Split fittings useful in forming a secondary semi-rigid pipeline over primary pipelines

Claim 2

A split fitting for use in installation of a secondary semi-rigid pipeline over a primary pipeline, comprising: (a) a pair of housing halves such that when mated and secured together a complete housing enclosure is formed which has at least two extremities with openings through which the primary pipeline passes, said housing enclosure being capable of enclosing a portion of the primary pipeline and capable of having a secondary semi-rigid pipeline held in place by clamping means to at least one extremity through which the primary pipeline passes; (b) sealing means positioned on each mated surface of the housing halves to form a liquid tight seal when said housing haves are secured together; and (c) clamping means for holding the secondary semi-rigid pipeline to the housing enclosure in a liquid tight relationship.

Claim 3

The split fittings of claim 1 wherein the housing enclosure is a straight line fitting.

Claim 4

The split fitting of claim 1 wherein the housing enclosure is an elbow fitting.

Claim 5

The split fitting of claim 1 wherein the housing enclosure is a three-way fitting.

Claim 6

The split fitting of claim 1 wherein the housing enclosure is a four-way fitting.

Claim 7

The split fitting of claim 1 wherein the sealing means is a pressure sealing means.

Claim 8

The split fitting of claim 6 wherein the pressure sealing means is a gasket.

Claim 9

The split fitting of claim 7 wherein the gasket is an H-type gasket comprising an upper U shaped portion which engages one mated surface of one housing half and a lower, inverted U shaped portion which engages one mated surface of the second housing half.

Claim 10

The split fitting of claim 7 wherein the gasket is made of a synthetic polymeric material.

Claim 11

The split fitting of claim 1 wherein the surface of each housing half where it mates with the other housing half has a continuous groove in its center portion and said pressure sealing means is a cord gasket which fits into said groove.

Claim 12

The split fitting of claim 1 wherein the clamping means is a banding clamp fastener.

Claim 13

The split fitting of claim 1 wherein each extremity of the housing enclosure has a continuous recess circumscribing the enclosure so as to form a receiving area for a band to fit and securely hold the secondary pipeline.

Claim 14

The split fittings of claim 1 wherein each extremity of the housing enclosure is tapered to readily receive the secondary pipeline.

Claim 15

The split fitting of claim 1 wherein a tongue is provided along at least one surface of a housing half and a groove dimensioned to receive the tongue is provided along at least one surface of an second housing half and the sealing means is a adhesive so that the housing halves when mated are held in place by the tongue and groove configuration and adhesive

Claim 16

The split fittings of claim 1 wherein the tongue is provided along at least one surface of a housing half and a groove dimensioned to receive the tongue is provided along at least one surface of a second housing half.

Claim 17

The split fittings of claim 1 wherein the housing enclosure and secondary pipeline form a liquid tight seal.

Claim 18

The split fitting of claim 1 wherein the liquid tight sealing means is formed with a caulking material.

Claim 19

The split fitting of claim 17 wherein the caulking material is a polymeric semi-rigid material.

Claim 20

The split fitting of claim 17 wherein the caulking is in the form of an adhesive.

Claim 21

The split fitting of claim 19 wherein the adhesive is a polymeric material.

Claim 22

The split fitting of claim 20 wherein the adhesive is a polyepoxide.

Claim 23

The split fitting of claim 1 wherein at least one extremity of the housing enclosure is tapered to readily receive the secondary pipeline.

Claim 24

The split fittings of claim 1 wherein the housing halves are rigid.

Claim 25

A jacketed pipeline system providing secondary containment, said system having at least one junction comprising: (a) a rigid pipeline system for transporting liquid from a storage tank, said pipeline system having at least one junction. (b) at least two sections of a semi-rigid jacket which completely encases the rigid pipeline to form a closed space between it and the rigid pipeline; and (c) at least one split fitting installed over a junction in the primary pipeline to which is attached the secondary semi-rigid pipeline sections, said split fitting comprised of (i) a pair of housing halves such that when mated and secured together a complete housing enclosure is formed which has at least two extremities with openings through which the primary pipeline passes and which is capable of having the secondary pipeline held in place thereto by clamping means in a liquid tight relationship, (ii) sealing means positioned on each mated surface to form a liquid-tight seal when said housing halves are secured together and (iii) clamping means for holding together the secondary semi-rigid pipeline sections thereto in a liquid-tight relationship.

Claim 26

A jacketed pipeline system providing secondary containment, said system having at least one junction comprising: (a) a rigid pipeline system for transporting liquid from a storage tank, said pipeline system having at least one junction. (b) at least two sections of a semi-rigid jacket which completely encases the rigid pipeline to form a closed space between it and the rigid pipeline; and (c) at least one split fitting installed over a junction in the primary pipeline to which is attached the secondary semi-rigid pipeline sections, said split fitting comprised of (i) a pair of housing halves such that when mated and secured together a complete housing enclosure is formed which has at least two extremities with openings through which the primary pipeline passes and which is capable of having the secondary pipeline held in place thereto by clamping means in a liquid tight relationship, (ii) sealing means positioned on each mated surface to form a liquid-tight seal when said housing halves are secured together and (iii) clamping means for holding together the secondary semi-rigid pipeline sections thereto in a liquid-tight relationship.

Claim 27

The secondary pipeline system of claim 24 wherein the junction is a 90 degree bend and the split fitting is an elbow fitting.

Claim 28

The secondary pipeline system of claim 24 wherein the junction is a three-way junction and the split fitting is a three-way fitting.

Claim 29

The secondary pipeline system of claim 24 wherein the junction is a four-way junction and the split fitting is a four-way fitting.

Claim 30

The secondary pipeline system of claim 24 wherein the sealing means is a pressure sealing means.

Claim 31

The secondary pipeline system of claim 28 wherein the sealing means is an adhesive.

Claim 32

The secondary pipeline system of claim 29 wherein the adhesive is a polymeric material.

Claim 33

The secondary pipeline system of claim 30 wherein the polymeric material is a polyepoxide.

Claim 34

The secondary pipeline system of claim 28 wherein the sealing means is a caulking material.

Claim 35

The secondary pipeline system of claim 24 further comprising leak detection means in communication with the closed space to monitor for leakage in the secondary or primary pipeline.

Claim 36

The secondary pipeline system of claim 24 wherein the housing halves are rigid.