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A flexible conduit formed by a helically wound band of metal that resists burst pressure. The band has a leading edge hook and a trailing edge hook that engage and interlock. The cross-section of the band has a radially asymmetrical Z-shaped profile. When the band is helically wound, the downstream

A flexible conduit formed by a helically wound band of metal that resists burst pressure. The band has a leading edge hook and a trailing edge hook that engage and interlock. The cross-section of the band has a radially asymmetrical Z-shaped profile. When the band is helically wound, the downstream hook of one turn of the band is received in the upstream valley of the previous turn of the band so that the downstream and upstream hooks form an interlock holding the windings together. In the wound configuration, the thickness of the profile between the upstream valley and the internal surface of the tube is greater than the thickness of the profile between the downstream valley and the external surface of the tube to provide greater material thickness to reduce contact stress at the hook and valley interface and to reduce alternating stresses in the valley corners. The outer surface of the profile tapers towards the center of the tube to direct externally applied radial compression forces toward the thickest section of the profile. A multilayer conduit employing the band may include a central, helically wound collapse-resistant layer disposed within a flexible fluid barrier that in turn is disposed within the tube formed by the band. The conduit may be wrapped with one or more tensile strength layers, anti-wear layers, and additional fluid barriers.

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[ What is claimed is:] [21.] A building component for forming a wall of a flexible conduit, comprising:an elongated band of material having a substantially asymmetrical Z; shaped cross-sectional profile, said profile having a leading edge and a trailing edge whereby said band may be helically wound

[ What is claimed is:] [21.] A building component for forming a wall of a flexible conduit, comprising:an elongated band of material having a substantially asymmetrical Z; shaped cross-sectional profile, said profile having a leading edge and a trailing edge whereby said band may be helically wound in a plurality of successive winding turns to form a wall of said conduit, with said trailing edge of one winding turn adapted to overlie and lock to said leading edge of a previous adjacent winding turn, said Z-shaped profile including a hook on said leading edge and a hook on said trailing edge;a main body interposed between said leading edge hook and said trailing edge hook;a leading edge valley interposed between said leading edge hook and said main body;a trailing edge valley interposed between said trailing edge hook and said main body;an inner surface adapted to form a radially inner part of said conduit wall; andan outer surface adapted to form a radially outer surface of said conduit wall; said profile being thicker between said inner surface and said leading edge valley than between said outer surface and said trailing edge valley.