This invention provides a hose end fitting and a hose asseπfcly cαrprising said end fitting in combination with a flexible reinforced hose. The invention relates in particular, although not exclusively, to a hose end fitting and a hose assembly of a large bore type having a bore of at least 4 inches (100 irai), the assembly being constructed typically by building the hose in situ around the end fitting.

Large bore hoses are employed c imonly or transporting high volumes of oil such as, for example, when loading and unloading an oil tanker, especially offshore. The hoses may incorporate buoyancy so that they are able inherently to float.

In use the hose assemblies are exposed to arduous conditions and are .subject to high loads especially at their end regions, resulting in a potential risk of failure. Sαnεtimes it is possible to reduce the risk of failure by providing additional material but that leads to added costs. Also in the case of offshore floating type hoses the weight of any additional material will necessitate additional buoyancy.

A conventional hose and end fitting assembly is shewn in part, in longitudinal cross-section, in Figure 1. The hose 10 is of a large bore (24 inch bore) and has a single, multi-layer type reinforcing carcass 11.

The end fitting 12 has an end location flange (not shown) integral with one end of a beaded insert 13 around which the end region 14 of hose 15 is built.

The insert 13 cαrprises a tubular body 16 of circular cross-section and an outer surface 17 tapered at a first, inner tail end 18 but otherwise cylindrical apart frcm the presence of four uniformly spaced retention beads 19-22.

The innermost bead 19 is of a saw-tooth shape in cross-section. It has a first, inclined surface 23 adjacent the tapered end 18 and a second, abutment face 24 which lies substanti lly perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the fitting. The other three beads 20-22 are of a generally rectangular shape in cross-section.

The hose 10 has an inner lining 25 which is provided at the end of the hose with a thickened skirt 26 and the lining terminates adjacent the saw¬ tooth bead 19 apart frcm a thin tail layer 27. The Lining layer 25 has a maximum outer diameter over the bead 19 and decreases in diameter progressively to a πdjxLmum (which is the normal outer diameter of the lining over the major part of the length of the hose) at a position at least 2.0 metres inward frαn the end 14 of the hose. The tail layer 27 extends over the peak of the bead 19, downwards adjacent the abutment face 24 and axially over the surface 17 to terminate between the bead 19 and adjacent bead 20.

A filler ring 28 of inccπpressible polymer is provided over the tail layer 27 to fill the space between the beads 19 and 20.

The main reinforcement carcass 11 extends over the lining 25 and filler ring 28 to lie in contact with and conform to the shape of the beads 20-22. The carcass 11 is held against the end fitting by a binding wire assembly 30 which ccπprises several layers of helically extending binding wires. A first, major group 11a of layers of the multi-layer reinforcing carcass 11 is secured against the end fitting by an inner binding wire asseirbly 31 which extends frcsn above the peak of bead 19 to above the peak of bead 20. This assembly holds the layers 11a against the filler ring 28. Three other inner binding wire assemblies 32,33,34 hold the layers 11a in a distorted configuration in the grooves between the beads 20,21 & 22 and to the right of bead 22. These assemblies and the assembly 31 are formed frcm a single wire cord wound at touch pitch to form the assemblies and at greater pitch to extend between the assemblies.

The remaining carcass layers lib are applied over the wire assemblies 31-34 and are held against the end fitting try outer wire assemblies 35-38. Assembly 35 extends axially around the tapered end 18 of the end fitting,

the first and second beads 19,20 and the space between those beads. The assemblies 36-38 lie around the inner binding wire assemblies 32-34 respectively, and the assemblies 35-58 are formed frcm a single length of wire cord in the same manner as the assemblies 31-34.

Frcm the foregoing it will be understood that the reinforcing carcass is held firmly against the end fitting over the whole of that part of its length for which it is relatively undistorted, i.e. frcm the end 18, over the bead 19, filler ring 28 and second bead 20. In contrast all of the layers are secured at axi lly localised regions where the layers lie distorted to follow the contours provided by the beads 20-22.

The bound reinforcing carcass is surrounded by a helical crush resisting wire 40 and layers 41,42,43 of inner and outer ccuponent layers of the base cover.

