MX2007015386A - Cryogenic transfer hose - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a flexible cryogenic transfer hose (7) for connecting two cryogenic facilities, the hose in use extending in a marine environment and having a length of at least 20 m, preferably at least 100 m. The hose comprises:an inner hose (10) with at least two segments (12,13), the inner hose segments being interconnected via at least two inner connecting members (16,17;30a,30b;72,73) extending in a transverse direction, the inner hose being flexible and comprising a flexible reinforced wall having an internal diameter of at least 10 cm, - an outer hose (11) surrounding the inner hose and comprising a watertight elastomeric or composite material, the outer hose comprising at least two segments (20,21) which are mutually connected via two outer connecting members (24,25), the outer hose having a wall thickness of at least 2 cm, a bend radius of at least 2 m, and an internal diameter of at least 20 cm, - the inner hose being kept at a distance from the outer hose via a number of spacer elements (28,29) bridging a distance hibetween the outer wall of the inner hose and an inner wall of the outer hose, which distance is between 0.1 and 0.8 times the internal diameter d10 of the inner hose (10), wherein a longitudinal position of a pair of inner connecting members (16,17;30a,30b;72,73) is situated at or near a longitudinal position of a pair of outer connecting members (24,25). The inner connecting members (16,17;30a,30b;72,73) bridge the distance hibetween the inner and outer hose walls and comprise a flange section (16,17,72,73) of the inner hose wall, two transverse abutment surfaces (34,35) on the outer hose wall, the flange sections(16,17,72,73) being releasably engaged between the abutment surfaces (34,35) for preventing relative axial movement between the inner and outer segments (12,13;20,21) at or near the longitudinal position of the pair of outer and inner connecting members, wherein the flange sections (72,73) are releasable from the inner hose wall and/or wherein the abutment surfaces (34,35) are releasable from the outer hose wall such that upon removal of the flange sections (72,73) and/or the abutment surfaces () from the gap between the inner hose (10) and outer hose (11) all wall parts of the inner hose (10) are at a distance from the wall of the outer hose (11).

Description

CRYOGENIC TRANSFER HOSE FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a cryogenic transfer hose, which comprises an internal hose and an external hose located within a distance from the wall of the internal hose.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A submersible hose for transferring crude oil from US 3,809,128 is known. In this document, the volume of air within the space between the inner and outer hose is selectively controlled to adjust the buoyancy of the hose. In order to maintain sufficient air space between the inner and outer hose and to prevent the outer hose from collapsing on the inner hose due to the water pressure, a helical separating member becomes entangled around the outer surface of the inner hose. The hose segments are interconnected through extreme flanges of external hose. When the inner hose is not surrounded by the outer hose in the connecting flanges, it is exposed to the environment, and therefore the known internal hose is not suitable for transporting a cryogenic fluid, such as LNG which may have a temperature of -161 ° C o Liquid nitrogen which can have a temperature of -194 ° C. From DE 27 05 361 a hose is described in the construction of two concentric hydrocarbon conduits, for example, suitable for LNG transfer, in which flexible metal reinforced hoses are used. The internal and external hoses are mutually interconnected through an extreme coupling flange which is permanently attached to the walls of the internal and external hoses. The coupling flanges are sealed and interconnected by a plurality of bolts. A fluid passage occurs in the coupling flange to allow the gas to circulate in the space between the hoses. The distance between the internal and external hoses is maintained by separating elements. The known hose has a disadvantage in that the inner hose segments can not be removed from the outer hose segments for exchange or repair, since in one embodiment the coupling flange is permanently welded to the inner and outer hoses. In addition, the internal hoses are detached when the coupling is released from the external hoses, so that inspection of the internal hose is not possible without losing its fluid containing properties. In another embodiment, the coupling element of the inner hose segments can freely slide in an axial direction which can result in leakage caused by large contractions due to pressure changes and thermal fluctuations. It is known from US 4, 111, 466 a pair of concentric hoses made of flexible elastomeric material, radially spaced apart to define an annular space around the inner hose. Both hoses are secured at each end to a common connector ring to secure the successive lengths of the double hose together. The shrinkage of the internal hose in the cooling can lead to a leakage path that is formed in the internal flanges. Again, the decoupling of the connecting ring will come off simultaneously in both the internal and external hoses. A concentric configuration of rigid pipes is disclosed from US 4,108,476 where end portions of the inner pipe are slidably interconnected and the fibers on the inner wall of the inner pipe are clamped between two inner rings of the outer pipe. Therefore, the internal and external pipe segments form integral parts, where the internal pipe can not be removed from the external pipe for inspection, exchange or repair. Also, the release of the outer pipe segments decouples the internal pipe segments. It is an object of the present invention to provide a cryogenic transfer hose, which is suitable for marine transfer of cryogenic fluids from a first structure, such as an FPSO to a second structure, such as a carrier, which can be installed, repaired and / or easily exchanged. It is another object of the invention to provide a cryogenic transfer hose which maintains a fluid-tight connection between the hose segments in expansion and contraction due to pressurization during use or due to changes in temperature. It is a further object of the invention to provide a cryogenic transfer hose which can safely bridge a relatively long distance and which can easily be adjusted in length. It is another object of the present invention to provide a concentric configuration of cryogenic transfer hoses in which the outer hose segments can be detached without losing fluid-tight properties of the inner hose.

