Metal Patents (Class 138/143)
  • Patent number: 7155902
    Abstract: For fixing a catalytic body, which has a cylindrical case and is housed in an exhaust pipe, to the exhaust pipe that serves as part of an exhaust system connected to an engine. The catalytic body can be housed in and fixed to the exhaust pipe even if the catalytic body and the exhaust pipe are made of different materials, thus increasing the freedom in choosing materials for the case of the catalytic body and the exhaust pipe. A bracket, which is made of the same material as an exhaust pipe, is welded to an inner circumferential surface of the exhaust pipe. The bracket is crimped on the case of the catalytic body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroshi Nakagome
  • Patent number: 7135239
    Abstract: A composite material made of a high-strength aluminum alloy. The composite material is particularly used for the production of brazed heat exchangers for vehicles. The composite material includes a core layer, a corrosion protective layer covering the top surface of this core layer and a brazing material layer applied to the corrosion protective layer, all with specifically selected alloying constituents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Rahul Rajagopalan
  • Patent number: 7114526
    Abstract: A composite hose comprises a corrugated metal tube as barrier layer against permeation of conveyed fluid and a reinforcing layer which is formed by braiding a reinforcing wire member made of a metal wire. A braid density of the reinforcing layer is 55% or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Tokai Rubber Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuji Takagi, Minoru Hiramatsu
  • Patent number: 7086419
    Abstract: A composite hose is provided with a corrugated metal tube as a barrier layer against permeation of conveyed fluid, and an elastic filler layer which is filled in valley gaps between corrugation hills on an outer peripheral side of the corrugated metal tube. The elastic filler layer is filled completely in the valley gaps to tops of the corrugation hills. A radial thickness of the elastic filler layer measured radially outwardly from a radial position of the tops of the corrugation hills is designed 0.3 mm or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Tokai Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuji Takagi, Minoru Hiramatsu, Motoshige Hibino
  • Patent number: 7069954
    Abstract: A composite hose is provided with a corrugated metal tube of an inner layer and rubber filler which is filled in valley gaps between corrugation hills on an outer peripheral side of the corrugated metal tube. A tubular hard resin layer is further provided as cover layer on an outer side of the corrugated metal tube in order to enclose the rubber filler within the valley gaps to prevent the rubber filler from escaping radially outwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Tokai Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuji Takagi, Minoru Hiramatsu
  • Patent number: 7055553
    Abstract: A laminated fluid transfer hose construction having one or more intermediate metal barrier layers is provided, as well as, a hose assembly employing the laminated hose construction and coupling means. The inventive hose construction demonstrates improved barrier properties in the form of improved fluid permeation resistance, as well as improved durability. The hose construction may be convoluted yet still provide exceptional resistance to undesirable buckling, kinking and fatigue with no increase in fluid permeation due to necessary “thinning” of the walls to produce “flex.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Titeflex Corporation
    Inventors: Arthur J. Bessette, Mark D. Buddington
  • Patent number: 7051768
    Abstract: When hydroforming a steel pipe, a tubular deformation assisting member made of an incompressible material softer than the steel pipe is fitted on the outer peripheral surface of the steel pipe. The deformation assisting member is attached at least to an area corresponding to a projection provided at the inner surface of the die assembly, the projection being earliest brought into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the steel pipe during hydroforming. When hydroforming the steel pipe, the material of the deformation assisting member plastically flows near corner portions at which the deformation assisting member is brought into contact with the projection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Junichi Takahashi
  • Patent number: 6988515
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide ultra-low permeation hoses which have at the interior thereof a refrigerant barrier layer that consists in large part of a metal layer and is capable of conforming to hose deformation, which have an excellent resistance to refrigerant permeation (i.e., barrier properties to refrigerants), particularly an excellent CO2 permeation resistance and an excellent heat resistance when CO2 is used as the refrigerant. The object can be accomplished by an ultra-low permeation hose having at least a refrigerant barrier layer and a rubber layer and/or a resin layer; wherein the refrigerant barrier layer is a laminated film comprising a resin layer and, on the outside thereof, a metal layer, which the resin layer and the metal layer are bonded together by a polyamide-epoxy reactive adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignees: The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., Nihon Matai Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideyuki Oishi, Yuuji Kawamori, Hiroaki Shibano, Fumio Tashiro
  • Patent number: 6986367
    Abstract: A method of insulating ducts is described including laminating a reinforcement fabric to a fibrous insulation board, lifting at least a portion of the reinforcement fabric from the fibrous insulation board, applying a first layer of a mastic coating to the fibrous insulation board, embedding the reinforcement fabric into the first layer of mastic coating, and applying a second layer of the mastic coating to the outside surface of the reinforcement fabric. The reinforcement fabric is laminated to the fibrous insulation board using an adhesive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: CertainTeed Corporation
    Inventors: Murray S. Toas, Walter Steve Leeper, Jr., Steve Archibald, John Ward
  • Patent number: 6976510
    Abstract: A corrosion resistant multi-layer tube comprises a metal tube; a zinc layer bonded to the metal tube outer surface; a surface treatment layer bonded to the zinc layer; a priming layer; a first polymeric layer bonded to the priming layer; a second polymeric layer bonded to the first polymeric layer. A process for manufacturing the tube comprises the step of extruding multiple layers of a melt-processible thermoplastic to a pretreated metal tube having an external surface with at least a zinc based coating, a sealant coating on top of the zinc based coating, and a primer coating on top of the sealant coating. The primer coating is preferably applied by an airless spray system in a closed atmosphere, wherein substantially no volatile organic compounds escape into the atmosphere. The polymeric layer(s) remain adhered to the metal tube, even when exposed for prolonged periods to aggressively corrosive environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Guido M. Campagna, James D. McDsniel, Timothy L. Schwiebert
  • Patent number: 6959735
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a multilayer flexible hose, preferably for fuel or coolant lines in an automotive vehicle, comprising a support layer and a metallic barrier layer which is fixedly connected to said support layer, and to a method of producing the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: Veritas AG
    Inventors: Andreas Seyler, Thomas Rösch
  • Patent number: 6959736
    Abstract: A multilayer pipe which comprises at least an inner layer and an outer layer. The inner layer is made of extrudable plastic, such as polyethylene PE, cross-linked polyethylene PEX or polypropylene PP. The outer layer forms a fire-protecting layer and the matrix plastic of the outer layer is also made of extrudable plastic. A foaming agent, which does not react during the manufacture of the pipe, is mixed with the matrix. Further, the outer layer contains at least one additive in such a manner that the outer layer has a pipe-reinforcing component and a fire-retardant component. Most preferably, at least the outer layer is extruded by an extruder having a screw length ratio of less than 10 to its biggest diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: Uponor Innovation AB
    Inventor: Jyri Järvenkylä
  • Patent number: 6953062
