EP0172039A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fibre reinforced polymeric article
Assignee: Raychem Ltd
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Filing: 1985-08-16
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2005-08-16
Abstract
Abstract Pipe couplings are formed by consolidation of a polymer into braided fibre reinforcement by recovery of a heat-recoverable driver thereover. A liner, e.g. of non-cross-linked polyvinylidene fluoride, may be used, preferably with three layers of polymer/braid, to achieve a Freon-tight seal for coupling loosely swaged or butt-jointed refrigerator pipes. Braids carrying a consolidatable polymer which allows the braid crossover points to slip freely during recovery of the driver are preferred for optimum performance.
Inventors
- 👤 Joel Archer
- 👤 Denis Van Wassenhove
- 👤 Kenneth Brian Pithouse
- 👤 Leslie James Buck
- 👤 Jeffrey Paul Molyneux
- 👤 Peter Stuart Bradshaw
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 12:05
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C65/00; B29C65/66; B29C65/68; B29C61/00; B29C61/006; B29C61/06; B29C61/0608; B29C61/0616; B29C66/00; B29C66/01; B29C66/05; B29C66/10; B29C66/11; B29C66/112; B29C66/1122; B29C66/114; B29C66/1142; B29C66/50; B29C66/51; B29C66/52; B29C66/522; B29C66/5221; B29C66/5229; B29C66/70; B29C66/72; B29C66/721; F; F16; F16L; F16L47/00; F16L47/20; F16L47/22; B29C66/71; B29C66/7212; B29C66/7214; B29C66/72141; B29C66/72143; B29C66/73; B29C66/731; B29C66/7311; B29C66/73117; B29C66/739; B29C66/7392; B29C66/73921
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 44
Claim 1
Independent Claim
77 words
A method of coupling two substrates comprising (a) positioning around contiguous portions of the substrates, or within the contiguous portions if hollow, a coupling assembly comprising a heat-recoverable tubular driver and telescoped with the driver tubular coupling means comprising substantially unconsolidated fibre reinforcement and heat-flowable polymeric material, and (b) applying heat to recover the driver and to cause the polymeric material to flow such that the recovering driver consolidates the coupling means thereby coupling the substrates together.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
77 words
A method of coupling two substrates comprising (a) positioning around contiguous portions of the substrates, or within the contiguous portions if hollow, a coupling assembly comprising a heat-recoverable tubular driver and telescoped with the driver tubular coupling means comprising substantially unconsolidated fibre reinforcement and heat-flowable polymeric material, and (b) applying heat to recover the driver and to cause the polymeric material to flow such that the recovering driver consolidates the coupling means thereby coupling the substrates together.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein contiguous ends of the substrates are coupled together.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein abutting portions of the substrates are coupled together.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 3, wherein abutting ends of the substrates are coupled together in an end- to-end butt joint.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method according to claim 2 or 3, wherein at least one of the substrates has a hollow end and the end of the other substrate is positioned within the hollow end.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
19 words
A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the consolidation of the coupling means bonds it to the substrates.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
94 words
A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the fibre reinforcement is provided by a braid of fibres which have been pre-coated or pre-impregnated with the polymeric material, which polymeric material has a sufficiently high softening temperature so that when the heat is applied to recover the driver the braid is caused to change its braid angle by slippage of the braid fibres at their cross-over points to conform to the shape of the recovering driver before further heating causes the polymeric material to flow such that the recovering driver consolidates the coupling means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
98 words
An assembly for forming a composite article comprising a heat recoverable driver and a braid made from fibres which have been pre-coated or pre- impregnated with a polymeric material, which polymeric material has a sufficiently high softening temperature so that when the assembly is heated to recover the driver, the braid is caused to change its braid angle by slippage of the braid fibres at their cross-over points to conform to the shape of the recovering driver, and then on further heating the polymeric material is caused to flow and consolidate the braid to form the composite article.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
98 words
An assembly for forming a composite article comprising a heat recoverable driver and a braid made from fibres which have been pre-coated or pre- impregnated with a polymeric material, which polymeric material has a sufficiently high softening temperature so that when the assembly is heated to recover the driver, the braid is caused to change its braid angle by slippage of the braid fibres at their cross-over points to conform to the shape of the recovering driver, and then on further heating the polymeric material is caused to flow and consolidate the braid to form the composite article.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
109 words
A coupling assembly for coupling elongate objects, comprising a heat recoverable tubular driver and telescoped therewith tubular coupling means comprising substantially unconsolidated fibre reinforcement and a polymeric material that is capable of flowing when the assembly is heated, the arrangement being such that the assembly can be heated when positioned around the elongate objects to recover the driver and to consolidate the coupling means, thereby coupling the objects together and such that the consolidated coupling means alone is capable of coupling the elongate objects after removal of the recovered driver, the flowable polymeric material being substantially solid at least at the intended operating temperature of the consolidated coupling means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
109 words
A coupling assembly for coupling elongate objects, comprising a heat recoverable tubular driver and telescoped therewith tubular coupling means comprising substantially unconsolidated fibre reinforcement and a polymeric material that is capable of flowing when the assembly is heated, the arrangement being such that the assembly can be heated when positioned around the elongate objects to recover the driver and to consolidate the coupling means, thereby coupling the objects together and such that the consolidated coupling means alone is capable of coupling the elongate objects after removal of the recovered driver, the flowable polymeric material being substantially solid at least at the intended operating temperature of the consolidated coupling means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
89 words
A pipe coupling assembly comprising a heat-recoverable tubular driver and telescoped therewith tubular coupling means comprising substantially unconsolidated fibre reinforcement and a polymeric material that is capable of flowing when the assembly is heated, the arrangement being such that the assembly can be heated, when positioned around contiguous ends of the pipes to be coupled, to recover the driver and to consolidate the coupling means thereby coupling the pipes together, the flowable polymeric material being substantially solid at least at the intended operating temperature of the consolidated coupling means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
89 words
A pipe coupling assembly comprising a heat-recoverable tubular driver and telescoped therewith tubular coupling means comprising substantially unconsolidated fibre reinforcement and a polymeric material that is capable of flowing when the assembly is heated, the arrangement being such that the assembly can be heated, when positioned around contiguous ends of the pipes to be coupled, to recover the driver and to consolidate the coupling means thereby coupling the pipes together, the flowable polymeric material being substantially solid at least at the intended operating temperature of the consolidated coupling means.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
37 words
A method or assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the driver on recovery recovers with a force in the range 0.2 to 60 N/cm 2 , preferably in the range 50 to 60 N/cm 2 .
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
42 words
An assembly or method according to any preceding claim wherein the polymeric material of the fibre coupling means or braid has a viscosity of at least 2500 Poise, preferably at least 3000 Poise, at the temperature at which the consolidation takes place.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
An assembly or a method according to any preceding claim, wherein the coupling means or braid comprises carbon fibre impregnated or coated with an aromatic polymer preferably a polyaryletherketone.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
An assembly or method according to any of claims 1 to 12, wherein the coupling means or braid comprises glass fibre impregnated or coated with a polyamide.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
An assembly or a method according to any preceding claim, wherein the driver comprises a polyaryletherketone.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
25 words
An assembly or method according to any of claims 1 to 12 and 14, wherein the driver comprises cross- linked polyvinylidene fluoride or cross-linked polyamide.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
36 words
An assembly or a method according to any preceding claim, wherein a liner of substantially impermeable material is positioned such that it can be sandwiched in use between the coupling means or braid and the substrates.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
25 words
An assembly or a method according to claim 17, wherein the liner extends only part way along the length of the coupling means or braid.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
19 words
An assembly or a method according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the liner comprises substantially non-crosslinked polyvinylidene fluoride.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
32 words
An assembly or a method according to claim 17, 18 or 19 wherein the liner is coated with a layer of adhesive on the surface which will face the substrate in use.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
43 words
An assembly according to any of claims 8 to 20 wherein the driver has been recovered to form a consolidated article, the polymeric material has been subsequently cross-linked, and the consolidated article has been deformed so as to render the consolidated article heat-recoverable.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
67 words
A method or assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein there is provided at least one filler piece shaped so that when placed in use between the driver and the coupling means or braid when positioned around a sharp-cornered or irregular substrate, the filler piece spreads the driver recovery forces more evenly over the surface of the substrate so as to increase the uniformity of the consolidation.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method or assembly according to claim 22, wherein the filler piece(s) is (are) shaped to provide a substantially smoothly convex substantially continuous outer surface on which the recovering driver will bear.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
16 words
An assembly or method according to any preceding claim, when used to couple together two pipes.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
16 words
An assembly or method according to claim 24 when used to couple together two refrigerator pipes.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
30 words
An assembly according to any of claims 8 to 23 when consolidated about a tubular load-bearing structural member to reinforce the structural member over a substantial part of its length.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
44 words
An assembly according to any of claims 8 to 23 when consolidated about a fibrous covering surrounding a tubular member to provide an outer layer thereon which is substantially impervious to fluid with which the fibrous covering might otherwise come into contact in use.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
99 words
