WO2024073670A1 - Knit tubular thermal sleeve with wrappable cover and method of construction thereof - Google Patents
Knit tubular thermal sleeve with wrappable cover and method of construction thereof Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2024073670A1 WO2024073670A1 PCT/US2023/075522 US2023075522W WO2024073670A1 WO 2024073670 A1 WO2024073670 A1 WO 2024073670A1 US 2023075522 W US2023075522 W US 2023075522W WO 2024073670 A1 WO2024073670 A1 WO 2024073670A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- wall
- yam
- knit
- sleeve
- further including
- Prior art date
Links
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 27
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 title abstract description 4
- 235000004879 dioscorea Nutrition 0.000 claims description 58
- 238000009940 knitting Methods 0.000 claims description 19
- 239000010410 layer Substances 0.000 claims description 17
- -1 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 claims description 16
- VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Silicium dioxide Chemical compound O=[Si]=O VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 12
- 230000004888 barrier function Effects 0.000 claims description 9
- 239000011152 fibreglass Substances 0.000 claims description 7
- 239000002557 mineral fiber Substances 0.000 claims description 7
- 239000000919 ceramic Substances 0.000 claims description 6
- 239000000377 silicon dioxide Substances 0.000 claims description 6
- 239000004677 Nylon Substances 0.000 claims description 5
- 239000004698 Polyethylene Substances 0.000 claims description 5
- 239000004743 Polypropylene Substances 0.000 claims description 5
- 229920000297 Rayon Polymers 0.000 claims description 5
- NIXOWILDQLNWCW-UHFFFAOYSA-N acrylic acid group Chemical group C(C=C)(=O)O NIXOWILDQLNWCW-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 5
- 229920001778 nylon Polymers 0.000 claims description 5
- 229920000728 polyester Polymers 0.000 claims description 5
- 229920000573 polyethylene Polymers 0.000 claims description 5
- 229920001155 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 claims description 5
- 239000002964 rayon Substances 0.000 claims description 5
- 239000002893 slag Substances 0.000 claims description 5
- 239000010454 slate Substances 0.000 claims description 5
- OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon Chemical compound [C] OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 4
- 229920000742 Cotton Polymers 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000004760 aramid Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 229920003235 aromatic polyamide Polymers 0.000 claims description 4
- 229910052799 carbon Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000004753 textile Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000002355 dual-layer Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 229910052500 inorganic mineral Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000011707 mineral Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000004020 conductor Substances 0.000 claims 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 9
- 238000005299 abrasion Methods 0.000 description 8
- 239000011247 coating layer Substances 0.000 description 8
- 230000001681 protective effect Effects 0.000 description 5
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 description 4
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000009413 insulation Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 3
- 239000011248 coating agent Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000000576 coating method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000000356 contaminant Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000000835 fiber Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000003063 flame retardant Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000004809 Teflon Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920006362 Teflon® Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920006397 acrylic thermoplastic Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000000853 adhesive Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000001070 adhesive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000903 blocking effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000011109 contamination Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000003292 diminished effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000007613 environmental effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000446 fuel Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000003116 impacting effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000003921 oil Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000035515 penetration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229920003229 poly(methyl methacrylate) Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000004926 polymethyl methacrylate Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920001296 polysiloxane Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920001343 polytetrafluoroethylene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000004810 polytetrafluoroethylene Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004575 stone Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 1
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D04—BRAIDING; LACE-MAKING; KNITTING; TRIMMINGS; NON-WOVEN FABRICS
- D04B—KNITTING
- D04B1/00—Weft knitting processes for the production of fabrics or articles not dependent on the use of particular machines; Fabrics or articles defined by such processes
- D04B1/10—Patterned fabrics or articles
- D04B1/12—Patterned fabrics or articles characterised by thread material
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D04—BRAIDING; LACE-MAKING; KNITTING; TRIMMINGS; NON-WOVEN FABRICS
- D04B—KNITTING
- D04B1/00—Weft knitting processes for the production of fabrics or articles not dependent on the use of particular machines; Fabrics or articles defined by such processes
- D04B1/22—Weft knitting processes for the production of fabrics or articles not dependent on the use of particular machines; Fabrics or articles defined by such processes specially adapted for knitting goods of particular configuration
- D04B1/225—Elongated tubular articles of small diameter, e.g. coverings or reinforcements for cables or hoses
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D10—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBLASSES OF SECTION D, RELATING TO TEXTILES
- D10B—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBLASSES OF SECTION D, RELATING TO TEXTILES
- D10B2101/00—Inorganic fibres
- D10B2101/02—Inorganic fibres based on oxides or oxide ceramics, e.g. silicates
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D10—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBLASSES OF SECTION D, RELATING TO TEXTILES
- D10B—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBLASSES OF SECTION D, RELATING TO TEXTILES
- D10B2401/00—Physical properties
- D10B2401/04—Heat-responsive characteristics
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D10—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBLASSES OF SECTION D, RELATING TO TEXTILES
- D10B—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBLASSES OF SECTION D, RELATING TO TEXTILES
- D10B2401/00—Physical properties
- D10B2401/16—Physical properties antistatic; conductive
Definitions
- This invention relates generally to tubular protective sleeves for providing protection to elongate members contained therein, and more particularly to knit tubular protective sleeves for providing a thermal insulation barrier about high temperature pipes and to their method of construction.
- Tubular sleeves are known for insulating elongate members, such as high temperature elongate members.
- the sleeves are commonly constructed from heat resistant yams, such as silica, fiberglass, ceramic, basalt, aramid or carbon, to withstand relatively high temperatures.
- Tubular sleeves constructed from such heat-resistant yams are commonly used to insulate high temperature tubes, such as those providing a conduit for hot liquid or gas, such as exhaust gases, to inhibit the heat from radiating outwardly beyond the confines of the tubing.
- the tubular sleeves discussed above are generally effective in providing a thermal barrier, the heat-resistant yam that forms the outer wall of the sleeves is susceptible to damage, and thus, the useful life of the sleeves can be diminished.
- a sleeve for providing thermal protection about an elongate member contained therein.
- the sleeve includes a circumferentially continuous, tubular knit inner wall bounding a central cavity that extends lengthwise along a longitudinal central axis between open opposite ends.
- the sleeve further includes a knit outer wall with opposite edges extending lengthwise between the opposite open ends, with one of the opposite edges of the knit outer wall being integrally knit to the inner wall, with the other of the opposite edges of the outer wall being wrappable about the inner wall into fixed relation about the inner wall.
- the yam forming the outer wall has greater impact resistance relative to the yam forming the inner wall.
- the yam forming the outer wall consists of at least one of polyester, nylon, polypropylene, polyethylene, acry lic, cotton, rayon.
- the yam forming the inner wall is a multifilament mineral fiber.
- the yam forming the inner wall consists of at least one of silica, fiberglass, ceramic, basalt, slate, slag, aramid and carbon.
- an impact resistant layer is provided to cover the outer wall.
- the impact resistant layer forms a circumferentially continuous layer about the inner wall upon wrapping the outer wall about the inner wall.
- a plurality of fasteners can be fixed to the impact resistant layer, wherein pairs of the plurality of fasteners are fixable to one another to maintain the outer wall in wrapped relation about the inner wall.
- the impact resistant layer is stitched to the outer wall.
- the inner wall can be knit with 2X2 rib knit stitches to enhance impact resistance and thermal insulation.
- a method of constructing a tubular textile sleeve for providing a thermal barrier about an elongate member extending therethrough includes, knitting a circumferentially continuous tubular inner wall having a central cavity extending lengthwise along a central axis between open opposite ends, and knitting an outer wall having opposite edges extending lengthwise in generally parallel relation with the central axis, with one of the opposite edges being knit integrally with the inner wall such that the outer wall extends away from the inner wall, wherein the outer wall is wrappable about the inner wall to form the sleeve having a dual layer wall.
- the method can further include forming the outer wall with yam having a greater impact resistance relative to the yam forming the inner wall.
- the method can further include forming the outer wall with at least one of polyester yam, nylon yam, polypropylene yam, polyethylene yam, acrylic yam, cotton yam, and rayon yam.
- the method can further include attaching an impact resistant layer to the outer wall.
- the method can further include stitching the impact resistant layer to the outer wall.
- the method can further include forming the inner wall with a heat resistant mineral yam, such as from fiberglass, silica, basalt, ceramic, slate, slag, or the like, and forming the outer wall from a different yam having an increased impact resistance relative to the yam forming the inner wall.
- a heat resistant mineral yam such as from fiberglass, silica, basalt, ceramic, slate, slag, or the like
- the method can further include knitting the inner w all with 2X2 rib knit stitches.
- the method can further include knitting the outer wall with other than 2X2 rib knit stitches.
- the method further includes knitting the inner and outer w all simultaneously together on a flatbed knitting machine.
- Figure 1 is a schematic isometric view of a knit tubular sleeve constructed in accordance with one aspect of the invention show n in an assembled state with an elongate tubular member to be protected extending through a central cavity bounded by a circumferentially continuous inner wall of the sleeve;
- Figure 1A is a schematic cross-sectional view taken generally along the line 1A- 1A of Figure 1;
- Figure 2A is a view of the sleeve of Figure 1 shown in a first pre-assembled state, with a radially inwardly facing inner surface of a wrappable outer wall shown;
- Figure 2B is a view similar to Figure 2A, with a radially outwardly facing outer surface of the wrappable outer wall shown;
- Figure 3 is a schematic isometric view of the knit tubular sleeve shown in a partially assembled state with the elongate tubular member shown inserted through the central cavity of the circumferentially continuous inner wall of the sleeve, with the wrappable outer wall of the sleeve shown prior to being wrapped about the inner wall.
- Figures 1 and 1A illustrate a knitted protective tubular sleeve, referred to hereafter as sleeve 10, constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the disclosure shown disposed about contents to be protected, shown as an elongate member 12 to be insulated and protected.
- the sleeve 10 is protective in that it provides a thermal barrier, particularly to extreme heat, whether preventing heat from radiating radially outwardly, such as from the elongate member 12, e.g. hot conduits or pipes within an engine compartment or an exhaust pipe, contained within the sleeve 10, or providing a protective barrier to an elongate member 12, e.g.
