CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 63/323,882, filed March 25, 2022, and priority to U.S. Application Serial No. 18/126,172, filed March 24, 2023, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

[0002] This invention relates generally to textile sleeves for protecting elongate members, and more particularly to flexible, dielectric, impact resistant, electromagnetic interference resistant textile sleeves.

2. Related Art

[0003] It is known to contain and protect elongate members, such as wires and wire harnesses, for example, in textile sleeves to provide protection to cables, wires, and hoses contained therein. Improvements of known textile sleeves are desired to provide enhanced protection, including dielectric resistance protection, ease of grounding and coupling with adjacent textile sleeves, impact resistance protection, protection against electromagnetic interference, protection against contamination from solid debris and fluid, while also being flexible for routing cables, wires or hoses through winding areas, and while also having a low, non-bulky radially extending profile for applications having tight passages and weight restrictions, such as aircraft and aerospace applications, for example, all while being economical in manufacture.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] One aspect of the invention provides a textile sleeve for routing and protecting an elongate member. The textile sleeve has a wrappable wall including a textile layer having an inner surface and an opposite outer surface extending lengthwise between opposite ends and widthwise between opposite edges. The opposite edges are configured to be wrapped about a central longitudinal axis to bound a central cavity extending lengthwise along the central longitudinal axis between the opposite ends. The textile layer is formed of yams interlaced with one another, wherein a least some of the yams include metal wire(s). A silicone-based layer is disposed about the outer surface of the textile layer to provide enhanced heat-resistance, dielectric protection and impact resistance.

[0005] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, at least some of the yams are formed of multifilaments resistant to heat and/or monofilaments resistant to heat.

[0006] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, at least some of the yams are formed of polyester.

[0007] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, at least some of the multifilaments resistant to heat and/or monofilaments resistant to heat are provided as wires.

[0008] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the entirety of the multifilaments resistant to heat and/or monofilaments resistant to heat can be provided as wires.

[0009] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the yams of the textile layer can be braided with one another.

[0010] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the yams of the textile layer can be woven with one another.

[0011] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the yams can include warp yams extending generally parallel to the central longitudinal axis and weft yams extending generally transversely to the central longitudinal axis, wherein the warp yams are woven with the weft yams. [0012] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, at least some of the weft yams can be heat-set to bias the wall to take-on a tubular configuration with the opposite edges being biased in overlapping relation with one another.

[0013] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the silicone-based layer can be provided to penetrate through the textile layer, wherein the silicone-based layer extends radially inwardly from the inner surface of the textile layer to provide a soft, generally smooth innermost surface to inhibit abrading the elongate member disposed in the cavity.

[0014] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the silicone-based layer can be bonded to the textile layer.

[0015] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the silicone-based layer can be formed as a separate piece of material, and then afterward, disposed about the textile layer, wherein the silicone-based layer is readily separable from the textile layer.

[0016] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the silicone-based layer can be formed being generally flush with one of the opposite edges of the textile layer and recessed from the other of the opposite edges of the textile layer.

[0017] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the opposite edges of the textile layer can be configured to be wrapped into overlapping relation with one another to bring opposite edges of the silicone-based layer into abutting relation with one another.

[0018] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the silicone-based layer can be formed as a separate piece of material and afterward disposed about the textile layer, wherein the silicone-based layer is readily separable from the textile layer.

[0019] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a method of constructing a wrappable textile sleeve for routing and protecting an elongate member is provided. The method includes interlacing yam to form a textile layer having an inner surface and an outer surface extending along a central longitudinal axis between opposite ends, wherein the inner surface is configured to bound a cavity sized for receipt of the elongate member, wherein at least some of the yam includes metal wires. The method further includes disposing a silicone-based layer about the outer surface.

[0020] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the method can further include interlacing the yams with one another in a weaving process.

[0021] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the method can further include weaving the yams including warp yams extending generally parallel to the central longitudinal axis and weft yams extending generally transversely to the warp yams, and providing at least some of the warp yams and/or weft yams as metal wires.

[0022] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the method can further include providing all of the warp yams and/or weft yams as metal wires.

[0023] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the method can further include molding the silicone-based outer layer about the outer surface of the textile layer.

[0024] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the method can further include causing the silicone-based layer to extend radially inwardly from said inner surface of said textile layer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] These and other aspects, features and advantages will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the following detailed description of presently preferred embodiments and best mode, appended claims, and accompanying drawings, in which:

[0026] Figure I is a schematic perspective view of a wrappable sleeve constructed in accordance with one aspect of the invention, with the wrappable sleeve shown wrapped about an elongate member to be protected therein; [0027] Figure 2A schematically illustrates a weaved section of a portion of an interlaced layer of the sleeves of Figures 1A and IB;

[0028] Figure 2B schematically illustrates a braided section of a portion of an interlaced layer of the sleeves of Figures 1A and IB;

[0029] Figure 3 A is a perspective view illustrating a silicone-based outer layer and an underlying inner textile layer of a wrappable sleeve constructed in accordance with an aspect of the invention;

