Abstract:
A manifold is provided. The manifold includes: a first body having an outer surface; a second body having an inner surface corresponding to the outer surface of the first body and the first body is micro-welded to the second body; and a groove formed in one or both of the outer and inner surfaces, wherein the first body is dimensioned to fit within the second body so that the outer surface contacts the inner surface and the groove forms a fluid passage located between the first and second bodies, the fluid passage having an inlet and an outlet. Also in some embodiments a method of forming a manifold is provided. The method includes: filling a die with powdered metal having grains; compressing the powdered metal in the die thereby forming a first body; removing the compressed part from the die; contacting the first body to a second body subjecting the bodies to heat; and forming micro-weld between grains of metal between the two bodies.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to, and is a continuation-in-part application of, pending U.S. patent application entitled, “A Muli-Part, Tapered, Concentric Manifold and Method of Making the Manifold” filed May 19, 2015, having Ser. No.  14 / 716 , 755  which is a continuation-in-part application of, pending U.S. patent application entitled, A Multi-Part Concentric Manifold and Method of Making the Manifold, filed Jul.,9, 2013, having Ser. No. 13/937,509. Priority to of all of the above mentioned applications is claimed herein and the disclosure of these applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to a manifold. More particularly, the present invention relates to a multipart, concentric, tapered, compact manifold. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Manifolds are traditionally used to assist in the routing of various fluids. Often a single housing or block will have various pathways formed or machined in it in order to provide conduits for the fluid. Commonly, the housings or blocks are angular or rectangular shape. In many instances, the pathways are machined along horizontal or vertical surfaces. Or, in other words, generally in a straight line along a straight surface. However, there may be instances where a rectangular shaped manifold housing is not best suited. Furthermore, other manifold housing shapes may allow for a more compact design than conventional shapes. 
         [0004]    Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a manifold and/or a method for making a manifold that may have a geometric shape other than rectangular. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The foregoing needs are met, to a great extent, by the present invention, wherein in one aspect an apparatus is provided that in some embodiments a manifold may have a non-rectangular shape and may be more compact. 
         [0006]    In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a manifold is provided. The manifold includes: a first body having an outer surface; a second body having an inner surface corresponding to the outer surface of the first body and the first body is micro-welded to the second body; and a groove formed in one or both of the outer and inner surfaces, wherein the first body is dimensioned to fit within the second body so that the outer surface contacts the inner surface and the groove forms a fluid passage located between the first and second bodies, the fluid passage having an inlet and an outlet. 
         [0007]    In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a method of forming a manifold is provided. The method includes: filling a die with powdered metal having grains; compressing the powdered metal in the die thereby forming a first body; removing the compressed part from the die; contacting the first body to a second body subjecting the bodies to heat; and forming micro-weld between grains of metal between the two bodies. 
         [0008]    In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, a manifold is provided. The manifold includes: a first body having an outer surface; a second body having an inner surface corresponding to the outer surface of the first body, the first body is micro-welded to the second body; and a means for allowing fluid to move through a body formed in one or both of the outer and inner surfaces, wherein the first body is dimensioned to fit within the second body so that the outer surface contacts the inner surface and the means for allowing fluid to move through a body forms a fluid passage located between the first and second bodies, the fluid passage having an inlet and an outlet. 
         [0009]    There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, certain embodiments of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof herein may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional embodiments of the invention that will be described below and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
         [0010]    In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of embodiments in addition to those described and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein, as well as the abstract, are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
         [0011]    As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of a manifold in accordance with an embodiment. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a manifold in accordance with an embodiment. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a manifold in accordance with another embodiment. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is an exploded, perspective view of a manifold in accordance with an embodiment. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is an exploded view of a manifold in accordance with another embodiment. 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is an assembled view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is an exploded view of another embodiment in accordance with the present disclosure. 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is an assembled view of the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 7 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  is a partial, enlarged view of a manifold assembled according to another embodiment. 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  is a flow chart showing a method of how to manufacture a manifold according to another embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0022]    According to some embodiments, a generally circular shaped manifold  10  is provided. The manifold  10  may include an inner body  12 . The inner body  12  may have an outer surface  14  of the inner body  12 . Optionally, the inner body  12  may have a void or hole  16  in its center portion. In other embodiments, the inner body  12  may be solid at the center portion. 
