Removable Hose End Fitting for Pressure and Vibration Wear
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flexible hoses used in wellhead sites often fail due to operational conditions such as high pressures, corrosion, and vibrations, leading to premature failure of end components and the need for entire hose replacement, resulting in shorter operating lives, inefficiencies, and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A modular end apparatus for flexible hoses featuring removable end fittings with a monolithic end body, threaded engagement, and additional features like outer shoulders and grooves, allowing for easy replacement and installation without requiring the entire hose to be replaced.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the entire flexible hose is replaced when end components fail, then the hose can be restored to full functionality, but the operational lifespan is shortened and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The hose assembly is divided into separable components: the flexible hose body and the end fitting. The end fitting can be independently replaced without discarding the hose, allowing restoration of functionality while preserving the usable hose portion. This segmentation enables selective replacement of only the failed component.
Solution Approach 2:
When the end fitting fails, only the end fitting is discarded and replaced, while the flexible hose body is recovered and retained for continued use. This prevents unnecessary disposal of still-functional hose material, extending overall operational lifespan and reducing waste.
2Reliability
If the entire flexible hose is replaced when end components fail, then full functionality is restored, but operational efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The separable design allows rapid replacement of only the end fitting rather than the entire hose assembly. This reduces downtime and maintenance duration, thereby improving operational efficiency while maintaining reliability through proper restoration of the hose connection.
3Reliability
If the entire flexible hose is replaced when end components fail, then functionality is restored, but costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the hose into replaceable end fittings and a reusable body, the cost of replacement is limited to only the end fitting material and components, rather than the entire hose assembly. This significantly reduces material costs while ensuring functionality is restored.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible hose body is recovered and kept for future use instead of being discarded with the failed end fitting. This recovers valuable material resources and reduces the frequency of purchases, lowering overall material costs.
4Device complexity
If end components are made non-replaceable, then the structure is simplified, but the operational lifespan is shortened
Solution Approach 1:
The connection structure is designed to be dynamically changeable between assembled and disassembled states. The threaded connection allows the end fitting to be easily attached and detached, providing the flexibility needed for replacement while maintaining structural integrity during operation. This dynamic capability enables extended operational lifespan through component replacement.
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 modular design extends the operational lifespan of flexible hoses, reduces failure likelihood, enhances operational efficiency, and lowers costs by enabling easy maintenance and replacement of end fittings, while withstanding high pressures and vibrations.
Implementation Method 1
The cap includes a threaded inner surface disposed in threaded engagement with the threaded outer surface of the hose body
Implementation Method 2
The removable end fitting includes an end body that is monolithic. The end body includes a first end, a second end opposite of the first end, and a first outer shoulder adjacent the first end and disposed between the hose body and the inner shoulder of the cap
Implementation Method 3
The end body includes a first outer shoulder adjacent the first end and disposed between the hose body and the inner shoulder of the cap
Data Source
AI summary
Modular end apparatus, such as modular end fitting apparatus, and methods for flexible hoses, and associated components thereof. In one implementation, a flexible hose apparatus includes a flexible hose and a hose body coupled to the flexible hose, the hose body including a threaded outer surface. The flexible hose apparatus includes a cap including an inner shoulder protruding inwardly relative to a first inner surface of the cap. The flexible hose apparatus also includes a removable end fitting disposed in engagement with the cap. The removable end fitting includes an end body that is monolithic. The end body includes a first end, a second end opposite of the first end, and a first outer shoulder adjacent the first end and disposed between the hose body and the inner shoulder of the cap.