Base and spool for managing hose

Abstract

The present invention includes devices, systems and methods of managing, storing, deploying, or retrieving lay-flat hose using a base and a spool attachable to the base. Preferably, the base and spool are moveable by a vehicle. The base includes a mechanism for lifting and transporting by the vehicle. Similarly, the spool includes a mechanism for lifting and transporting by the vehicle. The spool is attachable to the base. The base or vehicle may provide motive force to spin a reel of the spool. A hose guide assembly is preferably included. A hose tensioning device may also be included with the base, spool or reel. A level wind device may also be utilized.

Description

CLAIM OF PRIORITY[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 61 / 815,099 filed on Apr. 23, 2013, which is incorporated by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to an improved devices, systems and methods for managing lengths of hose.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Newly economical oil and gas recovery methods utilize vast volumes of water, which must be brought to well sites without ready sources of water. Likewise, water contaminated during oil and gas recovery must be disposed of properly. While the contaminate water may be trucked offsite, it is preferable to pump the water to a central location for disposal. The contaminated water may be pumped through piping or hosing. Given the volumes of water involved, the inner diameter of the piping or hosing must be substantial; on the order of 6 inches or more. Lay-flat hose is preferred over piping or other hosing because it requires less volume to store. Moreover, laying p...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention is about devices, systems and methods for managing, storing, deploying or retrieving lay-flat hose. The invention includes a base and a spool that can be attached to the base. The base and spool can be moved by a vehicle. The base and spool have mechanisms for lifting and transporting by the vehicle. The base or vehicle can provide power to spin a reel on which the hose is wound. The invention also includes a hose guide assembly, a hose tensioning device, and a level wind device. The technical effects of this invention are that it provides a convenient and efficient way to manage and use lay-flat hose for fire protection or other purposes.

Problems solved by technology

Likewise, water contaminated during oil and gas recovery must be disposed of properly.

Moreover, laying pipe is extremely labor intensive, whereas lay-flat hose can be deployed and retrieved more economically, especially when the hose needs to be moved to a new location.

Managing large diameter lay-flat hose on reels is nothing new; however typical methods for retrieving hose involve dragging the hose across the ground.

Rough terrain, thorny brush or objects on the ground can cause irreparable damage to the hose and make dragging hose undesirable.

However, as operations become more geographically dispersed, greater lengths of hose are needed.

However, reels can only be so large in diameter before becoming unmanageable, whether loaded or unloaded, thus limiting the diameter of spool that may be utilized.

Further limiting the diameter of the spool is that the hose may need to be deployed or retrieved over rough terrain.

The larger the diameter of the spool, the higher the center of gravity and thus large diameter spool may simply be too prone to tipping over to safely use.

This is dangerous for the workers because they are handling the hose directly, while also standing on a moving vehicle.

Leafing also contributes to the premature wearing of the hose because the hose can be overstressed, creating weak spots in the hose.

Previous skid steer based systems, such as U.S. Patent Publication 2003 / 0160123, are inadequate because the spool and base cannot be separately maneuvered.

Another problem associated with managing, deploying, retrieving and storing length of hose is improper tensioning of the hose on the spool.

Hose that is too loosely wound will mean that spool will not hold its intended length of hose and / or the hose will sag from the spool.

Sagging hose can interfere with the process of spooling up the hose and lead to damage of the hose because the spool will be unevenly loaded with hose.

Moreover, sagging hose will cause trouble with transportation and storage of the spool.

However, as discussed above, dragging hose is undesirable.

Another problem associated with managing lengths of hose is improper placement of the hose on the spool.

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