    Abstract: The present invention provides a fuel tank or a fuel pipe excellent particularly in the corrosion resistance of the outer surface in a salt damage environment, and is a fuel tank or a fuel pipe excellent in corrosion resistance characterized by: being formed by using a steel sheet or a steel pipe containing Cr of 9.0 to 25.0 mass % as the base material; on the outer surface thereof, having any one or more of welded portions, brazed portions and structurally gapped portions contacting components; and having one or more of metals, whose electrode potential in a 5%-NaCl aqueous solution at 30° C. is ?0.4 V or less relative to a saturated calomel electrode, attached to at least a part or parts of said portion(s) of the outer surface in an electrically conductive manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Assignee: Nippon Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Shunji Sakamoto, Akihiko Takahashi, Michio Kaneko, Toshio Tanoue, Kenji Kato, Naoto Ono, Masao Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 6945279
    Abstract: An impermeable rubber hose is thinned for the purpose of reducing weight and costs. A rigid resin film is used as an intermediate layer. When the resin film is gradually rolled up into a cylindrical shape from a planar shape and fed to an extrusion head and rubber is simultaneously extrusion-molded inside and outside the cylindrical film, the film produces a break or a twist to make extrusion molding difficult. It is an object of the present invention to make simultaneous extrusion molding possible even in such a condition. To attain the above object, a thermoplastic resin film (5) which forms an intermediate layer (2) and of which the melting point is lower than the vulcanizing temperature is formed in a long belt-shape. Slits (7) are provided at fixed intervals on the right and left long side sections (8, 8) of the film (5) in the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Yamashita Rubber Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroki Baba, Yuji Hirano, Hiromi Fujii, Takafumi Matano
  • Patent number: 6915820
    Abstract: An automotive fluid tubing, especially for gasoline, diesel fuel or hydraulic fluid, and composed of metal can be provided with a tube coating of aluminum and then a polyamide 12 layer which is extruded onto the aluminum coating. The polyamide extruded layer greatly improves the wear-resistance and corrosion-resistance of the tubing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Ti Automotive (Fuldabruck) GmbH
    Inventors: Pierluigi Picco, Gregory John Scarrow
  • Patent number: 6901968
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a fluid conduit, and to a multi-conduit umbilical for use in the transportation of chemicals with small molecular size and shape e.g. methanol ethanol and other hydrocarbon fluids used in the oil industry. The conduit comprises a flexible fluid hose encapsulated by at least one metallized layer which is formed and arranged to minimize permeation of a fluid being transported in the fluid hose. In use in a multi-conduit umbilical the metallised layer minimizes permeation into adjacent fluid hoses containing chemicals. The invention is characterized in that the fluid hose(s) have differing levels of encapsulation and thereby permeation, along a given length according to the operational requirements of the fluid conduit/umbilical. Typically such fluid conduits/umbilicals will have lengths in excess of 100 km.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Oceaneering International Services
    Inventor: Fraser Hynd Thomson
  • Patent number: 6899140
    Abstract: A flexible pipe and a method of manufacturing same according to which a tubular sheath is provided that defines a longitudinal passage for receiving a conveyed fluid, a tape is formed by a plurality of metal fibers supported by a strip of flexible material to form a tape, and the tape is wound around the sheath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Wellstream International Limited
    Inventors: Dana J. Fraser, Colin Soens
  • Patent number: 6896006
    Abstract: The present invention provides an improved tubular structure which uses the properties of different materials, such as stiffness, strength, and density are exploited in a manner which combines the most attractive characteristics of existing metal and composite tubes into a metal/composite tube which contains performance characteristics (stiffness, strength or weight) not possible with pure metal or composite materials. For example, an improved tube is suitably created with a conventional metallic tube structure (e.g., steel, aluminum, titanium or the like). The original tube is modified with a secondary operation such as machining, punching, laser cutting or the like to remove various portions of the original tube wall, resulting in a tube with some pattern of “holes” or “cutaway” sections, thus resulting in a lighter tube. The tube is then suitably “fused” with composite material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Vyatek Sports, Inc.
