Hydraulic and earth engineering – Fluid control – treatment – or containment – Flow control
Reexamination Certificate
1998-01-16
2001-03-06
Lillis, Eileen D. (Department: 3673)
Hydraulic and earth engineering
Fluid control, treatment, or containment
Flow control
C405S114000, C405S115000, C403S337000, C285S222100, C285S222300, C285S368000, C464S092000, C464S182000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06196763
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention generally relates to systems for connecting reinforced hoses and similar reinforced elastomeric cylindrical structures to each other or to corresponding support structures or rigid pipe elements.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Hose terminations for large diameter hose (e.g. over 8 inches in diameter) commonly use large heavy metal spools with attached flanges to terminate each end of a hose. Such spool assemblies are typically vulcanized into an enlarged portion of each end of the resective hose. Abrasion or corrosion protection of such metal spools may require a separate rubber lining for the spool piece. Such assemblies are heavy, inflexible, and costly. Conventional rubber flanges overcome the weight, flexibility and cost problems associated with the metal spools but are limited as to service life and maximum operating pressure. This is because such rubber flanges rely directly on the clamping bolts and on flange friction to resist pull-out. Although a rigid ring may be incorporated near the outer diameter of such a design, the resulting shear loads in the elastomer and the tensile loads in the reinforcement are non-uniform, thus limiting the ultimate strength of the conventional design. Additionally, the conventional arrangement with a flat flange may require periodic re-tightening of the clamping bolts in order to maintain a tight seal.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention there is provided an enlarged section at the hose end comprised of multiple plies or layers of reinforcement separated by preferably elastomeric wedges integrally vulcanized thereto. In other words, the hose comprises a plurality of layers of reinforced material, and the terminal end of the hose includes wedge means between adjacent layers of the reinforced material. Each such wedge may be rigid or elastomeric, and preferable each wedge has a triangular cross-section. Opposite side surfaces of each wedge are bonded to the adjacent layers of the reinforced material.
A further advantage of this connection system is that it does not rely on friction or chemical bonding to the clamp components to retain the hose within the connection. The present invention, in fact, functions very well even if all components are lubricated prior to assembly. The connection system of the present invention is thus immune to time-dependent slippage of friction surfaces.
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Edmundson Dean P.
Lillis Eileen D.
Mayo Tara L.
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