Abstract: A method of powder coating the inside of tubular goods, such as oilfield pipe and the like, by connecting one end of the pipe to a means for producing a flow of compressible gases therethrough. The other end of the pipe is open to atmospheric pressure. A valve means is connected for controlling the flow of air through the container which holds a single charge of plastic powder. The charge of powdered plastic is isolated upstream of the pipe inlet. The charge is of sufficient size to coat the entire inside peripheral wall surface of the pipe with a substantial uniform coating of plastic. The pipe is heated above the softening temperature of the plastic and axially rotated, so that when the valve is opened, air flows through the container, into the pipe, and establishes a pressure gradient across the entire length of the pipe. This action causes the captured charge of plastic to form a pocket of dispersed plastic particles which is forced to flow through the pipe by the air flow.

Abstract: The difficulty of applying uniform plastic coatings to the interior of pipe and other tubular goods increases in proportion to the diameter and length of the pipe. Epoxy is one of the most satisfactory plastic coatings for use on oilfield pipe. An epoxy coating preferably is applied on powdered form to the heated, rotating pipe interior, where the plastic is fused into a continuous film and thereafter the pipe is cooled as the film solidifies to provide a superior coating which protects the metal pipe surface from chemically reacting with the material flowing therethrough, thereby elongating the life of the pipe.

Abstract: A pipeline is fabricated by forcing the end portions of joints of pipe telescopingly into a coupling member and into fluid tight relationship respective to one another. The coupling member is in the form of a sleeve having opposed cavities which receive adjacent marginal ends of the pipe joints therewith. Each marginal end of the pipe joint is forced into the cavity of the sleeve with great force such that the sleeve cavity holds the pipe ends together with a strong friction fit. Each cavity of a sleeve has a first maginal length with blades formed about the circumference thereof, and another marginal length with a resilient sealing member formed about the circumference thereof, so that both the blades and the seal member are deformed as one of the marginal pipe ends is forced thereinto, whereby the metal bladed part of the sleeve engages and rigidly holds the pipe respective to the sleeve, while the seal part of the sleeve prevents leakage of fluids therethrough.

Abstract: Method and apparatus by which the interior of a pipe is coated with a uniform thickness of plastic. A source of heat-meltable plastic material in particular form is connected at a location upstream of the inlet end of the pipe, while the opposed end of the pipe is made attachable to a reduced pressure. A source of compressible fluid is also connected at a location upstream of the inlet end of the pipe. The pipe is preheated and then rotated axially while a charge of powdered plastic is forced through the pipe by the compressible fluid. The powdered plastic which flows through the pipe is a finite pocket of the finely divided plastic, which is smaller in volume respective to the volume of the pipe being coated.

Abstract: Method and apparatus by which joints of seamless pipe are rapidly and economically fabricated into a fluid conveying pipeline. Steel tubular fluid conducting members in the form of pipe joints are joined together by a steel coupler sleeve. The sleeve has opposed cavities which receive adjacent marginal ends of the members. Each marginal end of the pipe is forced into one cavity of the sleeve with great force such that the sleeve cavity holds the pipe ends together with a strong friction fit. A sealing substance is applied to the marginal ends of the pipe. A special hydraulic machine engages and forces the marginal ends of the pipe into the sleeve cavities with a twisting motion, which enhances the connection effected between the sleeve and the marginal end of the pipe.

Abstract: Apparatus for forcing threadless joints of pipe axially into a coupling to effect a string of pipe. The apparatus includes a main frame movable longitudinally along the projected path of a pipeline to be constructed. A pipe gripper is mounted to the main frame for slidable movement longitudinally along the pipeline. The pipe gripper comprises a plurality of pipe engaging dies remotely actuated to grip and release a marginal length of a pipe. A coupling holding fixture is affixed to the main frame in spaced relation respective to the pipe gripper. The fixture includes a movable wall which enables a coupling to be releasably held in fixed relationship respective to the main frame, and remotely released when desired. A coupling is placed within the fixture, a joint of pipe is placed within the pipe gripper which forces the pipe axially into the coupling whereupon the pipe connection is effected to thereby enable a pipeline to be fabricated.

Abstract: Elongated members to be plastic coated are cleaned, preheated to a temperature above the melting point of powdered plastic, and axially rotated while moved through a special coating chamber. Air locks located on opposed walls of the chamber freely receive the heated rotating member therethrough. An isolated, dry fluidized bed of plastic particles is formed below the airlocks and in underlying relationship to the moving member. A conduit has an inlet thereof located within the bed and an outlet thereof is directed downwardly towards the rotating member. An air lift moves the fluidized plastic from the bed, through the conduit, and into contact with the outer surface of the heated, rotating member, whereupon some of the powdered plastic fuses into a uniform coating which adheres to the outer surface of the member. A wet quench chamber is located immediately adjacent to the dry coating chamber.

Abstract: A method of powder coating the inside of tubular goods, such as oil field pipe and the like, by connecting one end of the pipe to a means for producing a flow of compressible gases therethrough. The other end of the pipe is open to atmospheric pressure. A valve means is connected upstream of the pipe between the inlet end thereof and a container for holding a single charge of plastic powder. The charge of powdered plastic is isolated upstream of the pipe inlet. The charge is of sufficient size to coat the entire inside peripheral wall surface of the pipe with a substantial uniform coating of plastic.

Abstract: The interior of a pipe is coated with a uniform thickness of plastic. A fluidized bed of heat-meltable plastic material in particular form is connected to the inlet end of the pipe, while the opposed end of the pipe is made attachable to a source of reduced pressure. A source of compressible fluid is also connected to the inlet end of the pipe. The pipe is preheated and then rotated axially while the compressible fluid flows therethrough. The compressible fluid flowing to the inlet is suddenly terminated while a flow from the fluidized bed is immediately established so that the vacuum at the outlet end of the pipe causes uninterrupted mass flow and pulls a finite pocket of the finely divided plastic into the pipe. The flow of particular plastic material is terminated, while the flow of compressed gas is immediately re-established, thereby pushing the pocket of plastic material into and through the pipe.

Abstract: The interior of a pipe is coated with a uniform thickness of plastic. A fluidized bed of heat-meltable plastic material in particular form is connected to the inlet end of the pipe, while the opposed end of the pipe is made attachable to a source of reduced pressure. A source of compressible fluid is also connected to the inlet end of the pipe. The pipe is preheated and then rotated axially while the compressible fluid flows therethrough. The compressible fluid flowing to the inlet is suddenly terminated while a flow from the fluidized bed is immediately established so that the vacuum at the outlet end of the pipe causes uninterrupted mass flow and pulls a finite pocket of the finely divided plastic into the pipe. The flow of particular plastic material is terminated, while the flow of compressed gas is immediately re-established, thereby pushing the pocket of plastic material into and through the pipe.

Abstract: A method of powder coating the inside of tubular goods, such as oil field pipe and the like, by connecting one end of the pipe to a means for producing a flow of compressible gases therethrough. The other end of the pipe is open to atmospheric pressure. A valve means is connected upstream of the pipe between the inlet end thereof and a container for holding a single charge of plastic powder. The charge of powdered plastic is isolated upstream of the pipe inlet. The charge is of sufficient size to coat the entire inside peripheral wall surface of the pipe with a substantial uniform coating of plastic.