US3777501A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Capillary insulation
Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corp
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Filing: 1971-03-12
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Granted: 1973-12-11
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Expires: 1991-03-12
Abstract
Abstract Capillary insulation for transferring low temperature liquids is provided in which a cellular structure is in the form of a cylinder, and defines a plurality of radially extending discrete cells enclosed by a capillary cover with capillary openings communicating with each cell. The cylindrical capillary insulation may be used as a hose or conduit for the transfer of low temperature liquids or as either external or internal insulation for tubes or pipes. A method of manufacturing the cylindrical capillary insulation is disclosed, together with a specific insulated joint construction for interconnecting sections of the insulation.
Inventors
- 👤 R Sharp
- 👤 J Gille
- 👤 J Mcgrew
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 18:08
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L59/00; F16L59/14; F16L59/141; F16L59/147; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S220/00; Y10S220/23; Y10S220/901; Y10S285/00; Y10S285/904; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/24; Y10T428/24149; Y10T428/24157
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
222 words
An insulation assembly for providing insulation for a low temperature boiling point liquid, said insulation assembly comprising, a series of rings of flexible material each having a central opening therethrough and being arranged in a coaxial arrangement, means securing each of said rings to the rings adjacent thereto at a plurality of spaced apart points with the points of securement of each ring with the next adjacent ring on one side thereof being offset from the points of securement with the next adjacent ring on the other side thereof, whereby expansion of said assembly of rings by moving said rings axially apart creates a plurality of discrete cells extending radially of the axes of the rings, said rings when moved axially defining a central chamber for said liquid with the inner ends of said cells communicating with said chamber, and means for providing a stabilized capillary gas-liquid interface closing the inner ends of the cells communicating with said central chamber, said means for providing the stabilized capillary gas-liquid interface including a cover means extending over the inner ends of said cells and having capillary openings formed therein in communication with at least a substantial portion of said cells, said assembly being supported interiorly of a circular outer cover having wall means defining an outer surface closing the outer ends of the cells.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
222 words
An insulation assembly for providing insulation for a low temperature boiling point liquid, said insulation assembly comprising, a series of rings of flexible material each having a central opening therethrough and being arranged in a coaxial arrangement, means securing each of said rings to the rings adjacent thereto at a plurality of spaced apart points with the points of securement of each ring with the next adjacent ring on one side thereof being offset from the points of securement with the next adjacent ring on the other side thereof, whereby expansion of said assembly of rings by moving said rings axially apart creates a plurality of discrete cells extending radially of the axes of the rings, said rings when moved axially defining a central chamber for said liquid with the inner ends of said cells communicating with said chamber, and means for providing a stabilized capillary gas-liquid interface closing the inner ends of the cells communicating with said central chamber, said means for providing the stabilized capillary gas-liquid interface including a cover means extending over the inner ends of said cells and having capillary openings formed therein in communication with at least a substantial portion of said cells, said assembly being supported interiorly of a circular outer cover having wall means defining an outer surface closing the outer ends of the cells.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
60 words
An insulation assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said assembly is supported interiorly of a circular outer cover having wall means defining an outer surface and an interior space through which said liquid flows and means supporting said assembly on said wall means so that the fluid flows through said central chamber and is insulated from said wall means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The conduit of claim 2 wherein said outer cover comprises a rigid pipe.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The insulated conduit of claim 2 wherein said outer cover comprises a flexible material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The insulated conduit of claim 2 wherein said wall means further includes at one end thereof an axially extending circumferential surface inclined at an angle to the longitudinal axis of said wall means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
55 words
The insulated conduit of claim 5 wherein said cover means sealingly closes the ends of at least some of the cells radiating from said inclined surface and said wall means includes opening means intercommunicating at least some of said cells radiating from said inclined surface with other of said cells axially spaced aloNg said conduit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
The insulated conduit of claim 5 wherein said inclined surface is formed on the inner peripheral surface of said wall means and defines a generally frusto-conical mouth at the end of said wall means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
81 words
The insulated conduit of claim 7 and further including a second elongated conduit of substantially the same construction as said first mentioned conduit; said second conduit being spaced from but coaxial with said first conduit with said frusto-conical mouth on one conduit opening toward the frusto-conical mouth on the other conduit, insulating connector means extending between said two conduits, said insulating connector means including portions thereof in sealing engagement with said frusto-conical mouth on the ends of both of said conduits.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
159 words
The conduit of claim 8 wherein said connector comprises a circumferentially continuous wall means defining an interior space through which liquid may flow, said wall means including a plurality of contiguous radially extending cells throughout the length thereof, an inclined surface formed on the outer peripheral surface of said connector at either end thereof with the inclined surfaces on said connector being adapted to mate with the inclined surfaces on said frusto-conical mouths of said conduits, cover means extending around the inner periphery of said conduit and enclosing the radially inner ends of said cells, capillary openings formed in said cover means and communicating at least the predominant portion of said cells with the interior of said connector, an outer connector cover extending around said connector and enclosing the radially outer end of said cells, and seal means on said inclined surfaces of said connector for establishing a liquid seal at the joints between said connector and said conduits.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
The conduit of claim 9 and further including radially extending flanges on the ends of said conduits, means for securing said flanges together, and seal means on said connector cooperating with said flanges to seal the joint between said flanges.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The insulated conduit of claim 5 wherein said inclined surface is formed on the outer peripheral surface of said wall means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The insulated conduit of claim 11 and further including sealing means carried on said inclined surface.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
The insulated conduit of claim 11 wherein said conduit has an inclined surface at either end thereof whereby said wall means is generally trapezoidal in longitudinal cross-sectional configuration.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-12-10 | 1977-06-11 | 1977-12-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-10 | 1981-06-11 | 1981-12-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-10 | 1985-06-11 | 1985-12-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |