Patent · US Active

Direct-manufactured duct interconnects

US7623940B2 · kind B2 · utility

455Cited by
6References
12Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 2, 2006
Grant dateNov 24, 2009
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 16, 2027

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02P10/25
  • WIPO fieldMaterials, metallurgy
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

A method for forming a duct interconnect generally includes providing a digital model of a first duct structure and a second duct structure, the first duct structure including a first duct section having a passage for conveying a substance and an interconnect component moveably and captively coupled to the duct section. The second duct structure includes a second duct structure and a second interconnect component. The process includes forming, via a direct manufacturing procedure (e.g., stereolithography), a physical model of the first duct and second structures in accordance with the digital models, wherein the interconnect component has a locked and unlocked state, and wherein the unlocked state corresponds to a predetermined compressive force between the first duct structure and a second duct structure.

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