Abstract: A pipe has first and second exterior layers of insulation. The first layer of insulation has a higher temperature rating than the second. The second layer can be thicker than the first. In a system and method for forming the insulated pipe, a first mold having a first inner diameter is used for the first layer of insulation and a second mold having a second inner diameter greater than the first inner diameter is used for the second layer of insulation. The first layer of insulation is formed from a first polymer and the second is formed over the first layer from a second polymer. Multiple insulated pipes can be joined together at field joints and field joint insulation can be formed from first and second layers of field joint insulation corresponding in material and thickness to the first and second layers of pipe insulation.

Abstract: A strain testing rig for an elongate specimen has a first grip for the first end portion of the specimen, a second grip for the second end portion of the specimen, and a drive mechanism for moving the first grip away from the second grip to stretch the specimen lengthwise. The first grip and the second grip are configured to maintain a grip on the specimen as the cross section of the specimen decreases during stretching. Each of the first grip and the second grip can include a tapered dog, a press for compressing the respective end portion of the specimen, and a clamp for clamping the respective end portion of the specimen in a direction perpendicular to the action of the clamp. A method of testing strain characteristics can involve using digital image correlation to separately measure strain on each of the at least three independent strain zones.

Abstract: A portable molding system is configured for forming insulation on pipes. A set of transportable process modules are configured to be shipped to a molding site, operatively connected together at the molding site to form a site-installed molding system, and subsequently disconnected for transport to another site. The set of transportable process modules includes one or more resin preparation modules configured to prepare resin for being formed into insulation on the pipes. One or more mold modules are configured to define a mold cavity. The one or more mold modules are configured to hold a pipe in the mold cavity, to receive resin prepared by the one or more resin preparation modules in the mold cavity around the pipe, and to form said resin received in the mold cavity into insulation on the pipe.

Abstract: A strain testing rig for testing an elongate specimen has at least three restraints arranged to be spaced apart along the elongate specimen. Each restraint engages the elongate specimen at a respective contact location such that the strain testing rig defines an independent strain zone between each pair of adjacent contact locations. A drive mechanism moves the at least three restraints to stretch each independent strain zone such that the length of each independent strain zone increases independent of strain in the other zones. The restraints can be pivotably connected end-to-end as a chain linkage. The drive mechanism drives the chain linkage from a first position in which a forward facing side of the chain linkage which opposes the specimen is substantially straight to a second position in which the forward facing side of the chain linkage is convexly curved.

Abstract: A molding system for applying moldable material to a pipe. An elongate mold has at least one elongate mold member movable relative another elongate mold member between open and closed positions. In the closed position, the mold may define an elongate vent between the mold members that extends along the longitudinal axis of the mold. Air in the mold cavity displaced by moldable material received into the mold cavity vents through the elongate vent along the longitudinal axis of the mold. The mold can include a positioner that positions the mold members in the closed position while the mold is filled with the moldable material. The positioner also allows movement of the first mold member toward the open position to partially open the mold as the moldable material cures to reduce forces imparted upon the mold due to expansion of the moldable material during curing.

Abstract: A molding system for applying moldable material to a pipe. An elongate mold has at least one elongate mold member movable relative another elongate mold member between open and closed positions. The mold includes a pipe support that extends generally radially into a mold cavity along a support axis. An inner end of the support is configured to support the pipe in a molding position in which an annular portion of the mold cavity extends circumferentially around the pipe. After moldable material in the annular portion of the mold cavity can support the pipe, the support is withdrawn from the mold cavity by moving outwardly along the support axis. An injector selectively dispenses additional moldable material into a space formed by the support in the existing moldable material.