Winder-unwinder device for a dual-fluid flexible hose assembly

Abstract

The invention relates to a winder-unwinder device (1) for a two-fluid flexible hose assembly (2) comprising a first flexible hose (21) and a second flexible hose (22), which device (1) comprises a frame (4) supporting a rotation axis (8), and a drum (5) having a winding area (53) for the two-fluid flexible hose assembly (2) and mounted for rotation about the rotation axis (8) by means of bearings (9) interposed between the rotation axis (8) and the drum (5), characterized in that the device (1) further comprises a first rotating fitting (6) mounted on the rotation axis (8) and through which the first flexible hose (21) is able to be supplied with the first fluid (F1), and a second rotating fitting (7) mounted on the rotation axis (8) and through which the second flexible hose (22) is able to be supplied with the second fluid (F2). Figure to be published with the abbreviation: Fig. 1.

Description

Title of the invention: Winding-unwinding device for a dual-fluid flexible hose assembly

[0001] The technical field of the invention is that of winding and unwinding devices for a flexible longline element.

[0002] The present invention relates to a winder-unwinder device for a bi-fluid flexible hose assembly.

[0003] It will thus be understood that the present invention is particularly suited to application in the field of CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear) decontamination. Advantageously, such decontamination can be carried out by applying a decontamination solution in the form of a foam. The foam allows for the identification of treated areas, ensures a prolonged contact time, and reduces the volume of effluent. This foam can be generated by mixing a decontamination solution with air. The decontamination solution and the air are then conveyed to a spray nozzle via a flexible, dual-fluid hose assembly. The use of a flexible, dual-fluid hose assembly eliminates the need for two separate single-fluid hoses. It is understood that other applications in other fields may also be considered.

[0004] For the separate conveyance of two fluids, it is known in the prior art to use a two-fluid flexible hose assembly comprising two coaxial hoses. For example, U.S. Patent US5720325 describes a fuel pump hose assembly for a gas station comprising two coaxial hoses, one for conveying gasoline over a short distance and the other for venting gasoline vapors escaping from the tank being filled with gasoline from the first hose. It is also known in the prior art to use a two-fluid flexible hose assembly comprising a second hose wound around a first hose. For example, Canadian Patent CA2663958 describes a hose assembly comprising a central hose for conveying a first fluid and an outer hose wound helically around the central hose for conveying a second fluid.

[0005] For spraying liquid or air, it is common to use separate single-fluid hose reels. Such a single-fluid hose reel generally consists of a rotating drum around which a single flexible hose is wound. As disclosed by US patent US5109882, in such a single-fluid hose reel, the coupling between the flexible hose and the rotating drum is achieved by means of a swivel fitting that allows the drum to rotate around its axis of rotation without the hose rotating.

[0006] For the spraying of two fluids conveyed separately, it is known from the prior art, in particular from British patent GB2216097, to wind two separate hoses around the drum of a reel.

[0007] However, such a reel with two separate hoses does not allow for easy deployment and rapid winding. Yet, in situations that may be encountered, particularly in CBRN decontamination, rapid and easy deployment may be necessary. Such a reel is therefore not suitable for CBRN decontamination applications. Furthermore, the two hoses do not necessarily have the same diameter due to the different desired flow rates for the two fluids. This implies having to make drums of different diameters or having different numbers of turns for the two hoses, which complicates hose unwinding. In addition, the longer hose will have a significant number of turns, which risks causing uncontrolled kinking of the unwound hose and thus an obstruction.

[0008] The present invention provides a dual-fluid winder-unwinder device suitable for unwinding and winding a dual-fluid flexible hose assembly, such a device not being available on the market. This device offers operational advantages, particularly in the field of CBRN decontamination.

[0009] Thus, the present invention relates to a winding-unwinding device for a two-fluid flexible hose assembly comprising a first flexible hose and a second flexible hose for the separate conveyance of a first fluid and a second fluid, in particular a gas and a liquid, which device comprises a frame supporting a rotation axis, and a drum having a winding area for the two-fluid flexible hose assembly and mounted for rotation around the rotation axis by means of bearings interposed between the rotation axis and the drum, characterized in that the device further comprises a first rotating fitting mounted on the rotation axis and through which the first flexible hose is able to be supplied with the first fluid, and a second rotating fitting mounted on the rotation axis and through which the second flexible hose is able to be supplied with the second fluid.Thus, the present invention proposes a winder-unwinder device adapted to a dual-fluid flexible hose assembly.

[0010] Preferably, the device further comprises an inlet fitting, received inside the drum, and having a first upstream branch fluidly connected to the first rotary fitting, a second upstream branch fluidly connected to the second rotary fitting, and a downstream branch intended to be fluidly connected to the bi-fluid flexible hose assembly, the first flexible hose being an internal hose and the second flexible hose being an external hose, the internal hose being arranged coaxially within the external hose with a sealed annular space between the hose internal and external pipe. The presence of such an inlet fitting allows the device according to the invention to be adapted to a flexible two-fluid pipe assembly provided with two coaxial pipes.

