# US 11,305,473 B2 · System, apparatus and method for manufacturing braid reinforced tubing > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,305,473 B2 - Document ID: US11305473B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/269,117 - Filed: 2019-02-06 - Published: 2019-08-08 - Granted: 2022-04-19 - Earliest claimed: 2018-02-06 - Assignees: Pruven Technologies, LLC - Applicants: Pruven Technologies, LLC - Inventors: James Prue - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11305473B2 ## CPC - B29C 48/18: the components being layers - B29C 48/2528: {Drive or actuation means for non-plasticising purposes, e.g. dosing unit} - B29C 48/09: Articles with cross-sections having partially or fully enclosed cavities, e.g. pipes or channels - B29C 48/21: the layers being joined at their surfaces - B29C 48/33: with parts rotatable relative to each other - B29C 48/335: Multiple annular extrusion nozzles in coaxial arrangement, e.g. for making multi-layered tubular articles - B29C 48/338: {using a die with concentric parts, e.g. rings, cylinders} - B29C 48/49: using two or more extruders to feed one die or nozzle - F16L 11/085: {comprising one or more braided layers (in combination with layers of a helically wound core or wire F16L11/088)} - B29C 48/16: Articles comprising two or more components, e.g. co-extruded layers - B29C 48/301: {having reciprocating, oscillating or rotating parts} - B29C 48/34: Cross-head annular extrusion nozzles, i.e. for simultaneously receiving moulding material and the preform to be coated - B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00) - F16L: PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL ## Abstract An extrusion crosshead assembly for manufacturing braid reinforced tubing includes a body having a bore housing an outer deflector, an outer spline concentrically mounted within a bore of the outer deflector, an inner spline concentrically mounted within the outer spline and forming a plenum therebetween, an inner deflector concentrically mounted within a bore of the inner spline, and a hollow tip body mounted concentrically within a bore of the inner deflector. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An extrusion assembly, comprising: a head having an outer spline rotatable in a first direction and an inner spline mounted concentrically with the outer spline and rotatable in a second direction opposite the first direction, the outer spline and the inner spline defining a plenum; a first extruder device fluidly connected to the head and being configured to supply a first molten material to the head for forming an inner tube portion; and second extruder device fluidly connected to the head and being configured to supply a molten braid material to the plenum; wherein the inner spline and the outer spline are operable to form an overlapping braid from the molten braid material over the inner tube portion. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The extrusion assembly of claim 1, wherein: the inner spline includes a first plurality of angled flow channels formed on an outer periphery of a distal end thereof, the first plurality of angled flow channels being configured to distribute the molten braid material from the plenum. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The extrusion assembly of claim 2, wherein: the outer spline includes a second plurality of angled flow channels formed on an inner periphery of a distal end thereof, the second plurality of angled flow channels being configured to distribute the molten braid material from the plenum. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The extrusion assembly of claim 3, further comprising: an outer spline drive operatively connected to the outer spline for rotating the outer spline in the first direction; and an inner spline drive operatively connected to the inner spline for rotating the inner spline in the second direction. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The extrusion assembly of claim 1, further comprising: a third extruder device fluidly connected to the head and being configured to supply a third molten material to the head for forming an outer tube portion over the overlapping braid and the inner tube portion; wherein the overlapping braid is sandwiched between the outer tube portion and the inner tube portion. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The extrusion assembly of claim 5, wherein: the head is configured to form the inner tube portion, the overlapping braid and the outer tube portion substantially simultaneously. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The extrusion assembly of claim 6, further comprising: an outer deflector having a throughbore configured to receive the inner spline and the outer spline; wherein the outer deflector is configured to receive the third molten material from the third extruder device. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The extrusion assembly of claim 7, further comprising: an inner deflector received within a throughbore of the inner spline; wherein the inner deflector is configured to receive the first molten material from the first extruder device. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The extrusion assembly of claim 1, further comprising: a central passageway through which pressurized air is supplied for controlling an inner diameter of the inner tube portion. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The extrusion assembly of claim 1, wherein: the molten braid material does not contact the first molten material until the molten braid material exits the plenum as the overlapping braid. ### Claim 11 A method of manufacturing braid-reinforced tubing, comprising the steps of: forming an inner tube portion having a lumen from a first molten material; and forming an overlapping braid pattern on an outer peripheral surface of the inner tube portion by: rotating an outer spline in a first direction; rotating an inner spline in a second direction opposite the first direction, the inner spline being concentrically mounted within the outer spline; and supplying a second molten material to a plenum formed between a distal end of the outer spine and a distal end of the inner spline; wherein the second molten material exits the plenum through flow channels in the distal ends of the outer spline and the inner spline to form the overlapping braid pattern. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method according to claim 11, further comprising the step of: supplying a third molten material to an outer deflector having a throughbore; wherein the outer spline and the inner spline are concentrically mounted within the throughbore; wherein the outer deflector is configured to apply the third molten material as an outer layer over the inner tube portion and the overlapping braid pattern; wherein the overlapping braid pattern and the outer layer are formed substantially simultaneously. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The method according to claim 11, wherein: the flow channels are angled relative to a central axis about which the inner spline and outer spline rotate. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The method according to claim 11, further comprising the step of: forming an outer layer over the inner tube portion and the overlapping braid pattern; wherein the inner tube portion, the overlapping braid pattern and the outer layer are formed substantially simultaneously. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The method according to claim 11, further comprising the step of: supplying pressurized air to a central passageway to control a diameter of the lumen. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method according to claim 15, further comprising the step of: adjusting a pressure of the air within the central passageway to vary the diameter of the lumen. ### Claim 17 An extrusion assembly, comprising: a head having: an outer spline rotatable in a first direction; an inner spline mounted concentrically with the outer spline and rotatable in a second direction opposite the first direction, the outer spline and the inner spline defining a plenum therebetween; and an outer deflector having a throughbore for receiving the inner spline and the outer spline a first extruder device fluidly connected to the head and being configured to supply a first molten material to plenum; and a second extruder device fluidly connected to the head and being configured to supply a second molten material to the outer deflector; wherein the inner spline and the outer spline are operable to form an overlapping braid from the molten braid material and apply the overlapping braid over a tube having a lumen; and wherein the outer deflector is operable to form an outer layer over the overlapping braid. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The extrusion assembly of claim 17, wherein: the inner spline includes a first plurality of angled flow channels formed on an outer periphery of a distal end thereof, the first plurality of angled flow channels being configured to distribute the first molten material from the plenum; and the outer spline includes a second plurality of angled flow channels formed on an inner periphery of a distal end thereof, the second plurality of angled flow channels being configured to distribute the first molten material from the plenum. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The extrusion assembly of claim 17, wherein: the head is configured such that the first molten material does not contact the second molten material until the first molten material exits the plenum as the overlapping braid.