System for connecting and supporting foam ducting subject to axial movement

A system for accommodating axial movement in a foam ducting system, a foam ducting including first and second segments, with each of the first and second segments having one or more walls constructed of foam and defining an elongated internal passage, wherein the foam ducting is subject to movement along a centerline axis due to thermal expansion and contraction, the system comprising:

• a slip joint element including—
• a male component configured to be installed on a first end of the first segment of the foam ducting, and
• a female component configured to be installed on a second end of the second segment end of the foam ducting and to slidingly receive a portion of the male component,
• wherein as the first end of the first segment of the foam ducting moves relative to the second end of the second segment along the centerline axis, the male and female components slide relative to each other while remaining engaged and maintaining an overall integrity of the elongated internal passage within the foam ducting;
• and
• a sliding support element including—
• a receiver component configured to engage a fixed support bracket structure,
• a body component including a channel feature which is elongated parallel to the centerline axis, the channel feature configured to slidingly receive the receiver component, and
• a mounting component associated with the body component and configured to secure the sliding support element to an exterior surface of the one or more walls of the foam ducting,
• wherein as the foam ducting moves relative to the fixed support bracket structure along the centerline axis, the receiver component slides within the channel feature of the body component and remains engaged with the fixed support bracket structure.

A system for accommodating axial movement in a foam ducting system, the system comprising:

• first and second segments of a foam ducting, with each segment including one or more walls constructed of foam and defining an elongated internal passage, wherein the foam ducting is subject to movement along a centerline axis due to thermal expansion and contraction;
• a slip joint element including—
• a male component configured to be installed on a first end of the first segment of the foam ducting, the male component including—
• a first receiver component having a first channel configured to receive and engage the first end of the first segment, and
• a first extension component projecting outwardly from the first receiver component, and
• a female component configured to be installed on a second end of the second segment end of the foam ducting, the female component including—
• a second receiver component having a second channel configured to receive and engage the second end of the second segment, and
• a second extension component projecting outwardly from the second receiver component, and configured to slidingly receive the first extension component of the male component when the male and female components are connected,
• wherein a first projection length of the first extension component and a second projection length of the second extension component are determined based on an expected maximum distance between the first and second ends of the first and second segments as the first and second segments move along the centerline axis,
• wherein as the first end of first segment of the foam ducting moves relative to the second end of second segment along the centerline axis, the first and second extension components slide relative to each other while remaining engaged and maintaining an overall integrity of the elongated internal passage within the foam ducting,
• an air seal interposed between the first and second extension components and configured to reduce a loss of air from between the first and second segments, and
• a stop feature configured to limit the maximum relative movement of the first and second extension components and thereby prevent the male and female components from disconnecting;
• and
• a sliding support element including—
• a receiver component configured to engage a fixed support bracket structure,
• a body component including a channel feature which is elongated parallel to the centerline axis, the channel feature configured to slidingly receive the receiver component,
• wherein an elongation length of the channel feature is determined based on an expected maximum travel of the receiver component within the channel as the foam ducting moves along the centerline axis, and
• a mounting component associated with the body component and configured to secure the sliding support element to an exterior surface of the one or more walls of the foam ducting,
• wherein as the foam ducting moves relative to the fixed support bracket structure along the centerline axis, the receiver component slides within the channel feature of the body component and remains engaged with the fixed support bracket structure.