Abstract: An aspect of the invention provides a method for installing a malleable crimping sleeve over a fitting. The method includes: providing a tube having a composite HVAC/R line set tubing; advancing a cut end of the tube over the nipple of a fitting as described herein; placing a crimping jaw over the malleable crimping sleeve and the cut end of the tube; and applying force to the crimping jaw, thereby forming a gas-tight seal between the cut end of the tube and the fitting and deforming the cut end of the tube to impart a radial deflection between 0.012 and 0.040 inches (0.305 and 1.016 mm) relative to its pre-crimping state.

Abstract: An aspect of the invention provides a kit including: four fittings and a length of HVAC/R line set. Each of the four fittings include a fitting body and a nut. The fitting body defines: a swivel end and a second end. The swivel end includes: a sealing surface; a radially outer distal stop shoulder; a radially outer medial stop shoulder; and a radially outer neck having an outer diameter less than each of the radially outer distal stop shoulder and the radially outer medial stop shoulder. The nut includes a threaded region and a radially inner stop shoulder rotatably retained within the radially outer neck of the swivel end of the fitting body.

Abstract: A damper assembly-containing connector includes a foam insulation layer that surrounds at least a portion of the connector. The foam insulation layer seals openings associated with a damper rod of the damper assembly to reduce leakage of air flowing through the connector. The foam insulation layer also includes a surface profile that is configured to position a control arm of the damper assembly in a first operating position on a portion of the surface of the foam insulation layer. The control arm can be moved from a recess of the surface profile to position the control arm in at least a second location and second operating position to adjust the position of the damper plate of the damper assembly for air flow control.

Abstract: An apparatus of a composite refrigeration line set that includes a suction line and return line characterized in that one or more of the suction line and the return line are a composite refrigeration line set tube. The set tube includes an inner plastic tube, a first adhesive layer external to 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 external to the aluminum layer, and an outer plastic layer circumferentially surrounding the aluminum layer and coupled to the aluminum layer via the second adhesive layer. The inner plastic tube is a polyethylene of raised temperature and includes conductive additives. The outer plastic tube is polyethylene of raised temperature.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides a composite refrigeration line set including at least one selected from the group consisting of: a suction line and a return line, characterized in that one or more of the suction line and the return line are a composite refrigeration line set tube include: an inner plastic tube; a first adhesive layer positioned about the inner plastic tube; an aluminum layer positioned about the first adhesive layer and coupled to the inner plastic tube via the first adhesive layer; a second adhesive layer positioned about the aluminum layer; and an outer plastic layer positioned about 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 comprises AL 3005-O.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides a composite refrigeration line set including at least one selected from the group consisting of: a suction line and a return line, characterized in that one or more of the suction line and the return line are a composite refrigeration line set tube include: an inner plastic tube; a first adhesive layer positioned about the inner plastic tube; an aluminum layer positioned about the first adhesive layer and coupled to the inner plastic tube via the first adhesive layer; a second adhesive layer positioned about the aluminum layer; and an outer plastic layer positioned about 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 comprises AL 3005-O.

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 lines are a composite refrigeration line set tube including: an inner plastic tube; a first adhesive layer external to the inner plastic tube; an aluminum layer surrounding the first adhesive layer and coupled to the inner plastic tube via the first adhesive layer; a second adhesive layer external to the aluminum layer; and an outer plastic layer surrounding the aluminum layer and coupled to the aluminum layer via the second adhesive layer. The outer plastic tube includes a flame-resistant compound combined with PERT. The composite refrigeration line set tube has a flame and smoke spread rating of no more than 25/50 when tested in isolation using Appendix A1.22 of the CAN/ULC-S102-10 Standard Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials and Assemblies.

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 lines are a composite refrigeration line set tube including: an inner plastic tube; a first adhesive layer external to the inner plastic tube; an aluminum layer surrounding the first adhesive layer and coupled to the inner plastic tube via the first adhesive layer; a second adhesive layer external to the aluminum layer; and an outer plastic layer surrounding the aluminum layer and coupled to the aluminum layer via the second adhesive layer. The outer plastic tube includes a flame-resistant compound combined with PERT. The composite refrigeration line set tube has a flame and smoke spread rating of no more than 25/50 when tested in isolation using Appendix A1.22 of the CAN/ULC-S102-10 Standard Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials and Assemblies.

