MANIFOLD ASSEMBLY FOR RESIN INFUSION AND INJECTION

Abstract

A manifold for resin application, infusion, and/or injection is provided. The manifold comprises at least one inlet and a plurality of outlets. At least one outlet of the manifold comprises a valve that is operable to selectively dispense or terminate a flow of a resin from the outlet, and wherein the resin is supplied through the at least one inlet.

Claims

1. A resin application manifold comprising: a primary inlet; a primary outlet; an elongate body portion comprising a length and having a first end and a second end, the primary inlet provided at the first end and the primary outlet provided at the second end, and wherein the primary inlet and the primary outlet are provided substantially coaxial with each other; a plurality of resin application outlets distributed along the length of the elongate body portion; each of the plurality of resin application outlets provided substantially perpendicular to at least one of the primary inlet and the primary outlet; at least one of the plurality of resin application outlets comprising a valve for selectively dispensing a resin through the at least one of the plurality of resin application outlets.

2. The resin application manifold of claim 1, wherein the valve comprises a ball valve with a handle.

3. The resin application manifold of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of resin application outlets comprises a valve that is operable to control a fluid flow.

4. The resin application manifold of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of resin application outlets comprises a fitting with an inlet and an outlet and wherein the fitting is operable to receive at least one of a rubber hose and a pipe.

5. The resin application manifold of claim 1, wherein the elongate body portion comprises an interior channel which provides a fluid flow path.

6. The resin application manifold of claim 5, wherein the interior channel comprises an internal diameter of between approximately 0.25 inches and approximately 1.50 inches.

7. The resin application manifold of claim 5, wherein the interior channel extends between the primary inlet, the primary outlet, and the resin application outlets.

8. A resin application manifold comprising: an elongate body portion comprising a length and having a first end and a second end, and wherein the elongate body portion at least partially defines a fluid flow path; an inlet provided at the first end of the elongate body portion; a first outlet provided at the second end of the elongate body portion; at least one resin application outlet provided along the length of the elongate body portion at a point between the inlet and the first outlet; wherein each of the inlet, the first outlet, and the resin application outlet comprise a valve for selectively dispensing a resin through the at least one of the plurality of resin application outlets.

9. The resin application manifold of claim 8, wherein the valves comprise ball valves.

10. The resin application manifold of claim 8, wherein the manifold comprises a plurality of resin application outlets.

11. The resin application manifold of claim 8, wherein the resin application outlet comprises a fitting with an inlet and an outlet and wherein the fitting is operable to receive at least one of a rubber hose and a pipe.

12. The resin application manifold of claim 8, wherein the fluid flow path comprises an interior channel comprises an internal diameter of between approximately 0.25 inches and approximately 1.50 inches.

13. The resin application manifold of claim 12, wherein the interior channel extends between the primary inlet, the primary outlet, and the resin application outlet.

14. A resin application manifold comprising: a body portion comprising a length and having a first end and a second end, and wherein the body portion at least partially defines a fluid flow path; an inlet provided at the first end of the elongate body portion; a first outlet provided at the second end of the elongate body portion; at least one resin application outlet provided on the elongate body portion at a point between the inlet and the first outlet; wherein each of the inlet, the first outlet, and the resin application outlet comprise a valve for selectively dispensing a resin through the at least one of the plurality of resin application outlets.

15. The resin application manifold of claim 14, wherein the valves comprise at least one of a ball valve, a globe valve, a gate valve, a solenoid valve, and a diaphragm valve.

16. The resin application manifold of claim 14, wherein the manifold comprises a plurality of resin application outlets.

17. The resin application manifold of claim 16, wherein each of the resin application outlets comprises a valve.

18. The resin application manifold of claim 14, wherein the resin injection outlet comprises a fitting with an inlet and an outlet and wherein the fitting is operable to receive at least one of a rubber hose and a pipe.

19. The resin application manifold of claim 14, wherein the fluid flow path comprises an interior channel comprises an internal diameter of between approximately 0.25 inches and approximately 1.50 inches.

20. The resin application manifold of claim 12, wherein the body portion comprises aluminum.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the disclosed system and together with the general description of the disclosure given above and the detailed description of the drawings given below, serve to explain the principles of the disclosed system.

[0020] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a manifold assembly for resin injection according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0021] FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of the manifold assembly according to the embodiment of FIG. 1.

[0022] FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of the manifold assembly according to the embodiment of FIG. 1.

[0023] FIG. 4 is a section view taken at line A-A of FIG. 3.

[0024] FIG. 5 is a dimensioned bottom plan view of the manifold assembly according to the embodiment of FIG. 1.

[0025] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a manifold assembly for resin application or infusion according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0026] FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the manifold assembly according to the embodiment of FIG. 6.

[0027] FIG. 8 is a front elevation view of the manifold assembly according to the embodiment of FIG. 6.

[0028] FIG. 9 is a section view taken at line A-A of FIG. 8.

[0029] FIG. 10 is a dimensioned bottom plan view of the manifold assembly according to the embodiment of FIG. 9.

