Double-walled hose with exhaust port

Abstract

A hose assembly includes an inner core tube, a metal outer tube, a first coupling member, and a first collar. The first coupling member has an inboard nose portion extending into a first end of the inner core tube. The metal outer tube surrounds the inner core tube and terminates in an axially inboard first end of the first end of the inner core tube, with an outer cavity disposed between the inner core tube and the metal outer tube. The first collar has an outboard clamping portion surrounding the nose portion for clamping retention of the first end of the inner core tube therebetween, and an inboard vent portion welded to the first end of the metal outer tube, with the inboard vent portion including a vent port in fluid communication with the outer cavity.

Description

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority and all benefits to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63 / 024,691, entitled “Double-Layer Hose with Vent Port,” filed May 14, 2020, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This disclosure relates to flexible hose assemblies for fluid containment and transport between two points under various pressures and temperatures, and methods of manufacturing such hose assemblies. More specifically, this disclosure relates to multilayer or “hybrid” flexible hose assemblies having a first layer providing a first property (e.g., cleanability) and a second layer providing a second property (e.g., airtightness). Summary of the Invention

[0004] According to one or more embodiments of the invention disclosed herein, a hose assembly includes an inner core tube, a metal outer tube, a first connecting member, and a first collar. The first connecting member has an inner nose extending into a first end of the inner core tube. The metal outer tube surrounds the inner core tube and terminates at an axially inward first end of the first end of the inner core tube, wherein an outer cavity is disposed between the inner core tube and the metal outer tube. The first collar has an outer clamping portion surrounding the nose for clamping and holding the first end of the inner core tube therebetween, and an inner venting portion welded to the first end of the metal outer tube, wherein the inner venting portion includes an vent port in fluid communication with the outer cavity. In an exemplary arrangement, the outer end of the outer clamping portion has a first inner diameter, the first inner diameter being sized to accommodate the first flared end of the inner core tube, the inner end of the outer clamping portion includes a radially inward protrusion having a second inner diameter smaller than the first inner diameter and sized to prevent the first flared end of the inner core tube from being withdrawn from the first collar, and the inner venting portion has a third inner diameter larger than the second inner diameter and sized to allow fluid to flow between the outer cavity and the venting port.

[0005] According to another embodiment of one or more of the inventions proposed in this disclosure, a method for manufacturing a hose assembly is contemplated. In an exemplary method, an inner portion of a first collar is welded to a first end of a metal outer tube, wherein the inner portion of the first collar includes an exhaust port. An inner core tube is installed through the metal outer tube such that a first end of the inner core tube is aligned with an outer portion of the first collar, wherein an outer cavity is disposed between the inner core tube and the metal outer tube and is in fluid communication with the exhaust port. A nose of a first connecting member is inserted into the first end of the inner core tube such that the first end of the inner core tube is flared to be clamped and held between the nose and the outer portion of the first collar.

[0006] According to another embodiment of one or more of the inventions proposed in this disclosure, a method of using a hose assembly is contemplated. The hose assembly includes an outer metal tube having a first permeability and an inner core tube having a second permeability greater than the first permeability. The inner core tube defines an inner channel and an outer cavity between the inner core tube and the outer metal tube. A first end of the inner core tube is secured between an inner nose portion and an outer ring portion of a coupling welded to the outer metal tube. In an exemplary method, a positive-pressure gaseous fluid is supplied to the inner channel such that a portion of the positive-pressure gaseous fluid permeates through the inner core tube into the outer cavity. A vacuum is applied to an exhaust port in the outer ring portion to remove said portion of the positive-pressure gaseous fluid from the outer cavity. With the positive pressure in the outer cavity eliminated, the remaining positive-pressure gaseous fluid is vented from the inner channel. Attached Figure Description

[0007] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary double-walled hose assembly;

[0008] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of a double-walled hose assembly including an exhaust collar portion according to an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure; and

