Patent Application
20090110860
A. Field of Invention
The present invention generally relates to wireless flexible hose articles and methods. Some embodiments relate to low-mass hoses. Some embodiments are related to methods for making and using such hoses.
B. Description of the Related Art
Wireless hose articles are known in the art. Prior art wireless hoses typically consist of one or more layers of polymer such as rubbers, thermoplastics and/or thermosets. Some prior art also includes one or more reinforcing layers, such as a braided fiber layer. However, the art is deficient in that it fails to include wireless hose articles having helical non-wire reinforcing members.
The present invention provides hoses having helical non-wire reinforcing members. The present invention also provides methods related to hose articles having helical non-wire reinforcing members.
Some embodiments of the present invention relate to a hose article, comprising: a core layer; a helical PVC layer over the core layer; an intermediate rubber reinforcing layer over the helical PVC layer; and a rubber cover layer over the intermediate rubber reinforcing layer.
Other embodiments relate to a process for making an article, comprising the steps of: extruding a core layer; extruding a helical PVC layer over the core layer; wrapping an intermediate rubber reinforcing layer over the helical PVC layer; and wrapping a rubber cover layer over the intermediate rubber reinforcing layer.
Still other embodiments relate to an hose article, comprising: an abrasion-resisting means, for resisting abrasion by flowing slurries; a flexible-reinforcing means for flexibly reinforcing the abrasion-resisting means; an additional reinforcing means for reinforcing the abrasion-resisting means; and a covering means, for covering the additional reinforcing means.
Other benefits and advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains upon reading and understanding of the following detailed specification.
The invention may take physical form in certain parts and arrangement of parts, embodiments of which will be described in detail in this specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof and wherein:
The present invention generally relates to wireless flexible hose articles and methods. Some embodiments include hoses that may be low in mass. Furthermore, some embodiments may comprise methods for making and/or using such hose articles.
According to some embodiments, a hose article comprises one or more non-metallic helical reinforcing members. Such embodiments also include at least an innermost core layer, an intermediate helical reinforcing layer, and an outermost top layer, together defining a hose wall thickness. For example, a typical hose wall can comprise a cylindrical structure defining a longitudinal axis, and having a first end and a second end, and having a continuous radial surface. The continuous radial surface includes at least one interior wall defining a space for containing fluid, and the interior wall connects the first end and the second end, thereby forming a hollow cylindrical structure having two open ends. Such containment spaces can be, for example, cylindrical in shape.
The hose article can have an internal diameter ranging from about 2 inches to about 12 inches. According to some embodiments, a hose article can have an internal diameter from about 2 inches to about 3 inches, from about 3 inches to about 4 inches, from about 4 inches to about 5 inches, from about 5 inches to about 6 inches, from about 6 inches to about 7 inches, from about 7 inches to about 8 inches, from about 8 inches to about 9 inches, from about 9 inches to about 10 inches, from about 10 inches to about 11 inches, or even from about 11 inches to about 12 inches. Here as elsewhere in the specification and claims, ranges may be combined.
In some embodiments, the core layer can comprise one or more organic polymers. Suitable core layers can comprise any of a variety of polymeric compositions including, without limitation, thermoplastic polyurethane, chlorosulfonated polyethylene, a chlorosulfonated polyethylene/chlorinated polyethylene blend, a hydrogenated nitrile rubber or a nitrile rubber, polychloroprene, chlorinated polyethylene acrylonitrile-butadiene, styrene butadiene, polyisoprene, polybutadiene, ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymers, chlorinated polyethylene, natural rubber polymers. Containment layers can also include thermoplastic elastomers such as, but not limited to, propylene modified with ethylene-propylene rubber (e.g. Santoprene®, available from Monsanto Corporation); block polymers, such as the Kraton® line of polymers available from Shell Chemical Company; polyvinyl chloride, and the like, or any combination thereof. These elastomers may be compounded with fillers, plasticizers, antioxidants, and cure systems to achieve particular properties desired for a given application, as known in the art.
A helical reinforcing layer can comprise a first helix and a second helix joined to, and continuous, with the first helix such that together the two helices form a continuous layer. The first helix can comprise a polymer that is relatively stiff in comparison to the second helix. The second helix can comprise a polymer that is relatively flexible in comparison to the first helix. A helical reinforcing layer can comprise any of a wide variety of polyvinyl chloride polymers having a wide range of degrees of polymerization, plasticizer levels, and/or stiffnesses.
Some embodiments can include one or more additional intermediate layers. The additional intermediate layers can comprise helical structures, or can comprise other structures such as braided, wound or knitted fiber layers. In some embodiments, an additional intermediate layer can comprise an unstructured or isotropic elastomeric layer. In still other embodiments, the additional intermediate layers can comprise any combination of the foregoing layer types.
A top layer can comprise one or more organic polymers. Suitable core layers can comprise any of a variety of polymeric compositions including, without limitation, thermoplastic polyurethane, chlorosulfonated polyethylene, a chlorosulfonated polyethylene/chlorinated polyethylene blend, a hydrogenated nitrile rubber or a nitrile rubber, polychloroprene, chlorinated polyethylene acrylonitrile-butadiene, styrene butadiene, polyisoprene, polybutadiene, ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymers, chlorinated polyethylene, natural rubber polymers. Containment layers can also include thermoplastic elastomers such as, but not limited to, propylene modified with ethylene-propylene rubber (e.g. Santoprene®, available from Monsanto Corporation); block polymers, such as the Kraton® line of polymers available from Shell Chemical Company; polyvinyl chloride, and the like, or any combination thereof. These elastomers may be compounded with fillers, plasticizers, antioxidants, and cure systems to achieve particular properties desired for a given application, as known in the art.
Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating embodiments of the invention only and not for purposes of limiting the same,
The embodiments have been described, hereinabove. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the above methods and apparatuses may incorporate changes and modifications without departing from the general scope of this invention. It is intended to include all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.
Having thus described the invention, it is now claimed:
