NO340944B1 - A hose unit for transferring a flowable medium - Google Patents

A hose unit for transferring a flowable medium Download PDF

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Publication number
NO340944B1
NO340944B1 NO20151576A NO20151576A NO340944B1 NO 340944 B1 NO340944 B1 NO 340944B1 NO 20151576 A NO20151576 A NO 20151576A NO 20151576 A NO20151576 A NO 20151576A NO 340944 B1 NO340944 B1 NO 340944B1
Authority
NO
Norway
Prior art keywords
conduit
unit
hose
hose unit
space
Prior art date
Application number
NO20151576A
Other languages
Norwegian (no)
Other versions
NO20151576A1 (en
Inventor
Kenneth Bertheussen
Original Assignee
Vinje Ind As
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Vinje Ind As filed Critical Vinje Ind As
Priority to NO20151576A priority Critical patent/NO340944B1/en
Priority to PCT/NO2016/050230 priority patent/WO2017086801A1/en
Publication of NO20151576A1 publication Critical patent/NO20151576A1/en
Publication of NO340944B1 publication Critical patent/NO340944B1/en

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16L11/00—Hoses, i.e. flexible pipes
    • F16L11/04—Hoses, i.e. flexible pipes made of rubber or flexible plastics
    • F16L11/12—Hoses, i.e. flexible pipes made of rubber or flexible plastics with arrangements for particular purposes, e.g. specially profiled, with protecting layer, heated, electrically conducting
    • F16L11/133—Hoses, i.e. flexible pipes made of rubber or flexible plastics with arrangements for particular purposes, e.g. specially profiled, with protecting layer, heated, electrically conducting buoyant
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H75/00—Storing webs, tapes, or filamentary material, e.g. on reels
    • B65H75/02—Cores, formers, supports, or holders for coiled, wound, or folded material, e.g. reels, spindles, bobbins, cop tubes, cans, mandrels or chucks
    • B65H75/34—Cores, formers, supports, or holders for coiled, wound, or folded material, e.g. reels, spindles, bobbins, cop tubes, cans, mandrels or chucks specially adapted or mounted for storing and repeatedly paying-out and re-storing lengths of material provided for particular purposes, e.g. anchored hoses, power cables
    • B65H75/38—Cores, formers, supports, or holders for coiled, wound, or folded material, e.g. reels, spindles, bobbins, cop tubes, cans, mandrels or chucks specially adapted or mounted for storing and repeatedly paying-out and re-storing lengths of material provided for particular purposes, e.g. anchored hoses, power cables involving the use of a core or former internal to, and supporting, a stored package of material
    • B65H75/40—Cores, formers, supports, or holders for coiled, wound, or folded material, e.g. reels, spindles, bobbins, cop tubes, cans, mandrels or chucks specially adapted or mounted for storing and repeatedly paying-out and re-storing lengths of material provided for particular purposes, e.g. anchored hoses, power cables involving the use of a core or former internal to, and supporting, a stored package of material mobile or transportable
    • B65H75/42—Cores, formers, supports, or holders for coiled, wound, or folded material, e.g. reels, spindles, bobbins, cop tubes, cans, mandrels or chucks specially adapted or mounted for storing and repeatedly paying-out and re-storing lengths of material provided for particular purposes, e.g. anchored hoses, power cables involving the use of a core or former internal to, and supporting, a stored package of material mobile or transportable attached to, or forming part of, mobile tools, machines or vehicles
    • B65H75/425—Cores, formers, supports, or holders for coiled, wound, or folded material, e.g. reels, spindles, bobbins, cop tubes, cans, mandrels or chucks specially adapted or mounted for storing and repeatedly paying-out and re-storing lengths of material provided for particular purposes, e.g. anchored hoses, power cables involving the use of a core or former internal to, and supporting, a stored package of material mobile or transportable attached to, or forming part of, mobile tools, machines or vehicles attached to, or forming part of a vehicle, e.g. truck, trailer, vessel
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D7/00—Apparatus or devices for transferring liquids from bulk storage containers or reservoirs into vehicles or into portable containers, e.g. for retail sale purposes
    • B67D7/06—Details or accessories
    • B67D7/38—Arrangements of hoses, e.g. operative connection with pump motor
    • B67D7/40—Suspending, reeling or storing devices
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D9/00—Apparatus or devices for transferring liquids when loading or unloading ships
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16L11/00—Hoses, i.e. flexible pipes
    • F16L11/04—Hoses, i.e. flexible pipes made of rubber or flexible plastics
