U.S. patent number RE35,527 [Application Number 08/351,721] was granted by the patent office on 1997-06-10 for hose assembly.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Teleflex Incorporated. Invention is credited to Norman S. Martucci.
United States Patent |
RE35,527 |
Martucci |
June 10, 1997 |
Hose assembly
Abstract
A lightweight hose assembly (10) of the type adapted for
conveying fuels and other corrosive fluids. The assembly (10)
includes a tubular inner liner (12) comprising a polymeric
fluorocarbon material resistant to chemical and heat degradation,
and is characterized by including an outer liner (14) comprising an
expanded polyamide material disposed about the inner liner (12).
The assembly (10) further includes a conductive strip (30) formed
along the inner liner (12) for dissipating electrical charges
accumulating along the inner liner (12).
Inventors: |
Martucci; Norman S. (Clarkston,
MI) |
Assignee: |
Teleflex Incorporated (Plymouth
Meeting, PA)
|
Family
ID: |
25073558 |
Appl.
No.: |
08/351,721 |
Filed: |
December 8, 1994 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
Reissue of: |
765438 |
Sep 25, 1991 |
05170011 |
Dec 8, 1992 |
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
174/47; 138/137;
361/215; 138/118 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B32B
1/08 (20130101); F16L 11/04 (20130101); F16L
11/085 (20130101); F16L 11/10 (20130101); F16L
11/127 (20130101); B32B 27/304 (20130101); B32B
27/322 (20130101); B32B 27/08 (20130101); B32B
27/34 (20130101); F16L 2011/047 (20130101); B32B
2262/101 (20130101); B32B 2327/18 (20130101); B32B
2597/00 (20130101); B32B 2250/24 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B32B
1/00 (20060101); F16L 11/04 (20060101); F16L
11/12 (20060101); B32B 1/08 (20060101); F16L
11/10 (20060101); F16L 11/127 (20060101); F16L
011/12 () |
Field of
Search: |
;174/47,11FC,11N,12SC,12C,215
;138/118,137,138,139,140,121,141,DIG.3,DIG.9 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Kincaid; Kristine L.
Assistant Examiner: Machtinger; Marc D.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Kohn & Associates
Claims
What is claimed:
1. A hose assembly (10) comprising:
a tubular inner line (12) and an outer liner (14) disposed about
said inner liner (12), said inner liner (12) comprising a polymeric
fluorocarbon material resistant to chemical and heat degradation,
said assembly characterized by said outer liner (14) comprising
.[.an expanded.]. .Iadd.a .Iaddend.polyamide material for
increasing the strength of said hose assembly (10).Iadd.,wherein
said inner liner (12) includes an outer surface (20) having an
irregular configuration (22) and said outer liner (14) includes an
inner surface (24) in mating engagement with said outer surface
(20) of said inner liner (12) to limit relative movement between
said inner liner (12) and said outer liner (14).Iaddend..
2. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 further characterized by
said polymeric fluorocarbon material being chemically resistant to
fuels and fuel additives. .[.3. An assembly as set forth in claim 2
further characterized by said inner liner (12) including an outer
surface (20) having an irregular configuration (22) and said outer
liner (14) including an inner surface (24) in mating engagement
with said outer surface (20) of said inner liner (13) to limit
relative movement between said inner liner
(12) and said outer liner (14)..].4. An assembly as set forth in
claim 2 further characterized by including at least one braided
layer (26)
disposed between said inner (12) and outer (14) liners. 5. An
assembly as set forth in claim 4 further characterized by including
an intermediate coating (28) dispersed in said braided layer (26)
for securing said inner
liner (12) to said outer liner (14). 6. An assembly as set forth in
claim 5 further characterized by said intermediate coating (28)
including an outer surface (29) having an irregular configuration
(31) and said outer liner (14) including an inner surface (24) in
mating engagement with said outer surface (29) of said intermediate
coating (28) to limit relative
movement between said inner liner (12) and said outer liner (14).
7. An assembly as set forth in claim 6 further characterized by
said intermediate coating (28) essentially comprising a
fluorocarbon material.
