Patent Description:
This section provides background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the disclosure. It should be understood that the statements in this section of this document are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art.

Flexible rubber hose is used in a variety of hydraulic and other fluid transfer applications for conveying fluid pressures which for "high" pressure applications typically range from about <NUM> psi (<NUM> MPa) to <NUM> psi (<NUM> MPa) or more. In basic construction, hoses of the type herein involved typically are formed as having a tubular, inner tube or core surrounded by one or more outer layers of a braided or spiral-wound reinforcement material which may be a metal or metal-alloy wire or a natural or synthetic fiber. The reinforcement layers, in turn, are protected by a surrounding outermost jacket or cover which may be of the same or different material as the inner tube. The cover also provides the hose with increased abrasion resistance.

In the case of "rubber," as opposed to thermoplastic, hose constructions, the inner tube, may be provided as formed of a vulcanizable natural or, more typically, a synthetic rubber material such as Buna-N or neoprene. Such material or blend may be conventionally extruded and cooled or cured to form the inner tube. In some cases, the tube may be cross-head extruded over a mandrel for support, or otherwise supported in later forming operations using air pressure and/or reduced processing temperatures.

From the extruder, the inner tube may be delivered through a braider and/or a spiral winder for its reinforcement with one or more surrounding layers of a wire and/or fibrous material or blend such as a monofilament, yarn, cord, yarn-wire composite, or roving. Such reinforcement layers are often applied under tension and typically may be formed of an interwoven braid or a spiral winding of a nylon, polyester, polyphenylene bezobisoxazole, polyvinyl acetate, or aramid yarn, or a high tensile steel or other metal wire. A relatively thin bonding or other interlayer of a vulcanizable rubber may be extruded or otherwise applied between each of the reinforcement layers to bond each layer to the next layer.

Following the braiding, winding, or other application of the reinforcement layers and the interlayers, an outer cover or sheath optionally may be applied. Such cover, which may be formed as a cross-head extrusion, a moisture-cured or solvent-based dipped coating, or a spiral-wound wrapping, typically comprises an abrasion-resistant synthetic rubber or a thermoplastic such as a polyurethane. Following the application of the cover, the hose construction so-formed by be heated to vulcanize the rubber layers and thereby consolidate the construction into an integral hose structure.

In normal use, such as in mobile or industrial hydraulic applications, hoses of the type herein involved may be exposed to a variety of environmental factors and mechanical stresses which cannot always be predicted. Of utmost importance to the integrity and performance of the hose is that a strong bond is achieved between the constituent parts thereof. However, while it is important to bond these parts together, it is also important that the hose not be made overly stiff so as to make it prone to kinking or fatigue or otherwise useable for certain applications.

Current compact spiral hose designs use multiple layers of materials. The hose typically starts with a rubber inner tube, and a layer of textile braid or leno fabric covers the tube which prevents ends of wire from penetrating the tube during the spiral process. A rubber tie gum covers the textile braid or leno fabric to develop adhesion between the tube and the first layer of wire, and multiple layers of wire are spirally wound around the hose with rubber friction layers applied between each layer of wire. Finally the hose is covered by an outer layer of weather and abrasion resistant rubber. Hence, a conventional inner tube compound requires a textile braid or leno fabric to protect the soft uncured tube during the wire spiraling process. The textile braid or leno fabric prevents an end of wire from penetrating into the green tube during the spiral wire process. This protective layer is an expensive added cost and process to manufacture such hoses.

Hence, it is desirable to have hoses, which are manufactured in fewer steps, with fewer material, and which exhibit a demanding balance of chemical and physical properties. Indeed, as commercial applications for hoses continue to increase, it is believed that improvements in hose constructions would be well-received by numerous industries. Especially desired would be a construction which is flexible and light-weight, yet resistant to external stresses in a variety of mobile and industrial applications. <CIT> discloses tubular polymeric composite for tubing and hoses. <CIT> describes a method including premixing an anti-static additive and a first crosslinker to form an anti-static intermediate mixture where the anti-static additive is dispersed in the first crosslinker. In this context, a hose is described which comprises an inner tube of a single layer construction and defining a central longitudinal axis there through, and comprising a vulcanized and a plurality of rod shaped particles, namely nanotubes, orientated substantially parallel with the central longitudinal axis as a result of an extrusion process, wherein the plurality of rod shaped particles are carbon or graphite particles, and wherein the plurality of rod shaped particles is incorporated in an amount of from <NUM>% to <NUM>% by weight based upon total weight of the inner tube. The hose further comprises a tie layer directly surrounding the inner tube, a first reinforcement layer surrounding the tie layer, a second reinforcement layer surrounding the first reinforcement layer, and a cover surrounding the second reinforcement layer.

<CIT> discloses a flexible reinforced rubber hose adapted for conveying fluids under low temperatures and high pressures.

The invention discloses a hose (<NUM>) comprising:.

Certain embodiments of the disclosure will hereafter be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements. It should be understood, however, that the accompanying figures illustrate the various implementations described herein and are not meant to limit the scope of various technologies described herein, and:.

The following description of the variations is merely illustrative in nature and is in no way intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, its application, or uses. The description and examples are presented herein solely for the purpose of illustrating the various embodiments of the disclosure and should not be construed as a limitation to the scope and applicability of the disclosure. In the summary of the disclosure and this detailed description, each numerical value should be read once as modified by the term "about" (unless already expressly so modified), and then read again as not so modified unless otherwise indicated in context. Also, in the summary of the disclosure and this detailed description, it should be understood that a concentration or amount or value range listed or described as being useful, suitable, or the like, is intended that any and every concentration or amount or value within the range, including the end points, is to be considered as having been stated. For example, "a range of from <NUM> to <NUM>" is to be read as indicating each and every possible number along the continuum between about <NUM> and about <NUM>. Thus, even if specific data points within the range, or even no data points within the range, are explicitly identified or refer to only a few specific, it is to be understood that inventors appreciate and understand that any and all data points within the range are to be considered to have been specified, and that inventors had possession of the entire range and all points within the range.

In addition, use of the "a" or "an" are employed to describe elements and components of the embodiments herein. This is done merely for convenience and to give a general sense of concepts according to the disclosure. This description should be read to include one or at least one and the singular also includes the plural unless otherwise stated.

The terminology and phraseology used herein is for descriptive purposes and should not be construed as limiting in scope. Language such as "including," "comprising," "having," "containing," or "involving," and variations thereof, is intended to be broad and encompass the subject matter listed thereafter, equivalents, and additional subject matter not recited.

Also, as used herein any references to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular element, feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. The appearances of the phrase "in one embodiment" in various places in the specification are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment.

For illustration purposes, the precepts of the compact rubber hose construction herein involved are described in connection with a configuration as particularly adapted for use in high pressure, i.e., between about <NUM>-<NUM> psi (<NUM>-<NUM> MPa) mobile or industrial hydraulic applications. It will be appreciated, however, that aspects of the present disclosure may find use in other hose constructions for a variety or general hydraulic or other fluid transfer applications. Use within those such other applications therefore should be considered to be expressly within the scope of this disclosure.

Referring now to the figures wherein corresponding reference characters are used to designate corresponding elements throughout the several views with equivalent elements being referenced with prime or sequential alphanumeric designations, a representative hose construction according to the disclosure is shown generally at <NUM> in the cut-away view of <FIG> and in the radial cross-sectional view of <FIG>. In basic dimensions, hose <NUM> extends axially to an indefinite length along a central longitudinal axis <NUM>, and has a select inner and outer diameter referenced, respectively, at "Di" and "Do" in the radial cross-sectional view of <FIG>. The inner and outer diameter dimensions may vary depending upon the particular fluid conveying application involved, but generally for many high pressure hydraulic applications will be between about <NUM>-<NUM> inch (<NUM>-<NUM>) for inner diameter Di, and about <NUM>-<NUM> inch (<NUM>-<NUM>) for outer diameter Do, with an overall wall thickness, "T," there between of from about <NUM> to about <NUM> inch (<NUM>-<NUM>).

