US4811760A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multiple conductor fluid handling duct for an automotive vehicle
Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies Inc
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Filing: 1988-01-06
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Granted: 1989-03-14
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Expires: 2008-01-06
Abstract
Abstract A fluid handling duct for an automotive vehicle has a channel section having a base and integral, upstanding interior and exterior wall elements and a closure cap which is friction welded to each of the wall elements. The closure cap has several V-shaped projections depending therefrom which are sized such that during friction welding according to the method disclosed herein the wall elements contacted by each of the V-shaped projections will be deflected in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the duct whereby the V-shaped projection and a corresponding wall will be held together with a force of deflection having sufficient magnitude to cause welding of the V-shaped projection to the wall when the closure cap is moved relative to the channel section during friction welding.
Inventors
- 👤 Larry J. Van Kirk
- 👤 Ronald L. Waterloo
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 17:35
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C65/00; B29C65/02; B29C65/06; B29C65/069; B29C65/0609; B29C65/0618; B29C66/00; B29C66/01; B29C66/05; B29C66/10; B29C66/11; B29C66/112; B29C66/1122; B29C66/13; B29C66/131; B29C66/301; B29C66/50; B29C66/51; B29C66/54; B29C66/547; B29C66/80; B29C66/82; B29C66/824; B29C66/8242; B29C66/82421; B29C66/83; B29C66/832; B29C66/8322; F; F16; F16L; F16L9/00; F16L9/18; B29C66/545; B29C66/70; B29C66/71
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
82 words
A friction welded fluid handling duct for an automotive vehicle comprising: two or more primary segments, with each having a longitudinal axis, with said segments lying in generally parallel, offset planes with each of said segments comprising a channel section having a base and upstanding wall elements; one or more connector segments extending between said primary segments with each of said connector segments having a base and upstanding wall elements; and a unitary cap which is friction welded to said wall elements.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
82 words
A friction welded fluid handling duct for an automotive vehicle comprising: two or more primary segments, with each having a longitudinal axis, with said segments lying in generally parallel, offset planes with each of said segments comprising a channel section having a base and upstanding wall elements; one or more connector segments extending between said primary segments with each of said connector segments having a base and upstanding wall elements; and a unitary cap which is friction welded to said wall elements.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The fluid handling duct according to claim 1 wherein said primary and connector segments each comprise a base, two exterior wall elements, and one or more interior wall elements.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The fluid handling duct according to claim 1 wherein the included angle of intersection between said primary and connector segments is an obtuse angle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
The fluid handling duct according to claim 1 wherein said unitary cap has one or more generally V-shaped projections depending therefrom and extending along each of said wall elements and contacted by the upper extremity of each of said wall elements.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
85 words
The fluid handling duct according to claim 4 wherein each of said V-shaped projections is sized such that the wall contacted by each of said V-shaped projections will be deflected in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of said duct, whereby said V-shaped projection and said wall will be held together with a force of deflection having sufficient magnitude to cause welding of said V-shaped projection to said wall when said closure cap is moved relative to said channel section during said friction welding.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-03-13 | 1992-09-12 | 1993-03-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-03-13 | 1996-09-12 | 1997-03-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-03-13 | 2000-09-12 | 2001-03-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |