Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
1
HOSE END FITTING
The present invention relates to a hose end fitting, in particular for use
with high
pressure hose fittings, such as those found in the terminations of subsea
umbilicals
or "flying leads" used in the oil & gas industry.
An umbilical consists of a group of one or more types of elongated active
umbilical
elements such as electrical cables, optical fibre cables or hoses cabled
together for
flexibility and over-sheathed and/or armoured for mechanical strength. An
umbilical can also comprise specific load-carrying components such steel rods
(see
US6472614), composite rods (see W02005/124095, US2007/0251694), steel ropes
(see GB2326177, W02005/124095), composites ropes (see GB2326177) or tensile
armour layers (see US6472614).
Umbilicals are used for transmitting power, signals and fluids (fluid
injection,
hydraulic power, gas release, etc.) to and from a subsea installation.
The umbilical cross-section is generally circular, the elongated elements
being
wound together either in a helical or in an S/Z pattern. In order to fill the
interstitial
voids between the various umbilical elements and obtain the desired
configuration,
filler components may be included within the voids.
ISO 13628-5 "Specification for Subsea Umbilicals", provides standards for the
design
and manufacture of such umbilicals.
Subsea umbilicals are installed at increasingly deeper water depths, commonly
being deeper than 2000m. Such umbilicals therefore must be able to withstand
severe loading conditions during their installation and their service life.
CA 2865368 2019-05-03
2
The main hydraulic components used within umbilicals are high pressure
thermoplastic hoses and steel tubes. Two major drawbacks of thermoplastic
hoses
are firstly that they are permeable to fluids (gas diffusion through the liner
being a
known significant safety issue), and secondly, that they are not able to
withstand
large axial loads (i.e. they are designed to resist collapse but not tensile
loads), thus
making it necessary to provide the umbilical with additional layers of
armouring.
However thermoplastic hoses are widely used because they are more flexible
than
steel tubes, which increase the umbilical flexibility and reduce the
manufacturing
cost.
US2007/0227740 Al describes the grouping of subsea wells or the clustering of
wells to allow multiple control lines and chemical treatment lines to run from
the
ocean surface downward to the cluster wells and to one or more umbilicals
which
terminate at an umbilical termination assembly, In order to connect various
communication lines i.e. control lines and chemical injection lines, etc., to
items of
equipment on the ocean floor, special connections known as "flying leads" are
employed to connect the ends of lines to subsea equipment. This includes
thermoplastic hose flying leads and steel tube flying leads. Such flying leads
can also
include end fittings for coupling with subsea units and components.
US2010/0117355 Al describes in more detail an umbilical hose coupling for use
with textile-reinforced hoses in the oil and gas industry, especially high
pressure
hoses for use in offshore systems. U52010/0117355 Al describes a hose coupling
having a hose end swaged or crimped between a sleeve and an insert of a
coupling,
and between regular teeth.
Longitudinal swaging can be preferred to radial crimping when fitting a hose
end to
a hose end fitting or coupler, because longitudinal swaging equipment if less
expensive, smaller and lighter. Thus it is generally more easily useable and
portable
for offshore operations.
CA 2865368 2019-05-03
3
US3706123 describes apparatus for swaging couplings to the end of a hose,
being
hydraulically actuated. The device described in US3706123 has a die, a support
for
the die, and a ram for pressing an article to be shaped into the cavity in the
die. The
ram is formed as a piston acting directly against the top of the hose end.
US4050286 shows another swaging apparatus in which a pusher member again
directly pushes a hose coupling sleeve having a hose end portion therewithin
downwardly into a die cavity of a closed die. The action of the pusher to
reduce the
diameter of the hose coupling sleeve and thus crimp the hose end portion
between
the sleeve and the insert.
Both US3706123 and US4050286 show action on a male hose coupling, i.e. with a
final threaded portion integrally formed with at least the insert of the hose
coupling,
and able to withstand the direct pressure of the pusher or ram thereon during
swaging.
