Patent ID: 6164706
Filing Date: 2000-12-26
Classification: F16L,Y10S

Abstract:
A molded sweep tube connector, comprising:a molded tube connector member comprising a first interior linear tube end portion, a second interior linear tube end portion, and a curved sweep tube portion having a relatively large sweep radius and joining the two end portions to form an integral one-piece molded part fabricated from a plastic material, wherein said tube connector member forms at least one interior passageway for carrying a flow of fluid, said passageway characterized by a right angle sweep bend between the two end portions, permitting smooth fluid laminar flow of the fluid through the tube connector, said passageway further characterized by an inner diameter dimension, said sweep radius at least equal to the inner diameter dimension;said tube connector member having a first wall thickness over at least a portion of said curved sweep tube portion and a second wall thickness over at least a portion of said first linear tube end, and wherein said first wall thickness is greater than said second wall thickness, said second wall thickness sufficiently thin to permit some flexing of the plastic material during a fabrication process step without damage to the connector, wherein said tube connector member has said second wall thickness over said portion of said first linear tube end and over a second adjacent portion of said curved sweep tube portion;a first connector structure at said first tube end portion; anda second connector structure at said second tube end portion.