Abstract:
A sectional heat insulation jacket comprises a set of multi-layer insulation sections in which the layers are bound together by a fastening and fixing device. Adjacent insulation sections connect and they separate by assembling joints that are self-sealing. A mutual position of the adjacent sections is reliably fixed by the connecting device at each stage of heating. The self-sealing is accomplished by side flexible layers which incline under a sharp angle to the surface of an upper flexible layer. The sizes of the assembling joints between adjacent sections at levels of the upper and the bottom flexible layers are equal to the temperature expansions of these layers in longitudinal and transverse directions, correspondingly under the insulated entity&#39;s heating until an operating temperature is reached. A conical, helical spring shaped fastening rod further increases a length of metallic inclusions with high thermal conductivity form an insulated entity and reduces heat loss.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   The present invention is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 11/026,760 filed on Dec. 30, 2004, now abandoned claiming benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/569,398, filed May 8, 2004. The subject matter of both (&#39;760) and (&#39;398) is incorporated by reference herein as if it is rewritten in its entirety, now abandoned. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to a sectional heat insulation jacket and, more specifically, to a jacket that comprises a set of multi-layer insulation sections having assembling joints that are self-sealing. The self-sealing is accomplished at operational temperature by means of side flexible layers configured in such a way as to accommodate differential thermal expansion within a section thickness and to allow the section joints to self-seal. The sizes of the assembling joints between adjacent sections at levels of the upper and the bottom flexible layers are equal to the temperature expansions at corresponding levels. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   There is taught in U.S. Pat. No. 4,696,324, to Retronco, a multi-functional insulation section(s) fabricated in a form of two half-sections which are combined in a unitary assembly with buckles and straps. To compensate for differential temperature expansions between a pipe and the insulating sections, temperature seams are provided between the insulating blocks. These seams are filled with inserts of semi rigid fiberglass or heat insulating straps. The temperature insert contracts from 75 millimeters (mm) to 40 mm during installation. An outer strap then covers the temperature insert to provide a means to provide a free displacement of the adjoining block about the strap. Drawbacks of the described construction include both substantial time and labor expenditures to mount and to dismount. A further drawback is apparent in emergency situations: it is difficult to find an exact location of a damaged site in order to provide a quick access. 
   There are many assemblies known for different types of units, joints of equipment, pipes and pipe accouterments. U.S. Pat. No. 5,158,114 to Botsolas teaches a pipefitting cover to enclose an insulated Y-shaped joint, wherein the cover comprises two half-sections formed from pressed aluminum foil, coated with a plastic and then connected with adhesive tape. Different operational conditions determine a type of joint required to connect the half sections of the covers. The following references teach connections: 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,553,308 to Botsolas teaches special metal pins; 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,025,836 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,669,509, both to Botsolas teach different tapes, including adhesive tapes, screws and rivets; 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,207,918 to Burns and U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,696,324 and 4,696,324, both to Retronko, teach miscellaneous metal belts; and, 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,142,565 to Plunket teaches metal hooks. 
   Many of the foregoing references enable an effective and a convenient process to join separate insulation sections; however, there is a need to reduce a quantity of fasteners applied to each individual jacket. Disadvantages to the quantities taught in the references include a more complicated construction, a labor intensive installation and a loss of heat from the jacket joints. 
   There is known a removable insulation jacket comprised of at least two sections to cover a pipe junction completely: U.S. Pat. No. 3,724,491 to Knudsen teaches every section comprising protective metal layers formed in a closed jacket having insulation material inside. A protective inner shell diameter corresponds both to an outer pipe diameter and to adjacent jacket sections that have a face overlapping ledge connected with screws. Drawbacks associated with this insulation construction include a complicated production process, non-hermetic seams between adjoining joints, unnecessary heat loss due to many heat conductive inserts and difficult insulation and removal. 
