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.
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.