Method and apparatus for reinforcing piping and installing a pipe adapter
A pipe adapter assembly joining first ends of two pipes. The adapter includes a temperature probe for measuring the temperature of a butt joint between the first ends of the two pipes, and a layer of reinforcement material wrapped around the joined ends of the pipes and the temperature probe. A pipe adapter is coupled to a second end of the first pipe, and covers least a portion of the adapter covers at least a portion of the reinforcement material.
1 . A pipe adapter assembly comprising:
a first pipe having a first end and a second end and a second pipe having a first end;
said first end of said first pipe adapted to be joined to said first end of said second pipe forming a butt joint;
a temperature probe disposed within a probe recess formed in an exterior surface of said first pipe proximal said butt joint;
a layer of reinforcement material wrapped around said first end of said first pipe and said first end of said second pipe such that said reinforcement material encapsulates said temperature probe and said butt joint; and
a pipe adapter coupled to said second end of said first pipe, wherein at least a portion of said adapter includes an outer sleeve extending over and mechanically retaining at least a portion of said reinforcement material.
2 . The pipe adapter assembly of claim 1 , wherein said layer of reinforcement material is heated after said wrapping around said pipe.
3 . The pipe adapter assembly of claim 2 , wherein said reinforcement material includes a heat activated resin.
4 . The pipe adapter assembly of claim 3 , wherein said first pipe and said second pipe are composite pipes.
5 . The pipe adapter assembly of claim 4 , further comprising a groove formed in said pipe.
6 . The pipe adapter assembly of claim 5 , wherein said pipe adapter includes an outer piece and an inner piece.
7 . The pipe adapter assembly of claim 6 , wherein said inner piece fits within an interior cavity of said pipe.