Pipe Joint Structure Incorporating Electrical Conductivity Means (Patent No: 676763)

Inventor: Anthes-Imperial Company Limited

Location: St. Catharines, ON

Comments: N/A

Description:
The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A pipe joint for connecting metallic pipe in which the two pipe ends to be joined are adapted to telescope together, a first annular recess about the inside wall of the outer pipe, and sealing means contained within said first annular recess, said sealing means being an electrical insulator and spacing the inner pipe end from the outer; a second annular recess about the inside wall of the outer pipe end, an annular shoulder adjacent said second recess, the radial distance from said inner pipe end to said shoulder being less than the radial distance from said inner pipe end to the deepest part of said second recess, and at least one electrical conductor within said second recess and contacting both said inner and outer pipe ends as to provide electrical conductance therebetween, said shoulder serving to restrain said conductor against movement longitudinally of the pipe ends whereby to retain said conductor in said second recess.

2. A pipe joint as claimed in claim I having a one-piece conductor in the form of a circlet of copper tubing which has been forced past said shoulder and deformed to substantially fill said second recess.

3. A pipe joint as claimed in claim 1 or 2 in which said conductor is a split ring.

4. A pipe joint as claimed in claim 1 having two conductor each consisting of an are-shaped length of copper tubing which have been forced past said shoulder and deformed to substantially fill the portions of said second recess wherein they are located.

5. A pipe joint as claimed in claim 1 having a one-piece conductor formed of flat &rip; material and V-shaped in cross section, one of the arms of the V being longer than the other arm, said conductor being inserted within said second recess prior to the assembly of the pipe Joint, the inner pipe end acting to deform said longer arm as said inner pipe end is telescoped with the other pipe end whereby to achieve good electrical connection between said conductor and said inner pipe end.

6. A pipe joint as claimed in claim 1 in which said sealing means is a rubber gasket, said joint including two conductors, each consisting of a length of copper tubing which are forced past said shoulder after said pipe joint is assembled as to be deformed to substantially fill the portions of said second recess wherein they are located.

7. A slip joint for connecting lengths of cast iron pipe comprising a hub on the end of one pipe length to be joined, said hub being adapted to receive a spigot end on the other pipe length to be joined, an annular gasket of rubber composition contained within a first annular recess on the inside surface of said hub and contacting the outer surface of said spigot end whereby said surfaces are spaced from each other and means for providing electrical conductance between the joined pipe ends whereby a section of pipe line may be heated by passing an electrical current through said section, said means for providing electrical conductance comprising at least one electrical conductor disposed between and contacting to each of said surfaces and means for retaining said conductor in position including a second annular recess about the inside surface of said hub, said conductor being located in said second recess, and further including an annular shoulder adjacent said second recess on the side thereof remote from said gasket, said shoulder serving to prevent longitudinal movement of said conductor as to retain said conductor in said second recess.