         [0023]    Grooves or pathways  18 ,  20 ,  22 , and  24  may be formed on the outer surface  14  of the inner body  12 . The grooves  18 ,  20 ,  22 , and  24  are pathways which allow a fluid to flow within the manifold  10 . For example, in some embodiments, various axial pathways  26  may be fluidly connected to each other via the grooves or pathways  18 ,  20 ,  22 , and  24 . 
         [0024]    When the inner body  12  is tightly fit within the outer body  30 , as shown in  FIG. 2 , the grooves or pathways  18 ,  20 ,  22 , and  24  are fluidly isolated from each other. The fluid flows through the pathways  18 ,  20 ,  22 , and  24  to provide fluid communication within the manifold  10  to various axial pathways  26 . In some embodiments, the fluid may be hydraulic fluid. The hydraulic fluid may be at relatively high pressure so the fitting of the inner body  12  to the outer body  30  must the tightly fit or sealed to maintain fluid isolation between pathways  18 ,  20 ,  22  and  24 . One of ordinary skill in the art after reviewing this disclosure will understand that the pressure of any fluids formed through the pathways  18 ,  20 ,  22 , and  24 , will need to be at a pressure less than a pressure required to separate the inner body  12  from the outer body  30  in order to maintain fluid isolation between the various pathways. 
         [0025]    In some embodiments, the inner body  12  is press fit within the outer body  30 . In other words, an initial dimension of the inner surface  32  of the outer body  30  may be smaller than the initial outer surface  14  of the inner body  12 . In other embodiments of the invention, an adhesive may be used to fasten or seal the inner body  12  with in the outer body  30 . In other embodiments, fasteners may be used. 
         [0026]    In some embodiments, the outer body  30  may be heated so that the inner surface  32  expands. The inner body  12  may be then inserted into the outer body  30 . When the outer body  30  cools it shrinks and tightly engages the inner body  12  at seam or connection  40 . In other embodiments, other methods of connecting the inner  14  and outer body  30  may be used. 
         [0027]    On the outer surface  34  of the outer member  30 , hydraulic ports  36  are located about various positions. The positions of the hydraulic ports  36  coincide so that they align with one of the grooves or pathways  18 ,  20 ,  22 , and  24  allowing fluid communication between the hydraulic ports  36  and one of the grooves or pathways  18 ,  20 ,  22 , and  24 . In some embodiments, the hydraulic ports  36  may be located on blocks  38  located on the outer surface  34  of the outer member  30  as illustrated in the FIGS. As configured in the FIGS, hydraulic fluid may flow either in or out of the hydraulic ports  36  through the grooves or pathways  18 ,  20 ,  22 , and  24  and through the axial pathways  26 . In some embodiments of the invention, the hydraulic ports  36  may be in fluid communication with one or more of the axial pathways  26 . 
         [0028]    The grooves  18 ,  20 ,  22 , and  24  may also have turns  25 . The turns  25  provide a radial opening to fluidly connect the grooves  18 ,  20 ,  22 , and  24  to one or more axial pathways  26 . 
         [0029]    A hydraulic port  36  may be part of the specific pathway  27 . As a result, hydraulic fluid may flow to or from a hydraulic port  36  to a specific axial pathway  27 . 
         [0030]    The turns  25  may terminate at the groove,  18 ,  20 ,  22 , and  24  and be a through hole that fluidly connects the groove  22  to the axial pathways  26 . However, the turns  25  are not limited to ends or terminations of the grooves  18 ,  20 ,  22  and  24  but may also occur at an intermediate point along the fluid pathway as illustrated by referenced numeral  27  in  FIG. 1  along the pathway  22 . Furthermore, the hydraulic ports  36  may be located over the turns  25  and the pathways  18 ,  20 ,  22 , and  24  as illustrated in  FIG. 2  or they may be located at intermediate positions on pathways as illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . 
         [0031]    As an example, a specific hydraulic pathway indicated as referenced in numeral  28  may include specific axial pathway  27  and the groove indicated by reference numeral  22 . The groove  22  is terminated with a turn  25  which provides fluid communication between the groove  22  and the axial pathways  26 . 
         [0032]      FIG. 4  is an exploded view and  FIG. 3  is an assembled view of the manifold  10 . In the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the manifold  10  includes and inner body  12  an intermediate body  42  and an outer body  30 . The inner body  12  includes axial pathways  26 , the axial pathways  26  are in fluid communication with the grooves  48 , radial pathways  50  and the hydraulic ports  36 . 
         [0033]    The axial pathways  26  are connected via the radial pathway  50  to the turns  25 . The turns  25  are fluidly connected to the groove  48  on the intermediate body  42  which is, in turn, fluidly connected to the hydraulic ports  36  in the blocks  38  on the outer body  30 . Alternatively, the axial pathways  26  may be fluidly connected via the radial pathways  50  the groove  18  on the inner body  12 . The groove  18  on the inner body  12  may be fluidly connected to one of the hydraulic ports  36  on the outer body,  30  via a second radial pathway  56  located on the intermediate body  42 . 
         [0034]    One of ordinary skill in the art after reviewing this disclosure will understand how to connect or isolate varies axial pathways  26  from various grooves  48 , turns  25 , a radial pathways  50  and hydraulic ports  36 . 
         [0035]    As a result, anyone of the axial pathways  26  may be connected to one of the hydraulic ports  36  through either a groove  18 ,  20 ,  22 , or  24  on the inner body  12  or a groove  48  on the intermediate body  42  via the turns  25  or radial pathways  50 . Thus, the fluid connections may be routed along the manifold  10  without being fluidly connected with each other. As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the pathways defined by the grooves  18  or  48  may even cross over each other (one pathway being on the inner body  12  and the other on the intermediate body  42 ) but are not fluidly connected. 
         [0036]    While only a certain number of axial pathways  26 , grooves  18 ,  20 ,  22  and  24 , turns  25  being, radial pathways  50  and hydraulic ports  36  are shown, one of ordinary skill in the art will understand that more of fewer may be used to achieve a desired result. 
         [0037]    Similar to that described above, the inner body  12  may fit within the intermediate body  42 . The intermediate body  42  may fit within the outer body  30 . It may be desirable in some embodiments for the connections  52  between the inner body  12  and the intermediate body  42  to be fluid tight so that fluid does not leak out from the groove  18  or the radial pathways  50 . This may be accomplished in several ways. For example, the inner body  12  may be press fit with the intermediate body  42 . In other embodiments, the intermediate body  42  is heated as to expand. Once the intermediate body  42  has expanded, the inner body  12  can be inserted into the intermediate body  42 . As the intermediate body  42  cools, it will shrink, thereby tightening and making fluid tight the connection  52  between the inner body  12  and the intermediate body  42 . 
         [0038]    Similarly, it may be desirable for the connection between the intermediate body  42  and the outer body  30  to also be fluid tight. Similar to that described above, the intermediate body  42  may be press fit with the outer body  30 . In some embodiments, the outer body  30  heated thereby expanding allowing the intermediate body  42  to be inserted into the outer body  30 . As the outer body  30  cools, it will shrink and thereby form a fluid tight connection to the intermediate body  42 . 
         [0039]    In other embodiments the connection  52  between the intermediate body  42  and the inner body  12  and/or the connection  54  between the intermediate body  42  and the outer body  30  may also be accomplished using adhesives, sealants, and or fasteners in order to help the connections  52 ,  54  to be fluid tight. In other embodiments, other ways of fastening the bodies  12 ,  30  and  42  may be used. 
         [0040]    It is anticipated that some embodiments that the fluid that will be flowing through the manifold will be hydraulic fluid under pressure. However, in other embodiments, other fluids may be used. Fluids may be in liquid or gas form. Hydraulic fluid is mentioned here only as an example and is in no way limiting the invention to hydraulic manifolds. 
