GB2137026A - Coupling electrofusion fitting to energy source and control equipment - Google Patents

Coupling electrofusion fitting to energy source and control equipment Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2137026A
GB2137026A GB08308117A GB8308117A GB2137026A GB 2137026 A GB2137026 A GB 2137026A GB 08308117 A GB08308117 A GB 08308117A GB 8308117 A GB8308117 A GB 8308117A GB 2137026 A GB2137026 A GB 2137026A
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GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
fitting
electro
main
contact
connector
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.)
Granted
Application number
GB08308117A
Other versions
GB8308117D0 (en
GB2137026B (en
Inventor
David Michael Antho Kensworthy
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.)
Fusion Plastics Ltd
Original Assignee
Fusion Plastics 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
Application filed by Fusion Plastics Ltd filed Critical Fusion Plastics Ltd
Priority to GB8308117A priority Critical patent/GB2137026B/en
Publication of GB8308117D0 publication Critical patent/GB8308117D0/en
Publication of GB2137026A publication Critical patent/GB2137026A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2137026B publication Critical patent/GB2137026B/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/66—Structural association with built-in electrical component
    • H01R13/6608—Structural association with built-in electrical component with built-in single component
    • H01R13/6616—Structural association with built-in electrical component with built-in single component with resistor
    • 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"
    • B29C65/3468—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
    • 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
    • B29C66/11—Joint cross-sections comprising a single joint-segment, i.e. one of the parts to be joined comprising a single joint-segment in the joint cross-section
    • B29C66/112—Single lapped joints
    • B29C66/1122—Single lap to lap joints, i.e. overlap joints
    • 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
    • B29C66/12—Joint cross-sections combining only two joint-segments; Tongue and groove joints; Tenon and mortise joints; Stepped joint cross-sections
    • B29C66/124—Tongue and groove joints
    • B29C66/1244—Tongue and groove joints characterised by the male part, i.e. the part comprising the tongue
    • B29C66/12441—Tongue and groove joints characterised by the male part, i.e. the part comprising the tongue being a single wall
    • 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
    • B29C66/12—Joint cross-sections combining only two joint-segments; Tongue and groove joints; Tenon and mortise joints; Stepped joint cross-sections
    • B29C66/124—Tongue and groove joints
    • B29C66/1246—Tongue and groove joints characterised by the female part, i.e. the part comprising the groove
    • B29C66/12469—Tongue and groove joints characterised by the female part, i.e. the part comprising the groove being asymmetric
    • 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
    • B29C66/52—Joining tubular articles, bars or profiled elements
    • B29C66/522—Joining tubular articles
    • B29C66/5221—Joining tubular articles for forming coaxial connections, i.e. the tubular articles to be joined forming a zero angle relative to each other
    • 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
    • B29C66/52—Joining tubular articles, bars or profiled elements
    • B29C66/522—Joining tubular articles
    • B29C66/5229—Joining tubular articles involving the use of a socket
    • B29C66/52291—Joining tubular articles involving the use of a socket said socket comprising a stop
    • 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
    • B29C66/52—Joining tubular articles, bars or profiled elements
    • B29C66/522—Joining tubular articles
    • B29C66/5229—Joining tubular articles involving the use of a socket
    • B29C66/52291—Joining tubular articles involving the use of a socket said socket comprising a stop
    • B29C66/52292—Joining tubular articles involving the use of a socket said socket comprising a stop said stop being internal
    • 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
    • B29C66/90—Measuring or controlling the joining process
    • B29C66/91—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux
    • B29C66/912—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by measuring the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux
    • B29C66/9131—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by measuring the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by measuring the heat or the thermal flux, i.e. the heat flux
    • B29C66/91311—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by measuring the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by measuring the heat or the thermal flux, i.e. the heat flux by measuring the heat generated by Joule heating or induction heating
    • B29C66/91313—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by measuring the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by measuring the heat or the thermal flux, i.e. the heat flux by measuring the heat generated by Joule heating or induction heating by measuring the voltage, i.e. the electric potential difference or electric tension
    • 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
    • B29C66/90—Measuring or controlling the joining process
    • B29C66/91—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux
    • B29C66/914—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by controlling or regulating the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux
    • B29C66/9161—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by controlling or regulating the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by controlling or regulating the heat or the thermal flux, i.e. the heat flux
    • B29C66/91651—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by controlling or regulating the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by controlling or regulating the heat or the thermal flux, i.e. the heat flux by controlling or regulating the heat generated by Joule heating or induction heating
    • 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
    • B29C66/90—Measuring or controlling the joining process
    • B29C66/91—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux
    • B29C66/914—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by controlling or regulating the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux
    • B29C66/9161—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by controlling or regulating the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by controlling or regulating the heat or the thermal flux, i.e. the heat flux
    • B29C66/91651—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by controlling or regulating the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by controlling or regulating the heat or the thermal flux, i.e. the heat flux by controlling or regulating the heat generated by Joule heating or induction heating
    • B29C66/91655—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by controlling or regulating the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by controlling or regulating the heat or the thermal flux, i.e. the heat flux by controlling or regulating the heat generated by Joule heating or induction heating by controlling or regulating the current intensity
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16L47/00—Connecting arrangements or other fittings specially adapted to be made of plastics or to be used with pipes made of plastics
    • F16L47/02—Welded joints; Adhesive joints
    • F16L47/03—Welded joints with an electrical resistance incorporated in the joint
    • 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
    • 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
    • B29C66/90—Measuring or controlling the joining process
    • B29C66/94—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the time
    • B29C66/944—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the time by controlling or regulating the time
    • 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
    • B29C66/90—Measuring or controlling the joining process
    • B29C66/96—Measuring or controlling the joining process characterised by the method for implementing the controlling of the joining process
    • B29C66/961—Measuring or controlling the joining process characterised by the method for implementing the controlling of the joining process involving a feedback loop mechanism, e.g. comparison with a desired value

