阅读说明：本技术 全橡胶低硫和提取的ped软管 (All-rubber low sulfur and extracted PED hose ) 是由 兰斯·米勒 安德鲁·J·斯派德尔 于 2020-04-17 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种软管(100)包括双酚A可固化橡胶管层(102)、布置在该管层(102)上的可选的丁腈橡胶摩擦层(104)、布置在该管层(102)或可选的摩擦层(104)上的增强层(106)-该增强层(106)包含编织钢丝、和布置在该增强层(106)上的覆盖层(108),其中该覆盖层(108)可以包含氯化聚乙烯。该管层(102)在该软管(100)中限定了内腔(304),并且蒸气返回管线(#02)可以进一步布置在该软管(100)的内腔(304)内。本披露的软管(100)实施例可以用于使用如汽油、汽油醇、柴油、生物柴油、航空汽油或喷气燃料等燃料的交通工具的供给燃料应用。(A hose (100) includes a layer of bisphenol a curable rubber tube (102), an optional layer of nitrile rubber friction (104) disposed on the layer of tube (102), a reinforcement layer (106) disposed on the layer of tube (102) or optional friction layer (104) -the reinforcement layer (106) comprising braided steel wire, and a cover layer (108) disposed on the reinforcement layer (106), wherein the cover layer (108) may comprise chlorinated polyethylene. The tube layer (102) defines an inner cavity (304) in the hose (100), and a vapor return line (#02) may be further disposed within the inner cavity (304) of the hose (100). Hose (100) embodiments of the present disclosure may be used for fueling applications for vehicles using fuels such as gasoline, gasoline alcohol, diesel, biodiesel, aviation gasoline, or jet fuel.)

1. A hose (100), comprising:

(a) a tube layer (102), wherein the tube layer comprises a bisphenol A curable rubber;

(b) a reinforcement layer (106) disposed outwardly from the tube layer (102); and the number of the first and second groups,

(c) a cover layer (108) disposed over the reinforcement layer.

2. The hose (100) of claim 1, wherein the reinforcement layer (106) comprises braided steel wires, and wherein the braided steel wires have a wire coverage in a range of about 50 percent to about 55 percent.

3. The hose (100) of claim 1, wherein the bisphenol a curable rubber is selected from the group consisting of nitrile rubber, hydrogenated nitrile rubber, epichlorohydrin rubber, fluoroelastomer rubber and perfluoroelastomer rubber.

4. The hose (100) of claim 3, wherein the bisphenol A curable rubber is a fluoroelastomer rubber.

5. The hose (100) of claim 1, wherein the cover layer (108) comprises chlorinated polyethylene.

6. The hose (100) of claim 1, wherein a friction layer (104) is disposed between the tube layer (102) and the reinforcement layer (106), and wherein the friction layer (104) comprises a nitrile rubber having an acrylonitrile content in a range of about 16 weight percent to about 50 weight percent.

7. The hose (100) of claim 1, wherein the tube layer (102) defines an inner cavity (304), and wherein the hose further comprises a vapor return line (302) disposed within the inner cavity (304) of the hose (100).

8. The hose (100) of claim 1, wherein the tube layer (102) is sulfur free.

9. The hose (100) of claim 1, wherein the tube layer (102) is free of glue extractables.

10. The (100) hose of claim 1, the hose (100) containing a fuel contained within an interior volume defined by the tube layer (102), and the hose having from 20 grams/m²Day to 80 g/m²Permeation rate per day.

11. The hose (100) of claim 1, wherein the hose (300) is a vapor assist hose further comprising a vapor return line (302) disposed within the lumen (304) of the hose (300), wherein the vapor return line (302) comprises a polymeric material that is substantially free of sulfur and extractables.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to hoses suitable for transporting fuels such as gasoline, gasoline alcohol, diesel, biodiesel, aviation gasoline, and jet fuel. These hoses are of particular value for use in conjunction with conventional and vapor recovery fuel distribution pumps, such as those used to supply fuel to automobiles, trucks, agricultural equipment, locomotives, aircraft, and the like.