- the sleeve 10 also provides protection against environmental contaminants from entering and/or damaging the sleeve 10 or the contents 12 within the sleeve 10, such as against impact resistance from stone impingement or the like, abrasive debris or abrasive surfaces and liquid contaminants, e.g. fuel, oil, water.
- the sleeve 10 has an integral, single piece tubular knitted wall 14, which includes a knitted, circumferentially continuous inner wall 14' and a knitted outer wall 14", wherein the outer wall 14" is wrappable about the circumferentially continuous inner wall 14', wherein the outer wall 14" is brought into fixed relation about the inner wall 14’ such that the outer wall 14" extends about the entire outer circumference of the inner wall 14’ to provide protection against impact forces, abrasion, ingress of contamination, and increased thermal insulation about the entirety of the circumference of the inner wall 14’.
- the inner and outer walls 14', 14" are knitted integrally as a single piece in a single knitting process via a flatbed knitting machine, and thus, the finished sleeve 10 can be readily handled as a single product and does not require secondary stitching processes to join the inner and outer walls 14', 14" to one another.
- the inner and outer walls 14', 14" both provide thermal protection; however, an added function of the outer wall 14" is to provide enhanced mechanical protection to the inner wall 14' and its contents 12 against abrasion and damage, such as from debris impacting, cutting, and/or abrading the inner wall 14'. Accordingly, the outer wall 14" prevents the aforementioned debris and abrasive forces from contacting the inner wall 14'.
- the primary function of the inner wall 14' is to provide thermal protection about the elongate member 12, such as by acting as a thermal barrier and/or heatsink to prevent heat from radiating outwardly from the elongate member 12 and radially outwardly from the inner wall 14', particularly in exhaust pipe applications or other extreme heat applications, including pipes acting as a conduit to high temperature fluids, such as radiator pipes, hoses and the like.
- the outer wall 14" is protected against exposure to the extreme heat that is blocked by the inner wall 14', and thus, the yams used to construct the outer wall 14" can be provided from different material than the inner wall 14', such as from yams having a lower resistance to heat, thereby having different properties, such as a higher impact and/or abrasion resistance than the yams used to construct the inner wall 14', as desired.
- a coating material also referred to as coating layer 15, having impact resistant, penetration resistant and/or chemical resistant, and abrasion resistant properties can be fixed to cover a radially outwardly facing surface of the outer wall 14". Accordingly, synergies are provided by the separate inner and outer walls 14', 14", in combination with the coating layer 15. wherein each functions to the benefit of the other(s), as well as benefiting functionality of the internal contents 12 of the sleeve 10, thereby providing the sleeve 10 with optimal performance attributes.
- the textile sleeve 10 is knitted via a computerized flatbed knitting machine, by way of example and without limitation, having opposing flat beds.
- a computerized flatbed knitting machine With the sleeve wall 14 being constructed on a computerized flatbed knitting machine, the type of knit stitches used to construct the inner and outer walls 14', 14" can be different, as desired, for the intended application. Accordingly, the wall 14 can be knit using any type or combination of knit stitches, e.g. jersey, interlock, 2X2 rib forming stitches, or otherwise, such that the inner and outer walls 14', 14" may be knit using a single knit stitch or multiple knit stitch types, wherein the types of knit stitches used to form the inner and outer walls 14', 14" can be the same or different from one another.
- the wall 14 can be constructed having any suitable length and diameter, as determined by the diameter provided by the inner and outer walls 14', 14". As will be evident to one possessing ordinary skill in the art, the diameter of the tubular inner wall 14' is controlling, as the outer wall 14" is ultimately w rapped about the entirety 7 of the circumference of the tubular inner wall 14'.
- the outer wall 14" is knitted as a generally flat piece of material, such as via needles from one of the two knitting beds.
- the outer wall 14" has opposite edges 16, 18 extending lengthwise between opposite ends 20, 22.
- the outer wall 14" can be knitted using any desired type of yam material, whether monofilament yam and/or multifilament yam, depending on the physical characteristics sought for the application.
- the yam used to knit the outer wall 14" can be less resistant to heat than the yam used to knit the inner wall 14' given the inner wall 14' functions as a primarily barrier to heat, thereby blocking heat from radiating radially outwardly to the outer wall 14".
- a yam more ell suited to withstand abrasion and impact forces from external debris can be used to constmct the outer wall 14". thereby resulting in the sleeve 10 being able to both withstand abrasion and debris impact forces from external sources via the outer wall 14" without sustaining significant damage thereto, while also functioning as an optimal barrier to radiant heat from the hot elongate member 12 via the inner wall 14'.
- Some yams believed to be suitable for knitting the outer wall 14" include polyester, nylon, polypropylene, polyethylene, acrylic, cotton, rayon, and fire retardant (FR) versions of all the aforementioned materials, as desired for the intended application.
- the inner wall 14' is knitted as a circumferentially continuous tubular wall via both beds of the flatbed knitting machine, with one bed being predominantly responsible for knitting an upper portion or semicircular half (first side) of the inner wall 14' and the opposite bed being predominantly responsible for knitting a lower portion or semicircular half (second side) of the inner wall 14', with the two portions being simultaneously knit together in seamless, tubular fashion.
- the inner wall 14' is knitted integrally with the outer wall 14" as a single piece of material, wherein the embodiment shown in Figures 1-3, and best illustrated in Figures 2A-3, illustrates the inner wall 14' knitted integrally with one of the opposite edges 16 of the outer wall 14", with the opposite edge 18 of the outer wall 14" being spaced from and extended outwardly from the inner wall 14' in detached relation therefrom, also referred to as a free end.
- the inner wall 14' bounds a central cavity 24 that extends lengthwise along a central axis 26 ( Figure 1) between open opposite ends 28, 30.
- the inner wall 14' is knitted with one or more yams that are heat resistant and non-heatsettable, multifilament and/or monofilament, and that are suitable for withstanding extreme temperature environments ranging from between about -60 to 1400 degrees centigrade (°C).
- the selected multifilament yams can be formed with mineral fiber materials, such as silica, fiberglass, ceramic, basalt, slate, slag, aramid or carbon, by way of example and without limitation.
- the mineral fibers can be provided having a continuous fiber or chopped fiber structure. In some applications of extreme heat, it may be desirable to heat treat the mineral fiber sleeve material to remove organic content therefrom, thereby increasing even more the heat resistance capacity of the sleeve 10.
- the high heat resistant yams listed above although being exceptional for withstanding extreme heat, are generally susceptible to damage if brought into direct contact with abrading and/or impact forces, and thus, the outer wall 14" is constructed and provided to greatly enhance the resistance to damage of the inner wall 14' against abrasion and impact forces and to greatly increase the overall durability of the finish sleeve 10.
- the same mineral fiber yam(s) used to construct the inner wall 14', or different mineral fiber yam(s), could be used to construct the outer wall 14", with the coating layer 15 then being applied to the outer wall 14" after knitting the outer wall 14".
- the coating layer 15 such as a silicone or Teflon layer, by way of example and without limitation, the outer wall 14" is made impervious to fluid and is made more abrasion and impact resistant, while at the same time providing further enhanced protection against heat from radiating outwardly from the sleeve 10 or radially inwardly into the sleeve 10.
- the coating layer 15 can be applied to an outer surface 34 of the outer wall 14" via any suitable fixation mechanism, including high temperature resistant adhesives, and/or a mechanical fixation mechanism, such as stitching 32, by way of example and without limitation.
- the stitching 32 is shown extending along and adjacent an outer periphery of the outer wall 14", with an outer edge region 38 of the coating layer 15 being wrapped about the outer periphery of the outer wall 14", such that the outer periphery of the outer wall 14" is sandwiched between a radially out ardly facing outermost surface 40 of the coating layer 15 and the wrapped outer edge region 38 of the coating layer 15.
- the stitching 32 is provided by a strong, tough, high temperature resistant filament, such as via a fiberglass yam having a PTFE coating, or a metal thread yam, by way of example and without limitation.
- one or more fastening mechanism(s) can be fixed to the outer wall 14".
- a plurality of fasteners such as snaps 36, by way of example and without limitation, can be fixed to the outer wall 14" for fixation to one another upon wrapping the outer wall 14" about the inner wall 14'.
- other ty pes of fastening mechanisms could be used, such as hook-and-loop, by way of example and without limitation.
- the snaps 36 are arranged with a plurality of female snap portions 36a fixed adjacent the free edge 18, with a corresponding plurality' of male snap portions 36b fixed adjacent the opposite edge 16 of the outer wall 14".
- the outer wall 14" can be readily wrapped about the inner wall 14' to bring the corresponding male and female snap portions 36a, 36b into snapping, releasably fixed attachment with one another to maintain the outer wall 14" in its wrapped configuration.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Textile Engineering (AREA)
- Thermal Insulation (AREA)
Abstract
A knit sleeve (10) for providing thermal protection about an elongate member (12) contained therein and method of construction thereof is provided. The sleeve (10) includes a circumferentially continuous, tubular knit inner wall (14') bounding a central cavity (24) that extends lengthwise along a longitudinal central axis (26) between open opposite ends (28, 30). The sleeve (10) further includes a knit outer wall (14") with opposite edges (16, 18) extending lengthwise in generally parallel relation with the longitudinal central axis (26), with one of the opposite edges (16) of the knit outer wall (14") being integrally knit to the inner wall (14') and the other of the opposite edges (18) of the outer wall (14") being wrappable about the inner wall (14') into fixed relation about the inner wall (14').
Description
KNIT TUBULAR THERMAL SLEEVE WITH WRAPPABLE COVER AND METHOD OF CONSTRUCTION THEREOF
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 63/411,709, filed September 30, 2022, and priority to U.S. Application Serial No. 18/374,616 filed September 28, 2023, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field
[0002] This invention relates generally to tubular protective sleeves for providing protection to elongate members contained therein, and more particularly to knit tubular protective sleeves for providing a thermal insulation barrier about high temperature pipes and to their method of construction.
