Disclosed embodiments provide an electrofusion pipe coupler with mechanical support. The electrofusion pipe coupler comprises a coupler housing. A wire is configured and disposed within the housing. Electrodes are affixed to the coupler housing and in electrical contact with the wire. A threaded pattern is formed in an outer surface of the coupler housing. Gripping wedges are affixed to the coupler housing. Each gripping wedge extends from the coupler housing. A nut is attached to the coupler housing, engaging with the threaded pattern, and compressing the wedges against the connecting pipes. This serves to provide axial load transfer from the connecting pipes to the coupler housing via the wedges, thereby providing improved mechanical stability for such pipe assemblies.

The present invention relates to a connection device for plastic pipe elements (1) which allows performing pre-assembly and being finally assembled without requiring skilled labor, comprising a pipe element (1) having at least one end, a plastic connection element (2) which is connected to an outer surface of said pipe element (1) through said end, which comprises a resistance wire (3) wound on the outer surface of the pipe element (1) itself.

Fittings to join and tightly seal tubes such as plastic tubes used in but not limited to various plumbing applications. The fittings allow for rigorous and non-destructive tests of the integrity of seals, where the integrity of seals can be readily and quickly tested one by one, as a pipe system is being built. The seals can also be tested again, after installation and completion of the plumbing arrangement. The fitting comprises two pairs of sealing zones, each pair having in between sealing zones a pressure testing chamber with an inlet, which allows for pressurizing the chamber and testing the integrity of the adjacent seals. The fittings have a series of cold zones that enhance flexibility and integrity of the fittings.

A fitting for repairing a leaking polymer pipe is provided. The fitting includes a first housing and a second housing that are sized to fit about the pipe. The first housing includes a first coil configured to increase in temperature in response to the application of an electrical current to fuse the first housing to the second housing and the pipe. The second housing includes a second coil on a first end and a third coil on an opposing end. The second and third coils configured to increase in temperature in response to the application of electrical current to fuse the second housing to the pipe. The fitting further includes a first seal coupled to the first housing and a second seal coupled to the second housing. The first and second seal forming a seal that prevents gas pressure from the pipe from interrupting the fusion process.

The invention provides improvements to electrofusion fitting methods that allow for continuity and repeatability of welds between an electrofusion fitting and a pipe lining (or stand-alone pipe). An electrofusion fitting for joining sections of lined pipe has heating elements configured to create at least one weld between the electrofusion fitting and a pipe lining, however prior to the weld step taking place the electrofusion fitting is heated and expands accordingly to ensure contact with the pipe lining. Preheating the electrofusion fitting also provides a predetermined starting temperature for the fitting and the lining which results in improved fusion cycle reliability. Furthermore, the need for clamps or support frames to support the electrofusion fitting in situ is removed, with corresponding reductions in cycle times, complexity, and hence cost.

The present invention sufficiently heats a repairing material while preventing change in quality of a base material provided with the repairing material so as to securely bond the repairing material to a repair target portion. The repair method of the present invention, in order to repair a repair target portion 14 existing in an outer panel 1, includes: a repairing material disposing step of disposing a repairing patch 21 including a resistance heating element 23 and a carbon fiber reinforced resin, and an adhesive 22A including a thermosetting resin before being hardened for bonding the repairing patch 21 on the repair target portion 14; and a heating-hardening step of heating and hardening the thermosetting resin of the adhesive 22A by causing the resistance heating element 23 to generate heat through supply of electricity thereto.

An electrofusion coupling member made of a thermoplastic substance having aluminum particles incorporated therein and further comprising an electric resistance heating element disposed therein, an electrofusion coupler device which includes the same, and a method for welding the device to other thermoplastic objects are provided herein.

A tapping saddle for a plastic main pipe carrying a medium includes a stub having a central axis, a saddle piece, and a drill. The drill is configured to be moved axially in the stub. A heating element geometry, which is used for welding the tapping saddle to a main tube outer circumference, is arranged on an inside diameter of the saddle piece. The heating element geometry has a winding having an outer winding region and an inner winding region. In the inner winding region, the winding extends in meandering loops along a circle concentric with the central axis of the stub.

A method for joining primary and secondary members includes providing a primary member, a secondary member and a heating element which is joined to one of the primary and secondary members. The heating element includes an electrically insulating matrix material and an electrically conductive reinforcing clement extending through the matrix material. The method further includes bringing the other of the primary and secondary members and the heating element into engagement and controlling a flow of electrical current in the reinforcing element so as to resistively heat and fuse at least some of the matrix material of the heating element with a matrix material of the other of the primary and secondary members. The method may be used to join a primary member such as a composite tubular and a secondary member such as a component for terminating the composite tubular.

A cover for a housing of a vehicle and a method of sealing a cover to the housing, where in at least one example, the cover comprises a cover body configured to cover an opening of the housing and to engage the housing at an interface around the opening. The cover may comprise a heating element embedded within the cover body and operable to at least partially melt a portion of the cover body as a part of a process for sealing the cover to the housing. The portion of the cover body may deform and conform to an interface feature at the mating surface of the housing due to the at least partial melting of the portion of the cover body, and, in some examples, the heating element may be configured to fail and be inoperable.