Flexible Hose Continuity Indicators for Imminent Rupture Detection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Flexible hoses made of plastic, silicone, or rubber deteriorate over time due to bending stresses, pressurized fluids, and temperature variations, leading to sudden ruptures and fluid leaks, which are difficult to detect, especially in concealed locations.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating metal conductors within the layers of the hose to maintain electrical continuity, which is interrupted upon deterioration, signaling imminent ruptures through a monitoring device that detects breaks in the electrical circuit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If flexible hoses are used to allow route changes and flexibility, then adaptability is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to bending stresses causing deterioration and rupture

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveroute flexibilityVSAvoidhose durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates metal conductors within the hose layers before the hose is put into service. These conductors serve as preliminary indicators that will detect deterioration early, allowing preventive maintenance before actual rupture occurs, thus resolving the contradiction between flexibility and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Duration of action of moving object

If hose deterioration is not detected in time, then the hose continues to operate, but sudden rupture occurs leading to fluid leakage and system failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehose service lifeVSAvoidsudden failure risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where metal conductors embedded in the hose layers provide continuous electrical continuity monitoring. When deterioration occurs, the conductors break or change resistance, providing immediate feedback about the hose condition, allowing the system to alert operators before sudden rupture occurs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If metal conductors are incorporated in the hose layers to detect deterioration, then reliability is improved through early detection, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeterioration detection capabilityVSAvoidhose structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the metal conductors serve multiple functions: they provide structural reinforcement within the hose layers and simultaneously serve as sensing elements for deterioration detection. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate sensing components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while improving reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Reliability

If continuous monitoring of hose condition is implemented, then reliability is improved, but loss of energy increases due to continuous electrical monitoring

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous monitoring capabilityVSAvoidelectrical energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs periodic monitoring through simple continuity checks rather than continuous power-intensive monitoring. The metal conductors provide passive electrical continuity that can be checked periodically, reducing energy loss while maintaining the ability to detect deterioration and maintain reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution allows for early detection of hose deterioration and imminent ruptures, preventing sudden failures and fluid leaks by maintaining electrical continuity and using a monitoring device to alert when the circuit is broken.

Implementation Method 1

a series of metal conductors incorporated in at least one of said layers of plastic, silicone or rubber material... checking the electrical continuity of each metal wire between the two ends of the hose

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS20250389353A1Flexible hose with indicators for signalling deterioration and imminent ruptures

Publication Date: 2025.12.25 DOTTAVIO DARIO

AI summary

A flexible hose includes a tubular layer made from a synthetic material and a plurality of metal electrical conductors arranged parallel to one another and to the axis of the flexible hose. The interruption of at least one of the metal electrical conductors in case of an excessive expansion of the flexible hose signals the deterioration and imminent rupture of the flexible hose. The metal electric conductors are exposed in the cross section of the terminal parts of the flexible hose and can be placed in contact with two terminal elements provided with electrical contacts for electrically connecting two conductors positioned side by side and achieving the electrical continuity of all the metal electrical conductors. Intermediate devices can be provided for connecting a terminal of the first flexible hose with the terminals of the adjacent flexible hoses as well as with the power source and the control system.