US4515397A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vacuum insulated conduit
Assignee: Praxair Technology Inc
•
Filing: 1983-04-01
•
Granted: 1985-05-07
•
Expires: 2003-04-01
Abstract
Abstract A vacuum insulated conduit exhibiting reduced thermal leakage through a joint area wherein the evacuated space between inner and outer pipes is reduced in the joint area by a plate from the outer pipe to bellows covering the inner pipe which form the major heat transfer pathway.
Inventors
- 👤 Jeffert J. Nowobilski
- 👤 Kenneth C. Kather
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 09:33
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L59/00; F16L59/14; F16L59/16; F16L59/18; F16L59/185; F16L59/06; F16L59/065; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S285/00; Y10S285/904
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
166 words
A conduit having reduced thermal leakage at a joint area comprising: (A) a first pipe having an end thereof; (B) a second pipe having a diameter greater than that of said first pipe, positioned circumferentially around and axially along said first pipe, terminating at a point short of said first pipe end to define an axial distance from said point to said first pipe end; (C) bellows, attached at one axial end thereof to said first pipe, having a diameter greater than that of said first pipe but less than 25 percent of the distance between the first and second pipes, positioned circumferentially around and axially along said first pipe along, at least a part of, said axial distance; and (D) a plate having a solid radial dimension from the furthest radial extent of said bellows to said second pipe, substantially perpendicular to said pipes, connecting said bellows, at the other axial end thereof, with said second pipe and free from contact with said first pipe.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
166 words
A conduit having reduced thermal leakage at a joint area comprising: (A) a first pipe having an end thereof; (B) a second pipe having a diameter greater than that of said first pipe, positioned circumferentially around and axially along said first pipe, terminating at a point short of said first pipe end to define an axial distance from said point to said first pipe end; (C) bellows, attached at one axial end thereof to said first pipe, having a diameter greater than that of said first pipe but less than 25 percent of the distance between the first and second pipes, positioned circumferentially around and axially along said first pipe along, at least a part of, said axial distance; and (D) a plate having a solid radial dimension from the furthest radial extent of said bellows to said second pipe, substantially perpendicular to said pipes, connecting said bellows, at the other axial end thereof, with said second pipe and free from contact with said first pipe.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The conduit of claim 1 wherein the volume between the first and second pipes is packed with insulation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The conduit of claim 1 wherein the volume between the first and second pipes contains adsorbent capable of adsorbing gas in said volume.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The conduit of claim 1 wherein the volume between the first pipe and the bellows is packed with insulation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The conduit of claim 1 wherein the end of the first pipe is outfitted with a flange.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
The conduit of claim 1 wherein the first pipe and the bellows are constructed of stainless steel, the second pipe and the plate are constructed of aluminum, and the plate is adhesive bonded to the bellows and welded to the second pipe.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
The conduit of claim 1 wherein the first pipe, the bellows and the plate are constructed of stainless steel, the second pipe is constructed of aluminum, and the plate is adhesive bonded to the second pipe and welded to the bellows.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
A conduit joint comprising the conduit of claim 1 attached to another such conduit at their respective ends.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The conduit joint of claim 8 wherein the joint area is encased by a sleeve.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The conduit joint of claim 9 wherein the volume encased by the sleeve is packed with insulation.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The conduit joint of claim 9 wherein the sleeve is sealed to the second pipe by a flexible water impermeable seal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The conduit of claim 1 wherein the volume between the first and second pipes is at a pressure less than atmospheric.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The conduit of claim 12 wherein said pressure is from about 10 to 100,000 microns of mercury.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
The conduit of claim 1 wherein said distance is from 5 to 20 percent.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
The conduit of claim 1 wherein the bellows have a length of from 1 to 12 inches.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
The conduit of claim 15 wherein said length is from 1.5 to 6 inches.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
The conduit joint of claim 9 where the volume encased by the sleeve is evacuated.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
The conduit joint of claim 9 where the volume encased by the sleeve is filled with a low conductivity gas.
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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) | 1988-05-06 | 1988-11-05 | 1989-05-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-05-06 | 1992-11-05 | 1993-05-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-05-06 | 1996-11-05 | 1997-05-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |