Metal Patents (Class 138/143)
  • Publication number: 20030155029
    Abstract: An armoured flexible pipe consists of an inner liner (3), on the inside of which a carcass (1) is provided, while the outer side of the inner liner is surrounded by a layer of pressure armour and a layer of tensile armour, which in turn are surrounded by one or more layers of thermally insulating bands which are shielded from the surroundings by an outer sheath. With the object of ensuring a sufficiently low transport of heat through the walls of the pipe, on the outside of the pressure and tensile armour layers (5, 6, 7, 8) thermally insulating bands are provided, which bands are made of a polymer or a polymeric composition, such as a polymer containing at least 50% polypropylene. The armoured flexible pipe according to the invention is especially advantageous for use in the extraction, transport or refining of mineral oil or related fluids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2002
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Inventors: Kristian Glejbol, Jakob Wedel-Heinen
  • Patent number: 6604552
    Abstract: Metal-plastic multilayer pipe with a plastic inner pipe (30) and a metal sheath (32) around the plastic inner pipe (30), where the metal sheath (32) is of uniform thickness, is applied to the plastic inner pipe (30) so that it completely encircles the plastic inner pipe (30) and a practical plastic outer layer (38), with the feature that the thickness of the metal sheath (32) as compared to the total thickness of all layers of the multilayer pipe (32, 34 and 38), is sufficiently thin that the metal sheath (32) accounts for a negligible part of the overall strength and stiffness of the multilayer pipe and, as a consequence, when the multilayer pipe is bent in an arc, the metal sheath (32) offers negligible resistance to such bending as compared to the resistance offered by the inner pipe (30) and the practical cover layer (38), and when so bent, the multilayer pipe tends to remain bent in said arc, whereby, the multilayer pipe has “form stability”.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Inventors: Jorg Hansen, Reinhold Freermann, Alfred Feldkamp, Franz-Josef Riesselmann
  • Publication number: 20030127147
    Abstract: A reinforced pipe for transporting a fluid comprising aggressive gases and/or liquids, such as wet natural gas, comprising a plastic inner pipe and, surrounding the inner pipe, a reinforcing layer with fibres which have a high tensile strength, such as aramid fibres or fibres made from steel with a high carbon content. A barrier layer, which is impermeable or of low permeability to the fluid, is located between the inner pipe and the reinforcing layer, which barrier layer is stuck so that it rests completely against the inner pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Publication date: July 10, 2003
    Applicant: Pipelife Nederland B.V.
    Inventors: Joris Willy Adrie Van Dam, Lambertus Gerrit Peter Dalmolen
  • Patent number: 6589617
    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: August 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: TI Group Automotive Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Henry S. Hsich, Dennis C. Soles
  • Publication number: 20030111560
    Abstract: An high pressure seal comprises a tube with a first end adapted to fit into a first bore of a first mating part and a second end adapted to fit into second bore of a second bore of a second mating part and allow fluid communication between the first bore and the second bore. The seal is expandable radially about an axis to form a seal between the first and second mating parts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2001
    Publication date: June 19, 2003
    Inventors: David R. Bartkowiak, Dale C. Maley
  • Patent number: 6579628
    Abstract: The multi-layered heat resistant metal tube is disclosed. This tube has excellent anti-coking characteristics and is suitable for use under the conditions where carbon tends to deposit and accumulate thereon due to contacting with hydrocarbons at a high temperature. The tube is made by forming weld-mounted overlaid layer of Cr—Ni alloy by building-up welding over the inner surface and/or the outer surface of a substrate tube made of a heat resistant metal. The Cr—Ni alloy comprises 35% by weight or more of Cr and satisfies the relationship: Ni(w%)≧0.5Cr(wt %). Building-up welding is preferably carried out by PPW (Plasma Powder Welding) in which the filler metal is supplied in the form of powder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: Daido Tokushuko Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuko Takeuchi, Yoshihisa Kato, Noriyoshi Yokota, Seiya Asari, Masaki Tsuchiya, Takao Shimizu, Isao Tanaka
  • Patent number: 6575197
    Abstract: A double-layer pipe for fluidic transport of abrasive solids, includes a hardened inner pipe portion of steel, an outer pipe portion of weldable steel to surround the inner pipe portion, and terminal coupling collars made of weldable steel. Disposed between the inner pipe portion and the outer pipe portion is a heat-insulating layer which is made of a combustible, non-metallic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Esser-Werke KG
    Inventor: Alexander Esser
  • Publication number: 20030102045
    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. This plastic flow accelerates circumferential uniform extension of the steel pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2003
    Publication date: June 5, 2003
    Inventor: Junichi Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20030094209
    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: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2003
    Publication date: May 22, 2003
    Applicant: Suncall Corporation
    Inventors: Katsuhiro Imasaki, Hiroyuki Furukawa, Toshitsugu Ookubo, Sadao Oiko
  • Patent number: 6554992
    Abstract: A corrosion resistance treatment for ductile iron pipe placed in corrosive environments provides a corrosion resistant coating from an aluminum-silicon alloy which is applied by thermal spraying or arc spraying onto the material. The alloy contains 88% aluminum and 12% silicon by weight. The aluminum provides corrosion resistance due to cathodic action and protects the pipe even when the coating is damaged. The silicon in the alloy provides greater strength to the otherwise malleable aluminum coating to resist damage to the coating during shipping, handling and installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: McWane, Inc.
