Mine Blender Hose: Segmented Conduits for Reactant Mixing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional fluid transfer hoses are limited in their ability to simultaneously convey multiple fluids without kinking, mechanical failure, or snagging, particularly in applications like surface mining where additional hoses are needed for secondary reactants, increasing operational complexity and safety risks.

Innovation Solution

A flexible hose design featuring a core tube and a second helically wound tube surrounded by a tubular jacket, allowing for separate fluid conveyance while maintaining mechanical integrity and a smooth outer surface, enabling simultaneous transfer and mixing of reactants within a subterranean structure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single hose is used to convey multiple fluids, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates due to kinking and mechanical failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of hosesVSAvoidmechanical integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The hose is divided into multiple independent conduits (first conduit for explosive material, second conduit for catalyst) within a single hose assembly. Each conduit is separately reinforced with its own reinforcement layer, allowing independent fluid conveyance while maintaining overall structural integrity and preventing kinking of individual conduits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The hose employs a composite structure combining multiple materials: inner conduit material, reinforcement layer material (providing mechanical strength and kink resistance), and outer cover material. This composite construction ensures that each conduit maintains its shape and mechanical integrity while conveying different fluids simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If multiple separate hoses are used to convey different fluids, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases and operational safety deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid conveyance reliabilityVSAvoidnumber of hoses

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple conduits for different fluids (explosive material and catalyst) are merged into a single hose assembly with a common outer cover and reinforcement structure. This combining approach maintains the reliability of separate fluid conveyance while reducing operational complexity and safety risks associated with handling multiple separate hoses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single hose assembly serves multiple functions: it conveys different fluids through separate conduits, provides unified mechanical protection through a common reinforcement layer and outer cover, and maintains overall structural integrity. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for multiple separate hoses while preserving reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If the hose is made flexible for handling, then the ease of operation is improved, but the mechanical strength deteriorates causing kinking and collapse

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehose flexibilityVSAvoidresistance to kinking

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The hose employs flexible conduit walls and a flexible outer cover that allow the hose to be easily handled and maneuvered. The flexibility is achieved through appropriate material selection and wall thickness design, while the reinforcement layer prevents kinking and collapse under pressure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The composite structure combines flexible conduit materials with a reinforcement layer that provides kink resistance. The outer cover also contributes to flexibility while protecting the internal conduits. This material combination allows the hose to be both easy to handle and resistant to mechanical failure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

4Ease of operation

If the hose has a smooth outer surface for easy insertion, then the ease of operation is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases due to multi-layer construction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsertion smoothnessVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The smooth outer surface function is extracted and provided by a dedicated outer cover layer that surrounds the reinforcement and conduit structure. This separates the smooth surface requirement from the structural components, allowing the outer cover to be optimized for smoothness while the internal structure focuses on strength and fluid conveyance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The outer cover serves multiple functions: it provides a smooth surface for easy insertion and removal from bore holes, protects the reinforcement layer and conduits from external damage, and maintains the cylindrical shape of the hose. This multi-functionality justifies the additional manufacturing step.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS7861745B2Mine blender hose

Publication Date: 2011.01.04 PARKER INTANGIBLES LLC

AI summary

A flexible hose construction adapted for separately conveying two or more fluids therethrough. The construction includes a core tube, a second tube helically disposed about the core tube, and a tubular jacket surrounding the core tube. The second tube may be substantially concentric with the core tube. The tubular jacket may be substantially cylindrical so as to have a substantially smooth outer surface.