Flexible sleeve, and devices and methods incorporating the same
A device that may be a valve or a pinch valve is disclosed. The device includes at least the following components: (1) a flexible sleeve and (2) two end connection ports that are located on opposite ends of the flexible sleeve. The device may also include one or more of the following: an actuator, a body or housing, and a heating element. The flexible sleeve is capable of having the high-temperature material flowed therein and being in direct contact with the flexible sleeve. The high-temperature material is a material at a temperature above 200° C. For example, the high-temperature material may be a molten material in a casting process. A method of using the device is also disclosed. The method involves, at least, the following steps: (1) providing a flexible sleeve, and (2) flowing a high-temperature material into the flexible sleeve. The steps may be part of a casting process involving molten material, such as molten metal or molten metal alloy. The flexible sleeve may be provided as part of a device, such as a valve or pinch valve.
1 . A device comprising:
a flexible sleeve, the flexible sleeve being a part of:
a composite comprising the flexible sleeve provided inside a rubber flexible sleeve so that the sleeves are coaxial; or
a composite comprising the flexible sleeve provided with a non-porous coating on an exterior surface thereof; and
two end connection ports that are located on opposite ends of the flexible sleeve and are aligned along a longitudinal axis of the flexible sleeve, wherein
the flexible sleeve is capable of having a high-temperature material, which is a material at a temperature of 200° C. or more, enter the flexible sleeve through one of the two end connection ports, flow through the flexible sleeve, and exit the flexible sleeve through the other end connection port.
2 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the high-temperature material is a molten metal or molten metal alloy.
3 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the flexible sleeve is made from a material comprising at least one of the following: silica-fiber, glass-fiber, carbon-fiber, aramid-fiber, PEEK (polyether ether ketone)-fiber, PFA (perfluoroalkoxy)-fiber, and any combination thereof.
4 . The device of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the two end connection ports is a threaded connection port, a welded connection port, a soldered or sweat connection port, a welded connection port, a flanged connection port, a compression connection port, a clamp-style end connection port, or a union/true union connection port, or a glued connection port.
5 . The device of claim 1 , further comprising an actuator capable of applying pressure to the flexible sleeve to slow or stop the flow of the high-temperature material though the flexible sleeve.
6 . The device of claim 1 , further comprising an insulative material, an exothermic material, or a combination of an insulative material and an exothermic material surrounding or partially surrounding the flexible sleeve.
7 . The device of claim 1 , further comprising a heating element.
8 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the device is a pinch valve.
9 . A method comprising:
providing a flexible sleeve, the flexible sleeve being a part of:
a composite comprising the flexible sleeve provided inside a rubber flexible sleeve so that the sleeves are coaxial; or
a composite comprising the flexible sleeve provided with a non-porous coating on an exterior surface thereof; and
flowing a high-temperature material, which is a material at a temperature of 200° C. or more, into the flexible sleeve,
wherein the flexible sleeve is capable of having the high-temperature material flowed therein and being in direct contact with the flexible sleeve.
10 . A method comprising:
providing a flexible sleeve, the flexible sleeve being a part of: a composite comprising the flexible sleeve provided inside a rubber flexible sleeve so that the sleeves are coaxial; or a composite comprising the flexible sleeve provided with a non-porous coating on an exterior surface thereof; and
flowing a pre-determined amount of a high-temperature material, which is a material at a temperature of 200° C. or more, into and through the flexible sleeve to complete a run,
wherein the flexible sleeve is capable of having the high-temperature material be flowed through it and in direct contact with it.
11 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the flexible sleeve is used for five runs or less, and then, the flexible sleeve is regenerated or discarded.
12 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the flexible sleeve is used for one run, and then, the flexible sleeve is regenerated or discarded.
13 . The method of claim 10 , wherein two or more flexible sleeves are provided in series or in parallel.
14 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the flexible sleeve is made from a material comprising at least one of the following: silica-fiber, glass-fiber, carbon-fiber, aramid-fiber, PEEK (polyether ether ketone)-fiber, PFA (perfluoroalkoxy)-fiber, and any combination thereof.
15 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the flexible sleeve is provided as part of a device comprising:
the flexible sleeve; and
two end connection ports that are located on opposite ends of the flexible sleeve and are aligned along a longitudinal axis of the flexible sleeve.
16 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the device is a pinch valve and the method is a casting method.