Tapered stress-relieved helically reinforced hose
Inventors
Garrett, Carl J • Hadley, Donald K • Forrester, Martin E
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11384870-B2
Publication Date
2022-07-12
Expiration Date
Abstract
Helically reinforced, flexible tubing or hose is formed from continuously extruded thermoplastic material helically circumferentially wound at a wrapping station around an array of bearing-supported rods that are concurrently but individually turned and are adjustably canted relative to an imaginary center axis. The tubing or hose being formed has a continuous reinforcing rib helically wound therearound and continuously integrally connected thereto. The resulting tubing or hose may be transversely severed at intervals along its length to provide discrete lengths of hose that are annealed while axially compressed to relieve stress.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a helically reinforced flexible hose/tubing in which a hose wall and a continuous reinforcing rib are continuously formed from continuously extruded thermoplastic material at a wrapping station. A tape-like web is helically circumferentially wrapped around an array of concurrently turning bearing-supported rods, and the rods are canted relative to an imaginary central axis so that the reinforcing rib is integrally bonded to the hose wall as the wrapping is performed.
During formation of a first portion, positions of the concurrently turning, canted rods relative to the central axis are progressively altered to produce a first progressive continuous change in diameter between a smaller diameter end and a larger diameter end of the first portion. During formation of a second portion, the rod positions are progressively altered in a direction opposite to the first progressive continuous change, so the second portion exhibits an opposite progressive continuous change in diameter between a larger diameter end and a smaller diameter end.
The described formation uses progressive radial repositioning of the rods relative to the central axis to create smoothly varying, progressive hose diameter profiles, including straight/conical tapers and concave/convex transitions. Back-to-back taper halves can be formed from a single continuous length and then severed into discrete hose sections.
Claims Coverage
The document provides one independent claim covering a helically reinforced flexible hose with two hose wall portions exhibiting progressive, continuous diameter changes in opposite directions. The inventive features focus on the continuously extruded thermoplastic hose wall and a continuous helically wrapped reinforcing rib integrally bonded using concurrently turning, canted bearing-supported rods whose relative positions are progressively altered during formation of each portion.
Opposite progressive continuous diameter changes in first and second portions
The hose includes a first portion of a hose wall that increases in diameter from a smaller diameter end to a larger diameter end, and a second portion of the hose wall that decreases in diameter from the larger diameter end to a smaller diameter end, with the second portion having the larger diameter end formed integrally with the larger diameter end of the first portion.
Continuous formation from continuously extruded thermoplastic at a wrapping station using concurrently turning canted rods
The hose wall and the continuous reinforcing rib are continuously formed from continuously extruded thermoplastic material, with helically circumferential wrapping at a wrapping station around an array of concurrently turning bearing-supported rods that are canted relative to an imaginary central axis.
Progressively altered rod positions during first portion to form a first diameter profile
During formation of the first portion, positions of the rods relative to the central axis are progressively altered to cause the first portion to exhibit a first progressive continuous change in hose diameter between the smaller end and the larger end of the first portion.
Progressively altered rod positions during second portion to form an opposite diameter profile
During formation of the second portion, positions of the rods relative to the central axis are progressively altered to cause the second portion to exhibit a second progressive continuous change in diameter that is opposite to the first progressive continuous change between the larger end and the smaller end of the second portion.
Overall, the independent claim ties the hose structure to a continuously formed thermoplastic hose wall and an integrally bonded, helically wrapped reinforcing rib, where progressive diameter profiles are produced by progressively altering the relative positions of concurrently turning, bearing-supported rods canted to an imaginary central axis during formation of each of two hose wall portions.
Stated Advantages
Back-to-back taper halves can be formed from a single continuous length and then severed into discrete hose sections.
Documented Applications
No documented applications found
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