The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 10, 1989
Filed:
Jan. 25, 1988
Michael Kapgan, Foster City, CA (US);
Raychem Corporation, Menlo Park, CA (US);
Abstract
A device for coupling to an object such as a pipe, particularly for joining pipes together, comprising a tubular sleeve of which at least one end portion has a wall that is weakened to facilitate radial deformation, a shape memory alloy driver having a portion of the sleeve other than the weakened portion positioned in the direction of its recovery, and a collar of a dimensionally heat-recoverable polymeric material having at least part of the weakened portion of the sleeve positioned in the direction of its recovery. Tensile strength or a seal or both between the sleeve and the object is provided by the shape memory alloy driver which deforms the sleeve into sealing contact with the pipes. Relief from transverse strain imposed on the joint between the pipes and the device is provided by the weakened portion of the sleeve which is supported by the collar.