Air hose
The problem of poor air tightness and insufficient durability of existing pre-regulated air hoses is solved by using woven polyamide fabrics and adding thermoplastics to the surface coating, welding and seams to strengthen the structure, achieving higher air tightness and durability.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202411342127.1
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2024-09-19
- Filing Date
- 2024-09-25
- Publication Date
- 2025-03-28
AI Technical Summary
Existing pre-regulated air hoses have problems such as poor air tightness and insufficient durability during storage and use, especially when frequently winding and unfolding, they are prone to kinks and damage.
An air hose made of woven polyamide fabric and a thermoplastic is added to its surface coating, and the structure is reinforced by welding and seams to form a sealed and substantially airtight air hose.
Improves air tightness and durability of air hoses, reduces the risk of damage during storage and use, and ensures stability during frequent winding and unfolding.
Smart Images
Figure CN119712973A_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 63 / 540,476, filed on September 26, 2023. The co-pending provisional application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety and made a part hereof, including but not limited to those portions specifically appearing below. Technical Field
[0003] The present invention relates to air hoses. In particular, the present invention relates to air hoses for delivering air, such as pre-conditioned air, to an aircraft. Background Art
[0004] Pre-conditioned air systems are used to deliver cooled or heated air into parked aircraft. When the aircraft is parked and the auxiliary power unit is not operating, air is supplied from the pre-conditioned air unit to the aircraft cabin via an air hose, known as a pre-conditioned air hose. Such an air hose is usually about 18 meters long, and the pre-conditioned air unit is typically mounted to a passenger boarding bridge at an airport.
[0005] One type of pre-conditioned air hose is a flat air hose that can be flattened when deflated and rolled up for storage. This is advantageous because the flattened and rolled up hose roll is relatively small compared to other airport equipment. The roll is compact and can be easily stored on a bridge that is occupied by other equipment. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] Embodiments of the invention will now be described hereinafter, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0007] Figure 1 A first exemplary air hose is illustrated.
[0008] Figure 2 A second exemplary air hose is illustrated.
[0009] Figure 3 The diagram is used to form Figure 1 or Figure 2 An exemplary sheet of air hose.
[0010] Figure 4 Picture shows Figure 3 A cross-section of an exemplary multilayer material of a sheet.
[0011] Figure 5 A coiled air hose is illustrated according to one embodiment.
[0012] Figure 6 Picture shows Figure 5 Detail of the end of a coiled air hose shown.
[0013] Figure 7 A side cross-section of an air hose according to one embodiment is illustrated.
[0014] Figure 8 Picture shows Figure 7 Detail of the edge of the air hose shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] Certain terms used in the following description are for convenience only and are not limiting. The words "right", "left", "lower", "upper", "front", "rear", "upward", "downward" and "downward" refer to directions in the drawings to which reference is made and are relative to the components described when assembled and installed. The words "inward", "inwardly", "outwardly" and "outwardly" refer to directions toward and away from a designated centerline or geometric center (e.g., central axis) of the described elements, respectively, and the specific meaning is apparent from the context of the description.
[0016] Further, as used herein, the terms "connected," "attached," "coupled," and "mounted" are intended to include a direct connection between two components without any other components interposed therebetween, as well as an indirect connection between components with one or more other components interposed therebetween. The terminology includes the words specifically mentioned above, derivatives thereof, and words of similar meaning.
[0017] Further, unless otherwise indicated, the use of ordinal adjectives (such as "first," "second," and "third," etc.) merely indicates different instances of similar objects referred to, and is not intended to imply that the objects so described must be in a given order in time, space, rank, or in any other manner.
[0018] Like reference numerals are used throughout to depict like features.
[0019] Figure 1 A first exemplary air hose 100 is shown. The air hose 100 may be a preconditioned air hose (PCA air hose). In this example, the air hose 100 is formed of a single sheet 104 formed into a tube 102. The sheet 104 includes a woven polyamide fabric and has a weldable surface coating on an inner surface 112 and extending along edges 110a and 110b. In an example, the weldable surface coating is disposed over the entire inner surface 112 of the sheet 104, or only along edges 110a and 110b.
[0020] As shown, the tube 102 is formed by welding the edge 110a and the edge 110b to each other at the weld 106. In particular, the inner surfaces 112 of the edge 110a and the edge 110b are welded to each other to join the weldable surface coating and form the weld 106.