    Inventor: Howard A. Lindsay
  • Patent number: 6838141
    Abstract: A hose of a laminated structure which comprises a rubber layer composed of a rubber composition, and a laminate including a metal foil and a resin, the rubber composition including: (A) a rubber including at least one of an ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer and an ethylene-propylene copolymer; (B) a peroxide vulcanizing agent; (C) a resorcinol compound; and (D) a melamine resin. The hose is light in weight, less costly, and has excellent gas barrier properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: Tokai Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ayumu Ikemoto, Motoshige Hibino, Hidehito Ikeda, Kazutaka Katayama
  • Patent number: 6807989
    Abstract: A flexible cord-like hollow object for the transportation of media is provided with an inner zone enclosed by a casing having an inner layer, a middle layer and an outer layer. A barrier layer, which is impermeable to volatile molecules of the medium to be transported, is integrated into the casing on the outer surface of the inner layer between the inner layer and the middle layer. The barrier layer comprises sub-elements that are arranged in a scale-like manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: Aeroquip-Vickers International GmbH
    Inventors: Silvia Enders, Holger Ullrich, Thomas Fritz
  • Publication number: 20040182463
    Abstract: A laminated fluid transfer hose construction having one or more intermediate metal barrier layers is provided, as well as, a hose assembly employing the laminated hose construction and coupling means. The inventive hose construction demonstrates improved barrier properties in the form of improved fluid permeation resistance, as well as improved durability. The hose construction may be convoluted yet still provide exceptional resistance to undesirable buckling, kinking and fatigue with no increase in fluid permeation due to necessary “thinning” of the walls to produce “flex.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2004
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Inventors: Arthur J. Bessette, Mark D. Buddington
  • Patent number: 6777110
    Abstract: A layered article having a curved surface made of a supporting metal metallurgically bonded to a supported metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignees: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, Engelhard-CLAL
    Inventors: John James Barnes, Joseph Gerard Biondo, Peter Gideon Gelblum, Richard Delbert Lanam, Charles Joseph Noelke, David Archer Wells
  • Publication number: 20040129330
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a multilayer flexible hose, preferably for fuel or coolant lines in an automotive vehicle, comprising a support layer and a metallic barrier layer which is fixedly connected to said support layer, and to a method of producing the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Applicant: VERITAS AG
    Inventors: Andreas Seyler, Thomas Rosch
  • Publication number: 20040118470
    Abstract: In a hose with corrugated metal tube, a connecting pipe is formed with a tapered inner surface in a tip end portion thereof a corrugated metal tube is formed with a flared portion flaring as to correspond to the tapered inner surface of the connecting pipe, and a mating pipe is formed with a tapered outer surface. The hose with corrugated metal tube is connected to the mating pipe by a cap nut so that the tapered inner space of the connecting pipe abuts the tapered outer surface of the mating pipe with the flared portion therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2003
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Inventor: Norihiko Furuta
  • Publication number: 20040112454
    Abstract: The hose of the present invention comprising: a hose body 12 having an inner layer composed of a bellow metallic tube 22 and a jacket of at least one outer layer, with the hose body having a longitudinal edge at one end thereof; an insert pipe 14 extending longitudinally into the hose body 12 and a metallic sleeve 16 compressing the jacket against the insert pipe 14 at each of a plurality of pressure points disposed axially along the longitudinal edge of the hose body from said one end with said bellow metallic tube having a restricted end portion at one end thereof located forward of the last pressure point. The bellows metallic tube preferably has a straight tube portion integral to the bellows metallic tube for representing the restricted end portion thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2003
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventor: Yuji Takagi
  • Patent number: 6742576
    Abstract: Heat exchanger structures for conducting fluid are provided in the form of multiple spaced-apart polymeric tubes embedded in foil laminate which includes metal and at least one polymer. Useful polymers are polyolefins, polyesters and polyamides. The metal provides barrier protection making the structure suitable for refrigeration uses as well as providing an extended heat transfer surface between the tubes for when the elements are used for heat transfer, and the polymer on the foil permits it to be sealed closely around the tubes to improve heat transfer. The tubes are of a geometry which provides burst strength, so that the metal can be quite thin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventor: Kevin Bergevin
  • Patent number: 6732765