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Branch Pipes, Bends, And The Like (AREA)
  • Lining Or Joining Of Plastics Or The Like (AREA)

Abstract

An electro-fusion fitting e.g. for joining plastics pipes, comprises a thermoplastics body (1) a heating coil (2), main terminals (3, 4) for supplying electric current to the coil, and coding resistor (7) enabling automatic identification of the fitting to determine the electric power to be supplied to the heating coil, the resistor being electrically isolated from the heating coil and connected between a pair of auxiliary pin terminals (8, 9). A connector plug (figs. 4 to 7, not shown) for coupling the fitting to the electric current supply and control equipment is adapted to allow automatic preliminary checks for good contact between the current supply cables and the main terminals, and for the plug being properly engaged with the fitting. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Electro-fusion fittings This invention concerns an improved electrofusion fitting. An electro-fusion fitting generally comprises a body of thermoplastic material having an electrical resistance heating element disposed adjacent a surface of the body and to which an electric current may be supplied to fuse the material of the body to that of a member to which the fitting is to be welded. Such fittings are frequently utilised in the production of joints in pipelines of thermoplastic material, such as polyethylene, as used in the gas industry. The joints may, for example, be between pipe lengths, in which case a sleeve fitting is used, or between a branch pipe and the main pipeline, in which case a so-called saddle fitting is used.
Different size fittings usually have different electrical power requirements for achieving a satisfactory weld between the fitting and the member to which it is to be attached. In European Patent Application 82304616.4 we propose a fitting equipped with a coding component having a characteristic electrical parameter whose value could be sensed automatically by control apparatus to set the time for which a predetermined electric current would be supplied to the fitting. With such a system it may be ensured that the correct power will be delivered to the heating element whatever the particular size and the power requirement of the fitting might be.
In the preferred embodiment specifically described the component is a resistor which is embedded in the material of the body of the fitting and is connected between a main contact terminal, to which one end of the heating element is connected, and an auxiliary contact terminal.
When sensing the resistance value the auxiliary contact terminal is used and voltage across the series connected resistor and heating element is sensed by the control apparatus. This arrangement has the advantage of checking at the same time that there is no fault in the heating element.
However, it also has a possible drawback in that it does not check for good electrical contact the connection between the main terminal contact and the contact which supplies to it the welding current.
The present invention avoids the above drawback by providing an electro-fusion fitting having a. coding component which is electrically isolated from the heating element and is connected between a pair of auxiliary contact terminals.
A full understanding of the invention will be had from the following detailed description, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is an axial section through a sleeve fitting embodying the invention; Figure 2 is a detail section of a connection socket of the fitting; Figure 3 is a plan view of the socket shown in Figure 2; Figure 4 is a longitudinal section of a plug connector for use with the socket, taken along the line A-A in Figure 6; Figure 5 is a longitudinal section taken along line B-B of Figure 6; Figure 6 is a transverse section taken along the line C-C in Figure 4; and Figure 7 is a transverse section taken along the line D-D in Figure 4.
The electro-fusion fitting illustrated in Figure 1 is intended for coupling the ends of two lengths of thermoplastic pipe. It comprises a sleeve 1 of thermoplastic material having an electrical resistance heating coil 2 secured adjacent its inner surface. The ends of the heating wire are connected to main contact pins 3, 4 fixed within connection sockets 5, 6 integral with the sleeve 1 and positioned at opposite ends of the fitting.
