Conductive tubular insert for a fuel transport system, and method

An automotive fuel system assembly comprising:

• a first multilayer tubular member comprising a first conductive inner layer and a first outer layer, wherein said first multilayer tubular member exhibits fuel barrier characteristics;
• a second multilayer tubular member comprising a second conductive inner layer and a second outer layer, wherein said second multilayer tubular member exhibits fuel barrier characteristics, and
• a conductive tubular connector insert coupling said first multilayer tubular member to said second multilayer tubular member said conductive tubular connector insert comprising:
• a conductive tubular body member having a first tubular body section including a first distal end having a first annular margin, a second tubular body section including a second distal end having a second annular margin wherein said second tubular body section tapers inwardly adjacent said second end forming said second annular margin having a circumference smaller than the circumference of said first annular margin, and an annular rib extending outwardly from said conductive tubular body member in a radial direction intermediate said first distal end and said second distal end, wherein said first tubular body section extends axially from said annular rib in a first direction forming a first distal end having a first annular margin, and said second tubular body section extends axially from said annular rib in an opposite direction from said first tubular body section forming a second distal end having a second annular margin said conductive tubular connector insert residing in an end of said first multilayer tubular member such that the inner surface of said first multilayer tubular member is disposed on the outer surface of said first tubular body section and said end of said first multilayer tubular member forms a bead around said annular rib, and said second tubular body section resides in an end of said second multilayer tubular member such that said end of said second multilayer tubular member is disposed on the outer surface of said second tubular body section wherein said end of said second multilayer tubular member extends over the outer surface of the end of said first multilayer tubular member such that, conductive continuity is maintained between the inner surface of said first multilayer tubular member and the inner surface of said second multilayer tubular member.

A method for connecting a first multilayer tubular member having a first conductive inner surface to a second multilayer tubular member having a second conductive inner surface in an automotive fuel transport system assembly, such that electrical conductive continuity is maintained between said first multilayer tubular member and said second multilayer tubular member, said method comprising:

• providing a first multilayer tubular member having a first conductive inner layer and a first outer layer;
• providing a conductive tubular connector insert, said conductive tubular connector insert comprising:
• a first tubular body section having a first distal end including a first annular margin;
• a second tubular body section having a second distal end including a second annular margin, wherein said second tubular body section tapers inwardly adjacent said second end forming said second annular margin, said second annular margin having a circumference smaller than the circumference of said first annular margin;
• and
• an annular rib extending outwardly from said conductive tubular body member in a radial direction intermediate said first distal end and said second distal end, wherein said first tubular body section extends axially from said annular rib in a first direction forming a first distal end having a first annular margin, and said second tubular body section extends axially from said annular rib in an opposite direction from said first tubular body section forming a second distal end having a second annular margin, said conductive tubular connector insert residing in an end of said first multilayer tubular member such that the inner surface of said first multilayer tubular member is disposed on the outer surface of said first tubular body section and said end of said first multilayer tubular member forms a bead around said annular rib;
• implanting said first tubular body section of said conductive tubular connector insert into an open end of said first tubular member such that the end of said first polymeric tubular member forms a bead around said annular rib to secure said conductive connector insert therein, said second tubular body section extending outward from the end of said first polymeric tubular member;
• providing a second multilayer tubular member having a second conductive inner surface, and a second outer surface, said second multilayer tubular structure having an inner circumference equal to or greater than the outer circumference of the second annular margin of said second conductive tubular section;
• implanting said second distal end of said conductive tubular connector insert into an open end of said second tubular member such that said second polymeric tubular member overlaps the end of said first polymeric tubular member;
• and
• securing said first polymeric tubular member and said second polymeric tubular member to said conductive tubular connector insert to form said assembly, the configuration of said assembly being such that conductive continuity is maintained between the conductive inner surface of said first polymeric tubular member, the conductive tubular connector insert, and the second multilayer tubular member.