The aforedescribed hose construction can provide good reli bility but particularly if subject to conditions beyond its design specification there is a risk of premature bursting or of cracking of the lining layer in the vicinity of the end fitting.

The present invention seeks to provide an improved hose assembly and an improved end fitting for a hose whereby iπproved strength and fatigue resistance may be achieved without an undue increase of weight.

In accordance with one of its aspects the present invention provides a hose end fitting for large bore hose comprising a tubular body for location in the end of a reinforced hose, said body having a tail end which in use lies inwards of the end of the hose and a second, outer end which in use extends beyond an axial end of the hose, the outer surface of said body being provided with a plurality of axially spaced retention beads, that bead of the plurality which lies nearest the tail end of the body being a lew profile bead having a rear portion which faces away from the tail end and which as considered in longitudinal cross-section is of a low aspect ratio profile whereby the axial length of that rear portion from the position of maximum radius of the bead to the position of minimum radius is at least

1.5 times the difference between said radii, and a second bead spaced axially frcm the lew profile bead by a distance at least equal to the axial length of the rear part of said low profile bead and having a greater radial thickness than the lew profile bead.

The invention provides therefore that the radi lly outermost surface of the second bead lies at a greater radius than the maximum radius of the lew profile bead.

Preferably said ratio of axial length to radial thickness of the bead rear portion is at least 2:1 and more preferably lies in the range 2:1 to

3:1.

The rear portion of the lew profile bead may be curved in cross- section and may be of a part circular shape thereby to provide a rearward facing surface of part spher cal, shape. Other curved profiles, or a rectilinear profile to define a frικto-conical surface, may be employed, the profile being selected to provide a substantially gradual reduction of di meter over the rear part of the bead particularly as compared with conventional beads which feature an abrupt reduction of diameter at the rear part of a bead.

The present invention further provides a series of end fittings of different bore sizes wherein the aforedescribed ratio increases progressively with increase in bore size. It may increase from approximately 1.5:1 for a 4" bore to approximately 2.5:1 for a 24" bore. The range may include a ratio of approximately 2.2:1 for a 16" bore.

The other, forward facing surface of the lew profile retention bead which faces towards the t-.il end of the fitting preferably also has a profile for which the ratio of axial length to radial thickness is at least 1.5:1. The forward facing surface of the lew profile retention bead has a profile which is a reverse of that of the rearward facing surface so that the overall profile of that bead as considered in longitudinal cross-section is symmetrical about a plane containing the outermost circumference of the bead.

Preferably said lew profile retention bead is spaced frcm the tail end of the end fitting by a tail portion having an axial length at least equal to the axial length of the rear part of the bead, and preferably at least 1.5 times that length.

The second bead may have a rearward facing surface (i.e. which faces away frcm the lew profile bead) which lies at least in part inclined to the longitudinal axis of the fitting. The other surface of the bead, facing toward the low profile bead, may be relatively steep and may lie substantially in a plane perpendicular to said longitudinal axis.

The second, outer end of the end fitting may be formed integrally with a flange structure. The beads may be formed integrally with the body of the end fitting or may be preformed to a selected shape and welded or otherwise secured to the body.

The invention further provides a hose assembly ccprising the end fitting of the present invention surrounded by the end of a reinforced hose wherein the hose comprises at least one main reinforcement layer secured to the fitting by two assemblies of binding wires axially spaced and arranged to act at opposite sides of the lew profile retention bead.

Preferably the binding wire assembly neighbouring the rearward facing surface of the lew profile bead acts primarily to ccπpress the reinforcement layer radially against a cylindriccil outer sur ace of the end fitting and secondarily against a part of that rearward facing bead surface which is adjacent that cylindrical surface. That binding wire assembly may be of a kind comprising a plurality of layers of binding wire.

The binding wire assembly neighbouring the other, forward facing surface of the lew profile bead preferably is of a single layer thickness, and may comprise three or more axially spaced groups of wire in which in each group successive turns of wire lie at touch pitch.

A minority of the groups may be positioned to act against a forward facing surface of the low profile bead where that surface lies inclined to the longitudinal axis of the fitting.