It is again a further object of the present invention to provide a cryogenic transfer hose of the concentric type which allows relative movements of the inner hose relative to the outer hose caused by fluctuations and / or thermal pressution of the inner hose while maintaining its fluid-tight characteristics. Therefore, the cryogenic transfer hose according to the present invention in use extends in a marine environment and having a length of at least 20, preferably at least 100 m, comprises: an internal hose with at least two segments , the inner hose segments are interconnected through at least two internal connecting members that extend in a transverse direction, the internal hose is flexible and comprises a flexible reinforced wall having an internal diameter of at least 10 cm, a hose external that surrounds the internal hose and comprises an elastomeric material or water-tight compound, the external hose comprises at least two segments which are connected to each other by means of two external connection members, the external hose has a wall thickness of at least 2 cm , a radius of curvature of at least 2 m, and an internal diameter of at least 20 cm, - the internal hose is maintained at a distance of externally by means of a number of separating elements that cross a distance (hj.) between the external wall of the internal hose and an internal wall of external hose, whose distance is between 0.1 and 0.8 times the inner diameter of the internal hose, in wherein a longitudinal position of a pair of internal connecting members is located at or near a longitudinal position of a pair of external connecting members, wherein the internal connecting members cross the distance hi between the walls of the internal and external hose and comprises a flange section of the inner hose wall, two transverse splice surfaces in the outer hose wall is fixed thereto, the flange sections engage releasably between the splice surfaces to prevent axial movement relative between the internal and external segments at or near the longitudinal position of the pair of external and internal connection members in two directions axia in the expansion and contraction of the internal hose segments. Because the flexible inner hose is axially connected to the outer hose by the connecting members, the inner hose segments can be attached to the outer hose segments in a pre-tensioned manner at room temperature. In this way, during the LNG transfer, which occurs at pressures of for example 10 bars, the inner hose expands to its normal length due to the pressure. Especially, during startup, when the cryogenic internal hose is pressud slowly by cold gas, axially fixing the interconnection parts of the inner and outer hoses relative to one another, prevents gas leakage along the flanges. By detaching the interconnecting members, the internal and external hose segments can be removed as an integral unit, and where the internal hose segment can be detached and removed from the outer hose segment at a ground location for inspection, maintenance or replacement. In another embodiment, the flange sections are released from the wall of the inner hose and / or where the splicing surfaces are released from the outer hose wall so that the removal of the flange sections and / or the Splice surfaces from the opening between the inner hose and the outer wall of all the wall parts of the inner hose are at a distance from the external hose wall. Because the flange sections of the inner hose is freed from the inner hose wall and / or the splicing surfaces are released from the outer hose wall, the external hose can be detached from the internal hose without a negative impact on the fluid-tight characteristics of the internal hose, which allows inspection or repair. In addition, after detachment of flange sections and / or splice surfaces, the inner hose can move freely through the outer hose, so that an inner hose section can be removed from the external hose for inspection, repair or exchange. The inner hose is a hose that is particularly suitable for transfer of cryogenic fluids, and is relatively weak mechanical, but is protected by the external hose, which can be a hose known by itself for transfer of crude oil. Hose hose configuration provides improved safety for the aerial, floating or submerged cryogenic transfer system when the outer hose protects the internal hose against collisions with other hoses, trailers, LNG carriers or other vessels, such as tugboats or work boats , and prevents water from entering. The external hose is relatively rigid compared to the internal hose, but is still flexible enough to be stored in a vertical or horizontal hose winder in a buoy, tower or ship, or to be stored in a boat of a ship in a gutter when it is not in use The segmented execution allows easy assembly of the hose to its desired length. The segments also allow an easy extraterritorial replacement of a part of the LNG transfer system for inspection, maintenance and repair. It is known from US 4, 417 603 of a cryogenic transfer hose to connect an offshore platform to a tanker, comprising an internal helical metal spring, and an external coil spring set in the middle of a slope and a layer of polymeric material between the springs. An insulating layer of heat surrounds the internal metallic hose. The known cryogenic hose is made from a simple part and needs, in case of failure, to be completely replaced. In addition, the cryogenic metal hose appears to be relatively vulnerable and is not effectively protected by external insulation which is attached directly to the reinforced composite internal hose.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION With "cryogenic" as used herein, liquefied gases whose temperatures are below -60 ° C are intended, such as LNG having a temperature of -162 ° C. With "flexible reinforced wall" as used herein, a composite or metal hose wall is included which has flexibility imparted by it for example by a bellows-like construction or which has a configuration similar to helical spring or constructions. of similar wall which provide increased flexibility to the hose compared to the flat wall of the laminate. With "marine" environment as used herein, a position in use of the hose on the aqueous surface, floating on the aqueous surface, submerged beneath the aqueous surface or any combination thereof is intended. By "composite material" is meant a material comprising two or more different layers, such as, for example, a flexible metal layer, reinforced by fabric, rubber, metallic wire or combinations thereof. In one embodiment, the flanges of the inner hose are an integral part of the inner hose wall and are received between the legs of an axial holding ring with a generally U-shaped cross section, the ring releasably attaches to the external hose wall. In this way, the inner hose segments can easily be assembled independently from the outer hose segments, and can subsequently be connected to the outer hose by the clamping ring. The retaining ring can be seated in a ring-shaped recess inside the external hose wall. Alternatively, the clamping ring can be attached to the wall externally by a pair of annular notches on each side of the ring. In another embodiment, the inner hose is stretchable and / or capable of contracting in the longitudinal direction relative to the outer hose for at least 0.5% of the total hose length due to differences in temperature and / or hose pressurization. internal, the inner hose does not connect to the external hose at or near the internal coupling members. Movable internal hose prevents stress from accumulation when LNG is transferred. When no LNG is transferred, the coupling members can be independently aligned for the internal and external hose in the axial direction, which facilitates the assembly and / or exchange of the hose segments under normal environmental conditions. In order to permit thermally or pressure-induced expansion and contraction of the reinforced inner hose, the inner connector members comprise a sleeve in an inner hose segment and a tubular end portion in the other inner hose segment, slidably received within or around the cuff.

