US 2014/0150889 A1 · COLLAPSIBLE HOSES AND PRESSURE SYSTEMS

Abstract

An extendible and collapsible pressure hose system can be created which comprises a collapsible pressure hose with a hose output connector mounted on one end and a fluid control system mounted on the other. In such a system, the collapsible pressure hose can, but need not comprise a coiled support wire, a convoluted hose body and/or an outer reinforcement cover. A fluid control system can comprise an input connector attached to hose, input connector housing, a main valve, and a pump. In such a fluid control system, the main valve can direct fluid within hose in three modes: 1) an open mode, where fluid pressure extends hose for use, 2) a retract mode, where the pump is used to pump fluid out of the hose, and 3) a closed mode, where no fluid can flow and in which the hose can be stowed.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A device comprising:

a) a flexible conveying channel having a natural length, an extended length and a retracted length, the natural length being greater than the retracted length and less than the extended length, the extended length being at least twice the retracted length, the flexible conveying channel having a resistance to radial collapse which is greater than the flexible conveying channel's resistance to longitudinal collapse;
b) a rigid input disposed at an input end of the conveying channel and adapted to selectively provide fluid communication between the conveying channel and:
i) a source of fluid at pressure substantially greater than ambient pressure;
and
ii) an exit channel in fluid communication with a pump adapted to lower pressure on fluid in the exit channel to substantially less than ambient pressure;
c) an output connector disposed at an output end of the flexible conveying channel and adapted to attach to a flow restrictor.

3 more elements

A method comprising:

a) extending a flexible conveying channel having:
i) a natural length, an extended length and a retracted length, the natural length being greater than the retracted length and less than the extended length, the extended length being at least twice the retracted length;
and
ii) a resistance to radial collapse which is greater than the flexible conveying channel's resistance to longitudinal collapse;
to the extended length by performing a first set of one or more acts comprising introducing fluid at pressure substantially greater than ambient pressure into the flexible conveying channel;
b) conveying fluid at pressure substantially greater than ambient pressure from a rigid input disposed at an input end of the flexible conveying channel, through the flexible conveying channel, and into an ambient environment through a flow restrictor attached to an output connector disposed at an output end of the flexible conveying channel;
and
c) retracting the flexible conveying channel to the retracted length by performing a second set of one or more acts comprising establishing fluid communication between the flexible conveying channel and an exit channel in fluid communication with a pump adapted to lower pressure on fluid in the exit channel to substantially less than ambient pressure.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Collapsible hoses and pressure systems

Life of this patent

Collapsible hoses and pressure systems

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20