Heat recoverable metallic coupling
AssigneeRaychem Corporation
InventorsJohn D. Harrison, James E. Jervis
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A coupling for tubes, pipes or the like, fabricated of heat recoverable metal that is treated so that it will contract when heated above its transition temperature spontaneously expand when cooled to its transition temperature to permit it to be installed or removed from the pipes.
Claims8
An article comprising a heat recoverable metallic material above its transition temperature, the article having been distorted a sufficient amount that both thermally recoverable and non-thermally recoverable plastic deformation took place, the article being maintained in a heat-unstable configuration by a restraining member in engagement with the article and exerting a restraining force in the direction opposite that of heat recovery of the material, wherein when the temperature of the article is reduced to below the transition temperature of the material, the article will expand in the direction of the restraining force an amount sufficient that the restraining member exerts no restraining force on the article, said expansion including spontaneous expansion occurring even when the restraining member exerts no force on the article.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.