BR112014020810B1 - method of forming and using hose end fitting for a hose - Google Patents

Abstract

HOSE END FIT This is a hose end fitting (30) for a hose and for coupling to another object, the hose end fitting having a coupling end (32) and a hose end ( 34) and understand at least? an insert (12) having a coupling end and a hose end; ? a bush (14), connected to the insert that provides accommodation to fit the hose between the bush and the hose end (42) of the insert; ? a coupler (60) at the coupling end of the insert for coupling the hose end fitting to the other object; and ? a collar (62), between the coupler and the hose end, movable between a first position against the bushing towards the hose end when fitting a hose end and a second position against the coupler when coupling the hose fitting hose with the other object. In this way, the hose end fitting can provide a suitable surface to support the load applied during boring or crimping the hose end between the bushing and the insert and also provides a coupler protection since it is coupled to another object in (...).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a hose end fitting, in particular for use with high pressure hose fittings, such as those found in subsea power cable terminations or "loose conductors" used in the oil industry. and gas.

[0002] A power cable consists of a group of one or more types of elongated active power cable elements such as electrical wires, fiber optic wires or hoses joined by wire for flexibility and over-sheathed and / or shielded for strength mechanics. A power cable can also comprise specific load bearing components, such as steel rods (see Document No. US6472614), composite rods (see Documents W02005 / 124095, US2007 / 0251694), steel cables (see Documents No. ® GB2326177, W02005 / 124095), composite cables (see Document No. GB2326177) or tensile shield layers (see Figure 1 of Document No. US6472614).

[0003] Power cables are used to transmit power, signals and fluids (fluid injection, hydraulic power, gas release, etc.) to and from an underwater installation.

[0004] The cross section of the power cable is generally circular, with the elongated elements being wound either in a helical pattern or in an S / Z. In order to fill the interstitial spaces between the various power cable elements and obtain the desired configuration, filling components can be included in the spaces.

[0005] The “Specification for Subsea Umbilicals”, of Document No. ISO 13628-5, provides models for the design and manufacture of such power cables.

[0006] Submarine power cables are installed at ever deeper water depths, being commonly deeper than 2,000 m. Such power cables, therefore, must be able to withstand severe charging conditions during installation and their service life.

[0007] The main hydraulic components used in the power cables are steel tubes and high pressure thermoplastic hoses. Two major disadvantages of thermoplastic hoses are, first, that they are permeable to fluids (diffusion of gas through the liner which is a known and significant safety problem) and, second, that they cannot support large axial loads ( that is, they are designed to withstand collapse, but not tensile loads), which makes it necessary to supply the power cable with additional layers of shield. However, thermoplastic hoses are widely used due to the fact that they are more flexible than steel tubes, which increases the power cable flexibility and reduces the manufacturing cost.

[0008] Document No. US2007 / 0227740 A1 describes the clustering of subsea wells or the clustering of wells to allow multiple control lines and chemical treatment lines to travel from the surface of the ocean down to the wells in groups and to one or more power cables terminating in a power cable termination assembly. In order to connect several communication lines, that is, control lines and chemical injection lines, etc., to items of equipment in the oceanic relief, special connections known as “loose conductors” are used to connect the ends of lines to equipment submarine. This includes loose conductors of thermoplastic hose and loose conductors of steel pipe. Such loose conductors can also include end fittings to couple with subsea units and components.

[0009] Document No. US2010 / 0117355 A1 describes in more detail a power cable hose coupling for use with reinforced fabric hoses in the oil and gas industry, especially high pressure hoses for use in offshore systems. In particular, Figures 1 and 2 of Document No. US2010 / 0117355 A1, incorporated by reference in this document, show a prior art hose coupling that has a bored or crimped hose end between a bushing and an insert. a coupling and between regular teeth.

[0010] Longitudinal boring can be preferable to radial crimping when fitting a hose end to a hose end fitting or coupler, due to the fact that the longitudinal boring equipment is less expensive, smaller and lighter. Thus, it is generally more usable and portable for offshore operations.

[0011] Document No. US3706123 describes apparatus for coupling with crimp for the end of a hose, being hydraulically actuated. The device described in Document No. US3706123 has a matrix, a support for the matrix and a plunger to press an article to be formatted in the cavity in the matrix. The plunger is formed as a piston that acts directly against the top of the hose end as shown in Figure 7.

