Patent Publication Number: US-2018051605-A1

Title: Conduit for maintaining temperature of fluid

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure generally relates to a conduit. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a conduit for maintaining a temperature of a fluid flowing through the conduit. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Prime mover engine applications, such as, transportation vehicles (including, automobiles, trains, aircraft, refrigeration trailers and the like), stationary equipment such as diesel engine driven electric generators etc., include conduits to provide a flow passage and convey fluids from one location to another. 
     Some of these prime mover engine systems may include a crankcase ventilation system that utilizes a plurality of conduits to receive blow-by gases from a crankcase of the engine. In cold weather conditions, where the temperature of ambient surroundings around the conduits is below freezing point of water and/or dew-point temperature of blow-by gases, blow-by gases present in the conduits may lose heat and may cause condensation of water vapors present in the blow-by gases. This condensation of water vapors may lead to formation of emulsion within the conduit. Furthermore, in some conditions the condensed water vapor may freeze into ice. Formation of emulsions and/or ice may disrupt the flow of the blow-by gases that may lead to increased crankcase pressure and may cause oil leakage from various engine components. Additionally, formation of emulsions and/or ice may cause damage to engine components and an after treatment module. 
     US 20120125913 discloses an apparatus for heating a pipe. An inner sheet covers the pipe such that an inner surface of the inner sheet faces the outer surface of the pipe. A heating wire is distributed on the outer surface of the inner sheet. Further, US 20120125913 discloses an insulation pad stacked on the outer surface of the inner sheet such that the insulation pad insulates the heat emitted from the heating wire. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In an aspect of the present disclosure, a conduit is disclosed. The conduit includes a tube having an outer surface and an insulation layer surrounding the tube. A heating layer is disposed between the insulation layer and the tube, such that the heating layer is wrapped around the outer surface of the tube. Further, the conduit includes a reinforcement layer sandwiched between the insulation layer and the heating layer. 
     In another aspect of the present disclosure, a crankcase ventilation system for an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The crankcase ventilation system includes a crankcase and a conduit coupled to the crankcase and configured to receive blow-by gases from the crankcase. The conduit includes a tube having an outer surface, an insulation layer surrounding the tube, a heating layer disposed between the insulation layer and the tube such that the heating layer is wrapped around the outer surface of the tube and a reinforcement layer sandwiched between the insulation layer and the heating layer. 
     In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a method of manufacturing a conduit is disclosed. The method includes providing a tube having an outer surface, wrapping a heating layer on the outer surface of the tube, covering the heating layer by a reinforcement layer and encapsulating the reinforcement layer by an insulation layer. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a diagrammatic illustration of an exemplary engine system in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a diagrammatic illustration of the exemplary engine system in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a conduit used in the engine system of  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4 a    illustrates a portion of the conduit wherein a heating layer is disposed on the outer surface of a tube; 
         FIG. 4 b    illustrates a portion of the conduit wherein a heating layer in the form of one or more strip heater is disposed on the outer surface of the tube, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4 c    illustrates a portion of the conduit wherein the one or more strip heaters are coiled around the tube in different patterns; 
         FIG. 4 d    illustrates the one or more strip heaters being placed on the outer surface of a tube that includes a plurality of sharp bends; 
         FIG. 4 e    illustrates a portion of the conduit wherein a reinforcement layer encases the heating layer; 
         FIG. 4 f    illustrates a portion of the conduit wherein an insulation layer is provided over the reinforcement layer; 
         FIG. 4 g    illustrates a sock of insulation layer being disposed over the reinforcement layer in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4 h    illustrates a portion of the conduit wherein a cover layer is provided on the insulation layer; 
         FIG. 5  is a side view of the conduit, shown in  FIG. 3 , that illustrates the structural arrangement of the conduit; 
         FIG. 6  is a flowchart depicting a method of manufacturing a conduit in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an engine system  100 . The engine system  100  includes an engine  102 . The engine  102  may be configured to convert the chemical energy of the fuel into mechanical output. The engine  102  may be any engine running on solid, liquid or gaseous fuel, used for various purposes such as a power generation, a marine vessel, an automobile, a construction machine, any transportation vehicle and the like. In an embodiment, the engine  102  may be an internal combustion engine running on a hydrocarbon fuel. 
