A clamping ring that presses an end of a pipe against a connecting piece by back shrinkage. The clamping ring comprises a body comprising a plastic material having memory properties. The body has a first end to be positioned at a distance from the end of the pipe and a second end to be positioned close to the end of the pipe. The body of the clamping ring has a first position at the first end or at the distance from the first end having a first radial wall thickness. The body of the clamping ring has at least one second position between the first position and the second end such that the body of the clamping ring has a second radial wall thickness at the second position. The second radial wall thickness is smaller than the first radial wall thickness.

Disclosed herein is a method of making a melt-processable material comprises: processing a cross-linked polymeric foam to form a processed cross-linked polymeric foam material wherein the processed cross-linked polymeric foam material has an average particle size suitable for feeding to a melt processor, feeding the processed cross-linked polymeric foam material to the melt processor, and melt mixing a composition comprising the processed cross-linked polymeric foam material and a thermoplastic material wherein the processed cross-linked foam material has a domain size, under melt mixing conditions, less than or equal to the processing spaces of the melt processor.

An expanding tool comprising: an actuator comprising a cylindrical housing that defines an actuator housing cavity; a primary ram disposed within the actuator housing cavity, the primary ram defining an internal primary ram cavity; a secondary ram disposed within the internal primary ram cavity; a cam roller carrier coupled to a distal end of the secondary ram; a drive collar positioned within a distal end of the actuator housing cavity; a roller clutch disposed within an internal cavity defined by an inner surface of the drive collar; a shuttle cam positioned between the roller clutch and a distal end of the primary ram; an expander cone coupled to the primary ram; and an expander head operably coupled to the drive collar. When triggered, the actuator first rotates the expander head and then the actuator expands the expander head.

A pipe connecting structure includes a tube made of PERT (polyethylene of raised temperature resistance) or PEX (crosslinked polyethylene) having a light-pervious or light-absorption color and a tubular connector made of PP (polypro pylene), PE (poly ethylene), POM (polyformaldehyde) or PA (polyamide) having a light-absorption or light-pervious color. One end of the tube and one end of the tubular connector are mated with each other to be welded together by laser welding with parameters including a power in the range of 13-28 W and a rotational speed in the range of 45-50 rpm. The strength of the pipe connecting structure is up to 500 psi when making a burst pressure test. The strength of the pipe connecting structure is two-three times as much as the original PERT tubular connector.

A pipe connecting structure includes a tube made of PERT (polyethylene of raised temperature resistance) or PEX (crosslinked polyethylene) having a light-pervious or light-absorption color and a tubular connector made of PP (polypro pylene), PE (poly ethylene), POM (polyformaldehyde) or PA (polyamide) having a light-absorption or light-pervious color. One end of the tube and one end of the tubular connector are mated with each other to be welded together by laser welding with parameters including a power in the range of 13-28 W and a rotational speed in the range of 45-50 rpm. The strength of the pipe connecting structure is up to 500 psi when making a burst pressure test. The strength of the pipe connecting structure is two-three times as much as the original PERT tubular connector.

Construction of a sealed connection between an elastomeric or synthetic polymer flexible pipe or hose and a metallic coupling member. The coupling member surrounds an armor layer at a free end of the flexible pipe or hose. A sealing area is defined by a recessed portion of the pipe coupling into which a sealing material is introduced. An inner liner layer of the flexible pipe or hose may extend into the sealing area where it is bonded to the sealing material. The sealing material and the inner liner layer may each be comprised of a semi-crystalline thermoplastic material. Furthermore, a reinforcement material may be provided in the inner liner layer.

Construction of a sealed connection between an elastomeric or synthetic polymer flexible pipe or hose and a metallic coupling member. The coupling member surrounds an armor layer at a free end of the flexible pipe or hose. A sealing area is defined by a recessed portion of the pipe coupling into which a sealing material is introduced. An inner liner layer of the flexible pipe or hose may extend into the sealing area where it is bonded to the sealing material. The sealing material and the inner liner layer may each be comprised of a semi-crystalline thermoplastic material. Furthermore, a reinforcement material may be provided in the inner liner layer.

A system for preparing a cross-linked polyethylene a (PEX-a) pipe. The system includes a heating device with a chamber having a central axis, an inlet, and an outlet; oscillating infrared (IR) lamps and a water-cooling apparatus for cooling the temperature in the chamber, and a controller having a program code for regulating oscillation of the IR lamp, an extruder for conveying a cross-linkable feedstock into the chamber, and a pipe head for forming the PEX-a pipe.

Sealed connection between an elastomeric or synthetic polymer flexible pipe or hose and a metallic coupling member. The coupling member surrounds an armor layer at a free end of the flexible pipe or hose. A sealing area is defined by a recessed portion of the pipe coupling into which a sealing material is introduced. An inner liner layer thereof may extend into the sealing area where it is bonded to the sealing material. The sealing material and the inner liner layer may each include a semi-crystalline thermoplastic material. A reinforcement material may be provided in the inner liner layer. In one embodiment the sealing material is injected into the sealing area. In another embodiment the sealing material is provided in the form of meltable ring which fits into the sealing area before fitting of the coupling member, and is activated by an induction heater to effect the sealed connection.

Sealed connection between an elastomeric or synthetic polymer flexible pipe or hose and a metallic coupling member. The coupling member surrounds an armor layer at a free end of the flexible pipe or hose. A sealing area is defined by a recessed portion of the pipe coupling into which a sealing material is introduced. An inner liner layer thereof may extend into the sealing area where it is bonded to the sealing material. The sealing material and the inner liner layer may each include a semi-crystalline thermoplastic material. A reinforcement material may be provided in the inner liner layer. In one embodiment the sealing material is injected into the sealing area. In another embodiment the sealing material is provided in the form of meltable ring which fits into the sealing area before fitting of the coupling member, and is activated by an induction heater to effect the sealed connection.