Heat insulation structure for pipe, pipe heating system, heat insulation sheet, and construction method for heat insulation structure

Abstract

This heat insulation structure (50) has first and second heat insulation sheets (51A, 51B) that cover the outside of a heater (10) attached to a pipe (100) and form an air layer (B) between the heater (10) and the first and second heat insulation sheets (51A, 51B). The positions of the first and second heat insulation sheets (51A, 51B) are fixed to the heater (10) by fixing parts (54a, 54b). According to the structure (50), the existing heater (10) can be maintained, and the power consumption of the heater (10) can be reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a heat insulation structure for piping, a piping heating system, a heat insulation sheet, and a construction method for the heat insulation structure. Background Art

[0002] In film formation steps and etching steps in the manufacture of semiconductors or flat panel displays, various gases are used and waste gases are generated. In order to prevent these gases from condensing and depositing inside the piping, a sheathed heater that covers the piping is sometimes used.

[0003] Prior Art Documents

[0004] Patent Documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-292199

[0006] Patent Document 2: International Publication No. 2012 / 077648 Summary of the Invention

[0007] Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0008] In order to reduce manufacturing costs and the environmental load generated during manufacturing, it is important to reduce the power consumption in manufacturing equipment, and there is also a need to reduce the power consumption of sheathed heaters installed on piping. By increasing the thickness of the heat insulation material of the sheathed heater itself, power consumption can be suppressed. However, for this purpose, it is necessary to replace the installed sheathed heater with a sheathed heater having a thicker heat insulation material, and such replacement is not ideal from the viewpoints of cost and workability. Moreover, increasing the thickness of the heat insulation material is not ideal from the viewpoints of the constructability of the heater and the space-saving of the device including the heater and the piping.

[0009] Means for Solving the Problems

[0010] (1) The heat insulation structure for piping proposed by the present invention has: one or more heat insulation sheets that cover the outside of a heater installed on the piping and form an air layer between the heat insulation sheets and the heater; and at least one fixing portion that secures the air layer and fixes the position of the one or more heat insulation sheets on the heater and allows the one or more heat insulation sheets to be mounted on and removed from the heater. This heat insulation structure is applicable not only to the piping in semiconductor manufacturing equipment but also to the piping in other equipment.

[0011] According to this structure, the originally installed heater can be maintained and the power consumption of the heater can be reduced. Moreover, since the air layer is utilized, the thickness of the heat insulation sheet can be reduced while ensuring sufficient heat insulation performance.

[0012] (2) In the heat insulation structure described in (1), the one or more heat insulation sheets may have a first fixing portion and a second fixing portion that can be mounted and disassembled with each other as the at least one fixing portion, and the positions of the one or more heat insulation sheets can be fixed to the heater by the mutual mounting of the first fixing portion and the second fixing portion. Thus, since the first fixing portion and the second fixing portion can be mounted and disassembled with each other, the construction work of the heat insulation structure can be facilitated.

[0013] (3) In the heat insulation structure described in (2), the one or more heat insulation sheets may have a first edge portion and a second edge portion that are located on opposite sides in the circumferential direction of the pipe. The first fixing portion and the second fixing portion can be respectively mounted on the first edge portion and the second edge portion.

[0014] (4) In the heat insulation structure according to any one of (1) to (3), the pipe may have: a first partial pipe and a second partial pipe that are connected to each other in the length direction of the pipe; and a joint portion that is disposed at the end of the first partial pipe and the end of the second partial pipe and has an outer diameter larger than that of the first and second partial pipes. In this case, the joint portion may be located inside the one or more heat insulation sheets. According to this structure, an air layer can be easily ensured.

[0015] (5) In the heat insulation structure according to any one of (1) to (3), the pipe may include a plurality of partial pipes that are connected to each other in the length direction of the pipe, and each of the plurality of partial pipes has a first joint portion and a second joint portion for connecting to an adjacent partial pipe at one end and the other end of each partial pipe, respectively. In this case, the one or more heat insulation sheets may be disposed between the first joint portion and the second joint portion.

[0016] (6) In the heat insulation structure described in (2) or (3), the first fixing portion and the second fixing portion may include at least one of a hook-and-loop fastener, a magnet, and a hook.

[0017] (7) In the heat insulation structure according to any one of (1) to (6), the at least one fixing portion may include at least one of a belt and a rope that is wound around the outside of the one or more heat insulation sheets to fix the positions of the one or more heat insulation sheets to the heater.

[0018] (8) In the heat insulation structure described in (2), (3), or (6), the one or more heat insulation sheets may include: a first heat insulation sheet having a first edge portion provided with the first fixing portion; and a second heat insulation sheet having a second edge portion provided with the second fixing portion. The first heat insulation sheet and the second heat insulation sheet may be connected in the circumferential direction of the pipe by the first fixing portion and the second fixing portion. Thereby, the degree of freedom of the structure of the pipe to which the heat insulation structure can be applied can be increased.

[0019] (9) In the heat insulation structure described in (8), the first fixing portion and the second fixing portion may be arranged and mutually installed in such a manner as to protrude toward the radial direction of the pipe and face each other in the circumferential direction of the pipe. According to this structure, even when this heat insulation structure is applied to a place with a branched pipe, the width of the first fixing portion and the second fixing portion (the width in the radial direction of the pipe) can be sufficiently ensured. As a result, even in a place with a branched pipe, the gap between the two heat insulation sheets can be reduced.

[0020] (10) In the heat insulation structure described in any one of (1) to (9), the one or more heat insulation sheets may include a first heat insulation sheet and a third heat insulation sheet connected in the length direction of the pipe. The first heat insulation sheet may have a third edge portion in the length direction of the pipe; and a third fixing portion provided on the third edge portion. The third heat insulation sheet may have a fourth edge portion in the length direction of the pipe; and a fourth fixing portion provided on the fourth edge portion. The third fixing portion and the fourth fixing portion may be mutually installed. According to this structure, the construction of the heat insulation structure can be facilitated.

[0021] (11) In the heat insulation structure described in (10), the pipe may have: a first partial pipe and a second partial pipe connected to each other in the length direction of the pipe; and a joint portion disposed at the ends of the first partial pipe and the second partial pipe and having an outer diameter larger than that of the first and second partial pipes. The third fixing portion and the fourth fixing portion may be mutually installed at the position of the joint portion. Thereby, during the construction of the heat insulation structure, the third fixing portion and the fourth fixing portion can be mutually installed in a state where the third fixing portion and the fourth fixing portion are supported from the inside by the joint portion. As a result, the construction work can be facilitated.

[0022] (12) In the heat insulation structure described in any one of (1) to (11), the heat insulation sheet may include at least one of a porous sheet material, an inorganic fiber sheet material, and a resin sheet material.

[0023] (13) Among the heat insulation structures described in any one of (1) to (12), the one or more heat insulation sheets may include a metal layer provided on its inner surface. According to this structure, the heat insulation performance can be improved.

[0024] (14) The proposed pipe heating system of the present invention includes the heat insulation structure described in any one of (1) to (13); and the heater.

[0025] (15) The heat insulation sheet proposed by the present invention is a heat insulation sheet for ensuring an air layer between it and the heater covering the pipe and covering the outside of the heater. The heat insulation sheet has: a first edge portion and a second edge portion of the heat insulation sheet that are located on opposite sides of each other in the circumferential direction of the pipe; and a first fixing portion and a second fixing portion that are respectively provided on the first edge portion and the second edge portion and can be installed and disassembled with each other. According to this heat insulation sheet, the pipe can be covered by using a plurality of heat insulation sheets with the same structure. And since the first fixing portion and the second fixing portion can be installed and disassembled, the construction work can be facilitated.

[0026] (16) The construction method of the heat insulation structure proposed by the present invention has: a first step of covering the outside of the heater covering the pipe with one or more heat insulation sheets and ensuring an air layer between the one or more heat insulation sheets and the heater; and a second step of ensuring the air layer and simultaneously fixing the positions of the one or more heat insulation sheets by using at least one fixing portion. According to this construction method, the already installed heater can be maintained and the power consumption of the heater can be reduced. Since an air layer is used, the thickness of the heat insulation sheet can be reduced and sufficient heat insulation performance can be ensured.

[0027] (17) Among the construction methods described in (16), the one or more heat insulation sheets have a first fixing portion and a second fixing portion that can be installed and disassembled with each other as the at least one fixing portion. In the second step, the first fixing portion and the second fixing portion are installed with each other to fix the positions of the one or more heat insulation sheets on the heater. Thus, since the first fixing portion and the second fixing portion can be installed and disassembled with each other, the construction work can be facilitated. Description of the Drawings

[0028] Figure 1A is a perspective view showing an example of the heat insulation structure of the pipe proposed by the present invention.

[0029] Figure 1B is Figure 1A an enlarged view of area 1b in

[0030] Figure 2 is a perspective view showing another example of the heat insulation structure.

[0031] Figure 3 is an expanded view (plan view) of the heat insulation sheet shown in Fig. 1.

[0032] Figure 4 is according to Figure 3Cross-sectional view of the heat insulation sheet obtained along the line IV-IV shown

[0033] Figure 5A It is a cross-sectional view of the heat insulation structure obtained from a cross-section along the length direction of the pipe

[0034] Figure 5B Is Figure 5A An enlarged view of the Vb region shown

[0035] Figure 6 It is a cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the heat insulation structure of the pipe

[0036] Figure 7 It is a perspective view showing a modified example of the heat insulation sheet

[0037] Figure 8 It is a cross-sectional view showing another modified example of the heat insulation sheet

[0038] Figure 9 It is a schematic view showing another modified example of the heat insulation sheet

[0039] Figure 10 It is a schematic view showing another modified example of the heat insulation sheet Detailed implementation mode

[0040] Hereinafter, the heat insulation structure of the pipe, the pipe heating system, the heat insulation sheet, and the construction method of the heat insulation structure proposed by the present invention will be described. In this specification, as an example, the pipe heating system 1, the heat insulation structure 50, the heat insulation sheets 51A and 51B, and the construction method of the heat insulation structure 50 shown in FIG. 1 and the like will be described

[0041] The pipe heating system 1 is applicable to the pipe 100. The pipe 100 is, for example, a pipe provided in a manufacturing apparatus for semiconductors or flat panel displays. In the film formation step and the etching step in the manufacture of semiconductors or flat panel displays, various gases are used and waste gases are generated. The pipe heating system 1 prevents a reduction in efficiency caused by the condensation of the supplied gas inside the pipe 100 and the blockage of the pipe caused by the precipitation of waste gas by heating the pipe 100

[0042] As Figure 1A Shown, the pipe heating system 1 has: a heater 10 covering the pipe 100; and a heat insulation structure 50 covering the outside of the heater 10

[0043] [Heater]

[0044] The heater 10 is a sheathed heater and is cylindrical for sheathing the pipe 100. The heater 10 has a heat insulating material 13, an outer skin material 11 covering the outside of the heat insulating material 13, an inner skin material 12 covering the inside of the heat insulating material 13, and a fabric 14. A heating wire 14a serving as a heat source is sewn to the fabric 14. The heating wire 14a is arranged along the inside of the heat insulating material 13.

[0045] The outer skin material 11 and the inner skin material 12 can be, for example, sheets (including fabrics) having heat resistance. The material of the outer skin material 11 and the material of the inner skin material 12 can be the same or different. The outer skin material 11 and the inner skin material 12 can be, for example, porous sheets, inorganic fiber sheets, resin sheets, etc. As an example of the porous sheet, a sheet of PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) can be cited. As an example of the inorganic fiber sheet, glass cloth can be cited. The resin sheet is, for example, a sheet of fluororesin. In addition, silicon or fluorine can be coated on the porous sheet.

[0046] The heat insulating material 13 is formed of, for example, flame retardant fibers. The material of the heat insulating material 13 can be inorganic fibers or organic fibers. The inorganic fibers can be, for example, glass fibers, ceramic fibers, silica fibers, etc. The organic fibers can be, for example, aramid fibers, polyamides, polyimides, fluororesin fibers, etc.

