Tubular assembly for transferring fluids

Claim 1

A multiple-section conduit assembly for transporting fluid downwardly in relative thermal isolation with respect to the ambient environment, said conduit assembly comprising, in combination: at least a pair of adjacent conduit sections arranged in vertical, end-to-end relation, each said conduit section including an inner pipe adapted to carry said fluid and having first and second ends, an outer pipe having first and second ends, said outer pipe surrounding said inner pipe in each conduit section in substantially coaxial relationship to define an annular space therebetween and being axially displaced with respect to said inner pipe such that said first and second ends of said inner pipe lead and lag respectively the corresponding ends of said outer pipe, a frusto-conical structure connecting each pair of corresponding axially displaced pipe ends in each of said conduit sections, a pair of said structures of each coaxial section being adapted to support said coaxial pipes in radially spaced relationship and to provide a fluid tight seal of said annular space, each of said structures including at least one substantially frusto-conical surface adapted to confront a corresponding surface of the adjacent conduit section, said confronting frusto-conical surfaces defining therebetween an interspace of substantially frusto-conical configuration sloping downwardly and outwardly from an open inner end defined between the ends of said inner pipes of the adjacent conduit sections to an outer end defined between the ends of said outer pipes of the adjacent conduit sections, whereby said interspace is in unobstructed, free flowing communication with the fluid-carrying interior of said inner pipes of the adjacent conduit sections and therefore adapted to fill with liquid in the presence of fluid in said inner pipe to provide a thermal barrier trap between the interior of said inner pipes and the ambient environment; and means for joining the adjacent conduit sections and seaing off said outer end of said interspace.