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WO1995015253A1 - Assemblage d'elements allonges creux - Google Patents

Assemblage d'elements allonges creux Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1995015253A1
WO1995015253A1 PCT/EP1994/003887 EP9403887W WO9515253A1 WO 1995015253 A1 WO1995015253 A1 WO 1995015253A1 EP 9403887 W EP9403887 W EP 9403887W WO 9515253 A1 WO9515253 A1 WO 9515253A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
sleeve member
coupling element
heating element
electrical heating
terminals
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/EP1994/003887
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Christopher Ian Greaves
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Uponor Ltd UK
Original Assignee
Uponor Ltd UK
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Uponor Ltd UK filed Critical Uponor Ltd UK
Priority to AU10668/95A priority Critical patent/AU1066895A/en
Publication of WO1995015253A1 publication Critical patent/WO1995015253A1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29D—PRODUCING PARTICULAR ARTICLES FROM PLASTICS OR FROM SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE
    • B29D23/00—Producing tubular articles
    • B29D23/001—Pipes; Pipe joints
    • B29D23/003—Pipe joints, e.g. straight joints
    • B29D23/005—Pipe joints, e.g. straight joints provided with electrical wiring
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
    • B29C65/34—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated elements which remain in the joint, e.g. "verlorenes Schweisselement"
    • B29C65/3404—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated elements which remain in the joint, e.g. "verlorenes Schweisselement" characterised by the type of heated elements which remain in the joint
    • B29C65/342—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated elements which remain in the joint, e.g. "verlorenes Schweisselement" characterised by the type of heated elements which remain in the joint comprising at least a single wire, e.g. in the form of a winding
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
    • B29C65/34—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated elements which remain in the joint, e.g. "verlorenes Schweisselement"
    • B29C65/3404—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated elements which remain in the joint, e.g. "verlorenes Schweisselement" characterised by the type of heated elements which remain in the joint
    • B29C65/342—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated elements which remain in the joint, e.g. "verlorenes Schweisselement" characterised by the type of heated elements which remain in the joint comprising at least a single wire, e.g. in the form of a winding
    • B29C65/3432—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated elements which remain in the joint, e.g. "verlorenes Schweisselement" characterised by the type of heated elements which remain in the joint comprising at least a single wire, e.g. in the form of a winding comprising several wires, e.g. in the form of several independent windings
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
    • B29C65/34—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated elements which remain in the joint, e.g. "verlorenes Schweisselement"
    • B29C65/3468—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated elements which remain in the joint, e.g. "verlorenes Schweisselement" characterised by the means for supplying heat to said heated elements which remain in the join, e.g. special electrical connectors of windings
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/01—General aspects dealing with the joint area or with the area to be joined
    • B29C66/05—Particular design of joint configurations
    • B29C66/10—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint cross-sections
    • B29C66/11—Joint cross-sections comprising a single joint-segment, i.e. one of the parts to be joined comprising a single joint-segment in the joint cross-section
    • B29C66/112—Single lapped joints
    • B29C66/1122—Single lap to lap joints, i.e. overlap joints
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/01—General aspects dealing with the joint area or with the area to be joined
    • B29C66/05—Particular design of joint configurations
    • B29C66/10—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint cross-sections
    • B29C66/12—Joint cross-sections combining only two joint-segments; Tongue and groove joints; Tenon and mortise joints; Stepped joint cross-sections
    • B29C66/122—Joint cross-sections combining only two joint-segments, i.e. one of the parts to be joined comprising only two joint-segments in the joint cross-section
    • B29C66/1222—Joint cross-sections combining only two joint-segments, i.e. one of the parts to be joined comprising only two joint-segments in the joint cross-section comprising at least a lapped joint-segment
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/01—General aspects dealing with the joint area or with the area to be joined
    • B29C66/05—Particular design of joint configurations
    • B29C66/10—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint cross-sections
    • B29C66/12—Joint cross-sections combining only two joint-segments; Tongue and groove joints; Tenon and mortise joints; Stepped joint cross-sections