The sliding interaction of the internal hose segments allows the expansion and contraction of those hose segments in the longitudinal direction, while also allowing to move in relation to the external hose. A composite or metallic bellows can be connected in sealed form to both inner hose segments, the bellows in a sealed manner engaging an outer circumferential surface of the inner hose on both sides of the end portion of the sleeve. In this way, an effective seal is provided around the sliding interconnection of the inner hose segments. Alternatively, the inner hose may be positioned along a curved path within the outer hose, so that it is capable of expanding in the longitudinal direction relative to the outer hose eg, by 0.5-3% of the total length of the hose. external hose In a further embodiment, the connecting members of the inner hose are joined through an adhesion member to the external hose connection members, to properly align the inner hose and maintain it in a defined position relative to the outer hose. The inner hose can be made of a stretchable material which expands in the pressurization because the LNG, which can have a pressure of about (3.059-4.079 kgf / cm2) 3-4 bar, and can rise for example to (10,197 kgf / cm2) 10 bar. The longitudinal extent caused by this can be 3-4%. In one embodiment, the inner hose is pre-tensioned before axially joining the internal connecting members to the external hose adhesion member, the inner hose when not in use exerts an axially contractive force on the outer hose. In this way, the axial forces exerted by the internal hose on the external hose when pumping cryogenic fluids through the internal hose are minimized, while the external hose is subjected to contractive forces when no cryogenic fluid is transferred through the hose internal Preferably, the outer hose is made of a relatively stiff material to prevent shrinkage when no load is transferred. In order to allow the circulation of an insulating medium in the space between the internal and external hose, such as antifreeze fluids, inert gases, air or to create an insulating vacuum, in order to keep the external hose at a safe temperature, which is preferably not less than -60 ° C, axial passages are provided in the adhesion members that cross the space between the inner and outer hose. In order to withstand external pressures in a water depth of up to two hundred meters, an external hose with reinforced rings can be provided. Some embodiments of a flexible cryogenic transfer hose according to the present invention will be described by way of non-limiting example in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings in the drawings: BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Figure 1 shows a schematic view of an LNG transfer system, Figures 2a, 2b and 2c show a longitudinal cross-sectional view, a cross-sectional view along the AA line and a view in plant of a hose hose cryogenic transfer assembly according to the present invention, respectively. Figure 3 shows a modality in which the connecting flanges of the internal hose are secured between the two spacer halves, Figure 4 shows a modality in which the connecting flanges of the internal hose are joined against a shoulder of a spacer member, Figure 5 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a mode wherein the connecting flanges of the inner hose are coupled to the external hose connection flanges, Figures 6a and 6b show a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a view in plant respectively of an inner hose which is movable in the longitudinal direction relative to the external hose, Figures 7a and 7b show a longitudinal cross-sectional view and a plan view respectively of a mode wherein a separator is constructed around the flanges of the inner hose, Figures 8a and 8b show a cross-sectional view length a and a schematic respectively of a modality wherein the inner hose comprises a slidable connection member, Figure 9 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a sliding connection member of the inner hose comprising a sealing bellows, the Figure 10 shows a cross-sectional view of an internal hose clamping connection member comprising a number of front seals, Figure 11 shows