Collapse-Resistant Hose Fitting Assembly With Inner-Layer Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Hose fitting assemblies in high-pressure subsea applications face challenges with seawater ingress at the interface with the fitting assembly, leading to corrosion and potential failure, due to inadequate sealing.

Innovation Solution

A hose fitting assembly design that includes a sleeve, a fitting with a radially flared rearward end portion, and a nipple, which allows for sealing against the inner layer of the hose, enhancing sealing performance and reducing assembly complexity by crimping the fitting assembly onto the inner layer, thereby improving burst pressure resistance and assembly repeatability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional crimping methods are used on collapse-resistant hoses, then assembly simplicity is maintained, but sealing performance deteriorates allowing seawater ingress

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing performanceVSAvoidassembly structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fitting assembly is divided into multiple functional components: a crimping section for mechanical attachment, a sealing section with seals that contact the hose carcass, and a reinforcement section. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in its function, achieving reliable sealing without overly complicating the overall assembly process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Sealing elements (seals) are introduced as intermediary components between the fitting and the hose carcass. These seals act as mediators that create the actual sealing barrier against seawater ingress, while the crimping structure provides the mechanical force to compress them into sealing contact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If the carcass is manipulated by removing or cutting portions, then fitting installation becomes possible, but manufacturing difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefitting installationVSAvoidcarcass manipulation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hose end is prepared in advance by removing the outer sheath layer to expose the carcass before fitting installation. This preliminary action creates the necessary access for seal contact and crimping operations, making the subsequent fitting installation process straightforward and repeatable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If seals are positioned to engage the outer sheath layer, then assembly is simplified, but sealing effectiveness deteriorates under high external pressure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoidassembly process
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Different sealing strategies are applied at different locations: the primary seals contact the carcass where high pressure resistance is critical, while the crimping structure provides secondary containment. This local differentiation of sealing quality ensures effectiveness under high external pressure while maintaining reasonable assembly simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4198364B1Fitting assembly for collapse-resistant hose and method of assembling thereof
Publication Date: 2024.09.18 PARKER HANNIFIN CORP
  • EP4198364B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4198364B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B
  • EP4198364B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~5B

AI summary

A hose fitting assembly for a collapse-resistant hose, includes a sleeve (214) having a forward and rearward sleeve end portion, the rearward sleeve end portion having an opening adapted to receive a hose end portion; a fitting (216) having an optionally flared rearward fitting end portion, the rearward fitting end portion having an internal surface forming an internal cavity configured to receive the hose end portion; and a threaded nipple (218) operatively couplable to the fitting and extending rearwardly through the internal cavity of the fitting, the nipple being configured to fit within an internal hose passage. The fitting assembly may include a seal (220) mounted in fitting (216) and sealable against the core tube upon crimping. The fitting assembly may include a support ring between skived and unskived hose regions. A collapse-resistant hose includes a carcass with an optional unbonded sacrificial layer is also provided.