Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090322078 | Coupling Assembly - A coupling assembly for releasably interconnecting a fluid joint is provided where the fluid joint includes confronting ends of a pair of fluid conveying members, each of which has a ferrule fixedly attached thereto, and a sleeve circumferentially surrounding the ferrules. The coupling assembly includes a pair of coupling members, each of which has a first end and a second end, a hinge assembly configured to hingedly connect the first ends of the coupling members to permit them to rotate relative to each other between an open position and a closed position where the coupling members surround the sleeve, a pair of bonding wires, each of which is coupled to a respective coupling member and configured to electrically bond the respective coupling member to the ferrules of respective fluid conveying members, and a releasable latching assembly configured to releasably secure the second ends of the coupling members together when they are in their closed position. Optionally, the coupling assembly includes a pair of bonding members, each of which is externally mounted to a respective coupling member and configured to electrically bond the respective coupling member to the sleeve and/or a latch indicator configured to be moved to a closed position over the releasable latching assembly only when the second ends of the coupling members are secured together by the releasable latching assembly. | 12-31-2009 |
20100001512 | Dielectric Isolators - The present application is directed to dielectric isolators for use in aircraft fuel systems to control lightning induced current and allow dissipation of electrostatic charge. The dielectric isolators are configured to have a high enough impedance to limit lightning currents to low levels, but low enough impedance to allow electrostatic charge to dissipate without allowing buildup. Although the dielectric isolators may develop a potential difference across the dielectric length due to the effects of lightning currents and its inherent impedance, they are configured to withstand these induced voltages without dielectric breakdown or performance degradation. In one embodiment, the dielectric isolator includes a tube constructed of a composition including a thermoplastic organic polymer (e.g., PEEK) and carbon nanotubes, and a pair of fittings attached to opposing ends of the tube. In another embodiment, the dielectric isolator includes a tube, an outer annular portion, and an interconnecting web, each constructed from the composition including a thermoplastic organic polymer (e.g., PEEK) and carbon nanotubes. This later embodiment is an integrally formed one-piece structure. The dielectric isolator is capable of exhibiting an electrical resistance from about 10 | 01-07-2010 |
20100003438 | INJECTION MOLDABLE, THERMOPLASTIC COMPOSITE MATERIALS - A thermoplastic composite material, which includes a thermoplastic, organic polymer; and a plurality of carbon nanotubes, is provided. The thermoplastic composite material exhibits a bulk volume resistivity of about 10 | 01-07-2010 |
20100003840 | Dielectric Isolators - The present application is directed to dielectric isolators for use in aircraft fuel systems to control lightning induced current and allow dissipation of electrostatic charge. The dielectric isolators are configured to have a high enough impedance to limit lightning currents to low levels, but low enough impedance to allow electrostatic charge to dissipate without allowing buildup. Although the dielectric isolators may develop a potential difference across the dielectric length due to the effects of lightning currents and its inherent impedance, they are configured to withstand these induced voltages without dielectric breakdown or performance degradation. In one embodiment, the dielectric isolator includes a tube constructed of a composition including a thermoplastic organic polymer (e.g., PEEK) and carbon nanotubes, and a pair of couplings attached to opposing ends of the tube. The dielectric isolator is capable of exhibiting an electrical resistance from about 10 | 01-07-2010 |
20120012219 | Dielectric Isolators - The present application is directed to dielectric isolators for use in aircraft fuel systems to control lightning induced current and allow dissipation of electrostatic charge. The dielectric isolators are configured to have a high enough impedance to limit lightning currents to low levels, but low enough impedance to allow electrostatic charge to dissipate without allowing buildup. Although the dielectric isolators may develop a potential difference across the dielectric length due to the effects of lightning currents and its inherent impedance, they are configured to withstand these induced voltages without dielectric breakdown or performance degradation. In one embodiment, the dielectric isolator includes a tube constructed of a composition including a thermoplastic organic polymer (e.g., PEEK) and carbon nanotubes, and a pair of couplings attached to opposing ends of the tube. The dielectric isolator is capable of exhibiting an electrical resistance from about 10 | 01-19-2012 |
