Patent US2366907A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US4423283A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4423283A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Controllable stiffness duct
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1981-06-25
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Granted: 1983-12-27
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Expires: 2001-06-25
Abstract
Abstract A controllable stiffness duct having a spirally wound metallic strip with a spiral turns interlock to define a flexible product carrying or delivering conduit. Disposed in the spiral turns interlock is a pressure line inflatable to stiffen the conduit and resist collapse. The pressure line may be used to convey fluid through the duct to power a device at a remote end of the duct. The pressure line may include imbedded electrically conductive materials to provide electrical power to the remote end of the duct. An insulating layer and a protective wire rope sheath cover the conduit to form the controllable stiffness duct.
Inventors
- 👤 Victor P. Weismann
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 12:18
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L11/00; F16L11/04; F16L11/12; F16L11/127; F16L11/08; F16L11/081
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
32 words
A spiral wound strip having a turns interlock continuously along the spiral for defining a flexible duct, and an inflatable seal disposed in the interlock, said seal when inflated stiffening the duct.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
32 words
A spiral wound strip having a turns interlock continuously along the spiral for defining a flexible duct, and an inflatable seal disposed in the interlock, said seal when inflated stiffening the duct.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the inflatable seal comprises a pressure line capable of conducting a fluid from one end of the flexible duct to the other end, for supplying fluid power to the other duct end.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the pressure line includes imbedded conductors for supplying electrical power from one end of the flexible duct to the other end.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
58 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said pressure line is adapted to conduct a compressed gas from one end of the flexible duct to the other end submerged in a liquid, said pressure line delivering said gas to said other end to define an air lift to move materials from said submerged other end to said one end.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
117 words
A controllable stiffness flexible duct assembly comprising a central conduit and an enclosing sheath disposed along and circumferentially about the exterior of the conduit, the conduit being comprised of a strip of metal disposed in a spiral of uniform pitch and diameter, the strip having adjacent margins thereof cooperatively interrelated and engaged to afford inherent limited relative motion between them thereby to define a flexible conduit and to define a tubular passage spirally around and along the conduit, and a hollow expansible tubular seal member disposed in and extending along the extent of the passage, the sheath comprising a plurality of wire strands disposed about the exterior of the conduit in opposite directions spirally about the conduit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
117 words
A controllable stiffness flexible duct assembly comprising a central conduit and an enclosing sheath disposed along and circumferentially about the exterior of the conduit, the conduit being comprised of a strip of metal disposed in a spiral of uniform pitch and diameter, the strip having adjacent margins thereof cooperatively interrelated and engaged to afford inherent limited relative motion between them thereby to define a flexible conduit and to define a tubular passage spirally around and along the conduit, and a hollow expansible tubular seal member disposed in and extending along the extent of the passage, the sheath comprising a plurality of wire strands disposed about the exterior of the conduit in opposite directions spirally about the conduit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
A duct according to claim 5 including a plurality of electrical conductors disposed in the passage and extending therealong.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
A duct according to claim 6 wherein the conductors are components of the seal member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
A duct according to claim 5 wherein the sheath includes a flexible and resilient material between the conduit and the wire strands.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-12-26 | 1987-06-27 | 1987-12-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-12-26 | 1991-06-27 | 1991-12-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-12-26 | 1995-06-27 | 1995-12-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |