Abstract: A combined supply and exhaust apparatus for an air using appliance is provided. The combined supply and exhaust apparatus includes air supply and air exhaust passages. The air supply and air exhaust passages extend between inlets and outlets. A common wall separates the air supply passage from the air exhaust passage. The air supply passage supplies air to the appliance and the air exhaust passage exhausts air from the appliance.

Abstract: A flexible suction hose has supporting ribs that may be inflated to hold the hose open against suction for use and deflated to allow the suction hose to be folded or collapsed for storage and transportation.

Abstract: The present invention, there is provided a hose assembly having a tubular first layer containing therein multiple compartments 11 for carrying fluids in an automobile. Also disclosed is a method of making a hose assembly by forming a multiple compartment first layer for carrying fluids in an automobile.

Abstract: In a wire harness protector comprised of a gutter-like protector main body with a bottom wall and both side walls, for accommodating corrugated tubes 9, into which a wire harness is inserted, in multi tiers in the vertical direction and a cover for covering an opening between upper ends of the both side walls of the protector main body, a wire holding spacer for positioning and holding the corrugate tube located in a lower tier within the protector main body, the wire holding spacer is formed integrally with one side wall of the both side walls of the protector main body through a hinge portion, and at position opposed to the other side wall of the both side walls of the wire holding spacer, a locking portion for engaging/releasing with/from an engaging portion of the other side wall is formed.

Abstract: A drainage device and method of decreasing clogging in a drain pipe comprising heating the drain pipe with a heating element that is partially enclosed.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for installing a liner material into a host conduit such as, e.g., a sewer pipe, hydrocarbon pipeline, gas line, water line, industrial chemical pipe, or a saltwater line. The liner material may include a compression liner and/or a preliner that is attached to the inner wall of the host conduit to repair or reinforce the host conduit or separate the host conduit from materials transported within the new liner formed from the liner material. Curable resin, slurry, or cement can be placed between the liner material and the host conduit to affix the liner material into place. Before and during curing, a fluid such as air or water can be used to inflate the compression liner outwardly toward the host conduit.

Abstract: A hose with multiple through holes is used to convey fluid, has a hose body having two ends, multiple through holes arranged abreast passing through the hose body longitudinally and two enlarged annular flanges. Some of the multiple through holes maintain fluid flow when the hose body is bent or twisted. The two enlarged annular flanges may be attached respectively to standard connectors so the hose can be readily attached to a standard outlet and sprinkling nozzle.

Abstract: A corrugation has a radially inner wall circumferentially surrounding an axis. The inner wall defines an inner cavity configured to conduct a liquid axially through the inner cavity. A radially outer wall of the corrugation overlies the inner wall. The outer wall adjoins the inner wall so as to form a closed outer cavity bounded by the inner and outer walls and separated from the inner cavity by the inner wall. The inner wall has at least one opening providing fluid communication between the inner and outer cavities for the corrugation to serve as a reservoir for the liquid.

Abstract: Thin walled compartmented tubular structure and its manufacturing process. The elbow or T-shaped structure, includes an external wall (14)and continuous internal walls (22) made in one piece. This therefore materializes, between the inlet (10) and each outlet (12) of the structure, at least one continuous passage to direct a fluid circulating inside it. The structure according to the invention is manufactured by diffusion welding and superplastic forming, from titanium alloy sheets. One application is for aircraft de-icing circuits.

Abstract: A flexible fire resistant innerduct structure is configured to contain a cable within a conduit. The innerduct structure includes a pair of adjacent strip-shaped layers of flexible material that are joined along their longitudinal edges to define a channel through which the cable can extend longitudinally through the innerduct structure between the layers. The adjacent layers have differing widths between their longitudinal edges, whereby the wider layer bulges away from the narrower layer to impart an open configuration to the channel. Other features of the innerduct structure relate to the material of which it is formed. Such features includes the structure of the material, such as a woven structure, and further include properties such as melting point, tensile strength, fire resistance, elongation, coefficient of friction, crimp resistance and compression recovery.

