Multilayer composite pipe and pipe assemblies including reflective insulation

1. A composite refrigeration line set comprising:

at least one selected from the group consisting of: a suction line and a return line, characterized in that one or more of the suction line and the return line are a composite refrigeration line set tube comprising:

an inner plastic tube;

a first adhesive layer positioned about the inner plastic tube;

an aluminum layer positioned about the first adhesive layer and coupled to the inner plastic tube via the first adhesive layer;

a second adhesive layer positioned about the aluminum layer; and

an outer plastic layer positioned about the aluminum layer coupled to the aluminum layer via the second adhesive layer;

wherein:

the inner plastic tube is polyethylene of raised temperature;

the outer plastic tube is polyethylene of raised temperature;

the aluminum layer comprises AL 3004-O; and

the aluminum layer has a thickness range for a given pipe size as follows for the indicated pipe sizes:

Pipe Size (in)

AL 3004-O (in)

¼″

0.01-0.018.

2. The composite refrigeration line set of claim 1 , wherein the aluminum layer is butt-welded to itself.

3. The composite refrigeration line set of claim 1 , wherein the aluminum layer does not include a corrosion-inhibiting protective coating.

4. The composite refrigeration line set of claim 1 , further comprising:

a low-emissivity layer positioned about the outer plastic layer.

5. The composite refrigeration line set of claim 4 , wherein the low-emissivity layer comprises low-emissivity aluminum.

6. The composite refrigeration line set of claim 4 , wherein the low-emissivity layer comprises a metallized film.

7. The composite refrigeration line set of claim 1 , wherein the composite refrigeration line set tube has a burst pressure in excess of 1950 pounds per square inch.

8. The composite refrigeration line set of claim 1 , further comprising:

a reinforcement layer.

9. A refrigeration system comprising:

a compressor;

an evaporator coil;

the composite refrigeration line set according to claim 1 coupled between the compressor and the evaporator coil to form a fluid circuit between the compressor and the evaporator coil; and

a refrigerant received within the fluid circuit.

10. A composite refrigeration line set comprising:

at least one selected from the group consisting of: a suction line and a return line, characterized in that one or more of the suction line and the return line are a composite refrigeration line set tube comprising:

an inner plastic tube;

a first adhesive layer positioned about the inner plastic tube;

an aluminum layer positioned about the first adhesive layer and coupled to the inner plastic tube via the first adhesive layer;

a second adhesive layer positioned about the aluminum layer; and

an outer plastic layer positioned about the aluminum layer coupled to the aluminum layer via the second adhesive layer;

wherein:

the inner plastic tube is polyethylene of raised temperature;

the outer plastic tube is polyethylene of raised temperature;

the aluminum layer comprises AL 3004-O; and

the aluminum layer has a thickness range for a given pipe size as follows for the indicated pipe sizes:

Pipe Size (in)

AL 3004-O (in)

⅜″

0.014-0.02  

½″

 0.02-0.026

⅝″

0.024-0.032.

11. The composite refrigeration line set of claim 10 , wherein the aluminum layer is butt-welded to itself.

12. The composite refrigeration line set of claim 10 , wherein the composite refrigeration line set tube has a burst pressure in excess of 1950 pounds per square inch.

13. The composite refrigeration line set of claim 10 , further comprising:

a reinforcement layer.

14. A refrigeration system comprising:

a compressor;

an evaporator coil;

the composite refrigeration line set according to claim 10 coupled between the compressor and the evaporator coil to form a fluid circuit between the compressor and the evaporator coil; and

a refrigerant received within the fluid circuit.

15. A composite refrigeration line set comprising:

at least one selected from the group consisting of: a suction line and a return line, characterized in that one or more of the suction line and the return line are a composite refrigeration line set tube comprising:

an inner plastic tube;

a first adhesive layer positioned about the inner plastic tube;

an aluminum layer positioned about the first adhesive layer and coupled to the inner plastic tube via the first adhesive layer;

a second adhesive layer positioned about the aluminum layer; and

an outer plastic layer positioned about the aluminum layer coupled to the aluminum layer via the second adhesive layer;

wherein:

the inner plastic tube is polyethylene of raised temperature;

the outer plastic tube is polyethylene of raised temperature;

the aluminum layer comprises AL 3004-O; and

the aluminum layer has a thickness range for a given pipe size as follows for the indicated pipe sizes:

Pipe Size (in)

AL 3004-O (in)

¾″

0.031-0.037.

16. The composite refrigeration line set of claim 15 , wherein the aluminum layer is butt-welded to itself.

17. The composite refrigeration line set of claim 15 , wherein the composite refrigeration line set tube has a burst pressure in excess of 1950 pounds per square inch.

18. The composite refrigeration line set of claim 15 , further comprising:

a reinforcement layer.

19. A refrigeration system comprising:

a compressor;

an evaporator coil;

the composite refrigeration line set according to claim 17 coupled between the compressor and the evaporator coil to form a fluid circuit between the compressor and the evaporator coil; and

a refrigerant received within the fluid circuit.

20. A composite refrigeration line set comprising:

at least one selected from the group consisting of: a suction line and a return line, characterized in that one or more of the suction line and the return line are a composite refrigeration line set tube comprising:

an inner plastic tube;

a first adhesive layer positioned about the inner plastic tube;

an aluminum layer positioned about the first adhesive layer and coupled to the inner plastic tube via the first adhesive layer;

a second adhesive layer positioned about the aluminum layer; and

an outer plastic layer positioned about the aluminum layer coupled to the aluminum layer via the second adhesive layer;

wherein:

the inner plastic tube is polyethylene of raised temperature;

the outer plastic tube is polyethylene of raised temperature;

the aluminum layer comprises AL 3004-O; and

the aluminum layer has a thickness range for a given pipe size as follows for the indicated pipe sizes:

Pipe Size (in)

AL 3004-O (in)

 ⅞″

0.035-0.043 

1⅛″

0.045-0.055.

21. The composite refrigeration line set of claim 20 , wherein the aluminum layer is butt-welded to itself.

22. The composite refrigeration line set of claim 20 , wherein the composite refrigeration line set tube has a burst pressure in excess of 1950 pounds per square inch.

23. The composite refrigeration line set of claim 20 , further comprising:

a reinforcement layer.

24. A refrigeration system comprising:

a compressor;

an evaporator coil;

the composite refrigeration line set according to claim 20 coupled between the compressor and the evaporator coil to form a fluid circuit between the compressor and the evaporator coil; and

a refrigerant received within the fluid circuit.