     The engine  102  may include an engine block  104  that at least partially defines one or more cylinders  106  (only one shown in  FIG. 1 ), a piston  108  slidably disposed within each cylinder  106 , and a cylinder head  110  that connects to the engine block  104  to cap off an end of cylinder  106 . The cylinder  106 , piston  108 , and cylinder head  110  may together form a combustion chamber  112 . The engine  102  may include any number of combustion chambers  112 , and the combustion chambers  112  may be disposed in an “in-line” configuration, a “V” configuration, or in any other suitable configuration. 
     The engine  102  may also include a crankshaft  114  that is rotatably disposed within the engine block  104 . A connecting rod  116  may connect each piston  108  to crankshaft  114  so that a sliding motion of the piston  108  between a top-dead-center position (farthest position of the piston  108  from the crankshaft  114 ) and a bottom-dead-center position (nearest position of the piston  108  from the crankshaft  114 ) within each respective cylinder  106  results in a rotation of the crankshaft  114 . Similarly, a rotation of the crankshaft  114  may result in a sliding motion of piston  108  between the top-dead-center and bottom-dead-center positions. 
     An oil pan  118  may be connected to the engine block  104  to form a cavity known as a crankcase  120  located below the combustion chambers  112 . Lubricant, for example engine oil, may be provided from the oil pan  118  to the engine surfaces to minimize metal-on-metal contact and thereby inhibit damage to the surfaces. Oil pan  118  may serve as a sump for collecting and supplying this lubricant. 
     Engine valves, for example exhaust valve  126  and intake valve  124  may be provided in valve openings (not shown), provided on the cylinder head  110 . The exhaust valve  126  and intake valve  124  may be associated with the flow of fluids into and out of the combustion chamber  112 , and be timed to move in relation to the movement of the piston  108 . For example, as the crankshaft  114  rotates the piston  108  through the intake stroke, the intake valve  124  may open to allow air or an air and fuel mixture to be drawn or forced into the combustion chamber  112 . During the compression and power strokes, both the intake valve  124  and the exhaust valve  126  may be closed to minimize leakage of gases from the combustion chamber  112 . During the exhaust stroke, the exhaust valve  126  may open to allow by-products of combustion to be pushed from the combustion chamber  112 . A valve cover  122  may be disposed on the cylinder head  110 . The valve cover  122  may be configured to house the intake valve  124  and the exhaust valve  126 . 
     Further, an ignition plug  128  may be disposed at least partially in the combustion chamber  112 . The ignition plug  128  may be connected to the cylinder head  110  by a threaded connection or other methods known in the art. The ignition plug  128  may be a typical J-gap spark plug, a spark plug with a pre-chamber, rail plug, extended electrode, or laser plug or any other type of spark plug known in the art. It may be contemplated that in various other engines such as diesel engines, etc. the ignition plug  128  may not be present. 
     The engine system  100  further includes a crankcase ventilation system  130  for the engine  102  as shown in  FIG. 1 . The crankcase ventilation system  130  is configured to allow one way passage for blow-by gases (the air fuel mixture and/or the exhaust gases produced within the combustion chamber  112 ) that leak past the piston  108  to escape in a controlled manner from the crankcase  120  of the engine  102 . The crankcase ventilation system  130  includes the crankcase  120 . The crankcase  120  forms the housing for the crankshaft  114 . The crankcase  120  defines a cavity in the engine  102  and is located below the cylinder(s)  106 . 
     The crankcase ventilation system  130  further includes an outlet  132  provided within the engine  102 . The outlet  132  is in fluid communication with the crankcase  120  and is configured to vent the blow-by gases from the crankcase  120 . In the embodiment illustrated, the outlet  132  is provided within the engine block  104 . In an alternate embodiment, the outlet  132  may be an opening provided in the crankcase  120 . 
     In an alternate embodiment, the outlet  132  may be in various cavities defined within the engine  102 . The outlet  132  may be configured to vent out the blow-by gases that may have accumulated in the plurality of cavities defined within the engine  102 . For example, the outlet  132  may be in the valve cover  122  as shown in  FIG. 2 . The outlet  132 , as shown in  FIG. 2 , may be configured to vent the blow-by gases that crept past the intake valve  124  and the exhaust valve  126  and got accumulated within the valve cover  122 . Further, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the valve cover  122  may be coupled to the crankcase  120  via a connecting passage  168 . The connecting passage  168  may be configured to fluidly couple the valve cover  122  and the crankcase  120  thereby venting out the blow-by gases that may have accumulated in the crankcase  120 . 
     In various other embodiments, the air fuel mixture and/or the exhaust gases produced within the combustion chamber  112  may leak past the piston  108  and accumulate within a cavity defined within the engine  102 . For example, the blow-by gases may escape the combustion chamber  112  and accumulate in the cam gallery (not shown). Thus, it may be contemplated that the blow-by gases may escape the combustion chamber  112  and accumulate within various other cavities defined by the engine such as front housing, rear housing, etc. Accordingly, plurality of outlets  132  may be provided within the engine  102  such that they are in fluid communication with the cavities defined within the engine  102  wherein the outlets  132  are configured to vent the blow-by gases accumulated within the cavities. It may be contemplated that the cavities defined within the engine  102  may be formed within the cylinder block  104 , front housing or rear housing. Further, it may be contemplated that these cavities may be in fluid communication the crankcase  120  via other connecting passages. In an embodiment, the cavities defined within the cylinder block  104 , front housing and rear housing may form a fraction of the crankcase  120  volume. 
     The crankcase ventilation system  130  includes a conduit  134 . The conduit  134  is configured to receive the blow-by gases from the crankcase  120  via the outlet  132 . The conduit  134  includes a first conduit end  136 , and a second conduit end  138 . The first conduit end  136  may be coupled to the crankcase ventilation filtration device  166  that may be disposed between the outlet  132  and the first conduit end  136 . In an alternate embodiment, the first conduit end  136  may be directly coupled to the outlet  132 . The second conduit end  138  may be coupled to an air intake system or vented to the atmosphere. The first conduit end  136  and the second conduit end  138  may be coupled to the crankcase ventilation filtration device  166  and the air intake system respectively using a connector, coupler, or any other means known in the art. 
     The term “conduit” may refer to any general tubular, elongated member or device and that could be flexible, semi-flexible and rigid devices commonly referred to as “hoses,” “tubes,” “pipes” and the like. The conduit  134  may have different cross-section shapes, and may have for example, round, oval, polygonal or any other cross sectional shape. 
     For the purpose of better understanding,  FIG. 3 - FIG. 5  illustrate the conduit  134  as tubular device axially extending along a central longitudinal axis  150 , up to a predetermined length between the first conduit end  136  and the second conduit end  138 . However, it may be contemplated that the conduit  134  may be of any shape such as a V-shaped conduit, a L-shaped conduit, J-shaped conduit, T shaped conduit with 2 or more connections, bent conduit or any other complex shaped conduit. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 4 a   , the conduit  134  includes a tube  140 . The tube  140  may be of a single-layer construction or a multi-layer construction. The tube  140  is used to convey liquids and gases from one location to another. The tube  140  has a circumferential outer surface  142  and a circumferential inner surface  144  which defines the inner diameter, referenced at Di (shown in  FIG. 4 h   ), of conduit  134 . In the preferred embodiment, the tube  140  may be moulded, extruded or otherwise formed of sheet stock silicone. In various other embodiments, the tube  140  may be provided as a moulded, extruded or otherwise formed of a polymeric material such as a polyamide, aramid, ethylene vinyl alcohol, polyoxymethylene, AEM, polyolefin, silicone, fluoropolymer, FKM, FVMQ, polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane, thermoplastic elastomer, EPDM, NBR, HNBR, acrylic or a copolymer or blend thereof. The tube  140  may be formed of one or more layers of the above-mentioned materials, wherein each of the layer may be independently formed. 
     The conduit  134  further includes a heating layer  146  provided on the outer surface  142  of the tube  140 . The heating layer  146  is configured to heat the outer surface  142  of the tube  140  so as to heat the fluids within the conduit  134 . This heating of the outer surface  142  of the tube  140  helps in increasing the temperature of the fluid present within the tube  140 . 
     In the embodiment illustrated, as shown in  FIG. 4 b   , the heating layer  146  may be a strip heater  148 , provided on the outer surface  142  of the tube  140 , such that it surrounds the tube  140 . In an alternate embodiment, the heating layer  146  may include a plurality of strip heaters  148  surrounding the outer surface  142  of the tube  140 . The strip heaters  148  are configured to heat the outer surface  142  of the tube  140 . The strip heaters  148  may be wires made up of a stainless or carbon steel alloy, or another metal such as copper or carbon fibers or metal alloy such as NiCr (Nickel Chromium wire). The strip heaters  148  may be sheathed within a plastic or other polymeric coating such as PTFE or silicone to provide corrosion resistance and electrical isolation. Further, as shown, the strip heaters  148  may be spiral, i.e., helically, wound around the outer surface  142  of the tube  140 . The strip heaters  148  may be wound at a uniform pitch and pitch angle to ensure a uniform spacing between the turns for more even heat distribution. The strip heaters  148  may have adhesive on its outer surface so that the strip heater  148  adheres to the outer surface  142  of the tube  140 . The adhesive ensures that the strip heaters  148  adhere to their location and do not slide on the outer surface  142 . It will be appreciated that by varying the number of strip heaters  148 , or by changing the pitch or pitch angle, and/or the wire gauge or the number of wires in a braid or type, the amount of heat input into the tube  140  may be adjusted to provide a specified watt per meter rating and/or thaw time. 
     In an alternate embodiment, the strip heater  148  may be disposed over the outer surface  142  of the tube  140  in some unique predefined patterns, as shown in  FIG. 4 c   . For example, the strip heater  148  may be coiled back and forth along the circumference of the tube  140  as shown in (left illustration of)  FIG. 4 c   . In another embodiment, the strip heaters  148  may be coiled back and forth along the length of the tube  140  as shown in (right illustration of)  FIG. 4 c   .  FIG. 4 d    illustrates the tube  140  having sharp bends and changing concavities. In such types of tubes  140 , the strip heater  148  are coiled around the tube  140  in various patterns. For example, as shown in  FIG. 4 d   , the strip heaters  148  are coiled spirally along the outer surface of the tube  140  in the straight sections of the tube  140 . However, the tube  140  has sudden bends or sudden change in concavities and spirally wrapping the one or more strip heaters  148  may lead to snapping of the strip heaters  148  which may prevent the heating layer  146  from performing its function. Accordingly, in such sections of the conduit  134  the one or more strip heater  148  are disposed on the outer surface  142  of the tube  140  such that the strip heaters  148  take unique routes (such as back and forth coiling as shown in  FIG. 4 d   ) around the bent cross section of the tube  140  or follow a more neutral axis for mandrel tool removal so as to reduce the stress developed within the strip heater  148  thereby preventing it from snapping. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 e   , the conduit  134  further includes a reinforcement layer  152  provided over the heating layer  146  such that the heating layer  146  is sheathed within the reinforcement layer  152 . The reinforcement layer  152  is configured to add strength and reinforce the conduit  134  to withstand the pressure or vacuum developed within the tube  140  and the stress developed in the tube  140 . The reinforcement layer  152  is further configured to add creep strength and structural strength to withstand the forces that may tend to damage the conduit  134 . The reinforcement layer  152  is also configured to support its own weight thereby preventing itself from sagging. The reinforcement layer  152  may also be configured to reduce and combat the vibrations that may be encountered by the conduit  134  during engine  102  operation. Furthermore, the reinforcement layer  152  may further be configured to protect the heating layer  146  from damage by an external impact, object, etc. In the embodiment illustrated, the reinforcement layer  152  is spirally wrapped over the heating layer  146 . The reinforcement layer  152  may be equipped with an adhesive on its surface so as to secure the reinforcement layer  152  over the heating layer  146 . In various other embodiments, the reinforcement layer  152  may be spray-applied, dip coated, cross-head or co-extruded, or otherwise conventionally extruded, longitudinally, i.e., “cigarette,” wrapped, or braided over the heating layer  146 . The reinforcement layer  152  may be composed of polyester, nylon, meta-aramid, aramids, fiberglass Nomex®, Kevlar®, polyamides with or without impregnated with silicone or other rubber materials, (such as, but not limited to NBR, HNBR, EPDM, VMQ, FVMQ, FKM, etc. 
     The reinforcement layer  152  may be wrapped around the heating layer  146  such that a plurality of sub-layers of reinforcement material  160  are formed on the heating layer  146 . These one or more sub-layers of reinforcement material  160  coaxially surrounding the heating layer  146  together constitute the reinforcement layer  152 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 f   , the conduit  134  further includes an insulation layer  156  provided over the reinforcement layer  152 . The insulation layer  156  encases the reinforcement layer  152  i.e. covers the reinforcement layer  152  cover in a close-fitting surrounding. Thus, the insulation layer  156  surrounds tube  140  such that the heating layer  146  is disposed between the tube  140  and the insulation layer  156  and the reinforcement layer  152  lies between the heating layer  146  and the insulation layer  156 . The insulation layer  156  is configured to thermally insulate the conduit  134  from the ambient surrounding. The insulation layer  156  reduces heat loss in a radially outward direction. This ensures effective utilization of the heat generated by the heating layer  146  to heat the blow-by gases and fluids present within the tube  140 . 
     In the embodiment illustrated, the insulation layer  156  is spirally, wrapped over the reinforcement layer  152 . In an embodiment, the insulation layer  156  may be secured to the reinforcement layer  152  via an adhesive disposed between the two layers. In an alternate embodiment, the insulation layer  156  may firstly be placed over the reinforcement layer  152  and then be cured. In various other embodiments, the insulation layer  156  may be spray-applied, dip coated, cross-head or co-extruded, or otherwise conventionally extruded, longitudinally, i.e., “cigarette,” wrapped, or braided over the reinforcement layer  152 . In the embodiment illustrated, the insulation layer  156  is a woven fiberglass insulation material helically wrapped over the reinforcement layer  152 . In an alternate embodiment, the insulation layer  156  may be a layer of knitted fiberglass insulation material surrounding the reinforcement layer  152 . The insulation layer  156  made up of knitted fiberglass insulation material may have air gaps between the fiberglass threads in the knitted construction. These air gaps (or air pockets) present in the insulation layer  156  improve the insulating capacity of the insulation layer  156 . In various other embodiments the insulation layer  156  may be made up of loose fiberglass, fiberglass batting, mineral wool, mineral fiber, and basalt insulation materials. 
     In various other embodiments, the insulation layer  156  may be provided, for example, as a braided material spiral, i.e., helically, or otherwise wound, and/or wrapped or otherwise formed to surround the reinforcement layer  152 . In an embodiment, the insulation layer  156  may be a sock of insulation material disposed over the reinforcement layer  152 , as shown in  FIG. 4 g   . Further, in various other embodiments, the insulation layer  156  may be formed of one or more filaments, which may be monofilaments, continuous multifilament, i.e., yarn, stranded, cord, roving, thread, braid, tape, or ply, or short “staple” strands, of one or more fiber materials. 
     Cord, as used herein, is a twisted or formed structure composed of one or more single or plied filaments, strands, or yarns of inorganic materials, such as glass or ceramic. A filament is a continuous fiber of indefinite or extremely long length. A filament yarn is a yarn composed of continuous filaments assembled with or without twist. A yarn is a generic term for a continuous strand of textile fibers, filaments, or material, in a form suitable for knitting, weaving or otherwise intertwining to form a textile fabric. Tire cord fabric or unidirectional cord fabric, as used herein is a fabric in which multiple warp cords are held together in parallel, unidirectional fashion by weaving with small fill yarns. 
     The cords are made of one or more yarns of continuous glass or ceramic filaments which are twisted, plied, and/or cabled together to form cords. The glass composition used in the glass cord may be E-glass, S-glass, basalt, or any other suitable glass composition. The glass filaments are generally coated with a sizing shortly after spinning or drawing. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 h   , the conduit  134  further includes a cover layer  158  provided over the insulation layer  156 . The cover layer  158  is configured to protect the inner layers (tube  140 , heating layer  146 , reinforcement layer  152  and insulation layer  156 ) from damage and cuts. Further, the cover layer  158  seals the inner layers together and adds structural compactness to the conduit  134 . The cover layer  158  prevents water being absorbed by the insulation layer  156  thereby avoiding expansion of the insulation layer  156 . The cover layer  158  thus prevents the insulation layer  156  and the other inner layers from expanding and preventing the conduit  134  from ripping apart. The cover layer  158  may be wound, wrapped, or braided around the insulation layer  156 . In various other embodiments, the cover layer  158  may be spray-applied, dip coated, cross-head or co-extruded, or otherwise conventionally extruded over the insulation layer  156 . The cover layer  158  may be formed, independently, of a polymeric material such as aramid, meta-aramid, nylon, fiberglass, polyamide, polyester, polyacetal, ethylene vinyl alcohol, polyoxymethylene, polyolefin, silicone, fluoropolymer, polyvinyl chloride, polyurethanes, thermoplastic elastomer, EPDM, natural or synthetic rubber, or a copolymer or and blend thereof. 
