Multilayer tube assembly and methods for forming and using the same
A multilayer tube assembly for use with a fluid includes an inner tube, an outer layer, and an adhesive layer. The inner tube has inner and outer opposed surfaces. The inner surface of the inner tube defines an open, longitudinally extending tube passage to allow flow of the fluid therethrough. The inner tube is formed of metal. The outer layer has an inner surface and surrounds at least a portion of the inner tube. The outer layer is formed of a polymeric material. The adhesive layer is interposed between the outer surface of the inner tube and the inner surface of the outer layer. The adhesive layer secures the outer layer to the inner tube.
1 . A multilayer tube assembly for use with a fluid, the assembly comprising:
a) an inner tube having inner and outer opposed surfaces, the inner surface of the inner tube defining an open, longitudinally extending tube passage to allow flow of the fluid therethrough, wherein the inner tube is formed of metal;
b) an outer layer having an inner surface and surrounding at least a portion of the inner tube, wherein the outer layer is formed of a polymeric material; and
c) an adhesive layer interposed between the outer surface of the inner tube and the inner surface of the outer layer, wherein the adhesive layer secures the outer layer to the inner tube.
2 . The assembly of claim 1 wherein at least the inner surface of the inner tube is formed of copper.
3 . The assembly of claim 2 wherein the outer layer is formed of polyethylene.
4 . The assembly of claim 3 wherein the outer layer is formed of at least one of HDPE, PE-RT, PEX, and LSZH compound.
5 . The assembly of claim 1 wherein the outer layer is formed of polyethylene.
6 . The assembly of claim 5 wherein the outer layer comprises at least one of HDPE, PE-RT, PEX, and LSZH compound.
7 . The assembly of claim 1 wherein the adhesive layer is formed of an adhesive selected from the group consisting of ethylene acrylic acid, ethylene methylacrylate, and mixtures and formulations thereof.
8 . The assembly of claim 1 wherein the inner tube includes a longitudinally extending welded seam.
9 . The assembly of claim 8 wherein the welded seam is butt welded.
10 . The assembly of claim 1 wherein the tube passage has a nominal inner diameter of between about 0.2 and 2.755 inches.
11 . The assembly of claim 1 wherein the inner tube has a nominal wall thickness of between about 0.008 and 0.0236 inch.
12 . The assembly of claim 1 wherein the outer layer has a nominal wall thickness of between about 0.031 and 0.078 inch.
13 . The assembly of claim 1 wherein the adhesive layer has a thickness of between about 0.002 and 0.006 inch.
14 . The assembly of claim 1 wherein the inner tube includes a first metallic layer including the inner surface of the inner tube and a second metallic layer surrounding the first layer and including the outer surface of the inner tube.
15 . The assembly of claim 14 wherein the first and second layers are formed of different metals.
16 . The assembly of claim 15 wherein the first layer is formed of copper and the second layer is formed of aluminum.
17 . The assembly of claim 14 wherein the first layer has a nominal wall thickness of between about 0.002 and 0.006 inch and the second layer has a nominal wall thickness of between about 0.006 and 0.039 inch.
18 . The assembly of claim 14 wherein:
a) the first layer is bonded to the second layer;
b) the adhesive layer is interposed between the second layer and the inner surface of the outer layer; and
c) the adhesive layer secures the outer layer to the second layer.
19 . The assembly of claim 1 including a connector fitting secured to an end of the assembly and adapted to engage a second connector.
20 . The assembly of claim 1 wherein the assembly complies with ASTM F1281.00 and/or ASTM F1282.00.
21 . A system comprising:
a) a supply of a fluid;
b) a tube network including at least one multilayer tube assembly, each multilayer tube assembly comprising:
1) an inner tube having inner and outer opposed surfaces, the inner surface of the inner tube defining an open, longitudinally extending tube passage to allow flow of the fluid therethrough, wherein the inner tube is formed of metal;
2) an outer layer having an inner surface and surrounding at least a portion of the inner tube, wherein the outer layer is formed of a polymeric material; and
3) an adhesive layer interposed between the outer surface of the inner tube and the inner surface of the outer layer, wherein the adhesive layer secures the outer layer to the inner tube; and
c) a fluid transport apparatus operable to force the fluid to flow through the tube passage or passages of the at least one multilayer tube assembly.
22 . The system of claim 21 wherein at least the inner surface of the inner tube is formed of copper.
23 . The system of claim 21 wherein the outer layer is formed of polyethylene.
24 . The system of claim 23 wherein the outer layer comprises of at least one of HDPE, PE-RT, PEX, and LSZH compound.
25 . The system of claim 21 wherein the adhesive layer is formed of an adhesive selected from the group consisting of ethylene acrylic acid, ethylene methylacrylate, and mixtures and formulations thereof.
