Simultaneous butt and lap joints

• US 20020100540A1
• Filed: 03/20/2002
• Published: 08/01/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/10/1998
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Edison Welding Institute Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Edison Welding Institute Incorporated
• Inventors: Savitski, Alexander, Grimm, Robert A.
• Application Number:
  US10/103,437
• Publication Number:
  US 20020100540A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 156/157
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 35/0805 using electromagnetic radiation
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/1406 Ultraviolet [UV] radiation
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/1412 Infrared [IR] radiation
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/1416 Near-infrared radiation [NIR]
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/1422 Far-infrared radiation [FIR]
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/1425 Microwave radiation
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/1435 at least passing through one of the parts to be joined, i.e. transmission welding
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/1477 making use of an absorber or impact modifier B29C65/1677 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/148 placed at the interface
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/1606 Ultraviolet [UV] radiation, e.g. by ultraviolet excimer lasers
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/1616 Near infrared radiation [NIR], e.g. by YAG lasers
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/1619 Mid infrared radiation [MIR], e.g. by CO or CO2 lasers
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/1635 at least passing through one of the parts to be joined, i.e. laser transmission welding
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/1122 Single lap to lap joints, i.e. overlap joints B29C66/45, B29C66/472, B29C66/52272 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/1142 Single butt to butt joints
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/1222 comprising at least a lapped joint-segment
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/1224 comprising at least a butt joint-segment
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/1282 comprising at least one overlap joint-segment
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/12841 comprising at least two butt joint-segments
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/14 the joint having the same thickness as the thickness of the parts to be joined B29C66/1142 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/43 : Joining a relatively small portion of the surface of said articles B29C66/45 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/5221 : for forming coaxial connections, i.e. the tubular articles to be joined forming a zero angle relative to each other
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/5229 : involving the use of a socket
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/52292 : said stop being internal
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/612 : Making circumferential joints
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/636 : using a support which remains in the joined object
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/65 : with a relative motion between the article and the welding tool B29C65/10, B29C65/12 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/652 : moving the welding tool around the fixed article
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/71 : characterised by the composition of the plastics material of the parts to be joined welding bar compositions B29C65/125
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/721 : Fibre-reinforced materials B29C66/729 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/7392 : characterised by the material of at least one of the parts being a thermoplastic
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/73921 : characterised by the materials of both parts being thermoplastics
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/7394 : characterised by the material of at least one of the parts being a thermoset
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/73941 : characterised by the materials of both parts being thermosets
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/97 : Checking completion of joining or correct joining by using indications on at least one of the joined parts
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2023/06 : PE, i.e. polyethylene
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2023/12 : PP, i.e. polypropylene
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2027/16 : PVDF, i.e. polyvinylidene fluoride
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 2201/10 : Indicators for correct coupling
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 47/02 : Welded joints; Adhesive joints

Abstract

A method for production of simultaneous lap and butt joints directs electromagnetic radiation (12) through a radiation transmitting material coupling (40) having an absorbing material (44) formed as a portion of coupling (40) that absorbs radiation (12) with the generation of heat. The heat provides sufficient molten material in interfaces (50a, 50b, and 50c) to fuse and bond: 1) pipe ends (14, 24) to each other in a butt joint (22), 2) pipe end portion (16) to sleeve (40) in a lap joint (28a), and 3) pipe end portion (26) to sleeve (40) in a lap joint (28b). A coupling (40) is preformed with integral or surface applied radiation absorbing material (44) to provide rapid joint assembly and consistent weld production.

Claims

1. A method for the simultaneous formation of butt joint and lap joints comprising:

a) providing a radiation source of electromagnetic radiation;

b) providing an end of an end portion of a first piece in butt joint relation with an end of an end portion of a second piece;

c) providing a lap joint piece in lap joint relation with;

1) said end portion of said first piece,

2) said end portion of said second piece, and

3) said butt joint relation of said end of said end portion of said first piece and said end of said end portion of said second piece,

d) providing said lap joint piece as a substantially rigid transmitting material that transmits said electromagnetic radiation;

e) providing an absorbing material that is a portion of said lap joint piece and which absorbs said electromagnetic radiation with generation of heat in at least a portion of a bond line comprising;

1) a first interface between said end of said first piece and said end of said second piece,

2) a second interface between said end portion of said first piece and said lap joint piece, and

3) a third interface between said end portion of said second piece and said lap joint piece

with said heat sufficient to;

1) bond said end of said first piece to said end of said second piece with a butt joint,

2) bond said end portion of said first piece to said lap joint piece with a first lap joint, and

3) bond said end portion of said second piece to said lap joint piece with a second lap joint;

f) directing said electromagnetic radiation from said radiation source initially through said transmitting material and then to said absorbing material;

g) absorbing said electromagnetic radiation with said absorbing material to produce sufficient heat in said bond line to provide sufficient molten material to afford fusion of;

1) said end of the first piece,

2) said end of the second piece,

3) said end portion of said first piece,

4) said end portion of said second piece, and

5) said lap joint piece; and

h) cooling said bond line to bond;

1) said end of the first piece with said end of the second piece with said butt joint,

2) said end portion of said first piece with said lap joint piece with said first lap joint, and

3) said end portion of said second piece with said lap joint piece with said second lap joint.

