Abstract: An apparatus for heating an elongate tubular article, such as a heat shrinkable sleeve applied around a welded pipe joint during pipeline construction. The apparatus is in the form of a frame which can be disposed around the article, the frame having a heater device having both longitudinally disposed heating zones and radially disposed heating sectors, each of which can be independently controlled. Alternatively, or in combination, the apparatus can have an air circulation system. Also, a method for shrinking a heat shrinkable sleeve comprising use of said apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus for heating an elongate tubular article, such as a heat shrinkable sleeve applied around a welded pipe joint during pipeline construction. The apparatus is in the form of a frame which can be disposed around the article, the frame having a heater device having both longitudinally disposed heating zones and radially disposed heating sectors, each of which can be independently controlled. Alternatively, or in combination, the apparatus can have an air circulation system. Also, a method for shrinking a heat shrinkable sleeve comprising use of said apparatus.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an apparatus for heating an elongate tubular article, comprising a frame member adapted to be disposed around said article, a heater with multiple heating zones and a controller for operating the heating device. The apparatus may be used to apply a heat shrinkable sleeve around a welded pipe joint. The heater may be infrared and also may use thin stamped sheets. If a heat shrinkable sleeve is used, the controller may activate the heating zones from the centre of the weld outward to eliminate pockets of air. The diameter of the interior of the frame may change along the length of the frame.