# US 4,399,319 A · Thermally insulated composite flexible hose > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 4,399,319 A - Document ID: US4399319A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 06/322,669 - Filed: 1981-11-18 - Granted: 1983-08-16 - Earliest claimed: 1981-11-18 - Assignees: Bio-Energy Systems, Inc. - Inventors: Michael F. Zinn - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US4399319A ## CPC - F16L 11/127: electrically conducting - F16L 11/22: Multi-channel hoses - F16L 59/153: for flexible pipes - F24S 80/30: Arrangements for connecting the fluid circuits of solar collectors with each other or with other components, e.g. pipe connections; Fluid distributing means, e.g. headers - H01B 7/0072: {Electrical cables comprising fluid supply conductors} - Y02E 10/40: Solar thermal energy, e.g. solar towers - Y10S 138/08: Bent shaped retained - Y10S 138/09: Cellular - F16L: PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL - F24S: SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS (for producing mechanical power from solar energy F03G6/00) - H01B: CABLES; CONDUCTORS; INSULATORS; SELECTION OF MATERIALS FOR THEIR CONDUCTIVE, INSULATING OR DIELECTRIC PROPERTIES (selection for magnetic properties H01F1/00; waveguides H01P {; printed circuits H05K}) - Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION - Y10S: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS ## Abstract A thermally insulated composite flexible hose, particularly suited for heat exchanger connections in building structures, comprising an outer foam jacket of thermal insulation and an inner extended unitary elastomeric extrusion comprising primary tubes spaced apart by an intermediate section separable therefrom along tear lines. The intermediate section may comprise two additional tubes smaller in diameter than the primary tubes. Insulated electrical conductors may be disposed along the outside of the unitary extrusion and inside the jacket. ## Claims ### Claim 1 Thermally insulated composite flexible hose comprising (a) an extended unitary extrusion of elastomeric material comprising i. at least two spaced primary tubes, and ii. an intermediate section separably attached to the primary tubes along tear lines and holding said tubes in spaced relation; and (b) a jacket of foamed thermal insulation surrounding said unitary extrusion. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) Thermally insulated composite flexible hose according to claim 1 wherein a pair of equally sized parallel primary tubes are provided. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) Thermally insulated composite flexible hose according to claim 1 wherein the intermediate section comprises at least one intermediate tube. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) Thermally insulated composite flexible hose according to claim 1 wherein the jacket is continuous and strippable. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) Thermally insulated flexible hose according to claim 4 wherein the jacket is a separately formed element into which the unitary extrusion is fitted. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) Thermally insulated composite flexible hose according to claim 1 which includes insulated electrical conductor means disposed along the outside of the unitary extrusion and inside the jacket. ### Claim 7 Thermally insulated composite flexible hose comprising (a) an extended unitary extrusion of elastomeric synthetic rubber material comprising i. a pair of spaced equally sized primary tubes, and ii. an intermediate section holding the primary tubes in parallel spaced relation, and iii. the two primary tubes and intermediate section being separably attached to one another along tear lines permitting the primary tubes to be free; and (b) a continuous strippable jacket of foamed elastomeric thermal insulation surrounding said unitary extrusion. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) Thermally insulated composite flexible hose according to claim 7 wherein the intermediate section comprises a pair of intermediate tubes attached to the pair of primary tubes along four tear lines. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) Thermally insulated composite flexible hose according to claim 7 which includes insulated electrical conductor means disposed along the outside of the unitary extrusion and inside the jacket. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) Thermally insulated composite flexible hose according to claim 7 wherein the intermediate section and the primary tubes define a hollow core coaxial with a central axis of the extrusion. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) Thermally insulated flexible hose according to claim 7 wherein the jacket is a separately formed element into which the unitary extrusion is fitted. ### Claim 12 Thermally insulated composite flexible hose comprising (a) an extended unitary extrusion of EPDM elastomeric material having a central axis and comprising i. a pair of spaced equally sized primary tubes, and ii. a pair of spaced equally sized intermediate tubes holding the primary tubes in parallel spaced relation, and iii. the intermediate tubes having an outside diameter less than half that of the primary tubes but greater than the primary tube spacing, and iv. the four tubes being separately attached to one another along four tear lines permitting the primary tubes to be freed and together definding a hollow core coaxial with the central axis of the extrusion; (b) a pair of insulated electrical conductors disposed along the outside of the unitary extrusion; and (c) a continuous strippable jacket of closed cell foamed elastomeric thermal insulation surrounding said unitary extrusion and conductors, the jacket being a separably formed element into which the unitary extrusion is fitted.