         [0041]    The grooves  18 ,  20 ,  22 ,  24  and  48  are shown and described to be on the outer surfaces  14  and  44  of the inner  12  or intermediate bodies  42 . After reviewing this disclosure, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the grooves  18 ,  20 ,  22 ,  24  and  48  could also be located on the inner surfaces  32  and  46  of the intermediate  42  or outer  30  bodies or both. The outer surfaces  14  and  44  of the inner and intermediate bodies  12  and  42  and the inner surfaces  32  and  46  of the intermediate  42  and outer bodies  30 . 
         [0042]      FIGS. 5-8  illustrate additional embodiments. The embodiment shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , is similar to the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The circular shaped manifold  10  includes and inner body  12  that fits into an outer body  30 . The inner body  12  has an outer surface  14  that contains grooves  18 ,  20 ,  22 , and  24 . The inner body  12  fits into the outer body  30  in a fluid tight manner. As described above, the grooves  18 ,  20 ,  22  and  24  are configured to align with various hydraulic ports  36  as previously described above. In addition, the inner body  12  can be inserted into the outer body  30  with an interference fit and sealed in a manner similar described above. 
         [0043]    In addition to a simple press fit, the inner body  12  can interact with the outer body  30  via a tapered surfaces  60  and  66 . The outer surface  14  of the inner body  12  has a taper  60 . The taper  60  is shaped so that the diameter of the inner body  12  is greater at the first end  62  than at the second end  64 . The inner surface  32  of the outer body  30  also has a taper  66 . The taper  66  is dimensioned so that the diameter of the void defined by the inner surface  32  is greater at the first end  62  than at the second end  64 . By having the tapered shape  60  on the inner body  12  and the tapered shape  66  on the interior surface  32  of the outer body  30  the inner body  12  can fit more tightly within the outer body  30  as the inner body  12  is pushed or forced toward the second end  64  of the outer body  30 . In this manner, the amount of press fit or interference fit between the inner body  12  and the outer body  30  can be regulated by the axial distance the inner body  12  is moved into the outer body  30 . 
         [0044]      FIG. 6  is an assembled view of the manifold  10  having an inner body  12  fit into the outer body  30 . The inner body  12  meets with the outer body  30  at seamn or connection  40 . The inner body  12  has a tapered  60  outer surface  14  and the outer body  30  has a tapered  66  inner surface  32 . The first ends  62  of the inner body  12  and outer body  30  are substantially aligned and the second ends  64  of the inner body  12  and the outer body  30  are also substantially aligned. It should be understood, however, that perfect alignment of either the first ends  62  and the second end  64  is not likely in any particular embodiment because the inner body  12  may be pressed into the outer body  30  at various axial distances in order to achieve a desired interference fit as result of the taper  60  and  66 . 
         [0045]      FIGS. 7 and 8  are similar to  FIGS. 3 and 4  discussed above. As a result, many of the same features between  FIGS. 7 and 8  and  3  and  4  will not be repeated here. Rather, mainly the differences will be discussed.  FIG. 7  is an exploded view of a concentric manifold  10  and  FIG. 8  is an assembled view. With reference to both  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the outer surface  14  of the inner body  12  has grooves  18 ,  20  that are fluidly connected to a radial pathways  50  similar to as described with respect to  FIGS. 3 and 4 . The inner body  12  has an outer surface  14  with a taper  60  as shown. The taper  60  results in the inner body  12  having a larger diameter at the first end  62  than at the second end  64 . 
         [0046]    An intermediate body  42  has an outer surface  44  which contains a groove  48  fluidly connected to a radial pathway  56  similar to that described above with respect to  FIGS. 3 and 4 . The intermediate body  42  has an interior surface  46  which has a taper  68 . The taper  68  is dimensioned so that the diameter of the hollow portion defined by the interior surface  46  is larger at the first end  62  of the intermediate body  42  then the diameter of the interior space defined by the interior surface  46  at the second end  64  of the intermediate body  42 . 
