This specification describes an apparatus for carrying out a method of
making a multi-walled pipe in the shape of a tube having a helical
configuration. The apparatus is made up of an extruder with multiple
dies. These multiple dies include at least two concentric arcuate dies
that are radially spaced apart and a plurality of relatively straight
dies that radially connect the concentric arcuate dies. The apparatus
includes means for cooling the extrudate to solidify it into a usable
condition. Means are provided to cause the multi-wall pipe to have a
helical configuration, that is, apparatus is provided that arranges the
pipe as a whole into a structure that has a circumferential component and
a longitudinal component to its orientation; e.g. a helix. The
longitudinal orientation is accomplished by providing apparatus that
causes the pipe to proceed downstream in the direction of its
longitudinal axis. In one embodiment of this invention, the extrudate is
pulled longitudinally down stream. The circumferential component of the
orientation of the multi-walled pipe can be accomplished by either one of
two apparatus elements. First, the extrudate can be twisted (that is
rotated circumferentially while it is being pulled down stream). This can
be accomplished with a single piece of apparatus as shown. Thus, a
longitudinal and a circumferential movement can be applied to the molten
extrudate by twisting the solidified extrudate downstream of the cooling
apparatus. This same configuration can be accomplished by extruding the
multi-walled pipe through rotating dies whereby the extrudate is given a
circumferential orientation even before it emerges from the extruder die
and the circumferentially rotated pipe can then be longitudinally pulled
downstream.