[0047] The heating wire 14a is, for example, a nickel-chromium alloy resistor. The heating wire 14a is sewn to the fabric 14. The fabric 14 is an inorganic fiber-made sheet such as glass cloth, etc. The heating wire 14a is connected to a power source via a lead wire 15.

[0048] The heater 10 can have flexibility. That is, the heat insulating material 13, the outer skin material 11, the inner skin material 12, and the fabric 14 constituting the heater 10 can each have flexibility. In this case, the heater 10 is wound around the outside of the pipe 100 during its installation process and formed into a cylindrical shape. The heater 10 can also not have flexibility. In this case, the heater 10 can have an arc-shaped cross section. Moreover, multiple heaters 10 can be installed on the outside of the pipe 100 to form a cylindrical heater as a whole. For example, the heater 10 can also be formed into a semi-cylindrical shape. In this case, two heaters 10 can also be arranged in such a way as to sandwich the pipe 100 to form a cylindrical heating device as a whole.

[0049] [Heat insulation structure]

[0050] As Figure 1A shown, the heat insulation structure 50 has heat insulation sheets 51A, 51B covering the outside of the heater 10. The heat insulation sheets 51A, 51B are cylindrical as a whole, and the heater 10 and the pipe 100 are arranged inside thereof. An air layer B is ensured between the heat insulation sheets 51A, 51B and the heater 10.

[0051] As Figure 1BAs shown, the heat insulating sheets 51A and 51B have a heat insulating sheet base material 52. Moreover, the heat insulating sheets 51A and 51B may have a metal layer 53 formed on the inner surface (the surface facing the heater 10 and the pipe 100) of the heat insulating sheet base material 52. Through the reflection effect of the metal layer 53, the heat insulating performance of the heat insulating structure 50 can be improved, and the power consumption of the heater 10 can be further reduced. Moreover, since the metal layer 53 is not exposed outside the heat insulating sheets 51A and 51B, charging of the metal layer 53 can be suppressed.

[0052] The heat insulating sheet base material 52 can be, for example, a porous sheet material, an inorganic fiber sheet material, a resin sheet material, etc. As an example of the porous sheet material, a porous PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) sheet can be used. As an example of the inorganic fiber sheet material, glass cloth can be used.

[0053] The resin sheet material is, for example, a fluororesin sheet. Examples of the fluororesin include: PFA (tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkoxyethylene copolymer), FEP (tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene copolymer), PCTFE (polychlorotrifluoroethylene), ETFE (tetrafluoroethylene-ethylene copolymer), ECTFE (chlorotrifluoroethylene-ethylene copolymer), PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride). Examples of the material of the resin sheet material include polyamide, polycarbonate, polyacetal, polybutylene terephthalate, modified polyphenylene ether, polyphenylene sulfide, polysulfone, polyethersulfone, polyarylate, polyetheretherketone, polyimide, polyetherimide, polymethylpentene, etc.

[0054] The metal layer 53 can be, for example, a metal sheet (thin film). It is preferable that the metal has a high reflectivity such as aluminum or SUS. In this case, the metal layer 53 can be sewn on the inner surface of the heat insulating sheet base material 52 with a thread. The metal layer 53 can also be adhered to the heat insulating sheet base material 52 with an adhesive.

[0055] As Figure 4 As shown, the edge portion 52a of the heat insulating sheet base material 52 can be folded back so as to cover the edge portion 53a of the metal sheet, that is, the metal layer 53. (Hereinafter, the edge portion 52a will be referred to as the "folded-back edge portion".) Moreover, the folded-back edge portion 52a can be sewn to the metal layer 53 and the portion of the heat insulating sheet base material 52 facing the folded-back edge portion (the portion located on the opposite side of the folded-back edge portion 52a across the edge portion 53a of the metal layer 53). Thereby, for example, in the construction of the heat insulating structure 50, it is possible to prevent the edge portion 53a of the metal layer 53 from catching other members and prevent damage to the edge portion.

[0056] The folded-back edge portion 52a can be, for example, the end portion in the longitudinal direction of the pipe 100 around which the heat insulating sheets 51A and 51B are wound. Alternatively, the folded-back edge portion 52a can be the end portion in the circumferential direction of the pipe 100.

[0057] As described above, the metal layer 53 is formed of, for example, a metal sheet and sewn onto the heat insulating sheet base material 52 with a thread. Alternatively, the metal layer 53 may be formed on the heat insulating sheet base material 52 by vapor deposition. As yet another example, the metal layer 53 may be formed by vapor deposition on a resin sheet different from the heat insulating sheet base material 52. Further, the resin sheet may be sewn onto the heat insulating sheet base material 52 with a thread or adhered to the heat insulating sheet base material 52 with an adhesive.

[0058] The heat insulating sheets 51A and 51B may be flexible. That is, the heat insulating sheets 51A and 51B can be bent from a flat state as shown in Figure 3 such that they conform to the outer surface of the heater 10 as shown in Figure 1A . By using such heat insulating sheets 51A and 51B, the construction work of the heat insulating structure 50 can be improved.

[0059] When the heat insulating sheet base material 52 is, for example, the above-mentioned porous PTFE sheet, its thickness may be 0.5 mm or more and 5.0 mm or less. When the metal layer 53 is, for example, an aluminum sheet, its thickness may be 0.01 mm or more and 0.7 mm or less. By forming the heat insulating sheets 51A and 51B with the above-mentioned thicknesses, the heat insulating sheets 51A and 51B can have sufficient flexibility. The thickness of the heat insulating sheet base material 52 as the porous PTFE sheet is preferably 0.5 mm or more and 2.0 mm or less. The thickness of the metal layer 53 as the metal sheet is preferably 0.01 mm or more and 0.2 mm or less.

