Method of making preinsulated pipe assembly

Claim 1

A method of installing a heating element in a preinsulated pipeline having a pipeline heater housing with a cavity therethrough and terminals for connecting the heating element to an energy source, comprising: placing an end of the heater element into the heater housing cavity; connecting a pull line to the heater element; moving the heating element into the heater housing cavity until the heating element extends through the cavity by exerting a pulling force on the pull line connected to the heating element; attaching the heater element to terminals for connecting the heater element to an energy source; and sealing the ends of the heater housing cavity.

Claim 2

A method of installing a heating element in a preinsulated pipeline having a pipeline heater housing with a cavity therethrough and terminals for connecting the heating element to an energy source, comprising: placing an end of the heater element into the heater housing cavity; connecting a pull line to the heater element; moving the heating element into the heater housing cavity until the heating element extends through the cavity by exerting a pulling force on the pull line connected to the heating element; attaching the heater element to terminals for connecting the heater element to an energy source; and sealing the ends of the heater housing cavity.

Claim 5

A method of joining a pair of preinsulated pipe assemblies, each of which has a pipe extending therethrough and a heater housing member mounted on the pipe to form a heater cavity along the pipe, comprising; mounting a pipe extension with the pipe of a first preinsulated assembly; connecting the pipe extension to an end of the pipe of a second pipe assembly; mounting a heater housing extension member between the heater housing member of the first assembly and the heater housing member of the second assembly to form a continuous cavity with the heater housing members and the heater housing extension member; and forming an insulating layer surrounding uninsulated portions of the pipes and heater housings of the assemblies, the pipe extension and the heater housing extension member.

Claim 6

A method of joining a pair of preinsulated pipe assemblies, each of which has a pipe extending therethrough and a heater housing member mounted on the pipe to form a heater cavity along the pipe, comprising; mounting a pipe extension with the pipe of a first preinsulated assembly; connecting the pipe extension to an end of the pipe of a second pipe assembly; mounting a heater housing extension member between the heater housing member of the first assembly and the heater housing member of the second assembly to form a continuous cavity with the heater housing members and the heater housing extension member; and forming an insulating layer surrounding uninsulated portions of the pipes and heater housings of the assemblies, the pipe extension and the heater housing extension member.

Claim 7

A method of joining a pair of preinsulated pipe assemblies, each of which has a pipe extending therethrough and a heater housing member mounted on the pipe to form a heater cavity along the pipe, comprising: mounting one end of a first pipe extension with the pipe of a first preinsulated pipe assembly; mounting one end of a second pipe extension with the pipe of a second preinsulated pipe assembly; connecting free ends of the first and second pipe extensions together; mounting a heater housing extension member between the heater housing member of the first pipe assembly and the heater housing member of the second pipe assembly to form a continuous cavity with the heater housing members and the heater housing extension member; and forming an insulating layer surrounding uninsulated portions of the pipes and heater housing, the pipe extensions, and the heater housing extension member.

Claim 8

A method of joining a pair of preinsulated pipe assemblies, each of which has a pipe extending therethrough and a heater housing member mounted on the pipe to form a heater cavity along the pipe, comprising: mounting one end of a first pipe extension with the pipe of a first preinsulated pipe assembly; mounting one end of a second pipe extension with the pipe of a second preinsulated pipe assembly; connecting free ends of the first and second pipe extensions together; mounting a heater housing extension member between the heater housing member of the first pipe assembly and the heater housing member of the second pipe assembly to form a continuous cavity with the heater housing members and the heater housing extension member; and forming an insulating layer surrounding uninsulated portions of the pipes and heater housing, the pipe extensions, and the heater housing extension member.

Claim 9

A method of preparing preinsulated pipe assemblies, and assembling same in the field, comprising the steps of: first mounting a heater housing on each of a plurality of sections of pipe at a manufacturing facility remote from the field location where said pipe sections are to be installed; said heater housing for each section of pipe extending for substantially the full length thereof, but terminating short of each end; applying an insulation layer over each of said pipe sections and heater housings therewith at said manufacturing facility; said insulation layer on each section of pipe extending for substantially the full length of said heater mounting thereon, but terminating short of each end of said heater; applying a protective jacket over the insulation on each section of pipe for substantially the full length thereof at a location remote from said field location; assembling and connecting said sections of pipe at a field location remote from said manufacturing facility; connecting adjacent ends of said heater housings together to form a continuous heater housing at the field location; and applying insulation at the areas of the connection of said sections to thereby fully insulate the pipe sections and heater housings therewith.

Claim 10

A method of preparing preinsulated pipe assemblies, and assembling same in the field, comprising the steps of: first mounting a heater housing on each of a plurality of sections of pipe at a manufacturing facility remote from the field location where said pipe sections are to be installed; said heater housing for each section of pipe extending for substantially the full length thereof, but terminating short of each end; applying an insulation layer over each of said pipe sections and heater housings therewith at said manufacturing facility; said insulation layer on each section of pipe extending for substantially the full length of said heater mounting thereon, but terminating short of each end of said heater; applying a protective jacket over the insulation on each section of pipe for substantially the full length thereof at a location remote from said field location; assembling and connecting said sections of pipe at a field location remote from said manufacturing facility; connecting adjacent ends of said heater housings together to form a continuous heater housing at the field location; and applying insulation at the areas of the connection of said sections to thereby fully insulate the pipe sections and heater housings therewith.