hose

Abstract

The invention relates to a bellows hose, which is capable of being used without leakage, and which has a longer length and/or diameter than has been previously achievable. A bellows hose comprises an inner tubular bellows and an outer tubular bellows. An insulation layer is provided between the bellows. An armoured layer is provided around the outer bellows, to improve the insulation further. The hose can have length above 30 m and a diameter above 400 mm. A method of, and apparatus for, making the hose are also described, which involves the use of a non-metallic mandrel.

1 . A hose comprising a tubular hose portion extending continuously between two end fittings, wherein said tubular hose portion comprises a plurality of tubular corrugated or convoluted sections secured end to end and at least one protective and/or reinforcing layer disposed around said corrugated or convoluted sections, wherein the internal diameter of the hose portion is at least 200 mm and the length of the hose portion is at least 30 m. 
     
     
         2 . A hose according to  claim 1 , wherein the length of the hose portion is at least 35 m. 
     
     
         3 . A hose according to  claim 1 , wherein the length of the hose portion is from 30 to 50 m. 
     
     
         4 . A hose according to  claim 1 , wherein the internal diameter of the hose portion is at least 300 mm. 
     
     
         5 . A hose according to  claim 1 , wherein the internal diameter of the hose portion is at least 400 mm. 
     
     
         6 . A hose according to  claim 1 , wherein the internal diameter of the hose portion is from 400 mm to 600 mm. 
     
     
         7 . A hose according to  claim 1 , wherein the length of the hose portion is from 30 to 50 m, and the internal diameter of the hose portion is from 400 mm to 600 mm. 
     
     
         8 . A hose comprising a tubular hose portion extending continuously between two end fittings, wherein said tubular hose portion comprises a plurality of tubular corrugated or convoluted sections secured end to end and at least one protective and/or reinforcing layer disposed around said corrugated or convoluted sections, wherein the internal diameter of the hose portion is at least 300 mm and the length of the hose portion is at least 5 m. 
     
     
         9 . A hose according to  claim 8 , wherein the length of the hose portion is at least 10 m. 
     
     
         10 . A hose according to  claim 8 , wherein the length of the hose portion is at least 30 m. 
     
     
         11 . A hose according to  claim 8 , wherein the internal diameter of the hose portion is at least 400 mm. 
     
     
         12 . A hose according to  claim 8 , wherein the internal diameter of the hose portion is from 400 mm to 600 mm. 
     
     
         13 . A hose according to  claim 8 , wherein the length of the hose portion is from 10 m to 50 m, and the inner diameter of the hose portion is from 400 mm to 600 mm. 
     
     
         14 . A hose according to  claim 8 , further comprising a second tubular bellows arranged around the first tubular bellows. 
     
     
         15 . A hose according to  claim 8 , further comprising an insulating layer between the first and second bellows, and wherein a vacuum is provided in the space between the first and second bellow. 
     
     
         16 . A hose according to  claim 8 , an armoured layer is provided around the second tubular bellows. 
     
     
         17 . A hose according to  claim 8 , wherein an end fitting is provided at each end of the hose. 
     
     
         18 . A hose according to  claim 8 , which is capable of operating at pressures above 500 kPa without leaking. 
     
     
         19 . A hose according to  claim 8 , which is capable of operating at pressures above 1000 kPa without leaking. 
     
     
         20 . A hose according to  claim 8 , which is capable of operating at temperatures from −100° C. to −220° C. without leaking. 
     
     
         21 . The use of a hose according to  claim 8  at a pressure from 500 kPa to 2,500 kPa without leakage of the hose. 
     
     
         22 . The use of a hose according to  claim 8  at a pressure from 1,000 kPa to 2,000 kPa without leakage of the hose. 
     
     
         23 . The use according to  claim 21  at a temperature from −100° C. to −220° C. 
     
     
         24 . The use according to  claim 21  at a temperature from −100° C. to −200° C. 
     
     
         25 . A method of manufacturing hose comprising a tubular hose portion extending continuously between two end fittings, wherein said tubular hose portion comprises a plurality of tubular corrugated or convoluted sections secured end to end and at least one protective and/or reinforcing layer disposed around said corrugated or convoluted sections said method comprising sliding a first tubular corrugated or convoluted section along the mandrel, sliding a second corrugated or convoluted section along the mandrel such that it one end of the second corrugated or convoluted section engages one end of the first corrugated or convoluted section, securing the ends of the corrugated or convoluted sections, applying at least one protective and/or reinforcing layer over the corrugated or convoluted sections, applying a respective one of the end fittings to each end of the hose portion, and removing the hose from the mandrel. 
     
     
         26 . A method according to  claim 25 , wherein the mandrel has sufficient bending stiffness to keep it straight enough that adjacent corrugated or convoluted sections of the hose portion can be brought into substantial alignment around substantially the entire circumference of the ends thereof prior to securing the corrugated or convoluted sections together. 
     
     
         27 . A method according to  claim 25 , wherein the mandrel is formed of a paper based material, a wood based material or a plastics polymer based material, or mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         28 . A method according to  claim 25 , wherein the mandrel is cardboard. 
     
