Flexible hose apparatus

Abstract

Described is a drive assembly ( 20 ) and a production assembly ( 22 ) for use in producing reciprocating motion. In one embodiment, the drive assembly is formed as a flexible hose hydraulic cylinder that uses a source of fluid pressure to extend and retract a flexible hose. One or more valves are available to regulate the pressure within the flexible hose. A reciprocating member is connected to the flexible hose. Extension and retraction of the hose cause corresponding translation in the reciprocating member. In one embodiment, the reciprocating member is a piston rod that is biased in one direction.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:  
     
         1 . A drive assembly for producing reciprocal motion, a source of fluid pressure being provided to the drive assembly, the assembly comprising: 
 (a) a flexible hose capable of holding a pressurized fluid;    (b) a housing within which the hose is disposed; and    (c) at least one valve operable to selectively allow pressurized fluid to enter the flexible hose, the at least one valve further operable to vent pressure from the hose; and    (d) a reciprocating member connected to the flexible hose; 
 wherein, during use, fluid pressure is supplied to the flexible hose via the at least one valve, thereby increasing the internal pressure in the flexible hose and causing the flexible hose to extend and the reciprocating member to translate; and  
 wherein, during use, the at least one valve vents pressure from the flexible hose causing the flexible hose and reciprocating member to return to their retracted positions.  
   
     
     
         2 . The drive assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the reciprocating member is a piston rod having a retracted position and an extended position, the piston rod being biased in the retracted position.  
     
     
         3 . The drive assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein the flexible hose is made of a nonexpandable material.  
     
     
         4 . The drive assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein the flexible hose is formed of a nonpermeable flexible woven fabric.  
     
     
         5 . The drive assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein the flexible hose is formed in an accordion shape.  
     
     
         6 . The drive assembly according to  claim 5 , wherein the accordion-shaped flexible hose is made of a material having at least one component of metal.  
     
     
         7 . The drive assembly according to  claim 5 , wherein the accordion-shaped flexible hose is made of at least one of a rubber material, a synthetic material, and a fabric material.  
     
     
         8 . The drive assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one valve is a three-way valve capable of providing both positive fluid pressure and relief of fluid pressure within the flexible hose.  
     
     
         9 . The drive assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one valve includes two two-way valves that cooperate to provide positive fluid pressure and relief of fluid pressure within the flexible hose.  
     
     
         10 . The drive assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein the fluid pressure is a hydraulic fluid pressure.  
     
     
         11 . The drive assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein the pressurized fluid used to enter the flexible hose is provided from a column of fluid having an associated head pressure.  
     
     
         12 . The drive assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein the drive assembly includes a spring and the piston rod includes a proximal end attached to the flexible hose, the spring being held in compression between the flexible hose and the housing and urging the piston rod to its retracted position.  
     
     
         13 . The drive assembly according to  claim 12 , wherein the spring is a coil spring wrapped around the piston rod.  
     
     
         14 . The drive assembly according to  claim 12 , further comprising a production assembly including a production chamber located adjacent the housing and into which the piston rod extends.  
     
     
         15 . The drive assembly according to  claim 2 , further comprising a production assembly including a production chamber located proximate the housing and into which the piston rod extends.  
     
     
         16 . The drive assembly according to  claim 2 , further comprising a production assembly including a production chamber capable of holding a fluid, the production chamber including at least one fluid entry port for entry of external fluid; 
 wherein the production assembly includes a production piston connected to a distal end of the piston rod and located within the production chamber; the production assembly including a valve;    wherein, as the piston rod moves from its retracted position to its extended position, the production piston forces fluid out of the production chamber; simultaneous with this movement is the drawing of external fluid into the production chamber through an at least one fluid entry port located in the production chamber;    wherein, as the piston rod moves from its extended position to its retracted position, the production piston moves back through the production chamber and external fluid passes through the valve in preparation for the next production stroke.    
     
     
         17 . The drive assembly according to  claim 16 , wherein the at least one fluid entry port allows fluid to enter the production chamber but not to exit the production chamber, thereby ensuring passage of fluid from the production chamber through the production piston during the return stroke.  
     
     
         18 . The drive assembly according to  claim 16 , wherein the production chamber includes a distal valve that allows fluid to exit the production chamber during the extend stroke but not to enter the production chamber, thereby ensuring passage of fluid from the production chamber through the production piston during the return stroke.  
     
     
         19 . The drive assembly according to  claim 16 , wherein the at least one valve includes a valve to selectively allow pressurized fluid to enter the flexible hose and another valve to vent pressure from the flexible hose.  
     
     
         20 . The drive assembly according to  claim 16 , wherein the at least one fluid entry port includes multiple openings located along the sides of the production chamber.  
     
     
         21 . The drive assembly according to  claim 16 , wherein the housing is a guide chamber located adjacent the production chamber, the guide chamber holding the drive assembly, the piston rod extending between the guide chamber and the production chamber through a passageway extending therebetween.  
     
     
         22 . The drive assembly according to  claim 21 , wherein the drive assembly includes a spring located within the guide chamber, the spring being held in compression between the flexible hose and the guide chamber and urging the piston rod into the guide chamber.  
     
     
         23 . The drive assembly according to  claim 22 , wherein the spring is a coil spring wrapped around the piston rod.  
     
     
         24 . The drive assembly according to  claim 16 , wherein the drive assembly is adapted for use with a production conduit, the drive assembly being immersed in a source of external fluid, a source of fluid pressure being provided to the flexible hose, during the extend stroke, the production piston forcing fluid out of the production chamber and into the production conduit.  
     
     
         25 . The drive assembly according to  claim 24 , wherein the pressurized fluid used to enter the flexible hose is provided from a column of fluid having an associated head pressure.  
     
     
         26 . The drive assembly according to  claim 25 , further comprising a fluid return path connected between the production conduit and the at least one valve to selectively allow pressurized fluid to enter the flexible hose, the column of fluid thus being provided from the production conduit.  
     
     
         27 . The drive assembly according to  claim 24 , wherein the pressurized fluid used to enter the flexible hose is provided from a secondary pressurized fluid source.  
     
     
         28 . The drive assembly according to  claim 24 , wherein the fluid used to drive the flexible hose includes at least one of fresh water, oil, and saltwater.  
     
     
         29 . The drive assembly according to  claim 24 , wherein the fluid used to drive the flexible hose is a free flowing fluid.  
     
     
         30 . In a device having a reciprocating member, an improvement comprising a flexible hose connected to the reciprocating member to drive the reciprocating member in at least one direction, the flexible hose being formed of a nonexpandable material, the flexible hose being capable of accepting and releasing pressure of an incompressible fluid in order to move between extended and retracted states.  
     
     
         31 . In a device having a reciprocating member, an improvement comprising a flexible hose connected to the reciprocating member to drive the reciprocating member in at least one direction, the flexible hose being formed of a nonexpandable material made in an accordion shape, the flexible hose being capable of accepting and releasing pressure of an incompressible fluid in order to move between extended and retracted states.