[0021] The weldable surface coating includes a thermoplastic, such as a thermoplastic polyurethane or polyester-based urethane coating. Accordingly, the weld 106 can be formed by pressing the edge 110a and the edge 110b together and heating so that the inner surface 112 is welded together. A heated roller can be used to press and heat the edge 110a and the edge 110b. Advantageously, the weld 106 forms a seal and is substantially airtight, such as airtight.
[0022] As shown, preferably, a stitch 108 is provided through the weld 106. The stitch 108 strengthens the weld 106 and improves the durability of the air hose 100. Advantageously, by providing the stitch 108 within the weld 106, the stitch 108 does not reduce the air tightness of the tube 102. In examples, the stitches 108 form a continuous row of stitching along the length of the air hose 100, and in other examples, the stitches 108 may be in spaced-apart groups. There may be more than one row of stitches 108 through the weld 106, and these rows of stitches 108 may be straight or non-linear.
[0023] The ends of the air hose 100 may be provided with attachment features for coupling a first end of the air hose 100 to an air source, such as a pre-conditioned air unit (PCA unit), and for coupling a second end to an aircraft or to a connector for connecting to an aircraft. The attachment features may include hook-and-loop fasteners (e.g., Velcro), straps, attachment brackets, or the like.
[0024] Figure 2 A second exemplary air hose 200 is shown. The air hose 200 may be a pre-conditioned air hose (PCA air hose). In this example, the air hose 200 has a first sheet 204 and a second sheet 206 formed into a tube 202. The first sheet 204 and the second sheet 206 both include a woven polyamide fabric having a weldable surface coating on an inner surface 220. The weldable surface coating extends along a first edge 210 and a second edge 212 of the first sheet 204 and extends along a first edge 214 and a second edge 216 of the second sheet 206. In an example, the weldable surface coating is disposed over the entire inner surface 220 of the first sheet 204 and the second sheet 206, or is disposed only along the first edge 210, the second edge 212, the first edge 214, and the second edge 216.
[0025] As shown, the tube 202 is formed by joining the first edge 210 of the first sheet 204 to the first edge 214 of the second sheet 206 at a first weld 208a, and by joining the second edge 212 of the first sheet 204 to the second edge 216 of the second sheet 206 at a second weld 208b. In particular, the inner surfaces 220 of the first sheet 204 and the second sheet 206 are welded along their edges to join the weldable surface coating and form the first weld 208a and the second weld 208b.
[0026] The weldable surface coating includes a thermoplastic, such as a thermoplastic polyurethane or polyester-based urethane coating. Accordingly, the first weld 208a can be formed by pressing the first edge 210 of the first sheet 204 and the first edge 214 of the second sheet 206 together and heating, and the second weld 208b can be formed by pressing the second edge 212 of the first sheet 204 and the second edge 216 of the second sheet 206 together and heating. A heated roller can be used to press and heat the edges. Advantageously, the first weld 208a and the second weld 208b are sealed and substantially airtight, such as airtight.
[0027] As shown, preferably, the first weld 208a and the second weld 208b are penetrated with stitches 218. The stitches 218 strengthen the first weld 208a and the second weld 208b and improve the durability of the air hose 200. Advantageously, by providing the stitches 218 within the first weld 208a and the second weld 208b, the stitches 218 do not reduce the air tightness of the tube 202. In an example, the stitches 218 form a continuous row of stitches along the length of the air hose 200, and in other examples, the stitches 218 may be in spaced-apart groups. There may be more than one row of stitches 218 passing through the first weld 208a and the second weld 208b, and the rows of stitches 218 may be straight or non-linear.
[0028] The ends of the air hose 200 may be provided with attachment features for coupling a first end of the air hose 200 to an air source, such as a pre-conditioned air unit (PCA unit), and for coupling a second end to an aircraft or to a connector for connecting to an aircraft. The attachment features may include hook-and-loop fasteners (e.g., VELCRO closures), straps, attachment brackets, or the like.
[0029] Figure 3 A sheet 300 is shown which may be used as Figure 1 The sheet 104 of the air hose 100 or used as Figure 2 The first sheet 204 or the second sheet 206 of the air hose 200. The sheet 300 is shown from the inner surface 310.
[0030] The sheet 300 comprises a woven polyamide fabric, such as nylon. A suitable example material is Cordura (TM) sold by Invista (TM).
