An electrofusion joint includes a main body and a heating wire. The main body is configured to be connected to a first resin pipe and a second resin pipe containing a thermoplastic resin. The heating wire is disposed in the main body. The heating wire includes a conducting wire and an insulating cover film that is provided around the conducting wire. The insulating cover film has a melting point of at least 230 degrees.

A process for producing an electrical conductor structure that involves embedding at least one metallic conductor track and at least one heating conductor in an electrically insulating substrate, and producing an electric current in the heating conductor so that a first layer of the substrate and a second layer of the substrate fuse in an area surrounding the heating conductor, to seal an interface between the two layers. A conductor structure is also disclosed, in particular in the form of an implantable electrode lead.

A process for producing an electrical conductor structure that involves embedding at least one metallic conductor track and at least one heating conductor in an electrically insulating substrate, and producing an electric current in the heating conductor so that a first layer of the substrate and a second layer of the substrate fuse in an area surrounding the heating conductor, to seal an interface between the two layers. A conductor structure is also disclosed, in particular in the form of an implantable electrode lead.

Disclosed is a method of resistance welding between composite articles. A conductive element is provided between faying surfaces, having a plurality of lower resistivity electrode portions spaced apart along the length of the contact area between the composite articles. The electrode portions can be used to spot weld across the electrode portions, and along a longitudinal portion of the conductive element between the electrode portions by application of an electrical current. Also disclosed are apparatus for use in the resistance welding methods and composite articles and structures and elements incorporating the conductive element.

The invention relates to a method for checking, prior to welding, two components made of polymer material, the method comprising a step of determining respective values relating to the roughness of the components, a step of determining respective values relating to the cleanliness of the components, a step of determining respective values relating to the temperature of the components and automated means for halting progression to a subsequent method step should the predetermined conditions not be met.

The invention relates to a device (1) for measuring the surface condition of a component (4, 5, 6). Said device (1) comprises a measurement member (2) comprising at least one sensor (21, 22, 23) capable of measuring at least one datum relating to the surface condition of the component (4, 5, 6) and at least one transmitter (24) capable of transmitting the datum from the sensor (21, 22, 23). The measurement device (1) also comprises a support (3) for the measurement member (2), the support comprising means for connecting same to the component (4, 5, 6).

A microwave heating device includes a variable frequency microwave power supply, a waveguide launcher, and a fixture to contain a material to be heated, with the fixture located directly adjacent to the end of the launcher. All heating occurs in the near-field region, i.e., no cavity modes or standing waves are established within the fixture. This condition may be insured by keeping the thickness of the fixture or workpiece under one wavelength (at all microwave frequencies being used). The launcher is preferably a horn configured to spread the microwave power laterally over a selected area while maintaining a single propagating mode. The invention may be used to enhance catalytic reactions for research and other purposes. Alternatively, the invention may be configured to perform spot curing or repair operations involving adhesives and composites.

The electrofusion joint includes a tubular main body, a stopper portion, a first heat generating section, and a second heat generating section. The tubular main body includes a joint receiving portion. The stopper portion projects inward on the inner surface of the main body. The first heat generating section includes a heating wire wound and arranged at the joint receiving portion. The second heat generating section includes a heating wire wound so that wound parts are adjacent to each other and the heating wire is disposed in the stopper portion. The first heat generating section includes at least one heat generating portion in which the heating wire is wound so that the wound parts are adjacent to each other.

A thermoplastic composite welding microwire temperature measurement system broadly comprises a plurality of moveable antennae configured to transmit interrogation signals, a rail system including a motorized linear stage configured to move the antennae along a weld line, and a reader or processor configured to determine a position of the microwire temperature sensor and determine a welding temperature based on response signals of the sensor. The interrogation signal corresponds to two different maximum ramp current amplitudes to create two re-magnetization pulses non-overlapping in the time domain.

A method for inspecting a weld of plastic pipes by means of a data processing device, comprising: capturing and storing documents; monitoring and recording the installation and the implementation of the weld of the joint; producing a welding report, or adopting a welding report from the welding machine; testing the weld ultrasonically, wherein the test detects and stores the defects that are in the weld; wherein software is used to capture and store the documents, the welding report and the defects, more specifically the data on said defects, wherein an algorithm of the software is used to evaluate the stored documents, reports, defects and data on said defects, and to classify the welded joint as compliant or non-compliant with the requirements.