Composite coupling
First Claim
1. A composite coupling for joining cylindrical substrates which comprises:
- (a) a tubular heat-recoverable metallic compression sleeve having a generally uniform interior surface; and
(b) a tubular metallic insert formed of a gall-prone metal snugly and concentrically disposed within said sleeve and adapted to contact and form a secure connection between said cylindrical substrates by being driven inwardly by said sleeve when said sleeve is heated above its transition temperature, the exterior surface of said insert bearing at least one radial tooth, said tooth remaining on the exterior surface of said insert during recovery, and the interior surface of said insert being generally uniform and exhibiting profilometer roughness not greater than about 125 micro-inches.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Described herein are composite devices comprising two members. The first member is a heat recoverable driving member and the second is a metallic member associated with the first in such a way that upon heat recovery of the driver, the second member is dimensionally altered to engage a substrate. In one embodiment, useful for example as a composite coupling for joining cylindrical substrates, the driver comprises a tubular heat recoverable compression sleeve having a generally uniform interior surface. In this embodiment, the second member comprises a tubular insert snugly, and concentrically disposed within the sleeve. Although both its interior and exterior surfaces may be uniform, preferably one or both surfaces has a weakened portion to facilitate its deformation or bears integral radial teeth or a combination thereof. Upon heat recovery of the compression sleeve, the insert is compressed about the substrate.
In another embodiment, the driver is positioned internally of the second member. Expansive heat recovery of the driver expands the second member to engage the substrate.
In other embodiments, one or more members of the device can be made from a gall-prone metal to facilitate engagement of the device to a substrate or to facilitate engagement between members of the device.
-
Citations
24 Claims
-
1. A composite coupling for joining cylindrical substrates which comprises:
-
(a) a tubular heat-recoverable metallic compression sleeve having a generally uniform interior surface; and (b) a tubular metallic insert formed of a gall-prone metal snugly and concentrically disposed within said sleeve and adapted to contact and form a secure connection between said cylindrical substrates by being driven inwardly by said sleeve when said sleeve is heated above its transition temperature, the exterior surface of said insert bearing at least one radial tooth, said tooth remaining on the exterior surface of said insert during recovery, and the interior surface of said insert being generally uniform and exhibiting profilometer roughness not greater than about 125 micro-inches. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
-
-
5. A composite device which comprises:
-
(a) a heat-recoverable metallic driver; and (b) a tubular metallic member concentrically disposed adjacent to, in contact with and surrounding the exterior surface of said driver, said member being driven outwardly by said driver when said driver is heated above its transition temperature, both principal surfaces of said member bearing a plurality of separate, longitudinally spaced-apart radial teeth circumferentially formed about the longitudinal axis of said member, said teeth remaining on said principal surfaces of said member during recovery. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. A composite device which comprises:
-
(a) a heat-recoverable metallic driver; and (b) a tubular metallic member concentrically disposed adjacent to, in contact with and surrounding the exterior surface of said driver, said member being driven outwardly by said driver when said driver is heated above its transition temperature, the exterior surface of said member bearing a plurality of separate, longitudinally spaced-apart radial teeth circumferentially formed about the longitudinal axis of said member, said teeth remaining on the exterior surface of said tubular member during recovery, and the interior surface of said member being generally uniform. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
-
-
16. A composite device which comprises:
-
(a) a heat recoverable metallic driver; and (b) a tubular metallic member sized for coaxial disposition adjacent said driver to provide for secure engagement between the driver and a substrate upon recovery of the driver, said member being driven in the direction of recovery by said driver when said member is concentrically disposed about and in contact with said driver and said driver is heated above its transition temperature, wherein said metallic member has an inside surface that tapers from a maximum wall thickness at points adjacent to either end to a minimum about its mid-section. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
-
-
21. A composite plug which comprises:
-
(a) a heat-recoverable metallic driver; and (b) a cap-shaped metallic member having an open end and a closed end, concentrically disposed adjacent to, in contact with and surrounding the exterior surface of said driver, said member being driven outwardly by said driver when said driver is heated above its transition temperature, the exterior surface of said member bearing at least one radial tooth circumferentially formed about the longitudinal axis of said member, said tooth remaining on the exterior surface of said member during recovery, and the interior surface of said member being generally uniform. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24)
-
Specification