Background

This section provides background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the disclosure. It should be understood that the statements in this section of this document, which are to be read in this light, are not to be taken as admissions of prior art.

There are various performance requirements for hoses used on fuel pumps, such as those used at gasoline stations, truck docks, and airports. For example, such hoses must be strong, durable, flexible, resistant to organic solvents, resistant to volume expansion, provide a long service life, and have low permeability to gasoline, gasoline alcohol, diesel, biodiesel, aviation gasoline, and/or jet fuel. Such fuel hoses must also be able to be connected to the fittings in a manner that prevents fuel from escaping.

There is a need to further improve such hoses to make them even more impermeable to fuels such as gasoline, gasoline alcohol (gasoline containing significant amounts of ethanol (e.g., 10 percent or more)), diesel, biodiesel, aviation gasoline, and/or jet fuel. This is because the fuel that migrates through the hose eventually evaporates and escapes to the atmosphere, which is an environmental issue. Accordingly, such hoses must comply with various standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency (Environmental Protection Agency), the California Air Resources Board, and many other governmental agencies. However, improving the resistance of such hoses to penetration by fuel and in particular by petrol alcohols has proven to be an extremely difficult task without compromising the desired physical and chemical characteristics of the hose.

There is also a strong need today for hoses that do not contain sulfur or organic compounds that can be extracted by the fuel, thereby increasing the level of sulfur and other extractable organic compounds in the fuel. This is especially true in china, where hoses are mandated not to significantly increase the levels of sulfur and undesirable organic compounds of the fuel being transported therethrough. For example, certain regions of China now require that gasoline meet DB11/238 and diesel fuel meet DB11/239, which requires less than 10ppm (or 10mg/kg) sulfur, less than 30mg/100ml unwashed gum, and less than 5mg/100ml solvent washed gum. More stringent standards that have proven to be very difficult to achieve are continually reducing the maximum sulfur levels that are allowed to migrate to fuels around the world. In addition, more stringent standards are set forth for hoses to meet the unwashed and washed gum content tests. Fuels with low sulfur content and low extractable gum content are important aspects in meeting more stringent standards around the world and in reducing overall vehicle emissions.

The development of fuel hoses that do not increase the level of sulfur and/or glue in the fuel being transported therethrough has proven difficult. For example, dispensing fuel through most existing commercial hoses results in unacceptably high levels of sulfur in the fuel, such as in the range of 50 to 100ppm sulfur after use after a period of inactivity (e.g., not overnight), and 300mg/100ml to over 1000mg/100ml unwashed gum extractables.

Today's standards are difficult to achieve because the fuel hose must possess a range of physical and chemical characteristics that cannot be compromised. For example, such fuel hoses should be capable of being used over a long service life without elemental degradation and without extractables being dissolved by the fuel. Such hoses must also be able to provide sufficient flexibility to be used in a desired manner and must resist expansion during use. As explained previously, such fuel hoses must also exhibit a low degree of permeability to the fuel, and must also be able to be connected to the fitting in a permanent and reliable manner.

Accordingly, there is a continuing need in the industry for hoses having such a critical combination of physical and chemical characteristics, which is at least partially met by embodiments in accordance with the following disclosure.

Disclosure of Invention

This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not necessarily a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.

In a first aspect of the present disclosure, a hose (e.g., a hose or a fuel hose) is provided that provides the advantage of not significantly increasing the level of sulfur or extractable organic compounds of the fuel conveyed therethrough. Furthermore, such hoses can achieve this important goal without compromising other important chemical and physical characteristics of the hose. More specifically, the hose of the present disclosure achieves these goals without compromising resistance to permeation, strength, durability, flexibility, and resistance to volume expansion of the fuel. In some aspects, hoses according to the present disclosure provide equal to or less than about 100 grams/m for gasoline and gasoline alcohols²A day, or even from about 20 to about 80 grams/m²Perday permeation resistance. These hoses also provide a long service life and can be connected to the fitting in a manner that prevents fuel from escaping.