. An assembly as set forth in claim 7 further characterized by
said
braided layer (26) comprising glass fibers. 9. An assembly as set
forth in either claim .[.3.]. .Iadd.1 .Iaddend.or 4 further
characterized by said .[.expanded.]. polyamide material of said
outer liner (14) including a material selected from the group
consisting of:
nylon 6;
nylon .[.6.6.]. .Iadd.6,6.Iaddend.;
nylon 11; and
nylon 12. 10. An assembly as set forth in claim 9 further
characterized by said polymeric fluorocarbon material of said inner
liner (12) including a material selected from the group consisting
of:
polytetrafluoroethylene;
perfluorinated ethylene-propylene;
perfluoralkoxy fluorocarbon resin; .Iadd.and .Iaddend.
polyfluoroethylene. 11. An assembly as set forth in claim 10
further characterized by said inner liner (12) including an
integral conductive means (16) coextensive with the length of said
inner liner (12) for conducting electrical charges along the length
of said inner liner (12).
. An assembly as set forth in claim 11 further characterized by
said
integral conductive means (16) including carbon black. 13. An
assembly as set forth in claim 12 further characterized by
including a coupling means (18) adapted to engage the ends of said
hose assembly (10) for
interconnecting said hose assembly (10) to a flow of fluid.
.Iadd.14. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 further characterized
by said polyamide
material of said outer liner (14) being expanded..Iaddend..Iadd.15.
A hose assembly (10) comprising:
a tubular inner liner (12) and an outer liner (14) disposed about
said inner liner (12), said inner liner (12) comprising a polymeric
fluorocarbon material resistant to chemical and heat degradation,
said assembly characterized by said outer liner (14) comprising an
expanded polyamide material for increasing the strength of said
hose assembly (10)..Iaddend..Iadd.16. An assembly as set forth in
claim 15 further characterized by said polymeric fluorocarbon
material being chemically resistant to fuels and fuel
additives..Iaddend..Iadd.17. An assembly as set forth in claim 16
further characterized by including at least one braided layer (26)
disposed between said inner (12) and outer (14)
liners..Iaddend..Iadd.18. An assembly as set forth in claim 17
further characterized by including an intermediate coating (28)
dispersed in said braided layer (26) for securing said inner liner
(12) to said outer liner (14)..Iaddend..Iadd.19. An assembly as set
forth in claim 18 further characterized by said intermediate
coating (28) including an outer surface (20) having an irregular
configuration (31) and said outer liner (14) including an inner
surface (24) in mating engagement with said outer surface (29) of
said intermediate coating (28) to limit relative movement between
said inner liner (12) and said outer liner (14)..Iaddend..Iadd.20.
An assembly as set forth in claim 19 further characterized by said
intermediate coating (28) essentially comprising a fluorocarbon
material..Iaddend..Iadd.21. An assembly as set forth in claim 20
further characterized by said braided layer (26) comprising
glass
fibers..Iaddend..Iadd.22. An assembly as set forth in claim 15
further characterized by said expanded polyamide material of said
outer liner (14) including a material selected from the group
consisting of:
nylon 6;
nylon 6,6;
nylon 11; and
nylon 12..Iaddend..Iadd.23. An assembly as set forth in claim 22
further characterized by said polymeric fluorocarbon material of
said inner liner (12) including a material selected from the group
consisting of:
polytetrafluoroethylene;
perfluorinated ethylene-propylene;
perfluoroalkoxy fluorocarbon resin; and
polyfluoroethylene..Iaddend..Iadd.24. An assembly as set forth in
claim 23 further characterized by said inner liner (12) including
an integral conductive means (16) coextensive with the length of
said inner liner (12) for conducting electrical charges along the
length of said inner liner (12)..Iaddend..Iadd.25. An assembly as
set forth in claim 24 further characterized by said integral
conductive means (16) including carbon black..Iaddend..Iadd.26. An
assembly as set forth in claim 25 further characterized by
including a coupling means (18) adapted to engage the ends of said
hose assembly (10) for interconnecting said hose assembly (10) to a
flow of fluid..Iaddend.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field
The subject invention relates to a hose construction. More
specifically, the subject invention relates to a hose assembly
comprising a polymeric fluorocarbon inner liner having an expanded
polyamide outer liner disposed thereabout.
2. Description of the Related Art
Hose assemblies for conveying fuels are well-known in the art. Such
assemblies are exposed to a variety of fuel mixtures and fuel
additives in addition to extreme engine temperatures. Thus, such
hose assemblies must be chemically as well as heat resistant to
degradation as a result of chemical and heat exposure.
Polymeric fluorocarbon materials such as polytetrafluoroethylene
possess the requisite chemical and temperature resistant properties
for most fuel hose applications. Unfortunately, however, polymeric
fluorocarbon materials exhibit relatively poor tensile and hoop
strengths. As a consequence, such fluorinated materials are prone
to kinking. Such kinking remains permanent and provides a continual
resistance to fluid flow through the hose assembly. Moreover, as a
result of the fluorinated material's low tensile strength,
attachment of securing or coupling members to the hose assembly is
unreliable.
Various approaches have been described for offering additional
strength to a polymeric fluorocarbon liner. One approach involves
braiding fibers about the inner fluorocarbon liner. The braided
fibers offer additional strength to the fluorocarbon liner
resulting in a hose assembly that resists kinking. An example of
such an approach is disclosed in co-pending U.S. Ser. No. 535,734,
filed Jun. 11, 1990 and assigned to the assignee of the subject
invention. A drawback to such braiding techniques, however, is the
extensive labor and time involved.
Additional examples for strengthening an inner fluorocarbon liner
with an outer liner are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 2,991,808 to
Siegmann, U.S. Pat. No. 4,104,095 to Shaw, and U.S. Pat. No.
4,800,109 to Washizo, all of which disclose the use of a
polytetrafluorethylene inner liner supported within an outer
liner.
Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 3,547,162 to Schaerer discloses a pipe
assembly wherein an inner cross-linked polyolefin liner is
supported within an expanded urethane or PVC outer liner.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION AND ADVANTAGES
According to the present invention, there is provided a hose
assembly comprising a tubular inner liner and an outer liner
disposed about the inner liner. The inner liner comprises a
polymeric fluorocarbon material resistant to chemical and heat
degradation. The hose assembly is characterized by the outer liner,
comprising an expanded polyamide material for increasing the
strength of the hose assembly.
Accordingly, the present invention provides a hose assembly
including an inner liner having chemical and heat resistant
properties and an expanded polyamide outer liner providing support
and strength to the inner liner thereby increasing the hose
assembly's hoop and tensile strength. Thus, the present hose
assembly is resistant to kinking and possess sufficient strength
for allowing the attachment of securing or coupling members
thereto.
An advantage of the present hose assembly's outer liner comprising
an expanded polyamide material is a substantial reduction in the
weight of the hose assembly while maintaining the necessary hose
strength. The present hose assembly's expanded polyamide outer
liner not only provides strength to the hose assembly but also
provides ample protection from external heat and chemical
degradation at a substantially reduced weight.
FIGURES IN THE DRAWINGS
Other advantages of the subject invention will be readily
appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to
the following detailed description when considered in connection
with the accompanying drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view partially broken away and in
cross-section of an alternate embodiment of the subject
invention;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view partially broken away and in
cross-section of the preferred embodiment of the subject invention;
and
FIG. 3 is a schematic view, of a fuel system showing three separate
applications of the subject invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
A hose assembly made in accordance with the present invention is
generally shown at 10 in FIGS. 1 and 2. The assembly 10 includes a
tubular inner liner 12, an outer liner 14 disposed about the inner
liner 12, an integral conductive means 16 coextensive with the
length of the inner liner 12, and a coupling means 18 (FIG. 3)
adapted to engage the ends of the hose assembly 10.
The tubular inner liner 12, as best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2,
comprises a polymeric fluorocarbon material resistant to both
chemical and heat degradation, thus allowing a variety of fluids,
particularly automotive fuels and fuel additives, e.g., detergents,
alcohols, etc., to pass through the inner liner 12 without
corroding or degradating the inner liner 12. The inner liner 12 is
preferably extruded using well-known melt or paste extrusion
techniques and has a wall thickness of between 0.001 and 0.120
inches. Although the inner liner 12 may be made of any number of
polymeric fluorocarbon materials, the inner liner 12 is ideally
made from a polymer of the following: polytetrafluoroethylene
(PTFE), the homopolymer of tetrafluoroethylene sold under the
trademark TEFLON by DuPont; perfluorinated ethylene-propylene
(FEP), the copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and hexafluoropropylene
sold under the trademark TEFLON FEP by DuPont; perfluoroalkoxy
fluorocarbon resin (PFA), the copolymer of
tetrafluoroethylene-perfluorovinyl ether sold under the trademark
TEFLON PFA by DuPont; or ethylene tetrafluoroethylen (ETFE), the
copolymer of ethylene and tetrafluoroethylene sold under the
trademark TEFZEL by DuPont. In addition to the aforementioned
polymeric fluorocarbon materials, polychlorotrifluoroethylene, the
homopolymer of chlorotrifluoroethylene, and
polychlorotfifluoroethylene-ethylene, the copolymer of
chlorotrifluoroethylene and ethylene may also be used.
The outer liner 14, best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, is disposed about
the inner liner 12. The outer liner 14 comprises a polyamide
material for increasing the strength of the hose assembly 10. More
specifically, the outer liner 14 allows the inner liner 12 to be
bent without kinking. That is, the outer liner 14 provides strength
to the inner liner 12 upon bending. This is commonly referred to as
hoop strength. Thus, by disposing the outer liner 14 about the
inner liner 12, the hoop strength of the inner liner 12 is
increased. Further, the outer liner 14 adds to the working pressure
of the hose. That is, the outer liner 14 provides strength to the
inner liner 12 and allows the inner liner 12 to accommodate a fluid
under pressure. Additionally, the outer liner 14 adds to the
tensile strength of the hose assembly 10. When coupling members 18
(FIG. 3) are disposed on the ends of the hose assembly 10, as
described below, the outer liner 14 increases the tensile strength
of the hose assembly 10 sufficiently to fixedly connect the
coupling member 18 (FIG. 3) to the hose assembly 10.
Although the outer liner 14 may be made of any number of polyamide
materials, preferably the outer liner 14 is made from a polyamide
material selected from the following: nylon 6; nylon 6,6; nylon 11;
or nylon 12. It should be noted the selection of a particular
polyamide material should be based upon the physical requirements
of the particular hose assembly application. For example, nylon 6
and nylon 6,6 offer higher heat resistant properties than nylon 11
or nylon 12, whereas nylon 11 and nylon 12 offer better chemical
resistant properties than nylon 6 or nylon 6,6. Thus, the ultimate
selection of a polyamide material should be based upon requirements
of a particular hose assembly application. In addition to those
polyamide materials previously mentioned, other nylon materials
such as: nylon 6,12; nylon 6,9; nylon 4; nylon 4,2; nylon 4,6;
nylon 7; and nylon 8 may also be used. Ring containing polyamides
including aliphatic-aromatic polyamides e.g., nylon 6,T and nylon
6,I may also be used. Finally, the outer liner 14 may also comprise
various polyamide blends. Again, it is noted that the selection of
a particular polyamide material is dependent upon the specific
physical requirements of a particular hose assembly
application.
Preferably, the outer liner 14 is comprised of an expanded
polyamide material, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Alternatively, the
outer liner 14 may comprise an unexpanded polyamide material (not
shown). Although expanded and unexpanded polyamide outer liners 14
both offer the hose assembly 10 increased hoop and tensile
strength, the expanded polyamide material is preferred. The
expanded polyamide material offers the hose assembly 10
substantially the same degree of strength as the unexpanded
material while significantly reducing the weight of the hose
assembly 10. That is, the expanded polyamide material is
significantly lighter in weight than the unexpanded polyamide
material due to the presence of void spaces therein formed during
the expansion process. The expansion process, commonly known in the
art as "foaming", generally takes place while extruding the outer
liner 14. Such foaming processes generally require blowing agents
such as CELOGEN HT 550 .TM., an exothermic blowing agent sold by
Uniroyal Chemicals or EXTIVEX 537 .TM., an endothermic blowing
agent sold by J. M. Huber Corporation. The blowing agent is
generally intermixed with the polyamide material during the
extrusion of the outer liner 14 and causes expansion of the
polyamide by producing gas, thereby forming void spaces within the
outer liner 14.
Methods for fabricating the present hose assembly 10 are well-known
in the art. One particular well-known method involves a two-part
extrusion process typically known as "cross-head" extrusion. The
typical "cross-head" extrusion method involves first extruding an
inner liner, such as the polymeric fluorocarbon inner liner 12,
then extruding an outer liner thereover, such as the expanded
polyamide outer liner 14. This method of fabrication is
particularly effective when utilizing an inner liner 12 comprising
polytetrafluoroethylene. This is primarily due to the difficulty
encountered in extruding polytetrafluoroethylene. That is,
polytetrafluoroethylene generally must be paste extruded whereas
thermoplastic polymeric fluorocarbon materials may often be melt
extruded. When utilizing thermoplastic polymeric fluorocarbon
materials, coextrusion methods of fabricating may be applicable. As
commonly known in the art, coextrusion methods involve utilizing
two extruders at once thereby forming both inner and outer liners
simultaneously.