[0031] The sheet 300 extends to a length corresponding to the length of the air hose in the longitudinal direction 308. As shown, the sheet 300 includes a first edge 302 and a second edge 304. The first edge 302 and the second edge 304 are on opposite sides of the sheet 300. The first edge 302 and the second edge 304 are edges extending in the longitudinal direction 308.
[0032] As shown, in this example, a weldable surface coating 306 is disposed on the first edge 302 and the second edge 304. In some examples, the weldable surface coating 306 extends over the entire inner surface 310, or may be limited to the first edge 302 and the second edge 304.
[0033] The weldable surface coating 306 comprises a thermoplastic, such as a thermoplastic polyurethane or polyester-based urethane coating.
[0034] In order to make Figure 1 In the air hose 100 , the first edge 302 may be folded over the second edge 304 so that their inner surfaces 310 face each other, and then the first edge 302 and the second edge 304 may be welded together and optionally sewn.
[0035] In order to make Figure 2 The air hose 200 may provide a second sheet having the same features as the illustrated sheet 300 and may be Figure 2 The edges of sheet 300 and a second sheet are shown welded together.
[0036] Figure 4 shows a cross that can be used as a reference Figure 3 A cross-section of a multi-layer material 400 of the depicted sheet 300. As shown, the multi-layer material 400 includes an inner surface 412 and has a weldable surface coating 306 disposed along opposing edges of the multi-layer material 400 as previously described.
[0037] The multilayer material 400 includes an inner layer 402, an outer layer 404, and an insulating layer 406. The inner layer 402 includes a woven polyamide fabric, such as nylon. A suitable example material is Cordura (TM) sold by Invista (TM). The inner layer 402 can have a denier of about 400D. A weldable surface coating 306 is disposed on the inner layer 402.
[0038] Preferably, the outer layer 404 also comprises a woven polyamide fabric, such as nylon. A suitable example material is Cordura (TM) sold by Invista (TM). The outer layer 404 may have a denier of about 1000D, thereby providing adequate protection for the inner layer 402.
[0039] The thermal insulation layer 406 preferably comprises a woven fabric, such as woven polyethylene, and includes a foil 408 facing the inner surface 412 .
[0040] The inner layer 402, outer layer 404, and insulation layer 406 may be joined as a laminate, or only at spaced locations. In some examples, the outer layer 404 and insulation layer 406 may be attached by multiple rows of stitches extending longitudinally along the air hose, and the inner layer 402 may be joined to the insulation layer 406 only at the welds. This construction ensures that the inner layer 402 maintains airtightness and is protected by the outer layer 404 and insulation layer 406.
[0041] In some examples, as shown, one or more elastic strips 410 may be provided within the multilayer material 400. In an example, the elastic strips 410 are longitudinally disposed along the multilayer material 400 (e.g., Figure 3 The elastic strip 410 extends in the longitudinal direction 308 shown in the figure and helps prevent the air hose from kinking during use. The elastic strip 410 can make the air hose collapse in the radial direction when not in use (not stretched or inflated). The elastic strip 410 is preferably attached (e.g., adhered, welded and / or sewn) to the outer layer 404, in particular the inner surface of the outer layer 404.
[0042] Figure 5 A third exemplary air hose 500 is shown. The air hose 500 may be a pre-conditioned air hose (PCA air hose). In this example, the air hose 500 may be formed using a sheet 300 and / or using multiple layers of material 400 as in the air hose 100 or the air hose 200 (each as described above). Figure 5 Shows that there is Figure 6 Detail 6 of the rolled up air hose shown. Figure 7 A cross section of an air hose 500 is shown, Figure 8 A detail of this cross section is shown.
[0043] Similar to the above embodiment, the air hose 500 may include an inner layer 502 and an outer layer 504 and a middle insulating layer 508 (such as a foil). An outer fabric 520 may be joined along each edge of the air hose 500 (such as by sewing as described above) to form a fringe.
[0044] Figure 6Detail of the end of the air hose 500 is shown. In this detail, it can be understood that one or more vents 550 are formed in one or both ends of the air hose 500. The vents 550 are preferably formed in the outer layer 504, preferably arranged near but not directly along the ends of the air hose 500. In this way, the air hose 500 can be as Figure 5 As shown rolled up, any trapped air that enters can escape through the end air hose 500 or through a suitable vent 550. Alternatively or additionally, the vent 550 can be replaced with a breathable outer layer 504 and / or small holes throughout the entire length of the air hose 500.
