Modular Carriage Assembly for the Fusion of Polyolefin Pipes

Abstract

Modular carriage for varying spacing between ends of polymer pipe during fusion. The modular carriage includes a fixed jaw; an inner movable jaw; an outer moveable jaw and a plurality of guide rods. The fixed jaw being adapted for tool free engagement with the terminal ends of the plurality of guide rods. A carriage cylinder is associated with at least two of the guide rods and mounted for reciprocal travel along the length of its associated guide rod. The movable jaws being adapted for tool free engagement with at least two carriage cylinders for reciprocal travel therewith. A combined hydraulic cylinder/guide rod includes a guide rod with an integral guide rod piston, a cylindrical tube, and a guide rod gland on each end of the cylinder tube.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . Combined hydraulic cylinder and guide rod for use with a carriage for varying spacing between ends of polymer pipe during fusion, said cylinder comprising:
 a cylindrical guide rod having an inner surface diameter, an outer surface diameter and a length;   said guide rod further including an integrated guide rod piston;   a cylindrical cylinder tube having an inner surface diameter, an outer surface diameter and a length;   said inner surface diameter of said cylinder tube being greater than said outer surface diameter of said guide rod;   the length of said guide rod being greater than the length of said cylinder tube;   said guide rod inserted through said cylinder tube and adapted for reciprocal travel thereon;   said cylinder tube including at least two sealed hydraulic fluid chambers adapted for the flow of hydraulic fluid, each between at least a portion of said guide rod outer surface and a portion of said cylinder tube inner surface.   
     
     
         2 . The combined hydraulic fluid cylinder and guide rode of  claim 1  comprising:
 said at least two hydraulic fluid chambers being divided by said hydraulic piston; 
 the flow of hydraulic fluid capable of being diverted between said at least two hydraulic fluid chambers to actuate said piston for the reciprocal travel of said cylinder tube along the length of said guide rod. 
 
     
     
         3 . The hydraulic cylinder of  claim 2  wherein said guide rod includes;
 a first cylindrical rod; 
 a second cylindrical rod; 
 said hydraulic piston positioned between said first cylindrical rod and said second cylindrical rod. 
 
     
     
         4 . The hydraulic cylinder of  claim 3  wherein said guide rod piston divides said first cylinder rod and said second cylinder rod. 
     
     
         5 . The hydraulic cylinder of  claim 4  wherein a first hydraulic fluid chamber is substantially located between said first cylinder rod and said cylinder tube; and a second hydraulic fluid chamber is substantially located between said second cylinder rod and said cylinder tube. 
     
     
         6 . The hydraulic cylinder of  claim 5  wherein said guide rod piston is in hydraulic communication with said first hydraulic chamber and said second hydraulic chamber. 
     
     
         7 . The modular carriage of  claim 1  wherein said guide rods include a longitudinal axis and each said carriage cylinder includes a longitudinal axis which is concentric with the longitudinal axis of its associated guide rod.