Abstract:
An assembly for establishing a water-tight seal for a conduit passing through a wall or other structure wherein the conduit conveys heated fluid, such as exhaust gasses. The assembly is adapted to minimize the heat transferred to the wall or other structure by creating a circuitous heat transfer path in conjunction with thermally insulating materials.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/993,973 filed on Sep. 17, 2007, and the entire contents of that application are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable. 
     REFERENCE TO APPENDIX 
     Not applicable. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The inventions disclosed and taught herein relate generally to water-tight and heat-dissipating assemblies; and more specifically related to a bulkhead assembly for an engine exhaust pipe. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Structural vessels of many different types often times employ stationary energy sources, such as diesel engines. Exhausting the combustion gasses from these energy sources typically requires routing exhaust pipes or conduits through bulkheads, walls, floors, ceilings and other structural elements of the vessels. 
     The temperature of these exhaust gasses may range between about 500° F. and 1100° F., and some of this heat will be transferred to the exhaust system. To the extent the exhaust system is thermally connected to components of the vessel, those components will likewise be heated by the exhaust gasses. 
     It is oftentimes undesirable or prohibited to transfer heat from the exhaust system to vessel components. For example, and without limitation, diesel fuel storage tanks may be constructed such that one or more walls of the tank is also a structural component of the vessel. In such situation, it is not desirable, and may be prohibited in certain regions, to transfer exhaust heat to the vessel structure that forms a portion of the fuel tank. 
     The inventions disclosed and taught herein are directed to an assembly that allows an exhaust system, such as an exhaust conduit, to pass through a structural portion of a vessel, such as a bulkhead, in water-tight fashion and with minimal transfer of heat to the bulkhead. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In general terms, one embodiment of the invention may be described as an assembly, comprising a first structural element having a flange adapted to be rigidly connected to an exhaust conduit, and a wall portion extending from the flange; a second structural element having a flange adapted to be rigidly connected to a bulkhead, and a wall portion extending from the flange; a first annular region defined between the wall portions of the first and second elements; a second annular region defined between the first annular region and the exhaust conduit; a floating ring of predetermined radial width disposed within the first annular region; a first thermal gasket in the first annular region and interposed between the first element and the floating ring; a second thermal gasket in the first annular region and interposed between the second element and the floating ring; thermal insulation in the second annular region and interposed between the exhaust conduit and the first annular region; a first plurality of connectors connecting the first element to the floating ring; a second plurality of connectors connecting the second element to the floating ring; whereby the exhaust conduit is sealed to the bulkhead in fluid tight fashion while minimizing the heat transferred from the exhaust conduit to the bulkhead. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an overhead or side view of one of many possible embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a portion of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  illustrates one of many alternate embodiments of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The Figures described above and the written description of specific structures and functions below are not presented to limit the scope of what Applicants have invented or the scope of the appended claims. Rather, the Figures and written description are provided to teach any person skilled in the art to make and use the inventions for which patent protection is sought. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that not all features of a commercial embodiment of the inventions are described or shown for the sake of clarity and understanding. Persons of skill in this art will also appreciate that the development of an actual commercial embodiment incorporating aspects of the present inventions will require numerous implementation-specific decisions to achieve the developer&#39;s ultimate goal for the commercial embodiment. Such implementation-specific decisions may include, and likely are not limited to, compliance with system-related, business-related, government-related and other constraints, which may vary by specific implementation, location and from time to time. While a developer&#39;s efforts might be complex and time-consuming in an absolute sense, such efforts would be, nevertheless, a routine undertaking for those of skill this art having benefit of this disclosure. It must be understood that the inventions disclosed and taught herein are susceptible to numerous and various modifications and alternative forms. Lastly, the use of a singular term, such as, but not limited to, “a,” is not intended as limiting of the number of items. Also, the use of relational terms, such as, but not limited to, “top,” “bottom,” “left,” “right,” “upper,” “lower,” “down,” “up,” “side,” and the like are used in the written description for clarity in specific reference to the Figures and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention or the appended claims. 
