US3650299A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Insulation apparatus and techniques for fluid-transmitting pipes
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-12-14
•
Granted: 1972-03-21
•
Expires: 1990-12-14
Abstract
Abstract Pipes for transmitting petroleum across permafrost earth are insulated by a succession of inflatable tubular bag members. The bag members are inflated by forcing into them insulative material under air pressure. When the pipes transmit petroleum, the average density of the pipe and inflated bag members is smaller than that of the permafrost earth. Thus, if the permafrost should melt, the insulated pipe would float rather than undergoing serious stresses that would otherwise occur.
Inventors
- 👤 Edwin Nail Seiler
- 👤 Weaks Gardner Smith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 14:12
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L59/00; F16L59/04; F16L1/00; F16L1/024; F16L1/026; F16L1/12; F16L1/20; F16L1/24; F16L59/02; F16L59/021
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
129 words
An insulated pipe of the type designed to transmit petroleum fluid along or within the permafrost earth characteristic of arctic and subarctic land regions comprising: a pipe; a plurality of axially aligned inflatable flexible bag members circumferentially engaging said pipe for substantially its entire length, each bag member, when inflated, assuming a tubular configuration having an annular cross-section; each bag member having a peripheral opening and being inflated with insulative material injected through said opening into said bag member under pressure; the average density of said pipe, the petroleum transmitted by the pipe, and inflated bag members, being smaller than the average density of said permafrost earth, whereby the pipe and insulator will be supported by the permafrost earth even at temperatures above the melting point of the permafrost.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
129 words
An insulated pipe of the type designed to transmit petroleum fluid along or within the permafrost earth characteristic of arctic and subarctic land regions comprising: a pipe; a plurality of axially aligned inflatable flexible bag members circumferentially engaging said pipe for substantially its entire length, each bag member, when inflated, assuming a tubular configuration having an annular cross-section; each bag member having a peripheral opening and being inflated with insulative material injected through said opening into said bag member under pressure; the average density of said pipe, the petroleum transmitted by the pipe, and inflated bag members, being smaller than the average density of said permafrost earth, whereby the pipe and insulator will be supported by the permafrost earth even at temperatures above the melting point of the permafrost.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
The insulated pipes of claim 1 wherein: each bag member has an inner cylindrical surface and an outer cylindrical surface, and it includes on the outer cylindrical surface a sealable opening for permitting insulative material to be injected under pressure into the bag member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The insulated pipe of claim 2 in successive bag members are separated and stabilized i n position by annular support.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The insulated pipe of claim 3 further comprising: a pair of annular supports clamped to the pipe on opposite sides of a plurality of successive bag members to stabilize the bag members.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The insulated pipe of claim 4 wherein: each of said annular supports includes a tubular hub on the outer periphery thereof which overlaps successive bag members.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-03-21 | 1975-09-20 | 1976-03-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-03-21 | 1979-09-20 | 1980-03-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-03-21 | 1983-09-20 | 1984-03-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |