Object Record
Images
Metadata
Title |
Raychem CryoFit Shape-Memory Coupling, 1971-1999 |
Object Name |
Coupling |
Description |
Raychem CryoFit Shape-Memory Coupling, c. 1971-1999. Two metal alloy pipes connected in the center with a two inch metal cuff. The metal is a nickel titanium alloy. "CRYOFIT" is printed in on the cuff. Both pipes have the same diameter, but left pipe has thicker metal and a smaller opening. Tight rings can be seen at ends of pipes. The two pipes are scratched up. The right pipe has undecipherable letters and numbers printed on it. Shape-Memory couplings are used for joining pipes. |
Date |
c. 1971-1999 |
Creator |
Raychem Corporation, Menlo Park |
Role |
Manufacturer |
Catalog Number |
2016.001.016 |
Dimensions |
H-1.5 W-1.5 D-12 inches |
Collection |
3D - Mechanical Tools & Equipment |
Inscription Text |
"CRYOFIT / 920585-.840 / 6000 / M.0. 4390A" (printed in black in on cuff); "HEAT NO." (faded print on left pipe). |
Notes |
"In 1962 the shape memory effect is discovered in NiTi alloys by the U.S. Naval Ordnance Lab. The nominally equiatomic NiTi alloy was dubbed "Nitinol" for Nickel Titanium Naval Ordnance Laboratory.The first major application for the technology is launched in 1971 by Raychem Corporation of Menlo Park, CA....Raychem sells the couplings under the name Cryofit®." [http://www.intrinsicdevices.com/history.html 1/20/2016] Shape-Memory couplings are used for joining pipes. The sleeve or cuff is cooled with liquid nitrogen and then fit onto pipe ends. Once fit, it is rewarmed and the sleeve shrinks to create a tight fit. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shape-memory_coupling 1/20/2016] "Raychem was founded on January 1, 1957. It grew rapidly by creating proprietary new products based on Radiation processing of polymers to meet critical and difficult industry needs for electrical circuit integrity in harsh environments. Included in these initial products were irradiated wire insulation and heat shrinkable tubing. Markets included Aerospace, Military, Automotive, Telecommunications and Electrical Power Generation markets. "In 1968, Raychem acquired Chemelex leading Raychem to extend its radiation polymer processing technology to polymers filled with conductive carbon creating a family of "Self Limiting Heaters". This technology was further extended to produce resettable switches forming the enabling technology for the "Polyswitch" Division. "As Raychem grew into a world class Material Science Company, additional technologies explored, developed and taken to market were Heat Recoverable Metals, Piezoelectric Materials (Elographics), Silicone Gels (Geltek) and Liquid Crystals (Taliq). "Each year, Raychem devoted between 8 and 10 percent of sales into Research and Development resulting in thousands of new products based on the technologies listed above. Research and Product Development labaratories, in addition to Menlo Park and Redwood City were established in Swindon, UK, Kessel-Lo, Belgium, Ottobrunn, Germany, Pontois, France and Japan. "Manning these laboratories were an extremely creative and talented group of scientists and engineers who found innovative ways to use technologies to create new products." [http://blog.heatshrinksleeves.com/2015/09/raychem-history.html 12/31/2015] |
Search Terms |
Menlo Park Metal Tubular Device Metalwork Navy Pipe Pipes Raychem Science Technology |
Subjects |
Industry Metals Pipes Science |
Credit line |
Courtesy of Chet Sandberg |