Due to the chemical inertness and general lubricous nature of
polymeric fluorocarbon materials, relative movement between the
inner 12 and outer 14 liners is often encountered. In hose
applications which require immobility among adjacent liners, the
present hose assembly 10 may be modified to eliminate such relative
movement between the inner 12 and outer 14 liners.
One embodiment for eliminating relative movement between the inner
12 and outer 14 liners involves etching an outer surface 20 of the
inner liner 12 prior to disposing the outer liner 14 thereabout, as
shown in FIG. 2. Etching techniques are well-known in the art.
Examples of common etching techniques include acid treatment,
plasma treatment, and mechanical scuffing. Subsequent to etching,
the outer surface 20 of the inner liner 12 maintains an irregular
configuration 22 as shown in FIG. 2. Essentially the irregular
configuration 22 comprises a rough surface having a plurality of
cavities and protuberances therein.
Subsequent to etching the outer surface 20 of the inner liner 12,
the outer liner 14 is extruded thereover. During this extrusion, an
inner surface 24 of the outer liner 14 shapes into mating
engagement with the irregular configuration 22 of the outer surface
20 of the inner liner 12 thereby resulting in a mechanical bond
therebetween. This mechanical bond prohibits relative movement
(rotational or longitudinal) between the inner 12 and outer 14
liners.
An alternative embodiment for eliminating relative movement between
the inner 12 and outer 14 liner is shown in FIG. 1. The alternative
embodiment includes disposing at least one braided layer between
the inner 12 and outer 14 liners. More specifically, the
alternative embodiment includes a braided or woven layer 26
disposed in an interleaving fashion, or wrapped tightly about the
outer surface 20 of the inner liner 12. Preferably, the material
used for the braided layer 26 is a glass fiber. Glass fibers are
preferred due to their relative low cost and superior heat
resistant properties.
The braided or woven fibers may be tightly wound or they may be
loosely wound about the inner liner 12, having wide gaps between
adjacent fibers. The assembly 10 further includes intermediate
coating 28 dispersed in the braided layer 26. The intermediate
coating 28 ideally comprises a fluorocarbon polymer in a
dispersion. The intermediate coating 28 as applied, comprises a
fluorocarbon polymer and at least one dispersing agent. Preferably
the dispersion agent is water. It will be appreciated that any
suitable dispersion agent may be used. The preferred fluorocarbon
polymer is a material selected from the following: the polymer of
tetrafluoroethylene (PTFE); the copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene
and hexafluoroproplene (FEP); the copolymer of
tetrafluoroethylene-perfluorovinyl ether (PFA); or the copolymer of
ethylene and tetrafluoroethylene (PETFE). The intermediate coating
28 coats or is dispersed throughout the braided layer 26.
Subsequent to coating, the dispersion agent is removed from the
intermediate coating by drying. This leaves the intermediate
coating 28 essentially comprising only the fluorocarbon material,
dispersed throughout the braided layer and secured or bonded to the
outer surface 20 of the inner liner 12. An outer surface 29 of the
intermediate coating 28 maintains an irregular configuration 31
including a rough surface. Subsequent to position of the braided
layer 26 and intermediate coating 28 about the inner liner 12, the
outer liner 14 is extruded thereover. During this extrusion, the
inner surface 24 of the outer liner 14 shapes into mating
engagement with the irregular configuration 31 of the intermediate
coating 28 thereby resulting in the mechanical bond therebetween.
This mechanical bond prohibits relative movement (rotational or
longitudinal) between the braided layer 26/intermediate coating 28
and outer liner 14.
As fluid flows through the inner liner 12, electrical charges tend
to build throughout the length of the inner liner 12. In order to
prevent these electrical charges from accumulating, the inner liner
12 preferably includes an integral longitudinal conductive means 16
coextensive with the length of the inner liner 12 for conducting an
electrical charge along the length of the inner liner 12.
Preferably the integral conductive means 16 comprises a conductive
strip 30 of carbon black, as shown in FIG. 1. Alternatively, the
integral conductive means 16 may comprise an inner layer 32 of
carbon black positioned adjacent an inner surface 33 of the inner
liner 12 as shown in FIG. 2. Alternatively, the integral conductive
means 16 may be interdispersed throughout the inner liner 12 by
intermixing carbon black throughout the polymeric fluorocarbon
material while the inner liner 12 is extruded (not shown). The
braided layer 26, intermediate coating 28, and outer liner 14 are
all preferably electrically non-conductive. This is important in
that electrical charges applied to the exterior of the hose
assembly 10 will not be conducted along its length nor to the fluid
passing therethrough. It will be appreciated that the integral
conductive means may comprise conductive material other than carbon
black.
The assembly 10 further includes coupling means 18 as shown in FIG.
3. The coupling means 18 is adapted to engage the ends of the hose
assembly 10 for interconnecting the hose assembly 10 to a flow of
fluid, e.g., fuel flow to and from a fuel tank 35. More
particularly, the coupling means 18 includes a coupler 18 or joint
having an insert portion 34 for inserting into and engaging the
inner surface 33 (FIGS. 1 and 2) of the inner liner 12. The insert
portion 34 may have a plurality of barbs 36 for engaging the inner
surface 33 (FIGS. 1 and 2) of the inner liner 12, as best viewed in
FIG. 3. The coupling means 18 may also include an engaging portion
(not shown) extending longitudinally from the insert portion 34 for
engaging a fitting (not shown). The engaging portion may comprise a
male threaded member or female threaded member (not shown). The
engaging portion may comprise any configuration that will cooperate
with the member to which it is to be connected with. For example,
the engaging portion may comprise a socket to receive a mating ball
joint (not shown). Alternatively. in place of the engaging portion,
the coupling means 18 may provide an additional insert portion 34
for inserting into and engaging the interior surface of the inner
liner 12 of another hose assembly 10 as shown in FIG. 3. Thus, the
coupling means 18 may operate as a joint between independent hose
assemblies 10 thereby interconnecting them to allow fluid flow
therebetween. The coupling means 18 is preferably made from an
organic polymeric material and mechanically connected to the hose
assembly 10, as shown in FIG. 3. Alternatively, the coupling means
18 may be molded to the hose assembly (not shown).
A typical application of the present hose assembly 10 is shown in
FIG. 3. FIG. 3 discloses an engine 37, fuel tank 33, and three
distinct uses of the present hose assembly 10. A fuel line for
conveying fuel between a fuel rail 40 and the fuel tank 35 is shown
at 38. Coupling means 18, as previously described, interconnect the
fuel line 38 with the fuel rail 40 and fuel tank 35. The fuel rail
40 provides a flow of fuel to a plurality of fuel jumpers 42.
Although not shown in FIG. 3, it will be appreciated by those
skilled in the art that a gas manifold and throttle body may be
substituted for the fuel tail 443. The fuel jumpers 42 are
interconnected to the fuel rail 40 by way of the coupling means 18,
as shown in FIG. 3 or alternatively, may be molded directly to the
fuel rail 40 (not shown). Fuel injectors for injecting fuel into
individual fuel cylinders (not shown) are shown in phantom at 44.
The fuel injectors 44 may include male supports 46 for inserting
and engaging the inner surface of the fuel jumper 42, in a similar
manner as the insert portion 34 of the coupling mean 18 engages the
inner surface 33 of the inner liner 12 (previously described).
Although the diameters of the fuel line 38, fuel rail 40, and fuel
jumper 42 may differ, all are comprised of the hose assembly 10 as
previously described. That is, each includes a polymeric
fluorocarbon inner liner 12 and an expanded polyamide outer liner
14. Due to possible variances in diameter among each hose assembly
10, i.e., fuel line 38, fuel rail 40, and fuel jumper 42, it will
be understood that the insert portions 34 of the coupling means 18
used to interconnect each hose assembly 10 must vary
correspondingly to accommodate each specific hose assembly 10
diameter.
Although the present hose assembly has been described for conveying
fuels, it will be readily appreciated that the present hose
assembly 10 may be used for conveying a variety of fluids, e.g.,
cooling fluids, lubricating fluids, etc.
The invention has been described in an illustrative manner, and it
is to be understood that the terminology which has been used is
intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of
limitation.
Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present
invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is,
therefore, to be understood, that within the scope of the appended
claims wherein reference numerals are merely for convenience and
not to be in any way limiting, the invention may be practiced
otherwise than as specifically described.
* * * * *