    • B29C66/122—Joint cross-sections combining only two joint-segments, i.e. one of the parts to be joined comprising only two joint-segments in the joint cross-section
    • B29C66/1224—Joint cross-sections combining only two joint-segments, i.e. one of the parts to be joined comprising only two joint-segments in the joint cross-section comprising at least a butt joint-segment
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/50—General aspects of joining tubular articles; General aspects of joining long products, i.e. bars or profiled elements; General aspects of joining single elements to tubular articles, hollow articles or bars; General aspects of joining several hollow-preforms to form hollow or tubular articles
    • B29C66/51—Joining tubular articles, profiled elements or bars; Joining single elements to tubular articles, hollow articles or bars; Joining several hollow-preforms to form hollow or tubular articles
    • B29C66/52—Joining tubular articles, bars or profiled elements
    • B29C66/522—Joining tubular articles
    • B29C66/5221—Joining tubular articles for forming coaxial connections, i.e. the tubular articles to be joined forming a zero angle relative to each other
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/50—General aspects of joining tubular articles; General aspects of joining long products, i.e. bars or profiled elements; General aspects of joining single elements to tubular articles, hollow articles or bars; General aspects of joining several hollow-preforms to form hollow or tubular articles
    • B29C66/51—Joining tubular articles, profiled elements or bars; Joining single elements to tubular articles, hollow articles or bars; Joining several hollow-preforms to form hollow or tubular articles
    • B29C66/52—Joining tubular articles, bars or profiled elements
    • B29C66/522—Joining tubular articles
    • B29C66/5229—Joining tubular articles involving the use of a socket
    • B29C66/52291—Joining tubular articles involving the use of a socket said socket comprising a stop
    • B29C66/52292—Joining tubular articles involving the use of a socket said socket comprising a stop said stop being internal
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/50—General aspects of joining tubular articles; General aspects of joining long products, i.e. bars or profiled elements; General aspects of joining single elements to tubular articles, hollow articles or bars; General aspects of joining several hollow-preforms to form hollow or tubular articles
    • B29C66/51—Joining tubular articles, profiled elements or bars; Joining single elements to tubular articles, hollow articles or bars; Joining several hollow-preforms to form hollow or tubular articles
    • B29C66/52—Joining tubular articles, bars or profiled elements
    • B29C66/522—Joining tubular articles
    • B29C66/5229—Joining tubular articles involving the use of a socket
    • B29C66/52298—Joining tubular articles involving the use of a socket said socket being composed by several elements
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/50—General aspects of joining tubular articles; General aspects of joining long products, i.e. bars or profiled elements; General aspects of joining single elements to tubular articles, hollow articles or bars; General aspects of joining several hollow-preforms to form hollow or tubular articles
    • B29C66/51—Joining tubular articles, profiled elements or bars; Joining single elements to tubular articles, hollow articles or bars; Joining several hollow-preforms to form hollow or tubular articles
    • B29C66/53—Joining single elements to tubular articles, hollow articles or bars
    • B29C66/534—Joining single elements to open ends of tubular or hollow articles or to the ends of bars
    • B29C66/5344—Joining single elements to open ends of tubular or hollow articles or to the ends of bars said single elements being substantially annular, i.e. of finite length, e.g. joining flanges to tube ends
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16L47/00—Connecting arrangements or other fittings specially adapted to be made of plastics or to be used with pipes made of plastics
    • F16L47/02—Welded joints; Adhesive joints
    • F16L47/03—Welded joints with an electrical resistance incorporated in the joint
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C45/00—Injection moulding, i.e. forcing the required volume of moulding material through a nozzle into a closed mould; Apparatus therefor
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
    • B29C65/34—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated elements which remain in the joint, e.g. "verlorenes Schweisselement"
    • B29C65/3472—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated elements which remain in the joint, e.g. "verlorenes Schweisselement" characterised by the composition of the heated elements which remain in the joint
    • B29C65/3476—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated elements which remain in the joint, e.g. "verlorenes Schweisselement" characterised by the composition of the heated elements which remain in the joint being metallic
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/70—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material
    • B29C66/71—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the composition of the plastics material of the parts to be joined

