Hose End Fittings

Abstract

An end fitting for a composite hose of the type comprising a tubular body of flexible material arranged between inner and outer gripping members. The end fitting comprises a first member adapted to be disposed within the hose, and a second member adapted to be disposed around the outside of the hose, whereby the end of the hose can be sealed between the first and second members, and wherein at least part of the end first member and / or at least part of the first member is made of a composite material.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a filing under 35 U.S.C. 371 of International Application No. PCT / GB2008 / 003121 filed Sep. 15, 2008, entitled “Improvements Relating to Hose End Fittings,” claiming priority of Great Britain Patent Application Nos. 0718018.5, 0718019.3 and 0718020.1, all filed Sep. 14, 2007, which applications are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]This invention relates to an end fitting for a hose, particularly hose which can be used in cryogenic conditions. The invention also relates to a hose incorporating the end fitting.[0003]Typical applications for hose involve the pumping of fluids from a fluid reservoir under pressure. Examples include supplying of domestic heating oil or LPG to a boiler; transporting produced oilfield liquids and / or gases from a fixed or floating production platform to the cargo hold of a ship, or from a ship cargo hold to a land-based storage unit; delivering of f...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0021]“Composite materials” are materials that are made from a combination of two or more materials to give a unique and tailor made set of properties. The most common form of composite material is a matrix of fibres within a resin. The fibres may be continuous with an orientation in the longitudinal direction or the fibres may be short lengths in mixed orientation. The fibres are usually high strength fibres such as E-Glass, S-Glass, Aramid (e.g. Kevlar (trademark)) or Carbon. The resin encapsulates the fibres and it may be a thermoplastic resin such as a polyethylene, a polyimide, a polyamide, a fluoropolymer, poly(vinylchl

Problems solved by technology

Typical tail materials are carbon steels for non cryogenic applications and austenitic stainless steels for cryogenic service i.e. typically temperatures below 150° K. Carbon steels are not suitable for cryogenic service as they are brittle at very low temperatures.

An important design issue for cryogenic equipment is the effects of the dimensional changes and thermal gradient transients associated with the circa 215° K temperature change room ambient to cryogenic service conditions.

This contraction presents a problem for conventional end fittings in conditions of thermal shock where the end fitting is rapidly exposed to cryogenic fluid.

This may cause a transient differential thermal contraction in the radial direction between the tail and ferrule, resulting in some leakage.

With repetitive thermal cycles the resin bond with the steel may fail and a leak path may subsequently develop.

Images