KR20240024425A - Apparatus for protecting pipe freezing - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a pipe freeze prevention device that provides heat to pipes to prevent freezing of fluid flowing along pipes.
The pipe freeze prevention device of the present invention includes a plurality of heat dissipation disks (100) coupled at regular intervals along the outer peripheral surface of the pipe (P), a heating member (200) that sequentially penetrates the heat dissipation disks, and a heating member (200) that penetrates the outer peripheral surface of the pipe. It is installed to surround it and includes, on the inside, a thermal cover 300 in which the heat dissipation disk and the heating member are accommodated, and a power supply unit 400 that supplies power to the heating member.

Description

Apparatus for protecting pipe freezing}

The present invention relates to a pipe freeze prevention device that provides heat to pipes to prevent freezing of fluid flowing along pipes.

In general, many pipe freezing accidents occur during the winter season.

Traditionally, in order to prevent pipes from freezing, it is known to wrap the outside of the pipe with an insulating material such as cloth or Styrofoam. However, this method had the limitation that durability was greatly reduced due to the material characteristics of the insulation material, and it eventually became impossible to prevent freezing and bursting if the temperature fell further below the reference point.

To solve this problem, the development of pipe freeze prevention devices that can prevent freezing by using heaters such as heating cables, metal heaters, or planar heating elements has been actively developed in recent years.

As shown in Figure 1, the conventional pipe freeze prevention device is fixed to the outer surface of the pipe (1) through the pipe (1) and the fixing member (2) and heats the pipe (1) when power is supplied from the outside. Power is supplied to the heating wire 3 according to the heating wire 3 and the air temperature (e.g., 3°C or lower) connected to the heating wire 3 and detected by a temperature sensor (not shown) to prevent the pipe 1 from freezing. It consists of a control unit (4) that prevents damage, and a power plug (5) that supplies power to the control unit (4) from the outside.

In this conventional pipe freeze prevention device, the control unit (4) always supplies power to the heating wire (3) to heat the pipe (1) when the temperature value detected by the temperature sensor is below a certain temperature, thereby preventing freeze and burst. It is recognized that it is effective to some extent.

However, the conventional pipe freeze prevention device as described above transfers heat to the pipe (1) by conduction through contact between the heating wire (3) and the pipe (1), so the contact area is small, so not only is the thermal efficiency low, but it also has a wide area. There is a problem that it is difficult to install in a section.

Therefore, the conventional pipe freeze prevention device consumes a lot of power and has little freeze prevention effect, so improvement is required.

Domestic Patent Publication No. 10-2022-0003214

The present invention was devised to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide a pipe freeze prevention device that has high thermal efficiency, can be installed over a wide section, and can minimize power consumption.

In order to achieve the above object, the pipe freeze prevention device of the present invention includes a plurality of heat dissipation disks coupled at regular intervals along the outer peripheral surface of the pipe, a heating member that sequentially penetrates the heat dissipation disks, and a heating member that surrounds the outer peripheral surface of the pipe. It is installed and includes, on the inside, a thermal cover that accommodates the heat dissipation disk and the heating member, and a power supply unit that supplies power to the heating member.

In addition, the heat dissipation disk may be divided into a first heat dissipation piece located on the left side of the outer circumference of the pipe, and a second heat dissipation piece located on the right side of the outer circumference of the pipe so that both ends overlap both ends of the first heat dissipation piece.

In this case, through holes are formed at both ends of the overlapping first and second heat sinks to allow the heating member to pass through.

In addition, on one side of the first heat sink and the second heat sink, a gap maintaining protrusion may be formed on the bottom surface to maintain a constant gap with the other heat dissipation disk facing it.

Meanwhile, power terminal portions may be formed at both ends of the heating member.

In this case, the thermal cover has a body portion that opens and closes on both sides through a hinge joint, an open hole formed at an end of the body portion to face the power terminal portion of the heating member, and a body portion that is detachable from the open hole to be connected to the power terminal portion. It is desirable to provide a coupled power connector.