Abstract: An insulated register box includes an expandable polymeric foam insulation on an exterior thereof. The foam insulation, as applied to the exterior of the insulated register box, provides a boss having a first surface that engages the end of an insulated duct and a second surface that runs parallel to the collar of the register box and is designed to align with an outer surface of the insulated air duct. The zip ties that are used to attach the insulated air duct to the register box are easily applied to both the exterior of the insulated air duct near and at where the insulated air duct engages the first surface and the second surface of the boss. The boss can include a groove with crushable ribs and/or the collar can include similar crushable ribs to enhance connection between the register box and the insulated air duct.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides a composite refrigeration line set including: at least one selected from the group consisting of: 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 positioned about the inner plastic tube; an aluminum layer positioned about the first adhesive layer and coupled to the inner plastic tube via the first adhesive layer; a second adhesive layer positioned about the aluminum layer; and an outer plastic layer positioned about the aluminum layer coupled to the aluminum layer via the second adhesive layer. The inner plastic tube is polyethylene-fiberglass composite. The outer plastic tube is polyethylene-fiberglass composite. The aluminum layer includes an alloy selected from the group consisting of AL 3004-O, AL 3005-O, and AL 3555-O.

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 a composite refrigeration line set including: at least one selected from the group consisting of: 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 positioned about the inner plastic tube; an aluminum layer positioned about the first adhesive layer and coupled to the inner plastic tube via the first adhesive layer; a second adhesive layer positioned about the aluminum layer; and an outer plastic layer positioned about the aluminum layer coupled to the aluminum layer via the second adhesive layer. The inner plastic tube is polyethylene-fiberglass composite. The outer plastic tube is polyethylene-fiberglass composite. The aluminum layer includes an alloy selected from the group consisting of AL 3004-O, AL 3005-O, and AL 3555-O.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides a composite refrigeration line set including at least one selected from the group consisting of: a suction line and a return line, characterized in that one or more of the suction line and the return line are a composite refrigeration line set tube include: an inner plastic tube; a first adhesive layer positioned about the inner plastic tube; an aluminum layer positioned about the first adhesive layer and coupled to the inner plastic tube via the first adhesive layer; a second adhesive layer positioned about the aluminum layer; and an outer plastic layer positioned about 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 comprises AL 3005-O.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides a method including: obtaining a kit as described herein; advancing a cut end of the length of CSST over the nipple of the fitting; placing the crimping jaw over the cut end of the length of CSST and the fitting such that: the one or more alignment bosses are seated within the one or more alignment grooves; the one or more crimping points are seated within one or more of the corrugation valleys; and the one or more crimping points and the corrugation valleys are radially over the one or more annular corrugation grooves; and applying force to the crimping jaws, thereby forming a gas-tight seal between the cut end of the CSST and the fitting.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides a composite refrigeration line set including at least one selected from the group consisting of: a suction line and a return line, characterized in that one or more of the suction line and the return line are a composite refrigeration line set tube include: an inner plastic tube; a first adhesive layer positioned about the inner plastic tube; an aluminum layer positioned about the first adhesive layer and coupled to the inner plastic tube via the first adhesive layer; a second adhesive layer positioned about the aluminum layer; and an outer plastic layer positioned about 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 comprises AL 3005-O.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides an injection-molded reamer including: an injection-molding parting line; and one or more shafts having a maximum cross-sectional dimension and a length-to-maximum-cross-sectional-dimension aspect ratio of 1:1 or greater. Each of the one or more shafts includes either: (A) one or more axial cross profiles including: a first bar having the maximum cross-sectional dimension; and a second bar having a cross-sectional dimension less than the maximum cross-section dimension, wherein the second bar is parallel to the injection-molding parting line; or (B) one or more axial elliptical profiles including: a major axis having the maximum cross-sectional dimension; and a minor axis having a cross-sectional dimension less than the maximum cross-section dimension, wherein the minor axis is parallel to the injection-molding parting line.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides a composite refrigeration line set including at least one selected from the group consisting of: a suction line and a return line, characterized in that one or more of the suction line and the return line are a composite refrigeration line set tube include: an inner plastic tube; a first adhesive layer positioned about the inner plastic tube; an aluminum layer positioned about the first adhesive layer and coupled to the inner plastic tube via the first adhesive layer; a second adhesive layer positioned about the aluminum layer; and an outer plastic layer positioned about 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 comprises AL 3005-O.

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 a composite refrigeration line set including at least one selected from the group consisting of: a suction line and a return line, characterized in that one or more of the suction line and the return line are a composite refrigeration line set tube include: an inner plastic tube; a first adhesive layer positioned about the inner plastic tube; an aluminum layer positioned about the first adhesive layer and coupled to the inner plastic tube via the first adhesive layer; a second adhesive layer positioned about the aluminum layer; and an outer plastic layer positioned about 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 comprises AL 3005-O.

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.