Abstract: A method of ascertaining one or more connection states of fluid line quick connectors in a fluid line assembly is set forth. The method involves assembling the fluid line quick connectors in respective connection locations at the fluid line assembly, and involves furnishing unique identifiers, positional information, or both, of the fluid line quick connectors. The unique identifiers and/or positional information is employed in a determination of whether intended connections have indeed been properly made among the fluid line quick connectors and connection ends of the fluid line assembly. Data matrix scanning, radio-frequency (RF) signaling, or a combination of both technologies can provide the unique identifiers and/or positional information at varying times for the determination.

Abstract: A connector assembly has a connector body to receive a spigot. The connector body includes a mechanism to retain the spigot in the connector body. A fluid transfer conduit is coupled with the connector body. A heating element extends through the fluid transfer conduit and into the connector body and spigot, when the spigot is retained by the connector body. The heating element heats the spigot and the connector body from the inside.

Abstract: A connector assembly has a connector body to receive a spigot. The connector body includes a mechanism to retain the spigot in the connector body. A fluid transfer conduit is coupled with the connector body. A heating element extends through the fluid transfer conduit and into the connector body and spigot, when the spigot is retained by the connector body. The heating element heats the spigot and the connector body from the inside.

Abstract: A conduit connector has a housing with primary and secondary latch retainers. The primary latch includes a base, a biasing member and a conduit receiving member. The conduit receiving member includes a pair of arms defining an elliptical opening with a gap between distal ends of the arms. The secondary latch retainer including a base, a verification mechanism and a retaining member. The verification mechanism includes a pair of legs and a slide member. In a locked position an enlarged annulus, of a conduit entering the housing, expands the legs enabling the retaining member to enter the housing toward the axis. A portion of the slide member projects beyond the housing indicating a locked position.

Abstract: A conduit assembly with a tube formed from a polymeric material with a nanoparticulate component. The polymeric material has an electrical conductivity in a range between 1×10?14 and 4.7×106 (S/m) at 20° C. An electrical contact is electrically coupled with the conduit assembly to receive electrical current. A ground is electrically coupled with the conduit assembly to ground the electrical current passed through the conduit assembly.

Abstract: A conduit assembly with a tube formed from a polymeric material with a nanoparticulate component. The polymeric material has an electrical conductivity in a range between 1×10?14 and 4.7×106 (S/m) at 20° C. An electrical contact is electrically coupled with the conduit assembly to receive electrical current. A ground is electrically coupled with the conduit assembly to ground the electrical current passed through the conduit assembly.

Abstract: A connector assembly has a connector body to receive a spigot. The connector body includes a mechanism to retain the spigot in the connector body. A fluid transfer conduit is coupled with the connector body. A heating element extends through the fluid transfer conduit and into the connector body and spigot, when the spigot is retained by the connector body. The heating element heats the spigot and the connector body from the inside.

Abstract: A conduit connector has a housing with primary and secondary latch retainers. The primary latch includes a base, a biasing member and a conduit receiving member. The conduit receiving member includes a pair of arms defining an elliptical opening with a gap between distal ends of the arms. The secondary latch retainer including a base, a verification mechanism and a retaining member. The verification mechanism includes a pair of legs and a slide member. In a locked position an enlarged annulus, of a conduit entering the housing, expands the legs enabling the retaining member to enter the housing toward the axis. A portion of the slide member projects beyond the housing indicating a locked position.

Abstract: A pipe clamp assembly that includes a v-band clamp and a v-ring. The v-band clamp includes a band that carries a T-bolt tightening mechanism and a v-insert. The v-insert has an inwardly facing concave surface that fits over radially projecting flanges on the ends of the pipes or other tubular bodies to be joined. The v-ring is formed from sheet metal and has a convex profile and fits between the flanges so that the flanges can be tightly compressed between the v-insert and v-ring during tightening of the clamp. The angle of the walls defining the convex profile of the v-ring can be greater than that of the v-insert so that the v-ring provides some outward springing force on the flanges during tightening of the clamp. The v-ring can have an indexing feature and one or more clips for pre-attachment. A method of making the v-ring is also provided.

Abstract: A pipe clamp which includes an open band of metal, a pair of opposed flanges located at the open ends of the band, and a tightening mechanism for drawing the flanges together. Each flange extends radially from a body portion of the band to a loop formed by a portion of the band material folded back onto itself. The flanges each have an aperture at a location intermediate the loop and the body portion to accept a fastener for tightening of the band. The loops are disposed adjacent each other such that the flanges are separated by a gap that is greater at the apertures than at the loops. One or both of the flanges can have a slot that extends into the body portion of the band so that the slotted flange comprises two flange portions that can be tightened somewhat independently of each other.

