An underwater pipe and connector assembly includes an underwater pipe having a pipe body and an annular connecting end section, a connector fixed in the connecting end section, and at least one reinforcing layer having a first fixed cover section fused to and fixedly covering the connecting end section, and a second fixed cover section fused to and fixedly covering an outer circumferential surface of the pipe body immediately adjacent the connecting end section. An outer coil is embedded between the first fixed cover section and the connecting end section and between the second fixed cover section and the outer circumferential surface of the pipe body immediately adjacent the connecting end section.

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.

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.

The present technology discloses methods for joining a first workpiece and a second workpiece through a heat stake, and products formed thereby. The first workpiece has an aperture configured to receive a stud positioned on a second workpiece. The system is formed by applying energy to the first workpiece using electrodes, which indirectly heats the stud, at least partially softening material of the stud. Pressure is then applied to the softened material of the stud, and causing the material to form according to a predetermined geometry. After pressure is released, the stud forms a stake forming an interlocked joint connecting the workpieces.

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.

A device for welding electrofusion fittings, the device including a welding power supply with a communications interface, at least one connection cable connected to the welding power supply for connecting and heating a heating wire of an electrofusion fitting, and at least one removable extension cable is arranged on the at least one connection cable. The device is configured to provide a current or a voltage such that the current or the voltage is remains constant despite an increase in a resistance due to the connected extension cable.

A method of securing a first component part and a second component part together, the method comprising providing an electrically conductive member between a first surface of the first component part and a facing first surface of the second component part and securing the first and second components together by passing a current through the electrically conductive member. The electrically conductive member may comprise a first portion connectable to a source of current and a second portion electrically connected to the first portion and comprising a plurality of sub-conductive members. The electrically conductive member may be distributed across at least 50% of the surface area of the first surface of the first component part.

Systems and methods are described for applying a self-heating structural adhesive to components of aircraft or other structures. A conductive scrim can be placed in between layers of adhesive for use in joining two components together. Leads can be provided to apply an electrical current to the scrim, which can raise the temperature of the system and cure the adhesives, creating a strong bond with a conductive layer there between.

A liner bridge for a lined pipeline has bores extending through a tubular wall and terminals fitted in the bores, each terminal being exposed to an inward side of the wall for conducting electricity to an electrofusion element. A sealing interface between each terminal and its surrounding bore has one or more projecting formations of the terminal and at least one complementary formation of the bore engaged with the or each of the projecting formations. The interface can also include a sealing mass in the bore.

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.