Process for the manufacture of an impermeable connection between at least two fluid carrying silicone hose components and a fluid carrying assembly manufactured according to said process
Inventors
Gläsel, Björn • Prescher, Jörg • Wunderlich, Axel • Reichenberger, Robert
Assignees
Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Publication Number
US-10549486-B2
Publication Date
2020-02-04
Expiration Date
Abstract
In a process for the manufacture of an impermeable connection between at least two fluid carrying silicone hose components, the silicone hose components and a silicone connector component are first prepared. Afterwards a fluid silicone mass is applied to at least one connecting area where the silicone hose components abut on the silicone connector components. The at least one connecting area is post cured to harden the silicone mass. In a fluid carrying assembly with at least two fluid carrying silicone hose components and at least one silicone connector component, a fluid carrying connection is manufactured between these components by means of this process. This design results in a connecting technique that is, on the one hand, secure and, on the other hand, enables automation of the manufacture of an impermeable connection and thus of the fluid carrying assembly.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a process for the manufacture of an impermeable connection between at least two fluid carrying hose components. A plurality of fluid carrying silicone hose components and a silicone connector component are provided, and a fluid silicone mass is applied to at least one connecting area where the silicone hose components abut on the silicone connector component. The connecting area is then polymerically post cured to harden the silicone mass.
The silicone connector component has a sheath that externally covers a collection zone of the at least one connecting area. During application of the fluid silicone mass, the fluid silicone mass is applied to the collection zone of the at least one connecting area that is externally covered by the sheath. This configuration supports an impermeable/media-impermeable connection between silicone-to-silicone hose components via a deep/single-piece material connection.
In refinements, pre-hardening of the silicone mass may be performed prior to polymeric post curing, and contact between the silicone hose component(s) and the silicone connector component may be achieved by pushing the hose component into the connector, optionally resulting in pre-centering. Additional refinements include expanding the sheath before bringing it into contact with at least one silicone hose component, and polymeric post curing may take place through annealing.
Claims Coverage
The document contains one independent claim with multiple dependent claims that refine the handling of the silicone mass, mechanical positioning during connection formation, sheath handling, and the curing mechanism. Overall, the independent claim covers the impermeable silicone-to-silicone connection process with a sheath-covered collection zone, while the dependents add specific process refinements for pre-hardening, pushing/pre-centering, sheath expansion, and annealing-based post curing.
Sheath-covered collection zone for applying fluid silicone mass
A process where the silicone connector component has a sheath to externally cover a collection zone of the connecting area, and the fluid silicone mass is applied to the externally sheath-covered collection zone during connection formation.
Polymeric post curing of abutting connecting area to harden silicone mass
Application of a fluid silicone mass to at least one connecting area where the silicone hose components abut on the silicone connector component, followed by polymeric post curing of the connecting area to harden the silicone mass.
Impermeable connection between fluid carrying silicone hose components using silicone connector
A process for the manufacture of an impermeable connection between at least two fluid carrying hose components, including provision of fluid carrying silicone hose components and a silicone connector component for forming the connection at the abutting connecting area.
The independent claim anchors the invention in forming an impermeable silicone-to-silicone connection by applying a fluid silicone mass to abutting connecting areas on a silicone connector and then polymerically post curing the mass. The sheath-covered collection zone is a central inventive feature ensuring where the silicone mass is applied during manufacture, and dependent claims further refine pre-hardening, pushing/pre-centering, sheath expansion, and post curing via annealing.
Stated Advantages
Creates an impermeable/media-impermeable connection.
Enables a deep/single-piece material connection.
Avoids displacement leading to dead spaces.
Documented Applications
Fluid carrying assembly designs for silicone hose connections.
Medical applications are mentioned in the provided partial content.
Interested in licensing this patent?