    Inventor: W. Harry Smith
  • Patent number: 6555251
    Abstract: A four layer composite including a first interliner positioned between a 4xxx series braze clad and a core alloy and a second interliner positioned on the opposite side of the core alloy from the first interliner. At least one of the first and second interliners has higher amounts of Si than that of the core alloy adjacent thereto. The higher Si content interliner preferably contains about 0.02-1.1 wt. % Si.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventor: Raymond J. Kilmer
  • Publication number: 20030070720
    Abstract: Plastic tube fluid handling means provided in the form of one or more polymeric tubes embedded in foil laminate which includes metal and at least one polymer. The preferred polymers are polyolefins and polyamides. The metal provides barrier protection making the structure suitable for use in fuel lines, refrigerator hose, in-floor heating pipe, solar hot water heating systems and the like. The tubes are of a geometry which provides burst strength, so that the metal can be quite thin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: Kevin Bergevin, Kenneth Earl Stevens
  • Patent number: 6546963
    Abstract: A ship including a multi-layer composite piping system formed from a laminated pipe structure comprising: (a) a metal tube; (b) a bonding layer disposed on both sides of the metal tube; and (c) an internally cross-linked polymer layer disposed on both bonding layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Halter Marine, Inc.
    Inventor: W. Philip Nuss
  • Publication number: 20030066568
    Abstract: An impermeable metal film having a bellows shape and used as a fluid-impermeable layer of a fluid transport hose. The, impermeable metal film is produced by molding and heat-treating. After molding metal into a film of the bellows shape, the film is heat-treated to remove residual stress in a specific temperature range which is optimal for improvement indurability against fatigue failure caused by deformation. There can be also provided an impermeable hose including a multilayer structure which has at least one layer of the impermeable metal film incorporated as a fluid-impermeable layer in the impermeable hose.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2002
    Publication date: April 10, 2003
    Applicant: TOKAI RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Motoshige Hibino, Masashi Sakakibara
  • Patent number: 6539981
    Abstract: A flow tube has a metal outer tube and is lined with an ETFE fluoropolymer that is resistant to corrosive chemicals and mechanical damage even at high temperatures. The inner surface of the metal tube is coated with a bonding metal that can be securely bonded to the outer metal tube and also forms a strong bond with ETFE fluoropolymer. After the bonding metal has been applied, a layer of a desired thickness of the ETFE fluoropolymer is molded in place to form an inner liner for the flow tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventors: Lowell A. Kleven, Brad L. Lesmeister
  • Patent number: 6532994
    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 in 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: June 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Aeroquip-Vickers International GmbH
    Inventors: Silvia Enders, Holger Ullrich, Thomas Fritz
  • Publication number: 20030047227
    Abstract: A device for arresting the propagation of a buckle appearing on an outer tube of a double-walled rigid pipe intended to transport hydrocarbons and consisting of two coaxial tubes. The double-walled pipe is of the reelable type and intended for very great depths and consists of a thick and rigid annular transverse partition fastened to the inner tube and to the outer tube. The partition is joined to the outer tube and to the inner tube by means of an outer and inner sleeve having the same diameter as the outer and inner tubes and fastened to the latter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Applicant: Coflexip
    Inventors: Bill George Louis, Mike Bell
  • Patent number: 6531199
    Abstract: To provide a multiple coat metal pipe and its fabrication method having excellent corrosion resistance without deteriorating chipping resistance or splashing resistance, capable of being fabricated easily and capable of simply carrying out peel off operation owing to a weak peel off strength wherein corrosion resistance of an end working portion is not deteriorated, there is provided a multiple coat metal pipe which is a metal pipe constituted by multiplexing and coating a first layer including a resin having an adhesive force in respect of a surface treatment layer formed on an outer peripheral face of the metal pipe and capable of being extruded and a second layer provided on an outer peripheral face of the first layer, having a chipping resistance and capable of being extruded, wherein a peel off strength between the first layer and the second layer is 75 g/cm or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Usui Kokusai Sangyo Kaisha Ltd.
