Uponor Aldyl Company

Gas Research Institute

Cin Lee Smith

Randy J Bleske

Goran Perica

Steve Kinney

A fusion joining apparatus includes an electrical power source, a first frequency converter coupled to the electrical power source, a connector for connection to an induction fusion heater, a second frequency converter and a controller. During operation, the electrical power source generates source electrical power at a source voltage and a source frequency. The first frequency converter steps up the voltage and the frequency of the source electrical power to produce high voltage electrical power. The second frequency converter reduces the voltage and frequency of the high voltage electrical power and produces low voltage electrical power. The second frequency converter has terminals for connection to a resistance fusion heater to provide the low voltage electrical power to the resistance fusion heater. The controller includes a processor which selects one of the second frequency converter and the connector and a switch to direct the high voltage electrical power to the selected one of the second frequency converter and the connector.

Fusion joining apparatus

An apparatus for fusing a pipe to a fitting includes an induction heating element wholly encased or coated with a flusible thermoplastic polymeric material, a fitting having a socket or a flange. The induction heating element is adapted to be inserted into said socket or mounted on said flange, the fitting and the element together defining a throughbore, a portion of a pipe adapted to be inserted into the throughbore or mountable on said flange. The apparatus also includes a locating and maintaining member on the induction heating element with one or more projections adapted to be snap-fitted on the fitting, the pipe or both, and capable of locating and maintaining the position of the heating element relative to the fitting or the member portion. The induction fusion element is capable of fusing the fitting and the pipe portion.

Apparatus and method for fusion joining a pipe and fittings

A method and apparatus for fusion joining polyethylene pipe. A power source supplies an input power to an input of a power supply. The input power has generally constant current and is converted to an output power at a relatively high frequency. The relatively high frequency output power is delivered to an installation tool. The output power delivered to the installation tool is controlled. The output power can be controlled as a function of ambient temperature surrounding the installation tool.

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Los Altos, CA, United States of America

Cin Lee Smith