[0012] Document No. US4050286 shows another boring apparatus in which a pusher member pushes, again directly, a hose coupling sleeve that has a hose end portion inside it down into a matrix cavity of a closed matrix. The action of the impeller to reduce the diameter of the hose coupling bushing and thus crimp the hose end portion between the bushing and the insert.

[0013] Both Documents in US3706123 and US4050286 show the action on a male hose coupling, that is, with a final threaded portion integrally formed with at least the hose coupling insert and which can sustain the direct pressure of the impeller or plunger still during boring.

[0014] There are also female ends for hose end couplings. These have a complementary nut, usually a hexagonal threaded nut, for engagement with the threaded end of a complementary male fitting. The attached Figure 1 shows a side view of a longitudinal cut through half of a prior art example of a female hose coupling 10. Coupling 10 has a central insert 12, an attached bushing 14 and a nut 16. The end of a hose 18 fits into a circumferential groove 20 between the inner face of the bushing 14 and the outer face of the insert 12, which normally incorporates a number of teeth 22.

[0015] To secure the end of the hose 18 in the groove 20, a matrix 24 is located beyond the coupling 10 and an impeller 26 pushes against the nut 16 to force the hose coupling 10 through the stationary matrix 24. This is shown in greater detail details in Figures 2 and 3 attached. The action of the impeller 26 and the matrix 24 crimp the end of the hose 18 in the groove 20 for protection between them, then the hose coupling 10 is ready for use. The boring operation on hose coupling 10 is similar to that shown in Documents in US3706123 and US4050286, except for impeller 26 that acts directly on nut 16.

[0016] However, the pressures and forces involved in the longitudinal boring of a coupler can damage and damage the nut. The entire boring load is applied through the nut. Unlike male hose couplers, the nut is not an integral part of the hose coupler and is not integrally attached to or formed with the insert and the bushing.

[0017] An additional problem is that the coupling nuts, such as the one shown in Figures 1 to 3 of the attached drawings, can become loose or unlocked after fitting. Pressure variations inside the hose can induce vibrations and any loosening or unlocking of the nut can lead to leakage at the joint and even disconnection.

[0018] It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved hose end fitting that can overcome at least the above mentioned disadvantages.

[0019] Thus, according to one aspect of the present invention, a hose end fitting is provided for a hose and for coupling to another object, the hose end fitting having a coupling end and a hose end and comprises at least:

[0020] an insert having a coupling end and a hose end;

[0021] a plug connected to the insert that provides accommodation to fit the hose between the plug and the hose end of the insert;

[0022] a coupler at the coupling end of the insert to couple the hose end fitting to the other object; and

[0023] a collar between the coupler and the hose end, movable between a first position against the bushing in the direction of the hose end during fitting of a hose end and a second position against the coupler when coupling the hose fitting with the other object.

[0024] In this way, the hose end fitting of the present invention can provide a suitable surface to take the load applied during boring or crimping the hose end between the bushing and the insert and also provides a coupler protection since it is attached to another object in use.

[0025] The addition of a collar between the coupler and the hose end can be used both for male and female hose end fittings, along with alternative designs such as tip pipe fittings etc. Optionally, the hose end fitting is a female hose end fitting.

[0026] The hose end fitting of the present invention is suitable for use with any hose. Some hoses are described above in this document, including high pressure hoses and, more particularly, steel tubes and high pressure thermoplastic hoses. Such hoses include those formed from any material and optionally include one or more layers of reinforcement, commonly between the inner and outer layers. The present invention is not limited by the nature of the hose or the nature of the hose end to fit with the hose end fitting of the present invention.

[0027] The hose end fitting of the present invention can be attached to any other suitable object, including, but not limited to, onshore or offshore uses. This may include subsea objects, including apparatus, devices, units and other equipment that are used in the location and / or production of hydrocarbons. In particular, the hose end fitting can be used at the end of power cables as described above in this document, including loose conductors.

[0028] The hose end fitting insert of the present invention is generally in the form of a cylinder that optionally includes an enlarged head or other coupling that can engage with a coupler at the coupling end.

[0029] The hose end fitting bush of the present invention is also generally a cylindrical part and is typically welded to or integrally formed with the insert. The combination of the insert and the bushing creates an accommodation for the end of a hose between the bushing and the hose end in the insert, generally in the form of a cylindrical groove around the outer face of the hose end of the insert and the inner face. the bushing. One or both opposite faces of the insert and the bushing forming the groove may include one or more teeth or other shapes or variations in design, shape or material, adapted to assist with the conjunction and / or integrity of the coupling of the end fitting of hose with a hose.

[0030] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a portion of the outer face of the bushing includes a surface, preferably, but not limited to, a threaded portion.

[0031] The coupler of the present invention can be any suitable part, item or device that can attach to and / or attach the hose end fitting to the other object. The type, nature, size and design of the coupler are not limiting to the present invention and the use of a nut such as the coupler is just an example.

[0032] The collar of the present invention is located between the coupler and the hose end. The necklace can be of any size, shape, nature or design.

[0033] Optionally, at least a portion of the collar can circumferentially surround at least a portion of the bushing.

[0034] Optionally, the collar includes a face towards the coupler, said face being preferably totally or substantially flat.

[0035] Optionally, the collar extends transversely beyond the dimension or dimensions of the coupler, generally transversal to the longitudinal geometric axis of the hose end fitting.

[0036] Optionally, the collar includes a portion that has an inner face that can engage with a portion of the bushing. Preferably, said collar portion includes a corresponding surface complementary to a corresponding surface of a portion of the bushing. More preferably, each corresponding surface is a screw thread.

[0037] Optionally, the collar includes a face that can be contiguous to a portion of the bushing. Preferably, the collar includes a face that can be contiguous to an edge of the bushing.

[0038] The collar has the ability to move to a first position against the bushing in the direction of the hose end fitting during fitting of a hose end. Thus, the force required to fit the end of the hose between the bushing and the insert of the present invention, generally in the groove between them designed to accommodate the end of a suitable hose, can be applied directly and only from the collar and transferred through it to the bushing. This prevents the application of force through the coupler, which avoids the risk of any damage to the coupler when fitting the end of the hose with the end fitting of the hose. Preferably, the force applied during fitting is applied to a face of the collar opposite that of the collar portion against the bushing.

[0039] Once the hose end is fitted and secured with the hose end fitting, the hose end fitting is ready for coupling with the other object. This is achieved by coupling the coupler to the other object. For example, in cases where the coupler is a nut, attaching and tightening the nut with a suitable male threaded end, in order to provide a general coupling of the hose with the other object.

[0040] The collar of the present invention is movable to a second position against the coupler; that is, towards the coupling end, during coupling of the hose end fitting with the other object.

[0041] Optionally the movement of the collar between the first and second positions is longitudinally along the longitudinal geometric axis of the hose coupling end.

[0042] Optionally, the collar includes a complementary portion to the opposite portion of the coupler, to provide support of the collar against the coupler; optionally, that portion of the collar that is totally or substantially flat and is against a coupler that has a complementary face that is totally or substantially flat.

[0043] Cases where the collar and bushing include complementary matching means, such as a screw thread, the collar can be moved along the screw thread to be placed against the coupler and optionally tightened against it to provide protection additional in use.

[0044] Accordingly, according to a second aspect of the present invention, a method of forming and using a hose end fitting for a hose as described in this document is provided, the hose end fitting having an end of coupling and a hose end, the method comprising at least the steps of:

[0045] supply the end of a hose;

[0046] locate the end of the hose between the bushing and the insert of the hose end fitting;

[0047] locate a collar in a first position against the bushing in the direction of the hose end;

[0048] apply pressure to the collar to move the bushing, the insert and the hose end through a matrix to secure the hose end to the hose coupling end;

[0049] couple the coupler as another object to couple the hose end fitting to the other object;

[0050] move the collar to a second position against the coupler while coupling the hose end fitting with the other object.

[0051] Optionally, the pressure in step (d) is supplied by an impeller and the impeller includes an insert that can accommodate the coupler without applying force to it during step (d).

[0052] Optionally, the collar and the bushing include complementary matching means, such a branch a screw thread, to allow the collar to be tightened against the coupler in step (f).

[0053] Modalities of the present invention will now be described only as an example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0054] Figure 1 shows a side view in partial longitudinal section of a prior art hose coupler;

[0055] Figures 2 and 3 show the first and second stages of a prior art method of boring the previous technical hose coupler of Figure 1;

[0056] Figure 4 is a side view in partial longitudinal section of a hose end fitting according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0057] Figure 5 is a similar view of the hose end fitting of Figure 4 with a hose end, in preparation for a first stage of a boring method according to another embodiment of the present invention; and

[0058] Figure 6 is a similar view of the hose end fitting of Figure 4 with a hose end that follows its coupling with another object.

[0059] Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 shows a prior art hose coupling 10 as described above in this document. The hose coupling 10 has an insert 12, a bushing 14 and a nut 16. The insert 12 and bushing 14 form a groove 20 that can accommodate the end of a hose 18 therein and between suitable teeth 22.

[0060] Figures 2 and 3 show a method of longitudinally boring the hose coupler 10 with the hose 18, in which the hose coupler 10 is forced through a matrix 24 by applying the force of a pressure 26 directly against the nut 16. Figure 3 shows the end of the boring process that started in Figure 2, whereby hose 18 is now attached with the hose coupler 10 ready for use.

[0061] However, the immense force applied by impeller 26 can be seen as a risk of damaging nut 16, especially in cases where nut 16 is not whole or stuck in insert 12 and bushing 14, as well as nut 16 has relatively thin wall due to the nature of it being a female coupling.

[0062] Any damage caused to nut 16 can either lead to the complete uselessness of hose coupler 10 in general, (due to the fact that there is enough damage to nut 16 to prevent subsequent coupling of it to a complementary male fitting such as a threaded pipe) or a residual weakness that can lead to at least some looseness, possibly catastrophic disconnection, of nut 16 from its complementary male fitting. This is especially the case where the hose is a high pressure hose, and / or used in a hostile environment such as underwater depth, where other factors, such as corrosion, may apply. Thus, the protection provided by boring the end of the hose between the insert and the sleeve can be undone by the weakness caused by damage to the nut during the hose fitting process.

[0063] Figure 4 shows a hose end fitting 30 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The hose end fitting 30 has a “coupling end”, generally designated 32, and a “hose end”, generally designated 34. The exact extent, location or size of each coupling end 32 and each hose end 34 are not limiting to the hose end fitting 30, but describe in general terms: that end of the hose end fitting that is intended to connect with a hose and that end of the hose end fitting that is intended to connect with another object. The skilled person will be aware of the general concepts of a hose end fitting that has a coupling end and hose end.

[0064] The hose end fitting 30 has an insert 40 which is generally an elongated cylinder and similarly has a coupling end 42 and a hose end 44 aligned with the coupling end 32 and the hose end 34 of the fitting fitting. hose end 30.

[0065] Insert 40 can be formed from any suitable material and can be formed in any suitable size, shape and design. Such inserts are known in the art and are not described in more detail. Generally, insert 40 includes a flange or enlarged portion on the coupling head or end thereof 44, adapted to provide a means for engaging it with a coupler as described hereinafter.

[0066] The hose end fitting 30 includes a bushing 46 connected to the insert 40. The connection can be by any suitable method or means, and it is usually by screw connection, in order to form protection of their connection.

[0067] The hose end fitting 30 provides accommodation for fitting the end of a suitable hose 36 (shown in Figure 5) between the bushing 46 and the hose end of the insert 40. Such a combination is shown as a circumferential groove 48 in Figure 4, which optionally includes teeth 50 on one or both faces of insert 40 and bushing 46 facing each other to form the groove 48.

[0068] The bushing 46 includes a shoulder 51 between the portion of the bushing that forms the groove 48 and a portion of the bushing 52 that directly surrounds the insert 40.

[0069] The hose end fitting 30 includes a coupler 60 at the coupling end 44 of the insert 40, to couple the hose end fitting 30 to another object. Only as an example and without limitation to the present invention, the coupler 60 shown in Figure 4 is a hexagonal nut having an end with a suitable flange or flange that can engage the enlarged insert head portion 40 in a manner known in the art .

[0070] The hose end fitting 30 includes a collar 62 between the coupler 60 and the hose end 42, movable between a first position against the sleeve 46, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, and in the direction of the hose end during fitting of a hose end as described hereinafter and a second position as shown in Figure 6, against the coupler 60, which is towards the coupling end 36 during coupling of the hose end fitting 30 with another object.

