Insulated Pipe Section Grooves for Tight Multi-Diameter Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing thermally insulating pipe systems require separate production for each pipe diameter, leading to high stockpiling and logistics costs, and often necessitate preparatory work to achieve a tight fit on pipes of varying diameters.

Innovation Solution

A thermally insulating pipe section with flexible webs extending up to a symmetry plane, incorporating grooves that allow easy mounting on pipes of different diameters without requiring adjustments, using bound mineral wool or flexible foams.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If separate pipe sections are produced for each pipe diameter, then a tight fit is achieved, but stockpiling and logistics costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetight fitVSAvoidstockpiling costs
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The pipe section is designed with a universal aperture that can accommodate multiple pipe diameters through the use of adjustable closing elements. The closing elements can be positioned at different locations to adjust the effective aperture size, allowing a single pipe section design to serve multiple pipe diameter requirements, thereby reducing the need to stockpile different sized sections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The aperture dimensions are made variable through the use of movable or adjustable closing elements rather than being fixed. This allows the aperture size to be changed to match different pipe diameters, enabling a single pipe section to adapt to various pipe sizes without requiring separate sections for each diameter.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of manufacture

If pipe sections are made with fixed aperture dimensions, then production is simplified, but adaptability to different pipe diameters is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction simplicityVSAvoidadaptability to different pipe diameters
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The aperture is segmented into fixed portions and movable closing elements. The fixed portions maintain production simplicity while the movable closing elements provide adaptability. This segmentation allows the majority of the structure to be manufactured uniformly while only requiring adjustment of specific components to accommodate different pipe diameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The closing elements are designed to be movable or adjustable rather than fixed, introducing dynamic capability to an otherwise static structure. This allows the aperture size to be modified after manufacturing, combining the benefits of simplified production with enhanced adaptability to different pipe diameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Manufacturing precision

If preparatory work is performed to achieve tight fit, then insulation quality improves, but installation time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsulation qualityVSAvoidinstallation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The closing elements are pre-positioned or pre-adjusted to match common pipe diameters during manufacturing, so that during installation, minimal adjustment is required. This preliminary preparation of the aperture configuration reduces the need for extensive on-site preparatory work while maintaining tight fit and insulation quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Enables easy installation on pipes of varying diameters with minimal preparatory work, eliminating air pockets and ensuring a tight fit, thus reducing production costs and logistical complexities.

Implementation Method 1

The flexible webs are deflected by mounting the parts or the pipe section to the outer surface of a pipe so that the flexible webs are used to close possible cavities and air pockets

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a thermally insulating pipe section mounted on said pipe, said pipe section comprising two longitudinal and substantially identical half-parts

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP4146974B1Thermally insulated pipe system, thermally insulating pipe section and method for producing a thermally insulating pipe section
Publication Date: 2025.09.17 ROCKWOOL AS
  • EP4146974B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4146974B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4146974B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a thermally insulated pipe system comprising a pipe having an outer diameter and a thermally insulating pipe section mounted on said pipe, said pipe section comprising two longitudinal parts each having a longitudinal opening, providing an aperture for accommodating the pipe whereby the two longitudinal parts are facing to each other in a symmetry plane, whereby two webs (7) are provided in each longitudinal opening (3) of the parts (2), each web (7) extending substantially to the symmetry plane (5) and being arranged under an angle (α) between 45° and 90° relative to the symmetry plane (5), thereby incorporating a first groove (8) between the webs (7) and second grooves (9) between each of the webs (7) and a surface (10) of the longitudinal opening (3).