    • F16L11/12—Hoses, i.e. flexible pipes made of rubber or flexible plastics with arrangements for particular purposes, e.g. specially profiled, with protecting layer, heated, electrically conducting
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16L11/00—Hoses, i.e. flexible pipes
    • F16L11/20—Double-walled hoses, i.e. two concentric hoses
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16L11/00—Hoses, i.e. flexible pipes
    • F16L11/22—Multi-channel hoses
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16L39/00—Joints or fittings for double-walled or multi-channel pipes or pipe assemblies
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16L39/00—Joints or fittings for double-walled or multi-channel pipes or pipe assemblies
    • F16L39/02—Joints or fittings for double-walled or multi-channel pipes or pipe assemblies for hoses
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01M—TESTING STATIC OR DYNAMIC BALANCE OF MACHINES OR STRUCTURES; TESTING OF STRUCTURES OR APPARATUS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G01M3/00—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures
    • G01M3/02—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum
    • G01M3/26—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by measuring rate of loss or gain of fluid, e.g. by pressure-responsive devices, by flow detectors
    • G01M3/28—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by measuring rate of loss or gain of fluid, e.g. by pressure-responsive devices, by flow detectors for pipes, cables or tubes; for pipe joints or seals; for valves ; for welds
    • G01M3/2807—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by measuring rate of loss or gain of fluid, e.g. by pressure-responsive devices, by flow detectors for pipes, cables or tubes; for pipe joints or seals; for valves ; for welds for pipes
    • G01M3/2815—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by measuring rate of loss or gain of fluid, e.g. by pressure-responsive devices, by flow detectors for pipes, cables or tubes; for pipe joints or seals; for valves ; for welds for pipes using pressure measurements
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2701/00—Handled material; Storage means
    • B65H2701/30—Handled filamentary material
    • B65H2701/33—Hollow or hose-like material
    • B65H2701/332—Flattened hoses
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D2210/00—Indexing scheme relating to aspects and details of apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught or for controlling flow of liquids under gravity from storage containers for dispensing purposes
    • B67D2210/00028—Constructional details
    • B67D2210/00047—Piping
    • B67D2210/00062—Pipe joints
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16L2201/00—Special arrangements for pipe couplings
    • F16L2201/30—Detecting leaks

Description

A HOSE UNIT FOR TRANSFERRING A FLOWABLE MEDIUM
Introduction
The present invention relates to a hose unit for transferring a flowable medium between a first unit and a second unit in a marine environment. The hose unit comprises an open state in which the hose unit is adapted to transfer the medium and a compressed state in which the hose unit is adapted to be winded compressed on a storage drum. The hose unit further comprises a first conduit adapted to transfer the medium, a second conduit arranged around the first conduit so that a space is formed between the first conduit and the second conduit when the hose unit is in the open state, and a third conduit arranged in the space, wherein the third conduit is partly occupying the space.
The present invention also relates to a hose arrangement comprising the hose unit.
Prior art
Hose units are used in variously industrial applications, such as marine environment, for transferring a flowable medium between a first unit and a second unit. For example, in off-shore oil production, large amount of flowable medium is produced that needs to be transported for further processing. Large amount of fluids are also used in the production and accordingly needs to be transferred to the production site.
The flowable medium may be a liquid or a flowable solid, such as powder with grain size that enables it to be transferred using the hose unit. The flowable medium may also comprise a mixture of different phases, such as a slurry of liquid and solids. These solids may be a brasi ve and result in intern al fractures in the hose unit resulting in a leakage of the medium. The medium is for example water, oil, drilling fluid, drilling mud, and etcetera.
The hose unit is flexible in that it can assume the open state and the comprised state. When the hose unit is in the open state, the wall sections of the conduits are separated from each other, thereby enabling the operation of transferring the medium. When the hose unit is the compressed state the wall sections of the conduits are compressed towards each other in order to enable the hose unit to be winded on the storage drum in a compact manner.
