초록 ▼

A casing member for forming a connection between tubular sections. The member has heat shrinkable end portions, for connecting on respective adjacent end surfaces of the tubular sections adjacent the joint, and a middle portion for spanning between the end surfaces of the tubular sections. The end p

A casing member for forming a connection between tubular sections. The member has heat shrinkable end portions, for connecting on respective adjacent end surfaces of the tubular sections adjacent the joint, and a middle portion for spanning between the end surfaces of the tubular sections. The end portions are formed integrally with at least a portion of the middle portion and have a zone that has a relatively small wall thickness while the middle portion having a relatively large wall thickness. This member may be made by heat shrinking a sleeve on an inner core on a mandrel or by uniting opposed ends of a heat shrink sheet having one or more auxiliary layers bonded to it. The properties of the core or auxiliary layer or layers may be tailored to provide desired properties or capabilities.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A casing member for forming a connection between tubular sections having respective end surfaces, the member having heat shrinkable end portions, for connecting on said respective adjacent end surfaces of said tubular sections, and a middle portion for spanning between said end surfaces of said t

1. A casing member for forming a connection between tubular sections having respective end surfaces, the member having heat shrinkable end portions, for connecting on said respective adjacent end surfaces of said tubular sections, and a middle portion for spanning between said end surfaces of said tubular sections, said end portions formed integrally with at least a portion of the middle portion and comprising a zone having a relatively small wall thickness and the middle portion having a relatively large wall thickness, said zones of the end portions being caused to shrink while said middle portion remains unshrunk and remains solid and not melting or flowing when said zones and said middle portion are exposed to similar heat flux for a similar period of time.