    Abstract: A pipeline for the transport of refrigerated media, including at least two metal pipes, positioned concentrically and at a distance to one another, an insulating layer made of layers of insulating material and reflecting material alternately positioned over one another being provided in the ring gap between the metal pipes and the ring gap being evacuated and a spacer in the form of a helix being wound onto the inner pipe. The spacer (3) is a metal wire (3a), onto which bodies (3b) made of a mechanically resistive insulating material, which are provided with a hole, are threaded at specific intervals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Nexans
    Inventors: Klaus Schippl, Stephan Lange
  • Patent number: 6729354
    Abstract: A catalyst container of a catalytic converter is of a double-pipe structure wherein an outer periphery of an inner pipe and an inner periphery of an outer pipe are fittingly superposed on each other. The catalyst container has a catalyst installing portion, tapered cone portions extending from the catalyst installing portion with a gradually decreasing diameter, and straight connecting portions extending from smallest-diameter regions of the cone portions to the ends to be connected with connecting pipes upstream and downstream of the catalytic converter. Holes maybe formed in the cone portions of one of the inner or outer pipes to permit fluids to be displaced from the space therebetween. Such a catalyst container has sufficient rigidity and radiated noise suppression properties and thus can be reduced in weight by being thinned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Seiji Ishizu, Kazushi Wakide, Yasuhiro Nobata, Akiyoshi Yamamoto, Suekichi Hangeishi, Mamoru Yashima
  • Publication number: 20040050443
    Abstract: A composite pipe formed by an outer metallic pipe with plastic material inner lining is described. The pipe presents resistance to internal and external pressure defined by the metallic pipe properties, and resistance to aggressive agents defined by the plastic material. The inner lining is a prefabricated plastic material pipe inserted into the metallic pipe, interposing a means able to transmit the internal pressure within the plastic material pipe to the metallic pipe. Also described is a method of manufacturing said composite pipe, wherein a prefabricated thermoplastic material pipe is inserted into a metallic pipe, also interposing a means able to transmit the internal pressure within the plastic material pipe to the metallic pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2003
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Inventor: Enrique Trivelli
  • Publication number: 20040050440
    Abstract: A flexible conduit includes a metal hose provided with a helical groove having a plurality of turns; a plastic jacket surrounding the metal hose and conforming to the helical groove thereof; a plastic inner hose received in the metal hose and having a projecting length portion extending beyond an end of the metal hose. The conduit further includes a plastic coupling part which surrounds the metal hose. The coupling part includes a cylindrical collar surrounding the projecting length portion and having a material-to-material bond therewith; and an overlapping portion adjoining the cylindrical collar and extending away therefrom. The overlapping portion surrounds the jacket and extends into the helical groove. The overlapping portion and the plastic jacket have a material-to-material bond with one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2003
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Applicant: VOHRAN Patentverwertungs-GmbH
    Inventor: Christoph Vohrer
  • Publication number: 20040045620
    Abstract: Polyamide liners used in sub sea and over ground transport operations, such as nylon (11), are handled in a way which increases the rate of chain recombination relative to the competing process of chain scission. This enhances and increased the useable life of the polyamide liner by effectively reducing its rate of aging. The can be accomplished by incorporating a chain extender or desiccant into the polyamide liner, incorporating hydrophobic moieties or hydrophobic polymers into the polyamide liner, or by providing a sheath which is less permeable to water at the inner surface of the polyamide liner. Rejuvenation of the polyamide liner can also be achieved by heat treatment of the polyamide liner by hot air, hot oil or gas, or other hot liquids that are at a temperature above 1000° C. Rejuvenation may be enhanced by including a chain extender or desiccant to a hot oil, gas, or other liquid that is exposed to the polyamide liner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2003
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventor: David E. Kranbuehl
  • Publication number: 20040035486
    Abstract: An automotive fluid tubing, especially for gasoline, diesel fuel or hydraulic fluid, and composed of metal can be provided with a tube coating of aluminum and then a polyamide 12 layer which is extruded onto the aluminum coating. The polyamide extruded layer greatly improves the wear-resistance and corrosion-resistance of the tubing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2002
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Inventors: Pierluigi Picco, Gregory John Scarrow
  • Publication number: 20040025953
    Abstract: A flexible pipe and a method of manufacturing same according to which a tubular sheath is provided that defines a longitudinal passage for receiving a conveyed fluid, a tape is formed by a plurality of metal fibers supported by a strip of flexible material to form a tape, and the tape is wound around the sheath.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2002
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Applicant: Wellstream, Inc.
