EP1691968A1 - Element et procede de scellage - Google Patents

Element et procede de scellage

Info

Publication number
EP1691968A1
EP1691968A1 EP04805925A EP04805925A EP1691968A1 EP 1691968 A1 EP1691968 A1 EP 1691968A1 EP 04805925 A EP04805925 A EP 04805925A EP 04805925 A EP04805925 A EP 04805925A EP 1691968 A1 EP1691968 A1 EP 1691968A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
sealing element
energy transfer
component
transfer means
section
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP04805925A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
John Alexandre Boudry
Christopher Richard Wise
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Petrotechnik Ltd
Original Assignee
Petrotechnik Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from GB0328229A external-priority patent/GB0328229D0/en
Application filed by Petrotechnik Ltd filed Critical Petrotechnik Ltd
Publication of EP1691968A1 publication Critical patent/EP1691968A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D7/00—Apparatus or devices for transferring liquids from bulk storage containers or reservoirs into vehicles or into portable containers, e.g. for retail sale purposes
    • B67D7/06—Details or accessories
    • B67D7/32—Arrangements of safety or warning devices; Means for preventing unauthorised delivery of liquid
    • B67D7/3209—Arrangements of safety or warning devices; Means for preventing unauthorised delivery of liquid relating to spillage or leakage, e.g. spill containments, leak detection
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
    • B29C65/34—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated elements which remain in the joint, e.g. "verlorenes Schweisselement"
    • B29C65/3404—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated elements which remain in the joint, e.g. "verlorenes Schweisselement" characterised by the type of heated elements which remain in the joint
    • B29C65/342—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated elements which remain in the joint, e.g. "verlorenes Schweisselement" characterised by the type of heated elements which remain in the joint comprising at least a single wire, e.g. in the form of a winding
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
    • B29C65/34—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated elements which remain in the joint, e.g. "verlorenes Schweisselement"
    • B29C65/3404—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated elements which remain in the joint, e.g. "verlorenes Schweisselement" characterised by the type of heated elements which remain in the joint
    • B29C65/342—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated elements which remain in the joint, e.g. "verlorenes Schweisselement" characterised by the type of heated elements which remain in the joint comprising at least a single wire, e.g. in the form of a winding
    • B29C65/3424—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated elements which remain in the joint, e.g. "verlorenes Schweisselement" characterised by the type of heated elements which remain in the joint comprising at least a single wire, e.g. in the form of a winding said at least a single wire having the form of a coil spring
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
    • B29C65/34—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated elements which remain in the joint, e.g. "verlorenes Schweisselement"
    • B29C65/3404—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated elements which remain in the joint, e.g. "verlorenes Schweisselement" characterised by the type of heated elements which remain in the joint
    • B29C65/342—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated elements which remain in the joint, e.g. "verlorenes Schweisselement" characterised by the type of heated elements which remain in the joint comprising at least a single wire, e.g. in the form of a winding
    • B29C65/3428—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated elements which remain in the joint, e.g. "verlorenes Schweisselement" characterised by the type of heated elements which remain in the joint comprising at least a single wire, e.g. in the form of a winding said at least a single wire having a waveform, e.g. a sinusoidal form
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
    • B29C65/34—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated elements which remain in the joint, e.g. "verlorenes Schweisselement"
    • B29C65/3404—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated elements which remain in the joint, e.g. "verlorenes Schweisselement" characterised by the type of heated elements which remain in the joint
    • B29C65/3464—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated elements which remain in the joint, e.g. "verlorenes Schweisselement" characterised by the type of heated elements which remain in the joint characterised by the cross-section of said heated elements which remain in the joint or by the cross-section of their coating, e.g. being triangular
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
    • B29C65/34—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated elements which remain in the joint, e.g. "verlorenes Schweisselement"
    • B29C65/3472—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated elements which remain in the joint, e.g. "verlorenes Schweisselement" characterised by the composition of the heated elements which remain in the joint
    • B29C65/3476—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated elements which remain in the joint, e.g. "verlorenes Schweisselement" characterised by the composition of the heated elements which remain in the joint being metallic
    • B29C65/348—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated elements which remain in the joint, e.g. "verlorenes Schweisselement" characterised by the composition of the heated elements which remain in the joint being metallic with a polymer coating
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/01—General aspects dealing with the joint area or with the area to be joined
    • B29C66/05—Particular design of joint configurations
    • B29C66/10—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint cross-sections
    • B29C66/13—Single flanged joints; Fin-type joints; Single hem joints; Edge joints; Interpenetrating fingered joints; Other specific particular designs of joint cross-sections not provided for in groups B29C66/11 - B29C66/12
    • B29C66/131—Single flanged joints, i.e. one of the parts to be joined being rigid and flanged in the joint area
    • B29C66/1312—Single flange to flange joints, the parts to be joined being rigid
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/50—General aspects of joining tubular articles; General aspects of joining long products, i.e. bars or profiled elements; General aspects of joining single elements to tubular articles, hollow articles or bars; General aspects of joining several hollow-preforms to form hollow or tubular articles