     In an embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 4 h    and  FIG. 4 c   , the conduit  134  may further include an anti-corrosive coating  164  provided on the inner surface  144  of the tube  140 . The anti-corrosive coating  164  comprises of an inert compound coated or painted on the inner surface  144  of the tube  140  which prevents corrosion on the inner surface  144  of the tube  140 . In the embodiment illustrated, the anti-corrosive coating  164  is an FKM lining (fluorocarbon coating). In an alternate embodiment, the anti-corrosive coating  164  is an organic amine, which acts as a corrosion inhibitor by adsorbing on the inner surface  144  of the tube  140 , thereby restricting the access of potentially corrosive species (e.g. H 2 S, SO 2 , SO 3 , sulfuric acid, dissolved oxygen, carbonic acid, chloride/sulfate anions, etc.). In an embodiment, the anti-corrosive coating  164  may be two or more organic amines. In an embodiment, the anti-corrosive coating  164  is a polyamine. In various other embodiments, the anti-corrosive coating  164  may be an inert compound known in the art. 
       FIG. 5  shows the overall structural composition of the conduit  134 . The conduit  134  comprises the tube  140 , the heating layer  146 , the reinforcement layer  152 , the insulation layer  156  and the cover layer  158 . The heating layer  146  is provided over the outer surface  142  of the tube  140  such that the heating layer  146  lies between the tube  140  and the insulation layer  156 . Further, the reinforcement layer  152  is provided over the heating layer  146  such that it is sandwiched between the insulation layer  156  and the heating layer  146 . The resultant combination of these layers provides the conduit  134  with the ability to heat the conduit  134  and minimize the fluids present within the conduit from freezing. Furthermore, the layers present within the conduit  134  reduce the opportunity for water vapour present within the conduit  134  to condense. 
     In the embodiment illustrated, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the crankcase ventilation system  130  may include the crankcase ventilation filtration device  166 . The crankcase ventilation filtration device  166  receives the blow-by gases from the conduit  134 . The crankcase ventilation filtration device  166  may be configured to reduce the particulate matter from the blow-by gases. The crankcase ventilation filtration device  166  may further be configured to separate the oil that may have been carried by the blow-by gases from the crankcase  120 . The blow-by gases with reduced amount of particulate matter and oil may be recirculated to the engine  102 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . In an alternate embodiment, the crankcase ventilation filtration device  166  may reduce the quantity of harmful pollutants. Thus, in such cases the blow-by gases emanating from the crankcase ventilation filtration device  166  may be released straight into the atmosphere. 
     INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
     In cold weather conditions, where the temperature of ambient surroundings around a conduit is below dew-point temperature of blow-by gases, fluids present in the conduits may lose heat and may cause condensation of water vapors present within the fluids. This condensation of water vapors may lead to formation of emulsions within the conduit. Furthermore, in some conditions the condensed water vapor may freeze into ice. Formation of emulsions and/or ice may disrupt the flow of the fluids. 
     In an aspect of the present disclosure, a conduit  134  is disclosed, as shown in  FIG. 3 - FIG. 5 . The conduit  134  comprises the tube  140 , the heating layer  146 , the reinforcement layer  152 , the insulation layer  156 , the cover layer  158  and the anti-corrosive coating  164 . The tube  140  is the innermost elongated tubular structure which provides a passageway for transferring fluids from one location to another. 
     The heating layer  146  is disposed between the insulation layer  156  and the tube  140  such that the heating layer  146  lies on the outer surface  142  of the tube  140 . The heating layer  146  is configured to heat the outer surface  142 . The reinforcement layer  152  is sandwiched between the heating layer  146  and the insulation layer  156 . The reinforcement layer  152  adds strength and resistance to withstand the forces that may tend to damage the conduit  134 . 
