Connections for insulated pipes

Claim 1

An insulated pipeline, comprising in combination: first and second pipes respectively having first and second end portions disposed adjacent and fixedly connected to one another; first and second layers of insulating material respectively disposed in surrounding relationship to said first and second pipes, each of said insulating layers comprising an annular layer of foamed plastic material terminating at a location spaced from the respective end portion whereby the adjacent axial ends of the first and second insulating layers define an annular space therebetween in surrounding relationship to the annular end portions of said first and second pipes, the adjacent ends of the insulating layers having end surfaces which slant toward the external surface of the pipe; first and second annular covering layers respectively disposed in surrounding relationship to said first and second insulating layers; protective covering means cooperating tightly with the outer surface of the end portions of said pipes and with said first and second covering layers for creating a sealed relationship therewith, said protective covering means including an annular member positioned in surrounding relationship to an end portion of one of said pipes and having a shape substantially corresponding to the outer profile of the end of the insulating layer associated with said one pipe; said protective covering means also including an annular recess formed in said annular member approximately at the location where the outer surface of the insulating layer starts to slant toward the outer surface of the pipe, and an annular ring of elastomeric material disposed in said recess in surrounding relationship to the annular member, and said covering layer associated with said one pipe extending beyond said recess whereby said ring of elastomeric material is disposed between and sealingly engages said annular member and said covering layer; an annular sleeve of foamed plastic material disposed within the annular space provided between the adjacent ends of said first and second insulating layers, said annular sleeve of foamed plastic material being disposed in surrounding relationship to said protective covering means; and an annular lining layer disposed in surrounding relationship to said annular sleeve of foamed plastic material, said annular lining layer having the opposite ends thereof cooperating with and sealingly engaging the outer surfaces of the first and second covering layers.