HOSE LINE FOR TRANSPORTING ABRASIVE MEDIA AND METHOD AND DEVICE FOR PRODUCTION THEREOF

Abstract

The present invention relates to a hose line (1) for transporting abrasive media with an electrically conductive reinforcing element (5) running in or on the hose wall (2) and extending in the hose direction (6), wherein an insert (7) made of electrically conducting material is at least partially embedded in the hose wall (2) and extends in the hose direction (6) at a distance from the reinforcing element (5).

Claims

1. A method of preparing a hose line for use in a monitoring system for monitoring the state of the hose line, wherein the hose line is configured to transport abrasive media along a hose direction, and wherein the hose line includes a hose wall, an electrically conductive reinforcing element running in or on the hose wall and extending in the hose direction, and an insert made of electrically conducting material, said method comprising the steps of: (a) at least partially embedding the insert in the hose wall such that the insert extends in the hose direction at a distance from the reinforcing element; (b) at a first end of the hose line, connecting a first end of the reinforcing element and a first end of the insert to an electrical ohmmeter or continuity tester; and (c) at the second end of the hose line or on another section of the hose line, electrically connecting the reinforcing element and the insert to each other so that the reinforcing element, the ohmmeter or continuity tester, and the insert are integrated into an electric circuit.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the electrically conducting material and/or the reinforcing element are separated from a hose interior by a wearing layer.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the hose line has a helically running material web, which forms the hose wall, and has a helically running reinforcing element, which is secured on or in the hose wall.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the electrically conducting material comprises a metal wire and an electrically conductive plastic.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the electrically conducting material lies closer to the hose axis in the radial direction than the reinforcing element.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcing element and the electrically conducting material are separated from each other by an isolating layer.

7. The method according to claim 2, wherein the hose line has a helically running material web, which forms the hose wall, and has a helically running reinforcing element, which is secured on or in the hose wall.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the electrically conducting material comprises a metal wire and an electrically conductive plastic.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the electrically conducting material lies closer to the hose axis in the radial direction than the reinforcing element.

10. The method according to claim 7, wherein the electrically conducting material lies closer to the hose axis in the radial direction than the reinforcing element.

11. The method according to claim 7, wherein the reinforcing element and the electrically conducting material are separated from each other by an isolating layer.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the state is the wear of the hose line.

13. Monitoring system for monitoring the state of a hose line, the system comprising: a hose line, wherein the hose line comprises a hose wall, an electrically conductive reinforcing element running in or on the hose wall and extending in a hose direction, and an insert made of electrically conducting material, wherein the insert is at least partially embedded in the hose wall and extends in the hose direction at a distance from the reinforcing element; and an electrical ohmmeter or continuity tester, wherein, at a first end of the hose line, a first end of the reinforcing element and a first end of the insert are connected to the electrical ohmmeter or continuity tester, and wherein the reinforcing element and the insert are electrically connected to each other at a second end of the hose line or on another section of the hose line so that the reinforcing element, the ohmmeter or continuity tester, and the insert are integrated into an electric circuit.

14. Monitoring system according to claim 13, wherein the electrically conducting material and/or the reinforcing element are separated from a hose interior by a wearing layer.

15. Monitoring system according to claim 13, wherein the hose line has a helically running material web, which forms the hose wall, and has a helically running reinforcing element, which is secured on or in the hose wall.

16. Monitoring system according to claim 13, wherein the electrically conducting material comprises a metal wire and/or an electrically conductive plastic.

17. Monitoring system according to claim 13, wherein the electrically conducting material lies closer to the hose axis in the radial direction than the reinforcing element.

18. Monitoring system according to claim 13, wherein the reinforcing element and the electrically conducting material are separated from each other by an isolating layer.

19. Monitoring system according to claim 13, wherein the state is the wear of the hose line.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

[0046] The present invention is explained in more detail in the following with reference to merely preferred embodiment examples and the drawings. There are shown in:

[0047] FIG. 1 a hose line according to a first embodiment of the invention in a sectional view;

[0048] FIG. 2 a diagram of the monitoring of a hose line according to a second embodiment of the invention;

[0049] FIG. 3 a hose line according to a third embodiment of the invention in a sectional view; and

[0050] FIG. 4 a device according to the invention in a sectional view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0051] FIG. 1 shows a section of a hose line 1 or of a hose with a hose wall 2 which surrounds the hose interior 3. The hose line 1 has a helically running material web 4, which forms the hose wall 2. The material web 4 is a spirally coiled extruded profiled rim with embedded reinforcing element 5 in the form of a wire spiral, which likewise extends helically in the hose direction or in the longitudinal direction 6 of the hose line 1. The reinforcing element 5 is electrically conducting.

[0052] An insert 7 made of electrically conducting material in the form of a wire strand is likewise embedded in the hose wall 2. The strand 7 lies closer to the hose inner wall 8 or to the hose longitudinal axis in the radial direction R than the reinforcing element 5. In the embodiment example represented the insert 7 follows the course of the reinforcing element 5 at a distance 9 in parallel and extends helically around the hose longitudinal axis in the longitudinal direction of the hose.

[0053] Hoses of the type represented are used in particular for transporting abrasive media. If necessary, the hose can be cut to the desired length. As a result of wear the thickness of the hose wall 2 can decrease, resulting in leakage. Also, in the course of the laying or during dynamic movement in operation, such hoses can be exposed to stresses from the outside, such as for example bending stresses. A breakage of the hose line and in particular of the reinforcing coil can result. Regarding this, FIG. 2 shows a system for wear warning in the case of a hose line according to the invention.

[0054] The hose line 1 represented here is shortened to the desired size and, like the hose line in FIG. 1, has a helically running material web and a correspondingly running reinforcing element 5. In this embodiment, however, the insert 7 runs parallel to the longitudinal axis 10 of the hose line 1. The left-hand end of the hose wall 2 is exposed. The end of the reinforcing element 5 and the end of the insert 7 are connected to an ohmmeter 11. In order to close the electric circuit, at the other end of the hose line 1 the reinforcing element 5 and the insert 7 are electrically connected to each other. In the embodiment example represented here an electrically conducting clamp 13 is secured to the end of the hose line 1, with the result that the clamp 13 comes into contact with the reinforcing element 5 and with the insert 7 and closes the electric circuit. Alternatively, a pin can also be pushed into e.g. the front end of the insert 7 and then connected to the reinforcing element 5 e.g. via a small cable.

[0055] The section of the wall between the hose interior 3 and the insert 7 acts as a wearing layer 12. If, as a result of wear, there is a reduction in the wall thickness of the hose wall 2, the insert 7, which is formed in the form of a wire strand, is exposed first, before the reinforcing element 5 is damaged. As a result of further abrasion, individual conductors of the strand are separated, whereby the measured electrical resistance changes. This can be indicated by the ohmmeter 11. The user thus receives an early warning of an impending leakage. The material layer between the reinforcing element 5 and the insert 7 effectively acts as a time buffer. If there is a breakage of the hose line 1 and/or if the reinforcing element 5 or the insert 7 is damaged, a corresponding response is likewise received. Instead of a clamp, other electrically conducting means for electrically connecting the reinforcing element to the insert are also possible. For example, at the other end of the hose line 1 an electrically conducting adhesive strip or the like can be attached, which connects the ends of the reinforcing element 5 and the insert 7 to each other in an electrically conducting manner.

[0056] The hose line 1 in FIG. 3 is constructed substantially the same as the hose line from FIG. 1. Instead of a wire strand, the insert 7 consists of an electrically conducting material in the form of extruded plastic which has been coextruded together with the material web 4 and in the process has been introduced into the material web 4. In the embodiment example represented here the plastic of the insert 7 corresponds substantially to that of the hose wall 2 or of the material web 4, but has been modified with respect to its electrical conductivity by the addition of additives. If, as a result of increasing wear, there is damage to the insert, the measured resistance of the already discussed electric circuit also changes here and allows a conclusion to be drawn as to the state of the hose line 1.

[0057] FIG. 4 shows a device 14 for extruding plastic in the form of an extrusion head with a profiled template 15. The extrusion head 14 has an inlet 16 for an extrudate in the form of molten plastic, which is provided by an extruder 17. A channel 18 passes through the extrusion head 14. The extrudate flows through the channel 18, is fed into the profiled template 15 and moulded to form a profiled rim.

[0058] As part of the extrusion process, the reinforcing element 5 is also to be embedded in the extruded material web. For this, the reinforcing element 5 (here a wire) is guided into the channel 18 of the extrusion head 14 and surrounded by the extrudate, with the result that the reinforcing element 5 is embedded in the extruded plastic after leaving the profiled template 15. The correct position of the reinforcing element 5 in the extruded material web or in the channel 18, where the reinforcing element 5 is melted into the plastic, is ensured by a first guide section 19.

[0059] An electrical conductor or an insert 7 made of electrically conducting material is to be embedded in the material web likewise and in a defined position relative to the reinforcing element 5. The electrical conductor 7 comprises a wire strand, which is guided parallel to the reinforcing element 5 into the extrusion head 14 and melted into the plastic. The position of the insert 7 relative to the reinforcing element 5 is ensured by a second guide section 20, which guides the insert 7 parallel to the reinforcing element 5. The first guide section 19 and the second guide section 20 are formed by two passages in a sheath-like element 21. The sheath-like element 21 has the form of a double tube.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0060] 1 Hose line [0061] 2 Hose wall [0062] 3 Hose interior [0063] 4 Material web [0064] 5 Reinforcing element [0065] 6 Longitudinal direction (hose direction) [0066] 7 Insert made of electrically conducting material [0067] 8 Hose inner wall [0068] 9 Distance between reinforcing element and insert [0069] 10 Longitudinal axis of the hose line [0070] 11 Ohmmeter [0071] 12 Wearing layer [0072] 13 Clamp [0073] 14 Extrusion device [0074] 15 Profiled template [0075] 16 Inlet [0076] 17 Extruder [0077] 18 Channel [0078] 19 First guide section [0079] 20 Second guide section [0080] 21 Double tube