Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides a composite refrigeration line set including: a suction line and a return line. One or more of the suction line and the return line are a composite refrigeration line set tube including: an inner plastic tube; a first adhesive layer circumferentially surrounding the inner plastic tube; an aluminum layer circumferentially surrounding the first adhesive layer and coupled to the inner plastic tube via the first adhesive layer; a second adhesive layer circumferentially surrounding the aluminum layer; and an outer plastic layer circumferentially surrounding the aluminum layer coupled to the aluminum layer via the second adhesive layer. The inner plastic tube is polyethylene of raised temperature. The outer plastic tube is polyethylene of raised temperature. The aluminum layer includes an alloy selected from the group consisting of: AL 3004-O, AL 3005-O, and AL 3555-O. The aluminum layer is butt-welded to itself.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides an elastomeric bushing including: a plurality of rigid members defining one or more internal annular ribs and one or more elastic members. The rigid members include: a first internal annular rib adapted and configured to engage a corrugation valley of corrugated tubing; and one or more trailing lips adapted and configured to extend through a central opening of a nut and engage said nut, thereby preventing axial movement of the bushing when a corrugated tubing is advancing through the bushing. The one or more elastic members are adapted and configured to: hold the plurality of rigid members in a substantially annular configuration; allow the plurality of rigid members to expand to allow a corrugation peak to pass under the first internal rib; and hold the plurality of rigid members against the corrugated tubing so that the first internal rib lies within a corrugation valley.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides a system including: a length of energy-dissipative tubing; a first sealing device coupled to a first end of the length of energy-dissipative tubing; and a second sealing device coupled to a second end of the length of energy-dissipative tubing. Exposure to one or more selected from the group consisting of: fault currents or lightning strikes at an exposure point along the length of energy-dissipative tubing will produce arcs at the exposure point and at least one of the first end and the second end.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides an energy-dissipative fuel gas tube including: a length of corrugated stainless steel tubing; an inner resin layer surrounding a radially outer surface of the corrugated stainless steel tubing; a laminated foil layer surrounding a radially outer surface of the inner resin layer; and an outer resin layer extruded over a radially outer surface of the laminated foil. The laminated foil layer includes: a foil and a high-tensile-strength material bonded to the foil. Another aspect of the invention provides an energy-dissipative fuel gas tube including: a length of corrugated stainless steel tubing; a resin layer surrounding a radially outer surface of the corrugated stainless steel tubing; and a laminated foil layer surrounding and bound directly to a radially outer surface of the resin layer. The laminated foil layer includes: a foil and an outer protective layer bonded to the foil.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides an elastomeric bushing including: a plurality of rigid members defining one or more internal annular ribs and one or more elastic members. The rigid members include: a first internal annular rib adapted and configured to engage a corrugation valley of corrugated tubing; and one or more trailing lips adapted and configured to extend through a central opening of a nut and engage said nut, thereby preventing axial movement of the bushing when a corrugated tubing is advancing through the bushing. The one or more elastic members are adapted and configured to: hold the plurality of rigid members in a substantially annular configuration; allow the plurality of rigid members to expand to allow a corrugation peak to pass under the first internal rib; and hold the plurality of rigid members against the corrugated tubing so that the first internal rib lies within a corrugation valley.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides a method of forming an energy-dissipative tube. In one embodiment, the method includes: extruding a resin layer over an outer surface of corrugated stainless steel tubing and impregnating the resin layer with metal particles. In another embodiment, the method includes: extruding a resin layer comprising a fire retardant over an outer surface of corrugated stainless steel tubing and impregnating the resin layer with metal particles. In another embodiment, the method includes: extruding a resin layer comprising between about 20% to 60% magnesium hydroxide, aluminum trihydrate, or halogenated fire retardants by weight over an outer surface of corrugated stainless steel tubing and impregnating the resin layer with metal particles selected from the group consisting of: copper, aluminum, gold, silver, and nickel.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides a jacket-stripping tool including: a reference stop adapted and configured to contact an end of corrugated stainless steel tubing; and one or more cutting blades arranged substantially perpendicular to a central axis of the tool and adapted and configured to create one or more cuts through one or more external jacket layers of the corrugated stainless steel tubing. At least one of the one or more cutting blades is positioned relative to the reference stop such that the at least one of the one or more cutting blades is a multiple of a distance between adjacent corrugation valleys of the corrugated stainless steel tubing.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides a bushing including: a plurality of rigid members defining one or more internal ribs including a first internal rib adapted and configured to engage a corrugation valley of corrugated tubing; and one or more elastic members adapted and configured to: hold the plurality of rigid members in substantially annular configuration; allow the plurality of rigid members to expand to allow a corrugation peak to pass under the first internal rib; and hold the plurality of rigid members against the corrugated tubing so that the first internal rib lies within a corrugation valley. Another aspect of the invention provides a fitting including: a body member defining a sleeve portion; and a bushing as described herein received within the sleeve portion of the body member.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides a sealing device for connecting a length of corrugated tubing. The sealing device includes: a body member defining a sleeve portion; a nut adapted and configured for threaded engagement with the body member, the nut defining an internal shoulder; and a bushing. The bushing includes: an annular internal rib located on a proximal end, the annular internal rib adapted and configured to engage a corrugation valley of corrugated tubing; a medial external rib adapted and configured to be engaged by the internal shoulder of the nut and to advance the bushing within the sleeve portion of the body member; and a trailing hinged portion located on a distal end. The trailing hinged portion is adapted and configured for inward compression against the corrugated tubing received within the bushing as the nut is advanced over the trailing hinged portion.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides an energy-dissipative fuel gas tube including: a length of corrugated stainless steel tubing; an inner resin layer surrounding a radially outer surface of the corrugated stainless steel tubing; a laminated foil layer surrounding a radially outer surface of the inner resin layer; and an outer resin layer extruded over a radially outer surface of the laminated foil. The laminated foil layer includes: a foil and a high-tensile-strength material bonded to the foil. Another aspect of the invention provides an energy-dissipative fuel gas tube including: a length of corrugated stainless steel tubing; a resin layer surrounding a radially outer surface of the corrugated stainless steel tubing; and a laminated foil layer surrounding and bound directly to a radially outer surface of the resin layer. The laminated foil layer includes: a foil and an outer protective layer bonded to the foil.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides a method of forming an energy-dissipative tube. In one embodiment, the method includes: extruding a resin layer over an outer surface of corrugated stainless steel tubing and impregnating the resin layer with metal particles. In another embodiment, the method includes: extruding a resin layer comprising a fire retardant over an outer surface of corrugated stainless steel tubing and impregnating the resin layer with metal particles. In another embodiment, the method includes: extruding a resin layer comprising between about 20% to 60% magnesium hydroxide, aluminum trihydrate, or halogenated fire retardants by weight over an outer surface of corrugated stainless steel tubing and impregnating the resin layer with metal particles selected from the group consisting of: copper, aluminum, gold, silver, and nickel.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides a bushing including: a plurality of rigid members defining one or more internal ribs including a first internal rib adapted and configured to engage a corrugation valley of corrugated tubing; and one or more elastic members adapted and configured to: hold the plurality of rigid members in substantially annular configuration; allow the plurality of rigid members to expand to allow a corrugation peak to pass under the first internal rib; and hold the plurality of rigid members against the corrugated tubing so that the first internal rib lies within a corrugation valley. Another aspect of the invention provides a fitting including: a body member defining a sleeve portion; and a bushing as described herein received within the sleeve portion of the body member.

