US2330966A

US2330966A - Fluid distribution system

Info

Publication number: US2330966A
Application number: US295390A
Authority: US
Inventors: Gottwald Christian; William S Mcleish
Original assignee: RIC WIL Co
Current assignee: RIC WIL Co; RIC-WIL Co
Priority date: 1939-09-18
Filing date: 1939-09-18
Publication date: 1943-10-05
Anticipated expiration: 1960-10-05

Description

1943- c. GOTTWALD ETAL 2,330,966

FLUiD DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM Filed Sept; 18, 1959 s Sheets-Sheet 1 I B 4'4 M ATTORNEYS Oct. 5, 1943. C, QTTWALD "Em 2,330,966

FLUID DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM Filed Sept. 18, 1939 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Oct. 5, 1943. c. GOTTWALD ETAL 2,330,956

FLUID DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM Filed Sept. 18, 1939 I5 Sheets-Sheet 3 KMVMA O35 erases Oct.5, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,330,968 v u rwm n s'rnisu'rrou srsraiu Christian Gottwaid, Cleveland Heights, and 711- lim 8. Mclieish, Barberton, Olii o, assignors to The Bic-wiL Company, a corporation of Ohio Application September is, 1939. Serial No. 298.390 Claims. (01. 138-434) This invention relates to fluid distribution systems, and is particularly applicable to such systems which are used to distribute heated fluids such as steam, or cooled fluids such as required in refrigeration.

An object of our invention is to provide an improved apparatus for distributing fluids.

A further object is to provide an improved fluid conducting conduit such as an underground steam line, parts being broken away and shown insection;

apparatus for distributing fluids which may be easily installed.

Another object is to provide an improved apparatus for distributing fluids which will occupy relatively little space.

Another object is to provide. an improved apparatus for distributing fluids which will be composed of fewand simple parts.

Another object is to-provide an improved apparatus for distributing fluids in which the parts will be rugged and durable.

Another object is to provide an improved apparatus for distributing fluids wmhi will effectively prevent the transfer of heat:

Another object i to provide an improved apparatus for distributing fluids which will effectively protect the internal parts from moisture.

Another object is tal-provide an improved apparatus for distributing fluids in which one or more tubes or pipes may be contained.

Another object is to provide an improved apparatus for distributing fluids in which a minimum of labor is required for assembly at the site of installation.

' and economical in operation.

Another object is to provide an improved apparatus for distributing fluids which may be easily and economically manufactured and installed.

Other objects will hereinafter appear.

The invention will be better understood from the descriptionbf several practical embodiments thereof, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which; R 1

Figure l is a fragmentary perspective view of a Figure 2 is a transverse sectional view of the conduit of Fiilure 1;

Figure 3 is a longitudinal partially elevational Q and partially sectional view taken on the line III-III of Figure 2 Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 2 of a modifled form of construction containing three fluid conducting tubes or pipes; i

Figure 5 la e fragmentary longitudinal sectional view taken on the lineV-V of Figure 4; 1

.Figure 6 is a perspective fragmentary view showing parts which appear in Figures and 5 in unassembled relation; i s

Figure 'l is a perspective view of a modified form of outer coupling member;

Figure 8 'is a partially elevational and partially sectional view of another modified form of coupling' member;

Figures 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13 are perspective views showing successive steps in assembling a conduitsuch as illustrated in Figures 1, 2, and 3; Figure 14 is a perspective view of parts of a modified type of assembly;

Figure 15 is a fragmentary plan view, partially in section, showing a portion of a completed conduit made of units, such as disclosed in the pre-' ceding flsures, where it is deslredto carry the conduit in an angular or somewhat off-set path Figure'lfi is a similar fragmentary plan view, partially in section, showing an expansion bend composed of units such as illustrated in the fore- .s lnii flsures;

Figure 17 shows the juncture of the main and a branch conduit; and

Figure 181s a fragmentary sectional view of an embodiment of the invention showing an .additional protective covering.

This invention is an improvement on, and a carrying forward of, ideas disclosed in the patent to Christian Gottwald, Patent Number 1,991,455

issued February 19, 1935, which first disclosed that fluid conduits such as those used in underground steam lines could effectively be formed with an outer metal shell, rather than the ceramic or masonry structures which, for many years, had been the only means available for underground distribution of fluids while providing them with thermal insulation.

In the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in Figures 1-3, the fluid distributing means is shown as consisting of an inner conduit formed of sections of pipe or tubing I. For

this P p se any desirable type of pipe or. tubing may be used. In some instances it may be of steel, in others brass, cast iron, or other metals.

It is found particularly convenient to use steel tubing having relatively thin walls, which may be seamless drawn tubing of the butt "orglap welded type. or spiral welded tubing.

Each section of tubing I is shown as surrounded by a generally concentric cover 2 of substantially greater diameter. than the piece of tubing, and terminating a slight distance, short of the endsof the tubing of the section. This casing or cover is held concentric with the tubing by means of spacers, oi which two forms \andhaving three projecting skid-like arms or flanges! which are slightly smaller in diameter than the smallest interior diameter of the cover, so that they may readily slide therein. They extend axially a suflicient distance to bear upon at least two inwardly directed corrugationsvoi' the casing.

At each end of the casing is a ring shgwn as an outer portion of solid heat insulating material 5 and inner bearing ring of metal 6, fitting relatively closely upon the exterior of the tube I, the ring 6 having an outwardly extending flange 1 keyed within the material I. This solid material may conveniently be a mixture of asbestos, Portland cement, solid magnesia, or any other desired material having the requisite strength and heat insulating properties.

exterior of the block is formed with corrugations corresponding to those of the interior to thathndicated within the the projecting ends of the pipe sections may be surrounded'by molded pipe covering or the like.

After the sleeve has been lplaced-as indicated in Figure 8, sealing material, such as asphalt or shown of metal, conveniently of cast iron, it will be apparent that rings of heat insulating material, similar to the rings 5, but having an external surface which will slide within the corrugations 2, may be provided; and will effectively prevent the transfer of heat from the tube I to the casing 2 at these points.

of shell 2fso that the block may be positioned within the shell by threading the same therein and rotating it, as a short screw would be inserted inn long nut.

The helical corrugations upon the block and within the shell function as threads of relatively high lead to permit the easy insertion or removal of the block 0. I

Surrounding the tube I, and filling the shell 2 between the two end blocks 5 is aiayer of heat insulating material 8, such as shredded asbestos, magnesia, mineral wool, or the like.

Each assembly consisting of a section 'of tube,

j its shell or casing, supports. and insulating material, constitutes a'complete unit, which may be easily fabricated at a point remote from its installation, and may be easily handled and installed, as "indicated in the above mentioned patent to Christian Gottwald.

A complete conduit is constructed by laying several units such as those above described in alignment, and uniting the ends of tubes I as by welding 8. Prior to this welding operation, a sleeve I0, shown as a plain piece of tubing, is slid 'over one of the shells adjacent the joint and upon the completion of the welding or 0 erwise joining tubes I, the sleeve I0 is slid to the position indicated in Figure 3. whereby it overlies at least two convolutions at the ends of both shells or casings 2.

As thesleeve is being moved into position, the space within itand about the ends of the pipes I is filled with insulating material II, similar Such a ring could be provided with awearresisting surface on either (or both) its interior and/or exterior, such as short pieces of tubing, rings bent of sheet metal, or the like.

when an all-metal spacer such as illustrated in Figure 3 is used, it will be noted that the arms carrying the bearing flanges 4 are of reduced cross section which greatly impedes the conduction of heat. It will also be noted that the areas of contact between the corrugations of casing 2 and the flanges 4 arge very small, further impeding any transfer of heat.

In Figures 4} 5, and 6, a modification of the supporting block is shown, which is useful when a plurality of tubes are to be used instead of the single one of the first three figures.

