A linearly self-actuated hose for use in transporting fluids (liquids,
gases, solid particles, and combinations of these three). Hose (30) has a
biasing spring (36) that extends along its full length, and can comprise
single or multiple springs and/or multiple diameter spring coils. Spring
(36) is covered with hose cover material (32) on the outside and hose
cover material (34) on the inside to form a sealed hose and are bowed
inward or outward radially between the individual spring coils depending
on the intended use of hose (30) to give the cover materials room to move
out of the way when the hose retracts and the coils of spring (36) are
forced close together. The Linearly Retractable Hose is operated by
changing internal pressure within the hose relative to the ambient
pressure on the exterior of the hose. Control of fluid pressure within
hose (30) is what allows the hose to operate as an automatically
extendable and retractable hose. The biasing of spring (36) depends on
the type of use for the hose. For hose (30b), which will be used as a
vacuum hose then the biasing spring (30b) must exert an extending force
on the cover material (opposite that for a pressure hose). If the hose is
to be used as a pressure hose (garden hose, etc.), spring (36) will need
to have a bias that exerts a retracting force on cover materials (32) and
(34).