   There is also known pipe-insulation products comprising varied shaped configurations to cover combinations of different constructions, pipe fittings, accouterments, etc. U.S. Pat. No. 3,557,840 to Maybee teaches a preliminary formed unitary heat insulating construction comprised of joined rigid heat insulating foam plastic elements fastened onto a covering layer with a porous foam plastic surface that has truncated V-shaped grooves to secure a good connection of the joined elements in operation. In so doing, the necessity to make chamfers restricts an application of this construction because of the strictly determined insulated surface curvature radius that demands many machine-tool attachments to accommodate different types of products. 
   A heat insulation means for power equipment inner surfaces in a form of panelments fastened to an insulated shell with metal fasteners is described in SU 1010141, G21 c 13/00, F 16 L 59/00, 1981. This arrangement provides better heat technology performance, but it is a more complicated construction. SU 1540413 teaches a shield heat insulation covered with a protective strap for high temperature equipment. The (&#39;413) patent more specifically teaches a means for compensation of heat extensions made as V-shaped flexible elements, wherein a flange surface comprised on them is covered with the protective strap. There is a measure to avoid in this construction; namely, convection stream metal shield pack rigidly linked from two adjacent sides to the elastic V-shaped element, which under operational temperature growth allows the shield and protective sheets to expand freely without construction temperature tension. 
   Thermohelp, a Chicago and a Canadian company, produce removable and reusable insulations for heat exchangers and hot pipes. These insulations most closely relate to the heat saving construction verses operational temperature range and design features. Analogous products used to insulate gas turbines, steam pipes, etc. are manufactured by Techorizons of America, Inc., Insultec, Inc., and Remco Technology, Inc. In general, these insulation products represent multi-layered flexible and semi-rigid insulating covers that comprise an inner, middle insulating layer and an outer protective layer sheeting. The inner layer is made of light, soft or elastic fibers and highly effective heat insulating materials having a standard thickness. They are manufactured in a form of rolls or mats. The outer, upper and bottom layer sheetings are manufactured from certified film, fabric or sheet materials having guaranteed longevity, temperature resistance, fire resistance and a resistance to water, air, oil, acids and other aggressive chemicals. A common drawback of the majority of removable insulation products is non-hermetic joints between adjacent sections of the insulating cover. A presences of multiple heat conducting inserts results in unnecessary heat loss, a loss of expensive technological energy and an increased financial expenditure. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is an object of the present invention to provide a sectional, insulating jacket(s) for technological equipment including, but not limited to, turbines, engines, boilers, valves and various pipelines connections and appurtenances. It is an object that the insulating jackets insulate from both heat and sound and that they are capable of repeated use. 
   It is an object to increase the efficiency of the protection assembly for entities operating under elevated and extreme temperatures and/or with a high noise level. It is an object that the foregoing is accomplished by means of “self-sealing” assembling joints between contiguous insulation sections. It is an object that these joints are capable of controllable reduction at a stage of operation. 
   It is an object to simplify the installation and the dismantling of the heat protection assembly installation such that a reliability of the insulating assembly is increased due to an application of the universal integrated fastening and connection means, such means which provide a connection of the insulation sections&#39; layers during installation and heating. It is an object that these means simultaneously secure the constant and uniform assembly thickness and mutual position of the contiguous insulation sections after the “self-sealing” of the assembling joints between them. 
   It is an object to provide an airtight sealing of the heat protection assembly joints by means of inclined side flexible layers forming them. The sizes of the assembling joints between adjacent sections at levels of the upper and the bottom flexible layers, are equal to the temperature extensions at corresponding leves. 
   It is an object to provide an airtight sealing of the heat protection assembly joints by means of a use of special joint fillers braids. It is an object that these fillers are fabricated out of an elastic braid fixed on the adjacent insulation sections&#39; side flexible layers. The braid completely fills the assembling joints during a temperature expansion of the insulation sections. 
   It is an object of the present invention to reduce heat loss significantly through the assembling joints and through the fastening and connection means of the heat protection assembly, which are attributed to the “self-sealing” effect of the assembling joints, wherein essential heat loss decreases through the fastening means owing to their original design. 