2. Related Art
[0003] Tubular sleeves are known for insulating elongate members, such as high temperature elongate members. The sleeves are commonly constructed from heat resistant yams, such as silica, fiberglass, ceramic, basalt, aramid or carbon, to withstand relatively high temperatures. Tubular sleeves constructed from such heat-resistant yams are commonly used to insulate high temperature tubes, such as those providing a conduit for hot liquid or gas, such as exhaust gases, to inhibit the heat from radiating outwardly beyond the confines of the tubing. Although the tubular sleeves discussed above are generally effective in providing a thermal barrier, the heat-resistant yam that forms the outer wall of the sleeves is susceptible to damage, and thus, the useful life of the sleeves can be diminished.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a sleeve for providing thermal protection about an elongate member contained therein is provided. The sleeve includes a
circumferentially continuous, tubular knit inner wall bounding a central cavity that extends lengthwise along a longitudinal central axis between open opposite ends. The sleeve further includes a knit outer wall with opposite edges extending lengthwise between the opposite open ends, with one of the opposite edges of the knit outer wall being integrally knit to the inner wall, with the other of the opposite edges of the outer wall being wrappable about the inner wall into fixed relation about the inner wall.
[0005] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the yam forming the outer wall has greater impact resistance relative to the yam forming the inner wall.
[0006] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the yam forming the outer wall consists of at least one of polyester, nylon, polypropylene, polyethylene, acry lic, cotton, rayon.
[0007] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the yam forming the inner wall is a multifilament mineral fiber.
[0008] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the yam forming the inner wall consists of at least one of silica, fiberglass, ceramic, basalt, slate, slag, aramid and carbon.
[0009] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, an impact resistant layer is provided to cover the outer wall.
[0010] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the impact resistant layer forms a circumferentially continuous layer about the inner wall upon wrapping the outer wall about the inner wall.
[0011] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a plurality of fasteners can be fixed to the impact resistant layer, wherein pairs of the plurality of fasteners are fixable to one another to maintain the outer wall in wrapped relation about the inner wall.
[0012] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the impact resistant layer is stitched to the outer wall.
[0013] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the inner wall can be knit with 2X2 rib knit stitches to enhance impact resistance and thermal insulation.
[0014] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a method of constructing a tubular textile sleeve for providing a thermal barrier about an elongate member extending therethrough is provided. The method includes, knitting a circumferentially continuous tubular inner wall having a central cavity extending lengthwise along a central axis between open opposite ends, and knitting an outer wall having opposite edges extending lengthwise in generally parallel relation with the central axis, with one of the opposite edges being knit integrally with the inner wall such that the outer wall extends away from the inner wall, wherein the outer wall is wrappable about the inner wall to form the sleeve having a dual layer wall.
[0015] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the method can further include forming the outer wall with yam having a greater impact resistance relative to the yam forming the inner wall.
[0016] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the method can further include forming the outer wall with at least one of polyester yam, nylon yam, polypropylene yam, polyethylene yam, acrylic yam, cotton yam, and rayon yam.
[0017] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the method can further include attaching an impact resistant layer to the outer wall.
[0018] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the method can further include stitching the impact resistant layer to the outer wall.
[0019] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the method can further include forming the inner wall with a heat resistant mineral yam, such as from fiberglass, silica,
basalt, ceramic, slate, slag, or the like, and forming the outer wall from a different yam having an increased impact resistance relative to the yam forming the inner wall.
[0020] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the method can further include knitting the inner w all with 2X2 rib knit stitches.
[0021] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the method can further include knitting the outer wall with other than 2X2 rib knit stitches.
[0022] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the method further includes knitting the inner and outer w all simultaneously together on a flatbed knitting machine.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] These and other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more readily appreciated when considered in connection with the following detailed description of presently preferred embodiments and best mode, appended claims and accompanying drawings, in which:
[0024] Figure 1 is a schematic isometric view of a knit tubular sleeve constructed in accordance with one aspect of the invention show n in an assembled state with an elongate tubular member to be protected extending through a central cavity bounded by a circumferentially continuous inner wall of the sleeve;
[0025] Figure 1A is a schematic cross-sectional view taken generally along the line 1A- 1A of Figure 1;
[0026] Figure 2A is a view of the sleeve of Figure 1 shown in a first pre-assembled state, with a radially inwardly facing inner surface of a wrappable outer wall shown;
[0027] Figure 2B is a view similar to Figure 2A, with a radially outwardly facing outer surface of the wrappable outer wall shown; and
[0028] Figure 3 is a schematic isometric view of the knit tubular sleeve shown in a partially assembled state with the elongate tubular member shown inserted through the
central cavity of the circumferentially continuous inner wall of the sleeve, with the wrappable outer wall of the sleeve shown prior to being wrapped about the inner wall.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0029] Referring in more detail to the drawings, Figures 1 and 1A illustrate a knitted protective tubular sleeve, referred to hereafter as sleeve 10, constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the disclosure shown disposed about contents to be protected, shown as an elongate member 12 to be insulated and protected. The sleeve 10 is protective in that it provides a thermal barrier, particularly to extreme heat, whether preventing heat from radiating radially outwardly, such as from the elongate member 12, e.g. hot conduits or pipes within an engine compartment or an exhaust pipe, contained within the sleeve 10, or providing a protective barrier to an elongate member 12, e.g. wire harness or cable contained within the sleeve 10, against heat from radiating inwardly into the sleeve 10 from nearby hot components, e.g. engine or an exhaust pipe. The sleeve 10 also provides protection against environmental contaminants from entering and/or damaging the sleeve 10 or the contents 12 within the sleeve 10, such as against impact resistance from stone impingement or the like, abrasive debris or abrasive surfaces and liquid contaminants, e.g. fuel, oil, water. The sleeve 10 has an integral, single piece tubular knitted wall 14, which includes a knitted, circumferentially continuous inner wall 14' and a knitted outer wall 14", wherein the outer wall 14" is wrappable about the circumferentially continuous inner wall 14', wherein the outer wall 14" is brought into fixed relation about the inner wall 14’ such that the outer wall 14" extends about the entire outer circumference of the inner wall 14’ to provide protection against impact forces, abrasion, ingress of contamination, and increased thermal insulation about the entirety of the circumference of the inner wall 14’. The inner and outer walls 14', 14" are knitted integrally as a single piece in a single knitting process via a flatbed knitting machine, and thus, the finished sleeve 10 can be readily handled as a single product and does
not require secondary stitching processes to join the inner and outer walls 14', 14" to one another.