[0030] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of manifold assemblies according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0031] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a component of a resin infusion system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale. In certain instances, details that are not necessary for an understanding of the disclosure or that render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted. It should be understood, of course, that the disclosure is not necessarily limited to the particular system embodiments illustrated herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] FIGS. 1-5 depict a manifold 2 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The manifold 2 comprises a primary inlet 4 and a primary outlet 6 provided in opposing relationship and distributed by a length of the manifold. The manifold 2 comprises an elongate body portion 8 extending between the primary inlet 4 and the primary outlet 6. The elongate body portion 8 comprises a substantially rectangular cross-section as shown in FIGS. 1-5, but may comprise various other shapes. The manifold 2 of FIGS. 1-5 comprises four resin application outlets 10 distributed along a length of the manifold 2. As used herein, the terms “application”, “infusion” and “injection” are used substantially interchangeably with respect to resin. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the final delivery location of resin will be determined by the specific process and article of manufacture for which the device 2 is used.

[0034] As shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 4, the manifold 2 comprises a major channel 12 and a plurality of minor channels 14 for ejecting resin or similar materials from the resin application outlets 10. An exterior portion 16 of the minor channels 14 preferably comprises male threaded members. Various Figs., including FIGS. 4-5, are provided with dimensions to illustrate manifolds of certain embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be recognized, however, that no limitation with respect to size, shape or proportions of the manifold(s) are provided herewith. It is contemplated that the size and proportions of the manifolds may be varied based on a described application or use in a specific process, for example.

[0035] FIGS. 6-10 depict a manifold 2 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. The manifold 2 of FIGS. 6-10 generally comprises the same structure of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-5, but comprises two resin injection outlets 10. The numbering provided with FIGS. 1-5 is thus also used for FIGS. 6-10, with like numbers representing the same or similar components as shown and described herein.

[0036] In various embodiments, a manifold 2 of the present disclosure comprises at least one valve. In certain embodiments, a valve is provided in association with each of the resin application outlets 10. A user-interface, such as a valve handle, may be provided on an upper portion or side portion of the elongate body portion.

[0037] The manifolds 2 of FIGS. 1-10 are shown and described as comprising a primary inlet 4 and a primary outlet 6. It is contemplated, however, that the primary outlet 6 may also operate as an inlet for resin and similar material. Similarly, the primary inlet 4 may operate as an outlet for resin.

[0038] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of manifolds 20a, 20b according to embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown, each of the manifolds 20a, 20b comprises a primary inlet 24, a primary outlet 25, and a plurality of resin application outlets 34. The first manifold 20a comprises two application outlets 34a, 34b. The second manifold 20b comprises four application outlets 34a, 34b, 34c, 34d. The first and second manifolds comprise elongate body portions 22 having different lengths to accommodate the different number of application outlets.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 11, each of the primary inlet 24, the primary outlet 30, and the injection outlets 34a, 34b, 34c, 34d comprise a user-operable valve 36. The valve(s) 36 may comprise various different types of valves, including manual valves, solenoid valves, and other valves. For example, the valves 36 of FIG. 11 may comprise any one or more of a ball valve, a globe valve, a butterfly valve, a gate valve, and a diaphragm valve, for example. In preferred embodiments, each of the valves 26, 30, 36 comprises a handle 28, 32, 38 that are operable to selectively control a fluid or resin flow through the respective outlet. FIG. 11 depicts hand-operated devices according to embodiments of the present disclosure. Alternative embodiments contemplate the provision of valves that may be remotely controlled, such as one or more solenoid valves that are operable to be controlled by a circuit and a remote switch, for example. Such embodiments are particularly well suited for applications where it is undesirable, unsafe, or impossible for a user to manually operate valves.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 11, the outlets 24, 25, 34 comprise a nipple or fitting in fluid communication with a valve and an internal flow path of the elongate body portion 22. An inlet or outlet fitting 24 contemplated for use with embodiments of the present disclosure is further shown in FIG. 12. As shown in FIG. 12, the fitting 24 comprises a threaded portion 40 that is operable to be secured or connected to a valve (for example). The fitting 24 further comprises a rasped or toothed portion 42 that is operable to receive and secure a hose or piping (for example). A collar 44 is provided that is operable to receive a wrench to tighten or loosen the fitting. An inlet 46 and an outlet 48 are provided on opposing ends of the fitting 24. The fitting 24 may be provided at any one or more of the primary inlet 24, the primary outlet 25, and the injection outlets 34 of FIG. 12. Fittings of the present disclosure are contemplated as comprising polyvinyl chloride, but may be formed of various materials of sufficient durability and heat resistance for resin injection molding operations.

[0041] Although various Figures comprise dimensions, it will be expressly recognized that these dimensions are provided to illustrate certain embodiments and no limitations with respect to these dimensions are provided herewith. It is contemplated that manifolds of the present disclosure, including those shown in the Figures may be scaled up or down, and/or may be varied in proportion.

[0042] While various embodiments of the system have been described in detail, it is apparent that modifications and alterations of those embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. It is to be expressly understood that such modifications and alterations are within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. Further, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purposes of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein are meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof, as well as, additional items.