A problem with prior art hose units is that it is difficult to test if there is a leakage in the hose units. In particular, it is not possible to test and detect leakage of the hose units when the hose units are stored in the compressed state winded on the storage drum. In order to test the integrity of the hose unit, it is necessary to unwind the entire hose unit, pressurize the conduits and detect a pressure drop re lating to leakage.
In case of hose units for marine environment, such as for transferring the medium between an oil rig and a vessel, the available space for such unwinded testing is limited. Accordingly, in some situation, leakage testing can only be carried out on-shore or first after establishing connection between the first and the second unit. Accordingly, in case of a leakage, it may then be necessary to remove the connection of the hose unit between the first and the second unit, rewind the hose unit on the storage drum and use another hose unit from a different storage drum. Accordingly, even if such leakage testing is possible, it is time consuming and may limit the production of the industrial application.
Flexible hose units are in particular suitable for transferring flowable medium in a dynamic environment. The hose unit is for example used for transferring the medium between a first and second unit that are separated from each other, such as in the case between an oil rig and a vessel. In order to reduce bending and twisting of the hose unit, buoyancy is provided to the hose unit by enclosing a gas within the third conduit, which enables the hose unit to float at the surface of the sea.
While the buoyancy provided by the third conduit in prior art hose units serves is purpose when the hose unit is in operation of transferring the medium between the two units, however, no buoyancy is provided when establishing a connection between the first and the second unit. In fact, this is when buoyancy would most be needed.
The establishment of the connection between the first and the second unit is done by unwinding the hose unit stored in the compressed state from the storage drum and displacing an end portion of hose unit from the first unit to the second unit. More specific, the end portion is tossed from the first unit in to the sea and pulled towards the second unit. Once the connection has been established between the two units and the hose unit has been fully unwinded from the storage drum, the hose unit can be change from the compressed state to the open state by introducing medium through the first conduit and gas through third conduit, thereby enabling it to float at the surface of the sea.
Accordingly, in prior art, during the operation of establishing a connection between the first and the second unit, a portion of hose unit between the first and the second unit sinks into the sea and adds stresses to the hose unit, which may result in damage to the hose unit. The stresses may be significant in that the whole length of the hose unit needs to been unwinded from the storage drum before the hose unit can be changed from the compressed state to the open state. The operation of establishing a connection between the first and the second unit may also be particular difficult in case of bad weather condition.
WO2010041955A1 discloses a hose system comprising an inner hose, an outer hose and an air filled volume between the inner hose and the outer hose for providing buoyancy to the hose system.
WO2009/082241A discloses a safety hose for transferring fluids between a floating structure and another fixed or floating structure.
Summary of the invention
The invention has for its object to remedy or to reduce at least one of the drawbacks of the prior art, or at least provide a useful alternative to prior art. A first object of the invention is to provide a hose unit that enables leakage testing while being winded on a storage drum in the compressed state. A second object of the invention is to provide a hose unit that enables it with buoyancy while establishing connection between a first and a second unit.
The object is achieved through features, which are specified in the description below and in the claims that follow. In particular these objects are achieved by means of a hose unit according to claim 1. The hose unit ischaracterized in thatthe first conduit and the second conduit have a stiffness that enables the first conduit and the second conduit to be elastically compressed flat when the hose unit is changed from the open state to the compressed state, and the third conduit has a stiffness that pre vents the third conduit from being compressed flat when the hose unit is changed from the open state to the compressed state, wherein the third conduit thereby maintains a compressed portion of the space open.
The space between the first conduit and the second conduit enables the medium, in the event of a leakage, to be guided to a specific part of the hose unit for enabling detection of the leakage. By means of that the third conduit is provided with a stiffness that prevents the third conduit from being compressed flat when the hose unit is changed from the open state to the compressed state, a portion of the space is maintained open. Even if the compressed portion of the space is more rest riet ed when the hose unit is in the compressed state compared to the open state, the portion of the space enables a leakage of the medium to be received and guided to the specific part of the hose unit, such as an evacuation portion of the space. Accordingly, the invention enables leakage of the medium to be detected also when the hose unit is in the compressed state.