    • B29C66/51—Joining tubular articles, profiled elements or bars; Joining single elements to tubular articles, hollow articles or bars; Joining several hollow-preforms to form hollow or tubular articles
    • B29C66/54—Joining several hollow-preforms, e.g. half-shells, to form hollow articles, e.g. for making balls, containers; Joining several hollow-preforms, e.g. half-cylinders, to form tubular articles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/70—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material
    • B29C66/71—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the composition of the plastics material of the parts to be joined
    • B29C66/712—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the composition of the plastics material of the parts to be joined the composition of one of the parts to be joined being different from the composition of the other part
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D88/00—Large containers
    • B65D88/54—Large containers characterised by means facilitating filling or emptying
    • B65D88/64—Large containers characterised by means facilitating filling or emptying preventing bridge formation
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D90/00—Component parts, details or accessories for large containers
    • B65D90/02—Wall construction
    • B65D90/08—Interconnections of wall parts; Sealing means therefor
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D7/00—Apparatus or devices for transferring liquids from bulk storage containers or reservoirs into vehicles or into portable containers, e.g. for retail sale purposes
    • B67D7/06—Details or accessories
    • B67D7/78—Arrangements of storage tanks, reservoirs or pipe-lines
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
    • B29C65/34—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated elements which remain in the joint, e.g. "verlorenes Schweisselement"
    • B29C65/3404—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated elements which remain in the joint, e.g. "verlorenes Schweisselement" characterised by the type of heated elements which remain in the joint
    • B29C65/3444—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated elements which remain in the joint, e.g. "verlorenes Schweisselement" characterised by the type of heated elements which remain in the joint being a ribbon, band or strip
    • B29C65/3452—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated elements which remain in the joint, e.g. "verlorenes Schweisselement" characterised by the type of heated elements which remain in the joint being a ribbon, band or strip forming a sleeve, e.g. a wrap-around sleeve
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
    • B29C65/34—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated elements which remain in the joint, e.g. "verlorenes Schweisselement"
    • B29C65/3468—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated elements which remain in the joint, e.g. "verlorenes Schweisselement" characterised by the means for supplying heat to said heated elements which remain in the join, e.g. special electrical connectors of windings
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
    • B29C65/34—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated elements which remain in the joint, e.g. "verlorenes Schweisselement"
    • B29C65/36—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated elements which remain in the joint, e.g. "verlorenes Schweisselement" heated by induction
    • B29C65/3604—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated elements which remain in the joint, e.g. "verlorenes Schweisselement" heated by induction characterised by the type of elements heated by induction which remain in the joint
    • B29C65/362—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated elements which remain in the joint, e.g. "verlorenes Schweisselement" heated by induction characterised by the type of elements heated by induction which remain in the joint comprising at least a single wire, e.g. in the form of a winding
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
    • B29C65/34—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated elements which remain in the joint, e.g. "verlorenes Schweisselement"
    • B29C65/36—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated elements which remain in the joint, e.g. "verlorenes Schweisselement" heated by induction
    • B29C65/3672—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated elements which remain in the joint, e.g. "verlorenes Schweisselement" heated by induction characterised by the composition of the elements heated by induction which remain in the joint
    • B29C65/3676—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated elements which remain in the joint, e.g. "verlorenes Schweisselement" heated by induction characterised by the composition of the elements heated by induction which remain in the joint being metallic
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/70—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material
    • B29C66/71—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the composition of the plastics material of the parts to be joined
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/70—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material
    • B29C66/73—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset
    • B29C66/739—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset
    • B29C66/7392—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the material of at least one of the parts being a thermoplastic
    • B29C66/73921—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the material of at least one of the parts being a thermoplastic characterised by the materials of both parts being thermoplastics
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/70—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material
    • B29C66/73—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset
    • B29C66/739—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset
    • B29C66/7394—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the material of at least one of the parts being a thermoset
    • B29C66/73941—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the material of at least one of the parts being a thermoset characterised by the materials of both parts being thermosets

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a sealing element and to a sealing method for joining two components in a fluid-tight fashion. It is particularly applicable to the electrofusion of two components together. It is also applicable to a method and apparatus for constructing plastics articles such as containment chamber assemblies such as sumps.
