Flexible Hose Conductors for Imminent Rupture Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flexible hoses made of plastic, silicone, or rubber deteriorate over time due to bending stresses, pressure, and environmental factors, leading to sudden rupture and fluid leakage, which is difficult to detect 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 rupture through a monitoring device connected to electrical contacts and a lighting or sound source.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering 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
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates metal conductors within the hose layers before the hose is put into service. These conductors serve as early warning indicators that will detect deterioration before it leads to rupture, allowing preventive maintenance to be performed in advance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes a feedback mechanism by connecting metal conductors to a monitoring device that continuously checks electrical continuity. When deterioration occurs, the change in electrical properties provides immediate feedback about the hose condition, enabling real-time monitoring of reliability
2Reliability
If hose deterioration is monitored continuously, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional monitoring systems
Solution Approach 1:
The hose structure itself provides the monitoring capability through incorporated metal conductors that serve dual purposes: structural reinforcement and deterioration sensing. The hose monitors its own condition without requiring external complex sensing systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical sensing systems with electrical conductivity measurements. The monitoring device simply checks electrical continuity through the metal conductors, which is a simpler and more reliable method than mechanical strain gauges or other complex sensing mechanisms
3Reliability
If metal conductors are incorporated in hose layers, then reliability is improved through continuity monitoring, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the reinforcement function and the sensing function into a single integrated component - the metal conductors serve both to strengthen the hose structure and to provide electrical continuity for deterioration monitoring. This eliminates the need for separate sensing elements
Solution Approach 2:
The metal conductors perform multiple functions simultaneously: they provide structural reinforcement to the hose, serve as electrical pathways for continuity monitoring, and act as sensors for detecting deterioration. This multi-functionality reduces the overall complexity of the system
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 system effectively detects hose deterioration and imminent rupture by monitoring electrical continuity, preventing sudden failures and fluid leaks.
Implementation Method 1
Incorporating metal conductors within the layers of the hose to maintain electrical continuity, which is interrupted upon deterioration
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention is a new flexible hose (T) comprising a tubular layer (P) made of plastic or rubber or silicone material, and comprising several metal electrical conductors arranged parallel to one another and to the axis of said flexible hose (T), and wherein the interruption of at least one of said metal electrical conductors (F1, F2, ... Fn), in case of excessive expansion of the flexible hose, is suited to signal the deterioration and imminent rupture of the flexible hose. Said 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 thus achieving the electrical continuity of all the metal electrical conductors of the flexible hose. 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.