By means of that the third conduit is provided with a stiffness that prevents the third conduit from being compressed flat when the hose unit is changed from the open state to the compressed state, the third conduit can be provided with gas both when the hose unit is in the open state and the compressed state. Accordingly, the hose unit of the invention enables the hose unit to be provided with buoyancy also when establishing connection between the first and the second unit. According to an embodiment of the invention, the third conduit comprises a reinforcement element that prevents the third conduit from being compressed flat when subjected to pressure relating to operation of winding the hose unit on the storage drum.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the reinforcement element comprises a spiral winding of steal wiring, nylon threading, and etcetera.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the third conduit comprises a higher stiffness than the first conduit and the second conduit.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the ratio between a stiffness of the third conduit and one of the first conduit and the second conduit is in the range 2-20, preferably 5-10.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the first conduit and the second conduit are soft-wall hoses and the third conduit is a hard-wall hose. Preferably, the first and second conduit are arranged so that they will fall flat when a pressure difference to the ambient pressure is close to zero. The third conduit will, on the other hand, have a stiffness that prevent it from being compressed when being winded on the storage drum.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the third conduit is a high collapse resistant (HCR) hose.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the third conduit comprises a polyamide core tube reinforced with stainless steel helix support. Preferably, the third conduit is further provided with high tensile strength aramid fiber in order to improve its collapse resistance.
According to an embodiment of the invention, at least one the first, second and third conduit comprises a cylindrical cross section.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the third conduit is adapted to enclose a gas and the third conduit is configured with a size that enables at least a part of the hose unit to flow on the surface of the sea when provided with the gas.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the hose further comprises a connection arrangement for providing an attachment of the third conduit to at least one of the first conduit and the second conduit for holding an extension of the third conduit in a fixed position within the space.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the connection arrangement pro vid es an attachment of the inlet and the outletto both the first conduit and the second conduit for holding an extension of the inlet and the outlet in fixed positions within the space.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the connection arrangement comprises a plurality of connection elements intermittent distributed along the length of third conduit.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the space comprises an evacuation portion to which the medium is adapted to flow in case of a leakage of the first conduit and the third conduit comprises an inlet for injecting a flow of a gas to the evacuation portion and an outlet for removing the gas and possible medium from the evacuation portion in case of a leakage of the first conduit.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the inlet and the outlet are arranged connected to at least one of the first conduit and the second conduit so that they are separated from each other at opposite sides within the space.
The objects of the invention is further achieved by means of a hose arrangement according to claim 12. The hose arrangement comprises a hose unit according to claim 1-11 and the means for providing pressurized gas to the third conduit.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the means for providing pressurized gas to the third conduit is a compressor and the gas is air.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the hose arrangement comprises the storage drum for storing at least a portion of the hose unit winded in the compressed state while providing gas to the third conduit.
General description of the invention
In the following is described examples of preferred embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein: Fig. 1 discloses a hose arrangement according to an embodiment of the invention, where a hose unit extends between a first and a second unit; Fig. 2a discloses an example of the hose unit in flg. 1, where the hose unit is in the open state; Fig. 2b discloses an example of the hose unit in flg. 1, where the hose unit is in the compressed state; Fig. 3a discloses a cross section of an example of an intermediate portion of the hose unit in fig. 2a, where the hose unit is in the open state; Fig. 3b discloses a cross section of an example of an intermediate portion of the hose unit in fig. 2b, where the hose unit is in the compressed state; Fig. 4a discloses a cross section of an example of a stress release unit of the hose unit in fig. 2a, where the stress release unit is in an engaged state; Fig. 4b discloses a cross section of the stress release unit in fig. 4a, where the stress release unit is in a disengaged state; Fig. 5a discloses a cross section of an example of an end portion of the hose unit in fig. 2a, where the end portion is connected to the connection device of the first unit; Fig. 5b discloses a cross section of the end portion in fig. 5a, where the end portion is disconnected from the connection device of the first unit; Fig. 6 discloses a schematic overview of the hose arrangement according to an embodiment of the invention. Fig. 1 discloses an overview of a hose arrangement 1 according to an embodiment of the invention. The hose arrangement 1 comprises an elongated hose unit 3 for transferring a flowable medium between a first unit 5 and a second unit 7. The hose unit 3 extends between the first unit 5 and the second unit 7. The hose unit 3 further comprises a stress release unit 10, such as a breakaway unit. In fig. 1, the first unit 5 comprises an oil rig and the second unit 7 comprises a vessel.