    Inventor: Masayoshi Usui
  • Publication number: 20030041912
    Abstract: A double-layer pipe for fluidic transport of abrasive solids, includes a hardened inner pipe portion of steel, an outer pipe portion of weldable steel to surround the inner pipe portion, and terminal coupling collars made of weldable steel. Disposed between the inner pipe portion and the outer pipe portion is a heat-insulating layer which is made of a combustible, non-metallic material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Applicant: ESSER-WERKE KG
    Inventor: Alexander Esser
  • Patent number: 6513552
    Abstract: A drain hose that connects to the movable roof of a petroleum storage tank. The hose extends downwardly through the material stored in the tank and to a discharge at the lower portion of the tank. The hose is comprised of (a) an inner stainless steel tube(or hose) having a stainless steel over-braid and (b) a spirally wound outer tube (or hose) also of stainless steel. The inner hose is connected to flanges that have ferrules extending therefrom. The outer protective hose is captured in a free floating manner by the ferrules such that the outer hose is allowed to move along or slide over the inner hose without escaping the end ferrules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: General Machinery of Pittsburgh, Inc.
    Inventor: Gerald D. Shepherd
  • Patent number: 6514631
    Abstract: A heating furnace tube, a method of using the same and a method of manufacturing the same which have been developed with a view to eliminating inconveniences occurring when a carbon-containing fluid is made to flow in the heating furnace tube. The heating furnace tube which comprises a rare earth oxide particle distributed iron alloy containing 17-26 wt. % of Cr and 2-6 wt. % of Al. The method of manufacturing this heating furnace tube which comprises the steps of forming or inserting an insert metal on or into at least one of a joint end portion of one heating furnace tube element and that of the other heating furnace tube element, bringing these two joint end portions into pressure contact with each other directly or via an intermediate member, and diffusion welding the two heating furnace tube elements to each other by heating the insert metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: JGC Corporation
    Inventors: Katsumi Yamamoto, Takeo Murata, Rin Sasano, Kenji Sato, Toshikazu Nakamura, Muneyasu Ichimura, Kunio Ishii, Keizo Hosoya
  • Publication number: 20030019532
    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, [and] with a barrier layer that is impermeable to the volatile molecules of the medium that is to be transported.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2002
    Publication date: January 30, 2003
    Inventors: Silvia Enders, Holger Ullrich, Thomas Fritz
  • Publication number: 20020189697
    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: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2002
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Inventor: Jyri Jarvenkyla
  • Patent number: 6495268
    Abstract: A method of corrosion protecting a tube having an end portion extending into a tube receiving hole of a mud drum of a boiler and the tube produced by that method. The end portion of the tube is provided with a corrosion resistant cladding layer which may contain chromium. Laser cladding is used to produce the corrosion resistant cladding layer, which advantageously tapers along a length of the end portion of the tube. The tube may be swaged before or after the cladding is applied and suitable heat treatments may be performed on the bare or clad tube to develop suitable properties in the tube, the cladding, or a tube-cladding interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventor: George H. Harth, III
  • Publication number: 20020174906
    Abstract: A metal-composite hose having a wall including an innermost metal layer and a resin layer surrounding it, in which the metal layer has at each end portion of the hose an inner surface covered with a resin layer, an elastic rubber layer, or both. A process for manufacturing a metal-composite hose includes: forming a metal layer; covering the metal layer with an elastic rubber layer, if required; and after masking a specific portion of the metal layer, forming a thermoplastic resin layer thereon by powder or spray coating. The hose is preferably a corrugated one. It has high fluid impermeability, flexibility and strength, as well as high metal-rust resistance and sealing property at both ends.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2002
    Publication date: November 28, 2002
    Inventors: Kazutaka Katayama, Motoshige Hibino, Atsuo Miyajima, Hiroaki Ito
  • Patent number: 6470915
    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: November 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Aeroquip-Vickers International GmbH
    Inventors: Silvia Enders, Holger Ullrich, Thomas Fritz
  • Patent number: 6464591
    Abstract: A power transmission shaft is constructed by winding a membrane, film, foil or thin sheet in layers and comprising a longitudinal middle portion composed of FRP layers alone, a transitional portion disposed between the middle portion and each endportion and composed of a composite layer of FRP layers and metal layers, the end portions being composed of metal layers alone. The joining, as by welding, pinning, press-fitting, or friction welding, of metal ports, such as joint elements, is effected at the ends or the ends and transitional portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventor: Tatsuo Nakajima
  • Publication number: 20020117226
    Abstract: Reinforced corrugated tubing comprising corrugated tubing having peaks and valleys and a reinforcement material disposed in the valleys. A method of reinforcing corrugated tubing comprises disposing a reinforcement material in valleys of the corrugated tubing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2001
    Publication date: August 29, 2002
    Inventor: John A. Malcarne
  • Patent number: 6425171
    Abstract: A method of making a wire braid shrouded annularly corrugated metal tube. An annularly corrugated metal tube is formed. A braided wire shroud is placed around the annularly corrugated metal tube. The braided wire shroud is deformed into a corrugation valley of the annularly corrugated metal tube so that the shroud conforms to the adjacent peaks and the intervening valley. The annularly corrugated metal tube and the braided wire shroud are severed at a desired location between the corrugation peaks. The shroud is then bonded to the tube adjacent the end of the shrouded tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignee: 40 Properties Management, Ltd.