  • Electrofusion fittings and electrofusion couplings are widely used in a variety of applications.
  • One such application involves the subterranean piping systems of the type that are typically installed at service stations to communicate fuel or chemicals between an underground storage tank and an above ground dispensing station.
  • the underground storage tanks and associated piping pose serious potential environmental and fire hazards as the chemicals contained therein could and have in the past leaked into the earth.
  • Oil companies have been and remain under considerable pressure to ensure that environmental concerns are given priority in the planning and installation of petrol station infrastructures. This has not been without significant on-cost.
  • One important advancement has been the use of pipeline systems constructed from plastics materials which have enabled the oil companies to install cost-effective environmentally acceptable alternatives to steel pipework systems which tend to corrode over time.
  • Secondary containment involves containing each fuel supply pipeline in a respective secondary containment pipeline which is optionally sealed at its ends to the fuel supply pipeline.
  • electrofusion couplings which are known per se, are specially manufactured fittings which are designed to mate with two components, for example two pipe ends, which are to be joined together.
  • An electrical heating element or elements are set into the inner surface of the coupling and when current is passed through the heating element in the assembled coupling joint it melts the inner surface of the fitting itself and the outer surface of the component(s) placed inside it to fuse the components together. Whilst this arrangement is tried and tested, and finds use in a wide range of applications, it has a number of disadvantages. Firstly, the heating element must be positioned in the inner surface of what is usually a complex shaped component. This may be done using patented technology, with the inevitable cost implication, or by a multi-stage construction process.
  • sumps now on the market usually comprising a base defining an enlarged chamber, a riser of smaller diameter connected to the base and a cover fitting over the top end of the riser which, in some instances, has access openings enclosed by an access lid which provide a means for inspecting the interior of the sump chambers.
  • oil companies have been under considerable pressure to ensure that environmental concerns are given priority in the planning and installation of petrol station infrastructures.
  • Regulations contain specific requirements that underground pumps and piping connections be provided with a means of secondary containment whereby any leaks in these plumbing connections will be containe and detected by means of a leak sensing device.
  • large containment containers have been introduced on to the market called containment sumps or chambers.
  • Containment sumps are typically found at fuel service stations whereby they are installed below the surface to provide a means of access to the underground piping connections, submersible pumps, leak detection sensors, fire extinguisher and other plumbing components usually found connected to the top of underground storage tanks or under fuel dispensing units.
  • Containment sumps are multi-purpose in function: 1.
  • access enclosures which provides surface access to these piping connections and other equipment such as a tanks' pump, valves and other plumbing devices.
  • the underground storage and fuel dispensing system has been determined to be a source of environmental pollution, as well as a safety hazard because of product leakage into the surrounding earth. All components of that storage and dispensing system should be designed in such a manner that they prevent any leakage into the environment.
  • Access enclosures located at the tank and under the dispensing units provide a means of secondary containment for part of the entire system. These access enclosures should be of such a design that they are liquid tight preventing ground and surface water from entering the enclosure, and preventing any leaking product escaping from the enclosure into the surrounding environment.
  • sumps now on the market usually comprising a base defining an enlarged chamber, a riser connected to the base having a smaller diameter than the base at the top of the riser and a cover fitting over the top end of the riser which, in some instances, has access openings enclosed by an access lid which provide a means for inspecting the interior of the sump chambers.
