Abstract:
An insulation jacket for use as a valve cover. The jacket comprises a body portion comprising a central section and two lateral sections. Each of the lateral sections comprises an inboard and outboard belt and each of the belts extends along each of the lateral sections. The ends of each of the belts is adapted to interlock whereby the insulation jacket may be securely fastened around a valve casting.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates to insulation jackets for use as flanged valves which serve to thermally insulate valve covers, thus reducing thermal losses. 
     2. Description of Prior Art 
     In view of the high cost of energy it has been found highly desirable to insulate pipes and lines normally exposed to the atmosphere so as to cut down on heat losses and save energy. While the insulation of straight piping lends itself readily to known techniques, the insulation of valves and valve casings presents quite another problem in view of their unusual and varying shapes and sizes. Furthermore, it is important that the insulation cover used effectively seal off the exterior of the valve housing from the atmosphere so as to prevent energy leaks which might normally occur. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,112,967 to WITHEIM discloses a multi-layered flexible valve cover constructed to conform to valves having a stub-type valve construction. The use of Velcro-type fasteners for purposes of securing the insulation jacket around the piping is disclosed although other types of fasteners are also mentioned including buckles, clips, belts or other structure. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 1,108,840 to FRANKE discloses a multi-piece removable valve insulation casing provided with one or more drain holes along its surface to permit leakage thus rendering such leakage visible. 
     Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 4,073,317 to ELLIS discloses a strap which may be used in conjunction with an attached clamp to secure an insulation jacket around a pipe. 
     While the above patents evidence attempts at solving the problem of heat losses from valve casings, the prior art devices have proven themselves bulky and unmanageable while failing to provide completely satisfactory insulation protection. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is, therefore, an object of the invention to provide a thermal insulation jacket for use as a valve cover which is simple to use and which requires only a minimum of maintenance. 
     It is yet a further object of the invention to provide an insulation jacket for use as a valve cover which may be used effectively in conjunction with valve casings to effectively minimize thermal losses through these valve casings to the atmosphere. 
     These and other objects are fulfilled by means of the thermal insulation jacket of the invention which comprises a body portion comprising a central section and two lateral sections. Each of the lateral sections comprises an inboard and outboard belt. Each of the belts extends along each of the lateral sections and the ends of each of the belts are adapted to interlock with each other whereby the insulation jacket may be securely fastened around a valve casing. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
     With reference to the annexed drawings: 
     FIG. 1 is a top view of the insulation jacket of the invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a side view of the skirt of the invention in flattened condition; 
     FIG. 3 is an perspective view of the cap of the invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a side view of the insulation jacket, partialy cut away, when used in conjunction with a valve casing; and 
     FIG. 5 is an end view of the insulation jacket in the assembled position. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The thermal insulation jacket of the invention is particularly adapted for use in conjunction with valve casings which normally pose considerable obstacles for the types of insulation jackets commonly available. The thermal insulation jacket of the invention is flexible enough so as to be suitable for handling by personnel because of its easy application and removal yet nevertheless provides high thermal efficiency. 
     The thermal insulation jacket itself may be made of a wide variety of materials and in a wide variety of thicknesses and dimensions. Preferably, the thermal insulation jacket itself comprises a fiberglass cloth fabric coated with a silicone rubber coating so as to render the fabric resistant to water and ambient conditions. A most preferred fabric is 100% fiberglass lagging cloth. By selecting the proper outer facing for the insulation jacket the jacket may be easily removed and readily re-used thus reducing cost while providing effective insulation efficiency. 
     The insulation jacket is preferably stuffed with a lightweight flexible mat which preferably comprises type-E glass fibers although other types of packing may obviously be used depending upon the particular specifications. The thickness of the jacket may commonly be between 1 and 2 inches although other thicknesses are within the scope of the invention dependng upon specific conditions. 
     A very important feature of the invention is that the jacket is provided with a pair of inboard and outboard straps on each of the lateral sections of the jacket which make it possible to tightly secure the jacket around a valve casing such that the jacket extends beyond the flange formed between the casing and the line and may thus be tightened around the pipe insulation provided on the line to completely and thermally insulate the valve casing from the atmosphere. 