     In general terms, we have invented an assembly of components that allows a pipe or conduit conveying heated fluid, such as, but not limited to internal combustion exhaust gasses, to pass through a wall, floor, ceiling, bulkhead or other portion of a vessel or building in water-tight fashion, and with limited transfer of heat from the fluid or pipe. 
     Generally, embodiments of the invention may comprises a first portion adapted to interface with the exhaust pipe or conduit and a second portion adapted to interface with the wall or such of the vessel or building. The first and second portions are held in water-tight arrangement by a plurality of first connectors that connect the first portion to a floating ring, and a second set of connectors that connect the second portion to the floating ring. Sandwiched between the first and second portions and the floating ring are gaskets adapted to seal against fluid intrusion and to withstand the high temperatures associated with the exhaust pipe. The floating ring is spaced from the outside of the exhaust pipe by a layer of thermal insulation. In this type of embodiment of the present invention, conduction of heat from the exhaust pipe to the vessel or building is limited to a circuitous path through the first and second connectors and floating ring. This type of conduction path substantially reduces the heat transferred to the vessel or building. 
     Turning now to a more detailed description of one of many possible embodiments of the present invention,  FIG. 1  is an illustration of an assembly particularly useful for offshore drilling rigs, offshore production platforms, ships and/or boats in which internal combustion engine exhaust gasses are piped through the exterior wall or bulkhead of the vessel. This embodiment provides a water-tight seal preventing or lessening the intrusion of seawater and other water into the vessel, and lessening the transfer of heat from the exhaust gasses to the vessel. 
       FIG. 1  shows an assembly  100  fitted about an exhaust pipe  102 . The assembly  100  can be used adjacent the terminal portion of the exhaust pipe  102  or along any portion of the length of the exhaust pipe  102 . The assembly  100  is illustrated to be attached to the exterior of the exhaust pipe  102  by, for example, a circumferential weld  110 . The assembly  100  is also shown to be attached to the vessel, wall or bulkhead  104 , or doubler plate or reinforcing pad  106  by, for example, a circumferential weld  108 . This particular embodiment measures approximately 30 inches in outer diameter  112  for a exhaust pipe  102  of about 22 inches in diameter  114 . The assembly  100  measure about 9 inches in length overall comprising a standoff  116  of about 3 inches, a main section  118  of about 4 inches and an exhaust section  120  of about 2 inches. 
       FIG. 2  shows a more detailed cross-section of the assembly  100  illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The assembly  100  comprises a vessel or bulkhead portion  200 , an exhaust portion  202 , and a floating ring  204 . Bulkhead portion  200  comprises a structural shape having a flange  206  adapted to mount to or connect with the bulkhead  104 , 106 . The flange  206  is connected, integrally or otherwise, to a wall portion  208 . Bulkhead portion  200  is spaced apart from the exhaust pipe  102  a fixed distance to create a portion of an annular region  210 . As will be discussed in more detail below, the wall portion  208  has a plurality of holes formed axially (with respect to the exhaust pipe  102 ) therein. 
     The exhaust portion  202  comprises a flange portion  214  connected, integrally or otherwise, to a wall portion  216 . It is preferred that exhaust portion  202  also comprise a cover portion  218 . Similarly to the wall portion  208  of the bulkhead assembly  200 , the wall portion  216  of the exhaust assembly  202  has a plurality of holes  220  formed axially therein, but radially offset from (i.e., not axially aligned with) the holes  212  in the bulkhead assembly  200 . The flange  214  is connected to the exhaust pipe  102 , such as by weld  110 , at a predetermined distance along the exhaust pipe  102  from the bulkhead  104 ,  106 , thereby forming a second annular region  222  radially displaced from the first annular region  210 . 
