GB2159912A

GB2159912A - Pipe insulation

Info

Publication number: GB2159912A
Application number: GB08514631A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Maurice Binder
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1984-06-09
Filing date: 1985-06-10
Publication date: 1985-12-11
Also published as: GB2159912B; GB8514631D0

Abstract

Insulation for pipes and ducts comprises a plurality of insulation members (1') which are secured to an adhesive tape (9). Each insulation member (1') comprises a base (2'). Sides (3',4') converge upwardly from the extremities of the base (2') to the ends of a top (5'). An optical rib (6) extends from the base (2') to the top (5') and divides the interior of the insulation member (1') into two passages (7,8). In use, the insulation is simply arranged circumjacent the pipe or duct to be insulated and then taped in position.

Description

SPECIFICATION Insulation This invention relates to an insulation member and to insulation formed therewith.

Conventionally, pipes are supported at regular intervals by pipe support brackets. Where the pipe is intended to carry particularly cold or hot fluids a wooden insulator is normally placed between the pipe and the support bracket. The pipe between the wooden insulators is normally insulated with a suitable non-load bearing insulation.

The wooden insulators are expensive, heavy and are limited as to the temperature at which they can be safely used.

The aim of at least preferred embodiments of the present invention is to reduce these disadvantages.

According to the present invention there is provided an insulation member comprising a base, two side members which converge upwardly from the extremities of said base and a top which extends between the upward extremities of said sides.

Preferably, the top and/or base will be substantially planar although they could, if desired be slightly curved to facilitate mounting on a pipe as hereinafter described.

Preferably, the insulation member is provided with a rib which extends upwardly from said base to said top and divides the interior of said insulation member into two passages. Where such a rib is provided the angle between the base and the sides preferably lies between 500 and 750 and is, most advantageously 67.5 . Furthermore when viewed in cross-section, the width of the top of the insulation member preferably lies between 9 mm and 18 mm and is most preferably 15 mm.

In the absence of a rib, the angle between the base and the sides advantageously lies between 540 and 800 with 780 being preferred. Furthermore, when viewed in cross-section, the width of the top is preferably between 3 mm and 9 mm with 4.5 mm being preferred.

The distance between the top and the base of the insulation member depends on the thickness of insulation required. However, it will typically vary from 25 mm to 50 mm.

The present invention also provides insulation comprising a plurality of insulation members in accordance with the present invention disposed side by side and connected to one another at their respective bases. Conceivably, several insulation members could be extruded simultaneously with a thin flexible plastic rib connecting the base of one insulation member to the base of the next. However, since this requires expensive tooling it is currently preferred to secure said insulation members alongside one another on an adhesive strip.

Since the insulation members can pivot relative to one another the insulation can encircle various diameters of pipes and is also suitable for insulating oval ducting where required.

When the insulation members are made from a suitable plastics material, for example polypropylene or nylon, the insulation members have the advantage relative to wood that they are lighter and non-toxic in the event of a fire. The insulation members are, furthermore, highly effective in view of their hollow construction.

When adhesive strip is used, it is preferably substantially impermeable to moisture to form a suitable vapour barrier.

For a better understanding of the invention reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which:~ Figure 1 is a three quarter perspective view of one embodiment of an insulation member in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a three quarter perspective view of another embodiment of an insulation member in accordance with the invention; and Figure 3 is an end view of one embodiment of insulation in accordance with the invention prior to being applied to a pipe.

Referring to Figure 1,there is shown an insulation member which is generally identified by reference numeral 1. The insulation member 1 comprises a base 2. Two sides 3 and 4 converge upwardly from the outer extremities of the base 2 and are connected to the ends of a top member 5.

The embodiment shown in Figure 2 is similar to that shown in Figure 1 and similar parts have been identified by the same reference numerals with the addition of an apostrophe. The embodiment in Figure 2 differs from that shown in Figure 1 in that it is provided with a rib 6 which extends upwardly from the centre of the base 2' to the top member 5' and divides the interior of the insulation member 1' into two passages 7 and 8 of substantially triangular cross-section.

The insulation member 1 and 1' are formed by the extrusion of plastics material. As shown in Figure 3, a plurality of separate and distinct insulation members 1' are arranged side by side so that their bases 2' contact the adhesive on an adhesive tape 9.

In use, the insulation members 1' are disposed circumjacent a pipe (not shown). The adhesive tape 9 serves both to maintain the insulation members 1' in position relative to one another during assembly and as a vapour seal.

Typically, the top member 5' is about 10 mm wide and the angle a between the base 2' and the side 3', and between the base 2' and the side 4' is typically 67.5 . We have found that with these dimensions the insulation can be used for insulating pipes of substantially different diameters, for example from 25 mm upwards. The distance between the top 5' and the base 2' of each insulation member 1' depends on the thickness of insulation required and will typically vary between 21 and 50 mm.

Typically the insulation members 1' will be approximately 55 mm long. In this connection the insulation members 1' are, bytheirgeometry, extremely strong.

The insulation members 1 may be used in place of insulation member 1'. However, the top 5 of insulation member 1 will typically be about 4.5 mm wide and the angle between the base 2 and the side 4 about 780.

Claims

1. An insulation member comprising a base, two side members which converge upwardly from the extremities of said base and a top which extends between the upward extremities of said sides.

2. An insulation member as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said top and/or base are substantially planar.

3. An insulation member as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein, the angle between the base and the sides is between 500 and 75".

4. An insulation member as claimed in Claim 4, wherein said angle is 67.5".

5. An insulation member as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein, when viewed in crosssection, the width of the top of said insulation member lies between 9 mm and 18 mm.

6. An insulation member as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, including a rib which extends upwardly from said base to said top and divides the interior of said insulation member into two passages.

7. An insulation member as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the angle between the base and the sides is between 65" and 80".

8. An insulation member as claimed in Claim 7, wherein said angle is 78".

9. An insulation member as claimed in Claim 6, 7 or 8, wherein, when viewed in cross-section, the width of the top of said insulation member lies between 3 mm and 9 mm.

10. Insulation comprising a plurality of insulation members as claimed in any preceding Claim disposed side by side and connected to one another at their respective bases.

11. Insulation as claimed in Claim 10, wherein said insulation members are connected to one another by a thin rib of plastic material which extends between their respective bases.

12. Insulation as claimed in Claim 10, wherein the bases of said insulation members are adhered to an adhesive tape which serves to connect said insulation members to one another at their respective bases.

13. Insulation as claimed in Claim 12, wherein said adhesive tape is impermeable to moisture to thereby form a vapour barrier.

14. An insulation member substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 1 or Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings.

15. Insulation substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings.