The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 01, 1996
Filed:
Jan. 11, 1996
Alan Shibata, Camas, WA (US);
Eric L Ahlvin, Vancouver, WA (US);
Hewlett-Packard Company, Palo Alto, CA (US);
Abstract
A custom profiled flexible conduit system conveys a fluid therethrough between two locations, which may be moving relative to one another. The conduit profile includes a wall with a nonuniform thickness selected to control a diffusion rate of the fluid when conveyed through, or when standing within the conduit. The conduit profile defines a main chamber and optional auxiliary chambers. During a collapse of the conduit, caused by a kink for instance, restricted fluid flow may be sustained through a constricted passageway formed in the main chamber, through the auxiliary chambers, or both. The profile may include a protuberance into the main chamber to maintain flow during collapse. The profile may also be customized to minimize the bend radius before collapse of the conduit, and to promote bending in a particular direction. A method is also provided of conveying fluid between two locations.