Embedded within the material of the sleeve is a coding resistor 7 having a value chosen according to the particular fitting and by means of which it can be identified automatically, the resistor being connected between auxiliary contact pins 8, 9 disposed in the socket 5.
The plug connector shown in Figures 4 to 7 is adapted for connection to the socket 5 of the fitting and has an insulating body 10 into the mar end of which three insulated electric cables pass through a grommet 11. These cables consists of a main current cable 12 and two sensor cables 13, 14. Received within a recess at the forward end of the body 10 are two connectors 15, 16, to which of the conductors of cables 12, 13 are respectively connected, an electrically insulating shroud 17.
and an electrically conductive metal block 18. The connector 15 has its lower end threadedly connected to the block 18 and the block has a through bore 19 aligned with connector 16 and receiving a contact sleeve 20 for cooperation with the contact pin 3 of the fusion fitting. A coil spring 21 is carried by connector 16 and projects downwardly to contact the end of the pin 3 when it is inserted fully into the plug. The block 18 has a second cylindrical bore 22 receiving a contact sleeve 23 for cooperation with one of the auxiliary contact pins 8, 9 of the fusion fitting. The other auxiliary pin engages in a contact sleeve 24 fitted in a cylindrical recess in the plug body and to which sleeve the conductor of cable 14 is connected.
From the foregoing it will be understood that when the forward end of the connector plug is inserted into the socket 5 the pins 3, 8 and 9 enter the respective contact sleeves 20, 23 and 24, the pin 3 making contact with spring 21 thereby bringing the connector 15 into electrical connection with the connector 16 through the block 18, sleeve 20, pin 3 and spring 21. The block 18 also acts to connect electrically the pins 3 and 9. A similar plug connector is fitted to the second socket 6 of the fusion fitting but obviously no contact will be made with the sleeves 23 and 24 of this plug connector in the absence of any auxiliary pins in this socket.
Control equipment to which the plug connectors are coupled by the cables 12, 13, 14 may identify the particular fitting, as described in the aforementioned European application, by sensing the value of the resistor 7, or more precisely the voltage drop across the series connected heating element 2 and the resistor 7, which is obtained by sensing the different in voltage betwen the sensor cable 14 of the plug fitted to socket 5 and the sensor cable 13 of the plug fitted to socket 6. The electrical continuity is through pin 9, resistor 7, pin 8, block 18, pin 3, heating wire 2, pin 4 and spring 21. In accordance with the sensed value the time for which the predetermined welding current is to be supplied to the fitting through the main current cables 12 and hence pins 3, 4 is set automatically.To test for good electrical contact between each main contact pin 3, 4 and the main current cable 12 connected to the respective plug, the voltage between the two main current cables 12 and the voltage between the two sensor cables 13 are sensed and compared. As both sensed voltages should be equal to the voltage across the heating wire 2 between pins 3 and 4 any significant difference between them indicates a faulty contact at one of the pins 3, 4. Furthermore, a zero voltage sensed between the two sensor cables 13 when a non-zero voltage is sensed between the main current cables 1 2 implies that one of the connector plugs is not fully home in its socket. By measuring the voltages the control apparatus may recognise a fault condition and respond automatically to provide a signal indicating a fault and to prevent the welding current being supplied.
Thus, with the contact arrangement employed in the electro-fusion fitting and the plug connector as described above it is possible to check the electrical contact between the plug and the main current pins of the fitting before the welding operation is commenced. Furthermore, manufacture of the fitting is facilitated since no electrical connection is required between the coding resistor and the heating wire so that the resistor and the auxiliary contact pins may be assembled as a unit which is simply inserted into a mould immediately prior to injection moulding the sleeve.

