Abstract:
The present invention relates to a system for fixing installations with thermal and/or sound insulation exhibiting easy mounting and fastening, being suitable both as system providing pre-insulation as well as for being used on readily insulated installations, the manufacturing of such system and the use of such system.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority from European Patent Application No. 11 151 209 filed on Jan. 18, 2011, and from European Patent Application No. 11 167 837 filed on May 27, 2011, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties for all purposes. 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to a system for fixing pipes, tanks, vessels, ducts or installations in general with thermal and/or sound insulation exhibiting easy mounting and fastening, being suitable both as system providing pre-insulation as well as for being used on readily insulated installations, the manufacturing of such system and the use of such system. 
         [0003]    Fixing systems for media pipes, vessels, tanks, ducts etc. are available in numerous varieties for all kinds of final use. Special problems, however, occur when it comes to fastening or fixing pre-insulated pipes or when generally trying to provide a fixing system that is also showing thermal and/our sound insulation properties. Some attempts have been made to overcome said issues. E.g. DE 94 21 308 describes a clamp on the pipe with two half-shell insulation elements covering the clamp, and DE 94 21 307 uses rigid hollow half-shell elements filled with insulation material that are fixed with a clamp on the outside. U.S. Pat. No. 4,852,831 discloses U-shaped members used for fixing a pipe through an optional insulation, U.S. Pat. No. 5,078,346 describes a suspension hanger where a support is holding the pipe through the insulation from underneath, similar elements but only from more sides had been used for U.S. Pat. No. 3,000,433 already. 
         [0004]    The disadvantage of such systems is obvious: Firstly, the thread to fix the clamp to other installations often will need to penetrate the insulation or the rigid elements themselves will penetrate through the insulation and also lay on the pipe both with a high surface. These damages of the insulation will lead to leakage and loss of energy. Secondly, these configurations will definitely lead to condensation of humidity onto the pipe which will cause the feared corrosion under insulation (CUI or UIC), no matter how good the water vapour trans-mission (WVT) blocking properties of the insulation may be. 
         [0005]    Other systems, such as in DE 91 02 934, try to improve the WVT related performance of bearer elements by applying the clamps on the outside and by letting the insulation material (which of course has to show some structural integrity, i.e. has to be rather rigid) bear the pipe. Distinguished by better WVT blocking indeed, such systems, however, show drawbacks in other fields. E.g., the rigidity of the system will lead to deficiencies both in easy mounting and in versatility, i.e. almost each diameter of pipe will require a dedicated fixing system. Additionally, the rigid insulation itself may undergo risk of cracking or breaking e.g. through vibration or other mechanical impact. 
         [0006]    Most of the above-mentioned deficiencies are also valid for U.S. Pat. No. 3,122,346, which claims a system which is intended for being pierced through the insulation material based on a grid-like structured spacer. Generally, the compromise of high enough rigidity for achieving good stability and high enough flexibility for good mounting properties is not easy to match at all for such configurations. Additionally, such systems are not very economic as they need to be rather complex for the above-mentioned reasons. 
         [0007]    A major object of the present invention thus is to provide a system not showing the above-mentioned deficiencies but exhibiting easy mounting properties, versatility in fixing various geometries and safety in application and use. 
         [0008]    Surprisingly, it has been found that such system not showing the above mentioned disadvantages can be made comprising at least a series of fixation holders or hangers with special geometry adapted to the application and a device, e.g. a belt or ribbon connecting said fixations, and optionally an insulation material. 
     
    
     
         [0009]    Hereinafter the present invention will be explained in a non-limiting manner by way of example by means of advantageous embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  shows an exploded view of a first embodiment of a fixing system for an insulation according to the present invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of the fixing system of  FIG. 1  in an assembled state; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  shows a cross-section of the fixing system of  FIG. 2 , the insulation being transparently illustrated; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  shows a cross-section of the fixing system of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  shows a side view of a second embodiment of the fixing system according to the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  shows a cross-section of the fixing system of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  shows a perspective view of the fixing system of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  shows an exploded view of a cross-section of the arrangement of a counter plate in the fixing system; 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  shows the cross-section of the arrangement of the counter plate of  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 10  shows a first embodiment of a base plate unit comprising a hinge; 
           [0020]      FIG. 11  shows a second embodiment of a base plate unit comprising a hinge; 
           [0021]      FIG. 12  shows several further embodiments of a base plate unit comprising a hinge; 
           [0022]      FIG. 13  shows a pre-fabricated strip from which base plate units comprising a hinge can be separated; and 
           [0023]      FIG. 14  shows several further embodiments of a curved base plate unit. 
