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  Method for attaching intersecting tubesUSPTO Application #: 20070261786Title: Method for attaching intersecting tubes Abstract: A method is provided for attaching together a larger tube and a smaller tube in a T-shaped intersecting joint. A hole is formed in the larger tube with a flange surrounding the hole. A circumferential extending flange is formed on the outside of the smaller tube. Adhesive is placed on either the outside of the smaller tube or the inside of the flange of the larger tube. The smaller tube is inserted into the hole in the larger tube so that the adhesive is interposed between the inside of the flange of the larger tube and the outside of the smaller tube and the flange on the outside of the smaller tube comes into electrical conducting contact with the flange of the larger tube. Electrical current is applied to flow between the large tube and the small tube so that electrical resistance heating is obtained to cure the adhesive. (end of abstract) Agent: General Motors Corporation Legal Staff - Detroit, MI, US Inventors: Pei-Chung Wang, John D. Fickes, Charles J. Bruggemann, Sanjay M. Shah, Joseph M. Lendway USPTO Applicaton #: 20070261786 - Class: 156274800 (USPTO) The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070261786. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to a method for attaching tubes that intersect one another in a T-shaped joint. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] It is known in the manufacture of motor vehicles and other articles of manufacture to attach together a pair of tubes that meet each other at a right angle or an acute angle to form a T-shaped joint. The tubes are butted together and then attached by conventional welding processes, for example by spot welding or other fusion welding processes. In other cases, one of the tubes can have a hole provided therein for receiving an end of the other tube, and then the conventional welding process is employed. The welding together of tubes in this manner is especially challenging in the case of relatively thin walled tubes where the application of heat during the welding process may cause distortion of one or both of the tubes. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0003] A method is provided for attaching together a larger tube and a smaller tube in a T-shaped intersecting joint. A hole is formed in the larger tube with a flange surrounding the hole. A circumferential extending flange is formed on the outside of the smaller tube. Adhesive is placed on either the outside of the smaller tube or the inside of the flange of the larger tube. The smaller tube is inserted into the hole in the larger tube so that the adhesive is interposed between the inside of the flange of the larger tube and the outside of the smaller tube and the flange on the outside of the smaller tube comes into electrical conducting contact with the flange of the larger tube. Electrical current is applied to flow between the large tube and the small tube so that electrical resistance heating is obtained to cure the adhesive. [0004] Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating exemplary embodiments of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0005] The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein: [0006] FIG. 1 is a section view taken through a pair of intersecting tubes that are adhesively attached together; [0007] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the invention showing a smaller tube poised for insertion into the flanged opening of a larger tube. [0008] FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but showing adhesive applied to the outside of the smaller tube; [0009] FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 but showing that the smaller tube has been inserted into the flanged opening of the larger tube; [0010] FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 but showing clamping electrodes applied to the large tube and the small tube for accomplishing electrical resistance heating of the tube to cure the adhesive; [0011] and, FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS [0012] The following description of certain exemplary embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is no intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses. [0013] Referring to FIG. 1, a large square tube 10 includes a top wall 12, bottom wall 14, and opposed and spaced apart side walls 16 and 18. An inlet hole 20 is formed in the side wall 16 and is surrounded by a flange 22 that defines an inner flange surface 24 and has an end wall 26. The hole 20 and its flange 22 are formed in the tube using any of the known tube forming processes, such as hydroforming, bulge forming, or T-drilling. Examples of hydroforming and bulge forming are well known in the prior art. The T-drilling process is performed using equipment provided by T-Drill Industries, Inc, Norcross Ga. [0014] Large tube 10 also has an outlet hole 30 that is surrounded by a flange 32 having an inner flange surface 34. The end wall 36 of the flange 32 is turned inwardly, as will be discussed further hereinafter. [0015] FIG. 1 also shows a small round tube 40 that is sized to be inserted through the aligned openings 20 and 30 of the side walls 16 and 18 of the large tube 10. A circumferential flange 42 is formed on the small tube 40 and extends outwardly from the outside surface 44 of the small tube 40. As seen in FIG. 1, the insertion of the small tube 40 through the holes 20 and 30 of the large tube 10 will be stopped by the engagement of the flange 42 with the end wall 26 of the flange 22. In addition, FIG. 1 shows that the inturned end wall 36 of the flange portion 32 surrounding the outlet hole 30 is in close contacting engagement with the outside surface 44 of the small tube 40. [0016] As seen in FIG. 1, adhesive is used to attach the small tube 40 to the large tube 10. In particular, an annular ring of adhesive 48 is interposed between the outer surface 44 of the small tube 40 and the inner flange surface 24 of the flange portion 22. This adhesive may be applied onto the outer surface 44 of the small tube 40 prior to the insertion of the small tube 40, or in the alternative, this adhesive 48 may be applied to the inner flange surface 24 prior to the insertion of the small tube. Likewise an annular ring of adhesive 50 is interposed between the outer surface 44 of the small tube 40 and the inner flange surface 34 of the flange portion 32. This adhesive 50 may be applied onto the outer surface 44 of the small tube 40 prior to the insertion of the small tube 40, or in the alternative, this adhesive 50 may be applied to the inner flange surface 34 of the flange 32 prior to the insertion of the small tube 40. The adhesive may be applied as a liquid or as a pre-formed adhesive ring. [0017] The adhesive is at least partially cured by electrical resistance heating of the adhesive. Electrodes, not shown in FIG. 1, are applied to the large tube 10 and to the small tube 40. When electrical current is introduced, the current will be conducted between the tubes at the line of contact between the flange 42 of the small tube 40 and the end wall 26 of the flange 22 of the large tube 10, an thereby cause electrical resistance heating of the tubes in the region of the flange 22 and adhesive 48 to cure the adhesive. In addition current will be conducted between the tubes at the line of contact between the interned end wall 36 of the flange 32 of the large tube 10 and the outer surface 44 of the small tube 40, and thereby cause electrical resistance heating of the tubes in the region of flange 32 and adhesive 50 to cure the adhesive 50. Further and final curing of the adhesive 48 and 50 may occur suebseasquintly in an oven, for example, in the case of automobile manufacture, a paint curing oven. [0018] A second example of the invention is shown in FIGS. 2-5. A large tube 70 includes a top wall 72, bottom wall 74, and side walls 76 and 78. A hole 80 is formed in the top wall 72 and is surrounded by a flange 82 that defines an inner flange surface 84 and has an end wall 86. The hole 80 and its flange 82 are formed in the tube using any of the known tube forming processes, such as hydroforming, bulge forming, or T-drilling. [0019] FIG. 2 also shows a small round tube 90 that is sized to be inserted into the hole 80 of the large tube 70. A circumferential flange 92 is formed on the small tube 90 and extends outwardly from the outside surface 94 of the small tube 90. As seen in FIG. 1, the insertion of the small tube 90 through the hole 80 of the large tube 70 will be stopped by the engagement of the flange 92 with the end wall 86 of the flange 82. Continue reading... Full patent description for Method for attaching intersecting tubes Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Method for attaching intersecting tubes patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Method for attaching intersecting tubes or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Polymerizable composition and method for producing (meth) acrylic thermally conductive sheet Next Patent Application: Failsafe injected adhesive joint Industry Class: Adhesive bonding and miscellaneous chemical manufacture ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Method for attaching intersecting tubes patent info. 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