[0030] Figure 3B is a perspective side view illustrating the wrappable sleeve of Figure 3A showing a separate textile layer being joined to the inner textile layer of the wrappable sleeve in accordance with another aspect of the invention;

[0031] Figure 3C is an end view illustrating the wrappable sleeve of Figure 3A showing a ground member joined to the inner textile layer of the wrappable sleeve in accordance with another aspect of the invention;

[0032] Figure 4A is a perspective view illustrating a wrappable sleeve constructed in accordance with another aspect of the invention, with a wall of the sleeve opened via an externally applied force to illustrate an inner textile layer of the wrappable sleeve; and

[0033] Figure 4B is an end view of the wrappable sleeve of Figure 4A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0034] Referring in more detail to the drawings, Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a wrappable textile sleeve 10 constructed in accordance with an aspect of the invention. The sleeve 10 has a flexible, elongate wall 12 for routing and protecting at least one or more elongate member(s) 14, such as a cable, wires, and pipe, for example, to provide dielectric protection, protection against abrasion, protection against thermal conditions including high heat and fire, fluid absorption and ingress, e.g. water, oil, fuel, and the like, and other environmental conditions, such as contamination. The wall 12 can be constructed having any suitable size, including length and diameter. The wall 12 includes an inner, interlaced textile layer 23 having an inner surface 15 and an opposite outer surface 17 extending lengthwise about a longitudinal central axis 20 between opposite ends 19, 21, with inner surface 15 bounding a cavity 22 sized for receipt of the elongate member 14 therein. The wrappable sleeve 10 has opposite edges 16, 18 that extend parallel or generally parallel (intended to mean that to the naked eye, a person possessing ordinary skill in the art (POSA) would view the relationship to be parallel, though it may not be truly parallel) to the longitudinal central axis 20, wherein the opposite edges 16, 18 are wrappable into overlapping relation with one another in "cigarette wrapped" fashion to fully enclose the elongate member 14 within the central cavity 22. The inner, interlaced textile layer 23 is formed of yams 24 interlaced with one another in one of a woven (a portion of the entire woven textile layer 23 is shown in Figure 2A, with the remaining woven portion not shown being the same) or braided (a portion of the entire braided textile layer 23 is shown in Figure 2B, with the remaining braided portion not shown being the same) fashion, wherein at least some of the yams 24 include multifilaments 24a (a multifilament is a term well known to a POSA, known to be a single yam including multiple filaments intertwined with one another) resistant to heat and/or monofilaments 24b (a monofilament is a term well known to a POSA, known to be a single, solid filament of material) resistant to heat. A silicone-based coating, also referred to as layer 26, is disposed about the outer surface 17 of the interlaced textile layer 23, shown as being disposed to cover the entirety of the outer surface 17, wherein the silicone-based layer 26 provides dielectric protection, while enhancing the heat-resistance and abrasion protection to the elongate member 14, and protection against fluid abs orption/ingres s .

[0035] The silicone-based layer 26 is a fluid impervious coating, thereby being impervious to water, fuel (e.g. kerosene), oil, and the like, to render the wall 12 fluid impervious as well as fluid repellant. As such, fluid is prevented from being absorbed by the interlaced layer 23, thus, preventing water, fuel and the like from compromising the ability of the sleeve 10 to provide the desired levels of protection. The silicone-based layer 26 can be provided as a high density silicon to achieve increased mechanical, electrical and impact protection. Further yet, the silicone-based layer 26 can include at least one or both of a flame retardant and a heat stabilizer, and can be provided being flame resistant and selfextinguishing if exposed to flame. The silicone-based layer 26 can be provided having a thickness between about 0.1-3.0mm, by way of example and without limitation, thereby contributing to the wall 12 having a radially narrow, low profile, thereby enhancing the flexibility and ability to be routed in relatively small, tight spaces. The silicone-based layer 26 can be formed as a separate piece of material, and then afterward, disposed about the textile layer, such that the silicone-based layer is readily separable from the textile layer. As such, as shown in FIG. 3B, the silicone-based layer 26 can be separate away from the textile layer 23, such as may be desired to join, also referred to as couple, a secondary textile layer 23a to the primary textile layer 23, and/or to attach a ground member 28, such as a braided or solid wire ground cable, by way of example and without limitation, to the textile layer 23. The ground member 28 can be easily disposed in overlying, abutting relation with the textile layer 23, whereupon the silicone-based layer 26 can be released to automatically wrap into overlying relation with the ground member 28 and the textile layer 23, thereby capturing and sandwiching the ground member 28 between the textile layer 23 and the silicone-based layer 26.