[0071] The collar 62 comprises a first portion or face 64 facing the coupler 60 and is generally totally or substantially flat in a direction tangential to the longitudinal geometric axis 65 of the hose end fitting 30. Preferably, the first face 64 extends in addition to the full tangential extension of the coupler 60. For example, in cases where collar 62 is round or at least partially cylindrical, the radius of the first face 64 is greater than the radius or the largest radial extension of the coupler 60, in one direction tangential to the longitudinal geometric axis 65 of the hose end fitting 30. In other words, the diameter of the collar 62 is greater than the diameter of the coupler 60.

[0072] The collar 62 has a second face 66 at the opposite end of the same which can be contiguous against the edge 51 of the sleeve 46 in the first position thereof.

[0073] Figure 5 shows the collar 60 in its first position, where the second face 66 is contiguous to the edge 51 of the sleeve 46. Against the first face 64 of the collar 62, there is an impeller 68 that can apply force directly to the collar 62. Impeller 68 is part of a boring device or larger unit, not shown.

[0074] Impeller 68 includes an insert 70 that can accommodate coupler 60 without applying force to it. In this way, no force that is required for fitting the end of a hose to the hose end fitting 30 is applied to or through the coupler 60, thereby reducing or avoiding completely any possible damage to it that could be caused. otherwise by applying impeller 68 directly to coupler 60.

[0075] As shown in Figure 5, the force applied by impeller 68 is applied directly to collar 62 and then directly to bushing 46. Hose end fitting 30 is then ready to be forced through a suitable matrix 69 following the location of the end of a hose 36 in the groove 48. In use, the impeller 68 is moved in the direction of arrow A and forces the bushing 46, the end of the hose 36 and the hose end of the insert 42, together by boring longitudinally, so as to fit the hose 36 in a secure manner with the hose end fitting 30.

[0076] Following the end fitting of a hose 36 with the end fitting of hose 30, the end fitting of hose 30 is ready for use. In use, coupler 60 is coupled to another object 72 as shown in Figure 6. The other object 72 generally includes a male threaded portion 74 for engagement with an internal threaded portion 76 of coupler 60 in a manner known in the art. Since the coupler 60 is considered to be attached to the other object 72, the collar 60 is moved to its second position against the coupler 60. Preferably, the first flat face 64 engages completely or substantially with the complementary flat face 78 of the coupler 60.

[0077] Collar 62 includes an inner portion 80, at least a portion of which has a corresponding surface which is a threaded portion 82. A complementary threaded portion 84 at the end of the bushing 46 can engage threaded portion 82 of collar 62, for help with locating and optionally tightening collar 62 against coupler 60.

[0078] Note that the complementary screwed portions 82, 84 of the collar 62 and the sleeve 46 do not need to be an engagement when the collar 62 is in the first position of the same.

[0079] The present invention provides a hose end fitting that has a movable collar and can overcome both problems of potential damage to the coupler during fitting the hose end fitting with a hose and coupling protection followed by attachment thereof to another object.

[0080] Various modifications and variations to the described modalities of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in this document. Although the invention has been described in connection with specific preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention, as defined herein, should not be limited to such specific embodiments.

Claims (4)

1. Method of forming and using a hose end fitting (30) for a hose (36), the hose end fitting having a coupling end (32) and a hose end (34), the end fitting hose including an insert (40), a bushing (46) connected to the insert at a hose end (44) of the insert, a coupler (60) at a coupling end (42) of the insert, and a collar (62) between the coupler and the hose, the method being characterized by the fact that it comprises at least the steps of: (a) providing one end of the hose (36); (b) locating the end of the hose between the bushing (46) and the insert (40) of the hose end fitting; (c) locate the collar (62) in a first position against the bushing towards the hose end; (d) applying pressure to the collar (62) to move the bush, insert and hose end through a die (69) to secure the hose end (36) to the hose coupling end; (e) coupling the coupler (60) with another object (72) to couple the hose end fitting (30) to the other object; (f) moving the collar (62) to a second position against the coupler (60) during coupling the hose end fitting with the other object (72). 2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the pressure in step (d) is applied by an impeller (68), and the impeller includes an insert (70) that can accommodate the coupler (60) without apply force to it during step (d). Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the collar (62) and the bushing (46) include a complementary matching means to allow the collar to be tightened against the coupler (60) in step ( f). 4. Method according to claim 3, characterized in that it additionally comprises using a screw thread as the complementary matching medium.

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