surface region of the fusion pipe socket;
and
a second susceptor layer disposed between the second outside surface region of the fusion pipe ring and the third inside surface region of the fusion pipe socket.

18 more elements

A fusion pipe joint assembly comprising:

a fusion pipe ring comprising:
a first front face;
a first rear face;
a first inside surface region;
a first outside surface region having a first diameter threaded with an outside thread, wherein the first outside surface region adjoins the front face;
a second outside surface region having a second diameter less than or equal to the first diameter, wherein the second outside surface region adjoins the first outside surface region;
and
a third outside surface region having a third diameter less than or equal to the second diameter, wherein the third outside surface region adjoins the second outside surface region;
wherein at least one of the first outside surface region, the second outside surface region, and the third outside surface region comprises a first thermoplastic material;
a fusion pipe socket comprising:
a second front face;
a second rear face;
a fourth outside surface region;
a second inside surface region having a fourth diameter threaded with an inside thread configured to engage with the outside thread of the fusion pipe ring, wherein the second inside surface region adjoins the second front face;
a third inside surface region having a fifth diameter less than or equal to the fourth diameter configured to mate with the second outside surface region of the fusion pipe ring, wherein the third inside surface region adjoins the second inside surface region;
and
a fourth inside surface region having a sixth diameter less than or equal to the fifth diameter configured to mate with the third outside surface region of the fusion pipe ring;
wherein at least one of the second inside surface region, the third inside surface region, and the fourth inside surface region comprises a second thermoplastic material;
and
at least one of:
a first susceptor layer disposed between the first outside surface region of the fusion pipe ring and the second inside surface region of the fusion pipe socket;
a second susceptor layer disposed between the second outside surface region of the fusion pipe ring and the third inside surface region of the fusion pipe socket;
and
a third susceptor layer disposed between the third outside surface region of the pipe fusion ring and the fourth inside surface region of the fusion pipe socket.

21 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 12/486,874Filed 18 Jun 2009 · us provisional application
Priority: 19 Sep 2008
Published: US 2010/0072742 A125 Mar 2010
Granted: 23 Apr 2013
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification44 codes

B29C 65/3612
Comprising single particles, e.g. fillers or discontinuous fibre-reinforcements: comprising fillers
B29C 65/3668
Heated by induction: characterised by the means for supplying heat to said heated elements which remain in the join, e.g. special induction coils
B29C 65/561
Using mechanical means or mechanical connections, e.g. form-fits: using screw-threads being integral at least to one of the parts to be joined
B29C 65/565
Using mechanical means or mechanical connections, e.g. form-fits: involving interference fits, e.g. force-fits or press-fits