Abstract: A bushing including a first annular internal rib adapted and configured to engage a corrugation valley of corrugated tubing and a second annular internal rib adapted and configured to press against a conductive layer surrounding the corrugated tubing is provided. The second annular internal protrusion has a rounded, substantially non-piercing profile. Also provided is a sealing device for connecting a length of tubing. The sealing device includes a body member defining a sleeve portion and the bushing as described herein adapted and configured to be received in the sleeve portion. Also provided is a length of tubing including: an inner tubing layer and the fitting as described herein engaged with the inner tubing layer.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides a method of installing energy-dissipative corrugated stainless steel tubing including a length of corrugated stainless steel tubing, a conductive layer located outside the length of corrugated stainless steel tubing, and a resin layer surrounding the conductive layer. The method includes: removing a portion of the resin layer from an end of the length of the energy-dissipative corrugated stainless steel tubing to expose an underlying portion of the conductive layer; and applying a fitting over the end of the energy-dissipative corrugated stainless steel tubing.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides an energy dissipative tube including: a length of corrugated stainless steel tubing; a conductive resin layer adjacent to the outside of the tubing; and an insulative resin layer adjacent to the conductive layer. Another aspect of the invention provides an energy dissipative tube consisting of: a length of corrugated stainless steel tubing; a conductive thermoplastic polymer layer adjacent to the outside of the tubing, the conductive thermoplastic polymer layer having a volume resistivity of less than about 106 ohm-cm; and an insulative resin layer adjacent to the conductive layer.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides an energy dissipative tube including: a length of corrugated stainless steel tubing; a conductive resin layer adjacent to the outside of the tubing; and an insulative resin layer adjacent to the conductive layer. Another aspect of the invention provides an energy dissipative tube consisting of: a length of corrugated stainless steel tubing; a conductive thermoplastic polymer layer adjacent to the outside of the tubing, the conductive thermoplastic polymer layer having a volume resistivity of less than about 106 ohm-cm; and an insulative resin layer adjacent to the conductive layer.

Abstract: Energy dissipative tubes are provided, along with methods of fabricating and installing the energy dissipating tubes. An energy dissipative tube can include a length of tubing, a first resin layer surrounding the outside of the tubing, an expanded metal foil adjacent to the outside of the first resin layer, and a second resin layer surrounding the expanded metal foil and the first resin layer. Another energy dissipative tube can include a length of tubing, a conductive layer adjacent to the outside of the tubing, and an insulative layer adjacent to the conductive layer. A further energy dissipative tube can include a length of tubing, a metal layer adjacent to the outside of the tubing, and a resin layer adjacent to the metal layer.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides an energy dissipative tube including: a length of tubing; an inner resin layer surrounding an outer surface of said tubing, wherein said inner resin layer is substantially free of a fire retardant; a non-expanded metal foil adjacent to an outer surface of said inner resin layer; and an outer resin layer surrounding said metal foil and said inner resin layer, wherein said outer resin layer includes a fire retardant. Another aspect of the invention provides an energy dissipative tube include: a length of tubing; an inner resin layer surrounding an outer surface of said tubing, wherein said inner resin layer is static dissipative; a non-expanded metal foil adjacent to an outer surface of said inner resin layer; and an outer resin layer surrounding said metal foil and said inner resin layer, wherein said outer resin layer is conductive.

Abstract: Bushings, sealing devices, tubing, and methods of installing tubing are provided. One aspect of the invention provides a bushing having one or more axially-extending tongues. Another aspect of the invention provides a sealing device for connecting a length of tubing. The sealing device includes a body member defining a sleeve portion and a bushing arranged to be received in the sleeve portion. The bushing includes one or more tongues adapted and configured to be received over at least one layer of the tubing.