[0030] The inner and outer walls 14', 14" both provide thermal protection; however, an added function of the outer wall 14" is to provide enhanced mechanical protection to the inner wall 14' and its contents 12 against abrasion and damage, such as from debris impacting, cutting, and/or abrading the inner wall 14'. Accordingly, the outer wall 14" prevents the aforementioned debris and abrasive forces from contacting the inner wall 14'. Meanwhile, the primary function of the inner wall 14' is to provide thermal protection about the elongate member 12, such as by acting as a thermal barrier and/or heatsink to prevent heat from radiating outwardly from the elongate member 12 and radially outwardly from the inner wall 14', particularly in exhaust pipe applications or other extreme heat applications, including pipes acting as a conduit to high temperature fluids, such as radiator pipes, hoses and the like. By the inner wall 14' preventing heat from radiating outwardly, other vehicle systems and components are protected against being exposed to the heat flowing through the exhaust pipe 12. Further yet, the outer wall 14" is protected against exposure to the extreme heat that is blocked by the inner wall 14', and thus, the yams used to construct the outer wall 14" can be provided from different material than the inner wall 14', such as from yams having a lower resistance to heat, thereby having different properties, such as a higher impact and/or abrasion resistance than the yams used to construct the inner wall 14', as desired.
[0031] Further, as is discussed in more detail below, a coating material, also referred to as coating layer 15, having impact resistant, penetration resistant and/or chemical resistant, and abrasion resistant properties can be fixed to cover a radially outwardly facing surface of the outer wall 14". Accordingly, synergies are provided by the separate inner and outer walls 14', 14", in combination with the coating layer 15. wherein each functions to the benefit of the
other(s), as well as benefiting functionality of the internal contents 12 of the sleeve 10, thereby providing the sleeve 10 with optimal performance attributes.
[0032] The textile sleeve 10 is knitted via a computerized flatbed knitting machine, by way of example and without limitation, having opposing flat beds. With the sleeve wall 14 being constructed on a computerized flatbed knitting machine, the type of knit stitches used to construct the inner and outer walls 14', 14" can be different, as desired, for the intended application. Accordingly, the wall 14 can be knit using any type or combination of knit stitches, e.g. jersey, interlock, 2X2 rib forming stitches, or otherwise, such that the inner and outer walls 14', 14" may be knit using a single knit stitch or multiple knit stitch types, wherein the types of knit stitches used to form the inner and outer walls 14', 14" can be the same or different from one another. Further, the wall 14 can be constructed having any suitable length and diameter, as determined by the diameter provided by the inner and outer walls 14', 14". As will be evident to one possessing ordinary skill in the art, the diameter of the tubular inner wall 14' is controlling, as the outer wall 14" is ultimately w rapped about the entirety7 of the circumference of the tubular inner wall 14'.
[0033] The outer wall 14" is knitted as a generally flat piece of material, such as via needles from one of the two knitting beds. The outer wall 14" has opposite edges 16, 18 extending lengthwise between opposite ends 20, 22. The outer wall 14" can be knitted using any desired type of yam material, whether monofilament yam and/or multifilament yam, depending on the physical characteristics sought for the application. The yam used to knit the outer wall 14" can be less resistant to heat than the yam used to knit the inner wall 14' given the inner wall 14' functions as a primarily barrier to heat, thereby blocking heat from radiating radially outwardly to the outer wall 14". As such, a yam more ell suited to withstand abrasion and impact forces from external debris can be used to constmct the outer wall 14". thereby resulting in the sleeve 10 being able to both withstand abrasion and debris
impact forces from external sources via the outer wall 14" without sustaining significant damage thereto, while also functioning as an optimal barrier to radiant heat from the hot elongate member 12 via the inner wall 14'. Some yams believed to be suitable for knitting the outer wall 14" include polyester, nylon, polypropylene, polyethylene, acrylic, cotton, rayon, and fire retardant (FR) versions of all the aforementioned materials, as desired for the intended application.