The hose unit 3 comprises a first end portion 12 connected to the first unit 5 and a second end portion 14 connected to the second unit 7. In fig. 2a-b, the embodiment of the hose unit 3 in fig. 1 is disclosed in further details. The hose arrangement 1 further comprises a storage drum 16 for storing the hose unit 3.
In fig. 2a, the hose unit 3 has been fully unwinded from the storage drum 16 and is in an open state. In fig. 2b, the hose unit 3 is partly winded to the storage drum 16 and partly unwinded from the storage drum 16, and the hose unit 3 is in the compressed state.
For the sake of illustration, in fig. 2b, the unwinded part of the hose unit 3 is shown as if it was in the open state. This would be the case for the unwinded part when the hose unit 3 is being winded on the storage drum 16 after use of the hose unit 3. On the other hand, when the hose unit 3 is being unwinded from the storage drum after being fully winded on the storage drum 16, the whole length of the hose unit 3 would be in the compressed state. The whole length of the hose unit 3 would then change from the compressed state to the open state when the hose unit 3 would start transfer the medium.
Fig. 3a discloses a cross section at an example of an intermediate portion 18 of the hose unit 3 in flg. 2a, where the hose unit 3 is in the open state. The intermediate portion 18 of the hose unit 3 constitutes a main part of the extension of the hose unit 3. The hose unit 3 comprises a first conduit 20 adapted to guide the medium when the medium is transferred between the first unit 5 and the second unit 7.
The hose unit 3 further comprises a second conduit 22 arranged around the first conduit 20 in order to protect the first conduit 20 from fracture due to abrasion or hits to its exterior surface. The second conduit 22 is further arranged so that a closed space 24 is formed between the first conduit 20 and the second conduit 22 when the hose unit 3 is in the open state. The space 24 extends along the extension of the hose unit 3. Preferably, the first conduit 20 and the second conduit 22 have uniform wall thickness along the extension of the hose unit 3. Accordingly, the space 24 is preferably uniformly arranged along the extension of the hose unit 3.
The hose unit 3 further comprises a third conduit 25 arranged in the space 24. In the disclosed example, third conduit 25 comprises an inlet 50 and an outlet 52, and the space 24 comprises an evacuation portion 30 to which the medium is adapted to flow in case of a leakage of the first conduit 20. The inlet 50 and the outlet 52 extends from one of the first end portion 12 and the second end portion
The hose unit 3 further comprises a connection arrangement for providing an attachment of the third conduit 25 to at least one of the first conduit 20 and the second conduit 22 for holding an extension of the third conduit 25 in a fixed position within the space 24. The connection arrangement comprises a connection element for providing the attachment of third conduit 25.
In the disclosed embodiment, the connection arrangement provides an attachment of the inlet 50 and the outlet to both the first conduit 20 and the second conduit 22 by means of a respective connection element. Preferably, the connection arrangement comprises a plurality of connection elements intermittent distributed along the length of the inlet 50 and the outlet 52.
Fig. 3b discloses a cross section at an example of an intermediate portion 18 of the hose unit 3 in flg. 2a, where the hose unit 3 is in the compressed state. The first conduit 20 and the second conduit 22 are compressed flat in that they have a stiffness that enables their wall sections to be compressed when being winded on the storage drum 16. The compressed state enables a compact storage of the hose unit 3.
The third conduit 25 has a stiffness that prevents it from being compressed when subjected to compression forces relating to when the hose unit 3 is being winded on the storage drum 16 and compressed from the open state to the compressed state. Thereby, the third conduit 25 maintains a compressed portion 59 of the space 24 open. In the disclosed embodiment, the compressed portion 59 of the space 24 comprises two portions, one at each of the inlet 50 and the outlet 52.
In the disclosed embodiment, the third conduit 25 comprises the inlet 50 and the outlet 52. However, it shall be understood that the third conduit 25 may comprises a single conduit. In this case, the compressed portion 59 of the space 24 comprises a single portion.
The compressed portion 59 enables a leakage of the medium to be received and guided to the evacuation portion 30 of the space 24 when the hose unit 3 is in the compressed state. Accordingly, the hose unit 3 of the invention enables a leakage of the medium to be guided to the evacuation portion 30 of the space 24 both when the hose unit 3 is in the open state and the closed state.
Referring to fig. 1, 2a, 2b, 4a and 4b, the hose unit 3 comprises a first hose portion 26 and a second hose portion 28 that are connected with each other by means of the stress release unit 10. The stress release unit 10 has the function to release the connection between the first hose portion 26 and the second hose portion 28 in the event that stress release unit 10 is subjected to a stress that exceeds a certain value. In fig. 4a the stress release unit 10 is in an engaged state, where the first hose portion 26 and the second hose portion 28 are connected. In fig. 4b the stress release unit 10 is in a disengaged state, where the first hose portion 26 and the second hose portion 28 are disconnected from each other.
An example a cross section of the stress release unit 10 is disclosed in further detail in fig. 4a and 4b. The hose unit 3 comprises the evacuation portion 30 of the space 24 that is adapted to receive the medium in case of a leakage of the first conduit 20. In particular, the evacuation portion 30 of the space 24 is adapted to be arranged at a centre of mass M of the hose unit 3 in its fully extended configuration. Accordingly, when the hose unit 3 extends between the first unit 5 and the second unit 7, the evacuation portion 30 of the space 24 will constitute the lowest point of the hose unit 3. In case of a leakage anywhere along the length of the hose unit 3, the medium will flow to the evacuation portion 30 of the space 24.
The hose unit 3 further comprises an evacuation arrangement 40 for evacuating the medium from the space 24. The evacuation arrangement 40 comprises the evacuation portion 30 of the space 24 to which the inlet 50 and the outlet 52 extend from the end portion of the hose unit. The inlet 50 is adapted to guide a stream of pressurized gas, such as air, into the evacuation portion 30 of the space 24. The outlet 52 is adapted to guide the gas and possible leakage of the medium out from the evacuation portion 30 of the space 24.
The injection of the stream of gas is into the evacuation portion 30 is adapted to pressurize the evacuation portion 30 to a first pressure P1. The outlet 52 is arranged extending to an outside that comprises a second pressure P2 that is lower than the first pressure P1. Accordingly, due to the pressure difference between the evacuation portion 30 and the outside, possible leakage of the medium will be transferred to the outside by means of the outlet 52. Preferably, the second pressure P2 relates to the ambient air pressure and the first pressure P1 is set by the rate of injection of the stream of gas.
The inlet 50 and the outlet 52 comprise separate parts of the third conduit 25. The outlet 52 extends between a first opening 54 to the evacuation portion 30 of the space 24 and a second opening 56 at one of the first end portion 12 and the second end portion 14 of the hose unit 3. The inlet 50 extends between a third opening 58 to the evacuation portion 30 of the space 24 and a fourth opening 60 at one of the first end portion 12 and the second end portion 14 of the hose unit 3. In the disclosed embodiment, both the inlet 50 and the outlet 52 extends to the first end portion 12 of
the hose unit 3.
The evacuation arrangement 40 is arranged so that the third opening 58 of the inlet 50 to the space 24 and the first opening 54 of the outlet 52 from the space 24 are separated from each other by a distance within the evacuation portion 30 of the space 24. In fig. 4a and 4b the third opening 58 of the inlet 50 to the space 24 and the first opening 54 of the outlet 52 from the space 24 are arranged at the evacuation portion 30 of the space 24.
In fig. 4a and 4b, the stress release unit 10 comprises means for closing openings to the first conduit 20, the second conduit 22 and the third conduit 50 in the event that the stress release unit 10 is changed from the engaged state to the disengaged state.
The first conduit 20, the second conduit 22, third conduit 25 comprise mainly elastic material that enables the hose unit 3 to be bended for facilitating connection to specific locations on the first unit 5 and the second unit 7, and to be coiled on the drum 16. The material comprises for example mainly a polymeric material, such as one of nylon, polyurethane, polyethylene, PVC, and synthetic or natural rubbers, or mixture thereof.