     The straps of the invention are held in place by means of lateral fasteners which hold the straps in place while permitting longitudnal sliding movement. When properly fitted, the jacket extends beyond the flange and the inboard and outboard straps are properly adjusted so as to provide an effective seal in conjunction with insulation provided along the connecting line. 
     FIG. 1 illustrates the thermal insulation jacket 10 which comprises lateral sections 18 and 24 with end flap sections 20, 22 and 26, 28 separated by means of slightly differing U-shaped cutouts 14 and 16 respectively. Each of the lateral sections 18 and 24 is separated by means of a central section 12. The central section comprises weep holes 15 which permit fluid which has leaked from the line to visibly drain out of the jacket. Outboard straps or belts 30 and 34 as well as inboard straps or belts 32 and 36 are respectively located on each of lateral sections 24 and 18. Each of the straps is provided with a buckle at one end thereof adapted to receive the other end of the strap such that the strap may be tightened around the valve casing when the jacket is wound around the casing. Although the straps are each illustrated as having a buckle 38 and a free end, the straps may be provided with a wide variety of fastening means to be used in conjunction with each of the straps. 
     Each of the straps is generally maintained in place by means of lateral securing strips 31 which, although holding the straps onto the jacket, nevertheless permit the straps to slide longitudinally. 
     As shown, the flaps 20 and 26 comprise unpadded insulation while flaps 22 and 28 are padded in a fashion similar to the central portion of the jacket. Flaps 20 and 26 are adapted to overlap flaps 22 and 28 when the jacket is used. To facilitate assembly of the jacket grommets 11 may be provided which permit the user to secure flaps 22 and 28 around the upstanding portion of the valve by means of wires or the like which secure one end of the jacket to the valve casing thus freeing both of the user&#39;s hands to wrap and strap the jacket. 
     FIG. 2 illustrates an insulation skirt which may be used in conjunction with the jacket of the invention so as to thermally insulate the upstanding portion of a valve casing against thermal losses. As shown, the skirt 40 is provided with parabolic shaped sections which, when the skirt is wrapped around an upstanding section of a valve casing, correspond to the U-shaped cutouts of the insulation jacket. The skirt 40 is additionally provided with fastening means 46 and 48 which make it possible to securely fasten the skirt. The fastening means may comprise a series of hooks adapted to be used in conjunction with twist wires or the like for securing the skirts. Additionally, the skirt may be provided with a series of straps such as those disclosed in FIG. 1 or may be fastened in any other desired fashion. 
     FIG. 3 illustrates an insulation cap 50 provided with an upper wall and a slit 56 adapted to accomodate the control wheel of a valve mounted on a valve stem such that the cap may be slipped over the control wheel and lowered to surround the skirt by means of a lateral wall 58. The lateral wall is provided with a strap 52 and buckle 54 for securing the cap over the skirt and around the valve casing. 
     The cap may further be provided with mating velcro sections 59a and 59b in cutaway section 58 to provide for further ease of assembly. 
     FIG. 4 illustrates the insulation jacket when used in conjunction with a valve casing 60 having an upstanding section 65 and a horizontal section 66. The horizontal section of the valve casing ends in a flange 72 which mates with a flange 74 provided at the edge of line pipe 68. Line pipe 68 is encased within conventional insulation 70 which forms a cylindrical casing around the pipe line. As shown, the insulation 70 extends up to flange 74. Insulation jacket 10 provided with inboard strap 30 and outboard strap 32 is wound around horizontal valve casing section 66 and is adapted to extend beyond flanges 72 and 74 such that it extends up to and over insulation jacket 70. Inboard strap 30 surrounds the mating point of the two flanges 72 and 74 to tightly seal the jacket around the horizontal section of the casing while outboard strap 32 located beyond flange 74 securely and effectively maintains the insulation jacket wrapped around insulation jacket 70 thus assuring an essentially complete seal. 
     As may be seen from FIG. 5, the insulation jacket of the invention is used by winding it around the valve casing such that flaps 26 and 20 overlap flaps 22 and 28 and are strapped over line insulation 70 by means of outboard straps 30 and 36. 
     The invention has been described with respect to particular embodiments and materials. It is to be understood however that the invention is not limited in either of these respects and is to be construed only in light of the claims.