Fluid handling – With heating or cooling of the system – Circulating fluid in heat exchange relationship
Reexamination Certificate
2000-10-31
2002-02-12
Chambers, A. Michael (Department: 3753)
Fluid handling
With heating or cooling of the system
Circulating fluid in heat exchange relationship
C137S013000, C137S563000, C137S565370
Reexamination Certificate
active
06345644
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a device for preventing freezing of pipelines. More specifically, it relates to a device for preventing freezing of pipelines which carry fluids such as petroleum, though there may be agricultural applications as well.
Traditionally when a petroleum or compressed gas pipeline freezes, the pipeline company will employ services of a “steam truck”. The crew will attend the site and use steam to thaw the lines. This method however will not prevent the subsequent re-freezing of the pipeline. In addition, this method has environmental drawbacks as the equipment moves over the ground near the pipelines.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of present invention to provide a device for preventing freezing of pipelines which avoids the disadvantages of the prior art.
In keeping with these objects and with others which will become apparent hereinafter, one feature of present invention resides, briefly stated, in a device for preventing freezing of a pipeline which has a pipe bringable into contact with the pipeline and having a heating medium supply branch and a heating medium return branch; a container for accommodating a heating medium; means for supplying the heating medium into said supply branch and returning the heating medium from said return branch back into said container; and heating means for heating said container and therefore said heating medium so that the heated medium is supplied from said container into the supply branch, transfer heat to the pipeline and the medium in it, and returns through the return branch back into the container for further re-heating.
In accordance with another feature of the present invention said heating medium supply and return means include a pump.
In accordance with another feature of the present invention, the heater has a line connectable with a fuel supply which fuels said heater. In accordance with another feature of the present invention, the pump also has a fuel supply which supplies fuel to the pump for operating the pump.
In accordance with another feature of the present invention, a fuel supply line which supplies fuel to the heater for operation of the heater also supplies fuel to the pump for operation of the pump.
In accordance with another feature of the present invention, the container is provided with a drip tray for collecting drips of heating medium.
In accordance with another feature of the present invention, means is provided, for holding the heating medium supply and return pipe on the pipeline. The holding means includes means for wrapping around the heating medium supply and return pipe together with the pipeline when the pipe is arranged on the pipeline, so as to provide simultaneously a heat insulation.
In accordance with another feature of the present invention, a housing accommodates said container, the heater, and the pump, so that the device includes two components, namely one component formed as the housing with the container, the heater and the pump, and another component formed as the pipe with the heating medium supply branch and return branch.
The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the present invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3735769 (1973-05-01), Miller
patent: 3756268 (1973-09-01), Lefever et al.
patent: 4191348 (1980-03-01), Holwerda
patent: 4425936 (1984-01-01), Goss
patent: 4531538 (1985-07-01), Sandt et al.
patent: 5027842 (1991-07-01), Powers
Chambers A. Michael
Zborovsky I.
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