  • These sumps have been made from a variety of materials including metal containers made of coated steel or non-corrodible fibreglass material.
  • the sumps can house pumps and are often located at the lowest point of a sloped secondary piping system and thus are a focus of the collection of leaked fluids. They are viewed as multipurpose chambers.
  • the first containment sumps introduced to the market in the middle 1980's were very limited in design and did not prove to be completely liquid tight. These early models were usually made of fibreglass or corrosion protected steel. Because of the materials used and their design, they were not height adjustable, were difficult to field install and fabricate and provided restrictive pipe and conduit entry capabilities. The one-piece construction made the pump and piping installation difficult. Sumps made of coated steel were unpopular because of their potential to fail due to corrosion over time. The sumps made of rigid fibreglass and steel achieved limited success in providing a liquid tight access cover by means of bolt fasteners and gaskets. In an effort to provide a containment sump which was easier to install and fabricate, polyethylene containment sumps were introduced in the late 1980's.
  • These sumps were of a two-piece construction with a base section and a height adjustable riser section. This design allowed easy access into the accessible base section before the upper riser section was installed and was also cheaper to manufacture and easier to transport and handle.
  • the upper riser section was sized in diameter to be stored inside the base section before installation of the containment chamber.
  • the upper riser section was also capable of being cut to the required installed height. This height adjustability feature allowed for both deep and shallow tank burial depths.
  • the problem with this two-piece base/riser design was that it introduced a new, additional sump connection joint which also had to be liquid tight.
  • the first polyethylene containment sumps on the market did not have an effective means of sealing the base/riser joint.
  • thermo-plastic welding process required the use of a hot air gun fitted with a special tip on its nozzle which allowed a plastic polyethylene rod to be inserted through an opening in the tip, heated and then melted over the joint area. This welding process proved in the field to be ineffective for untrained personnel. The speed of welding, surface preparation, moisture, and other factors resulted in poor welding applications leading to numerous leaks.
  • a new sump was introduced to the market to solve the riser/base sealing process. This new sump introduced a mechanical means of sealing the riser/base joint by using metal fasteners and a rubber O-ring seal.
  • a method of forming an electrofusion seal between a first component and a second component comprising the steps of:- (a) providing a first component incorporating a region formed from an electrofusible plastics material;
  • the sealing element comprises a flexible band or tape the body of which is formed from an electrofusible plastics material.
  • a sealing element adapted to form an electrofusion seal between a first component and a second component, said components being adapted to mate together in a mating region, said sealing element incorporating energy transfer means, the energy transfer means being adapted to cause in use the first component and the second component to fuse or bond together in order to form a substantially fluid-tight seal there between.
  • the sealing element comprises a fusible material which, when heated via the energy transfer means, at least partially melts, causing the first component and the second component to fuse or bond together. The two components and the sealing element effectively fuse together to become a single unit.
  • the height and width of the coating can be controlled to ensure that the wire is a predetermined distance from the components and from adjacent wire(s). Furthermore, when wrapping the wire around a component, for example a pipe, the rectangular cross section allows the successive loops to be easily laid adjacent to the previous loop. This ensures that the wires are a predetermined distance from each other to prevent them from shorting whilst the element is fusing.
  • the wires can easily be arranged, with a number of loops laid together effectively forming a band with a single wire running through it. By passing a heat source over the top of the wires, the successive loops can be fused together, forming what amounts to a single tape.
  • cross sections can be envisaged, and are encompassed by the present invention, including square, circular or any other shape. It is particularly preferred when the width of coating is greater than the diameter of the wire. In essence any cross- section can be used. With a rectangular cross section, the longer edge can lay flat against the component, with the shorter edges of success loops of wire, abutting each other.
  • the band or tape is adapted to be cut to length to correspond with the . size/length of the mating region between the first and second components. This is particularly advantageous because the sealing element can be manufactured and sold in a roll, from which pieces are cut to the required length. This represents a considerable cost saving as well as being more convenient.
  • the heating element comprises an electrical heating wire, the end of the tape being trimmable to expose the ends of the heating wire such that the heating wire can be connected to a current supply in use.
  • the sealing element comprises a pre-formed unit adapted to conform to the shape and configuration of the mating region between the first and second components.
  • the sealing element further comprises electrical terminals for connecting the heating element to a current supply.
  • the sealing element comprises a tubular sleeve. A sleeve is particularly convenient for fusing together components where the mating region is cylindrical in shape, such as a pipe or a pipe fitting.
  • the present invention also extends to include components that have been fused together using the method or a sealing element according to the present invention.
  • the present invention is particularly applicable in subterranean pipework systems for fusing or welding together pipes, pipework fitting and sumps/ chambers or combinations thereof.
  • a containment chamber assembly comprising: (i) a hollow base section having a bottom wall, an upstanding side wall and a first circumferentially extending base flange at the upper edge of the side wall; (ii) an elongated generally tubular riser section having a second circumferentially extending riser flange at its lower terminal edge adopted to confront and overlay the base flange; and (iii) optionally a cover mounted over the upper end of the riser; characterised in that the containment chamber assembly further comprises an energy transfer means, said energy transfer means being adapted to cause in use the base section and the riser section to fuse or bond together in order to form a substantially fluid-tight seal there between.
  • the energy transfer means is located in a sealing ring section adapted to fit between the two flanges.
  • the energy transfer means can be located in either the first base flange or the second riser flange or alternatively in both.
  • the section incorporating the energy transfer means comprises a fusible material which, when heated via the energy transfer means, at least partially melts, causing the base and the riser to be fused together.
  • the energy transfer means comprises conduction means for conducting an electric current, said conduction means in use, being heated by the current, to cause heating of the energy transfer means and the adjacent surfaces with which it is in contact.
  • the base section and the riser section are formed from the same electrofusible material.
  • the sealing ring section comprises a heating element, or a series of heating elements, set into a band of electrofusible material.
  • the electrofusible material in the band is the same material from which the base and riser sections are made or alternatively is a material compatible to bond or fuse to the box and riser sections.
  • the adhesive is selected from a thermoplastic, thermoset, cross- linking or pressure sensitive adhesive.
  • the energy transfer means comprises a heating wire.
  • the section incorporating the energy transfer means also incorporates terminals for connecting the energy transfer means to a current supply.
  • the terminals connect different regions the terminals can all be wired so that they all terminate in the same place and can optionally be colour coded to highlight which terminal corresponds to which region.
  • the sections of energy transfer means overlap with each other.
  • the energy transfer means allow substantially the whole of the circumference of the base section to be joined to the whole circumference of the riser section.
  • the riser section comprises a flange at both the bottom end and the top end to provides means of bonding or fusing successive riser sections by using an energy transfer means.
  • the energy transfer means could bond or fuse the base and rise sections in such a way as to maintain any interstitial gap formed from a secondarily contained chamber, the details of said chambers are known to those skilled in the art.
  • the invention also encompasses pipes which are not circular in cross-section and multiple supply pipes housed within a single secondary pipe.
  • tubular sleeve this term has a very broad meaning. It includes any tubular structure through which a pipe may pass. Although illustrated and described as substantially circular cylindrical in form, a sleeve according to this invention need not have a substantially circular cross-section and may confirm to the profile of the pipe to be accommodated in it. Nor need the cross-section of the sleeve be uniform along its whole length, ie it need not be cylindrical.
  • glass reinforced plastic (GRP) The term GRP has a very broad meaning in this context.
  • the invention has general applicability to a wide variety of situations where two plastic components need to be joined together in a substantially fluid-tight fashion regardless of the application.
  • the sealing element in this invention is therefore intended to have a very broad application and is a truly versatile method of fusing or bonding together components of almost any shape or size by using a sacrificial sealing element wound around or encapsulated between a first component or a second component.
  • a sacrificial sealing element wound around or encapsulated between a first component or a second component Previously, the only way to form a seal between components incorporating a region formed from an electrofusible plastics material has been to have an energy transfer means in the form of electrofusion element(s) built into the fitting. Surprisingly, it has been discovered that the energy transfer means can be in a separate sealing element.
