Protective covers for conduits such as cables and/or hoses

Abstract

A protective cover for surrounding a conduit assembly in a mine has a flexible elongate main body that comprises a plurality of discrete functional layers and which is configurable as a sleeve having an outer surface, the protective cover comprising a first layer, substantially comprised of an aramid based material, that is structurally configured to provide substantial protection from the force associated with impacting projectiles originating from the external environment whilst also being configured to substantially resist internally generated forces of the type that are typically associated with a burst hose, a second layer, adjacent to the outer surface of the first layer, that is structurally configured in the form of a mesh thereby protecting the first layer from external bodies that may otherwise potentially induce tear damage to the first layer, the protective cover characterised by further comprising a third layer, adjacent to said first layer, comprising a polymeric membrane that is substantially impermeable to the passage of at least one liquid. There is also provided a system for protecting at least one or a plurality of cables and/or hoses from matter falling from above, said system comprising use of at least one such protective cover suspended from a flexible strand that is in turn attached to a fixed structure that is located substantially vertically above said at least one or a plurality of cables and/or hoses.