     The floating ring  204  is disposed within the second annular region  222  and is substantially centered therein. The floating ring  204  has a plurality of holes  224  formed therein and in radial and axial alignment with the holes  212  and  220 . It is preferred that that the floating ring holes  224  be threaded to accept threaded fasteners  226  and  228 . Interposed between the walls  208 ,  216  and the floating ring  204  are thermal gaskets  232 . While those of skill in the art will appreciate that various types of gaskets or materials may be used, it is preferred that gaskets like those available from Flexatallic Limited, such as the Flexatallic SF 3300 be used. Such gaskets provide fluid sealing as well as thermal isolation. 
     As can be seen from  FIG. 2 , one set of connectors  226  extend from the ring  204 , through the gasket  230  and through the holes  212  in the bulkhead assembly wall  208 . The gasket  230  is compressed between the ring  204  and the wall  208  by nuts  234 . Similarly, the second set of connectors  228  extend from the ring  204 , through the gasket  232 , and through the holes  220 . The gasket  232  is compressed between the ring  204  and the wall  216  by nut  236 . Once the assembly  100  is compressed to the appropriate level to achieve water-tightness, the nuts  234  and  236  may be tack welded or otherwise locked into position. It will also be appreciated that connectors  226  and  228  may be tack welded or otherwise locked to the floating ring  204  as desired or required. 
     Also shown in  FIG. 2  is insulation  238 . Insulation  238  prevents or at least lessens convective or radiative heat transmission from the exhaust pipe  102  to the assembly  100 . While those of skill in the art will appreciate that various types of insulation or thermal material may be used, we have found that Micro-Flex® pipe and tank wrap marketed by Johns Manville is suitable for this purpose. 
       FIG. 2  also shows engineered heat expansion gaps  240  and  242 . It will be appreciated that because the gaskets are compressed to form a water or fluid-tight seal, these expansion gaps do not affect the water-tight performance of assembly  100 . 
       FIG. 3  shows an exploded view of the assembly  100  and shows the bulkhead portion  200  with holes  212 , and gasket  230  with holes  300  substantially aligned with the holes  212  in the bulkhead portion  200 . Exhaust portion  202  is shown with holes  220 , and gasket  232  with holes  302  substantially aligned with the holes  220  in the exhaust portion  202 . Floating ring  204  is shown in exploded position and having holes  224 . As described above, floating ring  204  has one set of holes  224  for connectors  226  and another set of holes  224  for connectors  228 . 
     In one particular embodiment of the present invention substantially similar to the embodiment described in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3 , engine exhaust gasses at a temperature of about 750° F. passed through a vessel bulkhead and the assembly described herein maintained the bulkhead immediately adjacent the assembly  100  at a temperature of about 10° F. above ambient temperature. 
     Other and further embodiments utilizing one or more aspects of the inventions described above can be devised without departing from the spirit of our invention. For example, threaded fasteners and nuts can be replaced with bolts, more that one floating ring can be used to further increase the length of the heat path. Further, the embodiment described herein and the methods of using the embodiment can be included in combination with each other to produce variations of the disclosed methods and embodiments. For example, and without limitation,  FIG. 4  discloses an alternate embodiment  400  in which the exhaust portion  402  is disposed adjacent the bulkhead  104 ,  106  and the bulkhead portion  404  includes a roof or shield portion  406 . This embodiment comprises structures similar to the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-3 , including a floating ring  408 , gaskets  410  and  412 , and insulation  414  and  416 . Structural elements that have been described functionally and can be embodied as separate components or can be combined into components having multiple functions. 
     Thus, our invention has been described in the context of preferred and other embodiments and not every embodiment of the invention has been described. Obvious modifications and alterations to the described embodiments are available to those of ordinary skill in the art. The disclosed and undisclosed embodiments are not intended to limit or restrict the scope or applicability of the invention conceived of by us, but rather, in conformity with the patent laws, we intend to fully protect all such modifications and improvements that come within the scope or range of equivalent of the following claims.