Abstract: A pipe clamp for connecting pipe ends together to form a gas tight seal. The clamp includes an open band, tightening mechanism, split sealing sleeve, and inner gasket. The band extends circumferentially from a first end to a second end and has a pair of axial ends. The band includes a radially protruding rib located inwardly of the axial ends, and this rib extends at least part way between the first and second ends. The split sleeve is disposed within the band and is located at least within the rib. The gasket is disposed radially within the sleeve such that it is located at least partially within the rib. Each of the pipe ends can have a protruding bead and the clamp can be placed over the two pipe ends during assembly such that the beads engage the gasket within the center rib region of the band.

Abstract: A coupler is disclosed for use in joining two pipes in a butt joint. The coupler includes a band clamp and a split sealing sleeve disposed inside the band clamp for encircling the abutted ends of the pipes. The split sealing sleeve has a tongue-and-groove sealing joint at the confronting free ends of the sleeve. The sealing joint has a member at the mating edges to provide a resilient interference fit of the tongue-and-groove.

Abstract: A band clamp having a band and a nut and bolt fastener. The band includes radially-extending opposed flanges each having an aperture for receiving the bolt. The bolt has a shank that includes a neck, a threaded body for receiving the nut, and a tapered transition from the neck to the threaded body. In one embodiment, the tapered transition extends only partially around the shank such that a portion of the neck has a common surface with the body. During tightening, the radially inward facing surface of the aperture in the flange can engage the threaded body and slide along the threaded body across the common surface and onto the neck without having to traverse and ride up over the tapered transition. In another embodiment, the nut has an angled shoulder that engages the tapered transition when the nut is tightened to the desired axial position on the bolt.

Abstract: A pipe lap joint for use with vehicle exhaust systems which includes an inside pipe end telescopically inserted into an outside pipe end with the pipe ends secured together by a band clamp. The outside pipe end includes a sealing zone having a collapsible sealing slot that enables the outside pipe end to be drawn tight over the outside surface of the inside pipe end via the band clamp to thereby provide a fluid-tight seal between the pipes. The sealing slot extends from an open end of the outside pipe end and includes a pair of opposing sidewalls each having a tooth and recess. As the band clamp is tightened, the sealing slot collapses such that the teeth of the sidewalls move into the opposing, complementarily-shaped recesses, while adjoining circumferential edges of the teeth engage each other to thereby form a fluid seal.

Abstract: A pipe coupler for use in connecting a pair of automotive exhaust pipe ends each having a circumferential rib. The pipe coupler includes a ribbed band and internal split sealing sleeve along with a tightening mechanism for clamping the band and sleeve over the pipe ends. The sealing sleeve fits within the band and both the sleeve and band have a pair of ribs positioned to fit over the ribs on the pipe ends. The sleeve extends circumferentially from a first end to a second end, and includes a tongue-and-groove sealing configuration located axially inwardly of the ribs at the first and second ends. Each tongue has a particular construction that accommodates larger clamp opening dimensions required to fit the coupler over the pipe ribs during assembly. The sleeve can include inwardly protruding sealing beads that help prevent leakage of exhaust gases from the pipe junction.

Abstract: A pipe clamp for connecting two pipe ends together. The pipe clamp includes a clamp component in the form of an open band of metal extending from a first flange to a second flange. A sleeve is located within the band, and the pipe clamp includes a tightening mechanism for drawing the two flanges together to tighten the clamp. The clamp and sleeve components each have first and second openings that are aligned with the openings in the other component. These openings are sized to receive a button located on the outer surface of each of the pipe ends to thereby allow the clamp to be loosely attached to the pipe ends prior to tightening of the clamp.

Abstract: A band clamp used to connect tubular bodies such as vehicle exhaust system components. The band clamp has a band extending from a first end to a second end and includes a pair of spaced ribs extending at least part way between the first and second ends. A tightening mechanism is connected to the band and includes two clamp members movable toward and away from each other for tightening and loosening of the band. The band clamp further includes a gasket located on an inner surface of the band between the ribs and extending between the first and second ends. The use of the ribs with the interposed gasket provides a mechanical interlock of the band clamp with the tubular bodies while providing a hermetic seal at the junction between the two bodies.

Abstract: A pipe clamp that enables two pipes to be loosely connected together in a desired axially-aligned and rotationally-aligned configuration prior to tightening of the clamp. The pipe clamp includes a band having a first end and a second end, and a tightening mechanism connected to the band for drawing the ends of the band together. The pipe clamp further includes a latch having a base portion attached to the band and a clip portion that snaps over a button welded to the pipe to temporarily hold the clamp in place on the pipe. In some embodiments the pipe clamp is connected to both pipes via an attached clip and buttons at each axial end of the clamp, and in other embodiments the clamp is welded to one pipe and the clip and button then being used to loosely connect the welded assembly to the other pipe.