Abstract:
A section of pipe is used in a pre-insulated piping system where the system is made up of lengths of insulated and jacketed pre-insulated piping. Each length of piping is made up of an inner carrier pipe having an interior surface and an exterior surface. An envelope of foamed insulation surrounds the inner pipe exterior surface and an outer protective jacket surrounds the envelope of foamed insulation. The length of piping has a joining end for joining to an adjacent length of piping, whereby the adjacent lengths of piping provide a continuous length of fluid conduit for conveying high temperature fluids. A water containment element is located on the exterior of the inner carrier pipe at a location near the pipe joining end. The containment element serves to stop the flow of any intruding water or steam along the length of the inner carrier pipe. The containment element may also include a heat dissipating element which surrounds the inner carrier pipe for at least a portion of the length thereof. Any water which penetrates the outer protective jacket contacts the heat dissipating element and is cooled below boiling before traveling any significant distance along the length of the section of piping.
Abstract:
A method is shown for providing status detection, in particular leak detection, in a pre-insulated pipeline for the transportation of media, in particular, steam or hot water. The pipeline has an inner medium-carrying pipe, a surrounding heat-insulating layer of bonded foam, and an outer protective polyolefin jacket. A special length of polymer coated wire is included as a part of the normal bare conductor wire which is used as a part of the electrical sensing system of the pipeline and is used to by-pass various obstructions in the foamed insulation of the pipeline. The insulated length of the coated wire is heat fused at points of egress and ingress through the outer polymeric jacket with the compatible materials of the coated wire and jacket forming a water tight seal.
Abstract:
A high temperature pre-insulated pipe system is shown which can withstand conveyance temperatures in excess of 250° F. The pipe system includes a first and second length of insulated and jacketed pipe. Each pipe length includes an inner metal pipe having an interior surface and an exterior surface and having an envelope of foamed insulation surrounding the inner pipe exterior surface. A thermally protective coating layer is applied between the metal pipe exterior and the surrounding layer of foamed insulation. The thermally protective layer effectively lowers the interface temperature between the inner metal pipe and outer foamed layer to prevent disbondment of the outer foamed layer as the temperature of the inner pipe increases.
Abstract:
An expansion joint is shown for an insulated pipeline used to convey high temperature fluids such as steam. The expansion joint uses a flexible bellows and additional insulating and joining components to provide a watertight encasement for a traditional metal expansion joint. The bellows arrangement compensates for any relative movement of the inner fluid conveying pipes with respect to the outer layers of insulating material and outer jacket in order to protect the integrity of the assembly and prevent the intrusion of water or other contaminants which could lead to corrosion or early failure of the piping system.
Abstract:
A system is shown which can replace the need for a traditional watertight manhole servicing a pre-insulated pipeline. The piping in the system is pre-insulated, as with a bonded foam insulation. The valves and fittings in the piping system are brought to a convenient height above the watertable in an excavated area in the surrounding earthen formation and are also pre-insulated. The pre-insulated valves and fittings are partially enclosed by a containment structure which keeps the surrounding earthen formation in place. Because the valves, fittings and piping are pre-insulated, it is not necessary to maintain the surrounding enclosure in a watertight condition as was the case with a traditional manhole.
Abstract:
The present invention relates generally to an apparatus and method for preventing disbondment in an insulated piping system that is used for conveying high temperature fluids. More specifically, an external slip wrap is shown, capable of surrounding the outer protective jacket of the insulated piping system at a location along the piping before an elbow shaped or angular change in direction. The slip wrap comprises a loosely received outer sleeve which surrounds the outer protective jacket of the piping without being bonded thereto, thereby allowing the insulated and jacketed pipe to move axially relative to the slip wrap for a selected distance once the pipe is buried in the ground.
Abstract:
An flexible coupling is shown for an insulated piping system of the type used to convey steam and other high temperature fluids. The coupling uses a flexible bellows and additional insulating and joining components to couple conventional lengths of insulated pipe. The bellows arrangement compensates for any relative movement of the inner fluid conveying pipes with respect to the outer layers of insulating material and outer jacket in order to protect the integrity of the assembly and prevent the intrusion of water or other contaminants which could lead to corrosion or early failure of the piping system.
Abstract:
A joint is formed between two lengths of insulated pipes, which pipes have thermoplastic jackets. The jackets are joined together with a thermoplastic split sleeve. A welding rod arrangement is located along the edges on one side of the sleeve in a U-shaped configuration. The welding rod arrangement includes two side by side welding rods, each of which have a thermoplastic core with resistance wires embedded in the core. The split sleeve is wrapped around the joint with the sleeve overlapping the pipe jackets and also with the ends of the sleeve overlapping to form a longitudinal seam. The welding rod arrangement encircles each jacket in a partial spiral with a nonconductive core of thermoplastic located between the adjacent welding rod arrangements. In addition, the welding rod arrangement extends along the longitudinal seam. Electrical current is provided to the resistance wires, wherein the sleeve is welded to the pipe jackets and the split in the sleeve is welded closed.
Abstract:
An anchor system is shown for use with a pre-insulated piping system having an inner steel carrier pipe surrounded by a layer of insulation and then by an outer protective jacket. The anchor system includes an inner carrier pipe for insertion within the length of the piping system at a selected point. A steel anchor sleeve surrounds a portion of the length of carrier pipe and insulation. It terminates at one end at an outwardly flaring anchor plate which is subsequently embedded within a concrete anchor block. A steel end cap is welded to a second, opposite end of the sleeve and to the inner carrier pipe at a point along the length of piping which is outside the concrete anchor block and which is spaced apart from the location of the anchor plate, whereby heat from the high temperature fluids in the piping is transferred to the end cap at a location along the length of piping which is distant from the location of the anchor plate.
Abstract:
A method is shown for manufacturing a length of pre-insulated piping of the type having an inner steel carrier pipe surrounded by an outer layer of insulating foam and, in turn, an outer plastic waterproof jacket. The interior of the waterproof jacket is treated in a flame treatment process in order to ensure a more uniform bond between the layer of foam insulation and the outer waterproof plastic jacket.