Metal working – Method of mechanical manufacture – Assembling or joining
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-16
2001-11-20
Hughes, S. Thomas (Department: 3726)
Metal working
Method of mechanical manufacture
Assembling or joining
C029S468000, C029S890080
Reexamination Certificate
active
06317959
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD AND INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a process and apparatus for packing insulation material in a passage or gap between first and second elements.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Chimney duct sections comprising inner and outer pipes having insulation material located in an annular passage or gap between the two pipes are known. The insulation material is rock or basalt wool having a density of about 100-200 grams/liter. The wool is packed into the annular passage via a press or manually assembled. The packing process is very slow. Hence, costs associated with the manufacture of such chimney duct sections are high. Further, since the wool is formed from very short fibers having very small diameters, environmental concerns may be associated with the duct sections.
Accordingly, there is a need for an improved chimney duct section design wherein production costs are reduced and the materials incorporated into the product are more environmentally acceptable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to an insulated pipe assembly and an apparatus and process for forming same. The pipe assembly comprises an inner pipe, an outer pipe located about the inner pipe so as to be substantially coaxial with the inner pipe, and insulation material located in an annular passage or gap between the two pipes. The insulation material preferably comprises continuous glass fiber material having a density less than about 200 grams/liter. The insulated pipe assembly may be used in any application where heated or cooled gas or other fluid is transported through an insulated pipe system. Depending upon the length required for a particular application, two or more pipe assemblies may be assembled end to end to form a pipe system or structure. Hence, each pipe assembly may define a single section which can be joined by conventional means to one or two additional sections.
In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, an insulation packing process is provided. It involves providing a first element having an outer surface and a second element having an inner surface. At least one of the first and second elements is perforated. The first and second elements are provided on a fixture. The second element is located so as to be positioned relative to the first element such that the first element outer surface and the second element inner surface define a passage between the first and the second elements for receiving fiber insulation material. The fixture forms part of an exhaust box. The exhaust box has an inner cavity which communicates with a vacuum source. The process further comprises the steps of: supplying fiber insulation material to the passage; rotating the fixture and the first and second elements during the supplying step; and drawing a partial vacuum in the exhaust box via the vacuum source while fiber insulation material is being supplied to the passage. The partial vacuum causes air to be pulled through the at least one perforated element so as to cause the fiber insulation material to be densely packed within the passage.
In one embodiment, the first element comprises a substantially solid, cylindrical element and the second element comprises a substantially perforated, cylindrical element. In a second embodiment, the first element comprises a substantially perforated, cylindrical element and the second element comprises a substantially solid, cylindrical element. In a third embodiment, the first element comprises a substantially perforated, cylindrical element and the second element comprises a substantially perforated, cylindrical element.
The fixture and the first and second elements may be rotated at a speed of from about 5 RPM to about 120 RPM.
The process further comprises the steps of adding an element having a generally solid wall after the passage has been filled with a desired amount of the fiber insulation material and thereafter removing the at least one perforated element.
The step of providing fiber insulation material to the passage comprises the step of supplying expanded, continuous fiber strand material to the passage. The expanded fiber strand material packed in the passage preferably has a density of from about 50 grams/liter to about 200 grams/liter.
In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, a packing apparatus is provided comprising: a support; an exhaust box rotatably mounted on the support and having an inner cavity and a fixture; a device effecting rotation of the exhaust box; a first element having an outer surface and a second element having an inner surface. The second element is positioned relative to the first element such that the first and second elements define therebetween a passage which is adapted to receive fiber insulation material. At least one of the first and second elements is perforated. The apparatus further comprises at least one filling nozzle supplying fiber insulation material to the passage, and a vacuum source adapted to draw a partial vacuum in the exhaust box inner cavity while the fiber insulation material is supplied to the passage. The partial vacuum causes air to be pulled through the at least one perforated element thus causing the fiber insulation material to be densely packed within the passage.
In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention, an insulated pipe assembly is provided comprising an inner pipe having an outer surface and an outer pipe having an inner surface. The outer pipe is positioned relative to the inner pipe such that the inner pipe outer surface and the outer pipe inner surface define a passage between the inner and outer pipes. The assembly further comprises continuous fiber insulation material located in the passage.
Preferably, the continuous fiber insulation material has a density of from about 50 grams/liter to about 200 grams/liter. It is also preferred that the insulation material comprise expanded fiber insulation material in the form of a glass wool-type product.
REFERENCES:
patent: Re. 32258 (1986-10-01), Kondo et al.
patent: 4024698 (1977-05-01), Weiss et al.
patent: 4030651 (1977-06-01), Weiss et al.
patent: 4215805 (1980-08-01), Nielsen
patent: 4298153 (1981-11-01), Stables et al.
patent: 4569471 (1986-02-01), Ingemansson et al.
patent: 4631912 (1986-12-01), Hardy
patent: 4774985 (1988-10-01), Broadbelt et al.
patent: 5092122 (1992-03-01), Bainbridge
patent: 5379806 (1995-01-01), Matthews et al.
patent: 5398407 (1995-03-01), Stuer
patent: 5461777 (1995-10-01), Ikeda et al.
patent: 5479706 (1996-01-01), Tamano et al.
patent: 5487412 (1996-01-01), Matthews et al.
patent: 5976453 (1999-11-01), Nilsson et al.
patent: 6094817 (2000-08-01), Shah et al.
patent: 6148519 (2000-11-01), Stenersen et al.
patent: 6158547 (2000-12-01), Ackermann et al.
patent: 2 544 777 (1984-10-01), None
patent: 1419810 (1975-12-01), None
patent: WO96/01389 (1996-01-01), None
Nilsson Bengt Gunnar
Svensson Lennart Olof
Eckert Inger H.
Hughes S. Thomas
Omgba Essama
Owens Corning Sweden A.B.
LandOfFree
Process and apparatus for packing insulation material in a... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Process and apparatus for packing insulation material in a..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Process and apparatus for packing insulation material in a... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2601685