[0009] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of a double-walled hose assembly including a collar portion with a welded exhaust adapter, according to another exemplary embodiment of this disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0010] While various inventive aspects, concepts, and features of the invention may be described and shown herein as being embodied in combination in exemplary embodiments, these aspects, concepts, and features may be used individually or in various combinations and sub-combinations in many alternative embodiments. All such combinations and sub-combinations are intended to fall within the scope of the invention unless expressly excluded herein. Furthermore, while various alternative embodiments of various aspects, concepts, and features of the invention—such as alternative materials, structures, configurations, methods, circuits, devices and components, software, hardware, control logic, alternatives in formation, assembly, and function, etc.—may be described herein, such description is not intended to be a complete or exhaustive list of available alternative embodiments (whether currently known or developed hereafter). Those skilled in the art will readily use one or more of the inventive aspects, concepts, or features in other embodiments and uses within the scope of the invention, even if such embodiments are not expressly disclosed herein. Additionally, even if some features, concepts, or aspects of the invention are described herein as preferred arrangements or methods, such description is not intended to imply that such features are necessary or essential unless expressly stated otherwise. Furthermore, exemplary or representative values ​​and ranges may be included to aid in understanding this disclosure; however, such values ​​and ranges should not be interpreted in a limiting sense and are intended to be critical values ​​or ranges only where explicitly stated. Unless otherwise explicitly stated, parameters identified as “about” or “approximately” are intended to include both the specified value and values ​​within 10% of the specified value. Additionally, it should be understood that the accompanying drawings may, but are not necessarily, drawn to scale and are therefore to be understood as teaching various ratios and proportions apparent in the drawings. Moreover, while aspects, features, and concepts may be explicitly identified herein as having inventive step or forming part of the invention, such identification is not intended to be exclusive but may exist in a way that is fully described herein but not explicitly identified or identified as part of a particular invention, but which is alternatively set forth in the appended claims. Descriptions of exemplary methods or processes are not limited to including all steps required in all cases, and the order in which steps are presented should not be construed as necessary or essential unless explicitly stated otherwise.

[0011] Many applications require flexible hoses to provide fluid connections between two points in a fluid system. The flexibility of the hose allows for various fluid routing requirements, thermal expansion, misalignment, and intermittent or continuous bending (e.g., due to system vibration). In addition to flexibility, different hose characteristics may need to be considered when used in a particular fluid system, including, for example, system temperature, system pressure, chemical compatibility, contamination resistance, and permeability. In some applications, multilayer or “hybrid” flexible hoses may be configured with an inner core providing a desired first characteristic and an outer tube providing a desired second characteristic. While the inner and outer tubes may be laminated or otherwise attached to each other, in some embodiments, the inner and outer tubes may be separate from each other and even radially spaced apart, for example, to facilitate hose assembly or function.

[0012] Figure 1 An exemplary prior art hose assembly 1 comprising a plastic inner core tube 10 and a corrugated metal outer tube 20 is shown, which is described in more detail in European Patent Publication No. EP2327914B1 (“914 Patent”), the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. The end 11 of the inner core tube 10 is fitted onto the nose 33 of a connecting member 32, and a collar 31 is fitted onto the end of the inner core tube to radially clamp the end 11 against the connecting members 32 to form a connector 30 fixed to the end of the inner core tube. A flange portion 322 of the connecting member is welded (e.g., rail-welded) at W1 to an outer flange portion 312 of the collar 31, and an end 21 of the metal outer tube 20 is welded (e.g., rail-welded) to an inner flange portion 311 of the collar 31. Another exemplary dual-layer hybrid hose arrangement is described in commonly owned U.S. Patent No. 10,591,092 (“092 Patent”), the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0013] In a dual-layer hybrid hose arrangement (e.g., the hose of the '914 patent), a plastic inner core can be selected to achieve excellent fluid compatibility, and a corrugated metal outer tube can be selected to achieve air tightness (e.g., less than about 1 x 10⁻⁶). -5 scc / sec (cubic centimeters per second) or approximately 1 x 10 -9 scc / sec and approximately 1x10 -7 (between scc / sec) to compensate for the relatively high permeability of the inner core tube (e.g., greater than about 1 x 10). -4 scc / sec, or approximately 1x10 -3 scc / sec and approximately 1x10 -2 (between scc / sec). For example, the inner core tube may include at least one of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or perfluoroalkoxyalkane (PFA), while the outer metal tube may include stainless steel (e.g., 316SS).

[0014] In hybrid hose assemblies with a highly permeable inner tube and a less permeable outer tube, certain challenges may arise from system fluid permeating through the wall of the inner tube into the external annular cavity between the inner and outer tubes. For example, in applications where pressurized gas has already permeated into the outer annular cavity, rapid decompression of the internal hose passages can cause the inner tube to be compressed inward or collapse by the pressurized gas in the outer annular cavity. As another example, in applications where the hose is used with a first pressurized gas that has permeated into the outer annular cavity and subsequently with a second fluid, the first pressurized gas may permeate through the wall of the inner tube into the internal hose passages, thereby contaminating the second fluid.

[0015] According to one aspect of this disclosure, the outer tube of the double-layered hybrid hose may be provided with one or more vent ports (e.g., integrally formed with or connected to a component having one or more vent ports) to allow controlled discharge or venting of any fluid in the radial space or outer annular cavity between the inner and outer tubes of the hose (e.g., due to pressurized gas in the inner hose passage permeating into the outer cavity of the hose through the permeable inner tube). Discharge or venting of pressurized gas from the outer cavity can prevent the inner tube from compressing or collapsing inward when the inner hose passage is rapidly depressurized, and can prevent contamination of the gaseous fluid in the inner hose passage by pressurized second gaseous fluid remaining in the outer cavity of the hose (e.g., from previous hose applications) and permeating inward through the wall of the inner tube.

[0016] In such an arrangement, such as Figure 2 As shown, the double-layer hybrid hose 100, having a plastic inner core tube 110 and a corrugated metal outer tube 120, includes a welded connection joint 130 with an exhaust port 148. Similar to the above... Figure 1 In the embodiments shown and described above, as well as those described in the '914 patent incorporated above, the welded joint 130 includes a collar 131 welded to a metal outer tube 120 and a connecting member 132 fixed to the collar (e.g., welded) for clamping a first end 111 of the inner core tube 110 between an outer clamping portion 137 of the collar 131 and a nose 133 of a connecting member 132 inserted into the first end 111 of the inner core tube. The end of the nose 133 may be narrowed or tapered to facilitate insertion and flaring of the core tube end 111. In the illustrated example, the flange portion 135 of the connecting member 132 is fixed (e.g., track-welded at w1) to the outer flange portion 134 of the collar 131.

[0017] In the illustrated embodiment, the outer end 137a of the outer clamping portion 137 of the collar 131 has a first inner diameter d1, the first inner diameter d1 being sized to accommodate the first end 111 of the flared opening of the inner core tube 110, and the inner end 137b of the outer clamping portion includes a radially inward protrusion 138 having a second inner diameter d2, the second inner diameter d2 being smaller than the first inner diameter d1 and sized to prevent the first end of the flared opening of the inner core tube from being withdrawn from the collar. An exhaust port 148 is disposed on the inner exhaust portion 147 of the collar having a third inner diameter d3, the third inner diameter d3 being larger than the second inner diameter d2 and sized to allow fluid to flow between the exhaust port 148 and the outer annular cavity C located between the inner core tube 110 and the outer metal tube 120, for example by maintaining at least a minimum gap between the collar exhaust portion 147 and the inner core tube 110. Exhaust port 148 may include a fitting 143 or other connector (e.g., integrally formed with or welded to collar 131) to facilitate connection of the exhaust port to purge line 150, for example, to apply a vacuum (e.g., any pressure below the external cavity pressure) to the external cavity C through exhaust port 148, or to supply purge gas to the external cavity through exhaust port. As shown, the inner end 147b of exhaust section 147 includes a weld end 149 (e.g., a flange) sized to facilitate welding (at w2) to end 121 of outer metal tube 120 (e.g., welding to the outer corrugations of corrugated outer metal tube).

[0018] In an exemplary method of manufacturing the exhaust mixing hose assembly 100, the weld end 149 of the collar 131 is welded to the end 121 of the outer metal tube 120 (e.g., rail welding). The inner core tube 110 is mounted through the outer metal tube 120 such that a first end of the inner core tube is aligned with the outer portion 137a of the collar 131 (e.g., at position 137c corresponding to the outer end of the mounted nose 133), wherein an outer cavity C is disposed between the inner core tube and the outer metal tube and is in fluid communication with the exhaust port. The nose 133 of the connecting member 132 is inserted into the first end 111 of the inner core tube 110 such that a flange portion 135 of the connecting member 132 abuts against the outer flange portion 134 of the collar 131, such that the first end of the core tube is flared to be held clamped between the nose 133 and the outer clamping portion 137 of the collar 131. The flange portion 135 of the connecting member 132 is then welded to the outer flange portion 134 of the collar 131.

[0019] Although the clamping portion 137 and the venting portion 147 of the collar 131 can be integrally formed in a single integral collar component, such as Figure 2 As shown, but in other embodiments, the collar may be formed by a clamping member fixed to (e.g., welded to) the exhaust adapter, for example, to facilitate the manufacture or formation of the clamping portion and the exhaust portion of the collar.

[0020] exist Figure 3 In the illustrated embodiment, the double-layer hybrid hose 200 having a plastic inner core tube 210 and a corrugated metal outer tube 220 includes: a welded coupling 230 having a collar 231 formed by a clamping member 239 defining an outer clamping portion 237, a radially inward protrusion 238, and an outer flange portion 234 of the collar 231; and an exhaust adapter 240 defining an inner exhaust portion 247, an exhaust port 248, and a welded end flange 249 welded (e.g., track welded at w2) to an end 221 of the metal outer tube 220 (e.g., welded to the outer corrugation of the corrugated metal tube). In the illustrated example, the exhaust adapter 240 includes an outer end (e.g., flange) 242 welded (e.g., track welded at w3) to an inner end (e.g., flange) 236 of the clamping member 239.

[0021] Similar to Figure 1 and Figure 2 In one embodiment, the connecting member 232 is fixed (e.g., welded) to a collar to hold the first end 211 of the inner core tube 210 between the outer clamping portion 237 of the collar 231 and the nose 233 of the connecting member 232 inserted into the first end 211 of the inner core tube. The end of the nose 233 may be narrowed or tapered to facilitate insertion and flaring of the core tube end 211. In the illustrated example, the flange portion 235 of the connecting member 232 is fixed (e.g., track-welded at w1) to the outer flange portion 234 of the collar 231.

[0022] In the illustrated embodiment, the outer end 237a of the outer clamping portion 237 of the clamping member 239 has a first inner diameter d1, which is sized to accommodate the first end 211 of the flared opening of the inner core tube 210. The inner end 237b of the outer clamping portion includes a radially inward protrusion 238 having a second inner diameter d2, which is smaller than the first inner diameter d1 and is sized to prevent the first end of the flared opening of the inner core tube from being withdrawn from the collar. The inner venting portion 247 of the venting adapter 240 has a third inner diameter d3, which is larger than the second inner diameter d2 and is sized to allow fluid to flow between the venting port 248 and the external annular cavity C located between the inner core tube 210 and the outer metal tube 220, for example by maintaining at least a minimum gap between the venting portion 247 and the inner core tube 210. The exhaust port 248 may include a fitting 243 (e.g., integrally formed with or welded to the exhaust adapter 240) or other connectors to facilitate connection of the exhaust port to the purge line 250, for example, to apply a vacuum (e.g., any pressure below the external cavity pressure) to the external cavity C through the exhaust port 248, or to supply purge gas to the external cavity through the exhaust port.

[0023] In an exemplary method of producing the exhaust mixing hose assembly 200, the outer end 242 of the exhaust adapter 240 is welded to the inner end 236 of the clamping member 239 to form a welded collar assembly 231. The welded end 249 of the exhaust adapter 240 is welded to the end 221 of the outer metal tube 220, and the inner core tube 210 is mounted through the outer metal tube 220 such that a first end 211 of the inner core tube is aligned with the outer portion 237a of the clamping member 239 (e.g., at a position 237c corresponding to the outer end of the mounted nose 233), wherein an outer cavity C is disposed between the inner core tube and the outer metal tube and is in fluid communication with the exhaust port. The nose 233 of the connecting member 232 is inserted into the first end 211 of the inner core tube 210, such that the flange portion 235 of the connecting member 232 is adjacent to the outer flange portion 234 of the clamping member 239, and the first end 211 of the core tube is flared to be clamped and held between the nose 233 and the outer clamping portion 237 of the clamping member 239. Then the flange portion 235 of the connecting member 232 is welded to the outer flange portion 234 of the clamping member 239.

[0024] In use, to vent pressurized gas fluid from the outer cavity C of hose assemblies 100, 200 (e.g., before depressurization of the internal hose passage P, or before using the hose for a different gas fluid), vent ports 148, 248 may be connected to purge lines 150, 250 (e.g., hoses or tubes) to allow release of pressurized gas (e.g., to atmospheric or vacuum pressure) or to provide continuous venting of pressurized gas fluid from the outer cavity C. In another arrangement, purge gas may be applied to vent ports 148, 248, wherein the purge gas travels the length of the outer cavity to vent fluid through vent ports at opposite ends of hoses 100, 200 (e.g., through vent ports in the collar portion of a welded connector on opposite ends of the metal outer tube). Vent ports 148, 248 may be plugged when not needed (e.g., in low-pressure gas services) and may include any suitable end connector, including, for example, a tube-to-tube weld joint (as shown) or a tube fitting connection. Although the illustrated embodiment shows a single exhaust port 148, in other embodiments, more than one exhaust port may be provided.

[0025] The inventive aspects have been described with reference to exemplary embodiments. Modifications and alterations will arise in the minds of others upon reading and understanding this specification. The intent is to include all such modifications and alterations, provided they fall within the scope of the appended claims or their equivalents.

Claims

1. A hose assembly comprising: Inner core tube; The first connecting member has an inner nose extending into the first end of the flared opening of the inner core tube; A metal outer tube surrounding the inner core tube and terminating at an axially inward first end of the first end of the inner core tube, wherein an outer cavity is disposed between the inner core tube and the metal outer tube; and The first set of rings has the following characteristics: An outer clamping portion, which surrounds the nose portion, is used to clamp and hold the first end of the inner core tube therebetween; and An inner exhaust portion is welded to the first end of the outer metal tube, and the inner exhaust portion includes an exhaust port that is in fluid communication with the outer cavity; in: The outer end of the outer clamping portion has a first inner diameter, the size of which is designed to accommodate the first end of the flared opening of the inner core tube. The inner end of the outer clamping portion includes a radially inward protrusion having a second inner diameter smaller than the first inner diameter, and its size is designed to prevent the flared first end of the inner core tube from retracting from the first collar; and The inner exhaust portion has a third inner diameter, which is larger than the second inner diameter and is sized to allow fluid to flow between the outer cavity and the exhaust port.

2. The hose assembly of claim 1, wherein the first collar includes a first clamping member defining the outer clamping portion and a first exhaust port adapter defining the inner exhaust portion.

3. The hose assembly of claim 2, wherein the first clamping member is welded to the first exhaust port adapter.

4. The hose assembly of claim 1, wherein the inner vent portion and the outer clamping portion are integral.

5. The hose assembly of claim 1, wherein the outer clamping portion of the first collar is welded to the first connecting member.

6. The hose assembly of claim 1, wherein the outer clamping portion of the first collar includes an outer radial flange adjacent to the outer radial flange of the first connecting member.

7. The hose assembly of claim 6, wherein the outer radial flange of the first collar is welded to the outer radial flange of the first connecting member.

8. The hose assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the inner core tube comprises plastic.

9. The hose assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the inner core tube comprises at least one of PTFE and PFA.

10. The hose assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the inner core tube has a diameter greater than 1 x 10 mm. -4 Air permeability scc / sec.

11. The hose assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the metal outer tube comprises stainless steel.

12. The hose assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the metal outer tube has a diameter of less than 1 x 10 mm. - 5 Air permeability scc / sec.

13. The hose assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the outer metal tube comprises a corrugated flexible metal tube.

14. The hose assembly of claim 13, wherein the outer corrugation of the farmost corrugation of the corrugated flexible metal tube is welded to the inner end of the inner vent portion of the first collar.

15. The hose assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising: A second connecting member having an inner nose extending into a second end of the inner core tube; And a second collar having an outer clamping portion and an inner venting portion, the outer clamping portion surrounding the nose of the second connecting member for clamping and holding the second end of the inner core tube therebetween, the inner venting portion being welded to the second end of the outer metal tube and radially spaced from the inner core tube, the inner venting portion of the second collar including an venting port in fluid communication with the outer cavity.

16. A method of using a hose assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, the method comprising: A positive pressure gaseous fluid is supplied to the internal channel of the inner core tube, so that a portion of the positive pressure gaseous fluid permeates through the inner core tube into the outer cavity; A vacuum is applied to the exhaust port to remove the portion of the positive-pressure gaseous fluid from the external cavity; as well as After the positive pressure in the outer cavity is eliminated, the remaining positive pressure gaseous fluid is vented from the inner channel.

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