   It is a further object that a shape of the insulated entity&#39;s external surface can be diverse; there is no limitation to size or configuration. This advantage enables a use of the invention for a variety of technological equipment ranging from turbines, engines etc. any valves or connections of pipes with a shape and form exclusively individual without limitation. 
   The present invention is a sectional heat insulation jacket comprising a set of multi-layer insulation sections in which the layers are bound together by fastening and fixing means. Adjacent insulation sections connect as a whole and they separate by means of assembling joints. The assembling joints are self-sealed. A mutual positioning of the adjacent sections is reliably secured by the connecting means at each stage of heating. The self-sealing is accomplished due to the original insulation sections&#39; shape, but it is carried out by means of side flexible layers which incline under a sharp angle to the surface of an upper flexible layer. The sizes of the assembling joints between adjacent sections at levels of the upper and the bottom flexible layers are equal to the temperature expansion of these layers in longitudinal and transverse directions, correspondingly due to the insulated entity&#39;s heating until an operating temperature is reached. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     The advantages and the features of the present invention are better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a sectional heat insulating jacket for an entity having a curvilinear external surface (boiler) at a stage of operation; 
       FIG. 2   a  is a partial view of insulation sections of the jacket shown in  FIG. 1  at a stage of installation; 
       FIG. 2   b  is a partial view of insulation sections of the jacket shown in  FIG. 1  at a stage of operation; 
       FIG. 2   c  shows a cross-section taken along lines I-I of  FIG. 2   a,  wherein a direction of self-sealing movement is shown; 
       FIG. 3   a  is a partial view of insulation sections of the jacket shown in  FIG. 1 , wherein a second embodiment of the present invention comprises a top view at a connection point of four adjacent insulation sections is shown utilizing a ledge; 
       FIG. 3   b  shows a cross-section taken along lines II-II of  FIG. 3   a,  wherein a direction of self-sealing movement is shown; 
       FIG. 4   a  is a partial view of insulation sections of the jacket of  FIG. 1 , wherein a third embodiment of the present invention shows a connection of adjacent insulation sections having an elastic, heat resistant, polymer filler braid insert; 
       FIG. 4   b  shows a cross-section taken along lines III-III of  FIG. 4   a  at a state of installation; 
       FIG. 4   c  shows a cross-section taken along lines III-III of  FIG. 4   a  at a stage of operation; 
       FIG. 5  is a fragment of an insulation section shown in  FIG. 4   a;    
       FIG. 6  is a dimensions table for the sectional jacket, wherein the dimensions are defined by formulas recited in the table; and, 
       FIG. 7  is a table that defines each reference character utilized in the formulas of Table 6. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within the Figures. 
   1. Detailed Description of the Figures 
   A perspective view of a first embodiment of a sectional heat insulating jacket is shown in  FIG. 1 , wherein multi-layered insulation sections  2  (hereinafter “insulating sections”) are shown for purposes of insulating process equipment, for example, a curvilinear external surface, s.a., a boiler (referred to as a boiler herein for purposes of enabling the invention). The insulating sections  2  are not limited to insulating the present entity, but they may rather be used to insulate technological equipment that include turbines, engines, boilers, valves and various pipelines connections and appurtenances. 
     FIGS. 2   a - c  are the cross-sections of the insulating sections  2  shown in  FIG. 1 . Each section  2  comprises a closed, polyhedral, protective housing  4  which is formed by thread stitched seams  6 . A bottom flexible layer  8  inverts to insulate the hot surface of the boiler. The bottom layer  8  tightly wraps around the surface such that there is negligible clearance. An upper, flexible layer  10  is equally spaced from the bottom flexible layer  8  along an entire surface of the insulation section(s)  2 . Side flexible layers  12  incline under a sharp angle [90° minus beta(I,II)] to the top flexible layer  10  when installed; side flexible layers are perpendicular to the surfaces of both the bottom layer  8  and the upper layer  10  at the stage of operation. All side flexible layers  12  also have that same configuration on adjacent insulation section(s)  2 . A middle, semi-rigid insulation forming layer  14  is placed inside each section&#39;s  2  housing  4 . Each insulation section  2  is supplied with a special fastening means  16 , which is placed equidistantly. 