Claims (8)

1. An electro-fusion fitting comprising a body of thermoplastic material, an electrical heating element disposed adjacent a surface of the body, main contact terminals carried by the body and connected to the heating element for connecting the element to a source of electric current, and an electrical coding device carried by the body and enabling automatic identification of the fitting to determine the electric power to be supplied to the heating element, said device being electrically isolated from the heating element and being connected between auxiliary contact terminals carried by the body for connecting said device to control equipment.
2. An electro-fusion fitting as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the coding device is a component connected between a pair of auxiliary contact terminals.
3. An electro-fusion fitting as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said auxiliary contact terminals are positioned on the body adjacent one of the main contact terminals.
4. An electro-fusion fitting as claimed in claim 3, in combination with an electrical connector for connecting the fitting to the electic current source and the control equipment, the connector including contacts for engaging said one main terminal contact and the two auxiliary contact terminals, and the connector being arranged to connect electrically one of the auxiliary contact terminals to said one main contact terminal when the connector is engaged with the electro-fusion fitting.
5. A combination as claimed in claim 4, wherein a main current cable is coupled to an electrically conductive member of the plug, through which member electric current flows between the said cable and said one main terminal contact when the heating element is connected to the electrical current source, and said member being connected electrically to said one auxiliary contact terminal when the connector is engaged with the electro-fusion fitting.
6. A combinatiion according to claim 5, wherein a first sensor cable is coupled to a contact of the plug arranged to engage the other one of said auxiliary contact terminals, and a second signal cable is coupled to an electrically conductive element of the plug arranged to contact said one main terminal contact directly and independently of said conductive member.
7. A combination according to claim 6, wherein said one main contact terminal comprises a pin and said electrically conductive element is arranged to co-operate with the free end of the pin.
8. An electro-fusion fitting and plug connector substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
GB8308117A 1983-03-24 1983-03-24 Coupling electrofusion fitting to energy source and control equipment Expired GB2137026B (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB8308117A GB2137026B (en) 1983-03-24 1983-03-24 Coupling electrofusion fitting to energy source and control equipment

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB8308117A GB2137026B (en) 1983-03-24 1983-03-24 Coupling electrofusion fitting to energy source and control equipment

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB8308117D0 GB8308117D0 (en) 1983-05-05
GB2137026A true GB2137026A (en) 1984-09-26
GB2137026B GB2137026B (en) 1987-04-29

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB8308117A Expired GB2137026B (en) 1983-03-24 1983-03-24 Coupling electrofusion fitting to energy source and control equipment

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GB (1) GB2137026B (en)