26 . The system of claim 21 wherein the inner tube includes a longitudinally extending welded seam.
27 . The system of claim 21 wherein:
a) the inner tube includes a first metallic layer including the inner surface of the inner tube and a second metallic layer surrounding the first layer and including the outer surface of the inner tube;
b) the first layer is bonded to the second layer;
c) the adhesive layer is interposed between the second layer and the inner surface of the outer layer;
d) the adhesive layer secures the outer layer to the second layer;
e) the first layer is formed of copper; and
f) the second layer is formed of aluminum.
28 . The system of claim 21 wherein the fluid is a liquid.
29 . The system of claim 28 wherein the fluid is potable water.
30 . The system of claim 28 wherein the system includes a heater operable to heat the fluid.
31 . A method for forming a multilayer tube assembly, the method comprising:
a) forming an inner tube having inner and outer opposed surfaces, the inner surface of the inner tube defining an open, longitudinally extending tube passage to allow flow of the fluid therethrough, wherein the inner tube is formed of metal;
b) applying an adhesive layer to the outer surface of the inner tube;
c) forming an outer layer having an inner surface and surrounding at least a portion of the inner tube such that the adhesive layer is interposed between the outer surface of the inner tube and the inner surface of the outer layer, wherein the inner tube is formed of a polymeric material; and
d) adhering the outer layer to the inner tube using the adhesive layer.
32 . The method of claim 31 wherein at least the inner surface of the inner tube is formed of copper.
33 . The method of claim 31 wherein the outer layer is formed of polyethylene.
34 . The method of claim 33 wherein the outer layer comprises at least one of HDPE, PE-RT, PEX, and LSZH compound.
35 . The method of claim 31 wherein the adhesive layer is formed of an adhesive selected from the group consisting of ethylene acrylic acid, ethylene methylacrylate, and mixtures and formulations thereof.
36 . The method of claim 31 wherein forming the inner tube includes:
a) bending a metal strip into a generally cylindrical tube pre-form; and
b) welding the pre-form to form a longitudinally welded seam therein.
37 . The method of claim 36 including forming the welded seam as a butt weld.
38 . The method of claim 36 including HF welding the pre-form to form the welded seam.
39 . The method of claim 36 including TIG welding, plasma welding, and/or laser welding the pre-form to form the welded seam.
40 . The method of claim 31 including co-extruding the adhesive layer and the outer layer onto the outer surface of the inner tube.
41 . The method of claim 31 wherein the inner tube includes a first metallic layer including the inner surface of the inner tube and a second metallic layer surrounding the first layer and including the outer surface of the inner tube.
42 . The method of claim 41 wherein forming the inner tube includes:
a) providing a bimetallic strip including the first and second layers pre-bonded to one another; and
b) bending the bimetallic strip to form the inner tube.
43 . A method for providing plumbing in an architectural structure for a flow of a fluid, the method comprising:
a) installing a tube network in the structure, the tube network including at least one multilayer tube assembly, each multilayer tube assembly comprising:
1) an inner tube having inner and outer opposed surfaces, the inner surface of the inner tube defining an open, longitudinally extending tube passage to allow flow of the fluid therethrough, wherein the inner tube is formed of metal;
2) an outer layer having an inner surface and surrounding at least a portion of the inner tube, wherein the outer layer is formed of a polymeric material; and
3) an adhesive layer interposed between the outer surface of the inner tube and the inner surface of the outer layer, wherein the adhesive layer secures the outer layer to the inner tube.
44 . The method of claim 43 wherein at least the inner surface of the inner tube is formed of copper.
45 . The method of claim 43 wherein the outer layer is formed of polyethylene.
46 . The method of claim 45 wherein the outer layer comprises at least one of HDPE, PE-RT, PEX, and LSZH compound.
47 . The method of claim 43 wherein the adhesive layer is formed of an adhesive selected from the group consisting of ethylene acrylic acid, ethylene methylacrylate, and mixtures and formulations thereof.
48 . The method of claim 43 wherein the inner tube includes a longitudinally extending welded seam.
49 . The method of claim 43 wherein:
a) the inner tube includes a first metallic layer including the inner surface of the inner tube and a second metallic layer surrounding the first layer and including the outer surface of the inner tube;
b) the first layer is bonded to the second layer;
c) the adhesive layer is interposed between the second layer and the inner surface of the outer layer; and
d) the adhesive layer secures the outer layer to the second layer;
e) the first layer is formed of copper; and
f) the second layer is formed of aluminum.
50 . The method of claim 43 wherein installing the tube network includes mounting the tube network below a floor of the structure and operatively connecting the tube network to a fluid heater to provide a floor heating system.
51 . The method of claim 43 wherein installing the tube network includes operatively connecting the tube network to a supply of potable water.