US 9,518,685 B2 · Extruded encapsulated fillers to provide crush protection

Abstract

In various embodiments, a tubular comprises a tubular outer sheath defining an inner void; one or more core elements or assemblies disposed within the inner void; and a substantially solid filler in various embodiments disposed within and substantially filling the inner void, where the filler is adapted to give the tubular hoop strength in a crush situation and comprises a polymer with a density of at least 1.0. In some embodiments, these core assemblies comprise an extruded polymer layer typically extruded about core elements in a single pass, fitting about them without a sharp edge and defining an outer shape. The resulting tubular can comprise multiple regions which, though substantially filled, are filled with differing fillers densities.

Claims10

Dependent claims

A tubular, comprising:

a. a tubular outer sheath defining an inner void;
b. a core element disposed within the inner void;
c. a substantially solid filler comprising a polymer, the polymer comprising a density of at least 1.0 and a predetermined hoop strength in a crush situation, the filler disposed within and substantially completely filling the inner void and in contact with and substantially completely surrounding the core element;
and
d. a tubular inner sheath having a circumference smaller than the tubular outer sheath, the tubular inner sheath disposed within the inner void and defining:
i. a first space between an outer portion of the tubular inner sheath and an inner portion of the tubular outer sheath;
and
ii. a second space within the inner void inside the tubular inner sheath, the filler disposed within and substantially filling the second space.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Extruded encapsulated fillers to provide crush protection

Life of this patent

Extruded encapsulated fillers to provide crush protection

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims10