Segmented Pressure Hose Restraint for Whip Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Hoses and pipes under pressure tend to disconnect uncontrollably, leading to potential damage and injury due to whipping motion, which existing technologies have not adequately addressed to create a safe workplace and minimize equipment damage.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a hose or pipe segmented into multiple parts with elongate tethers and a zipper line system, where tethers are anchored to structures using loops and hitch methods to control movement and prevent whipping, with the zipper line providing redundancy in control measures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If hoses and pipes are used under pressure, then fluid transport function is improved, but safety deteriorates due to whipping motion upon disconnect

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefluid transport capabilityVSAvoidwhipping motion damage
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The hose or pipe is divided into multiple segments (at least three) with connection ends between them. This segmentation allows individual segments to be controlled by tethers, limiting whipping motion while maintaining overall fluid transport functionality. Each segment can be independently restrained without compromising the continuous fluid channel.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Elongate tethers are introduced as intermediary elements between hose segments and anchoring structures. These tethers act as mediators that restrict the movement of hose segments during pressure release, preventing whipping motion while allowing normal operation under pressure. The tethers transfer the restraining force from anchoring structures to the hose segments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If tethers are added to control hose movement, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewhipping motion controlVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The elongate tethers serve multiple functions: they restrain hose segments during normal operation, provide controlled movement during disconnect, and can be anchored using various hitch methods (choke hitch, basket choke). The zipper line also provides multiple attachment points and redundancy. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The tether system is designed to be dynamic rather than rigid. The tethers allow controlled movement and adjustment, with anchoring structures that can accommodate varying positions. The zipper line provides adjustable attachment points, allowing the system to adapt to different operational conditions while maintaining safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If multiple tethers and anchoring structures are used, then control reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol reliabilityVSAvoidinstallation and adjustment difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The tether system is pre-configured with attachment points, loops, and hitch configurations before deployment. The zipper line is prepared with multiple attachment points, and the tethers are equipped with loops for easy connection. This preliminary preparation reduces the complexity of installation and adjustment during actual operation, improving ease of use while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4224052B1Method of controlling hoses and pipes under pressure
Publication Date: 2024.12.11 MAXINUS INC
  • EP4224052B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4224052B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4224052B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A method of controlling hoses and pipes (12) is provided. A hose or pipe (12) has at least three segments (14a, 14b, 14c) that are connected together to create joints (22a, 22b). The segments are connected such that fluid channels of the segments are in fluid communication with each other. An elongate tether (24) is positioned across each of the joints (22a, 22b). Each of the elongate tethers (24a, 24b) is attached to one of the segments adjacent the joint and the adjacent segment adjacent the joint. A zipper line (52) is provided to add additional control. The zipper line (52) has a first end connected to a first anchoring structure (38) and a second end connected to a second anchoring structure (38). The zipper line (52) is attachable to each of the elongate tethers (24a, 24b) attached to the at least three segments (14a, 14b, 14c).