Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Michael J Readwin

Richard E Bartos

Michael G Leffert

Michael E Nishek

A plurality of tubes are connected in a bundle that is bent to follow a curved tortuous path. The method includes providing a plurality of individual tubes and then encapsulating the tubes within a molded or extruded encapsulating material so that the tubes are joined and supported together in a tube assembly. Connectors are provided on the ends of the tubes, either before or after the encapsulating of the tubes. The tube assembly is then bent to the desired bent tortuous shape.

Method for making a tube bundle

An air duct for a vehicle includes a housing and a ductile member. The housing is formed from a first extrudable material having a first elastic modulus, and a second extrudable material having a second elastic modulus that is different from the first. The housing has a central longitudinal axis, defines a cavity therethrough along the axis, and is transitionable from a preform configuration in which the axis is substantially straight, to an installation configuration in which the axis is tortuous. The ductile member is embedded within the housing and is formed from a third extrudable material having a third elastic modulus that is greater than each of the first and second. The ductile member is bendable to transition the housing from the preform configuration to the installation configuration and is configured for retaining the housing in the installation configuration. A vehicle includes the air duct.

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Metamora, MI, United States of America

Michael J Readwin