       
    
    
       [0024]      FIGS. 1 to 4  show the fixing system  10  comprising two curved base plate units  20  arranged on diametrically opposite sides of the outer surface of an insulation material  50  having an annular cross-section, the inner curvature radius of the base plate units  20  corresponding to the outer curvature radius of the insulation material  50 . 
         [0025]    The insulation material  50  is arranged on a pipe or installation  60  extending axially through and in contact with the insulation material  50 . 
         [0026]    The base plate unit  20  comprises a strip-like curved plate element  21  peripherally extending around the outer surface of the insulation material  50 . 
         [0027]    A central peripheral inner rib  22   b  is formed on the inner side of the plate element  21 . Further at the peripheral middle portion of the peripheral rib  22   b  and the plate element  21  a shorter transversal rib  22   a  is formed on the inner surface of the plate element  21 . The trans-versal rib  22   a  extends perpendicularly to the peripheral rib  22   b.    
         [0028]    At the outer surface of each spike  22  four reinforcing ribs  22   c  are formed at an angular distance of 90° such that the spikes  22  have a cross-shaped cross-section. The reinforcing ribs  22   c  and therefore the spikes  22  are tapering towards the free end of each spike  22 . 
         [0029]    At the outer surface of the plate element  21  peripherally extending lands  21   a  are formed along the opposite peripheral edges of the plate element  21  to form a peripherally extending groove  21   b  there between. 
         [0030]    As shown in  FIGS. 2 to 4  the base plate units  20  are attached on the insulation material  50  from diametrically opposite sides such that the inner surface of the plate elements  21  contacts the outer surface of the insulation material  50 . During the attachment the spikes  22  and the ribs  22   a ,  22   b ,  22   c  are pressed into the material of the insulation  50 . The trans-versal ribs  22   a  of both base plate units  20  extend towards each other in radial direction. 
         [0031]    In the upper half of  FIG. 4  a cross-section of the fixing system  10  through the peripheral rib  22   a  is shown, whereas the lower half of  FIG. 4  illustrates a cross-section of the fixing system through the spike  22 . 
         [0032]    As shown, the free ends of the spikes  22  end close to or at the inner surface of the insulation  50 . 
         [0033]      FIGS. 5 to 7  show another embodiment of a fixing system  10 . A pipe  60  axially extends through an insulation  50  having an annular cross-section. Four curved base plate units  20  are attached to the outer surface of the insulation  50  at an angular distance of 90°. 
         [0034]    On the outer side of upper base plate unit  20  a captive head  42  is provided to which one end of a clamping strip  41  is attached. The clamping strip  41  surrounds the insulation  50  and runs through an extending groove  21   b  guided by guiding means  21   a  provided on the outer surfaces of the plate element  21  in peripheral direction. The free end of the clamping strip  41  is guided through an opening  43  in the captive head  42 . In the opening  43  ratchet teeth are formed which engage in ratchet teeth formed on the clamping strip  41  when the clamping strip  41  is tightened around the insulation  50 . During tightening of the clamping strip  41  pressure is exerted to the outer surface of the base plate units  20 . Thereby, the spikes  22  of the base plate units  20  are pressed into the material of the insulation  50  as explained with regard to the embodiment of  FIGS. 1 to 4 . Between the base plate units  20  the clamping strip  41  is pressed into the insulation  50  as well. 
         [0035]    On the outer upper side of the captive head  42  threading means  44  are provided having an internal thread into which an external thread of a bolt  45  engages, the latter forming a part of a fixing device  40  for attaching the fixing system to a wall, a ceiling etc. 
         [0036]    As shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9  a plate-like counter part  30  can be arranged on the other side of the insulation  50  opposite to the base plate units  20 . The counter plate  30  comprises one plate element  31 . On the surface facing the inner surface projecting pins  32  are provided having openings into which the spikes  22  engage. The surface of the counter part  30  remote from the insulation contacts the pipe  60 . A corresponding counter part  30  can be used in the fixing system  10  of  FIGS. 1 to 7  as well. As shown in  FIG. 8  additional layers  70  can be added to the fixing system  10 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 10  shows a first embodiment of a curved base plate unit  20  comprising a hinge  21   c  formed by a transverse depression in the middle of the outer surface of the plate element  21 . Two spikes  22  are arranged on each side of the hinge  21   c.    
         [0038]      FIG. 11  shows a second embodiment of a flat base plate unit  20  comprising a hinge  21   c  formed by a transverse depression in the middle of the inner surface of the plate element  21 . Two spikes  22  are arranged on each side of the hinge  21   c.    
         [0039]      FIG. 12  shows embodiments of base plate units  20  with a hinge comprising spikes  22  which are arranged in different ways. 
         [0040]      FIG. 13  shows a pre-fabricated base plate unit  20  in form of a strip comprising a plurality of hinges  21   c  and spikes  22  between adjacent hinges. From the strip base plate units  20  can be separated according to a desired length. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0041]    The claimed fixing system  10  comprises at least one base plate unit  20  and an insulation material  50  and may additionally comprise one or more counter plates  30 , a fixing device  40 , an installation  60  and one or more additional layers  70 . 
         [0042]    The base plate unit  20  or preferably two base plate units  20  can be mounted on the inner or outer side, preferably on the outer side, of an insulation material  50 , see  FIG. 1 . The base plate unit  20  comprises at least one plate element  21  with engaging elements  22 . These engaging elements  22  can be formed by spines or spikes. In this case at least two, preferably at least three, especially preferred at least four spines or spikes  22  act both as spacer and fixation. Four spines or spikes  22  have shown to provide maximum stability of the installation in relation to the impact on WVT (see below and table 1). 
         [0043]    The plate element  21  can be flat or curved at an angle between 20° and 180°. It may also comprise hinge(s)  21   c . In the case of base plate units  20  showing hinges  21   c  the spines or spikes  22  preferably are present at both sides of the hinge  22   c  (see  FIG. 12 ). It may also comprise guiding means/extending lands  21   a  and/or an extending groove  21   b.    
         [0044]    The base plate units  20  can be used as a stand-alone or in random combination, up to an infinite strip consisting of plate elements  21  being connected by hinges  21   c  or any other means (see  FIG. 13 ). At least one, preferably at least two base plate units  20 , are mounted on opposite sides of the installation  60  to be fixed ( FIG. 1 ), or in equal distance to each other, respectively. The base plate units  20  may show cut-outs, recesses or milling grooves on at least one side to enable the applicant to use one plate system for more than one installation/insulation diameter, as e.g. several different diameters of pipe clamp or clip or fixing device  40  can be applied (see  FIG. 5-7 ). The plate element  21  therefore may also show extending grooves  21   b  to guide and fix the clamp (see  FIG. 2 ,  8 ,  9 ). 
         [0045]    A preferred distribution of three spines or spikes  22  is triangular and of four spines or spikes  22  is rectangular or rhomboidal as shown in  FIG. 14 . The length of the spines or spikes  22  is chosen appropriately to the thickness of the insulation  50  on the installation  60 . As insulation thicknesses are more or less standardized worldwide (e.g. 13 mm/½″, 19 mm/¾″, 25 mm/1″ etc.) this will reduce the number of essential items of the claimed system. It is not even necessary that all spines or spikes  22  will have to penetrate completely through the insulation  50 , or that any spine or spike  22  will have to penetrate completely, depending on the insulation materials&#39; structural integrity and the intended tight or loose fit. 
         [0046]    Therefore, the length of the spines or spikes  22  has to be from 5% to 200%, preferably from 40% to 150%, especially preferred from 50%-110% of the insulation layer thickness. Such longer or shorter spines or spikes  22  can compensate shrinkage and expansion of the insulation material  50 , longer spines or spikes  22  can even be useful to fix additional layers  70 , shorter spines or spikes  22  can be necessary due to the length of the projecting pins  32  of a counter plate  30  as well as due to reduction of impact on the insulation material. 
