Method of making a multi-layered pressure hose utilizing internal fluid pressure

Claim 2

In a method for producing filamentary reinforced polymeric hose including steps of: (a) providing an uncured tubular structure including one or more sub-units each comprising a radially inner tubular layer of polymeric material and in contact therewith an outer tubular layer of filamentary reinforcing material having interstices, the radially outermost layer of said structure being a tubular layer of the filamentary material (b) causing polymeric material of said inner layer to become present in said interstices, and (c) applying a cover layer of polymeric material, the improvement that (i) polymeric material of said inner layer is caused to become present in said interstices by introducing fluid pressure from an external source into the bore of the uncured structure to force uncured polymeric material of the radially outermost sub-unit to flow by said pressure into the interstices of the filamentary layer of the radially outermost sub-unit to consolidate the structure, (ii) said fluid pressure is thereafter removed, and (iii) a cover layer of polymeric material is applied to the consolidated structure.

Claim 3

In a method for producing filamentary reinforced elastomeric hose including: (a) providing an uncured tubular structure having a bore and including a tubular layer of uncured elastomeric material having superposed thereon and in contact therewith a tubular braided layer of textile filaments, (b) causing uncured elastomeric material to become present in the interstices of the tubular braided layer, and (c) curing the structure, the improvement which comprises: (i) plugging an end of said uncured structure and introducing pressurized gas into the bore of the uncured structure and maintaining gas pressurization therein for a time sufficient to force uncured elastomer material into the interstices of the braided layer, and thereafter releasing the gas pressure, (ii) applying a cover layer of uncured elastomer material, and (iii) curing the covered structure at a predetermined temperature exceeding room temperature and a predetermined pressure exceeding atmospheric pressure whilst maintaining pressure in the bore of the covered structure at a predetermined level above that applied to the exterior of the covered structure.

Claim 4

In a method for producing filamentary reinforced elastomeric hose including: (a) providing an uncured tubular structure having a bore and including a tubular layer of uncured elastomeric material having superposed thereon and in contact therewith a tubular braided layer of textile filaments, (b) causing uncured elastomeric material to become present in the interstices of the tubular braided layer, and (c) curing the structure, the improvement which comprises: (i) plugging an end of said uncured structure and introducing pressurized gas into the bore of the uncured structure and maintaining gas pressurization therein for a time sufficient to force uncured elastomer material into the interstices of the braided layer, and thereafter releasing the gas pressure, (ii) applying a cover layer of uncured elastomer material, and (iii) curing the covered structure at a predetermined temperature exceeding room temperature and a predetermined pressure exceeding atmospheric pressure whilst maintaining pressure in the bore of the covered structure at a predetermined level above that applied to the exterior of the covered structure.

Claim 5

In a method for producing filamentary wire braid reinforced elastomeric hose, including: (a) providing an uncured tubular structure having a bore and including a tubular layer of uncured elastomeric material having superposed thereon and in contact therewith a tubular braided layer of reinforcing wires, (b) causing uncured elastomeric material to become present in the interstices of the braid layer, and (c) curing the structure, the improvement which comprises: (i) introducing and maintaining fluid pressure in the bore of the uncured structure to force uncured elastomeric material radially outwardly into the interstices of the braid layer, (ii) applying a cover layer of uncured elastomeric material to the uncured structure to form a covered structure, (iii) curing the covered structure in an autoclave while maintaining fluid pressure in the bore at a predetermined differential above that existing in the autoclave.

Claim 6

In a method for producing filamentary wire braid reinforced elastomeric hose, including: (a) providing an uncured tubular structure having a bore and including a tubular layer of uncured elastomeric material having superposed thereon and in contact therewith a tubular braided layer of reinforcing wires, (b) causing uncured elastomeric material to become present in the interstices of the braid layer, and (c) curing the structure, the improvement which comprises: (i) introducing and maintaining fluid pressure in the bore of the uncured structure to force uncured elastomeric material radially outwardly into the interstices of the braid layer, (ii) applying a cover layer of uncured elastomeric material to the uncured structure to form a covered structure, (iii) curing the covered structure in an autoclave while maintaining fluid pressure in the bore at a predetermined differential above that existing in the autoclave.

Claim 7

The method claimed in claim 3 wherein uncured elastomeric material is forced through the braided layer by the introduction and maintenance of fluid pressure to the bore of the uncured structure.

Claim 8

The method of claim 1, wherein the filamentary layer of each sub-unit includes a tubular braided layer of reinforcing element and a tubular layer of uncured elastomer material and fluid pressure is introduced into the bore of the structure causing protrusion of uncured elastomer material of the radially outermost sub-unit radially outwardly through the radially outermost braided layer such that uncured elastomer material projects radially outwardly beyond the braided layer of the outermost sub-unit, and the step of curing the covered, consolidated structure into an integral hose at a predetermined temperature exceeding room temperature.

Claim 9

The method of claim 5, further comprising the steps of hermetically sealing one end and connecting the opposite end of the covered structure to a source of air pressure prior to curing, and curing the hermetically sealed structure in an autoclave while internally pressurized.

Claim 10

The method of claim 6, further comprising the step of applying a lead sheath to the covered structure prior to curing.

Claim 11

The method of claim 1 or 5, wherein the uncured structure is maintained at room temperature while fluid pressure of a magnitude not exceeding 15 percent of the burst pressure as measured on the completed hose is introduced into the bore.

Claim 12

The method of claim 1 or 5, wherein the uncured structure is maintained at room temperature during introduction of fluid pressure not exceeding 1500 psig. into the bore and the fluid pressure is applied for not more than about 30 minutes.

Claim 13

The method of claim 1 or 5, wherein the uncured structure is raised to an elevated temperature exceeding room temperature and is maintained at said elevated temperature during introduction of fluid pressure into the bore.

Claim 14

The method of claim 5, wherein the uncured structure is raised to an elevated temperature exceeding room temperature but below said predetermined curing temperature and while at said elevated temperature is internally pressurized by a compressed gas to force polymeric material of the radially outermost sub-unit into the interstices of the filamentary layer of that sub-unit.

Claim 15

The method of claim 5, further comprising introducing fluid pressure into the bore of the covered, consolidated structure and maintaining said fluid pressure at a predetermined level above that applied to the exterior of the structure during curing of the structure at a predetermined pressure above atmospheric pressure and a predetermined temperature exceeding room temperature.