  • the present invention is applicable to any situation where two components, each comprising a mating region formed from an electrofusible plastics material, need to be fused or bonded together. Whilst it is particularly useful in the petroleum industry it is not limited to it. It is not limited to any particular application. For example it can be used as a method of providing a water- tight seal or a mechanical joint in a wide variety of situations. Previously, the need for one of the components to incorporate heating windings has always been accepted as the way to seal the components together. The present invention is a revolutionary method for forming an electrofusion seal between two components.
  • the invention provides a way to form a seal between a region of a first component formed from an electrofusible plastics material and a region of a second component formed from an electrofusible plastics material where the regions are adapted to mate together.
  • a separate sealing element incorporating an energy transfer means For the first time, a truly versatile sealing member has been devised which can be used across many different applications and components.
  • the invention is not intended to be limited to the examples given; they merely illustrate the broad application of the invention.
  • the invention describes a new way of sealing two components using a separate element incorporating an energy transfer means. The element is placed between or wound around the region to fused and then fused in place.
  • the path the wire takes within the tape can be chosen by the materials specialist to optimise the seal formed. For example it can be in the form of coils from side to side or wire runs up and down the tape. If the tape is thick enough, the wire may additionally be at or near the upper or lower surface or alternatively be arranged so that it runs near both surfaces. This would maximise the sealing properties of the tape. In use, the ends of the tape would normally be stripped away to expose bare wire. This is shown in figure 3. The wires can then be connected to a current source as described above and the two fittings can be fused or sealed together.
  • the tape can be wound into a reel or folded into a stack once it is formed in order to store it easily. This way the desired amount can be unwound when it is needed.
  • the sealing member could be in the form of a coated wire.
  • a heating wire 90 is coated by a coating 91 made from an electrofuseable material, for example polyethylene.
  • the coating for the wire is shown in figure 11a as having a rectangular cross-section with the longer sides 92 and 93 resting against the surfaces to be fused.
  • the actual cross-section can be varied and figure 11 b shows this as a square cross-section and figure 11c showing an elliptical cross-section.
  • the sealing element or member could be a gasket of pre-formed shape. This is different to the tape in that the gasket would be pre- formed to a particular size in order to fit specific components. This highlights the obvious advantage of the tape in that it is not specific to a particular type of fitting.
  • the gasket is useful however, when it is to be used with particular components of known dimensions, for example a chamber of the type described above.
  • the petroleum forecourt installation shown in Figure 1 comprises a pair of dispensing pumps 10 and 11 connected to a subterranean tank 12 through a pipeline 13.
  • the pipeline 13 is formed from contiguously arranged sections of polyethylene pipe.
  • the pipeline 13 extends from the pumps 10 and 11 through the containment chambers 14 and 15 having side walls 16 and bases 17 into a manhole chamber 18 having a side wall 19 and a base 1 immediately above the tank 12.
  • Figure 1 shows two lines extending from the pipeline 13 into the tank 12. These lines relate to two alternative forms of fuel supply system and are both shown for the sake of completeness. In practice, only one of the lines would extend from the pipeline 13 into the manhole chamber 18.
  • the sump chamber 28 houses equipment, such as pumps and piping connecting the pumps through the base 21 to a supply tank or the like.
  • the sump is usually mounted below ground and is usually surrounded by a manhole sleeve closely circumscribing the top of the riser section 22 and a conventional manhole cover for access to the sump and its contents.
  • the riser section 22 has a first flange 24 and the chamber base 21 has a second flange 23.
  • An O-ring 26 is positioned between the two flanges 23 and 24.
  • a plurality of fasteners is required to make the seal fluid-tight. In this case a plurality of bolts 25 are placed through pre-drilled holes and nuts 25a are used to clamp the riser section to the base section.
  • FIGS 5, 6 and 7 illustrate a containment chamber 30 according to one embodiment of the present invention comprising a base section 31 and a riser section 32.
  • the hollow base section 31 comprises a bottom 35 and a side wall 36.
  • the base section can be formed from any geometric cross-section, for example circular, rectangular or square but an octagonal cross-section is often used in practice although this embodiment is in no way limited to containment chambers of any particular cross- section.
  • a base flange 33 that extends circumferentially substantially perpendicular to the wall 36. It can extend either outwards from the wall 36 away from the body of the chamber or inwards into the chamber. In the example shown the flange 33 extends inwardly from the wall 36.
