hose

Abstract

A flexible hose includes a tubular portion comprising an outer tube and an inner tube, wherein the inner tube forms a liner for the outer tube, and wherein the inner tube is not connected to the outer tube except that it is connected at both ends of the tubular portion by connecting means.

Description

[0001] This invention relates to a hose comprising a tubular portion, said tubular portion including an outer tube and an inner tube, wherein the inner tube forms a liner for the outer tube. The hose may be a floating hose, wherein the outer tube is a floating body, or the hose may be a non-floating hose, wherein the outer tube is a pipe, such as a metal pipe.

[0002] These hoses can be used to transport abrasive slurries in industries such as dredging, sand and gravel mining, diamond mining, and oil sands. The inner diameter of these hoses is typically between 50 cm and 200 cm, for example, approximately 90 cm. Pipes used for slurry transport are usually constructed with an inner wear-resistant layer made of rubber (or another polymer) and a structural outer layer. For floating hoses, the outer layer forms or includes a floating body. After a period of use, the lining covering the inner wall of the outer layer will eventually wear down, after which the hose must be replaced, refurbished, or recycled.

[0003] The present invention aims to provide a hose that can be easily refurbished and / or that allows for easier inspection of damage.

[0004] Therefore, according to the present invention, the inner tube is not connected to the outer tube except by a connecting device near both ends of the tubular portion. Thus, the worn inner tube can be removed from the outer tube by disconnecting the connecting device near both ends, and the worn inner tube can be replaced with a new inner tube inserted into the outer tube. Then, the connecting device connects the new inner tube to the outer tube near both ends.

[0005] The inner tube preferably includes first flanges at two outer ends, these flanges being arranged to releasably connect two adjacent inner tubes to each other. Preferably, at least one of the first flanges at at least one outer end of the inner tube is a removable first flange, which is releasably attached to the inner tube such that when the removable first flange is removed from the inner tube, the inner tube can be axially moved out of the outer tube.

[0006] The connecting devices preferably each include a second flange attached to and extending around the inner tube near its outer end, and a third flange located at the outer end of the outer tube, wherein the second flange is releasably connected to the third flange. At least one of the second flanges attached to and extending around the inner tube near at least one outer end is preferably a releasable second flange attached to the inner tube, such that when the releasable second flange is removed from the inner tube, the inner tube can be axially moved out of the outer tube. Preferably, the releasable first flange and / or second flange comprises two or more individual circular flange portions, which together form a circular flange when the flange portions are connected, wherein the inner tube is provided with a stepped portion that prevents the releasable flange from axially moving toward the corresponding flange to which it is attached. The inner tube preferably has a second stepped portion that prevents the releasable flange from axially moving toward the outer end of the tubular portion. The stepped portion is preferably formed by a retaining ring, which is attached to and extends around the inner tube. The second flange and the third flange are preferably connected to each other by bolts and nuts.

[0007] The outer diameter of the retaining ring is preferably less than or equal to the inner diameter of the outer tube, allowing the inner tube to be moved out of the outer tube axially. The outer diameter of the inner tube is preferably smaller than the inner diameter of the outer tube, creating a space between the inner and outer tubes, and allowing the inner tube to be easily moved out of the outer tube axially. Furthermore, the gap between the inner and outer tubes allows for early detection of leaks, as the delivered liquid will quickly flow out of the gap between the tubes. The lengths of the inner and outer tubes are preferably selected such that, if no tension is applied to either tube, there is a space between the second and third flanges, the second flange connecting to the third flange near at least one outer end of the tubular portion.

[0008] The inner tube is preferably made of a flexible polymer, more preferably of rubber such as NR or SBR. The outer end of the inner tube preferably includes a metal cylindrical member, on which a first flange and a second flange are mounted. In a preferred embodiment, the inner tube includes a wear ring, preferably made of cast iron, hardened steel, or ceramic material.

[0009] The invention will now be explained in more detail in the following description of embodiments of the invention, which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0010] Figure 1A This is a perspective view of the floating dredging hose according to the present invention;

[0011] Figure 1B yes Figure 1A Exploded view of the floating dredging hose;

[0012] Figure 2 yes Figure 1A / Figure 1B A partial cross-sectional view of two interconnected floating dredging hoses;

[0013] Figure 3 and Figure 4 This is a partial cross-sectional view of two interconnected hoses, which can be... Figure 2 The floating dredging hose (floating body not shown), or the two interconnected hoses may be non-floating hoses;

[0014] Figure 5 yes Figure 3 and Figure 4 A partial cross-sectional view of two interconnected hoses, in which some components are not shown for clarity;

[0015] Figure 6 It is an end view of a removable flange including two circular flange portions; and

[0016] Figure 7 It is based on Figures 3 to 6 A 3D view of a non-floating hose.

[0017] according to Figure 1A / Figure 1B The floating dredging hose 1 includes a generally tubular portion comprising an outer tube 2 and an inner tube 3. The outer tube 2 is provided with a float 21, which is filled with foam and causes the floating dredging hose 1 to float on the water surface.

[0018] Figure 7 A non-floating hose 1' is shown, which also includes a generally tubular portion, and this generally tubular portion includes an outer tube 2 and an inner tube 3. The outer tube 2 of the non-floating hose 1' may be a metal pipe, in which case the outer tube 2 of the non-floating hose 1' is not provided with a float 21.

[0019] According to the accompanying drawings, the outer end of the inner tube 3 includes a metal cylindrical member 33, to which first flanges 31, 31' and second flanges 32, 32' are mounted. The inner tube 3 may be made of a flexible polymer, preferably of rubber such as NR or SBR. The inner tube 3 may be reinforced by a layer 34 made of aramid fibers, which may be attached to the metal cylindrical member 33 near the outer end of the inner tube 3. The inner tube 3 may also include wear-resistant rings (not shown) embedded in the flexible polymer, which may be made of cast iron, hardened steel, or ceramic materials.

[0020] The inner tube 3 has first flanges 31 and 31' at its two outer ends, which are arranged to connect two adjacent inner tubes 3 to each other by bolts and nuts. A rubber sealing ring 4 is sandwiched between the outer ends of the inner tubes 3. One of the first flanges 31' is removable at one outer end and is releasably attached to the inner tube 3. When the removable first flange 31' is removed from the inner tube 3, the inner tube 3 can be moved out of the outer tube 2 in the axial direction.

[0021] The removable first flange 31' includes two separate circular flange portions 311', which together form a circular flange 31' when the flange portions 311' are connected to the flange 31 of an adjacent hose 1. The inner tube 3 is provided with a stepped portion 312' at its outer end, which prevents the removable flange 31' from axially moving from the inner tube 3 toward the corresponding flange 31 of the adjacent inner tube 3 to which it is attached.

[0022] The inner tube 3 is also provided with second flanges 32 and 32', which are attached to the inner tube 3 near its outer end and extend around it. The outer tube 2 has a third flange 23 at its outer end. The second flanges 32 and 32' are connected to the third flange 23 by bolts and nuts. One of the second flanges, 32', is also removable and releasably attached to the inner tube 3, such that when the removable second flange 32' is removed from the inner tube 3, the inner tube 3 can be moved axially out of the outer tube 2.

[0023] The removable second flange 32' comprises two or more individual circular flange portions 321', which together form a circular flange 32' when the flange portions 321' are joined. The inner tube 3 is provided with a retaining ring 322', which prevents the removable flange 32' of the outer tube 2 from axially moving toward the corresponding flange 23 to which it is attached and toward the outer end of the inner tube 3. The dimensions of the tubes 2 and 3 are selected such that there is space between the second flange 32' (or the second flange 32) and the third flange 23, allowing adjustment of the tension of the outer tube 2 attached to the inner tube 3.

