US3782452A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Spacer system for use with pipes employing tracer lines
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-05-05
•
Granted: 1974-01-01
•
Expires: 1992-05-05
Abstract
Abstract A spacer system, including a removeable metal spacer and a standoff; for use with pipelines employing tracer lines for heat transfer. The spacer system serves to support an outside casing of insulation at a distance from the inner pipe to create an air space and also serves to improve the heat transfer between the tracer line and the pipe.
Inventors
- 👤 P Ceplon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 17:43
CPC Classifications
F; F28; F28F; F28F9/00; F28F9/007; F28F9/013; F16; F16L; F16L59/00; F16L59/12; F16L59/13; F28D; F28D7/00; F28D7/0008; F28F1/00; F28F1/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
186 words
An improved spacer system for use with pipelines having an inner pipe for fluid flow, a tracer line positioned parallel thereto for flow of fluid used for heat transfer, and an outer casing of insulating material coaxial with the inner pipe and secured at a constant distance therefrom, wherein the improvement comprises: snap-on means for encircling the major portion of the circumference of the tracer line not in contacT with the inner pipe to conduct heat therefrom; heat conduction means connected to the snap-on means for encircling the major portion of the circumference of the inner pipe not in contact with the trace line to conduct heat thereto; and support means to provide support for the outer casing at a constant distance from the inner pipe roughly equal to the diameter of the tracer line; whereby the casing is supported at a fixed distance from the inner pipe by the combination of the support means and the snap-on means, whereby the tracer line is firmly secured in parallel relationship with the inner pipe, and whereby heat transfer between the tracer line and inner pipe is improved.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
186 words
An improved spacer system for use with pipelines having an inner pipe for fluid flow, a tracer line positioned parallel thereto for flow of fluid used for heat transfer, and an outer casing of insulating material coaxial with the inner pipe and secured at a constant distance therefrom, wherein the improvement comprises: snap-on means for encircling the major portion of the circumference of the tracer line not in contacT with the inner pipe to conduct heat therefrom; heat conduction means connected to the snap-on means for encircling the major portion of the circumference of the inner pipe not in contact with the trace line to conduct heat thereto; and support means to provide support for the outer casing at a constant distance from the inner pipe roughly equal to the diameter of the tracer line; whereby the casing is supported at a fixed distance from the inner pipe by the combination of the support means and the snap-on means, whereby the tracer line is firmly secured in parallel relationship with the inner pipe, and whereby heat transfer between the tracer line and inner pipe is improved.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
173 words
The improved spacer for use with pipelines as claimed in claim 1 wherein the heat conduction means further comprises: edge structure extending radially outward from and running parallel to the axis of the inner pipe, and means for gripping the edge structure to secure the spacer to the pipeline, said gripping means having a compression portion at the point of contact with the edge structure, said gripping means further having a radial outward extension from the inner pipe approximately equal to the diameter of the tracer line, whereby the outermost part of the gripping means may serve as an additional support for the outer casing, whereby the pressure exerted on the gripping means by the outer casing forces the compression portion of the gripping means against the edge structure, whereby the spacer may be firmly secured to a previously installed section of an inner pipe and tracer line combination to form a completed hollow cylinder surrounding the combination with minimum of time and effort, and whereby the spacer may be reusably removed therefrom.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
98 words
The improved spacer for use with pipelines as claimed in claim 1 wherein the heat conduction means further comprises: a first piece in the form of a section of a hollow cylinder for encircling more than one half of the circumference of the inner pipe, and a second piece in the form of the remaining section of a hollow cylinder for encircling the remaining circumference of the inner pipe, whereby the spacer may be utilized for a plurality of inner pipe diameters by utilizing one size of first piece and changing only the size of the second piece.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The improved spacer for use with pipelines as claimed in claim 1 wherein the improvement further comrpises: cleat means extending radially outward from the snap-on means for securing the outer casing against the snap-on means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
The improved spacer for use with pipelines as claimed in claim 2 wherein the end of the edge structure is bent at right angles to the radial extension whereby the spacer may allow for expansion of the inner pipe.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The improved spacer for use with pipelines as claimed in claim 2 wherein the compression portion of the gripping means is in the form of teeth.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
52 words
The improved spacer as claimed in claim 1 wherein the improvement further comprises: separate standoff means to provide support for the outer casing at a constant distance from the inner pipe roughly equal to the diameter of the tracer line, whereby the casing may be continued around bends in the inner pipe.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1976-12-31 | 1977-07-02 | 1978-01-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-31 | 1981-07-02 | 1982-01-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-31 | 1985-07-02 | 1986-01-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |