Abstract: Hydraulic circuits having flexible hydraulic hoses forming part of the circuits are currently being operated at pressures in excess of 3,000 psi, and such circuits are often limited in their operating pressure by the burst strength of the hydraulic hose. By constructing a hollow core structure that forms the conduit and which serves as the foundation upon which the reinforcing is applied, with a two-layer tape composed of a layer of fabric and a layer of elastomer, which tape is then wound on a mandrel in a helically overlapping relationship with the fabric on the outside, an improved hose can be obtained after the reinforcing is applied. An increase in burst strength can be obtained in such a hose where wire cable is employed as the reinforcing in place of monofilament wire reinforcing, when the cable is formed (twisted) as it is applied, to achieve a more uniform tension on each of the strands forming the cable encircling the core structure.

Abstract: A flexible reinforced cured resin hose is shown having a combination of helically wound cable wires and body wires embedded therein in layers in the wall forming the hose. Two plies of cable wires are wrapped in opposite directions around the periphery of a liner tube supported on a mandrel, the plies being supported in a resin filler layer applied over the liner to hold the wires spaced apart to prevent the wires from rubbing as the hose is flexed. The body wires are more widely spaced apart and are spaced from and wrapped over the layers of cable wires to be embedded in the resin filler layer. A breaker layer may be wrapped over the assembly, an outer layer of wear resistant neoprene is applied and then a nylon cure tape is applied over the entire assembly prior to curing. A nylon rope is also spiraled down the outside of the assembly to be positioned exactly midway between the spaced apart body wires and then the resin is cured under heat and pressure.

Abstract: A thin-walled annular shell of high rigidity relative to its unit weight is provided. The wall of the shell is a composite material built up layerwise of glassy alloy strips of high transverse aspect ratio such that each layer is a strip wrapped at a substantially 45.degree. helix with respect to the elongate axis of the shell and with adjacent layers having alternating directions of wrap. Bonding between adjacent layers and between strips within each layer is accomplished in a selected manner such that the composite wall is structurally monolithic for thin-walled applications thereby taking substantially full advantage of the extraordinary strength properties of glassy alloy strip.

Abstract: A composite flexible tube is disclosed. The central portion of the core of the tube is formed of a plurality of hollow elements dipsosed concentrically about the longitudinal axis of the tube.

Abstract: A composite drive shaft having a hollow tubular, multi-layered fiber reinforced plastic shaft portion (11) with a metallic sleeve (13) inserted in and bonded thereto at least at one end, said sleeve (13) having universal joint connector means (12).

Abstract: An improved hose having a reinforced elastomeric structure built over rigid steel bead rings at the terminal end comprises a plurality of lugs attached to the bead ring at spaced locations around the ring on a tapered outward facing surface of the ring such that loading on the flanged end of the hose may be transferred directly to the bead.

Abstract: A flexible hose comprising a lining layer of substantially impermeable material, a reinforcement structure comprising at least one balanced pair of helically extending reinforcement members embedded in elastomeric material to withstand internal pressure and axial tensile loadings, and radially inwards of at least the reinforcement structure a crush resisting armouring layer comprising at least two helical reinforcing elements nested together and shaped such that contacting surfaces of the elements between the successive turns of the helices are of a substantially frusto-conical shape.

Abstract: A fibrous reinforced flexible hose for conveying fluids such as paint under pressure is provided with a composite core tube preferably simultaneously co-extruded from two or more synthetic polymers which are in intimate contact with each other. The inner layer of the composite core tube is nylon or other chemical resistant polymer which may or may not be cross-linked and the outer layer is a cross-linked electrically semi-conductive synthetic polymer layer which serves as a ground for static electricity. In the process of making the hose, the semi-conductive layer is preferably cross-linked by irradiation as a means of improving its higher temperature performance capabilities and to minimize changes in the electrical resistance of the semi-conductive layer that might arise from dynamic use of the hose.

Abstract: A large bore hose structure exhibiting variable flexibility throughout its length incorporates at least one reinforcement ply of a weftless cord fabric having wrap cords lying parallel to the hose longitudinal axis, encircling the hose and extending the full length thereof and at least one reinforcement ply of a weftless cord fabric having warp cords lying parallel to the hose longitudinal axis, encircling the hose and extending but for a portion of the length of the hose.

Abstract: An improved tubular composite for transmitting substantial thrust forces has a tubular core of continuous reinforcing fibers in a resin matrix unidirectionally and longitudinally oriented. Integral with the core is a sheath of resin impregnated continuous fibers oriented at about .+-.40.degree. to about .+-.60.degree. with respect to the longitudinal axis of the core.

Abstract: A pipe coupling including an annular lip seal that wipes the contacted pipe portion clean, when inserted therein. The lip seal also, while the pipe is situated in place while in use, precludes the entry of foreign material, such as sand or dirt, between the pipe and coupling. An inner seal further prevents leakage between the pipe and the coupling.

Abstract: A laminated drive shaft having integral universal provisions adjacent ends attached to driving and driven members joined by the shaft to transmit torque therebetween while permitting angular misalignment and displacement of these members.

Abstract: A carbon fiber reinforced composite tubular drive shaft is provided wherein the fibrous reinforcement is positioned in a structural configuration capable of yielding improved service characteristics. The wall of the drive shaft comprises at least four bonded circumferentially disposed layers composed of appropriate fibrous reinforcement situated within a resin matrix (as described). The carbon fibers are disposed generally longitudinally in a layer at an intermediate position within the tube wall and are capable of efficiently increasing the stiffness of the shaft. The overall requirement for the carbon fiber component of the fibrous reinforcement is minimized. Glass fibers likewise are disposed generally longitudinally in a layer at an intermediate position within the tube wall and are capable of economically contributing resistance to torsion buckling to the overall drive shaft without deleteriously influencing the critical speed of the drive shaft.

Abstract: A hose that will withstand pressure and vacuum as well as resist kinking or collapsing in which the wall structure includes at least two radially spaced layers of monofilaments of textile material with a layer of elastomeric material separating the layers. Also at least one additional layer of a fabric of aramid fiber is included in the wall as additional reinforcement. Construction is of relative lighweight and may be readily adapted to a floating hose construction.

Abstract: A novel structural member, such as a golf club shaft or other tapered tubular member, having an unusually high resistance to torsional deflection for given desired longitudinal deflections along with high strength and a center of gravity more favoring the tip-end is provided by a resin-bonded graphite fiber structure in which the fiber orientations in each layer of the multi-layer, composite structure are varied along the length of the shaft and in desired orientation relationships between layers to achieve the unique combination of properties.This structural member is prepared by helically placing fiber yarns such as graphite onto a resin-coated, tapered steel mandrel by winding a series of high modulus graphite yarns in series of layers and progressively varying the rotational speed of the rings carrying the spools of the graphite fiber yarns in each layer as the mandrel is fed at a constant speed.

Abstract: A method of making a tubular collagen casing includes extruding collagen gel into two sets of gel ropes, each of the sets comprising a plurality of ropes. The ropes in one of the sets are directed radially outwardly and helically in one direction to form a first tubular layer. In the other set, the ropes are directed radially inwardly and helically in the opposite direction to form a second tubular layer concentric with the first layer. Following this, the layers are hardened in united relationship with one another.

Abstract: A composite article fabricated by a process comprising (1) bringing into intimate contact two copolyetherester elastomers having melting points differing by at least 20.degree. C., the copolyetherester elastomer (A) of higher melting point being in the form of a plurality of oriented strands, tapes or films and (2) heating the resulting assembly to a temperature between the melting point of the two elastomers to cause fusion of copolyetherester elastomer (B) of lower melting point while maintaining the orientation of copolyetherester elastomer (A).

Abstract: A multiple caged armored electromechanical cable is provided which is characterized in being torque balanced and strength tapered throughout its entire length. The selective strength tapering of the cable permits the orientation of the cable such that the strongest portion thereof will support the entire cable and the weakest portion thereof will support only itself and whatever instrumentation is desirable. A slip sleeve mechanism is provided for retaining portions of the strength tapered elements of the cable to prevent inadvertant electrical shorting as well as providing for a relative slippage of the tapered strength elements with respect to select other elements of the cable.

Abstract: A multiple caged tapered strength armored electromechanical cable is provided which is characterized in being torque balanced throughout its entire tapered strength length. The selective strength tapering of the cable permits the orientation of the cable such that the strongest portion thereof will support the entire cable and the weakest portion thereof will support only itself and whatever instrumentation is desirable.

Abstract: A multiple caged armored electromechanical cable is provided which is characterized in being torque balanced and strength tapered throughout its entire length. The cable is configured having selectively formed elements within the caged armored layers for retaining individual wires in the armored layers statically without appreciable friction between layers.

Abstract: A pair of coupling collars are fixed on each end of a tubular mandrel. Each such collar carries a plurality of fixed bolt-hole sleeves projecting in a direction axially of the hose. Layers of rubber tape and continuous steel reinforcing cords are sequentially wound in a helical fashion on the mandrel and at the collar are brought radially out along the collar and circumferentially over at least one of the bolt-hole sleeves before passing back over the next tape layer to the other collar where the collar securing winding is repeated and so on until the required structure is built up. After the final outer tape layer is in place a split collar is placed over the hose and bolted on the inside of each of the fixed outer coupling collars to clamp the windings in place. The section is finished off by laying down tape layer seals over the area between the collars. The mandrel with its green hose section is then kettle-cured. Before shipping, polyurethane foam filled float collars of ABS are attached to the section.