         [0047]    The spines or spikes  22  can be of semi or fully circular, ellipsoid, rectangular, rhomboid or triangular cross-section and mixtures thereof and can show structured or smooth surfaces. Preferred is a smooth surface due to better applicability when mounted through an insulation material  50  (less friction). 
         [0048]    Reinforcing structures such as ribs  22   c  or gills are preferably applied to the spines or spikes  22 , as this will allow reducing the total cross-section surface which again will lead to less impact on WVT. Reinforcing structures such as peripheral  22   b  or transversal ribs  22   a  can also be applied between the spines or spikes  22  to provide lateral stability to the entire system. The peripheral rib  22   b  or transversal rib  22   a  extend at an angle about between 20° and 180°, preferably between 70° and 120°, around the insulation material  50 . 
         [0049]    The spines or spikes  22  can be of straight cylindrical or cone or pyramidal geometry. Preferred is cone or pyramidal geometry due to less impact on WVT and thermal conductivity, especially preferred is cone geometry. Typical and especially preferred spine or spike  22  configurations are shown in  FIG. 14 . The tips of the spines or spikes  22  may be pinnacled or radiused to reduce the contact area and may show further reduction of surface by applying structures, such as cuts etc. The tips of the spines or spikes  22  may be designed to follow the radius of the device to be fixed for obtaining maximum stability (see e.g.  FIG. 3 ). 
         [0050]    The plate element  21  may also show guiding means or extending lands  21   a  to facilitate mounting through insulations  50  as well as to keep the mounted part in optimum position and preventing the insulation material  50  from deformation of being pressed out or well forth. The function of the extending lands  21   a  can also be represented by reinforcing ribs  22   c  e.g. between the spines or spikes  22  (see  FIG. 1 ). For achieving similar properties, the plate element  21  may also be equipped with an adhesive layer or may be glued to the insulation surface  50 . 
         [0051]    The plate element  21  may also show an integrated thread  44  for e.g. a threaded rod to enable the user of the claimed system to connect it to walls, ceilings etc. (see  FIG. 5 ,  6 ) or to link it to another respective installation. 
         [0052]    The plate element  21  and spines or spikes  22  and other parts of the base plate unit  20  can be made of massive or expanded thermoplastic and/or thermoset and/or metal material and/or any other material of appropriate structural integrity, preferably of plastics material (thermoplasts or thermosets). 
         [0053]    The base plate unit  20  can be rigid or flexible (i.e. bendable) and can be manufactured by casting, edging, milling or moulding or any other three dimensional shaping method, preferably by injection moulding. To achieve best mechanical strength for threads an overmoulding of respective metal or other parts can be applied. The plate element  21  may furthermore show structures such as pinholes that would allow e.g. spines or spikes  22  of a counter plate  30  to snap in on the opposite side of the insulation material  50  (see FIG.  8 , 9 ). 
         [0054]    The claimed embodiments of the base plate unit  20  will lead to a minimized impact on WVT of the claimed system (see table 1), as well as on thermal conductivity, as the spines or spikes  22  will only have very little contact with the installation  60  to insulate and will only cut out very little of the insulation material  50 . 
         [0055]    The claimed system may furthermore comprise an insulation material  50  which itself may comprise cellular material, such as expanded polymer (e.g. polyolefins, other thermoplasts, elastomers, thermoplastic elastomers, thermosets etc.) and/or other expanded material (metal/ceramic/silica gel/glass foams etc.) and/or fibrous insulation (mineral wool, glass wool etc.) or any combinations thereof. Preferred are materials that can be easily punched through by the insulation material  50 , such as elastomeric or thermoplastic foams, and other widespread polymer based insulation including polyurethanes, PUR/PIR, polyesters, melamine, phenolics etc. Especially preferred are elastomeric and/or thermoplastic elastomer materials, such as based on or comprising ACM/AEM, AU/EU, BR, BIIR, CIIR, CM/CR, CSM/CSR, (G)(E)CO, EPM/EPDM, EVM, FKM/F(E)PM, GPO, IR, IIR, (V)MQ, (H)NBR, NR, SBR, T etc. The use of elastomers is also beneficial for the application as these materials are known for good water vapour transmission blocking properties. The insulation material  50  can be of mainly closed or open cell structure or mixed (open and closed) cell structure. Preferred are predominantly closed cell structures, especially with a closed cell content of at least 70%, preferably at least 80%, especially preferred at least 90%. 