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2174955A (en) * 1985-05-16 1986-11-19 Central Plastics Co Electrically heat welding thermoplastic fittings
EP0343251A4 (en) * 1987-10-22 1990-02-26 Mitsui Petrochemical Ind Electrofusion joint.
GB2234702A (en) * 1989-05-08 1991-02-13 British Gas Plc Identification of electro-fusion fittings
WO1994008278A1 (en) * 1992-10-07 1994-04-14 Wavin B.V. Electrically weldable thermoplastic joining element
WO1994026502A1 (en) * 1993-05-10 1994-11-24 Wavin B.V. Electric plug connector for thermoplastic electric welding sleeves
GB2294898A (en) * 1994-09-26 1996-05-15 Toa Kokyu Tugitevarubu Seizo C Control of a fusion process by determination of specific heat variation
WO1996019718A1 (en) * 1994-12-20 1996-06-27 University Of Bradford Fused strain gauge and monitored pipe system
EP1179410A1 (en) * 2000-08-10 2002-02-13 PF Schweisstechnologie GmbH Method for measuring the welding voltage in a heating coil of a heating coil fitting and heating coil welding apparatus therefore
FR2826792A1 (en) * 2001-06-29 2003-01-03 Thomson Marconi Sonar Sas Production of termination for submarine cable involves heating coil between cable and plug to fuse cable sleeve and plug together
GB2500419A (en) * 2012-03-22 2013-09-25 Graham Joseph Tannant Multi-diameter electrofusion output terminals
EP3865756A1 (en) 2020-02-11 2021-08-18 Georg Fischer Wavin AG Electric welding fitting

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0076043A2 (en) * 1981-09-30 1983-04-06 Fusion Plastics Limited Electro-fusion fitting
GB2124438A (en) * 1982-05-26 1984-02-15 British Gas Corp Coupling including device for identifying heat-sealable fittings

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0076043A2 (en) * 1981-09-30 1983-04-06 Fusion Plastics Limited Electro-fusion fitting
GB2124438A (en) * 1982-05-26 1984-02-15 British Gas Corp Coupling including device for identifying heat-sealable fittings

Cited By (16)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2174955A (en) * 1985-05-16 1986-11-19 Central Plastics Co Electrically heat welding thermoplastic fittings
EP0343251A4 (en) * 1987-10-22 1990-02-26 Mitsui Petrochemical Ind Electrofusion joint.
US4994655A (en) * 1987-10-22 1991-02-19 Mitsui Petrochemical Industries, Ltd. Electro-fusion joint
GB2234702A (en) * 1989-05-08 1991-02-13 British Gas Plc Identification of electro-fusion fittings
US5170042A (en) * 1989-05-08 1992-12-08 British Gas Plc Identification of electro-fusion fittings
WO1994008278A1 (en) * 1992-10-07 1994-04-14 Wavin B.V. Electrically weldable thermoplastic joining element
WO1994026502A1 (en) * 1993-05-10 1994-11-24 Wavin B.V. Electric plug connector for thermoplastic electric welding sleeves
GB2294898B (en) * 1994-09-26 1998-03-18 Toa Kokyu Tugitevarubu Seizo C A method of automatically controlling the fusion process between thermoplastic articles
GB2294898A (en) * 1994-09-26 1996-05-15 Toa Kokyu Tugitevarubu Seizo C Control of a fusion process by determination of specific heat variation
WO1996019718A1 (en) * 1994-12-20 1996-06-27 University Of Bradford Fused strain gauge and monitored pipe system
EP1179410A1 (en) * 2000-08-10 2002-02-13 PF Schweisstechnologie GmbH Method for measuring the welding voltage in a heating coil of a heating coil fitting and heating coil welding apparatus therefore
US6590189B2 (en) 2000-08-10 2003-07-08 Pf-Schweisstechnologie Gmbh Method of measuring a welding voltage at a heating coil of a heating coil fitting and a heating coil welding apparatus
FR2826792A1 (en) * 2001-06-29 2003-01-03 Thomson Marconi Sonar Sas Production of termination for submarine cable involves heating coil between cable and plug to fuse cable sleeve and plug together
GB2500419A (en) * 2012-03-22 2013-09-25 Graham Joseph Tannant Multi-diameter electrofusion output terminals
GB2500419B (en) * 2012-03-22 2019-06-05 Joseph Tannant Graham Multi-diameter electrofusion output terminal(s) for welding electrofusion fittings with different input pin diameters
EP3865756A1 (en) 2020-02-11 2021-08-18 Georg Fischer Wavin AG Electric welding fitting

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB8308117D0 (en) 1983-05-05
GB2137026B (en) 1987-04-29

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
732 Registration of transactions, instruments or events in the register (sect. 32/1977)
PE20 Patent expired after termination of 20 years

Effective date: 20030323