[0011] Preferably, the inlet fitting is a Y-shaped fitting.

[0012] Preferably, the first swivel fitting is mounted on one of the ends of the rotation axis and the second rotating fitting is mounted on the other end of the rotation axis.

[0013] Preferably, the first swivel fitting is a pneumatic swivel fitting and the second swivel fitting is a hydraulic swivel fitting.

[0014] For example, the first swivel fitting is configured for the passage of a gas, such as air, and the second swivel fitting is configured for the passage of a liquid, such as a liquid decontamination solution.

[0015] Preferably, the drum is capable of being driven in rotation automatically, for example by an electric motor or by a spring integrated into the drum.

[0016] Alternatively, the drum could be adapted to be driven manually.

[0017] The invention will be better understood upon reading the following description, description made in light of the attached drawings, drawings in which:

[0018] [Fig. 1] is a schematic diagram of a winding-unwinding device according to the present invention; and

[0019] [Fig.2] is a schematic diagram, in longitudinal section, showing the connection of a bi-fluid flexible hose assembly intended for use with the device of [Fig.1].

[0020] The device 1 bi-fluid winder-unwinder according to the present invention is adapted for unwinding and winding or rewinding a bi-fluid flexible hose assembly 2.

[0021] If we refer first of all to [Fig.2], we can see that such a 2-flexible-pipe assembly comprises two flexible pipes 21 and 22, namely a first flexible pipe 21 and a second flexible pipe 22, for the separate conveyance of two fluids Fl and F2, namely a first fluid Fl and a second fluid F2, respectively.

[0022] In the schematic diagram of [Fig. 2], the first flexible hose 21 is an internal hose extending inside the second hose 22. This internal hose has a first passage, of a first determined diameter, for conveying a first fluid Fl from a first fluid supply source (not shown) to a spray end of the hose assembly 2. The second flexible hose 22 is an external hose. The internal wall of the external hose is positioned radially at a distance from the first hose 21, coaxially with it, so as to form a second passage between these hoses 21 and 22. The second passage, of a second determined diameter, allows the conveyance of a second fluid F2 from a source The second fluid supply (not shown) is directed to the spray end of pipe assembly 2. The downstream end of each of the first 21 and second 22 pipes, i.e., the fluid outlet end of these pipes 21 and 22, is connected to an outlet fitting 20 where the two conveyed fluids Fl and F2 are mixed. This outlet fitting 20 can in turn be connected to a spray nozzle (not shown).

[0023] The first fluid Fl can be a gas, in particular air, supplied from a first fluid source, in particular a compressed air tank. The second fluid F2 can be a liquid, in particular an aqueous decontamination solution, supplied from a second fluid source. Indeed, in the field of decontamination, decontamination using aqueous decontamination foams reduces the quantity of reagents used and the volume of waste produced. It will be understood that any other desired first or second fluid could be conveyed through the pipes, which are then sized accordingly.

[0024] The assembly 2, a flexible two-fluid hose, is connected to first and second fluid supply sources via an inlet fitting 3 of the device 1 according to the invention. This inlet fitting 3 is a Y-shaped fitting. It has three branches 30, 31, 32, including two upstream branches 31 and 32 and one downstream branch 30. The first upstream branch 31 is intended to be traversed by the first hose 21, the upstream end of which is connected to a first fluid supply source. The second upstream branch 32 is intended to be connected to a second fluid supply source. The downstream branch 30 opens into the flexible two-fluid pipe assembly 2, the upstream end of the second pipe 22 being connected in a sealed manner to an outlet of the downstream branch 30 of the inlet fitting 3 by any suitable means, well known in themselves, and the first pipe 21 also passing through the downstream branch 30.

[0025] If we now refer to [Fig.1], we can see that the bi-fluid winder-unwinder device 1 according to the present invention comprises a frame 4, a drum 5, a pair of rotating fittings 6 and 7 and the inlet fitting 3.

[0026] The frame 4 serves as a support for the device 1, for example to support the device 1 on the ground or on a wall. This frame 4 carries a rotation axis 8 which passes through the drum 5 and is shown here horizontally.

[0027] The drum shaft 8 can, for example, be formed by a shaft 80 in which, each starting from one of its respective end faces in its longitudinal direction, a first bore 81 and a second bore 82 have been formed, the first end of which opens into said respective end face. Each first and second bore 81, 82 extends in the longitudinal direction to a position where At its second end, it opens onto the outer surface of the shaft 80, inside the drum 5.