a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of an internal hose extending along the path curve inside the outer hose, so that it is stretchable, and Figures 12-14 show different embodiments of a release coupling between the inner and outer hose segments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In Figure 1, an overseas production unit 1 is shown, comprising for example, an FSRU 2 (floating storage and regasification unit), which is anchored to the marine bed 3 through lines 4 of anchor By means of an outlet pipe 5 of the product, the hydrocarbons, such as natural gas, are transported from a subsea well 6 which is processed in the FSRU 2. The FRSU 2 comprises a liquefaction plant, which cools and liquefies the natural gas to LNG at a temperature of -161 ° C. The LNG is transferred through a cryogenic transfer hose 7, which is submerged in this mode, but which can also be completely or partially an air hose or which can float on the aqueous surface, to a manifold in the middle of the vessel of an LNG carrier 8 where it is discharged in a unloading position in the middle of the vessel. The cryogenic transfer hose 7 is flexible, in the sense that it can be bent to a radius of curvature of for example 10 m or more, preferably approximately 3 m or more. When not in use, the hose 7 can be wound on a horizontal or vertical winder, or stored on a cover of the FSRU 2. The hose 7 is formed of interconnected segments and comprises an internal reinforced hose that carries the LNG and an external hose Made of elastomeric material or reinforced compound to protect the external hose from seawater and provide mechanical resistance and protection to the combined hoses. A safety barrier is also provided in case of internal hose failure and during the test and transport of the segments. In Figure 2, the segments of the inner hose 10 and the outer hose 11 are sampled in greater detail. The internal hose 10 comprises segments 12 and 13 which are interconnected by a part 1415, which comprises flanges 16, 17 connected by bolts 18. The external hose 11 comprises segments 20, 21 which are interconnected by connection parts 22, 23, which comprise flanges 24, 25 connected by bolts 26. The segments of the internal hose and the external hose can for example have a length of 10 m, but do not need to be of the same length. The segments of the inner hose can for example have a length of 20 m, while the outer hose segments have a length of 10 m, or vice versa. The space 27 between the external hose 11 and the internal hose 10 is crossed by the separators 28, 29 which are maintained on the external surface of the internal hose 10 and / or on the internal surface of the external hose 11. A separator 30 is arranged around the flanges 16, 17 of the internal connection member, and fixes the position of the internal flanges 16, 17 with respect to the external flanges 24, 25 so that it fixes the hose 11 to the hose 10 while a small movement of the internal hose 10 in the longitudinal direction is allowed. The separator 30 is attached to the inner wall of the outer hose 11 by retainers 65, 66 which may be rings welded to the inner wall of the outer hose. The separator 30 comprises splice surfaces 34, 35, located on either side of the internal hose flanges 16, 17 without being fixedly connected to the internal hose 10. A passage 31 is provided in the separator 30 to allow the circulation of gases such as inert gas or air, in the longitudinal direction of the hoses 10, 11. The internal diameter d0 of the external hose may vary from 20 cm to 100 cm while the wall thickness w of the external hose 11 can be between 2 cm and 15 cm. The internal diameter d of the internal hose 10 is between 10 cm and 60 cm, while the width h of the annular space 27 is between 2 cm and 20 cm. The wall thickness w, of the internal hose can be between 1 cm and 15 cm. The internal hose 10 can be a flexible cryogenic corrugated metal hose as described in Konrad Friedrichs, Fritz Papmahl and Herbert Backhaus, Offshore Technology Conference 3844 on May 5-8, 1980. or a reinforced composite hose of chromium-plated steel rolled as described in U.S. Patent No. 4,417,603 in O 01/96772. The external hose 11 may be a hose used for transferring