Three tubes are indicated at I0I, Illa, and

IOIb.

A block of heat insulating material I0! is seated within the end of the corrugated casing or cover I02. Within this is embedded a metal ring I08. Studs I08a are threaded into ring I00, and these are arranged to fit into notches in the periphery of the disc I01, provided with holes I0Ia, I0Ib, and i010. arranged to fit the exterior of the tubes IOI, IOIa, and I0") respectively.

Nuts I 06b serve to clamp the plate I01 to the ring I05. It will be apparent that the block I05 may be screwed into the corrugations of the casing I02, and that the plate I01 may then be slid over the ends of the tubes without having to twist these aboutwithin the casing and the The sleeve is arranged with-perforations 2I2 extending upwardly. and into these the sealing material, such as the molten asphalt, may be poured, this material flowing around the corrugations of the sleeve and forming two thick rings, sealing the sleeves to the casing ends.

Figure 8 shows a still further modiflcation of the sleeve, this being indicated as a cylindrical member 8I0, in each end of which is placed a formed or cast ring 3, having its outer end provided with a cylindrical recess and being formed internally with a plurality of helically units. If desired.

a scess that first the ring s istplaced about the center of the tube l. Next, two somewhat flexible pieces of material i3, such as thin sheet metal, are arranged to partially surround the tube. extending substantially to the ring 8.

In the trough-like spaces so formed is placed the heat-insulating material 8; and the sheet metal members I! then are closed to form two cylinders of slightly smaller diameter than the internal dimensions of the casing 2.

The tube, heat insulating material, and sheet I metal holders 13 are slid axially into the casing 2, as indicated in Figure 11, until the'longitudinal center tube and casing coincide, when the holders I: are withdrawn as indicated in Figure 12, leaving the central supporting ring and heat insulatingmaterial inside the casing.

Next, the plugs are slid over the ends of the tube I and threaded into the ends of the casing to hold the heat insulating material as well as the tube in place.

-. Of course, it will be apparent that the tube might be placed in the casing first, and the heat insulating material packed in from the ends.

Also that the tube and casing might be placed vertically and the heat insulating material poured in fromabove. Similarly, the heat insulating material might be placed around the tube, held in place by the sheet metal holder members l3, arid this assembly lowered end-wise into the casing. by

In Figure 14 an embodiment of the invention is illustrated in which the sheet metal holder 'members have been replaced by strips of flexible sheet material, such, for instance, as felt roofing, roofing paper, orthe like, these being shown as sections 3, each of whicln is bent into cylindrical form and held staples 4.

Each section (as it is placed about the tube llll and the successive strips may be stapled together.

in this position as by- J l of roofing material may be filled Preferably, the ends of successive strips are telescoped-the smaller ends of each section heading in one direction, and the larger ones in the other-so that the assembly may be more easily slid into the casing. I

With this embodiment of the invention,'it is intended that the holder covering may remain permanently within the casing, and no'provision for its withdrawal is therefore made.

While I have described above shredded asbestos or similar loosely associated heat insulating material, it will be apparent that solid or molded heat insulated material such as magnesia or the like might be used. c

The sleeves shown for surrounding the Joints in the first few figures are indicated as cylindrical. However, where itis desired to connect casing members of diilferent diameters, as in connecting branch conduits to a main, or for use in conjunction with expansion joints, or the like, tapered or frustro conical (rather than cylindrical) sleeves may ,be used, the two ends of the sleeves being adapted to fit different sizes of casihg section, I

' A few specimens of such arrangements ar illustrated in Figures 15, 16, and 17.

In Figure 15, the main tubing sections I are surrounded by the casings 2, shown as axially To the end of each tube section IV a direction-changing fitting, such as a forty-five degree elbow "I, is united.

The central portions of each elbow is enclosed in an elbow-shaped casing I02, the elbow itself being covered with heat insulating material "8,

' shown as of molded type secured ab'out the elbow in any desired manner.