One wire may extend frcm one group to another or the arrangement may be such that the wire material of one assembly does not extend into association with the other assembly.

The main reinforcement carcass preferably comprises a plurality of layers of reinforcement. Preferably only some of said reinforcement layers are secured directly either side of the lew profile bead by the said binding wire assemblies. Preferably it is only less than half of the total number of layers that are secured in that manner and more preferably it is only less than one third of the total number of layers that are secured in that manner.

The reinforcement layers may be split into two groups by said binding wire assemblies, which are hereafter referred to as first binding wire assemblies, and the second, outer group of layers may termiinate further from the tail end of the fitting than the first, inner layer(s).

The outer group is preferably arranged to extend over a second retention bead and to be secured to the fitting at either side of that bead by two second binding wire assemblies corresponding respectively with the two first binding wire assemblies which secure the inner layer(s) either side of the low profile bead.

The outer group of layers additionally may be secured about the tail portion by a binding wire assembly which comprises three or more axially spaced groups. The resulting three binding wire assemblies provided around the outer group of reinforcement layers may be separate frcm one another thereby to avoid the presence of a binding wire over the peak of either of the retention beads.

The first inner layer, or group of layers may terminate between the lew profile bead and the second bead.

Preferably the main carcass comprises two groups of layers which are separated by a rubber interlayer arranged to act as a secondary lining layer. The interlayer may extend for the full length of the hose assembly and connect with the innermost lining about the axial ends of the inner layer(s) of reinforcement to provide leak protection in the event of cracking or a similar failure of the innermost lining.

Lining layer material may be employed to ensure that the space between the lew profile and second retention beads is occupied fully and thereby provides support for the outer group of layers so that they may extend free frcm distortion between the regions of the peaks of the two beads.

The lining layer of the hose, lying inwards of the or all layers of the carcass reinforcement, preferably is of a uniform thickness along the length of the hose to a position within 1 metre and more pre erably within 500 mm of the tail of the end fitting. Ercm that position the outer diameter of the lining increases progressively to a maximum where it extends over the peak of the lew profile retention bead. Preferably it increases at a uniform rate frαn its minimum outer diameter to a position around the tail portion of the end fitting.

Part of the ail portion of the end fitting, being a part nearest the tail end preferably has a tapered external surface, the taper preferably lying in the angle range 2 to 5 degrees.

Embodiments of the present invention will new be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings wherein:-

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of part of a hose and end fitting assembly in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 3 is a view similar to that of Figure 2 of a hose assembly having a modified end fitting;

Figure 4 is a side view, part in longitudinal section, of the end fitting of Figure 3, and

Figure 5 is a view similar to that of Figure 2 of another hose assembly of modified construction.

In the construction of Figure 2 a hose assembly 60 comprises a tubular end fitting 61 having a smooth cylindrical 24" diameter bore and two external beads 62,63.

The outer surface of the fitting 61 at each side of the beads is cy-_i-ndrical except for a part of the axial length of the inner end portion

64 which is slightly tapered at an angle range of between 2 and 5 degrees to the longitudinal axis over the first half of the distance frαn the inner end

65 to a first 62 of the retention beads.

The first bead 62 is of a part-circular symnetricc-l profile as viewed in section in Figure 2 and is of a low profile. The extent of the profile in the longitudinal direction of the fitting in this example is 2.5 times the extent to which the profile extends outwards of the neighbouring cy indrical surfaces of the fitting. The tail portion 64 has an axial length which equals that of the first bead, i.e. twice the axial extent of the rearward facing part of the bead.

The second retention bead 63 is substantially of a saw-tooσth profile, but of a reverse orientation compared with that of a conventional hose end fitting. The bead 63 has an abutment face 66 which lies in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, facing the bead 62, and a frusto- cαnical face 67 which faces outwards and away frαn the first bead 62, at an angle of 45 degrees.

The bead 63 extends radially outwards from the cylindrical outer surfaces of the fitting by approximately 60% further than the bead 62.

The hose and end fitting assembly is constructed by building the hose end portion 69 around the end fitting 61.

