GB2324585A

GB2324585A - Heated hoses

Info

Publication number: GB2324585A
Application number: GB9708201A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Leslie Young
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1997-04-23
Filing date: 1997-04-23
Publication date: 1998-10-28
Also published as: GB9708201D0

Abstract

Heated hoses are hoses formed by the normal methods of hose manufacture but incorporate in their structure materials that are able to generate heat when an electric charge is applied to them. They are used in any circumstances that a hose may be used. The form of the 'heating element' may be the material from which the hose is constructed and thus the hose is itself capable of being 'heated' when an electrical potential is applied to it. Alternatively the normal material of which the hose is made, for example rubber, may be modified by incorporating into it a conductive substance to act as the heating element. This conductive substance may be a material incorporated in the medium of the hose or a separate element embedded in the medium of the hose or adhered to the inner or outer surface of the hose.

Description

HEATED HOSES.

This invention relates to heated hoses and pipes.

Hoses are used extensively for the transmission of liquids and gasses in a vast number of engineering applications. They may be flexible or rigid and may be designed to withstand great pressure variations and be capable of withstanding high or low temperatures. They may be constructed of metal, ceramics, glass, rubber, natural or synthetic materials and may be reinforced to increase their strength.

In some cases, however, the liquid or gas to be transmitted through the pipe may cease to flow because of external factors such as very low temperatures causing the medium to become too viscose to flow or to become solid, for example, water freezing to form ice.

According to the present invention heated hoses are constructed so as to incorporate in their structure a material capable of acting as a heating element which becomes 'heated' when an electrical potential is applied to the terminals of the element. The temperature achieved in the hose would be determined by the resistance of the material acting as a heating element and the amount of electrical potential applied to it. The material forming the heating element may be the same material as that which the hose is constructed of or the material forming the heating element may be embedded in the body of the hose or form a layer on the inner or outer surfaces of the hose. The material forming the heating element may also be used to reinforce the hose.

Specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of examples:1. Screen washer systems on a motor vehicle - the 'heated hose' replaces the normal system of tubes. The heated hose prevents the pipe-work from freezing at low ambient temperatures and thus becoming blocked by the formation of ice and inoperable.

Alternatively 'heated hoses' would be available to fit over existing pipe-work to serve the same purpose.

2. The 'heated hose' may be incorporated in a motor vehicles engine cooling system replacing one or more existing hoses - the 'heated hose' provides a degree of pre-heating to the engine in cold weather allowing faster more efficient engine warm-up.

Claims

1. Heated hoses are constructed so as to incorporate in their structure a material capable of acting as a heating element. When an electrical potential is applied to the heating element it becomes 'heated'. The electrical potential is applied to the terminals attached to the element. The temperature achieved in the hose is determined by the resistance of the material acting as a heating element and the amount of electrical potential applied to it. The material forming the heating element may be the same material as that from which the hose is constructed Or it may be incorporated in the substance from which the hose is made or the material forming the heating element may be embedded in the body of the hose or form a layer on the inner or outer surfaces of the hose. The material forming the heating element may also be used to reinforce the hose to increase its strength.

2. A heated hose as claimed in Claim 1 would incorporate materials acting as a heating element with a resistance calculated to achieve a pre-determined temperature range when a variable electrical potential is applied.

3. A heated hose as claimed in Claim 1 and Claim 2 would be provided with a means of regulating the electrical potential to the hose.

4 A heated hose as claimed in Claim 1, Claim 2 and Claim 3 would be provided with a means of regulating the temperature of the hose.

5. A heated hose as claimed in Claim 1, Claim 2 ,Claim 3 and Claim 4 is provided with a means of automatically activating the heating element when ambient temperatures reach a pre-determined level.

6. A heated hose as claimed in Claim 1, Claim 2 ,Claim 3, Claim 4 and Claim 5 may also be constructed with a split along its length so as to enable it to be fitted over existing hoses.

7. A heated hose as claimed in Claim 1, Claim 2 ,Claim 3, Claim 4, Claim 5 and Claim 6 may have the positive and negative electrical contacts located at either end of the hose or both positive and negative contacts at one end.