     The heating layer  146  heats the conduit  134  such that the outer surface  142  of the tube  140 . The heat is then transferred from the outer surface  142  to the fluids present within the conduit  134 . During cold weather conditions heat is lost to the ambient surroundings by the fluids present within the conduit  134 . The presence of the heating layer  146  at least partly compensates for the heat lost to the ambient surrounding thereby minimizing the formation of sludge and/or ice within the conduit  134 . Thus, in cold weather environments the heating layer  146  can provide sufficient heat to the outer surface  142  of the tube  140  and minimize precipitation of water and/or forming of ice within the conduit  134 . 
     Further, in extreme cold weather conditions the heat transferred to the fluids within the tube  140 , by the heating layer  146  may not be sufficient to avoid formation of emulsions and or ice within the conduit  134 . This may lead to machine downtime, loss of productivity and engine damage. However, the presence of the insulation layer  156  over the tube  140  obviates the problem. The insulation layer  156  thermally insulates the conduit  134  from the environment and creates a heat blanket (via the heating layer  146 ) around the tube  140 . The insulation layer  156  reduces heat loss in a radially outward direction thereby reducing the amount of heat dissipated by the fluid within the conduit  134  to the atmosphere. Further, the insulation layer  156  ensures effective utilization of the heat generated by the heating layer  146  to heat the blow-by gases and fluids present within the tube  140 . Furthermore, since the insulation layer  156  helps in creating a heat blanket around the outer surface  142  of the tube  140  it obviates the need for the heating layer  146  to continuously transfer heat to the tube  140 . Thus, the heating source of the heating layer  146  may be turned off periodically to conserve power. The layers of the conduit  134  provide an overall effect that at least partly helps in maintaining the temperature of the fluids within the conduit  134  in a predetermined range (the range of temperature wherein the formation of sludge and/or ice is reduced). 
     Further, the present disclosure, as shown in  FIG. 6 , discloses a method  600  of manufacturing the conduit  134 . The method  600  includes providing the tube  140  (Step  602 ). The tube  140  has the outer surface  142  over which the heating layer  146  is wrapped (Step  604 ). The heating layer  146  may include strip heaters  148  (which may be heating wires) helically coiled/wrapped around the outer surface of the tube  140 . The heating layer  146  is covered by the reinforcement layer  152  (Step  606 ). The reinforcement layer  152  is spirally wrapped around the heating layer  146 . The insulation layer  156  is disposed over the reinforcement layer  152  such that it encapsulates the reinforcement layer  152  (Step  608 ). The insulation layer  156  is also spirally wrapped around the reinforcement layer  152 . The method  600  may further include providing a cover layer  158  surrounding the insulation layer  156  (Step  610 ). The cover layer  158  prevents water being absorbed by the insulation layer  156  thereby avoiding expansion of the insulation layer  156 . The method  600  may further include providing an anti-corrosive coating  164  on an inner surface  144  of the tube  140 . Furthermore, the method  600  may further include providing a cover layer  158  around the insulation layer  156 . 
     Since the method of manufacturing the conduit  134  includes the layers being spirally or helically wrapped around the tube  140 , this method may be utilized for making complex shaped conduits  134  (as shown in  FIG. 4 d   ) which have tubes that include sharp bends and plurality of concavities. The layers can be easily formed around the tube  140  as they only need to be wrapped around the cross section of the tube  140 . 
     It may be contemplated that the conduit  134  may not have the heating layer  146  and the insulation layer  152  over the entire outer surface  142  of the tube  140 . For example, the first conduit end  136  and the second conduit end  138  may not have the heating layer  146  and the insulation layer  152 . The absence of the heating layer  146  and the insulation layer  152  may help in easy installation of the hose clamp. Further, in complex shaped conduits  134  the heating layer  146  and the insulation layer  156  may only be provided in the straight sections of the conduit  134 . Further, in other complex shaped conduits  134  such as a T-shaped conduit, the heating layer  146  may be disposed only on the mid-section of the T leg. In various other embodiments, the conduit  134  may be such that the heating layer  146  and the insulation layer  156  may be disposed partly over the outer surface  142  of the tube  140 . 
     While aspects of the present disclosure have been particularly shown and described with reference to the embodiments above, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various additional embodiments may be contemplated by the modification of the disclosed machines, systems and methods without departing from the spirit and scope of what is disclosed. Such embodiments should be understood to fall within the scope of the present disclosure as determined based upon the claims and any equivalents thereof.