There also exist female endings for hose end couplings. These have a
complementary nut, generally a hex-shaped threaded nut, for engagement with
the
threaded end of a complementary male fitting. Figure 1 herewith shows a half
longitudinally-cut away side view of one prior art example of a female hose
coupling
10. The coupling 10 has a central insert 12, an attached sleeve 14, and a nut
16. The
end of a hose 18 fits in a circumferential slot 20 between the inner face of
the sleeve
14 and the outer face of the insert 12, which usually incorporates a number of
teeth
22.
To secure the end of the hose 18 in the slot 20, a die 24 is located beyond
the
coupling 10, and a pusher 26 pushes against the nut 16 to force the hose
coupling 10
through the stationary die 24. This is shown in more detail in the
accompanying
Figures 2 and 3. The action of the pusher 26 and die 24 crimps the end of the
hose
18 within the slot 20 for securement therebetween, following which the hose
coupling 10 is ready for use. The swaging operation on the hose coupling 10 is
CA 2865368 2019-05-03
CA 02865368 2014-08-22
WO 2013/132330
PCT/IB2013/000545
4
similar to that shown in 11S3706123 and US4050286, except the pusher 26 acts
directly on the nut 16.
However, the pressures and forces involved in longitudinal swaging a coupler
can
and does damage the nut. The whole swaging load is applied through the nut.
Unlike male hose couplers, the nut is not an integral part of the hose
coupler, and is
not integrally fixed to or formed with the insert and sleeve.
A further problem is that coupler nuts, such as that shown in Figures 1-3 of
the
accompanying drawings, can become loose or unlocked after fitting. Pressure
variations inside the hose can induce vibrations, and any loosening or
unlocking of
the nut can lead to leakage at the junction, and even disconnection.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved hose end
fitting able
to overcome at least the above mentioned disadvantages.
Thus, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a
hose end
fitting for a hose, and for coupling to another object, the hose end fitting
having a
coupling end and a hose end, and at least comprising;
an insert having a coupling end and a hose end;
a sleeve connected to the insert, providing accommodation for fitting the
hose between the sleeve and the hose end of the insert;
a coupler at the coupling end of the insert to couple the hose end fitting to
the other object; and
a collar between the coupler and the hose end, moveable between a first
position against the sleeve in the direction of the hose end during fitting of
a hose
end, and a second position against the coupler during coupling of the hose
fitting
with the other object.
In this way, the hose end fitting of the present invention can provide a
suitable
surface to take the load applied during swaging or crimping of the hose end
between
CA 02865368 2014-08-22
WO 2013/132330
PCT/IB2013/000545
the sleeve and the insert, and also provide a securement of the coupler once
it is
coupled with another object in use.
The addition of a collar between the coupler and the hose end can be used for
both
5 male and female hose end fittings, together with alternative designs such
as stub
pipe fittings etc. Optionally, the hose end fitting is a female hose end
fitting.
The hose end fitting of the present invention is suitable for use with any
hose. Some
hoses are described herein above, including high pressure hoses and more
particularly high pressure thermoplastic hoses and steel tubes. Such hoses
include
those formed by any material, and optionally including one or more
reinforcement
layers, commonly between outer and inner layers. The present invention is not
limited by the nature of the hose, or the nature of the end of the hose for
fitting with
the hose end fitting of the present invention.
The hose end fitting of the present invention may be coupled to any other
suitable
object, including but not limited to onshore or offshore uses. This can
include
subsea objects, including apparatus, devices, units and other equipment that
are
used in the location and/or production of hydrocarbons. In particular, the
hose end
fittings can be used at the end of umbilicals as described herein above,
including
flying leads.
The insert of the hose end fitting of the present invention is generally in
the form of
a cylinder, optionally including an enlarged head or other arrangement able to
.. engage with a coupler at the coupling end.
The sleeve of the hose end fitting of the present invention is also generally
a
cylindrical part, and is typically welded to or integrally formed with the
insert. The
combination of the insert and sleeve creates an accommodation for the end of a
hose
between the sleeve and the hose end at the insert, generally being in the form
of a
cylindrical slot around the outer face of the hose end of the insert, and
within the
inner face of the sleeve. Either or both of the opposing faces of the insert
and the
CA 02865368 2014-08-22
WO 2013/132330
PCT/1B2013/000545
6
sleeve forming the slot may include one or more teeth or other shapes or
variations
in design, form or matter, adapted to assist with the conjoining and/or
integrity of
the coupling of the hose end fitting with a hose.
According to one embodiment of the present invention, a portion of the outer
face of
the sleeve includes a mating surface, preferably but not limited to a threaded
portion.
The coupler of the present invention may be any suitable part, item or device,
able
to couple with and/or attach the hose end fitting to the other object. The
type,
nature, size and design of the coupler are not limiting to the present
invention, and
the use of a nut as the coupler is by way of example only.
The collar of the present invention is located between the coupler and the
hose end.
The collar may be of any size, shape, nature or design.
Optionally, at least a portion of the collar can circumferentially surround at
least a
portion of the sleeve.
Optionally, the collar includes a face facing the coupler, said face
preferably being
wholly or substantially flat.
Optionally, the collar extends transversely beyond the dimension or dimensions
of
the coupler, generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of the hose end
fitting.
Optionally, the collar includes a portion having an inner face able to engage
with a
portion of the sleeve. Preferably, said portion of the collar includes a
mating surface
complementary to a mating surface of a portion of the sleeve. More preferably,
each
mating surface is a screw thread.
Optionally, the collar includes a face able to abut a portion of the sleeve.
Preferably,
the collar includes a face able to abut a shoulder of the sleeve.
CA 02865368 2014-08-22
WO 2013/132330
PCT/1B2013/0005,15
7
The collar is able to move to a first position against the sleeve in the
direction of the
hose end fitting during fitting of a hose end. Thus, the force required to fit
the end of
the hose between the sleeve and the insert of the present invention, generally
in the
slot thereinbetween designed to accommodate the end of a suitable hose, can be
applied directly and only to the collar, and transferred therethrough to the
sleeve.
This avoids application of the force through the coupler, avoiding the risk of
any
damage to the coupler during the fitting of the end of the hose with the hose
end
fitting. Preferably, the force applied during the fitting is applied to a face
of collar
opposite to that portion of the collar against the sleeve.
Once the hose end is fitted and secured with the hose end fitting, the hose
end fitting
is ready for coupling with the other object. This is achieved by the coupling
of the
coupler with the other object. For example, where the coupler is a nut, by the
securing and tightening of the nut with a suitable male threaded end, in order
to
provide an overall coupling of the hose with the other object.
The collar of the present invention is moveable to a second position against
the
coupler; that is, in the direction of the coupling end, during coupling of the
hose end
fitting with the other object.
Optionally the movement of the collar between first and second positions is
longitudinally along the longitudinal axis of the hose end coupling.
Optionally, the collar includes a portion complementary to the opposing
portion of
the coupler, to provide a complementary abutment of the collar against the
coupler;
optionally, that portion of the collar which is wholly or substantially flat,
and is
against a coupler having a complementary wholly or substantially flat face.
Where the collar and the sleeve include complementary mating means, such as a
screw thread, the collar can be moved along the screw thread to be brought
against
CA 02865368 2014-08-22
WO 2013/132330
PCT/IB2013/000545
8
the coupler, and optionally tightened thereagainst to provide further
securement in
use.
Thus, according to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided
a
method of forming and using a hose end fitting for a hose as described herein,
the
hose end fitting having a coupling end and a hose end, the method at least
comprising the steps of:
(a) providing the end of a hose;
(b) locating the end
of the hose between the sleeve and the insert of the hose
end fitting;
(c) locating a collar in a first position against the sleeve in the
direction of
the hose end;
(d) applying pressure to the collar to move the sleeve, insert and hose end
through a die to secure the hose end to the hose end coupling;
(e) coupling the coupler with another object to couple the hose end fitting
to
the other object;
(f) moving the collar to a second position against the coupler during
coupling of the hose end fitting with the other object.
Optionally, the pressure in step (d) is applied by a pusher, and the pusher
includes
an insert able to accommodate the coupler without applying force thereto
during
step (d).
Optionally, the collar and the sleeve include complementary mating means, such
as
a screw thread, to allow tightening of the collar against the coupler in step
(f).
Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example
only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 shows a part-longitudinally cut away side view of a prior art hose
coupler;
CA 02865368 2014-08-22
WO 2013/132330
PCT/IB2013/000545
9
Figures 2 and 3 show first and second stages of a prior art method of swaging
the
prior art hose coupler of Figure 1;
Figure 4 is a part-longitudinally cut away side view of a hose end fitting
according to
one embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 5 is a similar view of the hose end fitting of Figure 4 with a hose
end, in
preparation for a first stage of a method of swaging according to another
embodiment of the present invention; and
Figure 6 is a similar view of the hose end fitting of Figure 4 with a hose end
following its coupling with another object.
Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 shows a prior art hose coupling 10 as
described
hereinabove. The hose coupling 10 has an insert 12, sleeve 14, and a nut 16.
The
insert 12 and sleeve 14 form a slot 20 able to accommodate the end of a hose
18
therein, and between suitable teeth 22.
Figures 2 and 3 show a method of longitudinally swaging the hose coupler 10
with
the hose 18, wherein the hose coupler 10 is forced through a die 24 by
applying the
force of a pressure 26 directly against the nut 16. Figure 3 shows the end of
the
swaging process started in Figure 2, whereby the hose 18 is now secured with
the
hose coupler 10 ready for use.
However, the immense force applied by the pusher 26 can be seen to risk
damaging
the nut 16, especially where the nut 16 is not integral or secured to the
insert 12 and
sleeve 14, as well as the nut 16 being relatively thin walled due to the
nature of it
being a female coupling.
Any damage caused to the nut 16 may either lead to the complete unusability of
the
hose coupler 10 in general, (because of there is sufficient damage to the nut
16 to
prevent its subsequent coupling to a complementary male fitting such as a
threaded
CA 02865368 2014-08-22
WO 2013/132330
PCT/IB2013/000545
pipe), or a residual weakness which can lead to at least some loosening,
possibly
catastrophic disconnection, of the nut 16 from its complementary male fitting.
This
is especially where the hose is a high pressure hose, and/or used in a harsh
environment such as deep underwater, where other factors such as corrosion may
5 apply. Thus, the assurity provided by the swaging of the end of the hose
between
the insert and the sleeve may be undone by weakness caused by damage to the
nut
during the hose fitting process.
Figure 4 shows a hose end fitting 30 according to one embodiment of the
present
10 invention. The hose end fitting 30 has a 'coupling end', generally
designated 32, and
a 'hose end', generally designated 34. The exact extent, location or size of
each of
the coupling end 32 and the hose end 34 are not limiting to the hose end
fitting 30,
but describe in general terms: that end of the hose end fitting that is
intended for
connection with a hose, and that end of the hose end fitting that is intended
for
connection with another object. The skilled man will be aware of the general
concepts of a hose end fitting having a coupling end and hose end.
The hose end fitting 30 has an insert 40, generally being an elongate
cylinder, and
similarly having a coupling end 42 and a hose end 44 in line with the coupling
end
32 and the hose end 34 of the hose end fitting 30.
The insert 40 may be formed of any suitable material, and may be formed with
any
suitable size, shape and design. Such inserts are known in the art, and are
not
described in any further detail. Generally, the insert 40 includes a flange or
an
enlarged portion at its coupling head or end 44, adapted to provide a means
for its
engagement with a coupler as described hereinafter.
The hose end fitting 30 includes a sleeve 46 connected to the insert 40. The
connection may be by any suitable method or means, generally being by threaded
connection, in order to form securement of their connection.
CA 02865368 2014-08-22
WO 2013/132330
PCT/IB2013/000545
11
The hose end fitting 30 provides accommodation for the fitting of the end of a
suitable hose 36 (shown in Figure 5) between the sleeve 46 and the hose end of
the
insert 40. Such a combination is shown as a circumferential slot 48 in Figure
4,
optionally including teeth 50 on one or both of the faces of the insert 40 and
sleeve
46 facing each other to form the slot 48.
The sleeve 46 includes a shoulder 51 between the portion of the sleeve forming
the
slot 48 and a portion of the sleeve 52 directly surrounding the insert 40.