crude oil such as that manufactured by Trelleborg AB, Trelleborg, Sweden under the trademark Trelline, by Dunlop Oil and Marine, North East Lincolnshire, United Kingdom under the Dunlop trademark, or manufactured by Coflexip SA, Paris, France. The external hose 11 is due to its construction and to the use of reinforced elastomeric material, much more rigid than the internal cryogenic hose 10. The external hose protects the internal hose from environmental forces and absorbs more than 50%, preferably more than 95% of the axial forces acting on the assembly of the internal hose 10 and the external hose 11 during loading or unloading. The annular space 27 serves to isolate the elastomeric external hose 11 from the cold internal hose 10 and can be filled with antifreeze fluids, inert gases, dehydrated air, gel, flexible foams or can be evacuated. The use of an inert gas within the enclosed space 27 will create a vacuum when the transport of LNG through the internal hose causes the inert gas to be liquefied. Also, air could be circulated in the space 27 in order to ensure that the external hose 11 is maintained at a safe, relatively high temperature and the space 27 can be used for leak detection purposes. The air could be pressurized just above the pressure of the transferred LNG to prevent leakage of LNG into space 27 in the event that the hose is damaged. The spacers 28, 29 which maintain the inner and outer hoses 10, 11 more or less co-axial are made of an insulating material, for example, available under the trademark "Tufol" made of a plastic or ceramic material, but can be replaced by a foam or gel, or one or more closely wound helical plastic tubes which can be compressible to allow movement or relative displacement of the internal hose with respect to the external hose, due to differences in the temperature induced contraction in the LNG transfer. Such construction is described in detail in US 3,809,128. The spacers 28, 29 can be closed in position by the retainers which for example, can be rings welded to the outer hose wall so as to fix the position of the spacers 28, 29 and thereby the position of the flanges of the internal hose. As shown in Figure 2b, the spacer 30 is formed of two middle cylinders which can be placed around the outer diameter of the internal hose 10. The spacer 30 can be made of an insulating material for example, available under the trademark "Tufnol" manufactured by Tufnol Composites Ltd, Birmingham, United Kingdom. In Figure 3, a construction is shown in which the spacer 30 is formed of two halves 30a, 30b, which are spaced along a vertical line 67. The two halves 30a, 30b are compressed in a manner sealed by the retainers 65, 66 when the outer hose is assembled through the flanges 24, 25. Accordingly, a port or passage 31 of gas-tight ventilation is formed while the The axial position of the internal hose 10 is secured by the flanges 16, 17 which are secured between the separating halves 30a, 30b. In the embodiment of Figure 4, the spacer 30 comprises a single part in the axial direction, and engages the flanges 16, 17 in the internal hose 10, through a shoulder 67 and a retaining ring 68. In the embodiment of figure 5, the separator 30 is made of an insulating material and rigidly connected to the flanges 24, 25 of the external hose 11, so that the axial and radial positions of the internal hose 10, especially in the flanges, is determined exactly in relation to the external hose. The advantage is that if the flanges of the external hose segments need to be opened for repair or maintenance, the flanges of the internal hose are also directly accessible since they can not be changed or moved inside the external hose during use in a dynamic marine environment. In this mode, the outer hose 11 will have the most axial loads. In the embodiment shown in figures 6a and 6b, the internal hose 10 is not fixed to the external hose 11 in the position of the external flanges 24, 25, and the internal flanges 16 and 17. The separators 32, 33 have a round shape, for example in the form of balls, that is to adapt to allow axial movement of the internal and external hoses 10, 11 which avoid the stress caused by shrinkage and expansion induced thermally or by pressure .

In the embodiment of Figures 7a and 7b, the separator 40 functions to radially place the internal hose 10 inside the external hose 11, but also to axially place the outer hose segments 20, 21, relative to the internal hose by the splice surfaces 40a, 40b in the spacer 40 containing the flanges 24, 25 of the inner hose. A coupling ring 41 is inserted between the two bevels 42, 43 of the outer hose 11 and connected to the bevels through axial bolts 45, as shown in Figure 6b. In the embodiments of Figures 8a and 8b, the segment 12 of the internal hose 10 comprises a sleeve 45 in which the end portion of the segment 13 is slidably received. Seals are provided between the two sliding surfaces to ensure a leak-free attachment. The interior of the sleeve 45 and the exterior of the end portion of the segment 13 are covered with a slidable material, such as polypropylene or Teflon. Again, the retainers fixed to the interior of the hose 11 can be added to limit the sliding distance. In the embodiment of Figure 9, the end portions 47, 48 of the segments 12, 13 of the inner hose 10 are provided with a sealed bellows 49, 50 which is placed around the end portions 47, 48 and further extends beyond the end openings 51, 52 of the segments for sealingly coupling a stationary seal ring 53. In the embodiment of figure 10, the parts 47, The ends of the segments 12, 13 of the internal hose 10 are placed in a clamping sleeve 55 which is sealedly connected by a number of sealing rings 56, 57 to the separation surface of the internal hose 10. The flange 59 of the clamping sleeve 55 is surrounded by an insulating material 60 and a protective sheath 61. In the embodiment of figure 11 it is shown that the internal hose 10 has a curved path inside the external hose 11 (straight), the internal hose 10 is connected to the external hose 11 in the positions of the flanges 16, 16 ', 17, 17 'and 24, 24', 25, 25 'through the spacers 30, 30'. This allows the elongation and contraction of the internal hose in relation to the external hose. In the wall 62 of the external hose 11, a passage 63 is provided, connected to a pump 64 for example by applying a vacuum or for circulation of air, noble gases and the like in the space 27. Figure 12 shows a modality wherein the internal flanges 16, 17 of the inner hose 10 are closed between the halves 30a, 30b of the separator 30, which in an axial direction engages with an upper part 70 against a shoulder 71 on the external hose 11 so as to transfer the forces contractive which, for example, are due to the pre-loading of the hose 10 internal to the hose 11 external. Splice surfaces 80, 81 of spacer 30 engage with internal flanges 16, 17. A double frontal seal 78 is incorporated between the internal flanges 16, 17. The double front seal 78 preferably comprises a high pressure metal seal which is inserted into the opening between the spacer halves 30a, 30b, which do not touch each other. In this way, the clamping forces from the bolts on the external hose are transferred directly to the internal hose flanges 16, 17. A steel / rubber seal ring 82 on the top of the separating halves 30a, 30b prevents the ingress of seawater into the opening between the separating halves. In the embodiment of Figure 13, the inner hose 10 has connecting flanges formed by the thermally insulating ring members 72, 73 attached to the wall of the inner hose. A double piston seal 79 is placed between the connecting segments of the internal hose 10. The splicing surfaces 80, 81 are coupled with a shoulder pad of a recess in the outer hose wall.