         [0056]    It may comprise one or more layers of expanded material, either in soft or rigid state, as full layer or as segments ( FIG. 1 ,  2 ). Preferably, the insulation material  50  shows a thermal conductivity of less than 0.10 W/(m*K) at 0° C., preferably less than 0.045 W/(m*K) at 0° C. according to EN ISO 12667 (sheets) or EN ISO 8497 (tubes), and a density of less than 150 kg/m3, preferably less than 75 kg/m3 according to ISO 845, together with a WVT blocking (μ) value of at least 3000, preferably at least 5000, especially preferred at least 8000 according to EN 12086 (sheets) or EN 13469 (tubes). 
         [0057]    The insulation material  50  may show surface structures on the installation  60  and/or base plate  20  side or in between individual layers of the insulation  50  to enhance thermal as well as acoustic decoupling. 
         [0058]    The base plate unit  20  and the insulation material  50  may form a pre-insulated prefabricated part e.g. to be mounted on readily mounted installations  60  either by being pushed over the respective installation  60  or by being clamped around it. To achieve the latter, the insulation material  50  needs to be slit (see  FIG. 2 ), preferably tangentially. 
         [0059]    The base plate unit  20  can be connected to the insulation material  50  not only by mechanical means but also by applying adhesive. This will help closing possible gaps and stabilize the WVT blocking properties (see table 2). 
         [0060]    The claimed system may furthermore comprise a fixing device  40  to connect at least one, preferably at least two pieces of base plate units  20  together onto the installation  60  to be clamped. The fixing device  40  may be made of metal, fabric or plastics and be of ribbon or belt shape, preferably acting as a clamp around the insulation  50  to be fixed or clamped. The fixing device  40  may also comprise a thread for e.g. mounting threaded rods. 
         [0061]    The fixing device  40  may comprise one part with hinges  21   c  or two parts like a classic clamp or it may comprise a structured—e.g. embossed or notched or corrugated—belt or strip that will allow to easily fasten base plate units  20  onto various installations and through various insulation diameters by one device. For that purpose at least one base plate unit  20  may comprise a ratch(et), lever brace system or captive head  42  for letting snap in the clamping strip  41  at the desired geometry or diameter, respectively, see  FIG. 7 . 
         [0062]    The number of base plate units  20  and the clamping force applied by the clamping strip  41  has to be chosen in a way to prevent the clamping strip  41  from being pressed into the insulation  50  in a way that the insulation effect is influenced considerably. 
         [0063]    The claimed system may furthermore comprise parts that act as counterpart  30  to the base plate units  20  on the opposite side of insulation material  50  to ensure tight and good fit of the insulation material  50  ( FIG. 5 ). 
         [0064]    The counterpart  30  comprises one plate element  31 . The plate element  31  can be flat or curved at an angle between 20° and 180°. It may also comprise hinge(s). 
         [0065]    The counterpart  30  may show structures on the surface, such as projecting pins  32  or other features to fix or let the spines or spikes  22  of the base plate units  20  snap in. The counter plate  30  may also show other features as described already for the base plate units  20 , such as spines or spikes  22 , recesses, extending lands  21   a  etc. 
         [0066]    The counterpart  30  may be made from metal, plastics etc., as described for the base plate unit  20 , and can be manufactured as mentioned above. Preferred are plastic materials shaped by moulding. 
         [0067]    A system comprising base plate units ( 20 ) punched through an insulation material ( 50 ) on or into a counter plate ( 30 ) or vice versa can also be used as pre-fabricated installation fixing or hanger as described above. 
         [0068]    The combination of base plate units  20  with a counterpart  30  at the opposite side of the insulation material  50  will not only stabilize the whole construction, but also WVT blocking properties (see table 2). The counter plate  30  may be fixed to the base plate unit  20  and/or the insulation material  50  mechanically or by adhesives, which also will have a positive effect on vapour blocking (see table 2) as described for the base plate unit  20 . 
