A method of joining together liner sections within a polymer-lined pipe energises an induction coil inside the pipe to spot-heat part of a circumferential interface between the liner sections. This melts and fuses the polymer material locally. The induction coil is then moved along the interface to heat other parts of the interface successively above the melting temperature. An apparatus for performing the method has a power supply for energising the induction coil and a drive system for moving the energised induction coil relative to a body of the apparatus. The apparatus may be configured as a carriage that is movable along the pipe.

Aspects of an expandable sheath can be used in conjunction with a catheter assembly to introduce a prosthetic device, such as a heart valve, into a patient. Such aspects can minimize trauma to the vessel by allowing for temporary expansion of a portion of the introducer sheath to accommodate the delivery apparatus, followed by a return to the original diameter once the prosthetic device passes through. Some aspects can include various configurations of the sheath that comprise an elongated tube having a disclosed composition that can form an outer jacket or a strain relief jacket or can be used as the outer layer of the sheath. Aspects of the present expandable sheath can avoid the need for multiple insertions for the dilation of the vessel and reduce the push force needed for passage of the medical device, thus offering advantages over prior art introducer sheaths.

A method of welding a sleeve (10) to a tube (20) includes putting onto end portions (11) of the sleeve (10) respective protective elements (40), of a material that cannot be fused with the materials of the sleeve (10) and of the outer coating (24) of the tube (20); applying on each end portion (11) of the sleeve (10) covered by a protective element (40) a respective heat-shrink element (30); supplying each heat-shrink element (30) with a quantity of heat (Q) which by heating it causes it to shrink and compress the respective end portion (11) of the sleeve (10) against the tube (20), where this quantity of heat (Q) is transmitted to the end portion (11) of the sleeve (10) to obtain a welding of the sleeve (10) to the tube (20) and produce a device (1) comprising the tube (20) with the sleeve (10).

An air intake duct 8 is fixed to a rear of a cab 3 of a transport vehicle to extend vertically, air intakes 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e and 6f being opened on an upper portion of the air intake duct for suction of fresh air through the intakes as engine intake air. The air intake duct 8 is constituted by a blow-molded duct body 9 and an internal partition component 10 enclosed in the duct body in blow molding of the duct body 9 to partition an interior of the duct body 9 into a plurality of channels A, B, C, D, E and F reaching the air intakes.

A resin composition and method for installing a pipe liner that allows the liner to be fully wet out with a resin and activator and stored for a period of up to six months prior to installation and curing. A method of lining a pipe with a delayed curing resin composition is also provided that includes fully wetting out a liner with a blended two part epoxy composition such that the liner can be transported in a wet out fashion, placed in a pipe to be lined and repositioned as needed without concern for the resin composition to begin curing.

A method and apparatus for constructing a tubular assembly 40 comprising an inner portion (24) and a further portion (23) surrounding the inner portion. The inner portion (24) comprises reinforcement (37) and the further portion (23) being formed from a strip (50) of material comprising two opposed longitudinal marginal side portions (53). The apparatus comprises an assembly station (220) comprising a wall (253). The apparatus comprises means for advancing the inner portion (21) along a first path (231) extending passed the wall (253), and means for advancing the strip (50) along a second path (232) and causing the strip to encircle the wall (253) and thereby wrap about and surround the inner portion (21). The apparatus further comprises means (321) for introducing resinous binder into the reinforcement (37) as the strip (50) is being wrapped about the inner portion (21).

Method of lining a tubular structure with a plastics liner pipe comprising the steps of:—temporarily reducing an outside diameter of the liner pipe by passing the liner pipe through a roller system;—cooling the liner pipe once its outside diameter has been reduced and applying a thermal restraint;—transporting the liner pipe to an installation site remote from the roller system;—removing said thermal restraint; and—installing the liner pipe in said tubular structure at said installation site.

A steam generator for use with a liner assembly for pipeline repair or reinforcement, includes: a water heater configured to heat water to generate steam; a water feed conduit configured to convey water to the water heater; an air heater configured to generate heated air; an air supply conduit configured to convey pressurized air to the air heater; a heated air supply conduit configured to convey heated air from the air heater to the water heater to yield a steam-air mixture; and an output conduit configured to convey the steam-air mixture from the water heater. An automated steam generator system including the steam generator is also described.

A hollow wall composite tube for improving performance in sports shafts and lightweight structural members is disclosed that includes: a constituent tube, for forming the wall, that comprises: a flexible core component, for providing an adjustable shape on which to wind or braid filaments or fabric; and an adjustable shape hollow structure, for reducing weight, providing a path for the core to be evacuated, tightly conformed to the core, and tow, braid filaments or fabric, for providing a reinforcing fiber matrix for saturation with epoxy, spirally wrapped, applied or braided on the constituent tube. Methods of producing contemplated composite tubes are also disclosed.

A repair system for repairing a polyolefin pipe containing a transitional film applied over and bonded to the pipe and a reinforcement system, applied over the transitional film. The transitional film has a first side adapted to bond to polyolefins and the reinforcement system contains a fiber-reinforced polyurethane system bonded to the second side of the transitional film. A system two polyolefin tubular members joined end-to-end containing two tubular members arranged such that their respective ends are adjacent, thereby defining a circumferential joint, a transitional film applied and bonded to the circumferential joint and at least a portion of the two tubular members, and a reinforcement system applied over the transitional film. The transitional film has a first side adapted to bond to polyolefins and the reinforcement system contains a fiber-reinforced polyurethane or a fiber-reinforced epoxy system bonded to the second side of the transitional film.