Patent · US Expired

Tube reinforcement with deflecting wings and structural foam

US6358584B1 · kind B1 · utility

88Cited by
111References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateOct 27, 1999
Grant dateMar 19, 2002
Priority date—
Expiry dateOct 27, 2019

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T428/249991
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

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.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.