The hose end fitting 30 includes a coupler 60 at the coupling end 44 of the
insert 40,
to couple the hose end fitting 30 to another object. By way of example only,
and
without limitation to the present invention, the coupler 60 illustrated in
Figure 4 is a
hex-nut, having one end with a suitable shoulder or flange able to engage the
enlarged head portion of the insert 40 in a manner known in the art.
The hose end fitting 30 includes a collar 62 between the coupler 60 and the
hose
end 42, movable between a first position against the sleeve 46 as shown in
Figures 4
and 5 and in the direction of the hose end during fitting of a hose end as
described
hereinafter, and a second position as shown in Figure 6, against the coupler
60,
being in the direction of the coupling end 36 during coupling of the hose end
fitting
with another object.
The collar 62 comprises a first portion or face 64 facing the coupler 60, and
generally being wholly or substantially flat in a tangential direction to the
25 longitudinal axis 65 of the hose end fitting 30. Preferably, the first
face 64 extends
beyond the complete tangential extent of the coupler 60. For example, where
the
collar 62 is round or at least partially cylindrical, the radius of the first
face 64 is
greater than the radius or greatest radial extent of the coupler 60, in a
direction
tangential to the longitudinal axis 65 of the hose end fitting 30. In other
terms, the
30 diameter of the collar 62 is greater than the diameter of the coupler
60.
CA 02865368 2014-08-22
WO 2013/132330
PCT/1B2013/000545
12
The collar 62 has a second face 66 at its opposite end, able to abut against
the
shoulder 51 of the sleeve 46 in its first position.
Figure 5 shows the collar 60 in its first position, wherein the second face 66
abuts
the shoulder 51 of the sleeve 46. Against the first face 64 of the collar 62,
there is a
pusher 68 able to apply force directly to the collar 62. The pusher 68 is part
of a
larger swaging apparatus or unit, not shown.
The pusher 68 includes an insert 70 able to accommodate the coupler 60 without
applying force thereto. In this way, no force that is required for the fitting
of the end
of a hose with the hose end fitting 30 is applied to or through the coupler
60,
thereby reducing or avoiding completely any possible damage thereto that could
otherwise be caused by applying the pusher 68 directly to the coupler 60.
.. As shown in Figure 5, force applied by the pusher 68 applies directly to
the collar
62, and then directly to the sleeve 46. The hose end fitting 30 is then ready
to be
forced through a suitable die 69 following the location of the end of a hose
36 in the
slot 48. In use, the pusher 68 is moved in the direction of arrow A and forces
the
sleeve 46, end of the hose 36, and hose end of the insert 42, together by
longitudinal
.. swaging, in order to fit the hose 36 securely with the hose end fitting 30.
Following the fitting of the end of a hose 36 with the hose end fitting 30,
the hose
end fitting 30 is ready for use. In use, the coupler 60 is coupled with
another object
72 as shown in Figure 6. The other object 72 generally includes a male
threaded
portion 74 for engagement with an internal threaded portion 76 of the coupler
60 in
a manner known in the art. Once the coupler 60 is considered secured to the
other
object 72, the collar 60 is moved to its second position against the coupler
60.
Preferably, the flat first face 64 engages wholly or substantially with the
complementary flat face 78 of the coupler 60.
The collar 62 includes an internal portion 80, at least of portion of which
has a
mating surface being a threaded portion 82. A complementary threaded portion
84
CA 02865368 2014-08-22
WO 2013/132330
PCT/1B2013/000545
13
at the end of the sleeve 46 can engage the threaded portion 82 of the collar
62, to
assist with the location and optionally tightening of the collar 62 against
the coupler
60.
It is noted that the complementary threaded portions 82, 84 of the collar 62
and
sleeve 46 do not need to be an engagement when the collar 62 is in its first
position.
The present invention provides a hose end fitting having a moveable collar,
and able
to overcome both the problem of potential damage to the coupler during fitting
of
the hose end fitting with a hose, and securement of the coupler following its
attachment to another object.
Various modifications and variations to the described embodiments of the
invention
will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope
of the
invention as defined herein. Although the invention has been described in
connection with specific preferred embodiments it should be understood that
the
invention as defined herein should not be unduly limited to such specific
embodiments.