Fig. 5a discloses a cross section of the first end portion 12 of the hose unit 3 in fig. 2, where the first end portion 12 is connected to a connection unit 70 of the first unit 5. Fig. 5b discloses a cross section of the first end portion 12 of the hose unit 3 in fig. 2, where the first end portion 12 is disconnected from the connection unit 70.
The first end portion 12 comprise means for being connected to a connection unit of the first unit 5. The connection unit 70 further comprises a further inlet 80 and a further outlet 82 for providing a controllable quick release coupling of the hose unit to the first unit 5 or the second unit 7.
In fig. 5b, the first end portion 12 of the hose unit 3 has been disconnected from the connection unit 70. The flow of the medium in the first conduit 20 has been terminated. Likewise has the injection of gas through the third conduit 50 and removal of gas and possible leakage of the medium been terminated.
Fig. 6 discloses a schematic overview of the hose arrangement 1 according to an embodiment of the invention. The hose arrangement 1 comprises a compressor device 100 for injecting compressed gas to the space 24 of the hose unit 3 by means of the inlet 42 so that the space 24 is pressurized to the first pressure P1. Preferably, the compressor device 100 is adapted to inject a stream of air into the space 24.
The hose arrangement 1 further comprise separation unit 105 and means for discharging medium that has been evacuated from the space 24. The separation unit 105 is adapted to separate the medium from the gas. In fig. 6, the hose arrangement 1 comprises a container 110 and a discharge conduit 112 that is adapted to guide medium from the separation unit 105 to the container 110 in
the event of a leakage that has been evacuated from the space 24.
The hose arrangement 1 further comprises a detection unit 120 for detecting receipt of medium that has been removed from the space 24. The detection unit 120 comprises a sensor device 121. In the disclosed embodiment of the invention, the sensor device 121 is arranged in a further container 114. The sensor device 121 is for example a liquid sensor that detects receipt of a liquid based change in conductivity, capacitance, optical interface, and etcetera.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the detection unit 120 comprises a chamber with a float that is adapted to be displaced between a first and a second position relating to no leakage respectively a leakage of the medium. According to an alternative embodiment, the evacuated medium is transferred back to its original source, such a tank. In this case, the sensor unit 120 may for example comprise an optical sensor arranged at an inlet to the original source.
The detection unit 120 further comprises a logic unit 122 and signalling means 124. The logic unit 122 is adapted to receive information from the sensor device 121 and generate a control signal to the signalling means 124 in dependency of the received information. The signalling means 124 is adapted to generate an alarm upon receipt of the control signal. The signalling means 124 is for example an indication lamp, a buzzer, a vibration device, and etcetera.
The sensor device 121 is configured to measure an amount of the medium and the logic unit 122 is adapted to determine an extent of the leakage of the medium based on information from the sensor device 121 over time. The detection unit 120 further comprises a display unit 126 that is adapted to receive information on the determined rate of leakage and transmit information on the determined
rate of leakage for display by the display unit 126.
It should be noted that the above-mentioned embodiments illustrate ratherthan limit the invention, and that those skilled in the art will be able to design many alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. Use of the verb "comprise" and its conjugations does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those stated in a claim. The arti ele "a" or "an" preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

Claims (10)

1. A hose unit (3) for transferring a flowable medium between a first unit (5) and a second unit (7) in a marine environment, the hose unit (3) comprises an open state in which the hose unit (3) is adapted to transfer the medium and a compressed state in which the hose unit (3) is adapted to be winded compressed on a storage drum (16), wherein the hose unit (3) further comprises - a first conduit (20) adapted to transfer the medium, - a second conduit (22) arranged around the first conduit (20) so that a space (24) is formed between the first conduit (20) and the second conduit (22) when the hose unit (3) is in the open state, and - a third conduit (25) arranged in the space (24), wherein the third conduit (25) is partly occupying the space (24), wherein the first conduit (20) and the second conduit (22) have a stiffness that enables the first conduit (20) and the second conduit (22) to be elastically compressed flat when the hose unit (3) is changed from the open state to the compressed state, and the third conduit (25) has a stiffness that prevents the third conduit (25) from being compressed flat when the hose unit (3) is changed from the open state to the compressed state, wherein the third conduit (25) thereby maintains a compressed portion (59) of the space (24) open, characterized in that the space (24) comprises an evacuation portion to which the medium is adapted to flow in case of a leakage of the first conduit (20) and the third conduit (25) comprises an inlet (50) for injecting a flow of a gas to the evacuation portion and an outlet (52) for removing the gas and possible medium from the evacuation portion in case of a leakage of the first conduit (20), and wherein the inlet (50) and the outlet (52) are arranged connected to at least one of the first conduit (20) and the second conduit (22) so that they are separated from each other at opposite sides within the space (24).
2. The hose unit (3) according to claim 1, wherein the third conduit (25) comprises a reinforcement element that prevents the third conduit (25) from being compressed flat when subjected to pressure relating to operation of winding the hose unit (3) on the storage drum (16).
3. The hose unit (3) according to any of claim 1 and 2, wherein the third conduit (25) comprises a higher stiffness than the first conduit (20) and the second conduit (22).
4. The hose unit (3) according to any of the previous claims, wherein the ratio between a stiffness of the third conduit (25) and one of the first conduit (20) and the second conduit (22) is in the range 2-20, preferably 5-10.
5. The hose unit (3) according to any of the previous claims, wherein at least one the first conduit (20), second conduit (22) and third conduit (25) comprises a cylindrical cross section.
6. The hose unit (3) according to any of the previous claims, wherein the third conduit (25) is adapted to enclose a gas and the third conduit (25) is configured with a size that enables at least a part of the hose unit (3) to flow on the surface of the sea when provided with the gas.
7. The hose unit (3) according to any of the previous claims, wherein the hose further comprises a connection arrangement (53) for providing an attachment of the third conduit (25) to at least one of the first conduit (20) and the second conduit (22) for holding an extension of the third conduit (25) in a fixed position within the space (24).
8. The hose unit (3) according to any of the previous claims, wherein the connection arrangement (53) provides an attachment of the inlet (50) and the outlet (52) to both the first conduit (20) and the second conduit (22) for holding an extension of the inlet (50) and the outlet (52) in fixed positions within the space (24).
9. The hose unit (3) according to any of the previous claims, wherein the connection arrangement (53) comprises a plurality of connection elements (53a) intermittent distributed along the length of third conduit (25).
10. A hose arrangement (1) for transferring a flowable medium between a first unit (5) and a second unit (7) in a marine environment, wherein the hose arrangement comprises a hose unit (3) according to claim 1-9 and the means for providing pressurized gas to the third conduit (25).
NO20151576A 2015-11-17 2015-11-17 A hose unit for transferring a flowable medium NO340944B1 (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NO20151576A NO340944B1 (en) 2015-11-17 2015-11-17 A hose unit for transferring a flowable medium
PCT/NO2016/050230 WO2017086801A1 (en) 2015-11-17 2016-11-16 A hose unit for transferring a flowable medium

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NO20151576A NO340944B1 (en) 2015-11-17 2015-11-17 A hose unit for transferring a flowable medium

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NO340944B1 true NO340944B1 (en) 2017-07-24

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Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3426803A (en) * 1963-02-13 1969-02-11 Bridgestone Tire Co Ltd Submerged floatable hoses for transporting oil and other liquids on the sea
US4111466A (en) * 1976-02-02 1978-09-05 Deregibus Alfio D A Collapsible tanker hose coupling
WO2009082241A1 (en) * 2007-12-20 2009-07-02 Bertheussen, Kenneth Safety hose
NO328496B1 (en) * 2007-07-06 2010-03-01 Inge Knotten Device by hose
WO2010041955A1 (en) * 2008-10-08 2010-04-15 Inge Knotten Hose connector

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3426803A (en) * 1963-02-13 1969-02-11 Bridgestone Tire Co Ltd Submerged floatable hoses for transporting oil and other liquids on the sea
US4111466A (en) * 1976-02-02 1978-09-05 Deregibus Alfio D A Collapsible tanker hose coupling
NO328496B1 (en) * 2007-07-06 2010-03-01 Inge Knotten Device by hose
WO2009082241A1 (en) * 2007-12-20 2009-07-02 Bertheussen, Kenneth Safety hose
WO2010041955A1 (en) * 2008-10-08 2010-04-15 Inge Knotten Hose connector

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2017086801A1 (en) 2017-05-26
NO20151576A1 (en) 2017-05-18

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