CONDUIT SYSTEM

• US 3,854,756 A
• Filed: 04/19/1973
• Issued: 12/17/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/1973
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Robert O. Couch
• Original Assignee: Robert O. Couch
• Inventors: Couch, Robert O.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lawson, Patrick D.
• Application Number:
  US05/352,511
• Time in Patent Office: 607 Days
• Field of Search: 285/47,53,DIG.5 138/149
• US Class Current: 285/47
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 59/182 Joints with sleeve or socket in general F16L21/00

Abstract

A conduit system is disclosed which comprises first and second conduit units which are sealingly joined together by a separate coupling unit. Each conduit unit includes a central pipe having projecting end portions which are received by the coupling unit. The coupling unit comprises an annular tubular body member for receiving the adjacent pipe end portions and sealing the junctures of the pipe ends and the coupling body. The annular body is surrounded by a generally cylindrical body of insulating material formed from polyurethane foam which is interlocked with the annular body. A protective jacket extends about the insulating material.

Claims

1. In a conduit system wherein a plurality of insulated conduit units are laid end to end and adjacent ends of the conduit units are joined and sealed;

a. a first conduit unit comprising a length of pipe, a body of insulating material extending circumferentially about said pipe and axially along said pipe, a sleeve-like jacket extending circumferentially about said body of insulating material, said pipe defining end portions extending a predetermined distance axially from said body of insulating material and sealing means extending circumferentially between the pipe and the jacket for sealing said body of insulating material;

b. a second conduit unit comprising a second length of pipe, a second body of insulating material extending circumferentially about said pipe and axially along said pipe, a second sleevelike jacket extending circumferentially about said body of insulating material, said second pipe defining end portions extending a predetermined distance axially from said second body of insulating material and second sealing means extending circumferentially between the second pipe and second jacket for sealing a jacket portion at each axial end of said second body of insulating material; and

, c. a coupling unit interposed between said first and second conduit units, said coupling unit comprising a tubular body member defining an axial opening extending therethrough for slidably receiving adjacent end portions of said first and second pipes, said adjacent end portions of said first and second pipes being spaced apart and unconnected within said tubular member, first and second seals axially spaced from each other along said tubular body and extending between said tubular body and said first and second pipes, respectively, said first and second seals providing a fluid tight seal between said tubular body and said pipes while permitting said adjacent end portions of said pipes to move endwise within said tubular body, a third body of insulating material extending about said tubular body and interlocked with said tubular body whereby said tubular body and said third body of insulating material are fixed against movement relative to each other, and insulation protecting means extending at least circumferentially about said third body of insulating material, at least one of said tubular body and said third body of insulating material having an axial length which is greater than the combined projecting lengths of said adjacent end portions of said first and second pipes whereby said first and second pipes are free to thermally expand and contract axially relative to said coupling unit.

2. In a conduit system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said tubular body further comprises expansion stop means for limiting the extent of axial movement of said first and second pipes relative to said tubular body.

3. In a conduit system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said third body of insulating material comprises polyurethane and said insulation protecting means comprises a sleeve of imperforate plastic material extending about said third body of insulating material.

4. In a conduit system as claimed in claim 3 wherein said sleeve of plastic material extends axially beyond opposite ends of said coupling unit and sealingly engages the peripheries of said first and second conduit units.

5. In a conduit system as claimed in claim 3 wherein said imperforate sleeve extends between opposite axial ends of said coupling unit and said insulation protecting means further comprises annular end cap members disposed at said opposite axial ends of said coupling unit, each end cap member comprising an axially extending portion sealingly engaged with said imperforate sleeve and a radially extending portion sealingly engaged with said tubular body.

6. In a conduit system as claimed in claim 3 wherein said imperforate sleeve extends between opposite axial ends of said coupling unit and said insulation protecting means further comprises first and second bodies of sealing compound at said opposite axial ends of said coupling unit, said bodies of sealing compound sealingly engaging said imperforate sleeve and covering respective axial end faces of said third body of insulating material.

7. In a conduit system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said insulation protecting means comprises at least a body of sealing compound sealingly engaging said third body of insulating material.

8. In a conduit system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said annular body comprises a plurality of generally radially extending surfaces formed on its external periphery, said third body of insulating material closely surrounding said tubular body and abutting said radially extending surfaces.

9. In a conduit system as claimed in claim 8 wherein said third body of insulating material comprises polyurethane foam material which is foamed in place about said tubular body.

10. In a conduit system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first and second sealing means each comprises an annular plug member, each plug member being sealingly engaged with its respective pipe and conduit jacket, sealing plugs of adjacent conduit ends engaged by said coupling body member.

11. In a conduit system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said coupling insulation protecting means comprises a sleeve extending peripherally about said third body of insulating material and first and second plug members at opposite ends of said coupling unit, said plug members extending about said coupling body member and sealingly engaged between said coupling body member and said sleeve.