[0045] like Figure 6 As shown, each end of the air hose 500 may include a sewing line 515 to close each end of the air hose 500. The vents 550 should not interfere with such sewing lines 515, and are preferably arranged at a distance from each sewing line 515. In addition and as described above, an attachment feature 530 (such as a VELCRO closure) may be formed at one or both ends of the air hose.
[0046] It should be appreciated that the vent 550 described in conjunction with the air hose 500 may alternatively be used in the embodiments of the air hose 100 , the air hose 200 , the sheet 300 , and / or the multi-layer material 400 described above.
[0047] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the above detailed examples are described by way of example only without any limiting meaning, and that various changes and modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. Various modifications to the above detailed examples are possible.
[0048] In the description and claims of this document, the words "comprise" and "contain" and their variations mean "including but not limited to", and they are not intended to (and do not) exclude other parts, additives, components, integral bodies or steps. Throughout the description part and claims of this specification, the singular encompasses the plural, unless the context requires otherwise. In particular, where the indefinite article is used, this specification should be understood as contemplating plural as well as singular forms, unless the context requires otherwise.
[0049] Features, integers, characteristics, compounds, chemical moieties or groups described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment or example of the invention are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described herein unless incompatible therewith. All features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) and / or all steps of any method or process so disclosed may be combined in any combination, except for at least some mutually exclusive combinations of such features and / or steps. The invention is not limited to the details of any foregoing embodiments. The invention extends to any novel feature or any novel combination of features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract or drawings), or to any novel step or any novel combination of steps in any of the steps of the method or process so disclosed.
Claims
1. An air hose comprising a woven polyamide fabric having an edge, a weldable surface coating extending along the edge, and a weld extending along the edge to form a tube.
2. The air hose of claim 1, comprising a multi-layer material having an inner layer and an outer layer, wherein: The inner layer comprises the woven polyamide fabric and the weldable surface coating, and wherein the inner layer is welded along the edge to form the weld.
3. The air hose according to claim 2, wherein: The outer layer comprises a woven polyamide fabric.
4. The air hose of claim 2, further comprising one or more vent holes disposed in the outer layer toward at least one end of the air hose.
5. The air hose according to claim 2, wherein: The multi-layer material further includes an insulation layer between the inner layer and the outer layer.
6. The air hose according to claim 5, wherein: The thermal insulation layer comprises a foil.
7. The air hose according to claim 1, wherein The weldable surface coating comprises a thermoplastic, such as a thermoplastic polyurethane, or a polyester-based urethane coating.
8. The air hose according to claim 1, wherein The woven polyamide fabric includes a first edge and a second edge, each of the first edge and the second edge including the weldable surface coating, and wherein the first edge is welded to the second edge to form the weld.
9. The air hose of claim 1, comprising a first sheet and a second sheet, each of the first sheet and the second sheet comprising the woven polyamide fabric, wherein: Each of the first sheet and the second sheet includes a weldable surface coating extending along a first edge and a second edge, wherein the first edge of the first sheet is welded to the first edge of the second sheet to form a first weld, and wherein the second edge of the first sheet is welded to the second edge of the second sheet to form a second weld.
10. The air hose according to claim 1, wherein The weld further includes a seam line.
11. The air hose according to claim 10, wherein The seam extends substantially continuously along the weld seam.
12. The air hose of claim 1, further comprising one or more vents disposed along at least one end of the air hose.
13. A method of manufacturing an air hose, the method comprising: Providing a woven polyamide fabric having an edge and a weldable surface coating extending along the edge, and The tube is formed by welding the edges to form a weld extending along the edges.
14. The method of claim 13, comprising: providing a first sheet and a second sheet, each of the first sheet and the second sheet comprising the woven polyamide fabric, a first edge, a second edge, and a weldable surface coating extending along the first edge and the second edge, welding a first edge of the first sheet to a first edge of the second sheet to form a first weld, and A second edge of the first sheet is welded to a second edge of the second sheet to form a second weld.
15. The method of claim 13, further comprising stitching through the weld.
16. The method of claim 13, further comprising providing one or more vent holes along at least one end of the air hose.