High Temperature Hose with Basalt Fiber Reinforcement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing high-temperature hoses used in aerospace and aircraft applications face challenges with fire resistance, as silicone rubber fire sleeves ablate and fail at high temperatures, and fluid flow can exacerbate fire risks by releasing flammable fluids, necessitating hoses that can withstand elevated temperatures for extended periods without cooling effects.

Innovation Solution

A high-temperature hose design featuring a core tube surrounded by a reinforcement layer of basalt fibers, a thermal insulation layer also made of basalt or carbon fibers, and a cover layer, which provides enhanced fire resistance and mechanical strength, maintaining structural integrity at temperatures up to 2000°F.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If silicone rubber fire sleeves are used to protect hoses from fire, then fire protection is provided, but the sleeves ablate and fail at high temperatures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefire resistanceVSAvoidservice life at high temperature

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameters from silicone rubber to basalt fiber, which has fundamentally different thermal properties. Basalt fiber maintains structural integrity at temperatures where silicone rubber degrades, directly resolving the contradiction between providing fire protection and maintaining long-term durability at high temperatures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite construction with basalt fiber reinforcement layers combined with thermal insulation layers. This composite structure provides both the mechanical strength needed to resist fire damage and the thermal insulation properties to maintain service life at elevated temperatures, overcoming the limitations of single-material silicone rubber sleeves.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Temperature

If fluid flow is maintained through the hose during fire, then cooling effect is achieved, but flammable fluids may intensify the fire

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehose temperatureVSAvoidfire risk

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the potential harm of carrying flammable fluid into a benefit by using the fluid's thermal properties. The fluid flow serves dual purposes: it cools the hose through convection and also acts as a fire suppressant when discharged, transforming the fire risk into a protective mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces the fluid itself as an intermediary that mediates between the heat source and the hose. The flowing fluid absorbs heat from the hose walls through convection and carries it away, preventing direct thermal contact between the fire and the hose structure while avoiding the need for separate cooling systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If metal tubes are used as outer layer of fire sleeve, then protection is provided, but protection duration is short at temperatures above 450°F

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefire protectionVSAvoidprotection time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from metal to basalt fiber, which has superior high-temperature stability. Basalt fiber can withstand temperatures well above 450°F without the degradation, oxidation, or structural failure that limits metal tube performance, thereby extending protection duration significantly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses flexible basalt fiber reinforcement layers that can conform to the hose structure while providing fire protection. This flexible fiber-reinforced construction maintains protective functionality at high temperatures where rigid metal tubes fail, offering both durability and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 hose assembly effectively resists fire and high temperatures for extended periods, maintaining structural integrity and preventing fluid leakage, thus reducing the risk of fire intensification, even under zero fluid flow conditions, and is designed to meet stringent FAA standards for fire resistance.

Implementation Method 1

a thermal insulation layer surrounding the reinforcement layer and comprising basalt fiber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 2

a thermal insulation layer surrounding the reinforcement layer and comprising basalt fiber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentUS11426973B2High temperature hose

Publication Date: 2022.08.30 PARKER INTANGIBLES LLC

AI summary

An example hose comprises: a core tube; a reinforcement layer surrounding the core tube and comprising basalt fiber; and a thermal insulation layer surrounding the reinforcement layer and comprising basalt fiber and/or carbon fiber.