Submergible Motor Protector Bag

Abstract

A method of manufacturing a submergible machine protector bag comprising providing a tubular woven sleeve of reinforcing material, fitting the sleeve over a mandrel, embedding the sleeve in a waterproof elastomeric material to form a bag body and removing the bag body from the mandrel.

1 . A method of manufacturing a submergible machine protector bag comprising providing a tubular woven sleeve of reinforcing material, fitting the sleeve over a mandrel, embedding the sleeve in a waterproof elastomeric material to form a bag body and removing the bag body from the mandrel. 
   
   
       2 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve is a knitted tube. 
   
   
       3 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve is of smaller diameter than the mandrel, and is expanded to fit over the mandrel. 
   
   
       4 . A method according to  claim 3 , wherein the sleeve has elasticity to permit said expansion. 
   
   
       5 . A method according to  claim 4 , wherein the elasticity is provided by elastomeric material in the sleeve, the elasticity being subsequently substantially eliminated. 
   
   
       6 . A method according to  claim 5 , wherein the elasticity is eliminated by decomposition of the elastomeric material in the sleeve. 
   
   
       7 . A method according to  claim 5 , wherein the elastomeric material in the sleeve is natural rubber in threads of which the sleeve is woven. 
   
   
       8 . A method according to  claim 4 , wherein the elasticity is provided by soft fluorocarbon elastomer in threads of which the sleeve is woven. 
   
   
       9 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve is woven from thread consisting of or containing poly (p-phenylene-2, 6-benzobisoxazole) fibre (PBO fibre). 
   
   
       10 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve is woven from thread comprising at least one of carbon fibre and glass fibre. 
   
   
       11 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve is positioned relative to the mandrel so that it is embedded within the bag body between radially inner and radially outer surfaces thereof. 
   
   
       12 . A method according to  claim 11  comprising providing a layer of elastomeric material on the mandrel before fitting the sleeve over the mandrel. 
   
   
       13 . A method according to  claim 12  comprising partially curing the layer before fitting the sleeve over the mandrel. 
   
   
       14 . A method according to  claim 12  comprising providing a further layer of elastomeric material radially outwardly of the sleeve, and merging the two layers of elastomeric material into a single layer through interstices of the sleeve. 
   
   
       15 . A method according to  claim 12  comprising providing the layer of waterproof elastomeric material as a strip, winding it around the mandrel and press-moulding it. 
   
   
       16 . A method according to  claim 15  comprising using the sleeve to hold in place an end section of the waterproof elastomeric material before press-moulding thereof. 
   
   
       17 . A method according to  claim 1  comprising surface-treating the material of the sleeve to promote adhesion thereof to the elastomeric material. 
   
   
       18 . A submergible machine protector bag comprising a woven tubular sleeve of reinforcing material embedded in a bag body of waterproof elastomeric material. 
   
   
       19 . A bag according to  claim 18 , wherein the sleeve is a knitted tube. 
   
   
       20 . A bag according to  claim 18 , wherein the sleeve has elasticity. 
   
   
       21 . A bag according to  claim 20 , wherein the elasticity of the sleeve is provided by elastomeric material in threads of which the sleeve is woven. 
   
   
       22 . A bag according to  claim 18 , wherein the sleeve is woven from thread comprising poly (p-phenylene-2, 6-benzobisoxazole) fibre (PBO fibre). 
   
   
       23 . A bag according to  claim 18 , wherein the sleeve is woven from thread comprising at least one of carbon fibre and glass fibre. 
   
   
       24 . A bag according to  claim 18 , wherein the sleeve is embedded within the bag body between radially inner and radially outer surfaces thereof. 
   
   
       25 . A submergible machine protector comprising a protector bag according to  claim 18 .