[0028] The drum 5 comprises a central hub 50 and two lateral flanges 51, 52. The central hub 50 is a tubular structure with a substantially circular cross-section, capable of being rotated about its longitudinal axis. The axis of rotation 8 passes through the central hub 50 along the longitudinal axis of the hub 50, and the drum 5 is mounted for rotation about the axis of rotation 8. In a known manner, to allow such rotation, bearings 9 are interposed between the axis of rotation 8 and the central hub 50 of the drum 5. The inlet fitting 3 is positioned inside the central hub 50, substantially at the center of the device 1. The central hub 50 has a smooth peripheral bearing surface on which the lower turns of the tube assembly 2, intended to be wound around the drum 5, will be arranged. The two lateral flanges 51 and 52 are annular in shape.The cheeks 51 and 52 extend on either side of the central hub 50 and define, together with the peripheral bearing surface of the hub 50, the winding area 53 for all the turns of the pipe assembly 2.

[0029] The pair of swivel fittings 6 and 7 comprises a first swivel fitting 6 and a second swivel fitting 7. Each swivel fitting 6 and 7 is a conventional swivel fitting, preferably a ninety-degree elbow fitting, known per se. The first 6 and second 7 swivel fittings are mounted on opposite ends of the rotation axis 8, facing each other. The first swivel fitting 6, at a first end of the rotation axis 8, has an upstream end 6a intended to be connected to a first fluid supply source outside the drum 5, and a downstream end 6b connected and in fluidic communication with the first flexible hose 21 passing through a first inlet at the first upstream branch 31 of the inlet fitting 3.The second rotary fitting 7, at a second end of the rotation axis 8, has an upstream end 7a intended to be connected to a second fluid supply source outside the drum 5, and a downstream end 7b connected and in fluidic communication with a second inlet at the level of the second upstream branch 32 of the inlet fitting 3.

[0030] In the illustrated example, these connections are made via the first and second holes 81, 82 of the shaft 80. The downstream end 6b of the first swivel fitting 6 is mounted in the first hole 81 and the downstream end 7b of the second swivel fitting 7 is mounted in the second hole 82. The first flexible hose 21 is connected, by any suitable means, well known per se, to the second end of the first hole 81 and the second upstream branch 32 of the inlet fitting 3 is mounted, by any suitable means, well known per se, to the second end of the second hole 82.

[0031] In the case where the first fluid Fl is air and the second fluid F2 is an aqueous decontamination solution, the first swivel fitting 6 is a pneumatic swivel fitting and the second swivel fitting 7 is a hydraulic swivel fitting.

[0032] The device 1 according to the invention, incorporating the inlet fitting 3 and the pair of rotating fittings 6 and 7, allows the dual-fluid flexible hose assembly 2 to be directly connected to the first and second fluid supply sources and to be unwound and rewound onto the device 1 while remaining connected. This eliminates the need to connect the dual-fluid flexible hose assembly 2 to the various supply sources after unwound said assembly 2. The device 1 according to the invention thus allows for easy winding, unwinding, rewinding, and rapid use of a dual-fluid flexible hose assembly 2. For even greater ease of use, it will be understood that the device 1 according to the invention can be motorized to allow automatic rotation of the drum 5 around the axis of rotation 8.Conversely, for reasons of cost and space, the rotation of drum 5, in one direction or the other, can be carried out manually.

[0033] It is understood that the particular embodiment just described has been given by way of indication and not limitation, and that modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

Demands

1. A winder-unwinder device (1) for a two-fluid flexible hose assembly (2) comprising a first flexible hose (21) and a second flexible hose (22) for the separate conveyance of a first fluid (F1) and a second fluid (F2), in particular a gas and a liquid, which device (1) comprises: - a frame (4) supporting a rotation axis (8); and - a drum (5) having a winding zone (53) for the two-fluid flexible hose assembly (2) and mounted for rotation about the rotation axis (8) by means of bearings (9) interposed between the rotation axis (8) and the drum (5); characterized in that the device (1) further comprises: - a first rotating fitting (6) mounted on the rotation axis (8) and through which the first flexible hose (21) is able to be supplied with the first fluid (F1);and - a second rotating fitting (7) mounted on the axis of rotation (8) and through which the second flexible hose (22) is able to be supplied with a second fluid (F2).;

2. Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises an inlet fitting (3), received inside the drum (5), and comprising a first upstream branch (31) fluidly connected to the first rotating fitting (6), a second upstream branch (32) fluidly connected to the second rotating fitting (7), and a downstream branch (30) intended to be fluidly connected to the assembly (2) bi-fluid flexible hose, the first flexible hose (21) being an internal hose and the second flexible hose (22) being an external hose, the internal hose (21) being arranged coaxially in the external hose (22) with a sealed annular space between the internal hose (21) and the external hose (22).

3. Device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the inlet fitting (3) is a Y-shaped fitting.

4. Device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the first swivel joint (6) is mounted on one end of the axis of rotation (8) and the second swivel joint (7) is mounted on the other end of the axis of rotation (8).

5. Device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the first swivel joint (6) is a 8 pneumatic swivel fitting and the second swivel fitting (7) is a hydraulic swivel fitting.

6. Device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the drum (5) is capable of being driven in rotation automatically, for example by an electric motor or by a spring integrated in the drum.

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