[0060] In addition, the thickness of the heat insulating sheets 51A and 51B may be smaller than the thickness of the heater 10. The thickness of the heater 10 may be, for example, 20 mm to 30 mm. The thickness of the air layer B may be larger than the thickness of the heat insulating sheets 51A and 51B. The thickness of the air layer B may be, for example, 5 mm to 50 mm.

[0061] [Multiple heat insulating sheets]

[0062] In the example shown in Figure 1A , the heat insulating structure 50 wraps around the entire circumference of the pipe 100 with two heat insulating sheets 51A and 51B. That is, each of the heat insulating sheets 51A and 51B is in a semi-cylindrical shape centered on the pipe 100, and the two heat insulating sheets 51A and 51B are combined to form a cylindrical shape that wraps around the entire circumference of the pipe 100.

[0063] The two heat insulating sheets 51A and 51B have the same structure. That is, the dimensions of the heat insulating sheets 51A and 51B (the dimensions of the pipe 100 in the longitudinal direction and the circumferential direction) may be the same. Further, the installation structure of the fixing portions 54a and 54b described later or the structure of the metal layer 53 may also be the same. Thereby, the manufacturing cost of the heat insulating structure 50 can be reduced.

[0064] Hereinafter, when differentiating between the two heat insulating sheets 51A and 51B, the heat insulating sheet 51A is referred to as the first heat insulating sheet, and the heat insulating sheet 51B is referred to as the second heat insulating sheet.

[0065] In addition, the number of heat insulating sheets covering the pipe 100 may not be two. The entire circumference of the pipe 100 may be covered with one heat insulating sheet, or the entire circumference of the pipe 100 may be covered with three or more heat insulating sheets.

[0066] [Connection of Multiple Heat Insulating Sheets]

[0067] As shown in Figure 1A and Figure 1B , the first heat insulating sheet 51A has fixing portions 54a and 54b respectively at two edge portions 51a and 51b that are opposite to each other in the circumferential direction of the pipe 100. Hereinafter, the edge portions 51a and 51b are referred to as mounting edge portions. The second heat insulating sheet 51B also has fixing portions 54a and 54b respectively at two mounting edge portions 51a and 51b that are opposite to each other in the circumferential direction of the pipe 100. The fixing portion 54a of the first heat insulating sheet 51A and the fixing portion 54b of the second heat insulating sheet 51B can be mounted and dismounted from each other. That is, the fixing portions 54a and 54b are not portions mounted with bolts or screws. An operator can mount or dismount the fixing portions 54a and 54b from each other without using tools such as a screwdriver or a wrench. The fixing portion 54b of the first heat insulating sheet 51A and the fixing portion 54a of the second heat insulating sheet 51B can also be mounted and dismounted from each other. The first heat insulating sheet 51A and the second heat insulating sheet 51B are connected in the circumferential direction of the pipe 100 by the fixing portions 54a and 54b to form a cylindrical shape.

[0068] As the fixing portions 54a and 54b, for example, a hook-and-loop fastener can be used. That is, the fixing portions 54a and 54b can be Magic tape (registered trademark) or VELCRO (registered trademark). As described above, the heat insulating sheets 51A and 51B have a heat insulating sheet base material 52. The hook-and-loop fastener serving as the fixing portions 54a and 54b can be sewn on the folded edge portion 52a of the heat insulating sheet base material 52 or adhered to the folded edge portion 52a of the heat insulating sheet base material 52 with an adhesive.

[0069] When using a hook-and-loop fastener as the fixing portions 54a and 54b, the fixing portions 54a and 54b can be mounted and dismounted repeatedly. Therefore, the installation and disassembly of the heat insulating sheets 51A and 51B with respect to the heater 10 are permitted, and the construction work of the heat insulating structure 50 can be simplified. Moreover, the width (width in the radial direction of the pipe 100) of the portions mounted with each other in the fixing portions 54a and 54b can be adjusted. By adjusting this width, the same type of heat insulating sheets 51A and 51B can be used on multiple pipes with different outer diameters or multiple heaters 10 with different outer diameters.

[0070] The hook-and-loop fasteners serving as the fixing parts 54a and 54b extend not only to the mounting flange parts 51a and 51b extending in the radial direction of the pipe 100, but also to the inner surfaces (inner surfaces of the metal layer 53) of the heat insulating sheets 51A and 51B from the mounting flange parts 51a and 51b. Thus, the width of the hook-and-loop fastener increases, and accordingly, the degrees of freedom of the dimensions of the pipe 100 or the heater 10 applicable to the heat insulating sheets 51A and 51B can be increased.

[0071] The fixing parts 54a and 54b can be connected from one end part to the other end part of the mounting flange parts 51a and 51b of the respective heat insulating sheets 51A and 51B. Alternatively, the fixing parts 54a and 54b can be intermittently provided from one end part to the other end part of the mounting flange parts 51a and 51b. That is, a plurality of fixing parts 54a and 54b can be arranged along the mounting flange parts 51a and 51b.

[0072] In addition, hooks can be provided as the fixing part 54a in the mounting flange parts 51a and 51b of the respective heat insulating sheets 51A and 51B instead of the hook-and-loop fasteners. In this case, the fixing part 54b can be a hole or a hook for latching the hook. In another example, magnets can also be provided as the fixing parts 54a and 54b. In these cases, the fixing parts 54a and 54b can also be repeatedly installed or removed. Therefore, the installation and removal of the heat insulating sheets 51A and 51B with respect to the heater 10 are permitted, and the construction work of the heat insulating structure 50 can be simplified.

[0073] As Figure 3 shown, each of the heat insulating sheets 51A and 51B has a surface 51c. The surface 51c is a surface including the surface (inner surface) facing the pipe 100 when the heat insulating sheets 51A and 51B are bent so as to cover the outside of the pipe 100. The above-mentioned metal layer 53 is provided on the surface 51c. Both of the fixing parts 54a and 54b are installed on the surface 51c.

[0074] When the heat insulating sheets 51A and 51B are installed on the pipe 100, the mounting flange parts 51a and 51b project from the cylindrical parts of the heat insulating sheets 51A and 51B toward the outside in the radial direction of the pipe 100 as Figure 1B shown. Moreover, the fixing parts 54a and 54b face each other in the circumferential direction of the pipe 100 and are mutually installed. According to this structure, for example, as Figure 1A shown, it is easy to pull out the wire 15 from between the mounting flange parts 51a and 51b. The wire 15 is, for example, a wire extending from the heating wire 14a of the heater 10 or a wire of a thermocouple or a thermostat for controlling the heater 10.

[0075] As Figure 2As shown, a branch pipe 100b can be connected to the pipe 100. The branch pipe 100b extends from the pipe 100 in a direction intersecting the pipe 100. The branch pipe 100b extends outward in the radial direction of the pipe 100 between the mounting flange portions 51a and 51b (between the fixing portions 54a and 54b).

[0076] Since the mounting flange portions 51a and 51b and the fixing portions 54a and 54b extend outward in the radial direction of the pipe 100, it is easy to sufficiently ensure the widths of the mounting flange portions 51a and 51b and the fixing portions 54a and 54b in the radial direction of the pipe 100. As a result, regardless of the position of the wire 15 ( Figure 1A ), or the position of the branch pipe 100b ( Figure 2 ), the gap between the fixing portions 54a and 54b can be reduced.

[0077] In addition, the positions of the fixing portions 54A and 54B are not limited to the examples shown in Figure 1A etc. For example, in the examples shown in Figure 1A etc., both the fixing portions 54a and 54b are provided on the surface 51c (including the surface that faces the inner surface of the pipe 100 when the heat insulating sheets 51A and 51B are bent so as to cover the outside of the pipe 100). Alternatively, one fixing portion 54a may be provided on the surface 51c, and the other fixing portion 54b may be provided on the back surface (including the outer peripheral surface that faces the opposite side of the pipe 100 when the heat insulating sheets 51A and 51B are bent so as to cover the outside of the pipe 100). In this case, when the fixing portions 54a and 54b are mounted to each other, a part of one of the heat insulating sheets 51A and 51B is disposed inside the other heat insulating sheet.

[0078] [Structure for ensuring an air layer]

[0079] As described above, an air layer B ( Figure 1A ) is ensured between the heat insulating sheets 51A and 51B and the outside of the heater 10. Through the air layer B, the heat insulating performance of the heat insulating structure 50 can be improved.

[0080] The air layer B can be ensured by using the structures of the pipe 100. As Figure 5AAs shown, the pipe 100 has a first partial pipe 101 and a second partial pipe 102 that are connected to each other in the longitudinal direction of the pipe 100. Joint parts 101a and 102a are provided at both ends of the first partial pipe 101 and both ends of the second partial pipe 102, respectively. The partial pipes 101 and 102 are connected to each other via the joint parts 101a and 102a. The joint parts 101a and 102a are fixed to each other by bolts or clamp members, for example. The joint parts 101a and 102a have a diameter larger than that of the partial pipes 101 and 102. The joint parts 101a and 102a of the respective partial pipes 101 and 102 are located inside the heat insulating sheets 51A and 51B, and the inside of the heat insulating sheets 51A and 51B is supported by the joint parts 101a and 102a. Thereby, an air layer B can be ensured without increasing the number of parts.

[0081] As Figure 5A shown, the heat insulating structure 50 may have a joint heat insulating part 21 that surrounds the joint parts 101a and 102a. The joint heat insulating part 21 has side parts 21a and 21b that sandwich the joint parts 101a and 102a in the longitudinal direction of the pipe 100 and a ring part 21c. The ring part 21c surrounds the outside of the joint parts 101a and 102a in the radial direction of the pipe 100. The heat insulating sheets 51A and 51B are installed outside the joint heat insulating part 21 so as to surround the joint heat insulating part 21. Thereby, the air layer B with an increased thickness amount of the ring part 21c can be obtained, and the heat insulating performance can be further improved.

[0082] [Connection of heat insulating sheets in the longitudinal direction of the pipe]

[0083] As Figure 5A shown, the heat insulating structure 50 has heat insulating sheets 51C and 51D that are connected to the heat insulating sheets 51A and 51B in the longitudinal direction of the pipe 100. It is also possible that the third heat insulating sheet 51C is connected to the first heat insulating sheet 51A and the fourth heat insulating sheet 51D is connected to the second heat insulating sheet 51B. The structures of the third and fourth heat insulating sheets 51C and 51D may be the same as those of the first and second heat insulating sheets 51A and 51B.

[0084] The joint parts 101a and 102a are located inside the third and fourth heat insulating sheets 51C and 51D, and the inside of the third and fourth heat insulating sheets 51C and 51D is supported by the joint heat insulating part 21. Thereby, an air layer B can be ensured inside the heat insulating sheets 51C and 51D without increasing the number of parts.

[0085] Figure 5AIn the example shown, the edges 51e of the first and second heat insulating sheets 51A and 51B and the edges 51f of the third and fourth heat insulating sheets 51C and 51D are located outside the joint portions 101a and 102a (outside in the radial direction of the pipe 100). The edges 51e of the first and second heat insulating sheets 51A and 51B and the edges 51f of the third and fourth heat insulating sheets 51C and 51D are supported by the joint portions 101a and 102a and overlap each other.

[0086] The connection between the first and second heat insulating sheets 51A and 51B and the third and fourth heat insulating sheets 51C and 51D can also be achieved using a hook-and-loop fastener. As Figure 3 shown, a fixing portion 54c serving as a hook-and-loop fastener is installed at the edge 51e of the heat insulating sheets 51A and 51B in the longitudinal direction of the pipe 100 (the end portion in the direction indicated by the arrow Db in Figure 3 ). The fixing portion 54c is installed on the surface (outer surface) that faces the side opposite to the pipe 100 when the heat insulating sheets 51A and 51B are bent so as to cover the outside of the pipe 100 (see Figure 5B ). A fixing portion 54d is installed at the edge 51f on the side opposite to the edge 51e. This fixing portion 54d is installed on the surface 51c. That is, the fixing portion 54d is installed on the surface (inner surface) that faces the pipe 100. The third and fourth heat insulating sheets 51C and 51D also have fixing portions 54c and 54d similar to the first and second heat insulating sheets 51A and 51B.

[0087] As Figure 5A and Figure 5B shown, the edges 51e of the first and second heat insulating sheets 51A and 51B are located outside the joint portions 101a and 102a. The edges 51f of the third and fourth heat insulating sheets 51C and 51D are located outside the first and second heat insulating sheets 51A and 51B. Moreover, the fixing portion 54c of the first and second heat insulating sheets 51A and 51B and the fixing portion 54d of the third and fourth heat insulating sheets 51C and 51D are installed facing each other in the radial direction of the pipe 100.

[0088] According to this structure, when constructing the heat insulating sheets 51A to 51D, the fixing portions 54c and 54d can be installed on each other in a state where the edges 51e of the first and second heat insulating sheets 51A and 51B and the edges 51f of the third and fourth heat insulating sheets 51C and 51C are supported by the joint portions 101a and 102a. As a result, the construction work can be facilitated.

[0089] [Construction Method]

[0090] An example of the construction method of the heat insulating structure 50 will be described. The heater 10 can be installed in advance on the outside of the pipe 100.

[0091] An operator wraps the outer side of the heater 10 with the first heat insulating sheet 51A and the second heat insulating sheet 51B. At this time, an air layer B is ensured between the first and second heat insulating sheets 51A, 51B and the heater 10. The operator arranges the first and second heat insulating sheets 51A, 51B in such a manner that the end portions 51e, 51f of the first and second heat insulating sheets 51A, 51B wrap the outer side of the joint heat insulating portion 21. Next, the operator mutually installs the fixing portion 54a (or the fixing portion 54b) installed on the mounting edge portion 51a (or 51b) of the first heat insulating sheet 51A and the fixing portion 54b (or the fixing portion 54a) installed on the mounting edge portion 51b (or 51a) of the second heat insulating sheet 51B. Thereby, with an air layer B ensured between the first and second heat insulating sheets 51A, 51B and the heater 10, the positions of the first and second heat insulating sheets 51A, 51B are fixed to the heater 10.

[0092] The mounting edge portions 51a, 51b (the fixing portions 54a, 54b) are made to project outward in the radial direction of the pipe 100 from the cylindrical portions of the first and second heat insulating sheets 51A, 51B. The operator makes the fixing portions 54a, 54b face each other in the circumferential direction of the pipe 100 and mutually installs them. At this time, Figure 1A the wire 15 shown in Figure 2 or the branch pipe 100b shown in is arranged between the fixing portions 54a, 54b.

[0093] In addition, the number of heat insulating sheets surrounding the pipe 100 can be one or three or more. When the number of heat insulating sheets is one, the operator wraps the entire circumference of the pipe 100 with the one heat insulating sheet and installs the fixing portion 54a and the fixing portion 54b located at both ends of the heat insulating sheet. When the number of heat insulating sheets is, for example, three, the operator wraps the entire circumference of the pipe 100 with the three heat insulating sheets. Next, the operator mutually installs the fixing portion 54a located at the edge portion 51a of the heat insulating sheet and the fixing portion 54b located at the edge portion 51b of the adjacent heat insulating sheet.

[0094] After installing the first and second heat insulating sheets 51A, 51B, the operator wraps the outer side of the heater 10 with the third and fourth heat insulating sheets 51C, 51D. At this time, the third and fourth heat insulating sheets 51C, 51D are arranged in such a manner that the end portions 51e, 51f of the third and fourth heat insulating sheets 51C, 51D wrap the outer side of the joint heat insulating portion 21. And, the operator connects the edge portion 51f of the third and fourth heat insulating sheets 51C, 51D (refer to Figure 5B ) to the edge portion 51e of the first and second heat insulating sheets 51A, 51B (refer to Figure 5B)。That is, the operator disposes the edges 51f of the third and fourth heat insulating sheets 51C and 51D outside the edges 51e of the first and second heat insulating sheets 51A and 51B. Next, the fixing parts 54c of the edge 51e and the fixing parts 54d of the edge 51f are installed. At this time, the edges 51e and 51f are supported by the joint parts 101a and 102a located inside them. The operator sequentially performs the above construction steps along the pipe 100.

[0095] [Summary]

[0096] As described above, the heat insulation structure 50 has the first and second heat insulating sheets 51A and 51B that cover the outside of the heater 10 installed on the pipe 100 and form an air layer B therebetween. The first and second heat insulating sheets 51A and 51B have mounting edges 51a and 51b that are located on opposite sides of each other in the circumferential direction of the pipe 100. Fixing parts 54a and 54b are respectively provided on the mounting edges 51a and 51b. The fixing part 54a (or 54b) of the first heat insulating sheet 51A and the fixing part 54b (or 54a) of the second heat insulating sheet 51B are parts that can be installed and disassembled without using tools such as a screwdriver or a wrench. The fixing part 54a (or 54b) of the first heat insulating sheet 51A and the fixing part 54b (or 54a) of the second heat insulating sheet 51B are mutually installed, and the first and second heat insulating sheets 51A and 51B cover the heater 10 and the pipe 100.

[0097] According to this structure, the already installed heater 10 can be maintained and the power consumption of the heater 10 can be reduced. Since the air layer B is utilized, the thickness of the heat insulating sheets 51A and 51B can be reduced while ensuring sufficient heat insulation performance. Also, since the two fixing parts 54a and 54b can be installed and disassembled, the construction work can be facilitated.

[0098] The joint parts 101a and 102a of the pipe 100 are located inside the first and second heat insulating sheets 51A and 51B. According to this structure, the air layer B can be easily ensured.

[0099] The heat insulating sheet 51A has mounting edges 51a and 51b that are located on opposite sides of each other in the circumferential direction of the pipe 100. Fixing parts 54a and 54b that can be mutually installed and disassembled are provided on the mounting edges 51a and 51b. According to this heat insulating sheet 51A, by using a plurality of heat insulating sheets having the same structure (that is, the second heat insulating sheet 51B, the third heat insulating sheet 51C, and the fourth heat insulating sheet 51D), the pipe 100 can be covered. Also, since the fixing parts 54a and 54b can be installed and disassembled, the construction work can be facilitated.

[0100] [Variant Example]

[0101] In addition, the heat insulation structure and the like proposed by the present invention are not limited to the examples described above.

[0102] For example, it may also be different from the example shown in Figure 5A In this case, the heat insulation structure 50 does not have the joint heat insulation part 21. In this case, the heat insulation sheets 51A to 51D can be joined to the outer peripheral surfaces of the joint parts 101a and 102a of the pipe 100.

[0103] In addition, the support of the heat insulation sheets 51A to 51D may not utilize the joint parts 101a and 102a. In this case, a dedicated member for supporting the heat insulation sheets 51A to 51D can also be installed outside the heater 10. For example, an annular support member can be installed outside the heater 10. Moreover, the heat insulation sheets 51A to 51D can be installed outside the support member.

[0104] Not only the inner surface of the heat insulation sheet, but also a metal layer can be formed on the outer peripheral surface. Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the heat insulation structure 150 composed of such heat insulation sheets. Hereinafter, the differences between the heat insulation structure 150 and the heat insulation structure 50 will be mainly described. For matters not described for the heat insulation structure 150, they can be the same as the example of the heat insulation structure 50.

[0105] The heat insulation structure 150 has heat insulation sheets 151A and 151B. In addition to the above-mentioned heat insulation sheet base material 52 and metal layer 53, the heat insulation sheets 151A and 151B also include a metal layer 55. The metal layer 55 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the heat insulation sheet base material 52. The metal layer 55 is, for example, a metal thin film (sheet). In this case, the metal layer 55 is, for example, sewn on the heat insulation sheet base material 52 with a thread or adhered to the heat insulation sheet base material 52 with an adhesive. Alternatively, the metal layer 55 is a resin sheet material with a metal formed on the surface by vapor deposition. In this case, the resin sheet material can be sewn to the heat insulation sheet base material 52 or adhered to the heat insulation sheet base material 52 with an adhesive.

[0106] In addition, in the above-mentioned heat insulation structure 50, the inner sides of the heat insulation sheets 51A and 51B are supported by the joint parts 101a and 102a of the pipe 100, thereby ensuring the air layer B. Alternatively, a structure for ensuring the air layer can be formed on the heat insulation sheet. For example, as Figure 7 shown, a plurality of convex portions 251a can be formed on the heat insulation sheet 251. Such convex portions 251a can be formed by embossing. In addition, as Figure 8 shown, the heat insulation sheet 351 has a truss structure or a honeycomb structure. That is, the heat insulation sheet 351 can have an outer side sheet portion 351b, an inner side sheet portion 351c, and a spacer portion 351a formed therebetween. The spacer portion 351a is a sheet material that is wavy between the outer side sheet portion 351b and the inner side sheet portion 351c.

[0107] In the examples shown in FIG. 1 and the like, the heat insulating sheets 51A and 51B have fixing portions 54a and 54b at their mounting edge portions 51a and 51b. However, the positions of the fixing portions 54a and 54b may not be at the mounting edge portions 51a and 51b. For example, the first fixing portion provided at one end portion of the heat insulating sheet in the circumferential direction of the pipe 100 may be mounted on the second fixing portion provided in the middle portion of the heat insulating sheet in the circumferential direction of the pipe 100. In this case, the first fixing portion and the second fixing portion may be constituted by a hook-and-loop fastener or the like and can be mounted and disassembled with each other. In this case, the construction work of the heat insulating sheet can also be facilitated. Moreover, the same type of heat insulating sheet can be used for pipes or heaters with different diameters.

[0108] In addition, as Figure 5A shown, the end portions of the heat insulating sheets 51A and 51B in the longitudinal direction of the pipe 100 reach the joint portions 101a and 102a of the partial pipes 101 and 102 and cover the outside of the joint portions 101a and 102a. Alternatively, the heat insulating sheets may be arranged between the joint portions provided at both end portions of the respective partial pipes 101 and 102. Figure 9 is a schematic diagram showing an example of such a heat insulating sheet.

[0109] Figure 9 In [the figure], in the pipe 100, the first partial pipe 101 has joint portions 101a at both its end portions, and the second partial pipe 102 has joint portions 102a at both its end portions. The heat insulating sheet 51E is arranged between the joint portions 101a at both end portions of the first partial pipe 101. That is, the edge portion 51g of the heat insulating sheet 51E in the longitudinal direction of the pipe 100 is located between the joint portions 101a at both end portions. Similarly, the heat insulating sheet 51F is arranged between the joint portions 102a at both end portions of the second partial pipe 102.

[0110] The diameters of the heat insulating sheets 51E and 51F at the edge portion 51g correspond to the outer diameter of the heater 10. On the other hand, in the heat insulating sheets 51E and 51F, the portion 51h between the edge portions 51g has a diameter larger than that of the heater 10. Therefore, an air layer B is formed between the portion 51h and the outer peripheral surface of the heater 10. A spacer for ensuring the air layer B may also be arranged between the portion 51h and the outer peripheral surface of the heater 10.

[0111] The edge portion 51g can be fixed to the heater 10, for example, by a band or a rope wound around the outer side of the heat insulating sheet 51E. Alternatively, fixing portions (such as hook-and-loop fasteners) may be provided on the inner peripheral surface of the edge portion 51g, and fixing portions (such as hook-and-loop fasteners) may also be provided on the outer peripheral surface of the heater 10. Moreover, the edge portion 51g can be mounted on the heater 10 through the fixing portions. As another example, since the diameter of the heat insulating sheet 51E of the edge portion 51g corresponds to the outer diameter of the heater 10, the edge portion 51g is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the heater 10, and thus the positions of the heat insulating sheets 51E and 51F can also be fixed on the heater 10.

[0112] Each of the heat insulating sheets 51E and 51F may not be a single heat insulating sheet. That is, as Figure 1A shown, etc., each of the heat insulating sheets 51E and 51F may be composed of a plurality of heat insulating sheets connected in the circumferential direction of the pipe 100.

[0113] In the example shown in FIG. 1 etc., the hook-and-loop fasteners mounted on the mounting edge portions 51a and 51b of the heat insulating sheets 51A and 51B are used as the fixing portions 54a and 54b. Alternatively, the fixing portion may be a band or a rope wound around the outer side of the heat insulating sheet. Figure 10 is a perspective view showing an example of this type. In the example shown in this figure, a single heat insulating sheet 51G covers the entire circumference of the pipe 100. One edge portion 51j of the heat insulating sheet 51G overlaps the other edge portion 51k of the heat insulating sheet 51G. The fixing portion 54A is wound around the outer side of the heat insulating sheet 51G, and is a band for fixing the position of the heat insulating sheet 51G on the heater 10.

[0114] In addition, the pipe 100 may be covered by a plurality of heat insulating sheets arranged side by side in the circumferential direction. The fixing portion 54A may also be wound around the outer sides of the plurality of heat insulating sheets to fix the positions of the heat insulating sheets.

Claims

1. An insulating structure for a pipe, comprising: One or more insulating sheets that cover the outside of a heater installed on the pipe and form an air layer therebetween; and At least one fixing portion that secures the air layer and simultaneously fixes the position of the one or more insulating sheets on the heater.

2. The insulating structure for a pipe according to claim 1, wherein The one or more insulating sheets have a first fixing portion and a second fixing portion that can be installed and disassembled with each other as the at least one fixing portion, The position of the one or more insulating sheets is fixed on the heater by the mutual installation of the first fixing portion and the second fixing portion.

3. The insulating structure for a pipe according to claim 2, wherein The one or more insulating sheets have a first edge portion and a second edge portion that are located on opposite sides of each other in the circumferential direction of the pipe, The first fixing portion and the second fixing portion are respectively installed on the first edge portion and the second edge portion.

4. The insulating structure for a pipe according to claim 1, wherein The pipe has: a first partial pipe and a second partial pipe that are connected to each other in the length direction of the pipe; and a joint portion that is disposed at the end of the first partial pipe and the end of the second partial pipe and has an outer diameter larger than that of the first partial pipe and the second partial pipe, The joint portion is located inside the one or more insulating sheets.

5. The insulating structure for a pipe according to claim 1, wherein The pipe includes a plurality of partial pipes that are connected to each other in the length direction of the pipe, Each of the plurality of partial pipes has a first joint portion and a second joint portion for connecting to an adjacent partial pipe at one end and the other end of each partial pipe, respectively, The one or more insulating sheets are disposed between the first joint portion and the second joint portion.

6. The insulating structure for a pipe according to claim 2, wherein The first fixing portion and the second fixing portion include at least one of a hook-and-loop fastener, a magnet, and a hook.

7. The insulating structure for a pipe according to claim 1, wherein The at least one fixing portion includes at least one of a band and a rope that is wound around the outside of the one or more insulating sheets to fix the position of the one or more insulating sheets on the heater.

8. The insulating structure for a pipe according to claim 2, wherein The one or more insulating sheets include: a first insulating sheet having the first edge portion provided with the first fixing portion; and a second insulating sheet having the second edge portion provided with the second fixing portion, The first insulating sheet and the second insulating sheet are connected in the circumferential direction of the pipe by the first fixing portion and the second fixing portion.

9. The insulating structure for a pipe according to claim 8, wherein The first fixing portion and the second fixing portion are arranged and installed so as to protrude in the radial direction of the pipe and face each other in the circumferential direction of the pipe.

10. The insulating structure for a pipe according to claim 1, wherein The one or more insulating sheets include a first insulating sheet and a third insulating sheet that are connected in the length direction of the pipe, The first heat insulating sheet has a third edge portion in the longitudinal direction of the pipe, and a third fixing portion provided on the third edge portion. The third heat insulating sheet has a fourth edge portion in the longitudinal direction of the pipe, and a fourth fixing portion provided on the fourth edge portion. The third fixing portion and the fourth fixing portion are mounted to each other.

11. The heat insulation structure of a pipe according to claim 10, wherein The pipe has: a first partial pipe and a second partial pipe, which are connected to each other in the longitudinal direction of the pipe; And a joint portion, which is disposed at the end of the first partial pipe and the end of the second partial pipe, and has an outer diameter larger than that of the first partial pipe and the second partial pipe. The third fixing portion and the fourth fixing portion are mounted to each other at the position of the joint portion.

12. The heat insulation structure of a pipe according to claim 1, wherein The heat insulating sheet includes at least one of a porous sheet material, an inorganic fiber sheet material, and a resin sheet material.

13. The heat insulation structure of a pipe according to claim 1, wherein The one or more heat insulating sheets include a metal layer provided on its inner surface.

14. A pipe heating system, comprising: The heat insulation structure according to claim 1; and The heater.

15. A heat insulating sheet for ensuring an air layer between a heater covering a pipe and covering the outside of the heater. The heat insulating sheet has: A first edge portion and a second edge portion, which are located on opposite sides in the circumferential direction of the pipe; and A first fixing portion and a second fixing portion, which are respectively provided on the first edge portion and the second edge portion, and can be mounted and disassembled with each other.

16. A construction method of a heat insulation structure, comprising: A first step of covering the outside of a heater covering a pipe with one or more heat insulating sheets, and ensuring an air layer between the one or more heat insulating sheets and the heater; and A second step of ensuring the air layer and simultaneously fixing the positions of the one or more heat insulating sheets by using at least one fixing portion.

17. The construction method of a heat insulation structure according to claim 16, wherein The one or more heat insulating sheets have a first fixing portion and a second fixing portion that can be mounted and disassembled with each other as the at least one fixing portion. In the second step, the first fixing portion and the second fixing portion are mounted to each other, and the positions of the one or more heat insulating sheets are fixed to the heater.

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