Abstract: A compliant underwater pipe system having a compliant pipe whose buoyancy is readily controlled extending vertically in a sea, having a pump module mounted at the bottom end of the compliant pipe and an energy conversion device at the top end thereof whereby cold water is pumped from the bottom of the sea to the energy conversion device that utilizes the difference in temperature of the water to produce energy in a useable form.

Abstract: A composite pressure tube for the transport of hot fluid substances is proposed consisting of a very thin internal metal tube and a layer of mineral fibres, which are arranged in laminations wound cross-wise above each other and which carry at least the hoop stresses of the tube. These fibres are so wound that each is liable to take up equal tension loading.

Abstract: A preformed radiator hose and a method of manufacturing such a hose are disclosed herein. A long length of an uncured hose is first fabricated by alternately wrapping layers of an uncured elastomer and fiber reinforcements around a straight mandrel. The uncured hose is then removed from the straight mandrel and cut into shorter segments. Each of these segments is then placed on a contoured mandrel having a shape corresponding to the intended configuration of the final hose and cured by heating. Although the fully cured hose does have a permanent shape, because of the unique arrangement of the reinforcements, etc., it has sufficient deformability to be easily slipped off the mandrel.

Abstract: Lightweight tubular drive shafts having noise and vibration dampening characteristics, and capable of operating at high speeds without significant misalignment between their geometric axes and their axes of rotation, are prepared by forming the shafts so that the walls thereof are a composite of a plurality of layers of carbon fibers in a solid resin matrix wherein the fibers are disposed circumferentially and helically about the longitudinal axis of the shaft.

Abstract: Lengths of pipe are joined together in above- or below-ground telephone conduit systems by flexible sleeves having specified coefficient of friction, column expansibility and pull-out resistance and containing helically oriented high modulus reinforcement, bonded or encapsulated in elastomeric material. The resultant pipe assemblies represent a significant improvement over previously known cemented conduit-coupling arrangements. Pipe sections may be quickly and economically joined without field application of adhesive, to provide water-tight, pull-out-resistant joints which will accomodate significant bending moments and shearing forces.

Abstract: Lengths of "plain-end" pipe are joined together in underground sewer or drainage systems by flexible sleeves having a specified column expansibility and shear-resistance and containing high modulus helically oriented reinforcement, bonded or encapsulated in elastomeric material. The resultant pipe assemblies represent a significant improvement over previously known "plain-end" pipe-coupling arrangements and bell and spigot pipe assemblies. Pipe sections may be quickly and economically joined without inserting packing, to provide a water-tight, shear-resistant joint which will accomodate significant angular misalignment and circumferential variation. Even if lubricant is placed on the inner surfaces of the flexible sleeves to reduce assembly forces, the resultant pipe assemblies still exhibit more than adequate resistance against shear loads and water infiltration.

Abstract: A hollow flexible tubular body which comprises at least one tubular layer. The layer is formed by adjacent helical windings having hooked edges and substantially flat sections. The turns of the helix do not show any spontaneous tendency to increase in diameter.

Abstract: The invention relates to a flexible elongated member provided with a reinforcing armouring formed by profiled rods. The convolutions of said reinforcing armouring are wound in such a manner that the moment of inertia of the cross section of the profiled rods is maximum with respect to an axis perpendicular to a radial direction of the elongated member.

Abstract: A hose construction including a corrugated and a curved construction and method of making same are provided and the hose construction comprises at least one layer portion made primarily of an elastomeric material having randomly distributed elongated fibers embedded therein in substantially parallel relation with the fibers extending in a helical pattern about a reference axis of the hose construction and at an angle relative thereto.

Abstract: A hose having a tube that is reinforced with at least two plies of a plurality of spiralled tubing, the tubing of the first ply oppositely spiralled from the tubing of the second ply.

Abstract: A method for making hose including the steps of spiralling plies of thermoplastic tubing over a vulcanizable elastomeric tube where the tubing of successive plies are oppositely spiralled from each other; pressurizing and sealing the tubing; heating the assembly to a temperature lower than the melting point of the tubing; and vulcanizing the elastomeric tube.

Abstract: A self-retracting flexible composite hose of helical configuration has a core tube and sheath of crystalline-like polymer which has an elastic memory, a layer of helically wound spaced strands of fibrous reinforcing material which only partially covers the core tube and polymeric protuberances integral with the sheath extending between the strands and fusion welded to the core tube.