In the embodiment of Figure 14, the ring members 72, 73 extend radially between the walls of the outer hose 11, to which they are connected by bolts 74. In this case, the splicing surfaces 80, 81 are part of the external hose wall.

Claims (20)

1. NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION Having described the present invention, it is considered as a novelty and, therefore, the property described in the following claims is claimed as property.
2. CLAIMS 1. A cryogenic transfer hose to connect two cryogenic facilities, the hose in use extends in a marine environment and has a length of at least 20 m, preferably at least 100 m, characterized in that it comprises: an internal hose with minus two segments, the inner hose segments are interconnected by at least two internal connection members extending in a transverse direction, the inner hose is flexible and comprises a flexible reinforced wall having an internal diameter of at least 10 cm, a external hose surrounding the inner hose and comprising an elastomeric material or water-tight composite, the external hose comprises at least two segments which are mutually connected by two external connection members, the external hose has a wall thickness of at least 2 cm, a radius of curvature of at least 2 m, and an internal diameter of at least 20 cm, the inner hose it is maintained in an external hose distance by means of a number of separating elements that cross a distance (hi) between the external wall of the internal hose and an internal wall of the external hose, whose distance is between 0.1 and 0.8 times the internal diameter di0 of the inner hose, wherein a longitudinal position of a pair of internal connecting members is located at or near a longitudinal position of a pair of external connecting members, wherein the internal connecting members bridge the distance hi between the walls of internal and external hose and comprises a flange section of the internal hose wall, two transverse splice surfaces on the external hose wall or fixed to the external wall, the flange sections are releasably coupled between the splice surfaces to avoid the relative axial movement between the inner and outer segments at or near the longitudinal position of the pair of outer connecting members rna and internal in two axial directions in the expansion and contraction of the internal hose segments. The flexible cryogenic transfer hose according to claim 1, characterized in that the flange sections are releasable from the inner hose wall and / or where the connecting surfaces are free from the external hose wall so that in the removal of the flange sections and / or the splice surfaces of the opening between the inner hose and the outer hose, all parts of the inner hose wall are at a distance from the outer hose wall.
3. 3. The flexible cryogenic transfer hose according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the flanges of the internal hose are an integral part of the wall of the internal hose and are received between the legs of an axial fixing ring with an cross section in generally U-shaped, the ring is releasably attached to the external hose wall.
4. 4. The flexible cryogenic transfer hose according to claim 3, characterized in that the fixing ring sits in a ring-shaped recess inside the external hose wall.
5. The flexible cryogenic transfer hose according to claim 3, characterized in that the fixing ring is joined to the outer hose wall by means of a pair of annular grooves on each side of the ring.
6. 6. The flexible cryogenic transfer hose according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the flange sections project between the external hose wall connection members and are releasably engaged by the outer wall segments.
7. 7. The flexible cryogenic transfer hose to connect two cryogenic facilities, the hose in use extends in a marine environment and has a length of at least 20 m, preferably at least 100 m, characterized in that it comprises: an internal hose with at least two segments, the internal hose segments are interconnected by means of minus two internal connection members extending in a transverse direction, the internal hose which is flexible comprises a flexible reinforced wall having an internal diameter of at least 10 cm, an external hose surrounding the internal hose and comprising a material elastomeric or water-tight compound, the external hose comprises at least two segments which are mutually connected by two external connection members, the external hose has a wall thickness of at least 2 cm and a radius of curvature of at least 2 m , and an internal diameter of at least 20 cm. the internal hose is maintained at a distance from the external hose by a number of separating elements that cross the distance hi between the outer wall of the inner hose and an internal wall of the outer hose, whose distance is between 0.1 and 0.
8. 8 times the diameter The inside of the inner hose, where a longitudinal position of a pair of internal connecting members is located at or near a longitudinal position of a pair of connecting member of the outer hose and wherein the internal connecting members comprise a sleeve in an inner hose segment and a tubular end portion and the other inner hose segment, slidably received in or around the sleeve. The flexible cryogenic transfer hose according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the internal hose is stretchable and / or can contract in the longitudinal direction relative to the external hose by at least 0.5% of the hose length total.