Abstract: An inner duct operable for routing a transmission cable therein includes a duct tube. The duct tube having an inner surface and an outer surface and at least one passageway disposed generally between said inner and outer surfaces of the duct tube. The at least one passageway being operable for receiving optical fibers therein. Alternative embodiments of the inner duct include at least one tube stranded therearound. The at least one tube includes at least one optical fiber therein and an outer sheath can generally surround the at least one tube.

Abstract: The insulated pipe arrangement comprises at least two pipe bodies, each of which has a flexible inner fluid-guiding pipe, which is enclosed by an insulating layer made of elastomeric or thermoplastic foam, a protective film made of a thermoplastic, elastomer, or duromer of high-density being arranged around the insulating layer. The pipe bodies are bonded on opposing peripheral parts of their protective film by a layer of an adhesive which allows detachment of the adhesive bond without the protective film being damaged and which produces a renewed adhesive bond after detachment of the adhesive bond when the peripheral parts of the previous adhesive bond are brought into contact again.

Abstract: The multiple channel duct assembly for cables includes a plurality of plastic inner ducts (10) contiguous, co-directionally extending, substantially parallel, and in abutting contact with each other. Each of the inner ducts (10) has a cross sectional area sufficient to contain at least one cable. A plastic outer duct (20) encircles the inner ducts over their entire length to retain them in their contiguous relationship. The outer duct (20) has a corrugated tubular section including a plurality of contiguous ridges (21) and troughs (22) extending over their entire length. The assembly is sufficiently flexible that it can be coiled around transportable reels as well as sufficiently strong that it can withstand dirt in a trench.

Abstract: A vehicle air-conditioning duct 1 has an oblong cross-sectional configuration. The air-conditioning duct 1 has a top wall 16, a bottom wall 18 and side walls 12, 14 enclosing an interior space and at least one constriction 22, 24 formed by a projection protruding from at least one of the top wall 16 and the bottom wall 18 into the air-conditioning duct 1 so as to connect the top wall 16 with the bottom wall 18. The constriction 22, 24 continuously extends in an air flow direction so that cross-sectional areas of the constriction 22, 24 are constant in the air flow direction.

Abstract: A system, device and method are claimed for installing electrical switches and electrical plug connectors in a wall, without the use of junction boxes. The system uses prefabricated switch assemblies and/or receptacle assemblies. These assemblies contain either a switch or a receptacle that is manufactured into a housing. On the rear of the housing are one or two protrusions. Wire connector ports are disposed within the areas defined by the protrusions. The wire connector ports are coupled to either the switch or receptacle within the housing. To install an assembly, at least one hole is drilled into a wall and a cable run through the hole. The wires from the cable are stripped and inserted into the wire connector ports within the protrusion on the rear of the assembly. The protrusion is then inserted into the hole in the wall and the assembly is mounted flush on the face of the wall.

Abstract: Water hose with internal partitioning plates, including a main body and at least one support section. The main body is a hollow tube body made of soft material with a predetermined length. One side of the support section is fixed on a predetermined portion of inner wall of the main body to divide an interior of the main body into at least two passages communicating with each other. The support section is a polygonal body with a length corresponding to that of the main body. After wound, the water hose has small volume without occupying much space and the passages are not compressed, still permitting the water to flow therethrough. After the water hose is pulled out by a certain length and the water flows therethrough, the water pressure makes the pulled out section of the water hose expanded into a circular tubular shape for a user's hand to easily hold.

Abstract: Methods are provided for installing an electrically heated pipe-in-pipe pipeline on the seafloor. Inner and outer pipe segments are formed and the inner pipe is coated and insulated. Coating may include sprayed polyurethane foam and insulating half-shells that are placed around welds. Epoxy is preferably coated on the inner pipe before other coatings. The segments are loaded on a lay barge and water stops are preferably installed in the annulus as the pipeline is formed. Water stops may be formed by placing a liquid polymer in the annulus and allowing it to cure.