[0034] The inner wall 14' is knitted as a circumferentially continuous tubular wall via both beds of the flatbed knitting machine, with one bed being predominantly responsible for knitting an upper portion or semicircular half (first side) of the inner wall 14' and the opposite bed being predominantly responsible for knitting a lower portion or semicircular half (second side) of the inner wall 14', with the two portions being simultaneously knit together in seamless, tubular fashion. During the knitting process, the inner wall 14' is knitted integrally with the outer wall 14" as a single piece of material, wherein the embodiment shown in Figures 1-3, and best illustrated in Figures 2A-3, illustrates the inner wall 14' knitted integrally with one of the opposite edges 16 of the outer wall 14", with the opposite edge 18 of the outer wall 14" being spaced from and extended outwardly from the inner wall 14' in detached relation therefrom, also referred to as a free end. Being that the inner wall 14' is circumferentially continuous and seamless, the inner wall 14' bounds a central cavity 24 that extends lengthwise along a central axis 26 (Figure 1) between open opposite ends 28, 30. The inner wall 14' is knitted with one or more yams that are heat resistant and non-heatsettable, multifilament and/or monofilament, and that are suitable for withstanding extreme temperature environments ranging from between about -60 to 1400 degrees centigrade (°C). The selected multifilament yams can be formed with mineral fiber materials, such as silica, fiberglass, ceramic, basalt, slate, slag, aramid or carbon, by way of example and without limitation. The mineral fibers can be provided having a continuous fiber or chopped fiber
structure. In some applications of extreme heat, it may be desirable to heat treat the mineral fiber sleeve material to remove organic content therefrom, thereby increasing even more the heat resistance capacity of the sleeve 10. The high heat resistant yams listed above, although being exceptional for withstanding extreme heat, are generally susceptible to damage if brought into direct contact with abrading and/or impact forces, and thus, the outer wall 14" is constructed and provided to greatly enhance the resistance to damage of the inner wall 14' against abrasion and impact forces and to greatly increase the overall durability of the finish sleeve 10.
[0035] In addition to the aforementioned materials, if desired, it is contemplated that the same mineral fiber yam(s) used to construct the inner wall 14', or different mineral fiber yam(s), could be used to construct the outer wall 14", with the coating layer 15 then being applied to the outer wall 14" after knitting the outer wall 14". By applying the coating layer 15 to the outer wall 14", such as a silicone or Teflon layer, by way of example and without limitation, the outer wall 14" is made impervious to fluid and is made more abrasion and impact resistant, while at the same time providing further enhanced protection against heat from radiating outwardly from the sleeve 10 or radially inwardly into the sleeve 10. The coating layer 15 can be applied to an outer surface 34 of the outer wall 14" via any suitable fixation mechanism, including high temperature resistant adhesives, and/or a mechanical fixation mechanism, such as stitching 32, by way of example and without limitation. The stitching 32 is shown extending along and adjacent an outer periphery of the outer wall 14", with an outer edge region 38 of the coating layer 15 being wrapped about the outer periphery of the outer wall 14", such that the outer periphery of the outer wall 14" is sandwiched between a radially out ardly facing outermost surface 40 of the coating layer 15 and the wrapped outer edge region 38 of the coating layer 15. The stitching 32 is provided by a
strong, tough, high temperature resistant filament, such as via a fiberglass yam having a PTFE coating, or a metal thread yam, by way of example and without limitation.
[0036] To facilitate maintaining the outer wall 14" in its wrapped configuration about the tubular inner wall 14', one or more fastening mechanism(s) can be fixed to the outer wall 14". In the illustrated example embodiment, a plurality of fasteners, such as snaps 36, by way of example and without limitation, can be fixed to the outer wall 14" for fixation to one another upon wrapping the outer wall 14" about the inner wall 14'. It is to be recognized that other ty pes of fastening mechanisms could be used, such as hook-and-loop, by way of example and without limitation. The snaps 36 are arranged with a plurality of female snap portions 36a fixed adjacent the free edge 18, with a corresponding plurality' of male snap portions 36b fixed adjacent the opposite edge 16 of the outer wall 14". It is to be recognized that the reverse relation of any one or all of the female and male snap portions 36a, 36b is contemplated herein. As such, upon disposing the elongate member 12 through the central cavity 24 of the inner wall 14' (Figure 3), the outer wall 14" can be readily wrapped about the inner wall 14' to bring the corresponding male and female snap portions 36a, 36b into snapping, releasably fixed attachment with one another to maintain the outer wall 14" in its wrapped configuration.
[0037] Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings, as will be readily appreciated by one possessing ordinary skill in the art. It is contemplated that all features of all claims and of all embodiments can be combined with each other, so long as such combinations would not contradict one another. It is. therefore, to be understood that the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described, and that the scope of the invention is defined by any ultimately allowed claims.
Claims
1. A wrappable sleeve for providing EMI protection about an elongate member, comprising: an outer wall of interlaced wire, said outer wall having opposite outer edges extending lengthwise between opposite outer ends; an inner wall of interlaced yams fixed to the outer wall, said inner wall having opposite inner edges extending lengthwise between opposite inner ends, the yams including heat-set yams biasing said inner and outer edges into overlapping relation with one another, at least some of the yams having an exposed conductive material bonded thereto.
2. The knit sleeve of claim 1, wherein the yam forming said knit outer wall has greater impact resistance relative to the yam forming said inner wall.
3. The knit sleeve of claim 2, wherein the yam forming said knit outer wall consists of at least one of polyester, nylon, polypropylene, polyethylene, acrylic, cotton, rayon.