In some cases, the hoses of the present disclosure do not significantly increase the gum or sulfur content of the fuel delivered therethrough, which helps to dispense "clean" fuel. Furthermore, such hoses provide a high degree of compatibility with fuels having different amounts of ethanol (diesel fuel, flex fuel, bio-fuel, etc.) and gasoline.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, there is provided a hose comprising: a tube layer, wherein the tube layer is comprised of a non-sulfur curable rubber; an optional friction layer positioned over the tube layer in use, wherein the optional friction layer may comprise one of nitrile rubber, fluoroelastomer, epichlorohydrin, hydrogenated nitrile rubber, carboxylated nitrile rubber, or blends thereof; a reinforcement layer disposed on the tube layer and/or optional friction layer; and a cover layer on the reinforcement layer. In some cases, the reinforcement layer is comprised of braided steel wires that provide a wire coverage in the range of about 30 percent to about 65 percent. The cover layer over the reinforcement layer may comprise one of chlorinated polyethylene, polychloroprene, nitrile/PVC rubber blends, nitrile rubber, epichlorohydrin rubber, chlorosulfonated polyethylene, hydrogenated nitrile rubber, fluoroelastomer, styrene butadiene rubber, or any combination thereof. In some aspects of the disclosure, fuel is contained within an interior volume defined by the tube layers, or other open space, or conduit therein, for transfer of the fuel through the hose.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, a vapor assist hose is provided having an inner lumen, comprising: a tube layer, wherein the tube layer is comprised of a non-sulfur curable rubber; and an optional friction layer disposed on the tube layer, wherein the optional friction layer may comprise one or more of nitrile rubber, fluoroelastomer, epichlorohydrin, hydrogenated nitrile rubber, carboxylated nitrile rubber, or blends thereof. A reinforcement layer is disposed on the tube layer and/or optional friction layer, a cover layer is disposed on the reinforcement layer, and a vapor return line is disposed within the hose lumen, wherein the vapor return line is constructed of a polymeric material that is substantially free of sulfur and extractables. In some cases, the reinforcement layer may comprise braided steel wires that provide a wire coverage in the range of about 30 percent to about 65 percent. The cover layer may comprise one or more of chlorinated polyethylene, polychloroprene, nitrile/PVC rubber blends, nitrile rubber, epichlorohydrin rubber, chlorosulfonated polyethylene, hydrogenated nitrile rubber, fluoroelastomers, styrene butadiene rubber. In some aspects of the present disclosure, the fuel is contained within an interior volume defined by the tube layers.

Drawings

Certain embodiments of the present disclosure will hereinafter be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements. It should be understood, however, that the drawings illustrate various embodiments described herein and are not intended to limit the scope of the various techniques described herein, and:

FIG. 1 is a cut-away perspective view of a hose showing various layers therein, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates in a cut-away perspective view a reinforcement layer in direct contact with an optional friction layer as used in some hoses according to the present disclosure; and the number of the first and second groups,

FIG. 3 is a cut-away perspective view of a hose having a vapor assist hose disposed therein according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

The following description of variations is merely illustrative in nature and is in no way intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, its application, or uses. The description and examples presented herein are for the purpose of illustrating various embodiments of the disclosure only and should not be construed as limiting the scope and applicability of the disclosure. While the compositions of the present disclosure are described herein as comprising certain materials, it is understood that the compositions may optionally comprise two or more chemically distinct materials. Furthermore, the composition may also comprise some components in addition to the components already listed. In the summary of the disclosure and this detailed description, each numerical value should be read once as modified by the term "about" (unless already expressly so modified), and then read again as not so modified unless otherwise indicated in context. Further, in the summary of the disclosure and this detailed description, it should be understood that concentration or amount ranges or sizes listed or described as useful, suitable, etc. are intended that all concentrations or amounts or sizes (including endpoints) within the range are considered to have been set forth. For example, "a range of 1 to 10" will be read to indicate every possible number along the continuum between about 1 and about 10. Thus, even if specific data points within the range, or even data points not within the range, are explicitly identified or refer to only a few specific points, it is to be understood that inventors appreciate and understand that any and all data points within the range are to be considered to have been specified, and that inventors possessed entire ranges and all points within the range.