Abstract: A flexible fire resistant innerduct structure is configured to contain a cable within a conduit. The innerduct structure includes a pair of adjacent strip-shaped layers of flexible material that are joined along their longitudinal edges to define a channel through which the cable can extend longitudinally through the innerduct structure between the layers. The adjacent layers have differing widths between their longitudinal edges, whereby the wider layer bulges away from the narrower layer to impart an open configuration to the channel. Other features of the innerduct structure relate to the material of which it is formed. Such features includes the structure of the material, such as a woven structure, and further include properties such as melting point, tensile strength, fire resistance, elongation, coefficient of friction, crimp resistance and compression recovery.

Abstract: A flat water hose is disclosed having a plurality of water passages arranged in parallel and extended through two distal ends of the body of flat cross section thereof, and two hose connectors at the ends of the body of flat cross section for connection to a water tap and a sprinkler respectively.

Abstract: A corrugation has a radially inner wall circumferentially surrounding an axis. The inner wall defines an inner cavity configured to conduct a liquid axially through the inner cavity. A radially outer wall of the corrugation overlies the inner wall. The outer wall adjoins the inner wall so as to form a closed outer cavity bounded by the inner and outer walls and separated from the inner cavity by the inner wall. The inner wall has at least one opening providing fluid communication between the inner and outer cavities for the corrugation to serve as a reservoir for the liquid.

Abstract: A duct (10) is made up of a plurality of layers (11, 12, 13) of pliant material. The layers (11, 12, 13) are attached by stitching (20, 22) to form pockets (23, 24) between adjacent layers. One of the layers (11) is wider than the others and extends over the lateral edges (17, 19) of those layers (12, 13), and when the stitching (22) is applied, a loop (21) is formed. The loop (21) receives a strength member (26) which may be engaged by a clamp (31) carried by a bracket (34) which may be attached to a utility pole (30) to carry the duct (10) overhead. In another embodiment, a duct (40) includes enclosed loops (41, 42, 43) forming pockets (50, 51, 52). Stitching (54) connects the loops (41, 42, 43) and forms another loop (55) to receive a strength member (56). In yet another embodiment, the layers (61, 62, 63 and 64) are of different lateral widths, and the longest layer (64) extends around one of the edges of the other layers (61, 62, 63) to form a loop (71) when stitching (65) is applied.

Abstract: A flexible fire resistant innerduct structure is configured to contain a cable within a conduit. The innerduct structure includes a pair of adjacent strip-shaped layers of flexible material that are joined along their longitudinal edges to define a channel through which the cable can extend longitudinally through the innerduct structure between the layers. The adjacent layers have differing widths between their longitudinal edges, whereby the wider layer bulges away from the narrower layer to impart an open configuration to the channel. Other features of the innerduct structure relate to the material of which it is formed. Such features includes the structure of the material, such as a woven structure, and further include properties such as melting point, tensile strength, fire resistance, elongation, coefficient of friction, crimp resistance and compression recovery.

Abstract: In manufacturing an exhaust pipe of two-passage construction, a metallic plate having a first end and a second end respectively elongated in a longitudinal direction of the exhaust pipe is prepared. The metallic plate is bent into a substantially S shape in cross section. It has a diametrically extending central partition plate and a substantially semicircular peripheral wall on each lateral side of said partition plate in such a manner that a groove of substantially V shape in cross section having a substantially closed end on a radially inner side and an open end on a radially outer side is formed at each diametrically outer portion of the partition plate. A target is provided so as to elongate along the groove in a manner to extend substantially radially outward from the closed end. A welding arc is generated between the target and a welding gun disposed on a side of the open end such that the substantially closed end and the target are welded together.

Abstract: A heat exchanger (1) is formed by stacking tubes (2) formed by rolling a flat tube material (10) with a fin (3) interposed between the adjacent tubes, joining tanks (4), (5) and the tubes, (2) to appropriately communicate the tubes (2) and the tanks (4), (5), wherein the tube (2) is provided with a partition (22) for dividing a passage (6) of the tube (2) into passages (6),(6) and the partition (22) has an extra section for absorbing a deformation produced when a partition part (30) and the tube are formed.

