Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides an apparatus including: a blank defining a path for receiving and holding a tube in a desired shape including at least one non-linear portion; a heater within or in thermal communication with the blank; and a controller programmed to control the heater to heat the blank and a tube received therein to a temperature sufficient to impart the desired shape upon the tube after cooling. Another aspect of the invention provides a tube including at least one non-linear portion produced according to any of the methods described herein.

Abstract: A hose assembly with reduced axial stress including an underlying hose, such as a composite hose, and one or more elongate matrices extending over a portion of the hose along an axis of vibration. The elongate matrices can be an extruded, molded, or braided matrix formed of engineered fibers, metallic materials, and/or elastomeric materials formulated to impart a desired amount of rigidity along an axis of vibration to which it is applied. The elongate matrix can be a composite matrix including one or more rigid members, such as wire rods, embedded in an elastomeric matrix which is chemically and/or mechanically coupled to the underlying hose.

Abstract: A composite hose assembly including a fluoropolymer inner tube and a jacket circumferentially surrounding the fluropolymer tube. The jacket is formed from a plurality of plaits of fiberglass lace or other material. The jacket is then coated or infused with different resins along an axial length of the tube to impart varying degrees of flexibility along its length. A method of making the composite hose assembly includes: providing a fluropolymer inner tube, forming a jacket by circumferentially wrapping a plurality of plaits of fiberglass lace or other material around the fluropolymer tube, and infusing the plaits with different resins along its length to vary the flexibility.

Abstract: A tube including a PTFE tube, a jacket circumferentially surrounding the PTFE tube, and a protective jacket circumferentially surrounding the jacket and the PTFE tube, and methods of producing same. The jacket is formed from a plurality of plaits of fiberglass lace. The fiberglass lace includes PTFE. A method of producing a tube includes providing a PTFE tube, forming a jacket by circumferentially wrapping a plurality of plaits of fiberglass lace around the PTFE tube, and extruding a protective jacket over the jacket. The fiberglass lace includes PTFE. A method of using the tube, includes providing a tube as described herein and coupling one or more ends of the tube to one or more devices.