# US 5,349,989 A · Fluid transportation multiconduit umbilical

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 5,349,989 A
- Document ID: US5349989A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 07/962,587
- Filed: 1992-12-29
- Granted: 1994-09-27
- Earliest claimed: 1990-06-29
- Assignees: Dunlop Coflexip Umbilicals Limited
- Inventors: Lucien Legallais
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5349989A

## CPC

- F16L 11/12: with arrangements for particular purposes, e.g. specially profiled, with protecting layer, heated, electrically conducting (F16L11/11 takes precedence)
- F16L 11/082: {two layers}
- F16L 11/22: Multi-channel hoses
- F16L 2011/047: {with a diffusion barrier layer}
- F16L: PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL

## Abstract

For the transportation of a fluid such as a methanol or glycol there is provided a multi-conduit umbilical (20) having a conduit which comprises a hose (10,21,22) having a lining layer (11) of polyethylene, for example cross-linked polyethylene, arranged to restrain permeation of fluid from the bore of the hose (10,21,22).

## Claims

### Claim 1

A multi-conduit umbilical for the transportation of methanol or glycol over a distance of at least 3 kilometers and comprising a plurality of conduits at least one of which is comprised of a flexible hose comprising a hose reinforcement structure which extends along the length of the hose and a liner layer of cross-linked polyethylene which extends along at least a substantial part of the length of the hose at least at a position radially inwards of the hose reinforcement structure, the plurality of conduits forming the umbilical being maintained in a bundled configuration by a surrounding umbilical reinforcement structure.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

A multi-conduit umbilical according to claim 1 wherein the hose reinforcement structure is embedded in the hose liner layer.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

A multi-conduit umbilical according to claim 1 wherein the hose liner layer and hose reinforcement structure are surrounded by a sheath.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

A multi-conduit unbiblical according to claim 3 wherein said sheath is of a material other than polyethylene and is more permeable to glycol and methanol than said liner.

### Claim 5 (depends on 3)

A multi-conduit umbilical according to claim 3 wherein said sheath has a permeation rate which is at least 5 times that of the hose liner layer to methanol liquid.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

A multi-conduit umbilical according to claim 5 wherein said sheath has a permeability rate at least 10 times that of the hose liner.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

A multi-conduit umbilical according claim 1 wherein said hose liner layer has a thickness which lies in the range 0.8 to 4.0 mm.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

A multi-conduit umbilical according to claim 7 wherein the thickness of the hose liner layer lies in the range 1 mm to 2.0 mm.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

A multi-conduit umbilical according to claim 1 wherein the assembly of conduits is surrounded by an umbilical reinforcement structure having a permeability to methanol or glycol less than that of the polyethylene liner of said hose conduit.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

A multi-conduit umbilical according to claim 1 wherein the permeability of the umbilical reinforcement structure is at least 5 times that of said hose liner layer.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

A method for the transportation of methanol or glycol between two stations wherein an umbilical according to claim 1 is arranged to extend between said stations and is secured relative to said stations by means of end fittings associated with respective ends of the umbilical.