IP Library Granted Patent US 9,810,448
Granted Patent B2
US 9,810,448 · App. 14/626,686 · Granted Nov 7, 2017

System and method for heating a pipeline using heated lines

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,810,448
App. No.
14/626,686
Granted
Nov 7, 2017
Kind
B2
Abstract

A system for heating a pipeline comprises a heater operable to heat a fluid, a supply line and a return line. A first strap is positioned at a first portion of a pipeline. A first pocket of the first strap holds the supply line in thermal contact with the first portion of the pipeline. A second pocket of the first strap holds the return line in thermal contact with the first portion of the pipeline. A second strap is positioned at a second portion of the pipeline. A third pocket of the first strap holds the supply line in thermal contact with the second portion of the pipeline. A fourth pocket holds the return line in thermal contact with the second portion of the pipeline.

Claims (50)

1. A system for heating a pipeline comprising:

a heater operable to heat a fluid;

first and second supply lines positioned adjacent to the heater, wherein the heated fluid is operable to flow through the first and second supply lines away from the heater;

first and second return lines positioned adjacent to the heater, wherein the heated fluid is operable to flow through the first and second return lines back to the heater;

a strap having a first end, a second end, a first middle portion between the first end and the second end, a third end, a fourth end, and a second middle portion between the third end and the fourth end, the first middle portion coupled to the second middle portion, wherein:

the strap forms a first pocket when the first end is folded over and attached to the first middle portion of the strap;

the strap forms a second pocket when the second end is folded over and attached to the first middle portion of the strap;

the first pocket holds the first supply line in thermal contact with a first portion of the pipeline;

the second pocket holds the first return line in thermal contact with a second portion of the pipeline;

the strap forms a third pocket when the third end of the strap is folded over and attached to the second middle portion of the strap;

the strap forms a fourth pocket when the fourth end of the strap is folded over and attached to the second middle portion of the strap;

the third pocket holds the second supply line in thermal contact with a third portion of the pipeline; and

the fourth pocket holds the second return line in thermal contact with a fourth portion of the pipeline.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first end and the second end of the strap are made of hook fastening material on a first side and a thermally conductive material on a second side.

3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the first middle portion of the strap is made of hook fastening material on the first side and thermally conductive material on the second side.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the strap is placed on the pipeline such that the first pocket and the second pocket are positioned at or above an equator of the pipeline.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the pipeline has a fill level and the strap is placed on the pipeline such that the first pocket and the second pocket are positioned below the fill level of the pipeline by removably coupling the first pocket and the second pocket to the pipeline using clasps.

6. The system of claim 1 , further comprising an insulated blanket wrapped around at least a portion of the supply lines and the return lines.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first supply line is connected to the first return line.

8. A method for heating a pipeline, comprising:

positioning a strap on the pipeline, the strap comprising a first end, a second end, a first middle portion between the first end and the second end, a third end, a fourth end, and a second middle portion between the third end and the fourth end, the first middle portion coupled to the second middle portion, wherein:

the strap forms a first pocket when the first end is folded over and attached to the first middle portion of the strap;

the strap forms a second pocket when the second end is folded over and attached to the first middle portion of the strap;

the strap forms a third pocket when the third end is folded over and attached to the second middle portion of the strap; and

the strap forms a fourth pocket when the fourth end is folded over and attached to the second middle portion of the strap;

holding a first supply line in thermal contact with a first portion of the pipeline using the first pocket;

holding a first return line in thermal contact with a second portion of the pipeline using the second pocket;

holding a second supply line in thermal contact with a third portion of the pipeline using the third pocket; and

holding a second return line in thermal contact with a fourth portion of the pipeline using the fourth pocket.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the first end and the second end of the strap are made of hook fastening material on a first side and a thermally conductive material on a second side.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the first middle portion of the strap is made of hook fastening material on the first side and thermally conductive material on the second side.

11. The method of claim 8 , wherein the strap is placed on the pipeline such that the first pocket and the second pocket are positioned at or above an equator of the pipeline.