         [0047]    In addition, the outer surface  44  of the intermediate body  42  also has a taper  70 . The taper  70  is dimensioned so that the first end  62  of the intermediate body  42  has a larger diameter than the diameter of the intermediate body  42  at the second end  64 . 
         [0048]    The outer body  30  also has an interior surface  32  that has a taper  72 . The taper  72  is configured so that the inner diameter of the void defined by the interior surface  32  has a larger diameter at the first end  62  then the inner diameter of the void defined by the inner surface  32  of the outer body  30  at the second end  64 . 
         [0049]    When the manifold  10  is assembled as shown in  FIG. 8 , the grooves  18 ,  20  and  48  (best seen in  FIG. 7 ) as well as the radial pathways  50  are dimensioned and located so that the various ports  36 , and  56  align to allow proper flow of fluid through the manifold  10  as described above. Tapered surfaces  60  and  68  will communicate as the inner body  12  is inserted into the intermediate body  42  to allow the inner body  12  to be sealed within the intermediate body  42 . The tapered surfaces  60  and  68  allow for ease of manufacture to allow the inner body  12  to be moved axially within the intermediate body  42  to achieve a desired amount of seal and interference fit. 
         [0050]    Likewise, the tapered surfaces  70  and  72  will communicate with each other to allow the intermediate body  42  to be inserted into the outer body  30  so that the intermediate body  42  can be fit and sealed within the outer body  30 . Furthermore, the tapers  70  and  72  will provide ease of manufacturing to allow the intermediate body  42  to be moved axially within the outer body  30  so that the inner body  42  will be sealed into the outer body  30  and achieve a desired amount of interference fit. 
         [0051]    It should be understood that a desired amount of interference fit can range from none at all to a relatively large amount. As discussed above, the inner body  12  and the intermediate body  42  and the intermediate body  42  and the outer body  30  may be sealed by various means including but not limited to: interference fits, sealants, welding, adhesives, and mechanical fasteners. It should also be understood that while the embodiments described herein show manifolds  10  having two or three bodies, other embodiments may include greater than three bodies in the manifold  10 . Additional bodies may be fit similar to those described herein. Furthermore, more or fewer fluid pathways may also be used in some embodiments. 
         [0052]    In an optional embodiment in accordance with the present disclosure, various bodies  12 ,  30 , and  42  of the manifold  10  (as shown for example in  FIG. 4 ) may be manufactured separately. The manufacturing of these bodies  12 ,  30 , and  42  may be accomplished by the use of sintering powdered metals. After the individual bodies  12 ,  30 , and  42  have been manufactured, the manifold  10  may be assembled. Upon assembly, a sintering step may be used to unify the various bodies  12 ,  30 , and  42  (or just bodies  12  and  42  as the case may be) to form a unified manifold  10 . Additional discussion with reference to  FIGS. 9 and 10  will be discussed further below. 
         [0053]      FIG. 9  illustrates a partial enlarged view of a manifold  10  including several grains  80  of the powdered metal that may be used in forming a manifold  10 . For the purposes of the document herein the term “grains” will refer to the various particles or kernels of powdered metal. The various grains  80  shown in  FIG. 9  have already been placed in a die, compressed in the die, and removed from the die. A part made of powdered metal that has been removed from the die but not yet subject to heat is referred to as a “green” part. In general, green parts will hold their shape due to the compression of the grains  80  within the die but once removed from the die, the green part may start to crumble when subjected to any significant forces. As such, green parts may be handled relatively gently. 
         [0054]    As shown in  FIG. 9 , the grains  80  have contact points  82  in which the grains contact other grains  80 . Voids  84  are located between the grains  80 . In some embodiments, and will be discussed in further detail below, the avoids  84  may be filled or, at least partially filled, with an infiltrant  86 . 
         [0055]    As shown in  FIG. 4  for example, the inner body  12  fits within the intermediate body  42  and the intermediate body  42  fits within the outer body  30 . In another embodiment as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the inner body  12  fits within the outer body  30 .  FIG. 9  illustrates an outer body  88  which could correspond to the outer body  30  or the intermediate body  42  of  FIGS. 1 and 4 .  FIG. 9  also shows an inner body  90  which could correspond to the inner body  12  or the intermediate body  42  of  FIGS. 1 and 4 . The junction line  92  separates the outer body  88  from the inner body  90 . The junction line  92  could correspond to the seam or connection  40  of  FIG. 2  or the seam or connection  52  or  54  of  FIG. 8 . 
         [0056]    Once the inner body  90  is placed within the outer body  88  as part of the assembly of the manifold  10 , the inner body  90  can be attached to the outer body  88  by a micro-welding process according to the art of powdered metallurgy. 
         [0057]      FIG. 10  is a flowchart illustrating various steps associated with assembling a manifold  10  in accordance to an embodiment of the disclosure. First, as set forth in step S 10  dies configured to form the outer  88  or inner  90  bodies are filled with powdered metal. The powdered metal within the dies are compressed in step S 20 . The inner  88  and outer parts  90  are removed from the dies in step S 30 . The powdered metal parts (also refered to as bodies)  88  and  90 , once they have been removed from the dies, are green parts, and are therefore handled carefully. The manifold  10  is assembled by placing the inner part  90  within a void which is defined in part by the innersurfaces  32  or  46  of the outer  30  or intermediate  42  bodies (see  FIG. 4 ) which may be the outer part  88  ( FIG. 9 ). If the manifold  10  comprises several parts or bodies  12 ,  30  and  42  as shown in  FIG. 4 , the various parts are assembled. Once assembled, the outer and inner parts  88  and  90  will contact each other as set forth at step forth in step S 40 . 
         [0058]    Optionally, an infiltrant may be added to the green parts  88  and  90  at step S 50 . The adding of infiltrants to green parts is well known and will not be discussed in additional detail here. In some embodiments, the infiltrant may be metals such as copper, or any other suitable metal. In other embodiments, the infiltrants may include adhesives such as industrial and/or other suitable adhesives. Once the infiltrant has been added to the green parts  88 ,  90  the green manifold  10  (which will include various green parts  88 ,  90  in an assembled condition) will be subjected to heat as set forth in step S 60 . In some embodiments, subjecting the green manifold  10  to heat includes placing the green manifold  10  in an oven. Other embodiments may include subjecting the green manifold  10  to heat by passing high amounts of current through the green manifold  10 . Other suitable methods of subjecting the green manifold  10  to heat may also be done in accordance with the claims. 
         [0059]    In embodiments where an infiltrant is used, the green manifold  10  is subjected to enough heat to cause the infiltrant  86  to melt and move to the voids  84  (see  FIG. 9 ) contained within the manifold  10 . The infiltrant will move to the voids  84  by capillary or wicking action as set forth in step S 70 . Further, sufficient heat will be provided to the manifold  10  so that the grains  80  will start to melt and cause micro-welds to occur at the contact points  82  between the various grains  80  as set forth in step S 80 . Subjecting green parts to heat to create micro-welds is well known to those of ordinary skill the art and will not be described in additional detail here. 
         [0060]    Once the micro-welds have formed at the contact points  82  between the grains  80  and the optional infiltrant  86  has entered the voids  84 , the manifold  10  will be allowed to cool as set forth in step S 90 . In some embodiments the cooling step S 90  may include quenching. At this point, the manifold  10  is now unified as the various inner  90  and outer bodies  88  are now welded together. The various grooves  18 ,  20 ,  22 ,  24 ,  28 ,  48 , and other features of the inner  12 , intermediate  42  and outer  30  bodies may be molded and impressed within the green parts by the dies or, in some embodiments various features may be machined into the manifold  10  after it has become unitized through the micro-welding process. 
         [0061]    While the embodiments shown in the FIGS. show the manifold made of two or three bodies, one of ordinary skill in the art, after reviewing this disclosure, will understand that manifolds  10  of greater than three bodies may be manufactured in accordance with the claims. 
         [0062]    The many features and advantages of the invention are apparent from the detailed specification, and thus, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such features and advantages of the invention which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and variations will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation illustrated and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.