Pipes and tubular conduits – Flexible – Braided – interlaced – knitted or woven
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-09
2001-02-13
Brinson, Patrick (Department: 3752)
Pipes and tubular conduits
Flexible
Braided, interlaced, knitted or woven
C138S129000, C138S133000, C138S122000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06186183
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The invention relates to pipes used to carry gaseous fluids.
It applies particularly, but not exclusively, to pipes of this kind which are used in motor vehicles for carrying air, and more particularly for the admission of air for combustion to the engine or for ventilation of the vehicle interior.
The object of the invention is to provide a pipe of this type of simple and uncomplicated design and easily installed as a result of its flexibility characteristics both axially and in respect of flexure.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
To this end, the pipe according to the invention is characterized in that it comprises an outer layer of a fluid-tight flexible material and an inner non-woven fibrous layer secured to the outer layer.
The outer layer provides sealing of the pipe while the inner fibrous layer forms a kind of framework for the pipe and, to some extent, actively participates in noise attenuation.
For example, the inner layer can be glued or welded by partial melting under pressure to the outer layer.
The outer layer, for example, consists of a thin flexible film, of a thickness for example of about 60 microns, and this layer can be of polyolefin, more particularly polyethylene.
With regard to the inner layer, this is advantageously of the polyester type, and in one exemplified embodiment comprises about 20% by weight of copolyester fibers having a melting point of about 140° C., the remainder being polyester fibers having a melting point of about 180° C.
Advantageously, the two layers extend over the same width and are wound helically with partial overlapping of the successive turns.
Preferably, and in manner known per se, a helical reinforcing thread, for example of metal or plastic, more particularly again of polyester, can be interposed between the overlapping turn parts.
This reinforcing thread is preferably in direct contact with the outer surface of the outer layer of a turn and the inner surface of the inner layer of the next turn, in the case in which the two layers are superposed over their entire common width. In a variant, this inner layer can be situated either on either side of the reinforcing thread or only on one side of this thread. In the latter case, the inner layer may be present only on the part of a turn which does not overlap the previous turn.
The invention also relates to a method of producing this pipe, said method being characterized in that it comprises making the inner fibrous layer at least partially of thermofusible fibers, heating the pipe to at least partially melt said thermofusible fibers, and subjecting the pipe to deformation into its final shape, the latter being maintained by the thermofusible fibers which, as they cool, bond by welding to one another and to the other fibers to produce a framework.
Advantageously prior to its heating and its deformation the pipe is produced by helically winding a composite strip with partial overlapping of the turns, the overlapping turn parts being secured to one another, more particularly by gluing or by partial melting under pressure.
According to one embodiment, the composite strip is produced by connecting two elementary strips, prior to the helical winding, said elementary strips being formed by the said outer and inner layers, the connection being made by gluing or by partial melting under pressure. Preferably, the said two superposed layers have the same width.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3739815 (1973-06-01), Rejeski
patent: 4196755 (1980-04-01), Kutnyak et al.
patent: 5046531 (1991-09-01), Kanao
patent: 5400602 (1995-03-01), Chang et al.
patent: 5551484 (1996-09-01), Charboneau
patent: 0 643 248 A1 (1995-03-01), None
patent: 2 720 471 (1995-12-01), None
patent: 1054392 (1967-01-01), None
Brinson Patrick
Renner Kenner Greive Bobak Taylor & Weber
Westaflex-Automobile
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