Reinforced Pipe Insulation Jacket for Bracket Support

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional pipe insulation jackets lack sufficient strength to support brackets securely, leading to the need for additional insulation to prevent cold or heat bridges, which is costly.

Innovation Solution

A reinforced insulation jacket comprising two semi-hollow cylindrical jacket members made of dimensionally stable, thermally insulating material with a reinforcement member, including a rigid rod and end cap pieces, providing additional stiffness and durability to the insulation jacket and indirectly protecting the pipe.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If conventional insulation jackets are used, then the insulation material provides thermal insulation, but the jacket lacks sufficient strength to support brackets securely

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestrength of insulation jacketVSAvoidstructural complexity of insulation jacket

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The insulation jacket combines dimensionally stable thermally insulating material with a reinforcement member made of rigid materials (iron, steel, or hard plastic). This composite structure integrates the thermal insulation function with the mechanical strength function, allowing the jacket to both insulate and support brackets securely without requiring additional external reinforcement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If brackets are fixed directly to the pipe, then bracket support is achieved, but additional insulation is required to prevent cold or heat bridges

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebracket support capabilityVSAvoidamount of insulation material

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The reinforcement member embedded in the insulation jacket serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical strength for bracket support, maintains the dimensional stability of the jacket, and prevents cold or heat bridges by being integrated within the insulation structure rather than requiring separate external insulation for bracket mounting points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If the insulation jacket is made of soft thermally insulating material, then thermal insulation performance is improved, but the jacket lacks stiffness and durability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintegrity and durability of insulation jacketVSAvoidstiffness of insulation jacket

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The insulation jacket uses dimensionally stable thermally insulating material that provides both the necessary thermal insulation properties and the required mechanical stiffness and durability. The reinforcement member is strategically positioned within the jacket structure to enhance strength and rigidity in specific areas where bracket support is needed, while maintaining the overall soft and flexible nature of the insulation material for thermal performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 reinforced insulation jacket enhances the integrity and durability of the insulation and the pipe, while preventing vibration transfer and ensuring effective insulation of pipe brackets, thus reducing costs and improving installation efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

The reinforcement member provides additional stiffness to the dimensionally stable, thermally insulating material body of the jacket member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectStructural reinforcement:

Implementation Method 2

Both the first jacket member and second jacket member have an elastic coating layer on their inner surfaces that engages the pipe to be insulated

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 3

a dimensionally stable, thermally insulating material having the shape of a semi hollow cylinder

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentUS11156322B2Pipe insulation jacket with reinforcement member

Publication Date: 2021.10.26 AEROFLEX USA

AI summary

A reinforced insulation jacket for a pipe includes a first jacket member and a second jacket member, each jacket member including a dimensionally stable, thermally insulating material having the shape of a semi hollow cylinder. Both the first jacket member and second jacket member have substantially identical cross sectional shape and are adapted to be joined to form a hollow cylinder, thereby enclosing the pipe to be insulated. A reinforcement member is located within the dimensionally stable, thermally insulating material body of at least one of the jacket members. This reinforcement member generally comprises a rod component and two end cap pieces. The end cap pieces generally are plastic, and rod component, in various embodiments, generally includes iron, steel, or a hard plastic, and generally is a rigid rod. The reinforcement member provides additional stiffness to the dimensionally stable, thermally insulating material body of the jacket member.