Sealing devices and methods of installing energy dissipative tubing

• US 8,399,767 B2
• Filed: 07/01/2010
• Issued: 03/19/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/21/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Titeflex Corporation (Smiths Group International Holdings Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Titeflex Corporation (Smiths Group International Holdings Ltd.)
• Inventors: Duquette, Scott, Coppola, Brian
• Primary Examiner(s): Estrada, Angel R
• Assistant Examiner(s): LOPEZ CRUZ, DIMARY S
• Application Number:
  US12/828,847
• Publication Number:
  US 20110042139A1
• Time in Patent Office: 992 Days
• Field of Search: 174/84.R, 174/70, 174/650, 277/616, 298/25, 298/29
• US Class Current: 174/84.R
• CPC Class Codes: B23P 19/02 for connecting objects by press fit or for detaching same B23P19/10 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B23P 19/08 Machines for placing washers, circlips, or the like on bolts or other members
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 19/041 the ring being an insert F16L19/043 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 9/147 comprising only layers of metal and plastics with or without reinforcement
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/0468 Corrugated
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/0481 with a circular cross-section H02G3/0468, H02G3/0475 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H05F 3/00 Carrying-off electrostatic charges from shoes A43B7/36; from living beings A61N1/14; from tyres B60C19/08; from vehicles B60R16/06; from aircraft B64D45/02; from large containers B65D90/46
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49117 Conductor or circuit manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49124 On flat or curved insulated base, e.g., printed circuit, etc.
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

Sealing devices are provided along with methods of installing energy dissipating tubing. An aspect of the invention provides a sealing device for connecting an energy dissipative tube having a length of tubing, a first resin layer surrounding the outside of the tubing, a conductive layer adjacent to the outside of the first resin layer, and a second resin layer surrounding the conductive layer and the first resin layer. The sealing device includes one or more penetrating members configured to penetrate the second resin layer and establish electrical continuity with the conductive layer.

Claims

1. A sealing device for an energy dissipative tube having a length of tubing, a first resin layer surrounding the outside of the tubing, a conductive layer adjacent to the outside of the first resin layer, and a second resin layer surrounding the conductive layer and the first resin layer, the sealing device comprising:

a split bushing including one or more penetrating members defining at least one tangential cutting edge located on an edge of the split bushing, the tangential cutting edge adapted and configured to penetrate the second resin layer and establish electrical continuity with the conductive layer.

2. The sealing device of claim 1, wherein the one or more penetrating members do not penetrate the first resin layer.

3. The sealing device of claim 1, wherein the one or more penetrating members do not establish electric continuity with the tubing.

4. The sealing device of claim 1, wherein the one or more penetrating members have a substantially triangular cross-section.

5. The sealing device of claim 1, wherein the one or more penetrating members extend circumferentially around an internal surface of the split bushing.

6. The sealing device of claim 5, wherein the one or more penetrating members include at least one radial cutting edge.

7. The sealing device of claim 1, further comprising:

a sleeve portion;

wherein the split bushing is received within the sleeve portion.

8. The sealing device of claim 1, wherein the exterior of the sleeve portion includes one or more threads.

9. The sealing device of claim 8, further comprising:

a nut operably connected to the one or more threads on the exterior of the sleeve portion, the nut configured to advance the bushing when the nut is tightened.

10. The sealing device of claim 8, wherein the split bushing has an external geometry that interacts with an internal geometry of the sleeve portion to facilitate penetrating the second resin layer and establishing electrical continuity with the conductive layer.

11. The sealing device of claim 1, wherein the split bushing is metallic.

12. The sealing device of claim 11, wherein the split bushing is brass.

13. The sealing device of claim 1, wherein the one or more penetrating members are metallic.

14. The sealing device of claim 1, wherein the sealing device is further configured to form a seal with one end of the length of tubing and wherein electrical continuity is established between the sealing device and the end of the length of tubing.

15. A sealing device for an energy dissipative tube having a length of tubing, a first resin layer surrounding the outside of the tubing, a conductive layer adjacent to the outside of the first resin layer, and a second resin layer surrounding the conductive layer and the first resin layer, the sealing device comprising:

a body member including a sleeve portion; and

a split bushing adapted and configured to be received in the sleeve portion, the split bushing including one or more penetrating members defining at least one tangential cutting edge located on an edge of the split bushing, the tangential cutting edge adapted and configured to penetrate the second resin layer and establish electrical continuity with the conductive layer.

16. The sealing device of claim 15, wherein the split bushing is configured to penetrate the second resin layer substantially radially.

17. The sealing device of claim 15, wherein the exterior of the sleeve portion includes one or more threads.

18. The sealing device of claim 17, further comprising:

a nut operably connected to the one or more threads on the exterior of the sleeve portion, the nut arranged to advance the bushing when the nut is tightened.

19. A method of installing energy dissipative tubing, the method comprising:

providing a length of energy dissipative tubing including;

a length of tubing;

a first resin layer surrounding the outside of the tubing;

a conductive layer adjacent to the outside of the first resin layer; and

a second resin layer surrounding the conductive layer and the first resin layer; and

coupling a sealing device to an end of the energy dissipative tubing, the sealing device including a split bushing including one or more penetrating members defining at least one tangential cutting edge located on an edge of the split bushing, the tangential cutting edge adapted and configured to penetrate the second resin layer and establish electrical continuity with the conductive layer.