In addition, an external temperature sensor is installed in the pipe to detect the ambient temperature, and an internal temperature sensor is attached to the insulating cover to detect the temperature inside the insulating cover, and an external temperature sensor and an internal temperature sensor are installed in the insulating cover. A control unit may be provided to control the power supplied to the heating member depending on the temperature.

The pipe freeze prevention device of the present invention configured as described above is configured to dissipate the heat of the heating element installed inside the thermal cover surrounding the pipe through a heat dissipation disk, so it has higher thermal efficiency compared to the conventional conduction method, minimizing the use of heating members while minimizing the use of heating members. The temperature can be raised quickly, and as a result, the temperature of the pipe can be raised over a wide section while minimizing power consumption, which has the effect of maximizing the freeze prevention effect.

Figure 1 is a diagram showing the use state of a general pipe freeze prevention device.
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the pipe freeze prevention device according to the present invention in use.
Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the pipe freeze prevention device according to the present invention.
Figure 4 is a perspective view of the pipe freeze prevention device according to the present invention in use, showing the insulation cover in an open state.
Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the pipe freeze prevention device according to the present invention in use.

The features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent with the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment based on the accompanying drawings.

Prior to this, the terms and words used in this specification and claims are based on the technical idea of the present invention based on the principle that the inventor can appropriately define the concept of the term in order to explain the invention in the best way. It must be interpreted with corresponding meaning and concept.

In addition, the terms and words used in the specification and claims are merely used to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention.

For example, singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In addition, terms such as “comprises,” “comprises,” or “has” are intended to designate the presence of features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, but rather one or more It should be understood that this does not preclude the presence or addition of other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

Additionally, when a part of a layer, membrane, region, plate, etc. is said to be “on” another part, this includes not only cases where it is “directly above” the other part, but also cases where there is another part in between. Conversely, when a part such as a layer, membrane, region, plate, etc. is said to be “beneath” another part, this includes not only cases where it is “immediately below” another part, but also cases where there is another part in between.

In addition, terms including ordinal numbers such as “first”, “second”, etc. used in this specification may be used to describe various components, but the components are not limited by the terms, and the terms It is used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another.

Hereinafter, when an embodiment of the present invention is described in detail with reference to the drawings, the same symbols are used for the same components, and for clarity, only the different parts are mainly described to avoid overlap as much as possible.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the pipe freeze prevention device according to the present invention in use, Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the pipe freeze prevention device according to the present invention, and Figure 4 is a pipe freeze prevention device according to the present invention showing the insulating cover in an open state. It is a perspective view of the use state of the pipe freeze prevention device, and Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the pipe freeze prevention device according to the present invention in use state. As shown, the pipe freeze prevention device according to the present invention includes a heat dissipation disk 100 and a heating member 200. It includes a thermal cover 300 and a power supply unit 400.

The heat dissipation disk 100 is composed of a plurality of heat dissipation disks 100, which are formed in a ring shape and are coupled at regular intervals along the outer peripheral surface of the pipe P.

The heat dissipation disk 100 is preferably made of a metal material such as aluminum or copper with excellent heat dissipation properties.

It is desirable that the inner end of the heat dissipation disk 100 facing the outer circumference of the pipe (P) be in close contact with the outer circumference of the pipe (P) to quickly transfer heat to the pipe (P) and at the same time ensure stable installation.

Meanwhile, the heat dissipation disk 100 may be divided into a first heat dissipation piece 110 that is in close contact with the left side of the outer circumference of the pipe (P) and a second heat dissipation piece 120 that is in close contact with the right side of the outer circumference of the pipe (P). there is.

In this case, the second heat dissipation piece 120 is formed so that both ends overlap both ends of the first heat dissipation piece 110 upward or downward.

In addition, through holes 111 and 121 located on the same line are formed at both ends of the overlapping first and second heat dissipation pieces 110 and 120, respectively.

Meanwhile, it is preferable that a gap maintaining protrusion 130 is formed on one side of the first heat dissipation piece 110 and the second heat dissipation piece 120 to maintain a constant distance from the other heat dissipation disk 100 facing it. .

In this embodiment, the gap maintenance protrusion 130 is formed on the bottom of the second heat sink 120 to maintain a constant gap with the first heat sink located below.

The heating member 200 is made in the form of a rod and is installed to sequentially penetrate through holes 111 and 121 formed in the first heat radiating piece 110 and the second heat radiating piece 120.

Accordingly, the heating member 200 is integrally connected to the heat dissipation disks 100 while being in contact with the first heat dissipation piece 110 and the second heat dissipation piece 120 through the through holes 111 and 121.

Meanwhile, the heating member 200 can be applied to any ordinary heating element that generates heat by input power.

Power terminal portions 200a and 200b are formed at both ends of the heating member 200 to receive power from the anode and cathode.

The thermal cover 300 is installed to surround the outer peripheral surface of the pipe (P), and the heat dissipation disk 100 and the heating member 200 are accommodated inside.

Accordingly, the heat dissipation disk 100 and the heating member 200 are isolated from the outside through the thermal cover 300, and heat discharge to the outside is blocked and protected from external shock.

The thermal cover 300 is made of an insulating material to prevent heat generated from the heating member 200 from being discharged to the outside. In addition, the thermal cover 300 is preferably made of a material with excellent flame retardancy and incombustibility to minimize the generation of flame and smoke in the event of a fire due to overheating of the heating member 200.

The thermal cover 300 is detachably coupled to a body portion 310 that is opened and closed on both sides through a hinge joint for easy installation, and an open hole 320 formed in the body portion 310 and the open hole 320. A power connector 330 is provided.

The open hole 320 is formed at one end of the body portion 310 to face the power terminal portion 200a on one side of the heating member 200. In addition, the power connector 330 is detachably coupled to the open hole 320 so as to be connected to one side of the power terminal portion 200a. The power connector 330 is electrically connected to the power supply unit 400 and supplies power to one power terminal unit 200a of the heating member 200.

In this case, a sealing member (S) is inserted into the power connector 330 or the open hole 320 to prevent rainwater, moisture, dust, and foreign substances from entering the thermal cover 300 through the open hole 320. do.

In addition, a sealing member (S) may be coupled to the inner end of the thermal cover 300 to prevent rainwater, moisture, dust, and foreign substances from entering the thermal cover 300.

In addition, an electrode 340 is formed on the other end of the body 310, which is in contact with the power terminal 200b on the other side of the heating member 200. The electrode 340 is electrically connected to the power supply unit 400 and supplies power to the power terminal unit 200b on the other side of the heating member 200.

In this embodiment, the open hole 320 and the power connector 330 are shown as an example in which the open hole 320 and the power connector 330 are firmly coupled through a spiral coupling, but this is not limited to this and of course they can be coupled in various ways.

A power supply unit 400 that supplies power to the heating member 200 is installed on the outside of the thermal cover 300.

Meanwhile, an external temperature sensor 500 is installed on the outside of the thermal cover 300 to detect the ambient temperature, and an internal temperature sensor 500 is installed on the inside of the thermal cover 300 to detect the temperature inside the thermal cover 300 ( 600) may be attached.

In this case, a control unit 700 is installed in the thermal cover 300 to regulate the power supplied to the heating member 200 according to the temperature detected by the external temperature sensor 500 and the internal temperature sensor 600. .

The external temperature sensor 500 detects the ambient temperature in real time and outputs temperature information to the control unit 700, and the internal temperature sensor 600 is installed inside the thermal cover 300 when power is supplied to the heating member 200. It is configured to detect the temperature and output temperature information to the control unit 700.

Meanwhile, a flange portion 350 surrounding the pipe (P) is formed at one end of the body portion 310, and the flange portion 350 is fixed to prevent the body portion 310 from flowing from the pipe (P). The tightening screw 360 may be fastened.

In addition, a pair of close contact pieces 370 and 380 protruding outward to face each other may be formed at the open end of the body 310 to prevent the body 310 from opening. In this case, the contact pieces 370 and 380 are fixed to each other through fixing bolts 390.

When the pipe freeze prevention device of the present invention configured as described above is installed on the pipe (P) and then connected to power, the heating member 200 automatically generates heat according to the ambient temperature and increases the temperature of the pipe (P) to prevent freeze and burst. It will be given.

That is, the external temperature sensor 500 detects the ambient temperature in real time, and the control unit 700 operates the heating member 200 only when the ambient temperature input from the external temperature sensor 500 falls below the set temperature. Supply power.

When power is supplied to the heating member 200, the heating member 200 generates heat, and the heat generated at this time is quickly exchanged with the air inside the thermal cover 300 through the heat dissipation disk 100.

Among these, some of the heat may be conducted directly to the pipe (P) through the heat dissipation disk 100, thereby increasing the temperature of the pipe (P).

Accordingly, the temperature inside the thermal cover 300 rises rapidly within a short time, and heat exchange with the relatively low pipe (P) quickly increases the temperature of the pipe (P).

Meanwhile, when power is supplied to the heating member 200, the internal temperature sensor 600 detects the temperature inside the thermal cover 300 and outputs it to the control unit 700, and the control unit 700 detects the temperature inside the heating member 200. When the internal temperature of the thermal cover 300 input from exceeds a certain level, the power supplied to the heating member 200 is cut off to prevent fire.

In addition, when the internal temperature of the thermal cover 300 falls below a certain level, the control unit 700 re-supplies the cut off power to the heating member 200 to prevent the pipe P from freezing.

In this way, the pipe freeze prevention device of the present invention has very high thermal efficiency because it raises the temperature of the pipe (P) by rapidly raising the temperature inside the thermal cover (300) through the heat dissipation disk (100).

Therefore, it is possible to quickly increase the temperature of the pipe (P) while minimizing the use of the heating member 200, so not only is the power consumption very low, but it can also be installed over a wide section, thereby maximizing the freeze prevention effect.

Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described with reference to the drawings, various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims, which may also be modified and changed. It must be included in the scope of the invention.

100... heat dissipation disk 110... first heat dissipation piece
111,112...through hole 120...second heat sink
130...gap maintenance protrusion 200...heating member
200a, 200b... power terminal 300... thermal cover
310...Body 320...Open hole
330...power connector 400...power supply unit
500...external temperature sensor 600...internal temperature sensor
700...control unit P...piping

Claims (5)

A plurality of heat dissipation disks coupled at regular intervals along the outer peripheral surface of the pipe;
a heating member sequentially penetrating the heat dissipation disks;
A thermal insulation cover installed to surround the outer peripheral surface of the pipe and housing the heat dissipation disk and the heating member on the inside; and
A pipe freeze prevention device including a power supply unit that supplies power to the heating member. According to clause 1,
The heat dissipation disk is divided into a first heat dissipation piece located on the left side of the outer circumference of the pipe, and a second heat dissipation piece located on the right side of the outer circumference of the pipe so that both ends overlap both ends of the first heat dissipation piece;
A pipe freeze prevention device in which through holes are formed at both ends of the overlapping first and second heat sinks to allow a heating member to pass through. According to clause 2,
A pipe freeze prevention device in which one side of the first heat sink and the second heat sink has a gap-maintaining protrusion formed on the bottom to maintain a constant gap with the other heat dissipation disk facing it. According to clause 1,
Power terminal portions are formed at both ends of the heating member;
The thermal cover includes a body portion that is opened and closed on both sides through a hinge coupling portion, an open hole formed at an end of the body portion to face the power terminal portion of the heating member, and a power supply detachably coupled to the opening hole to be connected to the power terminal portion. A pipe freeze prevention device equipped with a connector. According to clause 1,
An external temperature sensor is installed in the pipe to detect the ambient temperature,
An internal temperature sensor is installed in the insulating cover to detect the temperature inside the insulating cover;
A pipe freeze prevention device wherein the thermal cover is provided with a control unit that regulates the power supplied to the heating member according to the temperature detected by the external temperature sensor and the internal temperature sensor.

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