Self-Draining Hose with Elastic Memory for Freeze Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing self-draining hose systems are limited by high costs, complex assembly processes, and limited length due to difficulties in threading smaller hoses within larger ones, making them unreliable and costly for preventing freeze-up in water systems.
Innovation Solution
A self-draining hose design featuring a flexible inner hose made of thermoplastic elastomer with memory properties, expandable to allow fluid flow and collapsible to expel fluid, combined with a flexible outer hose and end fittings, which can maintain pressure to ensure effective de-watering without the need for complex assembly, and is made from materials that prevent bacterial adherence and remain flexible up to -40°C.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a smaller diameter hose is threaded through the interior of a larger outer hose to create a compound hose system, then the system provides elastic contractive energy for water expulsion, but the assembly process becomes difficult and time-consuming, limiting the hose length to approximately 32 meters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the inner and outer hoses into a single integrated compound hose structure during manufacturing, eliminating the need for field assembly. The inner hose with thick wall is permanently positioned within the outer hose through co-extrusion or pre-assembly techniques, creating a ready-to-use frost-free hose that maintains the elastic contractive energy mechanism without threading difficulties
Solution Approach 2:
The compound hose structure is pre-assembled during manufacturing with the inner hose already positioned within the outer hose at the correct orientation and tension. This preliminary assembly ensures the elastic memory mechanism is pre-configured to function automatically when water flows through, eliminating the need for complex field installation and enabling longer hose lengths beyond the 32-meter limitation
2Reliability
If the inner hose has a thick wall to provide elastic contractive energy for water expulsion, then the de-watering capability is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes parameter changes in the elastomeric material properties, specifically the elastic memory characteristic, to create the thick-walled inner hose structure. By selecting materials with appropriate elastic recovery properties and configuring the wall thickness parameter during extrusion, the system achieves effective de-watering capability through the natural elastic contraction of the hose wall when water pressure is released, without requiring additional mechanical components
Solution Approach 2:
The compound hose employs composite construction with an elastomeric inner hose material designed for high elastic recovery and a protective outer hose material. This composite structure integrates the functional requirements of water expulsion through elastic contraction with durability and flexibility, achieving reliable de-watering capability while maintaining manufacturability through coordinated material selection and single-step co-extrusion processes
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 hose effectively prevents freeze-up and water heating by ensuring fluid expulsion during non-pressurized periods, is cost-effective, and can be easily assembled, with enhanced durability and flexibility to handle high pressures and temperatures, while maintaining a smooth surface to prevent bacterial growth.
Implementation Method 1
the flexible hose comprises an elastomer material having a memory with a cross-sectional flat profile defining a collapsed position closing the fluid passage, the flexible hose being expandable to an expanded position opening the fluid passage
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a self-draining hose. The self-draining hose includes a flexible hose connected to an inlet end fitting and an outlet end fitting and defines a fluid passage through the flexible hose. The flexible hose is made from an elastomer material having a memory with a cross-sectional flat profile defining a collapsed position closing the fluid passage, and has is expandable to an expanded position opening the fluid passage. In use, upon introduction of a pressurized fluid at the inlet end fitting the flexible hose expands from the collapsed position to the expanded position to permit flow of the fluid through the fluid passage towards the outlet end fitting. Upon termination of the introduction of the pressurized fluid at the inlet end fitting the memory of the elastomer material collapses the flexible hose from the expanded position to the collapsed position expelling the fluid from the fluid passage.