Pipe, pipe connection and pipeline system
A pipeline system is enclosed including unlined or plastic lined pipes. A mechanical metal to metal connection is employed that can provide a fluid tight seal. A pipe coupling may be employed to span the connection. Plastic lined pipes can have their plastic liners connected to form a fluid tight bladder. Electro fusion may be employed.
1. An electro-fusion assembly installed in a metal shell, the electro-fusion assembly prior to electro-fusion including:
a plastic sleeve within the metal shell, the plastic sleeve including an open inner diameter configured to receive a plastic tubular structure therein;
an electrical conductor supported by the plastic sleeve;
an electrical contact for conducting electricity to the electrical conductor, the electrical contact exposed on an outer surface of the metal shell; and
a fluid tight seal and an electrically insulative liner between the electrical contact and the metal shell.
2. The electro-fusion assembly of claim 1 , wherein the metal shell includes a cylindrical inner wall encircling the plastic sleeve and the plastic sleeve is in contact with the cylindrical inner wall of the metal shell.
3. The electro-fusion assembly of claim 1 , wherein the fluid tight seal and the electrically insulative liner are the same structure.
4. The electro-fusion assembly of claim 1 , wherein the electrical contact includes a bolt and a nut, the nut secured in the plastic sleeve and the bolt positioned with an end exposed on the outer surface and a stem engaged in the nut.
5. The electro-fusion assembly of claim 4 , wherein the electrical conductor is conductively connected to the nut.
6. The electro-fusion assembly of claim 4 , wherein the nut is secured against rotation in the plastic sleeve, and the nut and the stem are threadedly engaged.
7. The electro-fusion assembly of claim 1 , wherein the fluid tight seal is an o-ring compressed between the electrical contact and the metal shell.
8. An electro-fusion assembly installed in a metal shell including:
a plastic sleeve within the metal shell,
an electrical conductor supported by the plastic sleeve;
an electrical contact for conducting electricity to the electrical conductor, the electrical contact exposed on an outer surface of the metal shell and including a bolt and a nut, the nut secured in the plastic sleeve and the bolt positioned with an end exposed on the outer surface and a stem engaged in the nut; and
a fluid tight seal and an electrically insulative liner between the electrical contact and the metal shell.
9. The electro-fusion assembly of claim 8 , wherein the plastic sleeve is in contact with the metal shell.
10. The electro-fusion assembly of claim 8 , wherein the electrical conductor is conductively connected to the nut.
11. The electro-fusion assembly of claim 8 , wherein the nut is secured against rotation in the plastic sleeve, and the nut and the stem are threadedly engaged.
12. The electro-fusion assembly of claim 8 , wherein the fluid tight seal and the electrically insulative liner are the same structure.
13. The electro-fusion assembly of claim 8 , wherein the fluid tight seal is an o-ring compressed between the electrical contact and the metal shell.
14. An electro-fusion assembly installed in a metal shell including:
a plastic sleeve within the metal shell,
an electrical conductor supported by the plastic sleeve;
an electrical contact for conducting electricity to the electrical conductor, the electrical contact exposed on an outer surface of the metal shell;
an o-ring compressed between the electrical contact and the metal shell creating a fluid tight seal; and
an electrically insulative liner between the electrical contact and the metal shell.
15. The electro-fusion assembly of claim 14 , wherein the plastic sleeve is in contact with the metal shell.
16. An electro-fusion pipe coupling comprising:
a hollow cylindrical metal wall;
a plastic sleeve positioned substantially concentrically within and in contact with the hollow cylindrical metal wall;
an electrical conductor supported by the plastic sleeve;
an electrical contact for conducting electricity to the electrical conductor, the electrical contact exposed on an outer surface of the hollow cylindrical metal wall; and
a fluid tight seal and an electrically insulative liner between the electrical contact and the hollow cylindrical metal wall.
17. The electro-fusion pipe coupling of claim 16 , wherein the metal wall is a portion of a metal pipe.