Definitions

  • This invention relates to the joining of hollow elongate members, and more particularly to a novel coupling element and method for joining of hollow elongate members by heat fusion.
  • Hollow elongate members such as plastic pipes and conduits frequently require to be joined to other components in a system, for example to extend the length of a pipe, to form a branch connection, or to connect to a fitting such as a tee, a bend or a diameter reducer.
  • a popular method of connection is by electrofusion in which the pipe or conduit is fused or "welded" to another component by the action of an electrical heating element which may be a resistance or an induction heating element.
  • Plastic pipes and conduits can, for example, be joined to another component using an electrofusion fitting in which the fusion or "welding" is accomplished by means of an electrical heating element which is located at or adjacent to the boundary between the inner wall of the fitting and the outer wall of the pipe or like member.
  • One type of electrofusion pipe fitting comprises a hollow thermoplastic sleeve member, having an electrical heating element located about the inner wall thereof, so that when in use the fitting is placed in mating contact about a thermoplastic pipe or like member, and current is passed through the electrical heating element, the adjacent mating surfaces of the fitting and the pipe or like member melt, and fusion or "welding" of the surfaces takes place.
  • Examples of electrofusion pipe fittings are described in US Patent Nos. 4313053 and 4906313, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
  • a welding element comprising a wire coil for electrical resistance heating embedded in a fusible plastics material, is positioned between the abutting components to be joined and the coil energised to fuse or weld the plastics material and the adjacent surfaces of the abutting components.
  • welding elements of this type are described in US Patents Nos. 3378672, 4266997 and EPA 0160536, the entire disclosures of which are also incorporated herein by reference. Difficulties have been experienced in connectorising the welding elements in the abovementioned patents in that in order to attach leads to the ends of the wire coil it is usually necessary to have wires crossing within the welding element, with the attendant risk of shorting. Attempts to eliminate this problem by using enamelled wires or bifilar windings have met with limited success.
  • a welding device for welding butt-welded plastic tubes which comprises a weldable plastic annular disc, having an external diameter equal to the external diameter of the tubes and an internal diameter equal to the internal diameter of the tubes, and a heating wire coil which spirals around the geometric centre of the disc on both surfaces that come into contact with the tube ends.
  • the welding device of US Patent No. 4851647 is of very limited application and can only be used to butt weld plastic tubes of substantial diameter and thickness. It cannot be used to join, for example, relatively thin- wall tubes, or tubes of different diameter.
  • European Patent No. 0184658 describes a saddle fitting having a disc-shaped heating element, in which the core of the element is made from a fusible material, and a resistance wire, following in each case a spiral- shaped channel, is embedded into both surfaces of the disc. Again this device is of very limited application.
  • DE3226575 describes a device for jointing a pipe and mating pipe fitting which comprises a fusion ring, arranged between the pipe and the fitting, and having two coaxial heating coils embedded in the inner and outer surfaces of the ring, the inner heating coil having a smaller number of turns and/or a smaller heating power than the outer coil, the ring being axially pre- stressed prior to fusion jointing, or having an internal hollow space to accommodate means for generating a radial contact pressure.
  • the device of DE3226575 is complicated and expensive to manufacture, and involves an increased risk of shorting of the wires where they exit the fusion ring. There is also a possibility of leak paths being formed by movement of the wires where they exit the fusion ring during installation. Additionally there is a risk of overheating since the ring is slid completely into the space between the pipe and the fitting so that there are no identifiable features visible or accessible to the operator.
  • US4958857 describes a welding seal assembly comprising a thermoplastic welding sleeve with an embedded electric heating coil for fitting between a pipe and a socket, a mounting collar including a ring-like body that is fitted over the pipe and against the end of the socket with a thin-walled, compressible flange extending from the body over the outer side of the socket and overlying the overlapped elements of the joint, an electrical connector in a radially projecting tab on the ring, including electrical contacts connected to the heating coil, and a clamp ring surrounding the compressible flange and which compresses the flange around the joint.
  • This construction of seal assembly is complicated to produce and can only be used with thin- wall sockets of defined thickness. The application of clamping pressure is essential to the operation of the seal assembly, which clamping pressure would be ineffective with large diameter pipes.