  • the riser section 32 is mounted at its lower end to the base 31. It comprises a corrugated side wall 37 that allows the riser section to be trimmed as necessary. This allows the containment chambers to be buried at varying depths underground without the need for variously sized riser sections.
  • the riser section 32 further comprises a riser flange 34 shaped so that it mates with the base flange 33 of the base section 31.
  • the present sealing element or ring section incorporates or comprises energy transfer means in the form of electrical windings. These are advantageous set in a thin body of the same plastics material as is used to construct the base and riser sections.
  • the electrical windings may be one continuous heating wire or, preferably, a series of wires that overlap one with another to cover the entire circumference of the flange.
  • the sealing ring section may be adapted to nest in a pre-formed channel in the base flange for ease of assembly during construction. Alternatively the sealing ring section may be configured to fit over the flange and extend above or below one or both of the flanges where they meet. In any event, during construction the sealing ring section is sandwiched between the two flanges.
  • flange 33 or flange 34 individually or alternatively both together may contain an energy transfer means 61 having the arrangement as shown in Figures 8 or 9.
  • the flange 34 of the riser section is mounted onto the upper surface of flange 33 of the base section. Gravity will assist in holding the sections in place but it is also envisaged that temporary or permanent clamps will be used to hold the base and the riser section in place.
  • FIG 8 shows diagrammatically a sealing ring section that contains an energy transfer means.
  • a wire 61 is embedded in or near to the surface of the flange in a generally spiral shape and the ends of the wire are connected to electric terminals 61a and 61b.
  • Figure 9 shows an alternative arrangement in which there are a plurality of energy transfer means. For clarity, only a few of the energy transfer means are shown. In practice the energy transfer means would cover the entire circumference of the gasket or flange to ensure that the entire circumference of the containment chamber is fused or bonded in a substantially fluid tight manner.
  • energy transfer means 71, 72 and 73 which overlap in the regions 74 and 75 and each have their own individual electric terminals
  • energy transfer means 71 has terminals 71a and 71b
  • energy transfer means 72 has terminals 72a and 72b
  • energy transfer means 73 has terminals 73a and 73b.
  • the terminals are shown at either end of the energy transfer means in practice they could all be wired to one region on the circumference of the chamber or even into a single termination box where advantageously the terminals could be colour coded to show which terminals relate to which heating element.
  • the overlapping regions ensure that the entire circumference of the flanges are sealed together to ensure a substantially fluid-tight seal.
  • the terminals 71a, 71b; 72a, 72b...etc, either together or sequentially in their pairs, are connected to a source of electric current.
  • the current passes through the wire or wires causing the latter to heat the adjacent surfaces of the flanges 33 and 34 to cause the flange 33 and 34 to fuse together in a disc-shaped region which surrounds the opening in the base and riser sections forming a substantially fluid-tight seal.
  • the containment chamber were to be made of glass reinforced plastic (GRP) or fibreglass, which is not suitable for electrofusion welding, a modified version of the present invention could be used.
  • the present invention encompasses methods and apparatus for sealing a first component and second component by introducing an energy transfer means there between and the specific example encompasses methods and apparatus for sealing a chamber base section and chamber riser section by introducing an energy transfer means therebetween.
  • the riser section could contain flanges at both the lower and upper ends and fusible regions therein to allow riser sections to be bonded to each other.
  • the present invention also encompasses a method of providing a substantially fluid-tight seal in a containment chamber as described above and the combination of apparatus that results from operating said method.
  • the regions formed from an electrofusible plastics material in the first and second components including the containment chamber assembly can be manufactured from a variety of materials as selected by the materials specialist. Therefore the sealing element can also be manufactured from a variety of materials as selected by the materials specialist. Preferably the regions in the first and second components are formed from the same material, which is electrofusible.