20120168012 | COMPOSITE TUBE FOR FLUID DELIVERY SYSTEM - The composite tube comprises a tubular arrangement of knitted fiber characterized by a plurality of interlocking loops. Selected knitted patterns provide desired density or spacing between fibers. Selected fibers may include materials such as Kevlar®, carbon fiber, and combinations thereof. The tubular knitted pattern allows for variable electrical, mechanical and geometrical options. A matrix material is applied over the knitted fiber pattern and is allowed to cure. The matrix material may include a combination of resin and epoxy constituents. The matrix material may be applied by a vacuum bag molding process. Electrical and mechanical properties can also be controlled by selecting desired resin and epoxy constituents. The flexible knitted reinforcing layer allows use of an inflatable bladder to hold the reinforcing layer in the desired shape, thereby facilitating tube constructions of varying shapes and diameters. Continuous application of the matrix material avoids overlapping seams that are prone to delamination. | 07-05-2012 |
20130277083 | CONDUCTIVE MESH FOR COMPOSITE TUBE FOR FLUID DELIVERY SYSTEM - An electrically tuned composite tube comprises a tubular arrangement of a knitted reinforcement layer. Selected knitted patterns provide desired density or spacing between fibers of the reinforcement layer. A mesh element is also incorporated in the tube construction to precisely control resistivity and conductivity performance characteristics by selecting the mesh element from one or more conductive or non-conductive fibers or wires. The mesh element may include a tubular arrangement of fiber or wire provided in a knitted pattern or a woven pattern. A matrix material is applied over the knitted reinforcement layer and mesh element, and is allowed to cure for a single matrix layer. Alternatively, a first tube can be constructed with only the knitted reinforcement layer and matrix material, and the mesh element is added afterwards with another layer of matrix material applied over the exterior surface of the first tube. | 10-24-2013 |
20130277960 | SWAGE VISUAL INDICATOR FOR FLUID COUPLING - A swage visual indicator for a fluid coupling is disclosed and related methods. The swage visual indicator is achieved by a non-destructive visual indication of a swaging process by one or more swage apertures formed through a flange filled with an indicator material. The swage apertures communicate with swaging grooves of the fluid conveying components being joined. As the swaging process is conducted, the swaging grooves are filled with material from one of the fluid conveying components, and the indicator material within the aperture(s) is therefore displaced in a direction toward the exposed exterior surface of the flange. According to a successful swaging process, the indicator material is displaced to a degree such that the indicator material is visible by the unaided eye of an inspector. | 10-24-2013 |
20130284299 | RFID AND PRODUCT LABELLING INTEGRATED IN KNIT COMPOSITE TUBES FOR FLUID DELIVERY SYSTEM - The composite tube comprises a tubular arrangement of knitted fiber having plurality of interlocking loops. The knitted pattern allows for variable electrical, mechanical and geometrical options. A matrix material is applied over the knitted fiber pattern and is allowed to cure. The matrix material may be applied by a vacuum bag molding process. The flexible knitted reinforcing layer allows use of an inflatable bladder to hold the reinforcing layer in the desired shape, thereby facilitating tube constructions of varying shapes and diameters. Continuous application of the matrix material avoids overlapping seams that are prone to delamination. Identification and labeling of the composite tube may be achieved with distinguishing knitted patterns having different types and colors of knitted fibers within the knitted reinforcing layer. A clear or translucent matrix material enables viewing of the underlying knitted patterns. Identification may also include RF ID tags Incorporated directly within the knitted reinforcing layer. | 10-31-2013 |
20130284303 | REINFORCEMENT METHODS FOR COMPOSITE TUBE FOR FLUID DELIVERY SYSTEM - The composite tube comprises a tubular arrangement of knitted fiber characterized by a plurality of interlocking loops. The tubular knitted pattern allows for variable electrical, mechanical and geometrical tube options. A matrix material is applied over the knitted fiber pattern and is allowed to cure. The matrix material may include a combination of resin and epoxy constituents. | 10-31-2013 |