COUPLING FOR DOUBLE-WALLED HOSES

Abstract

An arrangement (1, 2) of a coupling (3) and a double-walled tube or hose (4). The double-walled tube or hose (4) includes two coaxially arranged sheaths (5, 6). The coupling (3) includes: a first, inner sleeve (14), surrounding an inner fluid conduit (7) for transfer of a first fluid, wherein the inner fluid conduit (7) is configured to fluidly connect with the fluid conduit (7) formed by the first, inner sheath (14) of the flexible tube or hose (4); a second sleeve (15), surrounding the first, inner sleeve (14); a third sleeve (16), surrounding the second sleeve (15); and a fourth, outer sleeve (17), surrounding the third sleeve (16). The first (14) and the second (15) sleeve form a receiving space (27) for receiving the first, inner sheath (5) of an end (13) of the double-walled flexible tube or hose (4); the third (16) and fourth (17) sleeve form a receiving space (28) for receiving an end (13) of a second, outer sheath (6) of the double-walled flexible tube or hose (4); and the second (15) and third (16) sleeve form an outer fluid conduit (23) for transfer of a second fluid, wherein the outer fluid conduit (23) is configured to fluidly connect with the fluid conduit formed by the clearance (8) between the first, inner (5) and the second, outer sheath (6) of the double-walled flexible tube or hose (4). The fluid connector part (19) of the inner fluid conduit (7) of the coupling (3) and the fluid connector part (25) of the outer fluid conduit (23) of the coupling (3) are displaced from each other in an axial direction of the coupling (3).

Claims

1. A coupling for use with a double-walled tube or hose comprising two coaxially arranged sheaths, the coupling comprising: a first, inner sleeve, surrounding an inner fluid conduit for transfer of a first fluid, wherein the inner fluid conduit is configured to fluidly connect with the fluid conduit formed by the first, inner sheath of the tube or hose, a second sleeve, surrounding the first, inner sleeve, a third sleeve, surrounding the second sleeve, a fourth, outer sleeve, surrounding the third sleeve, wherein the first and the second sleeve form a receiving space for receiving the first, inner sheath of an end of the double-walled tube or hose, wherein the third and fourth sleeve form a receiving space for receiving an end of a second, outer sheath of the double-walled tube or hose, wherein the second and third sleeve form an outer fluid conduit for transfer of a second fluid, wherein the outer fluid conduit is configured to fluidly connect with the fluid conduit formed by the clearance between the first, inner sheath and the second, outer sheath of the double-walled tube or hose, wherein the fluid connector part of the inner fluid conduit of the coupling and the fluid connector part of the outer fluid conduit of the coupling are displaced from each other in an axial direction of the coupling.

2. The coupling according to claim 1, wherein the fluid connector part of the outer fluid conduit is arranged at an angle relative to the axial direction of the coupling and/or the axial direction of the fluid connector part of the inner fluid conduit, preferably at essentially a right angle.

3. The coupling according to claim 1, wherein the fluid connector part of the inner fluid conduit is designed as a front-end fluid connector part, preferably comprising a flange part.

4. The coupling according to claim 1, wherein the fluid connector part of the outer fluid conduit is designed as a nozzle-type fluid connector part and/or as a socket-type fluid connector part.

5. The coupling according to claim 1, wherein the outer fluid conduit of the coupling comprises a plurality of fluid channels that are preferably arranged along the circumference of the outer fluid conduit of the coupling and/or in that the second and the third sleeve of the coupling are connected to each other by a plurality of web-like connections.

6. The coupling according to claim 5, wherein a collection channel fluidly connects to the fluid connector part of the outer fluid conduit and/or the plurality of fluid channels of the outer fluid conduit.

7. The coupling according to claim 5, wherein the second and third sleeve are designed as a common part, in particular as a one-piece part.

8. The coupling according to claim 5, wherein an anti-kink protection device is arranged at least in part in the vicinity, preferably connected to the second and/or third sleeve of the coupling and/or that is designed to be arranged in the spacing between the inner and the outer sheath of the double-walled tube or hose.

9. The coupling according to claim 8, wherein the anti-kink protection device is designed as one, two or a plurality of spirals or springs lying at least in part in the vicinity of, preferably extending from the second and/or third sleeve of the coupling.

10. The coupling according to claim 1, wherein the first sleeve, the second sleeve, the third sleeve and/or the fourth sleeve comprise a latching teeth arrangement, in particular a sawtooth-like latching teeth arrangement.

11. The coupling according to claim 1, comprising at least a crimping device, a clamping device and/or a swaging device.

12. The coupling according to claim 1, wherein the inner fluid conduit and the outer fluid conduit of the coupling are fluidly separated from each other.

13. A double-walled tube or hose arrangement, comprising a double-walled tube or hose and the coupling according to claim 1, wherein the double-walled tube or hose comprises the coupling at at least one end of the double-walled tube or hose.

14. Use of the coupling according to claim 1 and/or use of a double-walled tube or hose arrangement comprising a double-walled tube or hose and the coupling wherein the double-walled tube or hose comprises the coupling at at least one end of the double-walled tube or hose, and wherein the inner fluid conduit and the outer fluid conduit is used for transferring different types of fluids and/or for transferring fluids at a different temperature and/or pressure, and/or wherein the coupling and/or the double-walled tube or hose arrangement is used for/as a safety tube or hose.

15. The coupling according to claim 2, wherein the fluid connector part of the inner fluid conduit is designed as a front-end fluid connector part, preferably comprising a flange part.

16. The coupling according to claim 2, wherein the fluid connector part of the outer fluid conduit is designed as a nozzle-type fluid connector part and/or as a socket-type fluid connector part.

17. The coupling according to claim 3, wherein the fluid connector part of the outer fluid conduit is designed as a nozzle-type fluid connector part and/or as a socket-type fluid connector part.

18. The coupling according to claim 2, wherein the outer fluid conduit of the coupling comprises a plurality of fluid channels that are preferably arranged along the circumference of the outer fluid conduit of the coupling and/or in that the second and the third sleeve of the coupling are connected to each other by a plurality of web-like connections.

19. The coupling according to claim 3, wherein the outer fluid conduit of the coupling comprises a plurality of fluid channels that are preferably arranged along the circumference of the outer fluid conduit of the coupling and/or in that the second and the third sleeve of the coupling are connected to each other by a plurality of web-like connections.

20. The coupling according to claim 4, wherein the outer fluid conduit of the coupling comprises a plurality of fluid channels that are preferably arranged along the circumference of the outer fluid conduit of the coupling and/or in that the second and the third sleeve of the coupling are connected to each other by a plurality of web-like connections.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0045] The patent or application file contains at least one drawing executed in color. Copies of this patent or patent application publication with color drawing(s) will be provided by the Office upon request and payment of the necessary fee. Further advantages, features, and objects of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the invention in conjunction with the associated drawings, wherein the drawings show:

[0046] FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of an arrangement of a double-walled hose with a coupling in a schematic perspective cross section;

[0047] FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of an arrangement of a double-walled hose with a coupling in a schematic perspective cross section; and

[0048] FIG. 3 shows the arrangement of a double-walled hose and a coupling according to FIG. 2 in another perspective, partially cut open view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0049] FIG. 1 shows a possible embodiment of an arrangement 1 of a double-walled hose 4 with a coupling 3 according to the present disclosure in a cross-sectional perspective view. In FIG. 1, for clarity, only one end section 13 of the double-walled hose 4, together with the coupling 3 is shown. As it is known to a person skilled in the art, the double-walled hose 4 usually shows a distinct length, typically of several metres. In particular, the other end of the double-walled hose 4 may show a coupling that is similar to the presently shown coupling 3 according to FIG. 1. However, it is also possible that a different type of a coupling is used, or that no coupling is present at the other end of the double-walled hose 4.

[0050] The double-walled hose 4 comprises an inner sheath 5 and an outer sheath 6. The two sheaths 5, 6 can be made of any material that is used for this purpose in the state of the art. As an example, the inner and/or outer sheath could be produced from fibre reinforced rubber material. Possibly, a coating could be applied on one or both sides as well.

[0051] The inner sheath 5 and the outer sheath 6 of the double-walled hose 4 are arranged coaxially to each other. I.e., inner sheath 5 is arranged inside of outer sheath 6, or, put in other words, outer sheath 6 contains inner sheath 5. The dimensions of the sheaths 5, 6 are chosen in a way that an annular clearance 8 remains between the outer wall 10 of inner sheath 5 and inner wall 11 of outer sheath 6.

[0052] The inner sheath 5 defines an inner fluid conduit 7 on its inside. The inner fluid conduit 7 is limited by the inner wall 9 of inner sheath 5.

[0053] On the end 13 (which can be seen in FIG. 1) of the double-walled hose 4, a coupling 3 is arranged.

[0054] The coupling 3 essentially comprises a first, inner sleeve 14, a second sleeve 15 that surrounds first inner sleeve 15; a third sleeve 16 that surrounds second sleeve 15 (and therefore first sleeve 14 as well); and an outer, fourth sleeve 17 that surrounds the third sleeve 16 (and therefore also second sleeve 15 and first sleeve 14). The various sleeves are arranged coaxially to each other.

[0055] As can be seen from FIG. 1, the inside of inner sleeve 14 of coupling 3 defines an inner fluid conduit 7 that is a continuation of inner fluid conduit 7 of double-walled hose 4 (where for simplicity the same reference numeral is used). Further, between the outer (circumferential) wall of first, inner sleeve 14 and inner wall of second sleeve 15 an inner receiving space 27 is formed, inside of which the first, inner sleeve 5 of double-walled hose 4 is arranged. In the present embodiment, the force-fit connection between first sleeve 14, second sleeve 15 and inner sheath 5 is established by swaging first inner sleeve 14 to the outside, after the double-walled hose 4 has been placed with the respective ends of the sheaths 5 and 6 in the respective receiving spaces (first, inner receiving space 27 between first sleeve 14 and second sleeve 15; second, outer receiving space 28 between the third sleeve 16 and fourth sleeve 17).

[0056] Similarly, a force-fit connection is established between third sleeve 16 and fourth sleeve 17 and outer sheath 6 of double-walled hose 4 by a swaging and/or crimping deformation of outer, fourth sleeve 17 towards the inside.

[0057] To reinforce the connection between coupling 3 and double-walled hose 4, on the surfaces of the various sleeves 14, 15, 16, 17 that are neighbouring first and second sheath 5, 6 of the double-walled hose 4, a sawtooth like latching teeth arrangement 18 is provided. This introduces an additional positive form-locking fixation to the previously described force-fit connection.

[0058] For completeness, it should be mentioned that in the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1 (similarly FIG. 2 and FIG. 3) both the coupling 1 (3) and the double-walled hose 4 have a circular cross-section. In principle, however, a different cross-section could be used as well, like an elliptical cross-section, a rectangular or polygonal cross-section (in particular showing rounded edges) or the like.

[0059] As can be seen from FIG. 1, the fluid connector part 19 of the inner fluid conduit 7 is essentially designed as a circular orifice 19 that is surrounded by a flange 20. As can be seen in FIG. 1, the flange 20 comprises several bores for introducing screws or the like, as it is well established in the state of the art. Using the flange 20, the coupling 1 can be firmly attached to a wall of a suitable device in a fluid tight way. If needed, a sealing can be placed between the flange 20 and the wall of the respective device, as it is also a well-established in the prior art.

[0060] As can be further seen in FIG. 1, second sleeve 15 and third sleeve 16 are presently designed as a common part (unitary piece; one-piece block). Namely, second sleeve 15 and third sleeve 16 form a block that comprises a plurality of fluid channels 21 that are separated by web-like separating walls 22. The separating walls 22 provide a sufficiently large mechanical stability of combined second 15 and third sleeve 16, and do provide a second, outer fluid channel 23. As can be seen from FIG. 1, the outer fluid channel 23 is so to say an extension of the fluid guiding annular clearance 8 that is formed by first 5 and a second 6 sheath of the double-walled hose 4.

[0061] The outer fluid channel 23 thus fluidly connects the annular clearance 8 with the circular collecting channel 24 by virtue of the plurality of fluid channels 21. Presently, the individual fluid channels 21 show a circular cross-section. However, the fluid channels 21 may show a different cross-section as well.

[0062] The collecting channel 24 collects the fluid output of (or distributes the fluid input to) the fluid channels 21 and directs the fluid output (fluid input from) to a nozzle type connector 25. Using a nozzle-type connector 25, a hose or tube can be fluidly connected. Presently, the nozzle type connector 20 is provided with an outer thread 26, so that a tube or hose can be connected in a fluid-tight way using a threaded nut.

[0063] The arrangement 1 of the double-walled hose 4 and the coupling 3 can be used for several purposes:

[0064] The double-walled hose 4 can be used as a safety hose. Here, fluid is led through the inner fluid conduit 7 (only). Only in case a leak occurs in inner sheath 5 of double-walled hose 4 (or in the end section 13 of double-walled hose 4 and coupling 3; inner receiving space of coupling 3 and inner sheath 5 of double-walled hose 4), fluid from the inner fluid conduit 7 will be present in annular clearance 8/outer fluid conduit 23 of coupling 3. In this example, a suitable sensor may be attached to nozzle-type connector 25 (either directly, or indirectly using a tube or hose), so that the sensor can detect the presence of the conveyed fluid in annular clearance 8, outer fluid channel 23/collecting channel 24. If the presence of guided fluid is detected by such a sensor, a shutdown process can be initiated or an alert signal can be displayed to an operator, just to name two possible examples. Irrespective of the initial leak, the possibly dangerous or hazardous fluid is still contained within the double-walled hose 4, namely within the outer sheath 6 of double-walled hose 4. Therefore, no environmental hazard is present.

[0065] Another possibility is that fluid channel 7 and annular clearance 8/outer fluid channel 23 can be used for conveying two different gases separate from each other, without the necessity to install two separate tubes/hoses. This can be advantageous for several reasons. As an example, assembly cost may be reduced, assembly space may be saved or the like.

[0066] Yet another advantage is that the fluid that is channeled in the inner fluid channel 7 and the outer fluid channel 23/annular clearance 8, respectively, may show a different temperature (irrespective of whether the same or a different fluid is guided). This way, a heat exchanger effect can be realised, so that possibly the use of a heat exchanger can be avoided, or at least a still necessary heat exchanger can be dimensioned with a smaller size. The underlying idea can also be used for preventing an overheating of the fluid in the inner fluid channel 7, even if the double-walled hose 4 is guided through a hot environment, namely by using cooling fluid in annular clearance 8/outer fluid conduit 23.

[0067] The arrangement 2 of a double-walled hose 4 and a coupling 3 according to the embodiment of FIG. 2 (and FIG. 3) is very similar to the embodiment of an arrangement 1 according to FIG. 1. Therefore, for simplicity, similar reference numerals are used for the same or for at least similar parts, and reference is made to the previous description.

[0068] A major difference between the arrangement 2 according to the present embodiment versus the arrangement 1 according to the embodiment of FIG. 1 is that in the present embodiment 2 a helically wound spring 29 is introduced in the annular clearance 8 between the inner sheath 5 and outer sheath 6 of double-walled hose 4. The spring 29 is connected to the unitary block of second sleeve 15 and third sleeve 16 using a welding spot or soldering spot 30 (see FIG. 3). The spring 29 stiffens the double-walled hose 4 in the vicinity of coupling 3, so that in this section of the arrangement 2 the possibility of a kink is significantly reduced. Due to the finite length of spring 29, it is obvious for a person skilled in the art that the fluid resistance that is introduced by spring 29 is comparatively small and usually easily outweighs the disadvantages imposed by the added fluid flow resistance of the spring 29.

[0069] FIG. 3 shows the arrangement 2 of double-walled hose 4 and coupling 3 in a different view for improved understanding.

[0070] It is to be noted that a single one or a plurality of the features of the presently disclosed detailed embodiment may be used in combination with the generic description of the present disclosure.