US3791416A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Spacer assembly for concentric tubular systems
Assignee: KM Kabelmetal AG
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Filing: 1972-06-08
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Granted: 1974-02-12
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Expires: 1992-06-08
Abstract
Abstract A spacer assembly for a concentric tube system having at least two tubes, to be placed in thermally insulative, concentric relation. An annular arrangement of ring elements with large and small gaps, bolted together and traversed by the inner one of the two tubes; the ring elements are preferably hinged together. A plurality of loops extend inwardly from the annular arrangement for suspending the inner tube in the annular arrangement from at least three different radial directions; the loops are established by thread, wire or ribbon.
Inventors
- 👤 G Ziemek
- 👤 A Beck
- 👤 E Gunia
- 👤 F Schatz
- 👤 H Arntz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 22:50
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L59/00; F16L59/14; F16L59/141; F16L59/06; F16L59/065; F16L59/12; F16L59/13
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
143 words
In a concentric tube system having at least two tubes, to be placed in thermally insulative, concentric relation, and held in that relation by spacer assemblies, the improvement in such a spacer assembly comprising: an annular arrangement traversed by the inner one of the two tubes and disposed on the inside wall of the outer one of the two tubes the annular arrangement being constructed from plural ring elements hinged to each other, each having a gap permitting passage of the inner tubes upon lateral placement of the ring elements into concentric position to the inner tube; and a plurality of loops extending inwardly from the annular arrangement aNd having dimensions for suspending the inner tube in the annular arrangement under tension and from at least three different radial directions, the loops being established by flexible elements such as thread, wire or ribbon.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
143 words
In a concentric tube system having at least two tubes, to be placed in thermally insulative, concentric relation, and held in that relation by spacer assemblies, the improvement in such a spacer assembly comprising: an annular arrangement traversed by the inner one of the two tubes and disposed on the inside wall of the outer one of the two tubes the annular arrangement being constructed from plural ring elements hinged to each other, each having a gap permitting passage of the inner tubes upon lateral placement of the ring elements into concentric position to the inner tube; and a plurality of loops extending inwardly from the annular arrangement aNd having dimensions for suspending the inner tube in the annular arrangement under tension and from at least three different radial directions, the loops being established by flexible elements such as thread, wire or ribbon.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
In a system as in claim 1, wherein the annular system is comprised of a ring with a gap and at least one ring segment being hinged to the ring so as to close the gap.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
In a system as in claim 2, wherein one segment is hinged to the ring, a first thread or wire extending between the ends of the segment, two additional threads or wires extending from the ring portions adjacent the gap to locations opposite the gap.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
73 words
In a system as in claim 2, wherein two ring segments are hinged to the one ring respectively with one end of each segment and in opposite positions in relation to the gap in the ring; first and second flexible ribbons extending respectively from the other ends of the segments to points on the ring opposite the gap, a third flexible element forming a loop from points on the ring adjacent the gap.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
In a tube system as in claim 1, wherein the annular system is constructed from ring elements which include at least one ring with a gap and one or more rings with gaps or one or more ring segments, being hinged to the one ring.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
60 words
In a tube system as in claim 5, wherein the plural rings with gaps are hinged on a common hinge axis, but at different points in relation to the respective gaps, so that upon concentric placement of one ring to the inner tube, the other rings can be pivoted into similarly concentric position, the respective gaps clearing the inner tube.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
In a tube system as in claim 5, the rings and/or ring segments being fastened to each other in the annular assembly.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
In a tube system as in claim 5, the loops resulting from fasting wires, ribbon or threads to points of the rings adjacent the respective gaps.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
In a tube system as in claim 1, wherein the inner tube is corrugated, each loop lying in a corrugation groove.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
61 words
In a tube system as in claim 1, the annular assembly comprised of plural ring elements with gaps at least as wide as the diameter of the inner tube, the elements secured to each other in concentric position, the loops being suspended from the rings, and being distributed around the inner tube in overlapping configuration of engagement with the inner tube.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
In a tube system as in claim 1, and including axially extending support means at the periphery of the annular assembly for supporting the assembly on the inner wall of the outer tube.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
181 words
In a concentric tube system having at least two tubes, to be placed in thermally insulative, concentric relation, and held in that relation by spacer assemblies, the improvement in such a spacer assembly comprising: an annular arrangement traversed by the inner one of the two tubes and disposed on the inside wall of the outer one of the two tubes, the annular arrangement being constructed from plural ring elements each having a gap permitting passage of the inner tube upon lateral placement of the ring elements into concentric position to the inner tube, the ring elements being disconnectible from each other at least to the extent for permitting each element to be placed into the concentric position of the tube; means for securing the ring elements in relation to each other in the concentric position; and a plurality of loops extending inwardly from the annular arrangement and having dimensions for suspending the inner tube in the annular arrangement under tension and from at least three different radial directions, the loops being established by flexible elements such as thread, wire or ribbon.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
181 words
In a concentric tube system having at least two tubes, to be placed in thermally insulative, concentric relation, and held in that relation by spacer assemblies, the improvement in such a spacer assembly comprising: an annular arrangement traversed by the inner one of the two tubes and disposed on the inside wall of the outer one of the two tubes, the annular arrangement being constructed from plural ring elements each having a gap permitting passage of the inner tube upon lateral placement of the ring elements into concentric position to the inner tube, the ring elements being disconnectible from each other at least to the extent for permitting each element to be placed into the concentric position of the tube; means for securing the ring elements in relation to each other in the concentric position; and a plurality of loops extending inwardly from the annular arrangement and having dimensions for suspending the inner tube in the annular arrangement under tension and from at least three different radial directions, the loops being established by flexible elements such as thread, wire or ribbon.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
37 words
In a tube system as in claim 12, wherein the rings are similar in construction, and the gaps are displaced by 120* to each other, the loops extending respectively from the ring ends at the respective gaps.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1761084A
Cited
US3110324A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-02-11 | 1977-08-13 | 1978-02-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-02-11 | 1981-08-13 | 1982-02-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-02-11 | 1985-08-13 | 1986-02-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |