Anti-collapse system and method of manufacture
AssigneeDeepflex Inc.
InventorMichael J. Bryant
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A reinforced flexible pipe having a tubular core member and a plurality of reinforcing tape members wrapped on the core member; the innermost tape member includes a plurality of openings that communicate with the external surface of the core member; and a polymer material embedded in the openings in the tape such that the polymer material contacts the core member and the tape to improve the hoop strength and the collapse resistance of the pipe. The polymer layer may also be bonded to the outer reinforcing tape to provide abrasion resistance to the reinforced flexible pipe.
Claims10
In a polymeric tubular core that is subject to internal fluid pressure, and which has a plurality of reinforcing tapes wrapped thereon for resisting the internal fluid pressure, and wherein each tape which is in contact with said core has an inner surface in contact with the external surface of said core, the improvement comprising:
- a. forming a plurality of laterally spaced openings in said tape that are in communication with the external surface of said core;
- b. embedding a polymer in said openings;
- and
- c. bonding the embedded polymer in the tape to the polymer of the core, whereby a collapse of the core is prevented when a reduction in internal fluid pressure in the core occurs.
A reinforced flexible pipe comprising:
- a. a tubular core member;
- b. a plurality of reinforcing tape members wrapped on said core member;
- c. the innermost tape member having a plurality of openings in communication with the external surface of said core member;
- and
- d. polymer material embedded in said openings in said innermost tape member wherein said polymer material contacts said core member and said innermost tape member.
A reinforced flexible pipe assembly, comprising:
- a. a plurality of reinforcing tape members wrapped on an inner core;
- b. the outermost tape member having a plurality of openings;
- and
- c. polymer material embedded in said openings in said outermost tape member whereby said polymer on said outermost tape member provides a bonded wear resistant surface for said reinforced flexible pipe.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.