    Inventors: Dana J. Fraser, Colin Soens
  • Patent number: 6689440
    Abstract: A coated metal tubing arrangement comprises a metal tube. An inner layer of a first polymeric material is bonded to the tube to provide corrosion protection. The first polymeric material has a high crystallinity, a dampening factor of less than 0.05, and a flexural modulus of at least 100 MPa. An outer layer of a second polymeric material is extruded around the inner layer to absorb impact energies and to eliminate mechanical vibrations and acoustic noises. The second polymeric material has a dampening factor of at least 0.05 and a flexural modulus of less than 50 Mpa. The second polymeric material is a multi-phase polymer having at least one polymer component with a glass-transition temperature below room temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: TI Group Automotive Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Henry S. Hsich, Dennis C. Soles
  • Patent number: 6679296
    Abstract: Sound attenuating ducting has an inner, helical wire supporting an inner and outer layer formed by strips of a foamed thermoplastic rubber material. Axial and helical reinforcing yarns extend along the ducting between the layers. The two strips are applied from extruders, the extrusion rate of the inner strip being set to be less than that of the outer strip so that the inner strip is stretched to produce a more porous structure than in the outer strip. In this way, the inner layer is efficient in absorbing orifice noise within the ducting and the outer layer contains radiated noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Smiths Group PLC
    Inventor: Diane Gibson
  • Patent number: 6679298
    Abstract: It is of the type comprising at least two reinforcing armour plies (3-6) wound in opposite senses about a longitudinal axis (A—A) and at least one pressure sheath (7), which can collapse in a given direction under the action of external pressure greater than the internal pressure in the said collapsible pipe, the collapse being able to cause a transverse elongation of the said pressure sheath, and it is characterized in that at least one stiffener (8, 9) is provided on at least one surface (7a) of the said pressure sheath, which is made of a thermoplastic, so as, during collapse, to limit the said elongation to a value of less than the elongation threshold of the said thermoplastic. Application especially to the transporting of hydrocarbons in offshore operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Coflexip
    Inventor: Philippe Espinasse
  • Patent number: 6660350
    Abstract: A method for preparing a multi-layer tube, useful prior to endforming for brakeline connections, comprises the steps of forming a metal tube having an outer surface and an end and bonding a corrosion resistant layer to the metal tube outer surface. A surface treatment layer is bonded to the corrosion resistant layer. A first polymeric layer is extruded onto the metal tube, such that is bonds to the surface treatment layer; and a second polymeric layer is extruded onto the metal tube, such that it bonds to the first polymeric layer. The method further comprises the step of vaporizing and removing at least a portion of the first and second polymeric layers from an area adjacent the end by rotating an axially defocused, generally elliptical cross-sectionally shaped laser beam 360° about the area, while leaving the corrosion resistant layer intact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: ITT Automotive, Inc.
    Inventors: Guido M. Campagna, James D. McDaniel
  • Patent number: 6659137
    Abstract: An outer pipe 10 and an inner pipe 12 are formed by drawing. Inner pipe 12 is inserted into outer pipe 10 and a metal core 14 is inserted into inner pipe 12. From this state, drawing is performed so that outer pipe 10 presses tightly against inner pipe 12. Metal core 14 is pulled out, resulting in a two-layer clad pipe 15. Alternatively, a two-layer clad pipe can also be made by drawing outer pipe 10 and inner pipe 12 without inserting metal core 14.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Suncall Corporation
    Inventors: Katsuhiro Imasaki, Hiroyuki Furukawa, Toshitsugu Ookubo, Sadao Oiko
  • Patent number: 6656552
    Abstract: A heat-resistant multi-layer hose is described. The hose includes inner and outer elastomeric layers, and an intermediate reinforcing layer. The inner and outer layers each include a substantial fraction of ethylene-octene copolymer, and may include one or more compatible polymers such as EPDM, chlorosulfonated polyethylene, and chlorinated polyethylene. The use of relatively large amounts of ethylene-octene copolymer results in improved high heat resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventor: Michael L. Crouse
  • Patent number: 6652939
    Abstract: A fuel transport tube having improved fuel vapor permeation characteristics comprising an inner conductive nylon tubular structure, an aluminum barrier layer on the outside surface of the nylon inner tubular layer, and a non-conductive nylon layer on the outer surface of the aluminum layer; and a method for making the fuel transport tube are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Dayco Products, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher W. Smith, Jerry Shifman, Jeremy Duke
  • Patent number: 6652937
    Abstract: Thermoplastic/elastomer composite product, in particular a hose for transporting a coolant for an automobile air-conditioning circuit, comprising an internal layer formed from a plastic alloy comprising a nylon-6 and at least 51% of a modifier chosen from among ethylene-acrylate-acrylic acid terpolymers and a layer formed from a blend of an elastomer, such as a brominated butyl rubber modified by a grafted 1,2-vinyl polybutadiene, a silane, an ethylene-acrylic acid copolymer or an ethylene-propylene copolymer grafted with maleic anhydride, with complete adhesion between the thermoplastic and the elastomer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Hutchinson
    Inventors: Laina Guo, Jean-Yves Mounier
  • Patent number: 6645588
    Abstract: Conventional coating compositions have the disadvantage of being insufficiently coatable and having an unsatisfactory environmental stress cracking resistance. Now a coating composition has been found which has both good coating processability and environmental stress cracking resistance. It comprises a multimodal ethylene polymer, which contains from 80 to 100% by weight of ethylene repeating units and from 0 to 20% by weight of C3-C10 &agr;-olefin repeating units, has a density of between 0.915 g/cm3 and 0.955 g/cm3, and is a blend of at least a first ethylene polymer having a first average molecular weight and a first molecular weight distribution and a second ethylene polymer having a second average molecular weight, which is higher than said first average molecular weight, and a second molecular weight distribution, said blend having a third average molecular weight and a third molecular weight distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Borealis Technology Oy
    Inventors: Leif Leiden, Markku Asumalahti, Jari Aarila, Laila Rogestedt, Hans-Bertil Martinsson, Bengt Hagstrom, Aimo Sahila
  • Publication number: 20030196715
    Abstract: The present invention provides a fuel tank or a fuel pipe excellent particularly in the corrosion resistance of the outer surface in a salt damage environment, and is a fuel tank or a fuel pipe excellent in corrosion resistance characterized by: being formed by using a steel sheet or a steel pipe containing Cr of 9.0 to 25.0 mass % as the base material; on the outer surface thereof, having any one or more of welded portions, brazed portions and structurally gapped portions contacting components; and having one or more of metals, whose electrode potential in a 5%-NaCl aqueous solution at 30° C. is −0.4 V or less relative to a saturated calomel electrode, attached to at least a part or parts of said portion(s) of the outer surface in an electrically conductive manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Publication date: October 23, 2003
    Inventors: Shunji Sakamoto, Akihiko Takahashi, Michio Kaneko, Toshio Tanoue, Kenji Kato, Naoto Ono, Masao Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 6631741
    Abstract: A metal-composite corrugated hose having a wall including a metal layer forming its innermost layer and a resin layer surrounding it. Its wall has in its corrugated portion a metal layer thickness (A) of at least 20 &mgr;m, but below 200 &mgr;m, and a resin layer thickness (B) of 80 to 5,000 &mgr;m. Each thickness of A and B has a ratio (A:B) of 1:4 to 1:50. The hose is made by a specific process in which the metal and resin layers are not corrugated simultaneously. Thus, there is a provided a metal-composite corrugated hose having high fuel impermeability, flexibility and strength, and having a reinforcing effect sufficient to protect the metal layer from any fatigue failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Tokai Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazutaka Katayama, Motoshige Hibino, Atsuo Miyajima, Hiroaki Ito
  • Patent number: 6631743
    Abstract: A flexible cord-like hollow object for the transportation of media is provided with an inner zone enclosed by a casing. A barrier layer, which is impermeable to volatile molecules of the medium to be transported, is provided on the casing surface facing the inner zone. The barrier layer comprises sub-elements that are arranged in a scale-like manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Aeroquip-Vickers International GmbH