4. The knit sleeve of claim 3, wherein the yam forming said circumferentially continuous, tubular knit inner wall is a multifilament mineral fiber.
5. The knit sleeve of claim 4, wherein the yam forming said circumferentially continuous, tubular knit inner wall consists of at least one of silica, fiberglass, ceramic, basalt, slate, slag, aramid and carbon.
6. The knit sleeve of claim 1, further including an impact resistant layer covering said outer wall.
7. The knit sleeve of claim 6, wherein the impact resistant layer forms a circumferentially continuous layer about said inner wall upon wrapping said outer wall about said inner wall.
8. The knit sleeve of claim 7, further including a plurality of fasteners fixed to said impact resistant layer, wherein pairs of said plurality of fasteners are fixable to one another to maintain said outer wall in wrapped relation about said inner wall.
9. The knit sleeve of claim 6, wherein the impact resistant layer is stitched to said outer wall.
10. The knit sleeve of claim 1, wherein said inner wall is knit with 2X2 rib knit stitches.
11. A method of constructing a tubular textile sleeve for providing a thermal barrier about an elongate member extending therethrough, comprising: knitting a circumferentially continuous tubular inner wall having a central cavity extending lengthwise along a central axis between open opposite ends; and knitting an outer wall having opposite edges extending lengthwise between opposite ends integrally with the inner wall such that the outer wall extends away from the inner wall, wherein the outer wall is wrappable about the inner wall to form the sleeve having a dual layer wall.
12. The method of claim 1 1, further including fixing an impact resistant layer to a radially outwardly facing outer surface of the outer wall.
13. The method of claim 12, further including stitching the impact resistant layer to the outer wall.
14. The method of claim 12, further including fixing at least fastener to the impact resistant layer, and configuring the at least one fastener to releasably maintain the outer wall in wrappable relation about the inner wall.
15. The method of claim 14, further including fixing a plurality of the at least fastener to the impact resistant layer, and providing each of the plurality of fasteners including a female snap portion and a male snap portion, with the female and male snap portions being
configured for snapping, releasably fixed atachment with one another to maintain the outer wall in its wrapped configuration.
16. The method of claim 11, further including forming the outer wall with yam having a greater impact resistance relative to the yam forming the inner wall.
17. The method of claim 16, further including forming the outer wall with at least one of polyester yam, nylon yam, polypropylene yam, polyethylene yam, acrylic yam, coton yam, and rayon yam.
18. The method of claim 11, further including forming the inner wall with a heat resistant mineral yam, such as from fiberglass, silica, basalt, ceramic, slate, slag, or the like, and forming the outer wall from a different yam having an increased impact resistance relative to the yam forming the inner wall.
19. The method of claim 11 , further including kniting the inner wall with 2X2 rib knit stitches.
20. The method of claim 18, further including kniting the outer wall with other than 2X2 rib knit stitches.
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US202263411709P | 2022-09-30 | 2022-09-30 | |
US63/411,709 | 2022-09-30 | ||
US18/374,616 US20240110659A1 (en) | 2022-09-30 | 2023-09-28 | Knit tubular thermal sleeve with wrappable cover and method of construction thereof |
US18/374,616 | 2023-09-28 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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WO2024073670A1 true WO2024073670A1 (en) | 2024-04-04 |
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ID=88517354
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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PCT/US2023/075522 WO2024073670A1 (en) | 2022-09-30 | 2023-09-29 | Knit tubular thermal sleeve with wrappable cover and method of construction thereof |
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WO (1) | WO2024073670A1 (en) |
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JP2012029504A (en) * | 2010-07-26 | 2012-02-09 | Yazaki Corp | Sheath with shield for wire harness |
EP2231389B1 (en) * | 2008-01-07 | 2014-06-18 | Federal-Mogul Powertrain, Inc. | Multilayer protective textile sleeve and method of construction |
EP3012930A1 (en) * | 2013-06-19 | 2016-04-27 | Relats, S.A. | Self-closing thermal and electrical fire protection sheath |
ES1176233U (en) * | 2017-01-30 | 2017-02-14 | Relats, S. A. | Tubular sheath for protection against impacts for long elements (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) |
US20190308385A1 (en) * | 2018-04-06 | 2019-10-10 | Federal-Mogul Powertrain Llc | Self-wrapping sleeve and method of construction thereof |
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2023
- 2023-09-29 WO PCT/US2023/075522 patent/WO2024073670A1/en unknown
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Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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EP2231389B1 (en) * | 2008-01-07 | 2014-06-18 | Federal-Mogul Powertrain, Inc. | Multilayer protective textile sleeve and method of construction |
JP2012029504A (en) * | 2010-07-26 | 2012-02-09 | Yazaki Corp | Sheath with shield for wire harness |
EP3012930A1 (en) * | 2013-06-19 | 2016-04-27 | Relats, S.A. | Self-closing thermal and electrical fire protection sheath |
ES1176233U (en) * | 2017-01-30 | 2017-02-14 | Relats, S. A. | Tubular sheath for protection against impacts for long elements (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) |
US20190308385A1 (en) * | 2018-04-06 | 2019-10-10 | Federal-Mogul Powertrain Llc | Self-wrapping sleeve and method of construction thereof |
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