    Inventor: Cosimo Quaranta
  • Patent number: 6412521
    Abstract: Processes and arrangements provide a rigid line for a brake, fuel or hydraulic system in motor vehicles, whose synthetic cladding layer is reinforced with fibers to thereby increase the strength and the resistance to wear and tear of the synthetic cladding layer. Moreover, by the use of electrically conductive carbon fibers, electrostatic charging of the rigid line can also be prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Andreas Sausner, Martin Henkenjohann
  • Patent number: 6409606
    Abstract: A power transmission shaft to be used mainly in vehicles comprises metal joint elements and a metal pipe connected to each other. A fiber reinforced plastic pipe having a large flexural modulus of elasticity is inserted into the metal pipe, thus forming a composite FRP shaft having flexural rigidity sufficient to serve as a power transmission shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignees: NTN Corporation, Mitsubishi Rayon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tatsuo Nakajima, Hitoshi Kodama, Tsuneo Takano
  • Patent number: 6406800
    Abstract: A bent pipe for use in piping arrangement for transporting materials conaining solids, the bent pipe being prepared by subjecting to high-frequency bending work a straight blank pipe prepared by centrifugal casting and having a plurality of layers. The straight blank pipe comprises an outer layer made of a steel having high weldability, and an inner layer made of a high Cr cast iron containing at least Cr in an amount of 10 to 35 wt. % and having high wear resistance, the outer layer and the inner layer being metallurgically joined. Preferably, a barrier layer is provided between the outer layer and the inner layer for preventing an alloy component in each of the layers from diffusing into the other layer. The barrier layer is preferably about 10 to about 100 &mgr;m in thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Makoto Ozaki, Daisuke Minohara
  • Publication number: 20020069924
    Abstract: A ship including a multi-layer composite piping system formed from a laminated pipe structure comprising: (a) a metal tube; (b) a bonding layer disposed on both sides of the metal tube; and (c) an internally cross-linked polymer layer disposed on both bonding layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2000
    Publication date: June 13, 2002
    Inventor: W. Philip Nuss
  • Patent number: 6401761
    Abstract: A hydrogen fuel hose having a wall composed of an inner resin layer, a thin metal layer and an outer resin layer. The inner resin layer includes at least a layer of low gas permeability and may further include a layer of low water permeability surrounded by the layer of low gas permeability. The hose may have a corrugated wall portion. The hose is suited for use as a hydrogen fuel hose for a fuel-cell vehicle because of its excellent hydrogen gas impermeability, resistance to embrittlement by hydrogen and hose flexibility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Tokai Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazutaka Katayama, Motoshige Hibino, Ayumu Ikemoto
  • Patent number: 6397896
    Abstract: A heat and corrosion resistant steel pipe having multi-layered coating comprising a steel pipe, a Zn—Ni alloy plating layer deposited to the outer surface of the steel pipe and a polyvinyl fluoride layer formed on the Zn—Ni alloy plating layer with an epoxy resin therebetween as an intermediate layer. A metal plating layer comprising Zn—Ni plating layer and Ni-plating layer may be used instead of the Zn—Ni plating layer. A chromate layer may be formed on the metal plating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Usui Kokusai Sangyo Kaisha Ltd.
