Abstract: A clamp is provided for securely aligning opposed longitudinal halves of a pipe. The clamp comprises a support having a recess therein for receiving a portion of the pipe. First and second levers are pivotably mounted to the supports on generally opposite sides of the recess therein Each lever includes opposed gripping and actuating ends. A piston and cylinder assembly extends between and is pivotally connected to the actuating ends of the first and second levers. As a result, the movement of the piston relative to the cylinder causes the sequential rotation of the first and second levers about their respective pivotable mountings to the support, to securely urge the gripping ends thereof into contact with the pipe mounted in the recess of the support.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for forming an air gap pipe are provided. Inner and outer pipes are bent or deformed into comparable configurations such that the inner pipe can be mounted within the outer pipe. The outer pipe then is split longitudinally by a preprogrammed cutting apparatus. The cutting of the outer pipe terminates just short of the complete longitudinal length of the pipe to facilitate rematching later in the process. The cutter includes a follower to trace the actual configuration of the pipe and thereby to offset differences from one pipe to the next. An array of clamps are provided to align the outer pipe halves relative to one another and to facilitate the reattachment.