     
         29 . A method according to  claim 25 , wherein the mandrel is formed of a material having a ratio of Young's Modulus (E) to density (ρ) in the range 0.3 to 10 GPa·m 3 /Mg (i.e. giga Pascal×metre 3 /megagram). 
     
     
         30 . A method according to  claim 25 , wherein the mandrel is formed of a material having from 0.8 to 3 GPa·m 3 /Mg. 
     
     
         31 . A method according to  claim 25 , wherein the mandrel is made of a composite material having a ratio of Young's Modulus (E) to density (ρ) in the range 20 to 22 20 GPa·m 3 /Mg and a density in the range 1.0 to 3.0 20 Mg/m 3 . 
     
     
         32 . A method according to  claim 25 , wherein the mandrel is of substantially cylindrical shape. 
     
     
         33 . A method according to  claim 25 , wherein the mandrel is hollow, so that a drive shaft may be disposed longitudinally within the mandrel. 
     
     
         34 . A method according to  claim 25 , wherein a plug is disposed in at least one end of the mandrel, the arrangement being such that the plug is fixedly secured to the mandrel, whereby rotation of the plug causes rotation of the mandrel. 
     
     
         35 . A method according to  claim 34 , wherein the drive shaft is preferably secured to the or each plug, and has a projecting end which can be connected to a drive motor, whereby rotation of the drive shaft causes rotation of the or each plug and thereby rotation of the mandrel. 
     
     
         36 . A method according to  claim 25 , wherein the mandrel is a sacrificial mandrel, in order to aid removal of the hose from the mandrel. 
     
     
         37 . A method according to  claim 25 , wherein the mandrel is pre-coated, prior to assembly of the hose, in order to assist with removal of the completed hose from the mandrel. 
     
     
         38 . A method according to  claim 37 , wherein the mandrel has an outer diameter of at least 200 mm. 
     
     
         39 . A method according to  claim 25 , wherein the mandrel has an outer diameter of at least 300 mm. 
     
     
         40 . A method according to  claim 25 , wherein the mandrel has a length of at least 5 m. 
     
     
         41 . Apparatus for manufacturing hose of the type comprising a tubular hose portion extending continuously between two end fittings, wherein said tubular hose portion comprises a plurality of tubular corrugated or convoluted sections secured end to end and at least one protective and/or reinforcing layer disposed around said corrugated or convoluted sections wherein said apparatus comprises a hollow substantially cylindrical non-metallic mandrel, around which the hose may be arranged, a plug disposed at each end of the mandrel, the plugs being fixed to the mandrel, whereby torque applied to the plugs is transmitted to the mandrel to rotate the mandrel about its longitudinal axis, and a drive shaft extending longitudinally along the interior of the mandrel, the drive shaft being connected to the plugs, whereby torque applied to the drive shaft is transmitted to the plugs to rotate the plugs, the drive shaft projecting outwardly from the plugs and mandrel at least one end of the mandrel. 
     
     
         42 . Apparatus method according to  claim 41 , wherein the mandrel has sufficient bending stiffness to keep it straight enough that adjacent corrugated or convoluted sections of the hose portion can be brought into substantial alignment around substantially the entire circumference of the ends thereof prior to securing the corrugated or convoluted sections together. 
     
     
         43 . Apparatus according to  claim 41 , wherein the mandrel is formed of a paper based material, a wood based material or a plastics polymer based material, or mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         44 . Apparatus according to  claim 43 , wherein the mandrel is cardboard. 
     
     
         45 . Apparatus according to  claim 41 , wherein the mandrel is formed of a material having a ratio of Young's Modulus (E) to density (ρ) in the range 0.3 to 10 GPa·m 3 /Mg (i.e. giga Pascal×metre 3 /megagram). 
     
     
         46 . Apparatus according to  claim 41 , wherein the mandrel is formed of a material having from 0.8 to 3 GPa·m 3 /Mg. 
     
     
         47 . Apparatus according to  claim 41 , wherein the mandrel is made of a composite material having a ratio of Young's Modulus (E) to density (ρ) in the range 20 to 22 20 GPa·m 3 /Mg and a density in the range 1.0 to 3.0 20 Mg/m 3 . 
     
     
         48 . Apparatus according to  claim 41 , wherein the mandrel has an outer diameter of at least 200 mm. 
     
     
         49 . Apparatus according to  claim 41 , wherein the mandrel has an outer diameter of at least 300 mm. 
     
     
         50 . Apparatus according to  claim 41 , wherein the mandrel has a length of at least 5 m. 
     
     
         51 . Apparatus according to  claim 41 , wherein the mandrel has a length of at least 30 m. 
     
     
         52 . Apparatus according to  claim 41 , wherein the mandrel projects outwardly from the plugs and mandrel at each end of the mandrel. 
     
     
         53 . Apparatus according to  claim 41 , further comprising a drive motor arranged to rotate the drive shaft. 
     
     
         54 . A hose according to  claim 3  wherein the internal diameter of the hose portion is at least 300 mm. 
     