  • the present invention provides a heat fusion coupling element comprising:
  • a hollow sleeve member formed from a fusible polymeric material
  • the sleeve member having at least one electrical heating element disposed about its inner and outer surfaces
  • the terminals being connected to the or each electrical heating element and disposed at or adjacent an end of the sleeve member.
  • the invention provides a method of coupling hollow elongate members formed from polymeric material, the hollow elongate members having end regions such that an end region of one hollow elongate member can be positioned within an end region of the other, which comprises: interposing between the respective end regions a heat fusion coupling element comprising a hollow sleeve member formed from a fusible polymeric material having at least one electrical heating element disposed about its inner and outer surfaces, and having electrical terminals mounted on its outer surface, the terminals being connected to the or each electrical heating element and disposed at or adjacent an end of the sleeve member, and
  • the invention provides a method of manufacturing a heat fusion coupling element which comprises:
  • the coupling element of the present invention can, for example, have a simple hollow cylindrical shape, with a circular cross-section and constant diameter and wall thickness. In this form it can be inserted into the annular space between the overlapping ends of the two hollow elongate members to be joined. In other embodiments it can have a more complicated shape, for example, the coupling element can be provided with terminals for the electrical heating elements and upstanding protective boss members for the terminals.
  • the coupling element can also form part of a heat fusion pipe fitting, simplifying the construction thereof by separating the manufacture of the electrical heating element component from the moulding of the rest of the body of the fitting.
  • the coupling element can form part of a junction, a tee, a bend, a diameter reducer, a bell and spigot joint, an end cap, a valve or similar construction which would present problems for, or be expensive to produce by, injection moulding as an integral structure.
  • the hollow sleeve member may be formed from any suitable fusible polymeric material, and can for example comprise a thermoplastic polymeric material, for example an olefinically unsaturated polymeric material such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutylene, and higher olefinic polymers; copolymers of ethylene, propylene and butylene with each other and with other olefinically unsaturated monomers; olefinically unsaturated aromatic polymers such as polystyrene and styrene copolymers; and polymers and copolymers of vinyl monomers such as ethylenevinyl acetate copolymers, polycarbonates, and such like materials.
  • Polyethylene is the preferred fusible polymeric material, particularly where polyethylene pipes or components are to be joined.
  • the hollow sleeve member may be of constant diameter and cross-section throughout its length, but this is not essential and other shapes having "step” regions and/or conical sections are not excluded.
  • the dimensions of the sleeve member will in general depend on the dimensions of the hollow members to be joined, but for example a typical length is from 5 to 20 cms, nominal diameter from 2 to 50 cms and wall thickness from 0.3 to 2.0 cms.
  • the or each electrical heating element preferably comprises a resistance heating element, although induction heating elements are not excluded.
  • the or each electrical heating element preferably comprises a coil of resistance wire, and where a single electrical heating element is used this can, for example, be disposed about the inner surface of the hollow sleeve member, pass around or through the wall of the hollow sleeve member, and then be disposed about the outer surface thereof. Where first and second electrical heating elements are used, these can be disposed respectively about the inner and outer surfaces of the hollow sleeve member, and electrically connected by a connector or connection passing around or through the wall of the hollow sleeve member. It is not usually necessary to use more than two electrical heating elements although in more complicated constructions three or more may be required.
  • the electrical heating element or elements will be disposed in a substantially uniform manner about the whole of part of the respective inner and outer surfaces, although a departure from uniformity may be required in certain circumstances to obtain a desired pattern of heating.
  • a substantial advantage of the coupling element of the present invention is that the connections or terminals for the coupling element can be situated at or adjacent one end of the coupling element without requiring the crossing or overlapping of the wires of the heating element or elements, and without the use of bifilar windings. This greatly reduces the possibility of short circuits and also improves the ease of manufacture by injection moulding where upstanding boss members for the terminals are present.