    Inventors: Teruhisa Takahashi, Seiya Takahata, Masayoshi Usui
  • Patent number: 6390140
    Abstract: A fluid-impermeable composite hose has a wall including a laminated layer formed by longitudinally lapping a laminated sheet which contains a metallic foil, or a metallic layer formed by vapor deposition. The laminated layer is bound with thread wound about it at a density not exceeding 20%, and bound to an extent forming constrictions therein if required. The thread prevents the deformation in cross section of the hose and the separation of the overlapping edge portions of the laminated sheet which might otherwise be caused by the bending resistance of the laminated sheet. The constrictions improve the flexibility of the hose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Tokai Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuaki Niki, Kunihiro Noba, Yuji Takagi
  • Publication number: 20020056482
    Abstract: A hydrogen fuel hose having a wall composed of an inner resin layer, a thin metal layer and an outer resin layer. The inner resin layer includes at least a layer of low gas permeability and may further include a layer of low water permeability surrounded by the layer of low gas permeability. The hose may have a corrugated wall portion. The hose is suited for use as a hydrogen fuel hose for a fuel-cell vehicle because of its excellent hydrogen gas impermeability, resistance to embrittlement by hydrogen and hose flexibility.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2001
    Publication date: May 16, 2002
    Inventors: Kazutaka Katayama, Motoshige Hibino, Ayumu Ikemoto
  • Patent number: 6387535
    Abstract: Sheet having a multilayer structure, called a sandwich sheet, composed of two rolled metal skins which are joined together by a core, in which sheet the core contains a stainless steel wool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Usinor
    Inventor: Marc Mantel
  • Patent number: 6387540
    Abstract: There is disclosed a sacrificial corrosion-protective aluminum alloy for heat exchangers which contains Zn more than 4.0 wt % but 15.0 wt % or less, 0.1 to 3.0 wt % of Fe, and 0.2 to 3.0 wt % of Ni, with the balance being made of aluminum and unavoidable impurities. There is also disclosed an aluminum alloy composite material in which the said aluminum alloy is used as the sacrificial material and a heat exchanger using the aluminum alloy composite material. According to the aluminum alloy composite material, it is possible to prevent erosion of heat-exchanger tubes when refrigerant in tube is strongly alkaline and is flowing at a high flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Calsonic Kansei Corporation
    Inventors: Yuji Yoshidomi, Junichiro Hirohashi
  • Patent number: 6363975
    Abstract: A steel strip laminate pipe having increased lap shear strength and peel off strength between the steel layers in the pipe and a method for making such a steel strip pipe are provided. Steel strips coated with a sol-gel or a silane adhesion promoter are wound over an inner lining to form steel layers bonded to each other in a steel strip laminate pipe. In an alternate embodiment, fiber fillers and resin are used to bond the steel layers in the pipe together. In further embodiment, glass sphere and resin are used to bond the steel layers together. The steel strips bonded together using continuous reinforced fiber filler or glass spheres may be coated with sol-gel or silane. In an alternate embodiment, the sol-gel or silane may also be mixed in the resin used to bond the steel layers together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Ameron International Corporation
    Inventor: Qizhong Sheng
  • Patent number: 6360783
    Abstract: Thermal insulating panels for application to HVAC rectangular ductwork each comprise a first layer of solid insulation with a second layer of solid insulation laminated to the first layer. An outer metal layer of embossed aluminum is laminated to the second layer of each panel. These panels are secured to the outside of the rectangular ductwork with at least four interlocking panels, one on each side thereof joined together at the four corners of the ductwork. The outside metal layer of embossed aluminum of at least some of the panels includes right angle flanges along the sides thereof for attachment to an adjacent panel. A number of panels are arranged end-to-end in a series along each side of the rectangular duct, and an overlapping joint is provided between adjacent panels in the series.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: P.T.M. Manufacturing L.L.C.
    Inventors: Louis P. Faverio, IV, Timothy C. Shelton, Michael R. Zimny
  • Patent number: 6358581
    Abstract: To provide a multiple coat metal pipe and its fabrication method having excellent corrosion resistance without deteriorating chipping resistance or splashing resistance, capable of being fabricated easily and capable of simply carrying out peel off operation owing to a weak peel off strength wherein corrosion resistance of an end working portion is not deteriorated, there is provided a multiple coat metal pipe which is a metal pipe constituted by multiplexing and coating a first layer including a resin having an adhesive force in respect of a surface treatment layer formed on an outer peripheral face of the metal pipe and capable of being extruded and a second layer provided on an outer peripheral face of the first layer, having a chipping resistance and capable of being extruded, wherein a peel off strength between the first layer and the second layer is 75 g/cm or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: USUI Kokusai Sangyo Kaisha Ltd.
