Abstract: A pneumatic mandrel for use in machining and fusing plastic pistons and cylinders has a forward end wall with a port therethrough in pneumatic communication with a vacuum pump via a pneumatic tube extending longitudinally through the mandrel. A cylinder may be snugly mounted on the mandrel and may also be fixed against rearward axial movement by a stop member means the rearward end of the mandrel. The cylinder overhangs the forward end wall of the mandrel by substantially the length of the piston so that the end walls of the piston and cylinder will be aligned when the piston head is drawn by vacuum into firm abutment with the forward end wall of the mandrel. Preferably, a sink about the forward end wall port forms a peripheral landing about the end wall to assure firmness in the abutment. Relief ports are also provided through the mandrel for release of the vacuum to facilitate removal of the cylinder and piston from the mandrel.

Abstract: A polyethylene pipe heat fusion apparatus and method wherein the temperature, time, and hydraulic pressures necessary to create an acceptable joint are controlled by a programmable computer.

Abstract: A portable pipe fusion apparatus for attaching plastic side wall fittings e.g. tees, branch saddles to a plastic pipe of selected composition. This apparatus comprises a base plate with means to rigidly clamp the base plate to a pipe main. Two parallel, spaced support rods attached to the base plate at one end, and to a support plate across the other two ends. Movable clamp means guided to slide along the support rods with the axis of movement intersecting the axis of the pipe main. The movable clamp means is adapted to be attached to and hold various of the side wall fittings rigidly, so that the axes of the fittings intersect the axis of the main pipe. Drive screw means held in a quick release split nut means on the support plate, will force the movable clamp in the direction to contact the transverse pipe main. A hydraulic load cell is interposed between the drive screw and the movable clamp with an indicator which continually reads the force being applied between the moving clamp and the pipe main.

Abstract: A hand held apparatus for joining coaxially two lengths of small diameter plastic pipe comprises two parts. One part forms a first handle, and is attached to a horizontal frame at right angles. The frame holds at one end a stationary clamp into which one end of a first pipe can be inserted and locked in position. The other end holds a movable clamp which is a cylindrical tubular device into which the second pipe is positioned and clamped. The tube of the second clamp slides axially in a cylindrical portion attached to the second end of the frame at the point of junction of the handle and the frame. A second handle comprises an arm with a U-shaped portion. One end of the second handle is pivoted at a selected point on the frame so that the second handle can rotate about the pivot which is perpendicular to the plane of the first handle and frame. The rotatable handle is adapted to reciprocate the movable clamp so as to bring the facing end of the second pipe towards the facing end of the first pipe.