9. 9. The flexible cryogenic transfer hose according to claim 8, characterized in that the internal hose is placed along a curve path relative to the external hose.
10. 10. The flexible cryogenic transfer hose according to any of the preceding claims, a metal bellows that is sealedly connected to both inner hose segments, the bellows in a sealed manner engages with a circumferential surface of the inner hose in both sides of an extreme part of the segments.
11. The flexible cryogenic transfer hose according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the external hose is suitable for using at least 70% of the axial forces that are in use exerted in the longitudinal direction of the cryogenic transfer hose, preferably at least 90%.
12. The flexible cryogenic transfer hose according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that insulating material is provided between the external wall of the internal hose and the internal wall of the external hose, so that in use, the temperature of the External hose is maintained above -60 ° C, preferably above -50 ° C.
13. The flexible cryogenic transfer hose according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coupling members of the external hose and / or of the internal hose comprise flanges, mutually joined by a number of bolts.
14. 14. The flexible cryogenic transfer hose according to any of claims 1-6, characterized in that the internal hose is subjected to an axial driving force, before axially joining the internal connecting members to the external hose, the inner hose when not in use it exerts an axially contractive force on the external hose.
15. 15. The flexible cryogenic transfer hose according to claim 14, characterized in that the external hose is more rigid than the inner hose, so that it does not collapse by shrinkage of the internal hose after the release of the axial driving force.
16. 16. The flexible cryogenic transfer hose according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that axial passages are provided in the internal connection members.
17. The flexible cryogenic transfer hose according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inert gas is contained in the space between the internal hose and the external hose.
18. The flexible cryogenic transfer hose according to any of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that a fluid pump is connected to the space between the internal hose and the external hose by means of an opening in the external hose wall, a fluid, such as inert gas or air, is admissible to, or is removable from, the space between the hoses.
19. 19. The flexible cryogenic transfer hose according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the external hose comprises external reinforcement elements to withstand an external pressure between (2,039 and 20,394 kgf / cm2) 2 and 20 bar.
20. 20. The flexible cryogenic transfer hose according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one sealing element is comprised in an opening between the flange section of the internal hose wall.

    SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a flexible cryogenic transfer hose (7) for connecting two cryogenic facilities, the hose in use extends in a marine environment and has a length of at least 20 m, preferably at least 100 m . The hose comprises: an internal hose (10) with at least two segments (12, 13), the inner hose segments are interconnected by at least two internal connection members (16, 17; 30a, 30b; 72; 73) they extend in a transverse direction, the inner hose is flexible and comprises a flexible reinforced wall having an internal diameter of at least 10 cm, an external hose (11) surrounding the internal hose and comprising an elastomeric material or airtight composite To the water, the external hose comprises at least two segments (20, 21) which are mutually connected by two external connection members (24, 25), the external hose has a wall thickness of at least 2 cm, a radius of curvature of at least 2 m, and an internal diameter of at least 20 cm, - the internal hose is maintained at a distance from the external hose by a number of elements (28, 29) separators crossing a distance hi between the outer wall of the internal hose and an internal wall of the external hose, whose distance is between 0.1 and 0.8 times the inner diameter dlO of the internal hose (10), wherein a longitudinal position of a pair of members (16, 17; 30a, 30b; 72, 73) is located at or near a longitudinal position of a pair of external connection members (24, 25). The internal connection members (16, 17; 30a, 30b; 72, 73) bridge the distance hi between the inner and outer hose walls comprise a flange section (16, 17, 72, 73) of the inner hose wall , two transverse splice surfaces (34, 35) on the external hose wall, the flange sections (16, 17, 72, 73) are releasably coupled between the splice surfaces (34, 35) to prevent relative axial movement between the inner and outer segments (12, 13; 20, 21) at or near the longitudinal position of the pair of external and internal connecting members, wherein the flange sections (72, 73) are releasable from the wall of the hose internal and / or where the splicing surfaces (34, 35) are releasable from the outer hose wall so that in the removal of the flange sections (72, 73) and / or the splicing surfaces () from the opening between the internal hose (10) and the hose (11) internal all the parts of the internal hose (10) they are at a distance from the wall of the hose (11) external.