  • the advantage can be obtained, for example, by arranging the winding of the inner heating element to proceed from a first terminal at a first end of the coupling element to the other end thereof, where the inner heating element is connected to the outer heating element which is then wound back along the outer surface of the coupling element to a second terminal also situated at the first end.
  • Such an arrangement involves no overlapping or crossing of wires as in the prior art.
  • the electrical heating element or elements is/are disposed about both the inner and outer surfaces of the t hollow sleeve member, and preferably such that a substantial portion of each surface is covered by, or affected by the heat from, its heating element or part thereof.
  • the heating element or elements may be positioned adjacent to, on, or in the surfaces.
  • the or one of the electrical heating elements comprises a coil of resistance wire which is disposed about the inner surface of the hollow sleeve member, such that the electrical heating element is wholly or partly embedded in the wall of the hollow sleeve member adjacent the said inner surface.
  • the or one of the electrical heating elements comprises a coil of resistance wire disposed in a helical groove moulded or machined on the outer surface of the hollow sleeve member.
  • the resistance or impedance of the electrical heating element or elements is such that, when powered by a direct or alternating current, the elements will heat up causing local fusion of the inner and outer surfaces of the hollow member, and in some cases local fusion of the adjacent surfaces of the hollow members, so as to fuse the sleeve member to the hollow members.
  • the electrical heating element is usually provided with two electrical terminals for connection to a suitable source of electric power such as for example a generator. Where two or more electrical heating elements are used, two electrical terminals will still usually be sufficient. More than two such terminals may of course be provided if necessary.
  • the terminals may be of any suitable type for the attachment of power cables or the like, and may have screw-on or push-on fittings as appropriate.
  • the terminals are disposed on an outer surface of the hollow sleeve member, adjacent one end thereof, and the connection to the inner electrical heating element can be made through the thickness of the sleeve member.
  • Each of the terminals are preferably surrounded by a protective boss member, which may cooperate with the connector from the electric power source to form a coupling which firmly connects a lead from the power source to the terminal.
  • the two terminals, and associated boss members if present are arranged at one end of the hollow sleeve member at an angular distance apart of about 90°.
  • the terminals may incorporate an auto recognition system whereby the power source is automatically set to the correct output, thereby avoiding over- or under- heating of the fusion region.
  • the coupling method of the invention can be used, for example, for coupling together hollow members having different diameters, thereby dispensing with the use of diameter reducing fittings and fusion couplers.
  • the hollow members are such that an end region of one can be positioned within an end region of the other, and the coupling element can be positioned in the annular space between the overlapping ends.
  • the coupling element fits firmly against the inner surface of the outer hollow member and the outer surface of the inner hollow member, with its electric terminals protruding from the overlap region.
  • the hollow elongate members are formed from a polymeric material, which is preferably the same as or similar to the polymeric material of the sleeve member.
  • the heat fusion coupling element of the invention can be manufactured by any suitable moulding method but is preferably formed by injection moulding.
  • a first (inner) electrical heating element is wound on a moulding core and the hollow sleeve member injection moulded thereover.
  • the sleeve member is preferably provided with moulded-in terminals for the first and second heating elements, and this may by accomplished using the methods of either of European Patents Nos 0260014 and 0243062 the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
  • the first heating element is connected to its terminal prior to the moulding step. After moulding the first electrical heating element is preferably wholly embedded in the inner surface of the sleeve member.
  • the moulded sleeve member preferably has a helical groove in its outer surface within which the second electrical heating element can be wound.
  • the first and second heating elements are connected by means of a metal pin which is moulded into the wall of the sleeve member at the end thereof remote from the terminals, and which extends through the wall from the inner to the outer surface thereof.
  • the connection may be made by welding or crimping or any other convenient method.
  • the second heating element is connected to its terminal by welding or crimping, or otherwise.
  • Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a coupling element according to the invention in sectional side elevation
  • Figure 2 shows the coupling element of Figure 1 in end elevation
  • Figure 3 shows a top view of the coupling element of Figure 1;
