US 11,859,743 B2
System for spacing and fastening tubular structures
Naleen Kumar Verma, Bengaluru (IN); Mario Alberto Bolaños Jimenez, Querétaro (MX); Arun Ramachandra, Bengaluru (IN); Jeffrey P. Darnell, Cincinnati, OH (US); Michael E. Sandy, Liberty Township, OH (US); and José Torre, Querétaro (MX)
Assigned to GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, Schenectady, NY (US)
Filed by General Electric Company, Schenectady, NY (US)
Filed on Oct. 15, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/451,056.
Prior Publication US 2023/0124484 A1, Apr. 20, 2023
Int. Cl. F16L 3/22 (2006.01); F16L 3/10 (2006.01); F16L 3/233 (2006.01)
CPC F16L 3/221 (2013.01) [F16L 3/1058 (2013.01); F16L 3/2334 (2013.01)] 13 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system comprising:
a spacer element configured to engage a plurality of tubular structures, to spatially separate the plurality of tubular structures from one another, and to distribute stress in the plurality of tubular structures, the spacer element comprising:
a planar end; and
at least two radially extending arms configured to engage a tubular structure of the plurality of tubular structures, the at least two radially extending arms each having a planar surface and a curved surface, the planar surface and the curved surface engaging the tubular structure; and
a fastening element comprising a shape memory alloy (SMA) band and configured to be received in the planar end and extend around at least a portion of an outer surface of the plurality of tubular structures to fasten and swage the plurality of tubular structures to the spacer element in an adaptively spaced configuration.