[0024] The outer diameter of the inner tube 3 is smaller than the inner diameter of the outer tube 2, creating a space between the inner tube 3 and the outer tube 2. This allows for early detection of leaks and facilitates the removal and insertion of the inner tube 3. Furthermore, the outer diameters of the retaining rings 312' and 322' are smaller than or equal to the inner diameter of the outer tube 2, allowing the inner tube 3 with retaining rings 312' and 322' to be moved into and out of the outer tube in the axial direction.

[0025] Therefore, the invention has been described through preferred embodiments. However, it should be understood that this disclosure is merely illustrative. Various details of structure and function are presented, but modifications made within the full scope extended by the general meaning of the terms expressing the appended claims are to be understood as being within the principles of the invention. The description and drawings are intended to interpret the claims. The claims should not be construed as meaning that the scope of protection sought should be understood as the scope defined by the strict literal meaning of the wording used in the claims, and the description and drawings are only for the purpose of resolving ambiguities found in the claims. To determine the scope of protection sought by the claims, any element equivalent to the element specified therein should be appropriately considered. At least if an element performs substantially the same function in substantially the same manner to produce substantially the same result as the element specified in the claim, then the element will be considered equivalent to the element specified in the claim.

Claims

1. A flexible hose, the flexible hose comprising a tubular portion, the tubular portion comprising an outer tube and an inner tube, wherein, The inner tube forms a lining for the outer tube, characterized in that the inner tube is not connected to the outer tube except that it is connected at both ends of the tubular portion by connecting devices. Each of the connecting devices includes a second flange attached to and extending around the inner tube near the outer end of the inner tube, and a third flange located at the outer end of the outer tube, wherein the second flange is releasably connected to the third flange. Wherein, at least one of the second flanges is releasably attached to a removable second flange of the inner tube, such that when the removable second flange is removed from the inner tube, the inner tube can be moved out of the outer tube in an axial direction. The removable second flange includes two or more individual circular flange portions. When the two or more individual circular flange portions are connected, they together form a circular flange. The inner tube is provided with a second stepped portion to prevent the removable second flange from axially moving toward the third flange to which it is attached.

2. The hose according to claim 1, wherein, The inner tube includes a first flange located at both outer ends, the first flange being arranged to releasably connect two adjacent inner tubes to each other.

3. The hose according to claim 2, wherein, At least one first flange located at at least one outer end of the inner tube is releasably attached to a removable first flange of the inner tube, such that when the removable first flange is removed from the inner tube, the inner tube can be moved out of the outer tube in an axial direction.

4. The hose according to claim 3, wherein, The removable first flange includes two or more individual circular flange portions, which together form a circular flange when the two or more individual circular flange portions are connected. The inner tube is provided with a first stepped portion to prevent the removable first flange from axially moving toward the first flange of the adjacent inner tube to which it is attached.

5. The hose according to claim 4, wherein, The first step portion and the second step portion are formed by retaining rings that are attached to the inner tube and extend around the inner tube.

6. The hose according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The second flange and the third flange are connected to each other by bolts and nuts.

7. The hose according to claim 5, wherein, The outer diameter of the retaining ring is less than or equal to the inner diameter of the outer tube, so that the inner tube can be moved out of the outer tube in the axial direction.

8. The hose according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The outer diameter of the inner tube is smaller than the inner diameter of the outer tube, so that there is space between the inner tube and the outer tube and the inner tube can be easily moved out of the outer tube in the axial direction.

9. The hose according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The lengths of the inner tube and the outer tube are selected such that if no tension is applied to either tube, there is a space between the second flange and the third flange, the second flange being connected to the third flange near at least one outer end of the tubular portion.

10. The hose according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The hose is a floating hose, wherein the outer tube is a floating body.

11. The hose according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The hose is a non-floating hose, wherein the outer tube is a metal pipe.

12. The hose according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The inner tube is made of a flexible polymer.

13. The hose according to claim 12, wherein, The inner tube is reinforced by a layer made of aramid fibers.

14. The hose according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The inner tube includes a wear-resistant ring, which is made of cast iron, hardened steel, or ceramic material.

15. The hose according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein, The outer end of the inner tube includes a metal cylindrical member, and the first flange and the second flange are mounted on the metal cylindrical member.

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