Metal cord reinforced flexible pipe
AssigneeFlexpipe Systems Inc.
InventorsJEFFREY RYAN CONLEY, SAMUEL GLEN BOUEY, ERIC JAMES SLINGERLAND
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A flexible pipe for conveying pressurized fluids that has an inner tubular layer, two reinforcing layers, an outer layer and a barrier layer. The reinforcing layers are comprised of metal cords wrapped around the inner tubular layer. The metal cords may be comprised of multiple individual wires twisted about themselves or a central guide line. The barrier layer may be positioned between the two reinforcing layers and penetrate therebetween. Additionally, a method for making a flexible pipe is provided, which includes the use of heat to facilitate the penetration of the barrier layer into each of the reinforcing layers.
Claims19
A flexible pipe comprising:
- (a) an inner tubular layer with an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface forming a central bore for conveying a fluid therewithin;
- (b) a first reinforcing layer of at least one first metal cord wound around the outer surface in a first helical direction to support axial and radial loads on the inner tubular layer, the first reinforcing layer including valleys defined between adjacent wraps of the at least one first metal cord;
- (c) a second reinforcing layer of at least one second metal cord wound outwardly of the first reinforcing layer to support axial and radial loads on the inner tubular layer and the first reinforcing layer, the second reinforcing layer including valleys defined between adjacent wraps of the at least one second metal cord;
- (d) an outer layer provided on the second reinforcing layer to protect the first and second reinforcing layers;
- and
- (e) a barrier layer between the first and second reinforcing layers, the barrier layer penetrating into the valleys of the first and second reinforcing layers.
A method for making pipe, the method comprising:
- (a) tensively wrapping at least one first metal cord in a first direction around an inner tubular member at a first angle, the at least one first metal cord forming a first reinforcing layer and having valleys defined between adjacent wraps of the at least one first metal cord;
- (b) forming a barrier layer over the first reinforcing layer, the barrier layer penetrating into the valleys of the first reinforcing layer;
- (c) tensively wrapping at least one second metal cord in a second direction around an inner tubular member at a second angle, the at least one second metal cord forming a second reinforcing layer and having valleys defined between adjacent wraps of the at least one second metal cord, the barrier layer penetrating into the valleys of the second reinforcing layer;
- and
- (d) applying an outer layer over the second reinforcing layer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.