A method of forming a pipe joint between a pipe section and a pipe fitting includes inserting an end of the pipe section into a socket of the pipe fitting, and attaching a removable clamp to the pipe section and pipe fitting. The socket includes a centering device and a pipe stop that is configured to receive the end of the pipe section. The clamp includes a plurality of arcuate segments and a tightening mechanism, and each arcuate member has a removable/replaceable sealing member. The arcuate members are radially compressed via the tightening mechanism to cause the respective sealing members to seal an open end of the gap. A bonding agent is then injected into the gap via a port that extends through the pipe fitting. Once the bonding agent has been injected, the clamp is removed and can be reused.

A pipe fitting includes a socket that receives an end of a pipe section therein such that a gap exists between an outer surface of the pipe section and an inner surface of the socket. A pair of ports extend through the socket and are in fluid communication with the gap. A clamp secures the pipe section within the socket as a bonding agent is extruded into the gap via a port. The clamp includes a pair of arcuate segments, each having an inner circumferential wall, first and second end portions, and an elongated sealing member. Each arcuate segment includes a plurality of spring-loaded devices, each having a distal end portion extending through the inner circumferential wall that is urged into contact with the pipe section outer surface.

A member joining method includes: a placement process of arranging a first member and a second member inserted into the first member so that a gap surrounding the second member is provided between the first member and the second member; a filling process of filling a molten resin into the gap and applying pressure to the resin so as to cause at least one member of the first member or the second member to undergo elastic deformation; and a pressure maintaining process of maintaining the pressure until the resin that has been filled into the gap has cured.

A pipe fitting includes a tubular member comprising a socket and a centering device within the socket. The socket is configured to receive an end of a pipe section therein such that a gap exists between an outer surface of the pipe section and an inner surface of the socket. An annular pipe stop extends from the inner surface of the socket and is configured to matingly engage with the end of the pipe section. A pair of ports extend through the tubular member in circumferentially spaced-apart relationship and are in fluid communication with the gap. The centering device is configured to maintain a coaxial relationship between the pipe section and the socket and such that the gap is substantially circumferentially uniform. A removable and reusable clamp secures the pipe section within the socket as a bonding agent is extruded into the gap via one of the ports.

A method for joining a first conduit section having a longitudinally extending open first end and an inner surface with a second conduit section having a longitudinally extending end and an outer surface is provided. The method comprises: a) inserting a first end of the second conduit section in the open first end of the first conduit section and forming a fluid tight seal between the first and second conduit sections; and, b) bonding at least a portion of the inner surface of the first conduit section to at least a portion of the outer surface of the second conduit section.

The method of providing a connector suited for quickly connecting and testing joints of pipe for a subsea pipeline and similar applications by concurrently locking, preloading, sealing and testing of the connection to eliminate the usual sequential time requirements for each of these operations. Additionally, time for coating and X-Ray inspection of the welded connection in critical path time are eliminated as the welding and coating operations are able to be done on shore in non-critical path time.

Disclosed are joints and methods for forming joints of nonmetallic components such as piping components made from a nonmetallic composite material. The components are joined by an adhesive containing an x-ray absorbing additive for providing a contrasting signal in x-ray inspection of the joint. The joints can be nondestructively tested by positioning the joints relative to an x-ray source and an x-ray detector. The joints and the adhesive therein are then exposed to x-ray radiation from the source of x-ray radiation. The x-ray radiation, having passed from the x-ray source to the x-ray detector, is detected over an area and an x-ray image of the x-ray radiation detected is created. The x-ray image is then read to identify defects in the joint.

A flexible pipe fitting for joining a first length of pipe to a second length of pipe at an arbitrary angle is provided. The apparatus includes a primary fitting having a substantially circular opening at a first end thereof for receiving an end of a first length of pipe, and an enlarged opening at a second end thereof for receiving a first flexible coupling member. The first flexible coupling member includes an outer wall having an outer surface engaging an inner surface of the enlarged opening, and an inner wall having a lower end connected to a lower end of the outer wall. The inner wall further includes a substantially circular opening therein for receiving a second, rigid member. The inner surface of the second, rigid member is configured to receive an end of the second length of pipe. The enlarged opening in the primary fitting is preferably fish-mouth shaped, or alternatively, cone shaped. Adhesive, such as PVC cement may be used to bond the various fittings, and lengths of pipe together to form a sealed joint.

The invention is directed to a coupling fitting, having a pipeline and having a connector sleeve. The pipeline and connector sleeve are each separate parts and are fixedly and non-detachably connected to one another by a connecting ring which can be produced in situ by injection molding plastics material. The invention is also directed to a method for making the coupling fitting.

A composite tube comprises a first tube section 100 and a second tube section, at least one of which is of fiber reinforced composite form, a mating interface being provided on each of the first and second tube sections, each of the respective mating interfaces having an interfering portion to create an interference fit between the first and second tube sections when the composite tube is assembled, each of the mating interfaces being configured with a recess the recesses being alignable with one another, during assembly, to define a combined recess when the composite tube is assembled, into which a hardened settable compound can be disposed during assembly to form an internal locking element that assists the interference fit by mechanically securing together the first and second tube sections.