A kit of parts for pipe coupling comprising a heat-recoverable driver, coupling means comprising substantially unconsolidated fibre reinforcement and a heat-flowable polymeric material, and a liner of substantially impervious material for the coupling means, the coupling means and liner being arrangable in use around the contiguous ends of the pipes to be coupled, and the driver being arrangable around the coupling means so that heat can be applied to cause recovery of the driver and to cause the flowable polymeric material to flow such that the recovering driver will consolidate the coupling means and thereby couple the pipes together.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
99 words
A kit of parts for pipe coupling comprising a heat-recoverable driver, coupling means comprising substantially unconsolidated fibre reinforcement and a heat-flowable polymeric material, and a liner of substantially impervious material for the coupling means, the coupling means and liner being arrangable in use around the contiguous ends of the pipes to be coupled, and the driver being arrangable around the coupling means so that heat can be applied to cause recovery of the driver and to cause the flowable polymeric material to flow such that the recovering driver will consolidate the coupling means and thereby couple the pipes together.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
15 words
A kit according to claim 28, wherein the liner is pre-assembled with the coupling means.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
21 words
A kit according to claim 28 or 29, wherein the liner is as specified in any of claims 17 to 20.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
110 words
A kit of parts for forming a composite article, comprising a heat-recoverable driver and a braid made from fibres coated or impregnated with a polymeric material which polymeric material has a sufficiently high softening temperature and is arranged on the individual fibres so that when the driver is assembled around the braid and heat is applied to recover the driver, the braid is caused to change its braid angle by slippage of the braid fibres at their cross-over points to conform to the shape of the recovering driver, and then on further heating the polymeric material is caused to flow and consolidate with the braid to form the composite article.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
110 words
A kit of parts for forming a composite article, comprising a heat-recoverable driver and a braid made from fibres coated or impregnated with a polymeric material which polymeric material has a sufficiently high softening temperature and is arranged on the individual fibres so that when the driver is assembled around the braid and heat is applied to recover the driver, the braid is caused to change its braid angle by slippage of the braid fibres at their cross-over points to conform to the shape of the recovering driver, and then on further heating the polymeric material is caused to flow and consolidate with the braid to form the composite article.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
104 words
A kit of parts for coupling or reinforcing elongate objects, comprising a heat-recoverable driver, coupling means comprising substantially unconsolidated fibre reinforcement and a polymeric material capable of flowing and consolidating with the fibre reinforcement when the driver is heated to recover it around the coupling means surrounding the said object(s), and at least one filler piece shaped so that, when placed in use between the driver and the coupling means when positioned around a sharp-cornered or irregular elongate object, the filler piece spreads the driver recovery forces more evenly over the surface of the substrate so as to increase the uniformity of the consolidation.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
104 words
A kit of parts for coupling or reinforcing elongate objects, comprising a heat-recoverable driver, coupling means comprising substantially unconsolidated fibre reinforcement and a polymeric material capable of flowing and consolidating with the fibre reinforcement when the driver is heated to recover it around the coupling means surrounding the said object(s), and at least one filler piece shaped so that, when placed in use between the driver and the coupling means when positioned around a sharp-cornered or irregular elongate object, the filler piece spreads the driver recovery forces more evenly over the surface of the substrate so as to increase the uniformity of the consolidation.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
25 words
A kit according to any of claims 28 to 32 wherein the driver and/or the coupling means or braid is or are in tubular form.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
19 words
A kit according to any of claims 28 to 33, wherein the coupling means is pre-assembled with the driver.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
29 words
A kit according to any of claims 28 to 34, wherein the driver and/or the coupling means is or are as specified in any of claims 11 to 20.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
93 words
A method of forming a composite tubular member comprising i) providing a heat recoverable driver and a tubular member telescoped therewith, the tubular member comprising substantially unconsolidated fibre reinforcement and polymeric material, ii) positioning the telescoped members around an inner forming-mandrel and iii) heating the telescoped members to cause the driver to recover to urge the first tubular member into contact with the mandrel and to consolidate the first tubular member, the polymeric material having a viscosity of at least 2500 Poise, preferably 3000 Poise at the temperature at which consolidation takes place.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
93 words
A method of forming a composite tubular member comprising i) providing a heat recoverable driver and a tubular member telescoped therewith, the tubular member comprising substantially unconsolidated fibre reinforcement and polymeric material, ii) positioning the telescoped members around an inner forming-mandrel and iii) heating the telescoped members to cause the driver to recover to urge the first tubular member into contact with the mandrel and to consolidate the first tubular member, the polymeric material having a viscosity of at least 2500 Poise, preferably 3000 Poise at the temperature at which consolidation takes place.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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