Patent ID: 7960978
Filing Date: 2011-06-14
Classification: F16L,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method of providing electrical continuity in an electrical circuit used in an insulated piping system which conveys high temperature fluids, the method comprising the steps of: providing at least a first and second length of insulated and jacketed pipe, each having a joining end to be joined to an end of the other length, each pipe length comprising an inner carrier pipe having an interior surface and an exterior surface, an envelope of foamed insulation surrounding the inner pipe exterior surface, and an outer protective polymeric jacket surrounding the envelope of insulation, the joining ends of adjacent pipe lengths being welded together to form fixed joints, whereby the adjacent pipe lengths provide a continuous length of fluid conduit for conveying high temperature fluids; wherein at least one barrier component is located at a selected location along the length of joined pipe in the piping system, the barrier component being installed on the exterior surface of the inner carrier pipe and having at least one vertical component extending outwardly therefrom which interrupts the envelope of foamed insulation surrounding the inner carrier pipe at the selected location; passing a bare conductor wire through the foamed insulation between the outer protective jacket and the inner carrier pipe, generally parallel to the axis of the joined pipe; providing a selected length of conductor wire with a polymeric coating which is compatible with the material of the outer protective polymeric jacket surrounding the envelope of foamed insulation to thereby form a selected length of polymer coated wire having exposed, bare conductor wire extending from either of opposite ends thereof; providing an opening in the outer protective polymeric jacket at a location adjacent the barrier component and passing a portion of the length of polymer coated wire out of the opening and around the barrier component; forming a similar opening on an opposite side of the barrier component and passing a remaining length of the coated wire through the similar opening and back into the foamed insulation of the pipeline; heat fusing the two openings so that the polymeric coating of the selected length of coated wire fuses with the material of the polymeric protective jacket of the pipeline to thereby seal the respective pipe openings; connecting the bare ends of the conductor wire to an external electrical circuit.