Crack-resistant polymer foam ducts and method of installing same

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2020200428-A1
Application number	US-201816228073-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Dec 20, 2018
Priority date	Dec 20, 2018
Publication date	Jun 25, 2020
Grant date	—

Abstract

A low pressure duct configured to channel a gas within a structure includes a tubular body formed from a polymer foam material, and a first plurality of strands adhered to a surface of the tubular body along a plurality of paths. The plurality of paths includes a first set of paths oriented longitudinally along the tubular body. The first set of paths are spaced apart from each other around a circumference of the tubular body. The plurality of paths also includes a second set of paths oriented circumferentially around the tubular body. The second set of paths are spaced apart longitudinally along the tubular body.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A duct configured to channel a low pressure gas within a structure, the duct comprising:
a tubular body formed from a polymer foam material; a first plurality of strands adhered to a surface of the tubular body along a plurality of paths, the plurality of paths comprising:
a first set of paths oriented longitudinally along the tubular body, the first set of paths spaced apart from each other around a circumference of the tubular body; and
a second set of paths oriented circumferentially around the tubular body, the second set of paths spaced apart longitudinally along the tubular body.

2 . The duct of claim 1 , further comprising:
a fixed ring extending circumferentially around the tubular body and affixed to the tubular body; and a free ring extending circumferentially around the tubular body, wherein the tubular body is longitudinally slidable with respect to the free ring.

3 . The duct of claim 2 , wherein at least one of the fixed ring and the free ring is formed from a thermoplastic material, the duct further comprising a second plurality of strands adhered to a surface of the at least one of the fixed ring and the free ring.

4 . The duct of claim 3 , wherein the at least one of the fixed ring and the free ring comprises a flange comprising a first outer surface, a first inner surface opposite the first outer surface, and an edge surface connecting the first inner surface and the first outer surface, and wherein the second plurality of strands comprises a first strand extending from the first outer surface, across the edge surface, to the first inner surface.

5 . The duct of claim 2 , wherein the second set of paths comprises:
a first path longitudinally adjacent to a first side of one of the fixed ring and the free ring; and a second path longitudinally adjacent to a second side of the one of the fixed ring and the free ring, the second side longitudinally opposite the first side.

6 . The duct of claim 1 , wherein the surface of the tubular body is an exterior surface of the tubular body.

7 . The duct of claim 1 , wherein the surface of the tubular body is an interior surface of the tubular body.

8 . The duct of claim 1 , wherein at least one path of the first set of paths comprises a corresponding portion of the first plurality of strands arranged in an end-to-end overlapping relationship.

9 . The duct of claim 1 , wherein the first set of paths is spaced apart equidistantly around the circumference of the tubular body.

10 . The duct of claim 1 , wherein each of the first plurality of strands is formed from a fiberglass adhesive tape.

11 . The duct of claim 1 , wherein the first set of paths comprises a first portion of the first plurality of strands and the second set of paths comprises a second portion of the first plurality of strands, and wherein the second portion overlays the first portion.

12 . A duct configured to channel a low pressure gas within a vehicle, the duct comprising:
a tubular body formed from a polymer foam material; a fixed ring mounted to the vehicle and extending circumferentially around the tubular body, wherein the fixed ring is affixed to the tubular body; a free ring mounted to the vehicle and extending circumferentially around the tubular body, wherein the tubular body is longitudinally slidable with respect to the free ring; and a first plurality of strands adhered to a surface of the tubular body along a plurality of paths, the plurality of paths comprising:
a first set of paths oriented longitudinally along the tubular body, the first set of paths spaced apart from each other around a circumference of the tubular body; and
a second set of paths oriented circumferentially around the tubular body, the second set of paths spaced apart longitudinally along the tubular body.

13 . The duct of claim 12 , wherein at least one of the fixed ring and the free ring is formed from a thermoplastic material, the duct further comprising a second plurality of strands adhered to a surface of the at least one of the fixed ring and the free ring.

14 . The duct of claim 12 , wherein at least one path of the first set of paths comprises a corresponding portion of the first plurality of strands arranged in an end-to-end overlapping relationship.

15 . The duct of claim 12 , wherein the first set of paths is spaced apart equidistantly around the circumference of the tubular body.

16 . The duct of claim 12 , wherein each of the first plurality of strands is formed from a fiberglass adhesive tape.

17 . A method of installing a duct on a vehicle, the duct configured to channel a low pressure gas, the method comprising:
affixing a fixed ring to a tubular body, wherein the fixed ring extends circumferentially around the tubular body; positioning a free ring circumferentially around the tubular body, wherein the tubular body is longitudinally slidable with respect to the free ring; adhering a first plurality of strands to a surface of the tubular body along a plurality of paths, the plurality of paths including:
a first set of paths oriented longitudinally along the tubular body, the first set of paths spaced apart from each other around a circumference of the tubular body; and
a second set of paths oriented circumferentially around the tubular body, the second set of paths spaced apart longitudinally along the tubular body; and
mounting the fixed ring and the free ring to the vehicle.

18 . The method of claim 17 , wherein at least one of the fixed ring and the free ring is formed from a thermoplastic material, the method further comprising adhering a second plurality of strands to a surface of the at least one of the fixed ring and the free ring.

19 . The method of claim 17 , wherein adhering the first plurality of strands to the surface of the tubular body comprises, for at least one path of the first set of paths, arranging a corresponding portion of the first plurality of strands in an end-to-end overlapping relationship.

20 . The method of claim 17 , wherein adhering the first plurality of strands to the surface of the tubular body comprises:
adhering a first portion of the first plurality of strands to form the first set of paths; and after adhering the first portion, adhering a second portion of the first plurality of strands to form the second set of paths, such that the second portion overlays the first portion.

Assignees

• Boeing Co

Inventors

• Mills John Steve
• Torres Orlando
• Blevins Creed Ernest
• Gutierrez Luisa F
• Hall Charles Douglas

Classifications

• Y02T50/40

  Weight reduction · CPC title

• F24F13/0263

  Insulation for air ducts · CPC title

• F24F13/0254 Primary

  characterised by their mounting means, e.g. supports · CPC title

• F24F13/0245

  Manufacturing or assembly of air ducts; Methods therefor · CPC title

• F24F13/0218 Primary

  Flexible soft ducts, e.g. ducts made of permeable textiles · CPC title