Abstract: An automobile reinforcing member wherein a pair of pipes are formed relatively from an original sheet material with a joint surface in a middle portion of the original sheet in a width direction, the fold-back faces consist of the outer side faces of the pipes extending laterally from said joint surface, the outer wall faces extending from said outer side faces of the pipes, the inner side faces of the pipes extending from said outer wall faces, the inner wall faces extending from said fold-back faces to the joint surface, and the welding portions extending from said inner wall faces. These portions are formed into lateral pipes by bending the fold-back faces, folding boundary mark between the inner wall face and the welding portion into valley-shaped, and putting those welding portions onto the joint surface situated at interval between said pipes, and then welding both of welding portions and the joint surface together to form an integrated structure.

Abstract: In manufacturing an exhaust pipe of two-passage construction, a metallic plate having a first end and a second end respectively elongated in a longitudinal direction of the exhaust pipe is prepared. The metallic plate is bent into a substantially S shape in cross section. It has a diametrically extending central partition plate and a substantially semicircular peripheral wall on each lateral side of said partition plate in such a manner that a groove of substantially V shape in cross section having a substantially closed end on a radially inner side and an open end on a radially outer side is formed at each diametrically outer portion of the partition plate. A target is provided so as to elongate along the groove in a manner to extend substantially radially outward from the closed end. A welding arc is generated between the target and a welding gun disposed on a side of the open end such that the substantially closed end and the target are welded together.

Abstract: An inner duct operable for routing a transmission cable therein includes a duct tube. The duct tube having an inner surface and an outer surface and at least one passageway disposed generally between said inner and outer surfaces of the duct tube. The at least one passageway being operable for receiving optical fibers therein. Alternative embodiments of the inner duct include at least one tube stranded therearound. The at least one tube includes at least one optical fiber therein and an outer sheath can generally surround the at least one tube.

Abstract: A multitubular device having an external cylindrical or regular polygonal tubing with a profile of longitudinally constant or invariable section and internal cavities defined by separating membranes, the external cylindrical or regular polygonal tubing and the separating membranes being made of high density polyethylene (HDPE) or equivalents thereof. Preferably, the multitubular device is a heptatube, a dodecatube or a tridecatube.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an installation collection securely gathering together a number of installation ducts arranged parallel to one another in a longitudinally running direction, each installation duct comprising a plastic tube, rigid enough to resist any transverse stress, but flexible enough to be curved with respect to the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A drainage system for collecting, isolating and relocating moisture incorporating cascading chutes which collect moisture and create an inner channel from which collected moisture cannot escape to re-infiltrate surrounding soil prior to its discharge point.

Abstract: A fluid conveying tube for a vehicle cooler comprises at least two longitudinal ducts, each comprising two opposite, longitudinal primary heat exchange surfaces. At least one primary surface in each duct of the tube has a projecting surface structure. In a method of manufacturing such a tube, starting from a blank, use is made of a device, which has a feeder for feeding the blank through the device and a surface forming station for forming the surface structure on a portion of the blank surface. Furthermore, the device comprises an edge forming station for forming two opposite edges of the blank into two upright edge portions, which between themselves define an at least partly essentially flat web portion. In addition, the device comprises a duct forming station for making the edge portions abut against each other and against the web portion with a view to defining said ducts.

Abstract: A method for forming a spigot on a double-walled pipe and spigots formed by this method are described. The outer wall and an intermediate space of a double-walled pipe is removed from one end of the pipe over the desired chamfer length, and a preformed annular resilient bevel is placed around the remaining inner wall. This method is convenient, requires limited materials and tools, provides easy access to a porous intermediate space for sealing, and does not introduce residual stress to the spigot. Furthermore, the properties of the spigot depend primarily upon the properties of the annular resilient bevel, increasing the probability of achieving a high quality and robust seal.

Abstract: Fluid transport and containment systems are protected from rupture related to an expanded volume within the systems. A fluid transport system, such as a water supply pipe, has a relief channel along its length configured for expanding outwardly when fluids contained in the pipe freeze and expand. A unitary pipe configuration including a pipe wall and an integral core structure that can be sealed at each end provides a means for expansion sufficient to resist freeze-induced rupture. Such pipe configurations can be used with conventional pipes and pipe fittings and with adapters adapted to fit both the improved pipes and conventional pipes and pipe fittings.

Abstract: An air beam structure having reduced weight, increased rigidity, and lower inflation pressure requirements. The structure includes a closed tubular cylindrical shell of air impermeable fabric having at least one inflation valve. Fixed within the shell is an “I” beam envelope comprised of flexible, air impermeable walls sealed to the interior of the shell. The “I” beam envelope extends the length of the shell and defines at least four air chambers in communication with the inflation valve. A quantity of compressible material is dispersed throughout the interior of the “I” beam envelope. When subjected to compressive forces by pressurization of the air chambers, the material becomes rigid. The filled envelope is either vented to atmosphere or connected to a vacuum source. The air beam is used in groups and may be connected one to another by sheet materials to form a wall or roof structure.

Abstract: A secondary conduit for a transmission carrier comprising at least one first arcuate sidewall defining an elongated first conduit, said first conduit providing a means for conveying a fluid, at least one second conduit formed in said at least one first arcuate sidewall, said second conduit being coextensive with said first conduit to define a secondary conduit adapted to receive a transmission carrier.

Abstract: A round circular hose has a tendency to kink when extended. Also, a round circular hose can be difficult to form into a coil. With this background I have developed a hose with rigid sides to prevent kinking and for ease for forming into a coil provided with thicker wall sections.

Abstract: This invention is a process for making improved micro-multiport tubing for use in heat exchangers. A multivoid heat exchanger tube is extruded from aluminum alloy billet. The alloy is a composition of cooperative elements which act with the aluminum to prevent recrystallization and grain growth which result in the necessary strength and duality of characteristics in the tubes. The composition of the alloy that is added to aluminum is some or all of the following: silicon, iron, copper, magnesium, manganese, zinc and titanium. The cold work during processing of the heat exchanger is limited to further retain the small grains.

Abstract: A multi-lumen hose including a corrugated peripheral wall including an interior area and having an inner surface which defines a diameter, and at least one substantially planar inner partition extending from the inner surface across at least half of the diameter of the peripheral wall so as to divide the interior area into a plurality of lumen and methods of manufacturing such hose.

Abstract: A flexible innerduct structure is configured to contain a cable within a conduit. The innerduct structure includes a pair of adjacent strip-shaped layers of flexible material that are joined along their longitudinal edges to define a channel through which the cable can extend longitudinally through the innerduct structure between the layers. The adjacent layers have differing widths between their longitudinal edges, whereby the wider layer bulges away from the narrower layer to impart an open configuration to the channel. Other features of the innerduct structure relate to the material of which it is formed. Such features includes the structure of the material, such as a woven structure, and further include properties such as melting point, tensile strength, elongation, coefficient of friction, crimp resistance and compression recovery.

Abstract: An easily bendable tubing for conducting two separate fluids, which tubing (18) comprises two laterally spaced flexible tubes (50, 52) which are spaced apart and kept together alongside each other by a connection (54) between them. On opposite sides of the tubing (18) there are provided, in the tube wall of each tube, transverse, spaced apart recesses (62) arranged at the side of each other in a respective row along each tube (50, 52). The recesses in each tube (50 or 52) are straight grooves (62) extending at right angles to the longitudinal axis (58 or 60) of the tube and are arranged at regular intervals along the tubes. These straight grooves are disposed in at least one plane parallel to and spaced from a plane containing the central longitudinal axes (58, 60) of the tube.

Abstract: A multi-lumen hose including a corrugated peripheral wall including an interior area and having an inner surface which defines a diameter, and at least one substantially planar inner partition extending from the inner surface across at least half of the diameter of the peripheral wall so as to divide the interior area into a plurality of lumen.

Abstract: A tubing having unitary construction and having a single lumen portion, a multilumen portion and a transition portion therebetween. The single lumen is in fluid communication with each and every lumen comprising the multilumen portion. The tubing may be made in any desired length by means of extrusion. The outer surface of the tubing may be either smooth or grooved and have any desired cross-sectional geometry. Similarly, any of the lumens can be made to have a desired cross-sectional shape and size. Although the tubing can be made from any extrudable material, a preferred material is medical grade silicone clastomer. An extrusion apparatus and a method for making the tubing in a continuous process is described.