  • Figures 4A and 4B show scrap views, in plan and in section, of the connection between the heating coils in the coupling element of Figure 1;
  • Figure 5 shows a scrap plan view of the terminal for the outer heating coil in the coupling element of Figure 1;
  • Figures 6A and 6B show respectively end elevational and sectional side elevational views of a diameter reducing pipe fitting body suitable for use with the coupling element of Figure 1;
  • Figures 7A and 7B show respectively end elevational and sectional side elevational views of a diameter reducing pipe fitting comprising the body of Figures 6A and 6B and the coupling element of Figure 1;
  • Figure 8 shows in sectional side elevation a butt- welded coupling comprising two of the fittings of Figures 7A and 7B.
  • Figure 1 shows a coupling element illustrated generally at 1 which comprises a sleeve member 2, formed from fusible polymeric material, an inner resistance heating coil 3, and an outer resistance heating coil 4.
  • the inner heating coil 3 is embedded within the inner surface 5 of the sleeve member 2 and the outer heating coil 4 is laid in a helical groove 6 on the outer surface 7 of the sleeve member 2.
  • the coupling element 1 has a flange member 8 at one end 9 upon which are positioned terminals 10 and 11.
  • the terminals 10, 11 are surrounded respectively by protective boss members 12 and 13. At their ends remote from the terminals 10, 11, the heating coils 3 and 4 are joined by a metal pin 14 passing through the wall of the sleeve member 2.
  • the terminal 11 is provided, adjacent its boss member 13, with a longitudinally directed slot 15 which passes through the flange member 8 and has a width sufficient to allow the wire of heating coil 4 to be accommodated therein.
  • the coupling element 1 is manufactured by winding the inner heating coil 3 on to a former (not shown) and injection moulding sleeve member 2, flange 8 and boss members 12 and 13 thereover. Prior to injection moulding terminals 10 and 11 are supported in the mould, as described in European Patent No. 0260014, and one end 16 of heating coil 3 is welded to the base of terminal 10.
  • the metal pin connector 14 is also moulded in to the wall of the sleeve member 2 adjacent the end 17 thereof.
  • the moulded coupling element is then removed from the mould, and the connector 14 is welded to the end 18 of the inner heating coil 3 which is situated in a run- out groove 19 (see Figure 4A).
  • the sleeve member 2 is moulded with a helical groove 6 in its outer surface, and within this groove there is wound an outer heating coil 4.
  • An end portion 20 of the outer heating coil 4 is passed through the slot 15 and welded to the base of the terminal 11 using the welding recess 21 (see Figure 2 and Figure 5).
  • the end 20 of the outer heating coil 4 is accommodated in an internal groove 23 on the internal surface 5 of the sleeve member 2.
  • the coupling element 1 of the invention can be used to join together pipes of different diameters, specifically a pipe having an internal diameter corresponding to the external diameter of the sleeve member 2, and a pipe having an external diameter corresponding to the internal diameter of the sleeve member 2.
  • the coupling element may be fitted over an end of the smaller diameter pipe, and that end, together with the coupling element, can then be inserted in an end of the larger diameter pipe.
  • Leads are connected to the terminals 10 and 11 and the coils 3 and 4 energised in order to cause localised fusion of the adjacent surfaces of the pipes and the coupling element, and form a fusion bond or weld.
  • the coupling element of the invention can form part of a heat fusion pipe fitting, and an example of the body of such a fitting is shown in Figures 6A and 6B. Illustrated in these Figures is a body portion of a heat fusion diameter reducing fitting, indicated generally at 30, having a narrow diameter end portion 31 and a larger diameter end portion 32.
  • the narrow diameter portion 31 has an end surface 33 which can be butt-welded to a pipe end, a pipe fitting, or another component.
  • the interior of the body portion is recessed and has a step at 34.
  • end portion 32 is just large enough to receive sleeve member 2 of the coupling element 1, and the coupling element can be pushed into the body portion until the edge 35 of the flange member 8 abuts against the end 36 of the body portion 30 as shown in Figures 7A and 7B.
  • An end of a pipe, or another component, can then be inserted into the coupling element and fused to the coupling element and the reducer body portion as previously described. It will be apparent, that by using a variety of coupling elements of different internal diameter, a variety of pipe diameters can be accommodated in the diameter reducing fitting.
  • FIG 8 there is shown a coupling that has been produced from two reducing fittings according to Figures 7A and 7B.
  • the reducing fittings, designated 37 and 38 are butt welded together at their end surfaces 39 and 40 to produce an in-line pipe coupling.
  • the pipe ends to be joined are located in the respective ends of the coupling and the heating elements energised to fuse the components together.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Branch Pipes, Bends, And The Like (AREA)
  • Lining Or Joining Of Plastics Or The Like (AREA)