     
         55 . A hose according to  claim 3  wherein the internal diameter of the hose portion is at least 400 mm. 
     
     
         56 . A hose according to  claim 3  wherein the internal diameter of the hose portion is from 400 mm to 600 mm. 
     
     
         57 . A hose according to  claim 3  wherein the length of the hose portion is from 30 to 50 m, and the internal diameter of the hose portion is from 400 mm to 600 mm. 
     
     
         58 . A hose according to  claim 10  wherein the internal diameter of the hose portion is at least 400 mm. 
     
     
         59 . A hose according to  claim 10  wherein the internal diameter of the hose portion is from 400 mm to 600 mm. 
     
     
         60 . A hose according to  claim 13 , further comprising a second tubular bellows arranged around the first tubular bellows. 
     
     
         61 . A hose according to  claim 15  an armoured layer is provided around the second tubular bellows. 
     
     
         62 . A hose according to  claim 61 , wherein an end fitting is provided at each end of the hose. 
     
     
         63 . A hose according to  claim 62 , which is capable of operating at pressures above 500 kPa without leaking. 
     
     
         64 . A hose according to  claim 63 , which is capable of operating at pressures above 1000 kPa without leaking. 
     
     
         65 . A hose according to  claim 64 , which is capable of operating at temperatures from −100° C. to −220° C. without leaking. 
     
     
         66 . A method according to  claim 26 , wherein the mandrel is formed of a paper based material, a wood based material or a plastics polymer based material, or mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         67 . A method according to  claim 66 , wherein the mandrel is cardboard. 
     
     
         68 . A method according to  claim 67 , wherein the mandrel is formed of a material having a ratio of Young's Modulus (E) to density (ρ) in the range 0.3 to 10 GPa·m 3 /Mg (i.e. giga Pascal×metre 3 /megagram). 
     
     
         69 . A method according to  claim 67 , wherein the mandrel is formed of a material having from 0.8 to 3 GPa·m 3 /Mg. 
     
     
         70 . A method according to  claim 26 , wherein the mandrel is made of a composite material having a ratio of Young's Modulus (E) to density (ρ) in the range 20 to 22 20 GPa·m 3 /Mg and a density in the range 1.0 to 3.0 20 Mg/m 3 . 
     
     
         71 . A method according to  claim 70 , wherein the mandrel is of substantially cylindrical shape. 
     
     
         72 . A method according to  claim 71 , wherein the mandrel is hollow, so that a drive shaft may be disposed longitudinally within the mandrel. 
     
     
         73 . A method according to  claim 72 , wherein a plug is disposed in at least one end of the mandrel, the arrangement being such that the plug is fixedly secured to the mandrel, whereby rotation of the plug causes rotation of the mandrel. 
     
     
         74 . A method according to  claim 35 , wherein the mandrel is a sacrificial mandrel, in order to aid removal of the hose from the mandrel. 
     
     
         75 . A method according to  claim 74 , wherein the mandrel is pre-coated, prior to assembly of the hose, in order to assist with removal of the completed hose from the mandrel. 
     
     
         76 . A method according to  claim 75 , wherein the mandrel has an outer diameter of at least 200 mm. 
     
     
         77 . A method according to  claim 76 , wherein the mandrel has an outer diameter of at least 300 mm. 
     
     
         78 . A method according to  claim 77 , wherein the mandrel has a length of at least 5 m. 
     
     
         79 . A method according to  78 , wherein the mandrel has a length of at least 30 m. 
     
     
         80 . Apparatus according to  claim 42 , wherein the mandrel is formed of a paper based material, a wood based material or a plastics polymer based material, or mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         81 . Apparatus according to  claim 44 , wherein the mandrel is formed of a material having a ratio of Young's Modulus (E) to density (ρ) in the range 0.3 to 10 GPa·m 3 /Mg (i.e. giga Pascal×metre 3 /megagram). 
     
     
         82 . Apparatus according to  claim 44 , wherein the mandrel is formed of a material having from 0.8 to 3 GPa·m 3 /Mg. 
     
     
         83 . Apparatus according to  claim 42 , wherein the mandrel is made of a composite material having a ratio of Young's Modulus (E) to density (ρ) in the range 20 to 22 20 GPa·m 3 /Mg and a density in the range 1.0 to 3.0 20 Mg/m 3 . 
     
     
         84 . Apparatus according to  claim 83 , wherein the mandrel has an outer diameter of at least 200 mm. 
     
     
         85 . Apparatus according to  claim 84 , wherein the mandrel has an outer diameter of at least 300 mm. 
     
     
         86 . Apparatus according to  claim 49 , wherein the mandrel has a length of at least 5 m. 
     
     
         87 . Apparatus according to  claim 50 , wherein the mandrel has a length of at least 30 m. 
     
     
         88 . Apparatus according to  claim 51 , wherein the mandrel projects outwardly from the plugs and mandrel at each end of the mandrel. 
     
     
         89 . Apparatus according to  claim 52 , further comprising a drive motor arranged to rotate the drive shaft. 
     
     
         90 . A method according to  claim 40 , wherein the mandrel has a length of at least 30 m.