Abstract: A mold for coating a pipeline section with molten coating material from an injection molding machine, wherein the mold comprises a shell of impervious material reinforced by an exoskeleton of non-distensible material. An assembly for supporting a mold comprising a plurality of mutually separable shell bodies for coating a pipeline section, wherein the assembly comprises motorized opening and closing of the shell bodies in a straight line. An assembly for supporting a bent pipeline section wherein the assembly comprises a base and a pair of arms extending from the base, wherein each arm comprises a respective clamping collar for clamping a bent pipe section between the arms. A vehicle for induction heating a bent pipeline section, wherein the vehicle comprises: a helical induction coil; and wheels arranged to guide movement of both ends of the induction coil through a tubular inside face of a bent pipeline section.

Abstract: An applicator machine and a process for heating and coating a section of pipeline. The applicator machine includes a frame configured to rotate about a section of pipeline to be heated and coated, rotating means operable to rotate the frame, and coating material applicators induction coils and radiant heaters mounted on the frame and rotatable therewith. The induction coil is configured to heat a section of pipeline adjacent to the induction coil to a coating material application temperature. The radiant heaters are configured to heat factory-applied coatings. Each coating material applicator sprays coating material through an aperture in a respective induction coil. The applicator includes an enclosure configured to surround a section of pipeline and provision for evacuating and collecting waste coating material. The coating material applicator may be configured to spray powder coating material, such as fusion bonded epoxy powder material and/or chemically modified polypropylene powder material.

Abstract: A mold for coating a pipeline section with molten coating material from an injection molding machine, wherein the mold Includes a shell of impervious material reinforced by an exoskeleton of non-distensible material. An assembly for supporting a mold including a plurality of mutually separable shell bodies for coating a pipeline section, wherein the assembly includes motorized opening and closing of the shell bodies in a straight line. An assembly for supporting a bent pipeline section wherein the assembly includes a base and a pair of arms extending from the base, wherein each arm includes a respective clamping collar for clamping a bent pipe section between the arms. A vehicle for induction heating a bent pipeline section, wherein the vehicle includes a helical induction coil; and wheels arranged to guide movement of both ends of the induction coil through a tubular inside face of a bent pipeline section.

Abstract: Apparatus for coating pipes includes means for applying a sheet material 32,33,34, to a pipe 2 and means for heating 23,31 the sheet material and/or pipe. The means for heating may be operative to heat the sheet material during its application to the pipe. The means for heating may comprise a means for directing hot air towards the pipe and/or sheet material. The sheet material may be disposed on reels housed in canisters 22 that are releasably mounted on the apparatus.

Abstract: Apparatus for spraying a coating onto the outside of a pipe includes a body for mounting on a pipe to be coated. A spray gun is mounted on the body such that it can move relative to the body to spray coating completely around the periphery of the pipe. The apparatus may include only a single spray gun which is able to travel in a 360 degree range of motion around the periphery of the pipe. The apparatus is particularty suited to coating girth welds of a pipeline.