Multilayered Pipe Valve Insulation Cover with Integral Pocket
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe valve insulation systems are difficult to remove and reapply properly, often leading to compromised insulation and condensation issues during maintenance, and may not provide adequate insulation after reinstallation.
Innovation Solution
A multilayered nonwoven insulating barrier with an integral pocket, featuring overlapping nonwoven layers stitched together, elastic members for sealing, and releasable members for easy wrapping and removal, which captures insulation and prevents moisture ingress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional separate insulation materials and exterior covers are used, then the insulation can be installed around the valve, but the insulation is difficult to remove and reapply properly, leading to compromised insulation and condensation issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the exterior cover and insulation into a single integrated assembly where the insulation is permanently retained within the cover structure. This merging eliminates the problem of separate components being improperly reassembled, as the integrated design ensures insulation and cover are always reinstalled together as one unit, maintaining both ease of operation and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulation cover is divided into multiple segments or sections that can be independently manipulated. This segmentation allows the cover to be easily opened, removed, and reinstalled while keeping the insulation securely held within each segment, facilitating maintenance operations without compromising insulation integrity.
2Ease of repair
If the insulation is removed from the valve for access, then the valve can be serviced, but the insulation is often improperly reinstalled or the cover is reinstalled without insulation, leading to condensation problems
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the insulation and exterior cover into an integrated assembly, the patent ensures that when the cover is removed for valve servicing, the insulation remains securely held within the cover structure. This eliminates the risk of insulation being left behind or improperly reinstalled, as the integrated design makes it impossible to separate the two components during reinstallation.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated cover structure acts as an intermediary that holds and transports the insulation between the installed and serviced states. The cover serves as a protective carrier for the insulation, ensuring it remains in its proper position and is always reinstalled with the valve, preventing condensation issues.
3Ease of manufacture
If a simple exterior cover design is used, then the cover is easy to manufacture and install, but it does not provide adequate insulation or moisture protection without separate insulation materials
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the exterior cover and insulation into a single manufactured unit, eliminating the need for separate insulation materials and assembly steps. This integration maintains the simplicity of the cover design for manufacturing while ensuring adequate insulation and moisture protection are built into the structure itself, improving reliability without complicating production.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Facilitates easy removal and reinstallation of insulation, maintains insulation integrity by preventing moisture saturation, and ensures consistent thermal performance.
Implementation Method 1
provide an exposed surface of the insulating barrier with an absorbent material which facilitates absorbing and/or wicking of any moisture that may condense and/or collect on the exterior surface of desired valve or other component to be insulated
Implementation Method 2
provide a substantially impermeable insulating barrier, between the insulation and the valve or other component to be insulated, so as to prevent the insulation from becoming wet, damp or saturated with moisture
Implementation Method 3
a first elastic member being secured to a first end of the insulating barrier to facilitate wrapping the first end around and forming a seal with the component and a second elastic member being secured to an opposed second end of the insulating barrier
Data Source
AI summary
A multilayered nonwoven insulating barrier with an integral pocket for installation of a component to be insulated. The insulating barrier has nonwoven layers that overlap one another and are stitched to one another by first pair of seams to form an integral pocket therebetween. An elastic member is secured to one end of the insulating barrier to facilitate wrapping the end around and forming a seal. A second elastic member is secured to an opposite end of the insulating barrier to facilitate wrapping the second end around and forming a seal. A releasable member is secured along a first lateral side of the insulating barrier and a mating releasable member is secured along an opposite second lateral side of the insulating barrier and the releasable members facilitate releasable wrapping of the insulating barrier about and forming a seal with the component.