A hose lining layer 71 has an inner surface 72 which defines a bore corresponding to that of the end fitting and an outer surface which increases progressively frαn a minimum diameter at a position approximately 280 mm inwards from the hose fitting inner end 65 to a maximum over the

first retention bead. The lining layer 71 terminates substantially adjacent the second bead 63.

The main multi-layer reinforcing carcass 74 of the hose is divided into two groups of layers, an inner group 74a and an outer group 74b. The inner group comprises a minority of the number of reinforcing layers, in this case a third of the total.

The inner group 74a conforms to the contours of the lining layer 71 and also terminates substantially adjacent the second retention bead 63. It is held in position around the end fitting by two independent inner groups 73,75 of binding wires provided one each side of the first bead 62. Each binding wire is a multi-filament twisted cord of brass plated steel wires.

A first group 73 surrounds the tapered end zone of the fitting and comprises five zones 76 slightly spaced apart axially to allow surrounding hose wall material to bond to the layers 74a. Each zone is formed from a single thickness of wire cord, and the five zones may be formed from a single continuous wire cord.

The second group 75 comprises four superimposed zones each of a single thickness of wire cord, and the zones may be formed frαn a single continuous wire cord.

The zones of group 75 are superimposed in an asymmetric manner biassed towards the bead 62 so as to hold the reinforcement layers 74a uniformly against the bead and in particular the region where the bead meets the cylindrical surface of the fitting, as well as to hold it against that cylindrical surface.

The inner group 74a is covered by a layer 78 of polymeric material, typically integral with that of the lining layer by extending around the axial, end of the group 74a. That layer is thickened in the region between the beads 62,63 so as to occupy fully the available space therebetween, and it acts as an inter-layer to separate the inner group 74a from the surrounding outer group 74b of carcass reinforcing layers.

The outer group 74b extends further than the inner group 74a and surrounds the frusto-conical face 67 of the second bead and part of the neighbouring outer cylindrical surface of the end fitting.

The outer group 74b is held in position by three groups 80-82 of binding wires. A first group 80 surrounds the tapered end zone, a second group 81 lies axially between the peaks of the first and second beads 62,63 and the third group 82 lies alongside the frusto—ccnical face of the second bead 63.

The groups 80 and 81 are each constructed in a manner similar to the aforedescribed inner group 73 and the group 82 corresponds substantially with the aforedescribed group 75.

The hose construction is then completed by the application of shoulder plies 83 of elastαneric material to end regions of the hose (to extend over approximately the length of the lining layer which is tapered), a helical crush resisting wire 84 and layers 85,86,87 of inner and outer component layers of the hose cover.

In a second embodiment of the invention, shown in Figure 3, a hose assembly 100 comprises an end fitting 101 of a kind similar to the fitting 61 of Figure 1 apart frcm the provision of a third bead 102 at an outward end of the fitting. The rib 102 is of a generally similar profile to that of the aforedescribed second bead 63, but is of a reduced radial extent. It serves as a building aid to assist smooth termination of the hose cover layers and does not function to provide axial location of the fitting relative to the main carcass reinforcement layers.

The end fitting 101 of Figure 3 is shewn in more dftail in Figure 4. This shews that the three beads 62',63' and 102 may be preformed as individual rings which are then welded to the cylindrical tubular body portion 105 of the fitting, and that an end flange 103 may be welded at 104 to that body portion.

In a further embodiment shewn in Figure 5 a hose assembly 110 comprising a twin carcass type hose 111 which _i_ncorpαrates an end fitting 112 which is provided with an additional retention bead 113 which corresponds substantially with the bead 63' of Figure 3.

The additional bead 113 is located mid-way between the bead 63' and outer end bead 102' and serves to assist with retention of the secondary carcass layers 114. The secondary carcass is held against a frusto-conical surface 115 of the bead 113 by an asyi_mb.Lr.Lc arrangement of superimposed layers of cords 116 corresponding substant ally with the aforedescribed groups 75,82. The fourth, outer bead 102' serves to assist in building and locating the hose cover layers and in achieving a smooth external profile.

By providing a lew profile retention bead it is found that there is a useful improvement in the durability of the hose as ccnpared with a hose of conventional construction.