| 摘要 |
The present invention relates to a sensor for monitoring lengths of hose and is particularly suitable for use with oil suction and discharge hoses. The invention provides a hose (20) having two or more plies (22, 26) and a sensing element (24) located between the plies (22, 26). The sensing element (24) is responsive to the electromagnetic properties of fluid present between the plies (22, 26) as a result of a failure of an inner ply (22) of the hose (20). The particular advantage of this invention results from the fact that the sensing element (24) is composed of carbon fibres. The carbon fibres can be in chopped fibre form or in the form of a continuous tow. The carbon fibres may be doped with metallic particles in order to improve their electromagnetic characteristics and preferably the carbon fibres are encapsulated in a paper or polymer sheath. This form of sensing element (24) is typically compatible with the special polymers, fabrics and wire cords used in oil suction and discharge hose construction and the sensing element can withstand the severe mechanical and high temperature processes used in the hose construction.
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