| 摘要 |
<p>A technique for making a connection to an object, for example a tube (20), comprises positioning a shape memory alloy collar (2) aroung the tube (20) the collar (2) having two circumferentially extending teeth (6, 8) formed in its internal surface. One of the teeth (6) is caused to bite into the external surface of the tube by heating the collar to cause it to shrink, using the shape memory properties of the alloy. The other tooth (8) is caused to bite into the external surface of the tube by mechanically deforming the collar by drawing a tapered sleeve (22) axially over it. Axial force can be applied to the tube through the collar.</p> |