2. The method for the simultaneous formation of butt and lap joints according to claim 1 wherein said absorbing material is provided as an integral portion of said lap joint piece.

3. The method for the simultaneous formation of butt and lap joints according to claim 1 wherein said absorbing material is provided as a surface coating on said lap joint piece.

4. The method for the simultaneous formation of butt and lap joints according to claim 1 wherein said first piece is provided as a first plastic pipe, said second piece is provided as a second plastic pipe, and said lap joint piece is provided as a plastic coupling.

5. The method for the simultaneous formation of butt and lap joints according to claim 4 wherein said coupling is provided as an exterior coupling.

6. The method for the simultaneous formation of butt and lap joints according to claim 4 wherein said coupling is provided as an interior coupling.

7. The method for the simultaneous formation of butt and lap joints according to claim 4 wherein said absorbing material is provided as an integral portion of said coupling.

8. The method for the simultaneous formation of butt and lap joints according to claim 7 wherein said absorbing material is co-extruded with said transmitting plastic.

9. The method for the simultaneous formation of butt and lap joints according to claim 7 wherein said absorbing material is molded with said transmitting plastic.

10. The method for the simultaneous formation of buff and lap joints according to claim 7 wherein said absorbing material is co-extruded or molded on the inner radial portion of said coupling.

11. The method for the simultaneous formation of butt and lap joints according to claim 7 wherein said absorbing material is co-extruded or molded on the outer radial portion of said coupling.

12. The method for the simultaneous formation of butt and lap joints according to claim 4 wherein said absorbing material is coated on a radial surface of said of said coupling.

13. The method for the simultaneous formation of butt and lap joints according to claim 12 wherein said absorbing material is sprayed on a radial surface of said coupling.

14. The method for the simultaneous formation of butt and lap joints according to claim 12 wherein said absorbing material is painted on a radial surface of said coupling.

15. The method for the simultaneous formation of butt and lap joints according to claim 12 wherein said absorbing material is sprayed or painted on the inner radial portion of said coupling.

16. The method for the simultaneous formation of butt and lap joints according to claim 12 wherein said absorbing material is sprayed or painted on the outer radial portion of said coupling.

18. The coupling according to claim 17 wherein said absorbing material is integral with a portion of said plastic tubular member.

19. The coupling according to claim 18 wherein said absorbing material is co-extruded with said plastic tubular member.

20. The coupling according to claim 18 wherein said absorbing material is co-extruded on an outer radial portion of said plastic tubular member.

21. The coupling according to claim 18 wherein said absorbing material is co-extruded on an inner radial portion of said plastic tubular member.

22. The coupling according to claim 17 wherein said absorbing material is molded to said plastic tubular member.

23. The coupling according to claim 22 wherein said absorbing material is molded to an outer radial portion of said plastic tubular member.

24. The coupling according to claim 22 wherein said absorbing material is molded to an inner radial portion of said plastic tubular member.

25. The coupling according to claim 17 wherein said absorbing material is affixed to said plastic tubular member.

26. The coupling according to claim 25 wherein said absorbing material is sprayed on said plastic tubular member.

27. The coupling according to claim 26 wherein said absorbing material is sprayed on an outer radial surface of said plastic tubular member.

28. The coupling according to claim 26 wherein said absorbing material is sprayed on an inner radial portion of said plastic tubular member.

29. The coupling according to claim 25 wherein said absorbing material is painted on said plastic tubular member.

30. The coupling according to claim 29 wherein said absorbing material is painted on an outer radial surface of said plastic tubular member.

31. The coupling according to claim 29 wherein said absorbing material is painted on an inner radial portion of said plastic tubular member.

17. A coupling for use in the simultaneous formation of butt joint and lap joints in which electromagnetic radiation is transmitted through a substantially rigid transmitting plastic to an absorbing material which absorbs said radiation with generation of sufficient heat to provide molten material in the end portion and end of a first pipe, the end portion and end of a second pipe, and in said coupling to:

1) bond said end of said first pipe to said end of a second pipe with a butt joint,

     2) bond said end portion of said first pipe to said coupling with a first lap joint, and

     3) bond said end portion of said second piece to said coupling with a second lap joint, said coupling comprising;

1) a plastic tubular member; and

2) an absorbing material affixed to or integral with said plastic member.