Built-In Hose Coupling Bonding With Vacuum Epoxy Infusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-pressure rubber hoses used in industries like drilling face reliability issues due to inadequate bonding between the hose and couplings, leading to potential failures under high stress and pressure conditions, which can result in safety hazards and equipment damage.
Innovation Solution
A method involving skiving the hose to expose reinforcing layers, positioning it within a coupling, introducing a vacuum, and using vacuum-assisted epoxy infusion with fiber reinforcement to enhance the bond strength between the hose and coupling, eliminating voids and improving mechanical properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional bonding methods are used to attach hose coupling to reinforced hose, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the bond strength and reliability are insufficient under high pressure conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The hose end is skived (preprocessed) to expose the reinforcing layers before bonding, creating an optimized surface structure in advance that enhances bonding effectiveness and reduces the complexity of the actual bonding process
Solution Approach 2:
The bonding process utilizes vacuum pressure and bonding agent parameters to transform the bonding interface conditions, creating stronger adhesion between the hose reinforcing layers and coupling under high pressure conditions
2Reliability
If the hose coupling bond is not strong enough, then the manufacturing process is simpler, but the reliability and safety under high stress conditions deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcing layers are exposed through skiving in advance, and the hose end is prepared with proper positioning features before coupling attachment, ensuring reliable bonding without excessive manufacturing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
A bonding agent is introduced as an intermediary substance between the hose reinforcing layers and the coupling, facilitated by vacuum pressure, to achieve strong and reliable bonding while maintaining manufacturing feasibility
3Reliability
If vacuum-assisted bonding agent infusion is used to enhance bond strength, then the reliability under high pressure improves, but the manufacturing process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Vacuum pressure is applied through pneumatic means to draw the bonding agent into the reinforcing layers and ensure complete saturation, achieving high reliability bonding through fluid pressure control
Solution Approach 2:
The bonding process utilizes vacuum pressure parameters and bonding agent flow control to optimize penetration and adhesion, improving reliability while managing equipment complexity through parameter optimization
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 method significantly increases the shear strength and grip of the bond between the hose and coupling, reducing the likelihood of failure under high-pressure and impulse loads, ensuring safer operations and equipment integrity.
Implementation Method 1
introducing a vacuum into the inner cavity through a vent port in the hose coupling
Implementation Method 2
the bonding agent is drawn by the vacuum into the plurality of reinforcing layers of the reinforced hose
Data Source
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AI summary
One aspect of the disclosure is a method of attaching a hose coupling to a reinforced hose. In one embodiment, the method comprises: skiving the first end of the reinforced hose to expose at least one reinforcing layer of a plurality of reinforcing layers of the reinforced hose; positioning the skived first end of the reinforced hose in an inner cavity of the hose coupling; introducing a vacuum into the inner cavity through a vent port in the hose coupling; and introducing a bonding agent into the cavity through an injection port in the hose coupling, wherein the bonding agent is drawn by the vacuum into the plurality of reinforcing layers of the reinforced hose.