Unless expressly stated to the contrary, "or" means an inclusive or and not an exclusive or. For example, the condition a or B may be satisfied by any one of the following cases: a is true (or present) and B is false (or not present), a is false (or not present) and B is true (or present), and both a and B are true (or present).

Furthermore, the use of "a/an" is used to describe elements and components of embodiments herein. This is done merely for convenience and to give a general sense of the concepts according to the present disclosure. This description should be read to include one or at least one and the singular also includes the plural unless otherwise stated.

The terms and phrases used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be construed as limiting in scope. Languages such as "including", "comprising", "having", "containing" or "involving" and variations thereof are intended to be broad and include the subject matter listed thereafter, equivalents, and additional subject matter not listed.

Furthermore, as used herein, any reference to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular element, feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. The appearances of the phrase "in one embodiment" in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

FIG. 1 illustrates some hose embodiments of the present disclosure in a cut-away perspective view. The hose 100 typically has an inner diameter in the range of about 0.6 inches (15mm) to about 4 inches (about 100mm) and an outer diameter of about 0.9 inches (23mm) to about 6 inches (about 150 mm). For example, the hose 100 may have an inner diameter of 5/8 inches (16mm), 3/4 inches (19mm), 7/8 inches (22mm), 1 inch (25mm), 2 inches (50mm), or even up to about 4 inches (about 100mm), or any value in between these inner diameters. In one embodiment, the hose may have an inner diameter of about 0.720 inches to about 0.780 inches (18mm to 20mm) and an outer diameter of about 1.115 inches to about 1.165 inches (28mm to 30mm), while in another embodiment, the hose has an inner diameter of about 0.860 inches to about 0.910 inches (22mm to 23mm) and an outer diameter of about 1.25 inches to about 1.30 inches (31mm to 33 mm). The hose 100 has a tube layer (core layer) 102 with respect to the radial and longitudinal hose axes of the hose. Tube layer 102 is the innermost layer of the hose and, according to embodiments of the present disclosure, is formed from a non-sulfur cured rubber. Such a tubular inner core layer 102 may be referred to in the art simply as a "tube" or "core".

Tube layer 102 is composed of a non-sulfur cured rubber and typically has a wall thickness of about 0.005 inch (0.13mm) to about 0.040 inch (102 mm). The tube layer wall thickness is more typically from about 0.010 inches (0.03mm) to about 0.035 inches (0.89 mm). For example, the tube layer may have a wall thickness in a range from about 0.015 inch (0.38mm) to about 0.035 inch (0.89mm), or in a range from about 0.020 inch (0.51mm) to about 0.030 inch (0.76 mm). The non-sulfur cured rubber is typically a bisphenol a curable rubber such as, but not limited to, nitrile rubber, hydrogenated nitrile rubber, epichlorohydrin rubber, fluoroelastomer rubber, perfluoroelastomer rubber, thermoplastic elastomer, and the like. In contrast to typical laminate (veneer) designs for hoses, such as those disclosed in U.S. patent application publication No. 2018/0264771, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, tube layer 102 is not a thermoplastic laminate or barrier-type structure, but rather tube layer 102 is very flexible, even at low temperatures, thus overcoming the potential for field fatigue failure during cold weather and fuel contact. Embodiments according to the present disclosure are also unique in that the other desirable properties are at least equivalent to thermoplastic laminate or barrier-type hose constructions.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the fuel is contained within an interior volume 103 defined by the tube layer 102. The interior volume 103 is an open space, lumen, or conduit therein for containing and/or transferring fuel through the hose. Fuels, such as gasoline, gasoline alcohol, diesel, biodiesel, aviation gasoline, jet fuel, and the like, are typically of the type contained and/or transported by the interior volume 103.

