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.

An underwater pipe assembly includes first and second pipes each of which has opposite inner and outer circumferential surfaces and an annular end face. An inner coil surrounds the inner circumferential surfaces of the first and second pipes at a junction therebetween. An annular inner cover layer covers the inner coil. An outer coil is sleeved on the outer circumferential surfaces of the first and second pipes at a position corresponding to the inner coil. An annular outer cover layer covers the outer coil. When the inner and outer coils are energized, the end faces of the first and second pipes are melted to fuse together the pipes, and the inner and outer cover layers are melted to radially fuse with the pipes.

A method of resistive implant welding carbon fiber thermoplastic composites which includes providing at least two portions of a component formed with carbon fiber material, the at least two portions of the component each have a welding surface where the at least two portions of the component are welded together. One or more conductors of copper or aluminum mesh material positioned between the welding surface of the two portions. The method includes a forming tool having at least two portions capable of moving between an open position and a closed position. The forming tool has a welding region with non-conductive metal surface areas where electric current is selectively applied to facilitate the welding together of the at least two portions of the component. The forming tool has forming regions with conductive surfaces where the two components are shaped.

A metal-resin joined body having a high joining strength is obtained. The metal-resin joined body of the invention is a metal-resin joined body 10 including a metal member 30 made of a metal and a resin member 20 made of a thermoplastic resin, in which a resin joint surface 22 of the resin member 20 is joined to a metal joint surface 32 of the metal member 30. The metal member 30 includes an anchor portion 34 protruding from the metal joint surface 32. The anchor portion 34 includes an aggregate 38 of a plurality of metal particles 36, and a plurality of voids 40 formed between the plurality of metal particles 36. The plurality of voids 40 are connected inside the anchor portion 34 and are connected from a surface of the anchor portion 34 to the inside of the anchor portion 34.

A method or apparatus for joining a first component to a second component with an amalgamation plate includes heating the first component, the second component, the amalgamation plate, or combinations thereof, with either a joining tool or a heating element. The components are attached to the amalgamation plate with the joining tool, such that the first component, amalgamation plate, and the second component are fixedly attached to one another, and the amalgamation plate may be substantially surrounded by the first component and the second component, such that it is hidden from exposure. Portions of the amalgamation plate may be embedded into the components via rotation and/or linear force. A portion of the amalgamation plate may be recessed within the joining tool or an anvil before attaching the amalgamation plate to the either component.

An amalgamation plate for joining a first component to a second component has a planar body configured to be placed between the first component and the second component, and a plurality of first protrusions extending from a first side of the planar body. The first protrusions are radially dispersed from an axis of the planar body, and are configured to be embedded within either the first component and the second component. The amalgamation plate may also have a plurality of second protrusions extending from a second side, opposite the first side, of the planar body. The second protrusions are radially dispersed from the axis, and are configured to be embedded within the other of the first component and the second component via application of force substantially along the axis. The first protrusions and the second protrusions may be radially symmetric about the axis of the planar body.

A method for laser welding of non-transmissive composite materials includes: forming an energy channel having an end opening and extending through a first part made of a first material; and welding a second part made of a second material to the first part via laser heating of the materials of the first and second parts proximate to the end opening of the energy channel such that the materials of the first and second parts fuse to form a weld nugget, attaching the first part to the second part.

A resistance spot welding method can be used to join polymeric and metallic workpieces together and includes the following steps: (a) placing an electrically conductive coating between a polymeric workpiece and a metallic workpiece, wherein the metallic workpiece has a textured surface facing the polymeric workpiece; (b) piercing the polymeric workpiece with first and second electrically conductive pins of a welding electrode assembly; (c) applying electrical energy to the first and second electrically conductive pins so that an electrical current flows through the first electrically conductive pin, the electrically conductive coating, and the second electrically conductive pin in order to at least partially melt the polymeric workpiece and the electrically conductive coating, thereby forming a weld pool; and (d) cooling the weld pool to form a solid weld nugget in order to establish a mechanical interface lock between the solid weld nugget and the textured surface.