Abstract: An air-conditioning system for a motor vehicle contains a heat exchanger with a heat-exchanger tube that features a profiled central channel and outer channels grouped around the central channel. This heat-exchanger tube is suitable for the construction of counterflow heat exchangers. For this purpose, the heat-exchanger tube is to be cut to corresponding lengths and provided with corresponding end pieces. Such heat exchangers have proven to be light, pressure resistant, and effective.

Abstract: A multi-lumen hose including a corrugated peripheral wall including an interior area and having an inner surface which defines a diameter, and at least one substantially planar inner partition extending from the inner surface across at least half of the diameter of the peripheral wall so as to divide the interior area into a plurality of lumen.

Abstract: An exhaust pipe assembly of two-passage and double-pipe construction has an inner pipe; a partition plate meeting the inner pipe at both diametrical meeting ends thereof so as to be elongated in a longitudinal direction of the inner pipe. Two passages divided across a diameter of said inner pipe are thus formed. The assembly also has an outer pipe which covers the inner pipe with a thermally insulating space around a periphery of the inner pipe. The outer pipe has on one longitudinal end thereof a connecting portion for connection with a mating member. One end of the inner pipe is fixedly connected to the outer pipe with a clearance between the periphery of the inner pipe near each of the meeting ends and an inner circumference of the outer pipe.

Abstract: A microporous structure can be formed from ductile material such as glass into an axially extended outer wall surrounding a plurality of singular micro-passages surrounded by the outer wall to provide an open area that extends continuously over the length of the outer wall. The diameter of the micro-passages will usually not exceed 25 &mgr;m and are more in range of from 0.5 to 5 &mgr;m. The structure is particularly useful as frits for the containment of packing in capillaries for chromatograph applications and more generally as flow restrictors. Continuous open diameters of the micro-passages have a relatively straight flow path that reduces pressure drop relative to the random arrangement of other frits while still providing the desired containment.

Abstract: A multichannel flat tube for a heat exchanger has a plurality of parallel flow channels aligned in a row, side by side, along a transverse axis of the tube. At least the inner flow channels have oval cross-sections, and major semiaxes of the inner flow channels are inclined relative to the transverse axis of the tube at an acute angle. The flat tube can be designed for high operating pressures with relatively low weight and relatively high heat exchange capability. The construction may be used, for example, in CO2 air conditioners in motor vehicles.

Abstract: A tube reinforcement assembly is designed to reinforce complex tube structures, such as those having bends or varying inner diameters. The assembly includes a carrier and a plurality of spring-biased, deflecting wings around the carrier. The wings have structural foam layers on both surfaces that expand when heated. In one application, the wings of the assembly are compressed so that the assembly can fit around bends and narrow areas within the tube. Once the assembly is in its desired position, the structural foam is expanded and cured so that one expanded foam layer presses against the inner wall of the tube structure and the other expanded foam layer presses against the carrier of the reinforcement assembly.

Abstract: An impact bar having a sectional shape including a cylindrical portion formed of a plate material has a flat rib portion formed by extending both ends of the plate material to an inner side of the cylindrical portion with the leading end of each end being close to or contacting the inner surface of the cylindrical portion. The resulting impact bar provides enhanced strength without an increase in weight.

Abstract: In manufacturing an exhaust pipe of two-passage construction, a metallic plate having a first end and a second end respectively elongated in a longitudinal direction of the exhaust pipe is prepared. The metallic plate is bent into a substantially S shape in cross section. It has a diametrically extending central partition plate and a substantially semicircular peripheral wall on each lateral side of said partition plate in such a manner that a groove of substantially V shape in cross section having a substantially closed end on a radially inner side and an open end on a radially outer side is formed at each diametrically outer portion of the partition plate. A target is provided so as to elongate along the groove in a manner to extend substantially radially outward from the closed end. A welding arc is generated between the target and a welding gun disposed on a side of the open end such that the substantially closed end and the target are welded together.