As may be seen in the different views of <FIG> and <FIG>, hose <NUM> is constructed as being formed about a tubular inner layer, i.e., inner tube or core, <NUM>, which may be of a single or multi-layer construction, and generally includes a vulcanized rubber. In either construction, inner tube <NUM> has a circumferential outer core tube surface, <NUM>, and a circumferential inner core tube surface, <NUM>, which defines the inner diameter Di of the hose <NUM>. A wall thickness is defined between the outer and inner core tube surfaces <NUM> and <NUM>, as referenced at "t" in the cross-sectional view of <FIG>. Such thickness t, which may be between about <NUM>-<NUM> inch (<NUM>-<NUM>), may be the minimum necessary to provide the desired pressure rating and solvent, gas, and/or liquid permeation resistance. With the overall wall thickness T of hose <NUM> being, as mentioned, between about <NUM>-<NUM> inch (<NUM>-<NUM>) for many sizes of hose <NUM>, the tube wall thickness t thus may comprises less than about <NUM>% of that thickness T, with the balance being comprised of the reinforcement and bonding layers, and any cover, that are necessary for the hose to meet a size, desired pressure rating, and/or applicable industrial standard. Disposed over inner tube <NUM> is tie layer <NUM> surrounding the inner tube <NUM>.

Inner tube or core, <NUM>, further includes plurality of rod shaped particles entrained therein, and which are orientated substantially parallel with the central longitudinal axis <NUM> of the inner tube <NUM>. The plurality of rod shaped particles is incorporated in an amount of from <NUM>% to <NUM>% by weight, based upon total weight of the inner tube. The rod shaped particles have an average length of from about <NUM> to about <NUM>, and an average diameter of from about <NUM> to about <NUM> microns.

Materials forming the rod shaped particles are selected from carbon or graphite particles. Carbon or graphite particles have carbon atoms which are bonded together in crystals that are more or less aligned parallel to the long axis of the rod shaped particle, as the crystal alignment gives the particle high strength-to-volume ratio (making it strong for its size). The properties of carbon particles, such as high stiffness, high tensile strength, low weight, high chemical resistance, high temperature tolerance and low thermal expansion, provide benefits in both manufacturing some hose embodiments according to the disclosure, as well as performance of such hoses.

A non limiting example of a liquid crystal polymer (LCP) material is Vectran®, available from Kuraray Co. , Ltd, which is an aromatic polyester produced by the polycondensation of <NUM>-hydroxybenzoic acid and <NUM>-hydroxynaphthalene-<NUM>-carboxylic acid. The condensation product is a polyester/polyarylate having the following structure:
<CHM>.

The materials used in the composition of inner tube <NUM> resists repeated high pressure impulse cycles and securely seals against a fitting, even though the tube wall gauge is thin. Furthermore, in manufacturing, the green strength, before vulcanization, of the tube is sufficient enough to allow spiraling wire reinforcement directly over the inner tube <NUM>, without the requirement of a protecting layer of textile braid or leno fabric. However, in some cases, it may be desirable to use a textile braid or leno fabric disposed over the outer surface <NUM> of the inner tube.

In an aspect of the disclosure, carbon rod shaped particles mixed with HNBR tube compound is effective to increase green strength and allow spiral wire processing without the use of a protective layer of textile braid or leno fabric. When the HNBR rubber compound is extruded into the shape of the tube, the rod shaped particles at least substantially align longitudinally along the length (i.e. central longitudinal axis) of the tube. This produces very high tensile and modulus properties in the extruded direction, which is along the central longitudinal axis. These properties reduce tube deformation under high pressure impulse cycles which prevents pinholes in the tube and extends the life of the hose. The high longitudinal strength also better holds the fitting onto the end of the hose for longer assembly life.

Due to the unique properties of the rod shaped particles, only a small amount of such particles is needed to gain sufficient green strength for processing. As such, the extra process of braiding textile yarn or applying leno fabric over the tube as a protective layer is not required in some embodiments. The amount of rod shaped particles is from <NUM>% to <NUM>% by weight, based upon total weight of the inner tube.

While the embodiments illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG> depict a compact high pressure hose, any hose application which requires high green strength for processing and high modulus after vulcanizing will benefit from adding rod shaped particles to the compound, and such is within the scope of the disclosure.

Referring again to <FIG> and <FIG>, as may be seen in the different views, hose <NUM> is constructed as being formed about a tubular inner layer, i.e., inner tube or core, <NUM>, which may be of a single or multi-layer construction. In either construction, inner tube <NUM> has a circumferential outer core tube surface, <NUM>, and a circumferential inner core tube surface, <NUM>, which defines the inner diameter Di of the hose <NUM>. A wall thickness is defined between the outer and inner core tube surfaces <NUM> and <NUM>, as referenced at "t" in the cross-sectional view of <FIG>. Such thickness t, which may be between about <NUM>-<NUM> inch (<NUM>-<NUM>), may be the minimum necessary to provide the desired pressure rating and solvent, gas, and/or liquid permeation resistance. With the overall wall thickness T of hose <NUM> being, as mentioned, between about <NUM>-<NUM> inch (<NUM>-<NUM>) for many sizes of hose <NUM>, the tube wall thickness t thus may comprises less than about <NUM>% of that thickness T, with the balance being comprised of the reinforcement and bonding layers, and any cover, that are necessary for the hose to meet a size, desired pressure rating, and/or applicable industrial standard.

Inner tube <NUM> is provided as extruded or otherwise formed of a vulcanizable, chemically-resistant, synthetic rubber. As used herein, "chemical resistance" should be understood to mean the ability to resist swelling, crazing, stress cracking, corrosion, or otherwise to withstand attack from organic solvents and hydrocarbons, such as hydraulic fluids. Said rubber includes acrylonitrile butadiene rubbers (NBR) and modified NBR's such as hydrogenated NBR (HNBR) and cross-linked NBR (XNBR), as well as copolymers and blends, thereof. Such blends may be, for example, XNBR or HNBR blended with one or more of a chlorinated polyethylene (CPE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), or polychloroprene (CR).

In its raw, i.e., uncompounded, form, the NBR may have a mid to high acrylonitrile (ACN) content of between about <NUM>-<NUM>%, and a Mooney viscosity ((ML <NUM> +<NUM>)@<NUM>° F. )) of at least about <NUM>. Such viscosity allows the rubber material to be compounded with between about <NUM>-<NUM>% by total weight of the compound of one or more reinforcing fillers. Each of such fillers may be provided, independently, as a powder or as flakes, fibers, or other particulate form, or as a mixture of such forms. Typical of such reinforcing fillers include carbon blacks, clays, and pulp fibers. For powders, the mean average particle size of the filler, which may be a diameter, imputed diameter, screen, mesh, length, or other dimension of the particulate, may range between about <NUM>-<NUM>.

Additional fillers and additives may be included in the formulation of the rubber compound depending upon the requirements of the particular application envisioned. Such fillers and additives, which may be functional or inert, may include curing agents or systems, wetting agents or surfactants, plasticizers, processing oils, pigments, dispersants, dyes, and other colorants, opacifying agents, foaming or antifoaming agents, anti-static agents, coupling agents such as titanates, chain extending oils, tackifiers, flow modifiers, pigments, lubricants, silanes, and other agents, stabilizers, emulsifiers, antioxidants, thickeners, and/or flame retardants. The formulation of the material may be compounded in a conventional mixing apparatus as an admixture of the rubber and filler components, and any additional fillers or additives. As vulcanized and filled with between about <NUM>-<NUM>% of a carbon black filler.

With respect to the spiral-wound construction shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, at least two, and typically four (as shown) or up to six or more, reinforcement layers, 130a-d, are provided over the inner tube <NUM>. Each of the reinforcement layers <NUM> may be conventionally formed as braided, knitted, wrapped, or, as is shown, spiral, i.e., helically, wound of, for example, from <NUM> to about <NUM> ends of monofilament, continuous multi-filament, i.e., yarn, stranded, cord, roving, thread, tape, or ply, or short "staple" strands of a fiber material. The fiber material, which may be the same or different in layers 130a-d, may be a natural or synthetic polymeric material such as a nylon, cotton, polyester, polyamide, aramid, polyolefin, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyvinyl acetate, or polyphenylene bezobisoxazole (PBO), or blend, a steel, which may be stainless or galvanized, brass, zinc or zinc-plated, or other metal wire, or a blend thereof.

In the illustrated spiral wound construction <NUM> of <FIG> and <FIG>, which also may contain additional extruded, spiral, braided, and/or knitted layers (not shown), the reinforcement layers 130a-d are oppositely wound in pairs so as to counterbalance torsional twisting effects. For each of the spiral wound layers 130a-d, from <NUM> to about <NUM> parallel ends of, preferably, a monofilament metal or metal alloy wire, may be helically wound under tension in one direction, i.e., either left or right hand, with the next immediately succeeding layer <NUM> being wound in the opposite direction. The inner reinforcement layer 130a may be wound as is shown in <FIG> directly over the outer surface <NUM> of inner tube <NUM>, or over an intermediate textile, foil, film, tie layer, or other layer.

As successively wound in the hose <NUM>, the layers 130a-d each may have a predetermined pitched angle, referenced at -θ in <FIG> for layers 130a and 130c, and at for layers 130b and 130d, measured relative to the longitudinal axis <NUM> of the hose <NUM>. For typical applications, the pitch angle θ will be selected to be between about <NUM>-<NUM>°, but particularly may be selected depending upon the desired convergence of strength, elongation, weight, and volumetric expansion characteristics of hose <NUM>. In general, higher pitch angles above about <NUM>° exhibit decreased radial expansion of the hose under pressure, but increased axial elongation. For high pressure applications, a "neutral" pitch angle of about <NUM>° generally is preferred as minimizing elongation to about ±<NUM>% of the original hose length. Each of the layers <NUM> may be wound at the same or different absolute pitch angle, and it is known that the pitch angles of respective reinforcement layers may be varied to affect the physical properties of the hose. In a preferred construction, however, the pitch angles of reinforcement layers 130a-d are provided to about the same, but as reversed in successive layers.

The tension and area coverage at which the reinforcement layers <NUM> are braided, wound, or knitted may be varied to achieve the desired flexibility, which may be measured by bend radius, flexural forces, or the like, of the hose <NUM>. For the spiral wound layers 130a-d depicted in <FIG> and <FIG>, the constituent wires or other ends generally will be applied at greater than about <NUM>% coverage.

In the illustrated construction which may be particularly adapted for high pressure hydraulic applications, each of the reinforcement layers 130a-d may be spiral wound from one end of a monofilament carbon or stainless steel wire having a generally circular cross-section with a diameter of between about <NUM>-<NUM> inch (<NUM>-<NUM>). As so formed, each of the layers 130a-d thus may have a thickness of that of the wire diameter. Although a circular wire is shown, a "flat-wire" construction alternatively may be employed using wires having a rectangular, square, or other polygonal cross-section. Low profile oval or elliptical wires also may be used. To better control the elongation and contraction of hose <NUM>, and for improved impulse fatigue life, the inner reinforcement layer 130a may be bonded, by means of fusion, i.e., vulcanization of the inner tube <NUM>, mechanical, chemical, or adhesive bonding, or a combination thereof or otherwise, to the outer surface <NUM> of the core tube <NUM>. In some aspects, such bonding is achieved with a tie layer <NUM> disposed between reinforcement layer 130a and outer surface <NUM> of inner tube <NUM>.

In those embodiments where tie layer <NUM> is disposed between reinforcement layer 130a and outer surface <NUM> of inner tube <NUM>, tie layer <NUM> may be formed of one or more bonding resins which is be provided between reinforcement layer 130a and outer surface <NUM> to effect a bond across the entirety of these layers. Representative examples of such resins include Ricobond® <NUM> for peroxide cured compounds and Ricobond® <NUM> for sulfur cured compounds.

In some aspects, the outermost reinforcement layer <NUM> d may be sheathed within one or more layers of a coaxially-surrounding protective cover or jacket, referenced at <NUM>, having a circumferential interior surface, <NUM>, and an opposing circumferential exterior surface, <NUM>, which defines the hose outer diameter Do. Depending upon its construction, cover <NUM> may be spray-applied, dip coated, cross-head or co-extruded, or otherwise conventionally extruded, spiral or longitudinally, i.e., "cigarette," wrapped, or braided over the reinforcement layer 130d as, for example, a <NUM>-<NUM> inch (<NUM>-<NUM>) thick layer of an fiber, glass, ceramic, or metal-filled, or unfilled, abrasion-resistant thermoplastic, i.e., melt-processible, or thermosetting, vulcanizable natural rubber or a synthetic rubber such as fluoropolymer, chlorosulfonate, polybutadiene, butyl, neoprene, nitrile, polyisoprene, and buna-N, copolymer rubbers such as ethylene-propylene (EPR), ethylene-propylene-diene monomer (EPDM), nitrile-butadiene (NBR) and styrene-butadiene (SBR), or blends such as ethylene or propylene-EPDM, EPR, or NBR, and copolymers and blends of any of the foregoing. The term "synthetic rubbers" also should be understood to encompass materials which alternatively may be classified broadly as thermoplastic or thermosetting elastomers such as polyurethanes, silicones, fluorosilicones, styrene-isoprene-styrene (SIS), and styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS), as well as other polymers which exhibit rubber-like properties such as plasticized nylons, polyesters, ethylene vinyl acetates, and polyvinyl chlorides. As used herein, the term "elastomeric" is ascribed its conventional meaning of exhibiting rubber-like properties of compliancy, resiliency or compression deflection, low compression set, flexibility, and an ability to recover after deformation, i.e., stress relaxation. By "abrasion-resistant," it is meant that such material for forming cover <NUM> may have a hardness of between about <NUM>-<NUM> Shore A durometer.

Any of the materials forming the cover <NUM> may be loaded with metal particles, carbon black, or another electrically-conductive particulate, flake, or fiber filler so as to render hose <NUM> electrically-conductive for static dissipation or other applications. Separate electrically-conductive fiber or resin layers (not shown), which may be in the form of spiral or "cigarette-wrapped" tapes or otherwise provided, also may be included in the hose construction <NUM> between the core <NUM> and the inner reinforcement layer 130a, between the reinforcement layers <NUM>, or between the outermost reinforcement layer 130d and cover <NUM>.

Similar to the bonding of core <NUM> to the inner reinforcement layer 130a, or to a textile or other layer there between, the interior surface <NUM> of cover <NUM> may be bonded to the outermost reinforcement layer 130d. Such bond, again, may be by fusion, chemical, mechanical, or adhesive means, or a combination thereof or other means.

Each of the reinforcement layers 130a-d within hose <NUM> may be bonded, such as chemically and/or mechanically, to its immediately succeeding layer <NUM> so as to provide for the more efficient transfer of induced internal or external stresses. Such bonding may be effected via the provision of a bonding agent in the form of an intermediate adhesive, resin, or other interlayer, 150a-c. In an illustrative embodiment, such bonding agent may be provided as an adhesive in the form of a melt-processible or vulcanizable material which is extruded or otherwise applied in a molten, softened, uncured or partially uncured, or otherwise flowable phase over each of the reinforcement layers 130a-d to form the respective interlayers 150a-c. Each such interlayer <NUM> may have a thickness of between about <NUM>-<NUM> mils (<NUM>-<NUM>). The corresponding reinforcement layer <NUM> then may be wound over the corresponding interlayer <NUM> while it is still in its softened phase. Alternatively in the case of a thermoplastic interlayer <NUM>, the layer may be reheated to effect its re-softening prior to the winding of reinforcement layer <NUM>.

The material forming interlayers <NUM> specifically may be selected for high or low temperature performance, flexibility, or otherwise for compatibility with the reinforcement layers <NUM> and/or the inner tube <NUM> and cover <NUM>. Suitable materials include natural and synthetic rubbers, as well as thermoplastic, i.e., melt-processible, or thermosetting, i.e., vulcanizable, resins which should be understood to also include, broadly, materials which may be classified as elastomers or hot-melts. Representative of such resins include plasticized or unplasticized polyamides such as nylon <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, polyesters, copolyesters, ethylene vinyl acetates, ethylene terpolymers, polybutylene or polyethylene terephthalates, polyvinyl chlorides, polyolefins, fluoropolymers, thermoplastic elastomers, engineering thermoplastic vulcanizates, thermoplastic hot-melts, copolymer rubbers, blends such as ethylene or propylene-EPDM, EPR, or NBR, polyurethanes, and silicones. In the case of thermoplastic resins, such resins typically will exhibit softening or melting points, i.e., Vicat temperatures, of between about <NUM>-<NUM>° C. For amorphous or other thermoplastic resins not having a clearly defined melting peak, the term melting point also is used interchangeably with glass transition point.

With each of the respective layers <NUM>, optional tie layer <NUM>, 130a, 150a, 130b, 150b, 130c, 150c, 130d, and <NUM> being extruded, wound, or otherwise formed sequentially in such order, following the application of the cover <NUM>, the hose <NUM> may be heated to vulcanize the rubber layers and thereby consolidate the construction into an integral hose structure.

Thus, an illustrative rubber hose construction is described which is of most compact design, but which is still flexible. Such construction may be rated, such as under SAE J517 or J1754, ISO <NUM> or J1745, and/or DIN EN <NUM>, or otherwise adapted for use in a variety applications such as mobile or industrial hydraulic installations specifying relatively high working pressures of between about <NUM>-<NUM> psi (<NUM>-<NUM> MPa), or otherwise for a variety of pneumatic, vacuum, shop air, general industrial, maintenance, and automotive applications such as for air, oil, antifreeze, and fuel.

This unique compound design could be used in high pressure oil drilling applications such as chock and kill hose or rotary drilling hose. It also could be used in high pressure compact braided hydraulic hose. In this invention, carbon fiber is added to an HNBR compound but other types of fiber and polymer combinations could be formulated for different hose applications.

The following experimental data was generated for the purpose of further illustrating the nature of some of the embodiments and aspects of the disclosure, and are not intended as a limitation on the scope thereof. The following examples were prepared to illustrate improved inner tube properties for manufacturing and high performance hoses, in accordance with some aspects of the disclosure.

In the following examples, in a first pass, a non-productive blend of components was mixed in an internal mixer as indicated in table <NUM>. The non-productive batch was dropped at a temperature of from about <NUM> deg F to about <NUM> deg F. Thereafter, in a second pass, additional components were added to non-productive blend to form a product blend by mixing in an internal mixer. The productive batch was dropped at a temperature of from about <NUM> deg F to about <NUM> deg F. Ingredients used for these examples, ex. <NUM> through ex. <NUM>, are provided in table <NUM>. Thereafter are provided descriptions/availability of ingredients used in the compounding of the non-productive and productive blends.

The productive blends were then formed into <NUM> thick sheets, and either tested in 'green' form, uncured form, for green strength, or cured at temperature of about <NUM> deg F for <NUM> minutes. Physical property testing was conducted on the cured example sheets or uncured examples, with values indicated in tables <NUM> and <NUM> below. Any evaluation conducted "with the grain" means the evaluation was carried out with stress or forces applied in a direction parallel with the orientation of the plurality of rod shaped particles. The evaluations for tensile (psi), elongation %, Mod <NUM> (psi), Mod <NUM> (psi), Mod <NUM> (psi), Mod <NUM> (psi) and Mod <NUM> (psi) were conducted according to ASTM D412. Shore A was conducted according to ASTM D2240, Tear Die C (lbf/in) according to ASTM D624, Volume swell % according to ASTM D471, and Hydraulic Oil Tellus <NUM> according to ASTM D471.

The evaluations carried out for examples <NUM> through <NUM> showed increasing carbon rod shaped particles content resulted in increases in tensile, modulus, Shore A, and Tear Die C. Although the elongation decreased with higher carbon rod shaped particle loading, the materials still retained sufficient elongation to be flexible in dynamic performance. The unique combination of properties, made possible by incorporation of carbon rod shaped particles, is important to obtain the high dynamic performance of the hose. Besides improving dynamic performance, carbon rod shaped particles also make the uncured rubber processible during the spiraling step(s) of making a hose. In examples <NUM> through <NUM>, the compound green strength increases as carbon rod shaped particle content percentage increases. It is also very important to notice that without any fiber the compound green strength is insufficient for processing. In examples <NUM> through <NUM>, one can observe similar benefit on compound green strength by carbon rod shaped particle incorporation.

A compact spiral hose was prepared using the material of Ex. <NUM> above. The material of Ex. <NUM> was used to extrude an inner tube having a thickness of <NUM> +/- <NUM>, and an inner diameter of <NUM> +/- <NUM>. A leno fabric (polyester open weave RFL dipped material) was then applied over the inner tube, and tie layer applied over the leno fabric, where the tie layer had a thickness of <NUM> +/-<NUM>. The tie layer was composed of a blend of NBR/SBR/BR polymer with a hydrated silica, resorcinol, and hexamethylenetetramine adhesion system. The tie layer was designed to have excellent adhesion to the HNBR tube on one side to an outer friction layer, described below.

A <NUM> brass coated wire spiral weave reinforcement layer was applied over the tie layer, and friction layer having a thickness of <NUM> +/- <NUM> applied over the brass coated wire spiral weave reinforcement layer. The friction layer was a material composed of a SBR polymer with hydrated silica, resorcinol, and hexamethylenetetramine adhesion system. Five more layers of brass coated wire spiral weave reinforcement and friction material were subsequently applied, resulting in six brass coated wire spiral weave reinforcement layers with friction layers applied thereon. A XNBR cover having a thickness of <NUM> +/- <NUM> was then extruded over the entire hose, which resulted in a compact spiraled hose having an outer diameter of <NUM> +/- <NUM>.

The compact spiral hose was then subjected to repeated cycle pressure pulse testing by sealingly affixing the two ends of the hose, via a pair of fittings, to a pressure cycling device. The compact spiral hose was exposed to <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM> pressure pulse cycles, each ramping up to about 47MPa. The compact spiral hose maintained its structural integrity during the <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM> pressure pulse cycles, and no failure of the hose was observed.

Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be sufficiently thorough, and will convey the scope to those who are skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the disclosure, but are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. It will be appreciated that it is within the scope of the disclosure that individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described.

Claim 1:
A hose (<NUM>) comprising:
an inner tube (<NUM>) of a single layer construction and defining a central longitudinal axis (<NUM>) there through, and comprising a vulcanized rubber and a plurality of rod shaped particles orientated substantially parallel with the central longitudinal axis (<NUM>), wherein the inner tube (<NUM>) has a tube wall thickness (t) of between <NUM> to about <NUM>, wherein the plurality of rod shaped particles are carbon or graphite particles having carbon atoms which are bonded together in crystals aligned parallel to the long axis of the rod shaped particles and wherein the plurality of rod shaped particles is incorporated in an amount of from <NUM>% to <NUM>% by weight, based upon total weight of the inner tube (<NUM>);
a tie layer (<NUM>) directly surrounding the inner tube (<NUM>);
a first reinforcement layer (130a) surrounding the tie layer (<NUM>);
at least a second reinforcement layer (130b) surrounding the first reinforcement layer (130a);
an interlayer (150a) interposed between the first and the second reinforcement layer (130b), the interlayer (150a) bonding the first reinforcement layer (130a) to the second reinforcement layer (130b); and
a cover (<NUM>) surrounding the second reinforcement layer (130b); and
wherein particles comprised in the plurality of rod shaped particles have an average length of from <NUM> to <NUM>, and an average diameter of from <NUM> to <NUM> microns and wherein the vulcanized rubber comprises an acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR), a hydrogenated NBR (HNBR), a cross-linked NBR (XNBR), or copolymers and blends thereof.