Abstract:
A system for heating fluid lines to prevent freezing and ice build up. A heated fluid line is utilized within the pipeline to achieve improved thermal transfer.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of the priority date of U.S. Provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/792,514 filed Mar. 15, 2013, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to preventing ice buildup in fluid transport pipes. More particularly, the invention relates to providing a heating a fluid to warm a fluid inside of large pipes. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    In particular climates it is desired to heat, thaw and prevent the freezing of pipelines. The pipelines are used to transfer fluids across a distance, sometimes through areas of cold weather. 
         [0004]    Presently, heat exchangers are used to keep the fluid in the pipeline from freezing. However, heat exchangers require that the fluid in the pipeline be flowing in order to be effective. Once the fluid stops moving, the heat exchanger is unable to heat the fluid thereby making the system ineffective. 
         [0005]    Another method to heat fluid in a pipeline is to heat the exterior. This requires the installation of heated lines on the exterior surface of the pipe. However, these transfer lines are generally inefficient as much of the heat is lost to the ambient air. 
         [0006]    Yet another method, is to insert a device into the line and use a vacuum to draw the fluid from the line. Once drained the fluid is heated and pumped back into the pipeline. This method is both very labor intensive and requires the special equipment such as vacuum trucks. 
         [0007]    Therefore, a system for keeping high volumes of fluid from freezing is desired. 
         [0008]    Further, a system for keeping fluids from freezing with minimal intervention (disassembly of pipelines, draining and down time) is desired. 
         [0009]    Even further, a system to provide safe, continuous heat over long distances, and to easily and quickly thaw frozen pipe is desired. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    In one form the invention relates to a fluid heating system having a pipeline having a heating insert installed along the length of the pipeline. The heating insert having at least one connector being in communication with a heating line, the heating line being positioned within the diameter of the pipeline. Heated fluid passes through the connector and through the heating line to warm the fluid within the pipeline. 
         [0011]    In another embodiment, the invention includes a fluid heating system with a pipeline having at least one heating line located within its inner diameter. A heating insert delivers heated fluid to the heating line through a connector, while another connector receives heating fluid returning from the heating line. 
         [0012]    In yet another embodiment, the invention includes a fluid heating system with a pipeline having a first opening, a second opening, a first pipeline flange, a second pipeline flange and an inner diameter. A heating insert is connected to the pipeline and has an outer surface, an inner diameter, an opening on each end, two heating insert flanges, at least two connectors passing through the outer surface of the heating insert, at least one heating line, wherein the heating line has a proximal end, a distal end, and both an inlet and an outlet near the proximal end. The first and second pipeline flanges are attached to the two heating insert flanges to form a continuous pipe as between said pipeline and said heating insert. The at least one heating line resides within the continuous pipe of the pipeline. The proximal end of the at least one heating line is connected to two connectors of the heating insert, and its distal end terminates within an inside diameter of the pipeline. The heating line is connected to the two connectors to form a continuous heating line as between one of the connectors of the heating insert, the heating line itself, and the other connector. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    The present invention is disclosed with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is an expanded isometric view of a pipeline having a heating insert and heated fluid lines according to one embodiment; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a close up isometric view of the heating insert shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is an alternative isometric view of the heating insert shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is an interior view of the heating insert shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is an expanded isometric view of a pipeline having a heating insert and heated fluid lines according to another embodiment; 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is a close up isometric view of the heating insert shown in  FIG. 5 ; and 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is a close up isometric view of the heating line shown in  FIG. 5 . 
       
    
    
       [0021]    Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The examples set out herein illustrates several embodiments of the invention but should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0022]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-4 , there is shown the heating lines for integration with fluid pipes according to one embodiment. To heat the fluid in the pipeline  10 , a heating insert  20  is connected between sections of pipeline to allow integration of the heating lines  30 . Heated fluid enters through one of the connectors  23  and flows through a heating line  30 , such as a pipe, before exiting through a connector on a second heating insert (not shown), constructed similarly as the heating insert  20 . Thus, the heating line  30  is connected between two interior connectors  25 , one at each of two heating inserts  20  connected inline into the same pipeline  10 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , more than one heating line  30  may be so connected as between two heating inserts  20  each having more than one interior connector  25 . Also as shown in  FIG. 1 , each heating insert  20  may include upstream and downstream facing interior connectors  25  matching additional heating inserts  20  connected inline into the pipeline  10  upstream and downstream from the heating insert  20  illustrated in  FIG. 1 . In one embodiment, a terminal heating insert  20  may include only an upstream or a downstream set of interior connectors  25 . In yet another embodiment, each heating insert  20  may include only one upstream and one downstream interior connector  25 , or only one of an upstream or downstream interior connector  25 . As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the heating insert  20  includes two connector pairs wherein one pair faces in one direction at a proximal end of the heating insert  20  and the other pair of interior connector  25  faces toward an opposite direction at a distal end of the heating insert  20 . Either of these interior connector pairs may be connected as upstream or downstream connectors. The heating insert  20  itself is a pipe having connectors formed therein and may be referred to herein as a pipe or pipeline. Hence, both the heating insert  20  and the pipeline  10  are each shaped as cylinders and each include a longitudinal axis along their cylindrical centers which may be considered to be coaxial when the heating insert  20  is attached to the pipeline  10 . 
         [0023]    The heating insert  20  is connected in line with the pipeline  10 . The pipeline flange  11  is the same diameter as the heating insert flange  21 . The two flanges are connected together in a similar manner as connecting sections of pipeline, to form a leak-resistant seal and a continuous pipeline. This connection allows the flow of fluid through the pipeline and heating insert sections. 
         [0024]    The heating insert  20  has at least one of connector  23  to allow transfer of heating fluid from the exterior of the pipeline into the interior of the pipeline without leaking heating fluid into the pipeline product itself. The connectors may be either inlet or outlet ports. It is understood that the heating insert may contain any number of connectors. In one embodiment, the heating insert has one inlet and one outlet connector. In another embodiment, the heating insert has two inlet and two outlet connectors. In yet another embodiment a first heating insert has one inlet port while a second heating insert has one outlet port. The connectors  23  pass through the heating insert  20  at the transition point  22  forming a closed loop that allows the connector to transfer fluid from the outside of the pipe to the heating line inside of the pipe and back out of the pipe through another connector. In one embodiment, the connector  23  further contains a shut off valve  24  to adjust or shut off the flow of heating fluid. 
         [0025]    The interior connections  25  connect to the heating line connection  31  of the heating line  30 . heating fluid flows through the connector  23  through the heating line  30  to a second connector (not shown) before exiting the system. In one embodiment, an auxiliary pump is used to increase, or provide an adequate flow rate of the heating fluid. 
         [0026]    In another embodiment, the connectors are integrated directly into the pipeline  10 , without the need for the additional heating insert  20 . While the heating insert  20  allows for integration into existing pipelines, a pipeline with integrated connectors and heating lines is ideal for a new build. 
         [0027]    In use, the multiple heating inserts are connected between sections of pipeline. The heating insert attaches to the pipeline in the same manner as connecting multiple pieces of pipeline to form a continuous pipe. Inside the pipeline resides at least one heating line to carry heating fluid through the pipeline. The heating fluid is completely contained within the heating line to prevent the heating fluid from mixing with the fluid in the pipeline. Each end of the heating line connects to connectors found on the heating inserts connected to each end of the pipeline. These connectors allow the heating fluid to be transferred from outside of the pipeline and into the heating line found inside the pipeline when the pipeline is fully assembled and closed. By the heating line residing inside of the pipeline a more efficient level of heat transfer can be obtained. 
         [0028]    Referring to  FIGS. 5-7 , there is shown heating lines for integration with fluid pipes according to another embodiment. To heat the fluid in the pipeline  110 , a second embodiment of a heating insert  120  is connected between sections of pipeline to allow integration of the heating lines  130 . Heated fluid enters through one of the connectors  123  and flows through a heating line  130  before exiting another connector  126  on the heating insert  120 . While the description below will describe operation of the heating insert  120  embodiment of  FIGS. 5-6 , it should be noted that the heating insert  20  shown in  FIGS. 1-4  may also be used, with interior connections  25  therein for connecting to the heating line inflow and outflow connections  131 ,  132 , respectively. The pipeline  110  of  FIG. 5  is shown in a cutaway view to better illustrate the heating line  130  within the inside diameter of pipe  110 . 
         [0029]    The heating insert  120  is connected in line with the pipeline  110 . The pipeline flange  111  is the same diameter as the heating insert flange  121 . The two flanges are connected together in a similar manner as connecting sections of pipeline, to form a leak-resistant seal and a continuous pipeline. This connection allows the flow of fluid through the pipeline and the heating insert. 
         [0030]    The heating insert  120  has at least one of connector  123  to allow transfer of heating fluid from the exterior of the pipeline into the interior of the pipeline without leaking heating fluid into the pipeline product itself. The heating insert  120  also has at least one of connector  126  to allow return transfer of heating fluid from the interior of the pipeline  110  to the exterior of the pipeline without leaking heating fluid into the pipeline product itself. The connectors  123 ,  126  may be arranged as either inlet or outlet ports. It is understood that the heating insert may contain any number of connectors. In one embodiment, the heating insert has one inlet connector  123  and one outlet connector  126 . In another embodiment, the heating insert has two inlet and two outlet connectors. The connectors  123 ,  126  pass through the heating insert  120  at the transition point  122  forming a closed loop that allows the connector  123  to transfer fluid from the outside of the pipe to the heating line inside of the pipe and back out of the pipe through another connector  126 . The connectors  123 ,  126  may further each contain a shut off valve (such as  24  as shown in  FIGS. 1-4 ) to adjust or shut off the flow of heating fluid. 
         [0031]    The interior connections  125  connect to the heating line inflow and outflow connections  131 ,  132 , located near a proximal end of the heating line  130 . Heating fluid flows through one connector  123  through the heating line inflow connection  131 , which is the open proximal end of the small diameter interior pipe  133 . The heating fluid flows through the small diameter pipe section  133  of the heating line  130  toward a distal end of the heating line, and returns via a return channel formed by the larger diameter pipe  134  to heating line outflow connection  132 , then to another connector  126  before exiting the system. In one embodiment, an auxiliary pump is used to increase, or provide an adequate flow rate of the heating fluid. In an exemplary embodiment, the smaller diameter pipe  133  is a one inch pipe, and the larger diameter pipe  134  is a two inch pipe. 
         [0032]    The heating line  130  is formed by positioning the smaller diameter pipe  133  within an inside diameter of a larger pipe  134 . The proximal and distal ends of the larger diameter pipe  134  are closed off, or capped (distal end), so as not to permit the heating fluid to exit therefrom, except through fluid return outflow connection  132 , as described below. Both the proximal and distal ends of the smaller diameter pipe are open. The proximal open end of the smaller diameter pipe  133  forms the heating line inflow connection  131  while the open distal end of the smaller diameter pipe  133  is positioned within the larger diameter pipe  134  and extends toward the closed distal end of the large diameter pipe. The open distal end of the smaller pipe does not make contact with the closed distal end of the larger diameter pipe so as to permit the heating fluid to exit from the distal end of the smaller diameter pipe  133 . Pressure from the heating fluid exiting the open distal end of the smaller pipe  133  generates a return flow in the plenum formed between an outside surface of the smaller pipe  133  and the inside surface of the larger pipe  134  from the distal end of the heating line  130  back toward its proximal end. The proximal end of the larger pipe  134  is sealed against the smaller inner pipe  133  to prevent heating fluid from exiting therefrom. The proximal end of the larger pipe  134  includes an opening having a connector  132  attached thereto allowing the heating fluid to exit the heating line and for connecting to the interior connection  125  of the heating insert  120 . The return heating fluid thereby exits the pipeline through connector  126 . The distal end of the heating line may be propped against a bracket supported by an inside diameter of the pipeline  110 . Similarly, the distal end of the smaller pipe  133  may be propped against a bracket on an inside diameter of the larger pipe  134 . 
         [0033]    The heating insert  120  may be connected to heating fluid supply in line with an upper flange  140 . The heating fluid supply flange  141  is the same diameter as the heating insert upper flange  140 . The two flanges are connected together in a similar manner as connecting the pipeline  110  to end flanges  121  of the heating insert  120  to form a leak-resistant seal and a continuous flow. A central axis of the flange  140  may be said to be substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the pipeline  110 , while an axis of the flange  121  may be said to be substantially coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the pipeline  110  when the heating insert  120  is attached to the pipeline  110 . 
         [0034]    In another embodiment, the connectors are integrated directly into the pipeline  110 , without the need for the additional heating insert  120 . While the heating insert  120  allows for integration into existing pipelines, a pipeline with integrated connectors and heating lines is ideal for a new build. 
         [0035]    The heating insert  120  attaches to the pipeline in the same manner as connecting multiple pieces of pipeline to form a continuous pipe. Inside the pipeline resides at least one heating line  130  to carry heating fluid through the pipeline. The heating fluid is completely contained within the heating line to prevent the heating fluid from mixing with the fluid in the pipeline. The connectors  131 ,  132  of the heating line  130  are connected to interior connections  125  of connectors  123 ,  126  found on the heating insert. These connectors allow the heating fluid to be transferred from outside of the pipeline and into the heating line found inside the pipeline when the pipeline is fully assembled and closed. By the heating line residing inside of the pipeline a more efficient level of heat transfer can be obtained. 
         [0036]    While the invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the scope of the invention. 
         [0037]    Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope and spirit of the appended claims. 
         [0038]    While the invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the scope of the invention. 
         [0039]    Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope and spirit of the appended claims. 
       PARTS LIST 
       [0040]      10  pipeline 
         [0041]      11  pipeline flange 
         [0042]      20  heating insert 
         [0043]      21  heating insert flange 
         [0044]      22  transition point 
         [0045]      23  connectors 
         [0046]      24  shut off valve 
         [0047]      25  interior connections 
         [0048]      30  heating lines 
         [0049]      31  heating line connection 
         [0050]      110  pipeline 
         [0051]      111  pipeline flange 
         [0052]      120  heating insert 
         [0053]      121  heating insert flange 
         [0054]      122  transition point 
         [0055]      123  heating insert inflow connectors 
         [0056]      124  shut off valve 
         [0057]      125  interior connections 
         [0058]      126  heating insert outflow connectors 
         [0059]      130  heating lines 
         [0060]      131  heating line inflow connection 
         [0061]      132  heating line outflow connection 
         [0062]      133  heating line interior pipe 
         [0063]      134  heating line exterior pipe 
         [0064]      140  heating insert upper flange 
         [0065]      141  heating fluid supply flange