Fabrication of hoses or other elongated articles

Abstract

Armouring tape ( 102 ) for wrapping around a hose ( 300 ) during its fabrication by a hose-wrapping machine ( 200; 400 ). The tape ( 102 ) is coiled into a roll ( 100 ) having a hollow core ( 109 ) from which the tape ( 102 ) is unwound to be wrapped onto the hose ( 300 ). Th hose-wrapping machine ( 200; 400 ) rotatably mounts the roll ( 100 ) with the hose ( 300 ) passing through the roll core ( 109 ), the roll axis ( 108 ) being skewed to the hose axis ( 304 ) by the helix angle at which the tape ( 102 ) is to be wrapped onto and along the hose ( 300 ). The hose ( 300 ) is moved longitudinally through the longitudinally static roll ( 100 ) and at the same time, the roll ( 100 ) is rotated around the longitudinal axis ( 304 ) of the non-rotating hose ( 300 ). The armouring tape ( 102 ) unwinds from the inside ( 109 ) of the roll onto and along the hose ( 300 ) so as to wrap the hose ( 300 ) with a uniform helix of armouring tape ( 102 ). The use of a tape ( 102 ) containing an elastomer-enbedded array of armouring cables ( 104 ) enables armouring wires and elastomer layers to be applied without a stabilising layer of fabric, and greatly simplifies setting-up of machinery for hose fabrication. The use of a tape roll ( 100 ) which can be unwound from its inside ( 109 ) enables hoses to be wrapped without having to orbit rolls that are very large and heavy.

1 - 26 . (canceled)  
   
   
       27 . A tape of hose-sheathing material comprising an array of mutually parallel armoring wires or cables extending along its length, the array being embedded in a polymer wherein the cables are closely spaced in a single layer without touching or mutually crossing.  
   
   
       28 . A tape of hose-sheathing material as claimed in  claim 27 , wherein the polymer is an elastomer or a thermoplastic elastomer or a plastic.  
   
   
       29 . A tape of hose-sheathing material as claimed in  claim 28 , wherein the polymer is synthetic rubber.  
   
   
       30 . A tape of hose-sheathing material according to  claim 27 , the wires or cables being at a 95% packing density.  
   
   
       31 . A tape of hose-sheathing material according to  claim 27 , wherein the cables each have an open multi-strand form.  
   
   
       32 . A tape of hose-sheathing material according to  claim 27 , wherein the cables are steel.  
   
   
       33 . A tape of hose-sheathing material according to  claim 27 , wherein the cables are carbon fiber or Aramid in the form of cords, wires, fibers or cables.  
   
   
       34 . A tape of hose-sheathing material according to  claim 27 , wherein the cables have a diameter of about 3 mm.  
   
   
       35 . A tape of hose-sheathing material according to  claim 27 , wherein the cables have a diameter of 6.5 mm.  
   
   
       36 . A hose reinforced with a tape of hose-sheathing material that comprises an array of mutually parallel armoring wires or cables extending along its length, the array being embedded in a polymer wherein the cables are closely spaced in a single layer without touching or mutually crossing.  
   
   
       37 . A hose as claimed in  claim 36 , wherein the polymer is an elastomer or a thermoplastic elastomer or a plastic.  
   
   
       38 . A hose as claimed in  claim 37 , wherein the polymer is synthetic rubber.  
   
   
       39 . A hose according to  claim 36 , the wires or cables being at a 95% packing density.  
   
   
       40 . A hose according to  claim 36 , wherein the cables each have an open multi-strand form.  
   
   
       41 . A hose according to  claim 36 , wherein the cables are steel.  
   
   
       42 . A hose according to  claim 36 , wherein the cables are carbon fiber or Aramid in the form of cords, wires, fibers or cables.  
   
   
       43 . A hose according to  claim 36 , wherein the cables have a diameter of about 3 mm.  
   
   
       44 . A hose according to  claim 36 , wherein the cables have a diameter of 6.5 mm.  
   
   
       45 . A method of reinforcing a hose by wrapping onto a hose core a tape of hose-sheathing material that comprises an array of mutually parallel armoring wires or cables extending along its length, the array being embedded in a polymer wherein the cables are closely spaced in a single layer without touching or mutually crossing.  
   
   
       46 . A method according to  claim 45 , the wires or cables being at a 95% packing density.