   A first embodiment of the fastening means  16  comprises a fixing means  20  to fasten rods  18  on the surface of the insulation section  2 . Adjacent insulation sections  2  separate from each other by means of assembling joints  22 ; they also connect to form a flush whole by means of connection means  24  which are distributed along a perimeter of joining sections  2  in a corresponding, regular order. The connection means  24  comprise special studs  26  which are fixed on the fastening rods  18  and coupled with a special plate-clamp  28 . The plate  28  comprises a T-form shape having at least two round holes  30  at the plate&#39;s narrow end and an arched slot  32  at the broader, opposite end. A flange  34  comprised on the broad end of the plate  28  provides a means to turn the plate around one of the fastening rods  26 . During each intermediate step of heating, the side layers of adjacent insulation sections move towards center line of the assembling joint such that mutual positions of fastening means  16  gradually reach a final position and secure in the final position by means of the plate-clamp  28  after the assembling joint  22  sealed (herein referred to as “self-sealing”). 
   The presence of the same fastening means  16 , placed in a certain pattern on all surfaces of the insulation sections  2 , also affects the self-sealing of the assembling joints  22 . The fastening rods  18  screw into the insulation section  2  body; they are fixed on both the bottom  8  and the upper  10  flexible layers by the special fixing means  20 . The different means for each variant fixing secure constant and uniform insulation section&#39;s  2  thicknesses while simultaneously binding the layers  8 ,  10 , 14  together. A design of the fastening and the fixing means  16 ,  20  cause the upper  10  and the bottom  8  layers to move towards the center of the assembling joints  22  during heating, wherein movement is accomplished from the side of the bottom flexible layer  8  without a protrusion of the upper flexible layer  10 . 
   In an embodiment of the fastening means  16 , shown in  FIG. 2   c,  the fastening rod is manufactured from a heat-resistant stainless steel. An example of the embodiment comprises a conical helical spring  36  having a height equal to a thickness of the insulation section  2 . It further comprises a flat coil  38  at a spring top and a straight axial part  40  with a thread  42  at the opposing end. A length of the conical spring (uncoiled) is 2 to 6 times greater than a thickness of the overall insulation sections. The length is determined by the formula defined as equation 4 in  FIG. 6 . Fixing means  20  comprises an abutment washer  44  having a threaded hole  46  for the stud  26  rigidly fixed in the center of the flat coil  38 . Fixing means  20  further comprises a self-locking washer  48  and a locking nut  50  screwed with a thread  42  on the straight axial part  40  of the spring. A fastening unit of the rod  18  is shown in a large scale in  FIG. 2   c,  wherein the stud  26  is screwed into the abutment washer  44 . The plate-clamp allows a gradual fastening of adjacent insulation sections as they expand under heating from 150-1200° C. It is preferred that the polymer rods  18  are nonmetallic polymer. 
   A second embodiment of the invention is shown in  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b.  The sides of the insulation sections  2  are made with bottom  52  and upper  54  ledges conformed from the side flexible layers  12  and overlapping each other at a level of an insulation section&#39;s  2  median surface. The formed ledges  52 ,  54  of the side flexible layers  12  represent two parallel inclined surfaces  12   a  overlapping at an intermediate horizontal flexible layer  56 . The inclined surfaces  12   a  and the intermediate horizontal flexible layer  56  of each section invert to corresponding layers of the adjacent insulation sections  2 . The bottom ledges  52  and, accordingly, the upper ledges  54  are placed in pairs on adjacent surfaces of side flexible layers  12   a  of the insulation sections  2 . A layer of polished steel  58  foil is fixed (e.g., by means of a needle stitching) on the upper surface of the bottom ledges  52  on the flexible layer  56 . The foil decreases a friction force between contact surfaces of the joined insulation sections. It simultaneously decreases heat losses through the bottom ledge due to a reflection of infrared radiation. An overlap of the ledges  52 ,  54  guarantees high reliability of the self-sealing assembling joints  22 . The second embodiment is most practical when a thickness of the insulation sections  2  is greater than 100 mm. 
   The fastening means  16  of the second embodiment, shown in  FIG. 3   b,  is a fastening rod fabricated form a heat resistant polymer having low thermal conductivity. It comprises a shape of a tube-like bushing  60  having a trapezoidal lead thread  62  located along the outlet bushing surface. The bushing  60  comprises a height that is equal to a distance between the bottom  8  and the upper  10  flexible layers when it is screwed into the insulation section(s)  2  and secured in place by fixing means  20 . The fixing means  20  comprises two support steel washers  64  placed on each of the bushing  60  ends, a steel stud  66  installed from the flexible layer  10  side (it placed along the perimeter of the insulation sections  2  for fastening rods  18 ), a screw  68  from the flexible layer  8  side or two screws  68  from the sides of both flexible layers  8  and  10  (for other fastening rods  18 ) correspondingly. The screws  68  screw in the bushing  60  to form a self-tapping fastening thread on the inner bushing surface. It is suggested that the bushing  60  can be fabricated out of a fluoropolymer, s.a., a polytetrafluoroethylene (TEFLON® or TEXTOLITE™). The studs  66  are simultaneously used as a component of the connection means  24  with the plate-clamp  28 . 
   A third embodiment of the invention, shown in  FIGS. 4   a - c , comprises an elastic filler braid  72  fixed to and between two adjacent, inclined side flexible layers  12  of insulation sections  2 . The braid  72  is formed from a heat resistant polymer. It is preferably fabricated from a silicone resin. There is no limitation to the means to fix the braid to each section; however, it is anticipated that an adhesive or a clamp means may be utilized. The braid  72  comprises a trapezoidal profile which corresponds to the inclinations of side flexible layers  12 . They further comprise V-shaped cut-outs on the upper  74  and bottom  76  surfaces. A height of the elastic braid  72  is 10-20 mm less than the thickness of the whole insulation section(s)  2 . Geometrical parameters of the insert-braid  72  are chosen so that to provide conditions at which the insert-braids completely fill the assembling joints  22  when they are deformed at heating. A partial view of the insulation section is shown in  FIG. 5  comprising the braids  72  fixed on the adjacent, inclined side flexible layers  12 . 
     FIG. 6  is a dimensions table for the sectional jacket, wherein the dimensions for characters referenced in the foregoing drawings are defined by formulas recited in the table.  FIG. 7  further defines each reference character. 
   The parameters of the insulation sections  2  (calculated using formulas 1-3 in  FIG. 6 ) provide for the assembling joints  22  to be self-sealing. To increase reliability, the bottom  8  and the upper  10  flexible layers fabricate with some positive tolerance, which is determined with empirical coefficients K(I;s) and K(II;s). In the present case, the length and the width of the flexible layers  8 ,  10  are such that they expand to seal the assembling joints  22  between the joining side flexible layers  12  of adjacent insulation sections  2 . Considered are the different temperature linear expansion coefficients of both the material used to manufacture the flexible layers  8 ,  10  and the volume shrinkage of the middle insulating layer under heating. It should further be noted that by the 15-20% reduction of the assembling joint&#39;s  22  width, an additional joint compression can be achieved creating an almost hermetical joint. Experimental data makes it possible to compute formulas for sectional heat insulating jackets having almost hermetic assembling joints. 
   In essence, the assembling joints  22  are “self-sealing” until the inclined side flexible layers  12   a  of adjacent insulation sections  2  meet each other, wherein there is some reduction to coefficients K(I;s) and K(II;s) described in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . The ledges of the assembly joints  22  prevent their opening during operation, thus avoiding any unnecessary heat loss through the sectional heat insulating jacket according to this invention. 
   The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention are presented for the purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive nor to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed and, obviously, many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments are chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, namely, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and its various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular uses contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the Claims appended hereto and to their equivalents. The scope of the invention is therefore to be limited only by the following claims.