Abstract

Organe d'assemblage par fusion thermique comportant un élément creux en forme de manchon (2) constitué d'une matière polymère fusible et doté d'au moins un élément chauffant électrique (3, 4) disposé autour de ses faces interne (5) et externe (7), et de bornes électriques (10, 11) montées sur sa face externe, reliées à chaque élément chauffant électrique et disposées à l'une des extrémités de l'élément manchon, ou à proximité de celle-ci.
PCT/EP1994/003887 1993-11-30 1994-11-23 Assemblage d'elements allonges creux Ceased WO1995015253A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU10668/95A AU1066895A (en) 1993-11-30 1994-11-23 Joining of hollow elongate members

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9324504.1 1993-11-30
GB9324504A GB2284179A (en) 1993-11-30 1993-11-30 Electrofusion coupling element

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1995015253A1 true WO1995015253A1 (fr) 1995-06-08

Family

ID=10745863

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/EP1994/003887 Ceased WO1995015253A1 (fr) 1993-11-30 1994-11-23 Assemblage d'elements allonges creux

Country Status (3)

Country Link
AU (1) AU1066895A (fr)
GB (1) GB2284179A (fr)
WO (1) WO1995015253A1 (fr)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE10048020A1 (de) * 2000-09-26 2002-04-11 Fischer Georg Rohrleitung Rohrverbindungsstück
USD803362S1 (en) 2015-07-03 2017-11-21 Vinidex Pty Limited Reinforcing collar for pipe fitting

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2388635B (en) * 2002-05-14 2006-03-29 Uponor Innovation Ab Composite electrofusion fitting
GB2415024B (en) * 2002-05-14 2006-03-29 Uponor Innovation Ab Composite electrofusion fitting
WO2005105411A1 (fr) * 2004-04-29 2005-11-10 Friatec Aktiengesellschaft Dispositif pour relier des elements structurels en plastique fusible
ITMI20102085A1 (it) * 2010-11-10 2012-05-11 Coes Spa "guarnizione elettrica per giunzioni saldate di tubi di scarico"
GB2554866B (en) * 2016-10-05 2020-12-02 Pioneer Lining Tech Limited Methods of joining or repairing lined pipes and associated apparatus