  • suitable plastics materials may be selected from the group comprising:- polyethylene; polypropylene; polyvinyl chloride; polybutylene polyurethanes; polyamides, including polyamides 6, 6.6, 6.10, 6.12, 11 and 12; polyethylene terphthalate; polybutylene terephthalate; polyphenylene sulphide; polyoxymethylene (acetal); ethylene/vinyl alcohol copolymers; polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and copolymers; polyvinyl fluoride (PVF); tetrafluoroethylene-ethylene copolymer (ETFE); tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluroethylene copolymers (FEP) ethylene tetrafluoroethylene hexafluropropylene terpolymers (EFEP) terpolymers of tetrafluoroethylene, hexafluoropropylene and vinylidene fluoride (THV); polyhexa
  • the chamber components may be formed from glass reinforced plastic (GRP) or fibre reinforced plastic.
  • GRP glass reinforced plastic
  • This selection is not intended to be limiting but rather demonstrates the flexibility and breadth of the invention.
  • GRP glass reinforced plastic
  • transfer means the plastics material which is most compatible to the base and riser section to which it will be joined and with the lowest permeability to the fluid in question will usually be chosen by the materials specialist.
  • blends of two or more polymers and this invention extends to cover known and yet to be developed blends of plastics material. The specific example described above relate principally to single wall chambers.
  • fittings according to the present invention can be used equally well with double-walled chambers where there is an interstitial space between the two chamber walls. In that case a seal is formed between the outer walls and between the inner walls. This can be done using two bandages, one outside and one inside the chamber, which are fused together to form a seal on either side of the interstitial space.
  • two flanges could be used one protruding outwards and one inward on each component, with a sealing element between each pair of flanges. This removes the need for a bandage. It is also possible to use a flange on one side, for example the inside of the chamber, and a bandage on the other side, for example the outside of the chamber.
  • the integrity of the interstitial space between the chamber walls is maintained and can be monitored.
  • the invention has been described in detail in relation to a seal being formed using a gasket between two components in a chamber. Many of the principles outlined are equally applicable to seals using different sealing members, e.g. a tape, and different components.
  • the invention is in no way limited to the specific examples given, they are included to outline some specific examples of the broad, versatile application of the invention.
  • the invention provides a way to form a seal between a region of a first component formed from an electrofusible plastics material and a region of a second component formed from an electrofusible plastics material where the regions are adapted to mate together. This is achieved using a separate sealing element incorporating an energy transfer means.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Lining Or Joining Of Plastics Or The Like (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un procédé de formation de joint par électrofusion entre un premier composant et un deuxième composant. Ce procédé consiste : (a) à obtenir un premier composant comprenant une zone en matériau plastique électrofusible ; (b) à obtenir un deuxième composant comprenant une zone en matériau plastique électrofusible, les premier et deuxième composants étant conçus pour s'apparier dans une zone d'accouplement ; (c) à obtenir un élément de scellage séparé, ledit élément comprenant un moyen de transfert d'énergie, ledit moyen étant conçu pour provoquer en fonctionnement la fusion ou la liaison du premier composant, du deuxième composant et de l'élément de scellage ; (d) à appliquer une énergie sur le moyen de transfert d'énergie, de sorte à fusionner ou à lier le premier composant avec le deuxième composant.
EP04805925A 2003-12-05 2004-12-06 Element et procede de scellage Withdrawn EP1691968A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0328229A GB0328229D0 (en) 2003-12-05 2003-12-05 Improved chamber
GB0415636A GB0415636D0 (en) 2003-12-05 2004-07-13 Sealing element and method
PCT/GB2004/005097 WO2005053936A1 (fr) 2003-12-05 2004-12-06 Element et procede de scellage

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1691968A1 true EP1691968A1 (fr) 2006-08-23

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EP04805925A Withdrawn EP1691968A1 (fr) 2003-12-05 2004-12-06 Element et procede de scellage

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EP (1) EP1691968A1 (fr)
GB (1) GB2407795A (fr)
WO (1) WO2005053936A1 (fr)

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GB2478270A (en) * 2009-12-22 2011-09-07 Petrotechnik Ltd Modular chamber assembly
CN105083808A (zh) * 2015-08-31 2015-11-25 沈阳新飞宇橡胶制品有限公司 一种加油站埋地储油罐人孔操作井
GB2590081A (en) * 2019-12-04 2021-06-23 Polypipe Plc Pipe connector

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Publication number Publication date
GB0426600D0 (en) 2005-01-05
GB2407795A (en) 2005-05-11
WO2005053936A1 (fr) 2005-06-16

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