Patent ID: 7107662

Claim:
In a pipeline having a plurality of longitudinal pipe sections, a joint mechanism coupling two such sections, comprising: pipe sections having outwardly flanged end portions; means holding outer end surfaces of the pipe sections in abutting and sealing relationship, the flanged end portions then also providing an annular space to receive a coupling ring; a coupling ring disposed within the annular space and having an inner diameter conforming to an inner diameter of the pipe sections, the coupling ring also having longitudinally tapered outer end surface portions; each pipe section also containing a cylindrical lining member covering an inner wall surface of the pipe section; end portions of respective liners extending into the annular space in contact with respective tapered outer surfaces of the coupling ring, the liner ends not being in physical contact with each other; and the annular space permitting fluid or gas that may be moving within the liner of one pipe section to flow around an outer circumference of the coupling ring and into the liner of the other pipe section when the pipe sections are coupled in abutting and sealing relationship.