         [0069]    The claimed system furthermore may comprise additional layers  70  on at least one side of the insulation material  50 , between respective individual layers of the insulation material and/or on the outside of the whole fixing system  10  (see  FIG. 7 ,  8 ), e.g. as cladding. The additional layers  70  may have a decorative, protective or functional purpose, such as mechanical protection, WVT blocking etc. and may comprise foils, fabric, nonwoven etc. of metal, fibres, polymer based material, or any combinations thereof. The additional layers  70  may be glued to the insulation material  50  or be mechanically linked or be loosely mounted. 
         [0070]    The claimed system furthermore may comprise other parts, such as included/overmoulded threading means  44 , threaded rods, clamps etc. that will facilitate its mounting and use. 
         [0071]    Preferred embodiments of the invention are: 
         [0072]    a) A fixing system  10  for installations that require thermal and/or acoustic insulation, comprising at least one, preferably at least two base plate units  20 , that can be mounted on the inner and/or outer side, preferably on the outer side, of an insulation material  50 , comprising at least 
         [0073]    1. a curved base plate unit  20  and/or 
         [0074]    2. a flat base plate unit  20  and/or 
         [0075]    3. a curved and/or flat base plate unit with at least one hinge  21   c,    
         [0076]    and showing at least two, preferably at least three, especially preferred at least four spines or spikes  22  per base plate unit  20 . 
         [0077]    b) A system according to paragraph a) wherein the distribution of three spines or spikes  22  is triangular and the distribution of four spines or spikes is rectangular or rhomboidal. 
         [0078]    c) A system according to any of paragraphs a) to b) wherein the spines or spikes  22  are semi or fully circular, ellipsoid, rectangular, rhomboid or triangular of shape in cross-section, or any combination thereof. 
         [0079]    d) A system according to any of paragraphs a) to c) wherein the spines or spikes  22  are of straight cylindrical or cone or pyramidal geometry, or mixtures thereof. Preferred is cone or pyramidal geometry, especially preferred is cone geometry. 
         [0080]    e) A system according to any of paragraphs a) to d) wherein reinforcing structures  22   a ,  22   b ,  22   c  are applied to the spines or spikes  22  and/or between the spines or spikes  22 . 
         [0081]    f) A system according to any of paragraphs a) to e) where the tips of the spines or spikes  22  are pinnacled and/or radiused and/or are designed to follow the radius of the installation  60  to be fixed. 
         [0082]    g) A system according to any of paragraphs a) to f) wherein at least two base plate units  20  are mounted on opposite sides of the installation  60  to be fixed or in equal distance to each other, respectively. 
         [0083]    h) A system according to any of paragraphs a) to g) wherein at least three base plate units  20  are mounted on the device to be fixed, preferably leading to a prefabricated interconnected belt of base plate units  20 . 
         [0084]    i) A system according to any of paragraphs a) to h) wherein the base plate units  20  show cut-outs, recesses or milling grooves on at least one side to use one type of plate system for more than one installation/insulation diameter. 
         [0085]    j) A system according to any of paragraphs a) to i) wherein the base plate units  20  show extending grooves  21   b  to guide and fix a clamp or other fixing device  40  and/or the insulation material  50 . 
         [0086]    k) A system according to any of paragraphs a) to j) wherein the base plate units  20  show guiding means and/or extending lands  21   a  to facilitate mounting through insulations  50  as well as to keep the mounted part in optimum position and preventing the insulation material  50  from deformation of being pressed out or well forth. 
         [0087]    l) A system according to any of paragraphs a) to k) wherein the plate element  21  is equipped with an adhesive layer or is adhered, preferably glued to the insulation material  50  surface. 
         [0088]    m) A system according to any of paragraphs a) to l) wherein the plate element  21  shows an integrated fixing device for mounting or linking it to walls, ceilings or other installations. 
         [0089]    n) A system according to any of paragraphs a) to m) wherein the base plate unit  20  is made of massive and/or expanded thermoplastic and/or thermoset and/or metal material, preferably of plastics material (thermoplasts or thermosets). 
         [0090]    o) A system according to any of paragraphs a) to n) wherein the base plate unit  20  can be manufactured by casting, edging, milling or moulding, preferably by injection moulding. 
         [0091]    p) A system according to any of paragraphs a) to o) wherein the plate element  21  shows mounting structures such as projecting pins  32 , pinholes or spines or spikes  22  to fix a counterpart  30  to the base plate unit  20  enclosing the insulation material  50 . 
         [0092]    q) A system according to any of paragraphs a) to p) wherein an insulation material  50  is comprised which itself comprises at least one layer of cellular and/or fibrous material, preferred are cellular elastomeric materials. 
         [0093]    r) A system according to paragraph q) wherein the insulation material  50  is of predominantly closed cell structure with a closed cell content of at least 70%, preferably at least 80%, especially preferred at least 90%. 
         [0094]    s) A system according to any of paragraphs q) to r) wherein the insulation material  50  shows a thermal conductivity of less than 0.10 W/(m*K) at 0° C., preferably less than 0.045 W/(m*K) at 0° C. according to EN ISO 12667 (sheets) or EN ISO 8497 (tubes). 
         [0095]    t) A system according to any of paragraphs q) to s) wherein the insulation material  50  shows a density of less than 150 kg/m3, preferably less than 75 kg/m3 according to ISO 845. 
         [0096]    u) A system according to any of paragraphs q) to t) wherein the insulation material  50  shows a WVT blocking (μ) value of at least 3000, preferably at least 5000, especially preferred at least 8000 according to EN 12086 (sheets) or EN 13469 (tubes). 
         [0097]    v) A system according to any of paragraphs q) to u) wherein the insulation material  50  shows surface structures on at least one side of at least one layer of the insulation material  50  to enhance thermal as well as acoustic decoupling. 
         [0098]    w) A system according to any of paragraphs a) to v) wherein the base plate unit  20  and the insulation material  50  form a pre-insulated prefabricated part preferably to be mounted on readily mounted installations  60  either by being pushed over the respective installation  60  or by being clamped around it. 
         [0099]    x) A system according to paragraph w) where the insulation material  50  is slit, preferably tangentially, to enable clamping the base plate unit  20 /the insulation material  50  prefabricated part around the installation  60 . 
         [0100]    y) A system according to any of paragraphs a) to x) wherein a fixing device  40  is comprised to connect at least one, preferably at least two pieces of the base plate unit  20 , together onto the insulation  50  to be clamped and where the fixing device  40  is made of metal or fabric and is of ribbon or belt shape, acting as a clamp around the insulation to be fixed or clamped. The fixing device  40  preferably comprises at least one part with hinges  21   c  or at least two parts analogous to a classic clamp and preferably comprises a thread  44 . 
         [0101]    z) A system according to paragraph y) wherein the fixing device  40  comprises a structured—e.g. embossed or notched or corrugated—belt or strip  41  to ratchet fasten base plate units  20  onto the insulation material  50 . 
         [0102]    aa) A system according to paragraph z) wherein at least one base plate unit  20  comprises a ratch(et) or lever brace system  42  to let the fixing device  40  snap in at the desired geometry or diameter, respectively, of the installation  60  to be fixed. 
         [0103]    bb) A system according to any of paragraphs a) to z) and aa) wherein counterparts  30  to the base plate unit  20  on its opposite side of the insulation material  50  are comprised and where the counter plate  30  preferably shows structures on the surface, such as pinholes or spines or spikes  22 , to fix the counter plate  30  to the base plate unit  20  through the insulation material  50  or vice versa, and wherein the base plate unit  20  preferably is punched through an insulation material  50  on or into the counter plate  30  to form a pre-fabricated fixing or hanger, and where the counter plate  30  is connected to the insulation material  50  and/or the base plate unit  20  by mechanical means and/or by applying adhesive. 
         [0104]    cc) A system according to any of paragraphs a) to z) and aa) to bb) wherein additional layers  70  of decorative, protection or functional purpose are applied on a least one side of the insulation material  50  or between respective individual layers of the insulation material  50 . 
         [0105]    dd) The system according to any of paragraphs a) to z) and aa) to cc) is preferably used as a fixing device, hanger or link for fixing and/or connecting installations  60  which require acoustic and/or thermal insulation, in indoor and outdoor use. 
         [0106]    It is a prominent advantage of the claimed system that it is providing reliable and sustainable thermal insulation and acoustic damping no matter if it is mounted on pre-insulated installation or if it is applied together with the insulation. 
         [0107]    Another basic advantage of the claimed system is the fact that the fixing system can be easily mounted on readily insulated installations. 
         [0108]    It is a further advantage of the claimed system that it can be easily applied, removed or (ex)changed during operation. 
         [0109]    It is an additional advantage of the claimed system that—depending on the choice of insulation material—it may safely be applied at a wide temperature. 
         [0110]    It is a related advantage of the claimed system that it will allow to use manifold materials both for insulation and fastening, and that it allows to adapt its properties to the desired property profile (concerning insulation, mechanical resistance etc.). 
         [0111]    Another basic advantage of the claimed system is the fact that it is extraordinarily versatile and easy, thus fast and economic, in mounting and demounting, and that it does not require special manipulations or skills. 
         [0112]    It is a further advantage of the claimed system that it can be used indoors as well as outdoors. 
         [0113]    It is a prominent advantage of the claimed system that its individual parts can be produced in a very economic manner and that the final versions of the system can be assembled economically, too. 
         [0114]    It is a further advantage of the claimed system that one type can cover a broad range of installation geometries and diameters to be fixed and therefore it is not necessary to have a large number of the system available neither for the user nor for the members of the supply chain. 
         [0115]    It is a further prominent advantage of the claimed system that it is non corrosive and not abrasive and therefore the claimed material can be mounted even on critical substrates. 
         [0116]    Another prominent advantage of the claimed system is its good vapour barrier property provided by the insulation part and the minimized impact of the base plate unit  20 . 
         [0117]    It is another advantage of the claimed system that it has excellent thermal insulation properties, depending on the insulation layer. The disclosed preferred geometries of the spines or spikes will support this effect. 
         [0118]    It is an additional advantage of the claimed system that the entire thermal insulation is only minimally affected by the plate/spine combination. 
         [0119]    It is a further advantage of the claimed system that its base plate/spine combination will lead to both thermal and acoustic decoupling of the insulated installation from the supporting structure. 
         [0120]    It is a further advantage of the claimed system that it provides a high level of stability combined with low weight. 
         [0121]    It is a further advantage of the claimed system that it can be used as a multi-piece kit on site or as prefabricated part or in any configuration in between. 
       EXAMPLES 
       [0122]    For the following example tubes of 19 mm and 25 mm thickness and various inner diameters had been chosen from the market for insulation (AF=AF/Armaflex® and HT=HT/Armaflex®, both Armacell, Germany). 
       Example 1 
       [0123]    The tubes have been applied with two base plate  20 /spine  22  combinations each as shown in table 1 and then tested for water vapour transmission according to EN 12086 (sheets) or EN 13469 (tubes). The values were detected at least three times per item. Table 1 shows the respective combinations of the respective materials and the averaged μ values. The plate element/spine fixing devices were obtained from polyoxymethylene (POM) resin by injection moulding. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Combinations of plate element 21/spine 22 with insulation foams 50 and resulting μ values 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 μ value for base plate with X spines or spikes 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 X = 2 
                 X = 3 
                 X = 4 
                 X = 5 
                 X = 6 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 AF 
                 10000 
                 8600 
                 7500 
                 6400 
                 5300 
                 4100 
               
               
                 HT 
                  6500 
                 6100 
                 5600 
                 5200 
                 4100 
                 2800 
               
               
                 remarks 
                 Comparison 
                 Rather instable 
                 Acceptable 
                 Excellent 
                 Excellent 
                 Excellent 
               
               
                   
                 values of 
                 when 
                 fastening 
                 fastening 
                 fastening 
                 fastening 
               
               
                   
                 pure foams 
                 mounted 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
       Example 2 
       [0124]    The plate element  21  with four spines or spikes  22  has been chosen as best in stability performance/WVT properties and has been examined for WVT also in bond state (glued to the foam with Armaflex® 520 adhesive from Armacell, Germany) and/or with a counterpart plate  30 . Table 2 shows the results. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 2 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 μ values of combinations using a four spike 22 base plate 20 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 Base plate 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 Base plate 
                 Base plate 
                 with 
                 Base plate + counter 
               
               
                   
                   
                 only 
                 glued 
                 counter plate 
                 plate glued 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 AF 
                 10000* 
                 6400 
                 6800 
                 6700 
                 7000 
               
               
                 HT 
                  6500* 
                 5200 
                 5500 
                 5500 
                 5600 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 *Comparison values of pure foam