Profile Traced Insulated Cover Assembly for Fluid Conduits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid delivery systems face challenges in efficiently controlling and maintaining the temperature of fluids within conduits, particularly in varying ambient conditions, which can lead to freezing, material solidification, and safety issues due to the need for invasive installation and potential leaks in heat exchanger systems.
Innovation Solution
A flexible cover assembly with thermally conductive fluid transfer profiles that can be easily wrapped around a fluid conduit, providing direct thermal contact and efficient temperature regulation through a heated or chilled fluid, reducing the need for invasive installation and minimizing material usage and labor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a coaxial heat exchanger system is installed by cutting, welding, or separating the pipe, then the temperature control capability is improved, but the installation complexity, time, and risk of leaks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger system is divided into modular sections that can be independently installed and connected. The flexible cover assembly with integrated heat exchange elements can be installed in segments along the pipe, eliminating the need for complex continuous installation. This segmentation allows for easier installation and maintenance while maintaining effective temperature control along the conduit.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchange profiles are nested within the flexible cover assembly, which itself is wrapped around the existing pipe. This nested structure allows the heat exchanger to be installed without removing or modifying the original pipe, simply by wrapping the cover assembly around it and securing the nested profiles in place.
2Temperature
If multiple sealing points are used in a coaxial heat exchanger system, then the temperature control effectiveness is improved, but the risk of leaks and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is extracted from the heat exchange structure itself and placed in the flexible cover assembly through which the profiles pass. The cover assembly provides a continuous sealing envelope that protects all sealing points, isolating them from the process fluid and preventing leaks while maintaining effective thermal contact between the profiles and the pipe.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible cover assembly uses composite construction with thermally conductive materials for heat transfer and sealing materials for leak prevention. This composite structure integrates both thermal effectiveness and leak prevention into a single assembly, eliminating the need for separate sealing components that could fail.
3Temperature
If invasive installation methods are used for heat exchanger systems, then the temperature regulation capability is improved, but the safety and operational downtime increase
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchange profiles are pre-assembled within the flexible cover assembly before installation. This preliminary configuration allows the entire heat exchanger unit to be installed as a complete package around the pipe, eliminating the need for on-site cutting, welding, or complex assembly operations. The system can be installed quickly by simply wrapping and securing the pre-assembled unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible cover assembly uses a flexible shell that can be easily wrapped around existing pipes of various diameters and configurations. This flexibility allows the heat exchanger to adapt to different installation locations without requiring rigid structural modifications to the pipe or surrounding infrastructure, enabling quick installation with minimal disruption to operations.
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
The flexible cover assembly effectively regulates the temperature of fluids within conduits, preventing freezing and solidification, while enhancing safety by eliminating the need for invasive installation and reducing the risk of leaks, thus improving operational efficiency and safety.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of thermally conductive fluid transfer profiles positioned within the flexible cover, each having a longitudinal surface contoured to substantially mate or conform with a longitudinal surface of the fluid conduit
Implementation Method 2
efficiently operated heat exchanger system for insulating and regulating the temperature of material in a fluid conduit
Data Source
AI summary
A cover assembly (10) is provided and includes a flexible fabric cover (21) within which a plurality of elongate, hollow thermal transfer fluid profiles (12) is positioned. Each of the profiles includes an arcuate outer surface (13) adapted to conform with an exterior of a fluid conduit (20). The cover assembly may be fastened circumferentially about a fluid conduit to position and maintain the profiles in thermal contact therewith.