    Inventor: Masayoshi Usui
  • Patent number: 6354334
    Abstract: A steel liner (a pipe or vessel) is wrapped with a stack of sheets of glass fiber-reinforced epoxy matrix composite arranged in angle-ply pattern. The stack is cured on the liner to bond the sheets together and to the liner. The wrapped liner is then internally pressurized to cause the liner to yield while the composite remains elastic. When de-pressurized, the liner has compressive residual stress and the composite has tensile residual stress. When the resulting hybrid structure is subsequently again pressurized, it is found that the elastic regime of the liner has been extended.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Inventors: Fernand Ellyin, Zihui Xia
  • Patent number: 6349542
    Abstract: An exhaust manifold for conducting heated exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine to an exhaust system. The exhaust manifold includes a preform and a metal layer enclosing the preform. The preform has an inner layer of silicon carbide, a middle layer of insulating material, and an outer layer to seal the middle layer from molten metal used to form the metal layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: Soundwich, Inc.
    Inventor: Dan T. Moore, III
  • Publication number: 20020020455
    Abstract: A pipe for pressurized-fluid feed systems, such as a diesel engine fuel pipe, has a wall of predetermined thickness with an internal surface and an external surface and an internal bore with a predetermined diameter for through-flow of the fluid. The internal surface and/or external surface are subjected to a nitriding or carbonitriding treatment, so as to obtain an increase in the hardness and/or the mechanical strength of the pipe, with regard to both stresses due to the pressure of the fluid and axial stresses due to flexing of the pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2001
    Publication date: February 21, 2002
    Inventors: Paolo Balbi, Pierluigi Picco
  • Publication number: 20020013103
    Abstract: In a heat-shrinkable tube (1) having a tubular member which is shrinkable in response to heat and has a cylindrical surface, a thin film is formed on at least a part of the cylindrical surface. The thin film is made of a magnetic loss material which has a high magnetic loss characteristic. The thin film has a first phase comprising a first one of Fe, Co, and Ni and has a second phase comprising an insulator containing at least one element other than Fe, Co, and Ni.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2001
    Publication date: January 31, 2002
    Inventors: Koji Kamei, Norihiko Ono
  • Publication number: 20020007860
    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: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2001
    Publication date: January 24, 2002
    Inventors: Kazutaka Katayama, Motoshige Hibino, Atsuo Miyajima, Hiroaki Ito
  • Publication number: 20020007861
    Abstract: Metal-plastic multilayer pipe with a plastic inner pipe (30) and a metal sheath (32) around the plastic inner pipe (30), where the metal sheath (32) is of uniform thickness, is applied to the plastic inner pipe (30) so that it completely encircles the plastic inner pipe (30) and a practical plastic outer layer (38), with the feature that the thickness of the metal sheath (32) as compared to the total thickness of all layers of the multilayer pipe (32, 34 and 38), is sufficiently thin that the metal sheath (32) accounts for a negligible part of the overall strength and stiffness of the multilayer pipe and, as a consequence, when the multilayer pipe is bent in an arc, the metal sheath (32) offers negligible resistance to such bending as compared to the resistance offered by the inner pipe (30) and the practical cover layer (38), and when so bent, the multilayer pipe tends to remain bent in said arc, whereby, the multilayer pipe has “form stability”.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2001
    Publication date: January 24, 2002
    Inventors: Jorg Hansen, Reinhold Freermann, Alfred Feldkamp, Franz-Josef Riesselmann
  • Publication number: 20020005223
    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: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2001
    Publication date: January 17, 2002
    Inventors: Guido M. Campagna, James D. McDaniel, Timothy L. Schwiebert
  • Publication number: 20010054449
    Abstract: A profiled tube (50b) comprising a high carbon content alloy (greater than 0.3%), superalloy or other high creep strength material, has a fluted bore with internal fins (52b) and intervening valleys or troughs (56b). Such a tube is made by centrifugal casting and subsequent electrochemical machining by drawing of an electrode (104) along the tube while at the same time passing electrolyte along the tube and around the electrode and also applying an electrical current between the tube and electrode, so that material of the tube passes into solution in the electrolyte.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2001
    Publication date: December 27, 2001
    Applicant: Doncasters PLC
    Inventors: John Jones, Michael J. Yardley, Terry K. Barker