Tube layer 102 formed from a non-sulfur cured rubber minimizes sulfur contamination and avoids the use of large amounts of plasticizer, thereby minimizing gum extraction. Typically, non-sulfur vulcanizates also have a low glass transition temperature to prevent cracking at low temperatures. Despite the rich rubber content and no/low plasticizer concentration, the non-sulfur curable rubber can be easily extruded. Furthermore, the mixing of the rubber is carried out in such a way as to prevent contamination of the oil or sulfur during production.

The non-sulfur cured rubber mixture used to form tube layer 102 may also include various additives in conventional or suitable amounts known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Such additives may include, but are not limited to, retarders, antioxidants, adhesion promoters, processing aids, reinforcing agents, and fillers such as carbon black, silica, other mineral fillers, lignin, and the like that prevent excessive rapid solidification.

In some aspects of the present disclosure, an optional friction layer 104 is disposed above and outwardly from the tube layer 102 in the hose 100 of the present disclosure. The optional frictional layer may typically be from about 0.020 inch (0.51mm) to about 0.120 inch (3.0mm) thick, more typically from about 0.040 inch (1.02mm) to about 0.100 inch (2.54mm) thick, and in some aspects will be from about 0.060 inch (1.52mm) to about 0.080 inch (2.03mm) thick. When used, frictional layer 104 will typically be in direct contact with layer 102. The friction layer 104 may be composed of peroxide or bisphenol a cured rubber. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, nitrile rubbers having a bound acrylonitrile monomer content (in the range of about 16 to about 50 percent or in the range of about 25 to about 50 weight percent) may be used. In another embodiment, the optional friction layer may be comprised of a fluoroelastomer, epichlorohydrin, nitrile, hydrogenated nitrile rubber, carboxylated nitrile rubber, or blends thereof.

The nitrile rubber used in the optional friction layer 104 or still other layers of the hose according to the present disclosure may also contain various additives in conventional or suitable amounts known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Such additives may include, and are not limited to, retarders, antioxidants, adhesion promoters, processing aids, reinforcing agents, and fillers such as carbon black, silica, other mineral fillers, lignin, and the like that prevent excessive rapid solidification. Reinforcing fillers are generally used at levels ranging from about 50phr (parts added per hundred parts resin) to about 150 phr.

The hose according to the present disclosure further includes a reinforcement layer 106 located above and outward from layer 102 (or optional layer 104 (when incorporated)), which is described in further detail in fig. 2. In some embodiments, the reinforcement layer 106 is formed from a reinforcement material in a braided, spiral, knitted reinforcement, or wound configuration. The woven reinforcement layer 106 is depicted in fig. 2. The reinforcement material may be any suitable material for reinforcing the hose, such as, but not limited to, steel wire (e.g., stainless steel wire, plated steel wire, plain steel wire, etc.) or yarn (or fabric woven from yarn), such as those based on woven nylon fabric composites, rayon, polyester, aramid, polyamide, cotton, and the like.

In preparing the braided reinforcement layer, in some aspects, an inner tube is extruded onto a suitable mandrel and then passed through a braiding head. Here, a plurality of single end wraps are arranged and rotated about the tube to provide a intertwined and interwoven braid pattern as desired. In preparing a helical reinforcement layer, yarns or wires are wound in a helical fashion, with the individual yarns or wires being placed together at a critical winding angle to provide yarn coverage. To prevent twisting or bending, an even number of layers with alternating lay directions is applied, with a layer of rubber between each reinforcing layer. The wound reinforcement hose is manufactured on a large lathe or forming station (building table), which typically has a mandrel. The inner rubber liner is first wound onto a mandrel and then a fabric reinforcement layer is wound thereon. The fabric may be cut to a relatively narrow width so that it may be spirally wound on the inner tube, or may be chamfered to a wider portion so that it may be wound directly on the inner tube. Both of these methods allow the curl to be approximately at the critical angle (neutral angle). Hoses with knitted reinforcement layers are often used for hoses that require varying hole sizes and/or have many bends. In making such hoses, the inner tube is extruded and then the reinforcing fabric is woven directly onto it in a manner similar to a weaving system.

In some aspects of the present disclosure, the reinforcement layer 106 is formed by braided steel wires, which in some cases are brass plated steel wires. For example, the reinforcement layer 106 may be manufactured using a braiding machine having 16 to 36 carriers (wire tubes) with 2 to 12 wire ends having a gauge of about 0.006 to about 0.015 inches (0.15mm to 0.38 mm). In one embodiment, the reinforcement layer 106 is manufactured using a braiding machine with 24 carriers (spools) with the wire ends of 0.012 inch (0.3mm) gauge wire. In some aspects, the braided steel wires used in the reinforcement layer 106 have a wire coverage in the range of about 30 percent to about 65 percent. In other words, the steel filaments of the reinforcement layer cover from about 30 to about 65 percent of the surface area of the tube layer 102 or optional friction layer 104, with the remaining 35 to 70 percent of the underlying layer exposed through the windows 202 in the weave pattern. While the braided steel filaments will typically have a filament coverage in the range of about 30 percent to about 65 percent, in some aspects, the filament coverage is in the range of about 40 percent to about 60 percent. In some embodiments, the braided steel wires may have a wire coverage in the range of about 50 to about 55 percent. In one particular embodiment of the present disclosure, to achieve improved kink resistance, the reinforcement layer is comprised of a plurality of different sizes of helically laid steel wires in combination with a textile braided structure.

Referring again to fig. 1, the cover layer 108 is located outside the reinforcement layer 106. In some embodiments, the thickness of the cover layer 108 is from about 0.060 inches (1.5mm) to about 0.120 inches (3.0mm), from about 0.070 inches (1.5mm) to about 0.110 inches (2.8mm), and in some cases, from about 0.080 inches (1.8mm) to about 0.100 inches (2.5 mm). In some aspects, the cover layer 108 may be comprised of a chlorinated polyethylene, typically having a chlorine content in the range of about 30 to about 36 percent. The cover layer 108 may also optionally be comprised of polychloroprene rubber, nitrile/PVC rubber, nitrile rubber, epichlorohydrin rubber, chlorosulfonated polyethylene, hydrogenated nitrile rubber, fluoroelastomers, styrene butadiene rubber, or blends thereof. In some aspects, the chlorinated polyethylene has a chlorine content in a range of about 34 percent to about 36 percent.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, as shown in fig. 3, the hose is a vapor assist hose (also referred to as a "vapor recovery hose"). As depicted in fig. 3, hose 300 includes a vapor return line 302 located within a hose lumen 304, wherein lumen 304 is defined within tube layer 102. The vapor assist hose may be terminated by any suitable fitting (e.g., such as an internal expansion fitting connected to the hose around the vapor return line 302), with the vapor return line 302 being connected to a push-on fitting. The lumen 304 may also serve as an internal volume, open space, or conduit for containing and/or transferring fuel through the hose.

Vapor return line 302 is constructed of a polymeric material that does not contain appreciable levels of sulfur or gums that can migrate into the fuel flowing through the hose. Further, vapor return line 302 is constructed of a material that provides all of the physical and chemical properties required for its vapor return line in such a hose. For example, the material should have an ultimate tensile strength of at least about 2000psi (14MPa), at least about 4000psi (28MPa), and in some cases, at least about 5000psi (35 MPa). The polymeric material used to make the vapor return line 302 will also typically have a tensile strength of 5% elongation in the range of about 500psi (3.4MPa) to about 5000psi (34MPa), in the range of about 1000psi (7MPa) to about 4000psi (28MPa), and in some cases, in the range of about 1500psi (10MPa) to about 3500psi (24 MPa). The polymeric material used to make vapor return line 302 will also typically have a tensile strength of 10% elongation in the range of about 1000psi (7MPa) to about 5000psi (34MPa), in the range of about 1500psi (10MPa) to about 4000psi (28MPa), and in some cases, in the range of about 2000psi (14MPa) to about 3600psi (25 MPa). The polymeric material used to make vapor return line 302 will also typically have a tensile strength of 50% elongation in the range of about 1500psi (10MPa) to about 5000psi (34MPa), in the range of about 1500psi (10MPa) to about 4500psi (31MPa), or even in the range of about 1500psi (10MPa) to about 4000psi (28 MPa). In some aspects, vapor return line 302 is constructed of a material that allows hose 300 to pass the EN 1360 flex test after 50,000 cycles with fuel C.

Vapor return line 302 can be made of any suitable material, such as, but not limited to, polyamide (i.e., nylon, etc.) plasticized with a non-migrating plasticizer, or fluoropolymer, and these materials are materials that are free of sulfur and glue that can migrate into the fuel flowing through the hose. In some embodiments, the nylon may be an impact modified nylon, such as impact modified nylon 6, having a melting point in the range of about 210 ℃ to about 230 ℃, an ultimate tensile strength in the range of about 10MPa to about 50MPa, and will typically have a flexural modulus in the range of about 200MPa to about 1200 MPa. Such impact modified nylons will also have characteristics that allow them to have high impact strength at low temperatures, high flexibility, and low density. Some representative examples of fluoropolymers that may be used to make vapor return line 302 include polymers of tetrafluoroethylene, hexafluoropropylene, vinylidene fluoride, fluorinated ethylene propylene, ethylene tetrafluoroethylene, perfluorovinyl ether tetrafluoroethylene, ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene, polyvinylidene fluoride, and terpolymers of tetrafluoroethylene, hexafluoropropylene, and vinylidene fluoride. Such fluoropolymers typically have a melting point in the range of about 100 ℃ to about 310 ℃, an ultimate tensile strength in the range of about 20MPa to about 30MPa, and will typically have a flexural modulus in the range of about 32MPa to about 530 MPa. The fluoropolymer will more typically have a melting point in the range of about 115 ℃ to about 225 ℃. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, non-migrating plasticizers or impact modifiers may be included in the polymer composition used to make the vapor return line to provide a higher level of flexibility and toughness. The vapor return line may be composed of a single layer, or may be composed of one or more coextruded layers of various combinations of polyamides and/or fluoropolymers.

In some aspects, hose embodiments according to the present disclosure are capable of meeting HG/T3037, UL330, EN 1360, and EN 13483 test standards, which are incorporated herein by reference, and provide sulfur extraction levels of less than 10ppm, unwashed gum extraction values of less than 30mg/100ml, washed gum extraction values of less than 5mg/100ml, and equal to or less than about 100 grams/m²A day, or even from about 20 to about 80 grams/m²A permeation rate per day that provides a hose that is substantially free of sulfur and extractables. In some other aspects, hose embodiments according to the present disclosure are capable of meeting aviation fuel hose standards EI 1529 and EN ISO 1825, which are incorporated herein by reference. Further, the hose embodiments of the present disclosure may be used in fueling applications for vehicles that use fuels such as gasoline, gasoline alcohol, diesel, biodiesel, aviation gasoline, or jet fuel.

The foregoing description of the embodiments has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. The exemplary embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will convey the scope to those skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the disclosure, but are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. It should be understood that individual elements or features of a particular embodiment within the scope of the disclosure are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment (even if not explicitly shown or described). The disclosure may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.

Additionally, in some example embodiments, well-known methods, well-known device structures, and well-known techniques have not been described in detail. Further, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variations in the design, construction, condition of the devices, corrosion of parts, clearance between parts, etc. may be present in the design, manufacture and operation of the devices used to carry out the teachings of the present disclosure.

Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as "first," "second," and other numerical terms used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments.

Spatially relative terms, such as "inner," "adjacent," "outer," "below," "lower," "upper," and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element or feature or features as shown. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as "below" or "beneath" other elements or features would then be oriented "above" the other elements or features. Thus, the example term "below" can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

Although several embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail above, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible without materially departing from the teachings of this disclosure. Accordingly, such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this disclosure as defined in the claims.