A frusto-conical sleeve III! is provided, having its smaller end arranged to slide ver casing 2 and its larger end to slide over cas 502 which is of somewhat larger diameter than the casing 2. The ends of the casing are sealed to the sleeve, by

asphalt, cement or the like, as indicated atll2.

The two elbow sections are united by welding 509, and the Junction between the casing sections 502 is closed by a cylindrical sleeve H0, similar in all respects to the sleeve l0 previously described.

In Figure 16 a generally U-shaped expansion bend is shown, this consisting'oi 90 degree elbows 80 l welded to the ends of tube I and connected by perpendicularly extending tubes Bola, two more 90 degree elbows, and two shorter pi es of tubing Slilb parallel the tube I. t

To permit the ready movement-of the parts of the expansion bend in compensating for expansion and contraction, a larger casing 802 is provided about the tubes Bola than the casings sections 2.

Frusto-conical sleeves M0 are again used to join the smaller to the larger casing sections and a larger diameter cylindrical sleeve Elna joins the s nds of the casings 602.

Figure 17 shows a T-like fitting connecting a branch 'IOI to the main. conduit section I. The branch is surrounded by a casing section 102 which is connected to a T-like casing section I03 by a sleeve Ulla, the arms of the T-like casing being connected by sleeves ill! to casing sections out that coatings for the protection of these may be conveniently provided, such, for instance as asphalt.

It-has been found that if the casing be wound with building paper, felt, or some other fibrous sheet material, while asphalt is provided in sufficient quantities and a molten condition to fill the corrugations and penetrate the fibrous material, a very durable and smooth coating is obtained.

The casing section of Figure 18 illustrates this form of covering, which, it will be readily understood, may be applied to any of the casings illustrated in the other figures, and used with any of the types of connecting sleeves.

The tube with the casing is illustrated at UM, J while the casing itself is shownrat 802. The asphalt filling the corrugations is indicated at 803 and an asphalt impregnated layer of felt is hown While we have described the illustrated embodiments of our invention in some particularly, obviously many others will readily occur to those skilled in this art, and we do not therefore limit ourselves to the precise details shown and ,described, but claim as our invention all embodi- 1. A prefabricated cpnduit unit comprising an inner fluid conducting tube. a helically corrugated casing surrounding said tube and spaced therefrom, rings of heat insulating material having helically corrugated external surfaces arranged to be threaded within the corrugations oi the casing at its ends, said rings being provided with supporting surfaces ior maintaining said tube in spaced relation, to the casing.

2; A conduit unit comprising a plurality of spaced parallel tubes, a tubular casing surrounding said tubes and spaced therefrom, rings of heat insulating material ntting within the ends or said casing, and bearing members detachably secured to said rings having guide means supporting said tubes in spaced relation to each other and to said casing.

3. A conduit unit comprising a plurality oi spaced parallel tubes. a tubular casing surround ing said tubes and spaced therefrom, rings oi heat insulating material fitting within the ends of said 25 ings comprising wear-resisting casing, and bearing members detachably secured to said rings having guide means supporting said tubes in spaced relation to each other and to said casing, and heat insulating material in the spaces 7 between and about the tubes and within the casing.

4. ll conduit unit comprising a plurality of spaced parallel tubes, a tubular casing surrounding said tubes and spaced therefrom, rings of heat insulating material fitting within the ends or said 5 casing, and bearing members each comprising a 6. A conduit unit comprising an inner fluid conducting tube, an outer sheet metal casing 01' helically corrugated sheet material surrounding said tube and spaced therefrom, rings of heat insulating material having external helical corrugations threaded into the corrugations or the casing and bearings carried by said rings supporting said tube in spaced relation to the casin said bearnently fixed to the rings.

CHRISTIAN GOTTWALD. WILLIAM S. MCLEISH.

porting said tube in spaced relation to the casing.

shoes perma-