摘要 |
<p>Method and apparatus for re-forming walled thermoplastics members including pipe (12) as re-lining of worn-out pipeline (20) by heating (14) to soften throughout wall thickness without melting, and re-sizing/re-shaping by fluid pressure (16). Infrared heating radiation (14) and progressive change of thermoplastics (polyethylene) from absorptive to useful transparency at or near crystalline melt (below full melt) temperature allows self-regulation of heating, as well as replacement of original thermoplastic memory of geometry. Preferred compact machine (10) combines heating elements array (22), pressurising gas turbine (18) and electric power generator (30) in coaxial/concentric arrangement.</p> |