[0036] In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, as shown in Figures 4A and 4B, the silicone-based layer 26a penetrates through interstices of the textile layer 23, wherein the silicone-based layer 26a can extend flush with or radially inwardly from the inner surface 15 of the textile layer 23, thereby providing a soft, generally smooth innermost surface 26b of the silicone-based layer material for abutment with an outer surface of the elongate member 14. As such, the outer surface of the elongate member 14 is protected against abrasion by being contacted by the soft, elastic material 26b of the silicone-based layer 26a. To facilitate penetration of the silicone-based layer 26a through interstices, also referred to as openings, of the textile layer 23, the silicone-based layer 26 can be molded directly to the outer surface 17 of the textile layer 23, whereupon liquid material of the silicone-based layer 26a can flow though the openings radially inwardly of the textile layer inner surface 15. To further facilitate penetration of the silicone-based layer 26a through openings of the textile layer 23, the textile layer 23 can be formed via a loose weave (Figure 2A) or loose braid (Figure 2B), thereby providing increased size openings 30 through the woven or braided textile layer 23. Various molding processes are contemplated, such as injection molding, by way of example and without limitation, wherein the innermost surface of the silicone-based layer 26a extended radially inwardly of the inner surface 15 of the textile layer 23 can be formed as a smooth surface, if desired. As such, it is contemplated that the textile layer 23 could be encapsulated by the silicone-based layer 26a. As shown best in Figure 4B, the silicone-based layer 26a can be formed to be flush or generally flush with an outer one of the opposite edges 18, and recessed from an inner one of the opposite edges 16, thereby allowing an outer surface of the textile layer 23 to be brought into direct contact with an inner surface of the textile layer 23 upon the opposite edges 16, 18 being brought into overlapping relation with one another. As such, optimal electromagnetic interference (EMI) protection can be provided by having a circumferentially continuous continuity of the inner layer 23, with wires of the inner layer 23 be in electrical contact with one another. With the opposite edges 16, 18 overlapped with one another, opposite edges of the silicone-based layer 26a can be brought into abutting relation with one another, forming a butt-type joint 32, thereby providing circumferentially continuous protection to the elongate member(s) 14. Accordingly, the distance of the recess of the silicone-based layer 26a from the edge 16 is equal or substantially equal to the distance of the overlap of the opposite edges 16, 18. Of course, if desired, the opposite edges of the silicone-based layer 26a can be brought into overlapping relation with one another.

[0037] The interlaced yams 24 can be woven, including warp yams 36 extending generally parallel to the central longitudinal axis 20 and weft yams 38 extending generally transversely to the central longitudinal axis 20. The warp yams 36 can be woven with the weft yams 38 in any desired weave pattern, including a pain weave, twill weave, satin weave or basket weave, for example, with the plain weave pattern being preferred to provide a smooth, stable and uniform protection pattern, with the smoothness facilitating bonding of the silicone-base coating 26 to the outer surface 17. The warp yams 36 can be provided entirely from the multifilaments 24a, with the multifilaments 24a being resistant to heat (high temperature resistant); entirely from the monofilaments 24b, with the monofilaments 24b being resistant to heat (high temperature resistant), or a mixture thereof. In similar fashion, the weft yams 38 can be provided entirely from the multifilaments 24a, with the multifilaments 24a being resistant to heat; entirely from the monofilaments 24b, with the monofilaments 24b being resistant to heat, or a mixture thereof. At least some of the warp yams 36 and/or the weft yams 38 are provided as wire, whether single filaments of wire (considered monofilaments), or bundled wires (considered multifilaments, wherein the bundled wires can be provided as mini braids, by way of example and without limitation). Otherwise, some of the warp yams 36 and/or the weft yams 38 can be formed of a polymeric material, including a heat-settable polymeric material, such that the heat-settable polymenc material can be heat-set to bias the opposite edges 16, 18 into overlapping relation with one another. [0038] In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, with reference to Figures 2A and 2B, the textile layer 23 can be woven (Figure 2A) or braided (Figure 2B) with the aforementioned multifilaments 24a and/or monofilaments 24b.

[0039] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a method of constructing a textile sleeve 10 is provided. The method includes interlacing yam 24 to form a textile layer 23 having an inner surface 15 and an outer surface 17 extending along a central longitudinal axis 20 between opposite ends 16, 18. Further, configuring the inner surface 15 to bound a cavity 22 sized for receipt of the elongate member 14, wherein at least some of the yam 24 include metal wires. Further, disposing a silicone-based layer 26 about the outer surface 17.

[0040] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the method can further include interlacing the yams 24 with one another in a weaving process.

[0041] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the method can further include weaving the yams 24 including warp yams 36 extending generally parallel to the central longitudinal axis 20 and weft yams 38 extending generally transversely to the warp yams 36, and providing at least some of the warp yams 36 and/or weft yams 38 as metal wires.

[0042] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the method can further include providing all of the warp yams 36 and/or weft yams 38 as metal wires, such as having a diameter between about 0.05 to 0. 15mm, by way of example and without limitation.

[0043] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the method can further include molding the silicone-based layer 26 about the outer surface 17 of the textile layer 23.

[0044] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the method can further include causing the silicone-based layer 26 to extend radially inwardly from the inner surface

15 of the textile layer 23. [0045] Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is contemplated that all features of all claims and of all embodiments can be combined with each other, so long as such combinations would not contradict one another. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.