Exemplary embodiments of this invention generally relate to ducts and, more particularly, to fittings configured for use with re-enforced thermoplastic ducts.
In conventional duct assemblies, when a portion of a fitting or coupling is inserted into an end of a flexible duct, the material of the duct stretches around barbs of the fitting. Because the deformation of the duct is elastic, when the fitting is removed, the duct will return to its original size. When the duct stretches to receive the fitting, the compressive force of the duct material against the barbed surface of the fitting holds the fitting in position.
Flexible synthetic ducts, such as those made from synthetic rubber, are susceptible to deterioration as a result of heat, and permeability by the fluid conveyed through the duct, as well as other failures. As such, reinforced hoses or ducts constructed from thermoplastic materials, such as reinforced thermoplastic, for example, are being used in applications where flexible synthetic ducts are not suitable. A thermoplastic duct used in an aircraft must meet specific smoke, toxicity, and chemical requirements. Additional requirements of a duct configured for use on an aircraft are especially stringent because the operating environment of the duct may range from a hot and humid atmosphere, such as when the aircraft is on the ground, to a freezing, low pressure atmosphere when the aircraft is at extremely high altitudes. Ducts formed from reinforced thermoplastics, however, are difficult to couple and seal with conventional couplings and fittings because of the rigid nature of the thermoplastic material.
According to one embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for connecting a fitting to a reinforced thermoplastic duct including inserting a first end of the fitting having a plurality of barbs into an end of the duct. A clamp is installed around the duct. The duct is heated to a temperature greater than a glass transition temperature of a thermal plastic material used to form the duct. The duct is restructured to include a plurality of protrusions positioned between the plurality of barbs of the fitting.
The subject matter, which is regarded as the invention, is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other features, and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
The detailed description explains embodiments of the invention, together with advantages and features, by way of example with reference to the drawings.
Referring now to
With reference now to
Referring now to
The duct 20 is then heated to a temperature greater than the glass transition temperature of the thermoplastic material forming the duct 20, such as used in the central core 32 for example. In one embodiment, the temperature of the duct is increased by placing a heating element around the first end 22 of the duct 20. The glass transition temperature will vary depending on the type of thermoplastic material 32 used to form the duct 20. In one embodiment, the glass transition temperature of the thermoplastic material of the duct 20 is less than the melting temperature of both the metal fitting 40 and the clamp 60. Once the thermoplastic material reaches a temperature greater than its glass transition temperature, the pressure applied by the clamp 60 to the duct 20 causes material to flow towards the fitting 40. As a result, the thermoplastic material 32 flows into the grooves 49 between the barbs 48 of the fitting 40. By allowing the duct 20 to cool to a temperature less than the glass transition temperature while the pressure from the clamp 60 is still applied, the thermoplastic material 32 of the duct 20 is permanently restructured to include a plurality of protrusions 39 complementary to the grooves 49 between the barbs 48 of the first end 44 of the fitting 40. After the duct 20 has cooled to a temperature below the glass transition temperature, the clamp 60 is removed from the permanently restructured duct 20.
While the invention has been described in detail in connection with only a limited number of embodiments, it should be readily understood that the invention is not limited to such disclosed embodiments. Rather, the invention can be modified to incorporate any number of variations, alterations, substitutions or equivalent arrangements not heretofore described, but which are commensurate with the spirit and scope of the invention. Additionally, while various embodiments of the invention have been described, it is to be understood that aspects of the invention may include only some of the described embodiments. Accordingly, the invention is not to be seen as limited by the foregoing description, but is only limited by the scope of the appended claims.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/US2012/059326 | 10/9/2012 | WO | 00 |
Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
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WO2014/058413 | 4/17/2014 | WO | A |
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Notification of Transmittal of the International Search Report and the Written Opinion of the International Searching Authority, of The Declaration for PCT/US/2012/59326; dated Jan. 22, 2013; pp. 1-17. |
Extended European Search Report for Application No. EP12886230.7 dated Oct. 23, 2015; 20 pages. |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20150273738 A1 | Oct 2015 | US |