    Inventors: Silvia Enders, Holger Ullrich, Thomas Fritz
  • Publication number: 20030178085
    Abstract: A hose (10) comprising a tubular body (12) of flexible material arranged between an inner and an outer helically wound wire (22, 24). The hose (10) further comprises an axial strengthening means (20) adapted to reduce deformation of the tubular body (12) when the tubular body (12) is subjected to axial tension, the axial strengthening means (20) being adapted to exert a radially inward force on at least part of the tubular body (12) when axial strengthening means (20) is subjected to axial tension.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2003
    Publication date: September 25, 2003
    Inventors: Raymond N. Burke, Eric J. Davis, Gerard A. Hall, Matthew V. Ridolfi, Simon P.A. Thorp, Joel A. Witz
  • Patent number: 6623869
    Abstract: A metallic material of the invention which comprises, in mass %, C: not more than 0.2%, Si: 0.01-4%, Mn: 0.05-2%, P: not more than 0.04%, S: not more than 0.015%, Cr: 10-35%, Ni: 30-78%, Al: not less than 0.005% but less than 4.5%, N: 0.005-0.2%, and one or both of Cu: 0.015-3% and Co: 0.015-3%, with the balance substantially being Fe, and of which the value of 40Si+Ni+5Al+40N+10 (Cu+Co), wherein the symbols of elements represent the contents of the respective elements, is not less than 50 and has excellent corrosion resistance in an environment in which metal dusting is ready to occur and, therefore, can be utilized as or in heating furnace pipes, piping systems, heat exchanger pipes and so forth to be used in a petroleum refinery or in petrochemical plants, and can markedly improve the equipment durability and safety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Nishiyama, Nobuo Otsuka
  • Publication number: 20030172982
    Abstract: The invention pertains to a flexible cord-like hollow object with an inner zone, which is enclosed by a casing, for the transportation of media, whereby a barrier layer (26), which is impermeable to the volatile molecules of the medium that is to be transported, is integrated into the casing (12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2003
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Inventors: Silvia Enders, Holger Ullrich, Thomas Fritz
  • Patent number: 6619329
    Abstract: A hose comprising a laminate including a rubber layer comprising a rubber composition containing as essential components (A) a rubber made of at least one material selected from the group consisting of an ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer and an ethylene-propylene copolymer, (B) a vulcanizing agent containing a peroxide, (C) a resorcinol compound, and (D) a melamine resin; and a layer made of at least one material selected from the group consisting of a polyamide resin, an ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer, and a metal. In such hose, the rubber layer and the non-rubber layer made of the polyamide resin, the ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer, or of the metal adhere well to each other, without applying an adhesive to an interface therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Tokai Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ayumu Ikemoto, Hidehito Ikeda, Kazutaka Katayama, Motoshige Hibino, Yoshio Okado
  • Publication number: 20030159744
    Abstract: A straight opposing member insertion section located at the end of a hose tube and has a ring-shaped groove for inserting a sealing ring. The opposing member insertion section has a ring-shaped tongue piece and/or a ring-shaped ring supporting section. Tongue-piece has a sloped surface and an overhang positioned over the ring-shaped groove. Ring supporting section is an indentation on the ring-shaped groove that protrudes away from the end of the hose tube. A sealing ring is tightly inserted into the ring-shaped groove. A ring-shaped engagement projection on the end of the tube-shaped opposing member is pushed into the opposing member insertion section until the engagement projection abuts the sealing ring. Sealing ring and the section of the tube wall with the ring-shaped groove can be constructed to handle seal deterioration. The resulting fuel hose connection structure has superior fuel sealing properties, fuel impermeability and can be contructed simplely and inexpensively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2003
    Publication date: August 28, 2003
    Applicant: TOKAI RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Kazushige Sakazaki, Koji Hioki, Atsuo Miyajima