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US3422179A (en) * 1958-02-17 1969-01-14 Sued West Chemie Gmbh Method of making thermoplastic welding fitting
FR2040143A5 (en) * 1969-04-09 1971-01-15 Gebert & Cie Sleeve for welding plastic tubes
FR2282084A1 (fr) * 1974-08-16 1976-03-12 Main Gaswerke Ag Dispositif de raccordement entre un tuyau de gaz en polyethylene et un tuyau de gaz metallique
EP0075901A1 (fr) * 1981-09-29 1983-04-06 Von Roll Ag Procédé pour raccorder des tubes enveloppés de deux éléments de conduite et manchon pour la réalisation du procédé
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EP0184658A1 (fr) * 1984-11-13 1986-06-18 Riesselmann & Sohn Elément de tuyau, en particulier une selle
DE3540193C1 (de) * 1985-11-13 1987-04-23 Friedrichsfeld Gmbh Elektro-Schweissfitting oder Schweissmuffe
JPH0230508A (ja) * 1988-07-20 1990-01-31 Sekisui Chem Co Ltd 溶着継手の製造方法
US4958857A (en) * 1989-01-30 1990-09-25 R&G Sloane Manufacturing Co. Welding seal assembly
EP0510803A2 (fr) * 1991-04-24 1992-10-28 British Gas plc Manchon en matière polyoléfine pour la liaison de tuyaux en matièe polyoléfine
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FR2040143A5 (en) * 1969-04-09 1971-01-15 Gebert & Cie Sleeve for welding plastic tubes
FR2282084A1 (fr) * 1974-08-16 1976-03-12 Main Gaswerke Ag Dispositif de raccordement entre un tuyau de gaz en polyethylene et un tuyau de gaz metallique
EP0075901A1 (fr) * 1981-09-29 1983-04-06 Von Roll Ag Procédé pour raccorder des tubes enveloppés de deux éléments de conduite et manchon pour la réalisation du procédé
DE3226575C1 (de) * 1982-07-16 1984-03-01 Friedrichsfeld Gmbh, Steinzeug- Und Kunststoffwerke, 6800 Mannheim Vorrichtung zum Verbinden
DE3411179C1 (de) * 1984-03-27 1986-01-16 Friedrichsfeld Gmbh, Steinzeug- Und Kunststoffwerke, 6800 Mannheim Elektro-Schweißfitting oder Schweißmuffe
DE3422074A1 (de) * 1984-06-14 1986-01-23 Manfred 6000 Frankfurt Eck Verfahren zur herstellung nicht loesbarer rohrverbindungen von kunststoffrohren
EP0184658A1 (fr) * 1984-11-13 1986-06-18 Riesselmann & Sohn Elément de tuyau, en particulier une selle
DE3540193C1 (de) * 1985-11-13 1987-04-23 Friedrichsfeld Gmbh Elektro-Schweissfitting oder Schweissmuffe
JPH0230508A (ja) * 1988-07-20 1990-01-31 Sekisui Chem Co Ltd 溶着継手の製造方法
US4958857A (en) * 1989-01-30 1990-09-25 R&G Sloane Manufacturing Co. Welding seal assembly
EP0510803A2 (fr) * 1991-04-24 1992-10-28 British Gas plc Manchon en matière polyoléfine pour la liaison de tuyaux en matièe polyoléfine
JPH04347095A (ja) * 1991-05-24 1992-12-02 Sekisui Chem Co Ltd 管継手
EP0521276A1 (fr) * 1991-07-03 1993-01-07 Friatec Aktiengesellschaft Keramik- und Kunststoffwerke Ferrure de réduction
WO1993014342A1 (fr) * 1992-01-06 1993-07-22 Kubota Corporation Tuyau en plastique et procede de fabrication associe
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Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE10048020A1 (de) * 2000-09-26 2002-04-11 Fischer Georg Rohrleitung Rohrverbindungsstück
USD803362S1 (en) 2015-07-03 2017-11-21 Vinidex Pty Limited Reinforcing collar for pipe fitting

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU1066895A (en) 1995-06-19
GB9324504D0 (en) 1994-01-19
GB2284179A (en) 1995-05-31

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