Abstract: A connector sleeve for polyolefin pipe ends for connecting butted pipe ends by a coupling. The connector sleeve is metallic and has a pair of internal circumferential ribs mated in external grooves of the pipe end which is press-fitted within the sleeve in sealing relation. The connector sleeve has a pair of external grooves registering with the ribs formed by a pressing or rolling operation. Butted pipe ends with their fitted connector sleeves are connected by a coupling engaging the connector sleeves. The connector sleeve and pipe end have registering bevelled ends and in the fitting operation the sleeve and pipe end are axially aligned and forcefully engaged whereby the bevelled end of the connector sleeve causes the pipe end to be internally deflected and compressed in mating engagement with said connector sleeve.

Abstract: A connector sleeve for polyolefin pipe ends for connecting butted pipe ends by a coupling. The connector sleeve is metallic and has a pair of internal circumferential ribs mated in external grooves of the pipe end which is press-fitted within the sleeve in sealing relation. The connector sleeve has a pair of external grooves registering with the ribs formed by a pressing or rolling operation. Butted pipe ends with their fitted connector sleeves are connected by a coupling engaging the connector sleeves. The connector sleeve and pipe end have registering bevelled ends and in the fitting operation the sleeve and pipe end are axially aligned and forcefully engaged whereby the bevelled end of the connector sleeve causes the pipe end to be internally deflected and compressed in mating engagement with said connector sleeve.

Abstract: A thermal energy storage device and method for making the same. The thermal energy storage device is in the form of a sealed tube-like container such as a tube-like cylinder or other geometrical configuration partially filled with a phase change material such as calcium chloride hexahydrate. The cylinder is made of tubular high density polyethylene and more particularly an ultra high molecular weight high density polyethylene having a molecular weight of about 500,000 to 700,000 which is tough, chemically resistant, withstands low and high temperatures, acts as a moisture vapor barrier and can be fused and sealed. The calcium hexahydrate is filled in an open top cylinder, closed at the bottom by dissolving two parts of calcium chloride dihydrate with one part of water to provide calcium chloride hexahydrate in liquid form. The cylinder is filled to about 90% by volume and a cap of the same material is then preheated to about fusion temperature.