12. The method of claim 8 , wherein the pipeline has a fill level and the strap is placed on the pipeline such that the first pocket and the second pocket are positioned below the fill level of the pipeline by removably coupling the first pocket and the second pocket to the pipeline using clasps.

13. The method of claim 8 , further comprising wrapping at least a portion of the supply lines and the return lines using an insulated blanket.

14. The method of claim 8 , wherein the first supply line is connected to the first return line.

15. A system, comprising:

a strap with a first end, a second end, a first middle portion between the first end and the second end, a third end, a fourth end, and a second middle portion between the third end and the fourth end, the first middle portion coupled to the second middle portion, wherein:

the first end of the strap loops through an eyelet of a first clasp that is removably coupled to a first portion of a pipeline, and the strap forms a first pocket when the first end of the strap is folded over and attached to the first middle portion of the strap;

the second end of the strap loops through an eyelet of a second clasp that is removably coupled to a second portion of the pipeline, and the strap forms a second pocket when the second end of the strap is folded over and attached to the first middle portion of the strap;

the first pocket holds a first supply line carrying heated fluid supplied by a heater and the first pocket positions the first supply line in thermal contact with the first portion of the pipeline; and

the second pocket holds a first return line returning the heated fluid to the heater and the second pocket positions the first return line in thermal contact with the second portion of the pipeline;

the third end of the strap loops through an eyelet of a third clasp that is removably coupled to a third portion of the pipeline, and the strap forms a third pocket when the third end of the strap is folded over and attached to the second middle portion of the strap;

the fourth end of the strap loops through an eyelet of a fourth clasp that is removably coupled to the fourth portion of the pipeline, and the strap forms a fourth pocket when the fourth end of the strap is folded over and attached to the second middle portion of the strap;

the third pocket holds the second supply line and positions the second supply line in thermal contact with the third portion of the pipeline; and

the fourth pocket holds the second return line and positions the second return line in thermal contact with the fourth portion of the pipeline.

16. The system of claim 15 , wherein the first supply line is connected to the first return line.

17. The system of claim 15 , wherein the first end and the second end of the strap are made of hook fastening material on a first side and a thermally conductive material on a second side.

18. The system of claim 17 , wherein the first middle portion of the strap is made of hook fastening material on the first side and thermally conductive material on the second side.

19. The system of claim 15 , wherein the strap is placed on the pipeline such that the first pocket and the second pocket are positioned at or above an equator of the pipeline.

20. The system of claim 15 , wherein the pipeline has a fill level and the strap is placed on the pipeline such that the first pocket and the second pocket are positioned below the fill level of the pipeline.

Assignments (9)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 22, 2021
From: BROAN-NUTONE LLC; NORTEK AIR SOLUTIONS, LLC; NORTEK GLOBAL HVAC, LLC; THERMA-STOR LLC; ADDISON HVAC LLC; NOVELAIRE TECHNOLOGIES, L.L.C.; ROBERTS-GORDON LLC; STERIL-AIRE LLC; UNITED COOLAIR LLC; AIRXCHANGE, INC.
To: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 056650/0303 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 22, 2021
From: BROAN-NUTONE LLC; NORTEK AIR SOLUTIONS, LLC; NORTEK GLOBAL HVAC, LLC; THERMA-STOR LLC; ADDISON HVAC LLC; NOVELAIRE TECHNOLOGIES, L.L.C.; ROBERTS-GORDON LLC; STERIL-AIRE LLC; UNITED COOLAIR LLC; AIRXCHANGE, INC.
To: GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 056647/0868 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 15, 2020
From: THERMA-STOR LLC
To: CIBC BANK USA
Reel/Frame 053775/0394 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 23, 2018
From: CIBC BANK USA
To: THERMA-STOR LLC
Reel/Frame 046226/0880 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 23, 2018
From: THERMA-STOR LLC
To: CIBC BANK USA
Reel/Frame 046227/0045 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 8, 2018
From: THERMA-STOR LLC
To: CIBC BANK USA
Reel/Frame 045021/0635 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 4, 2018
From: TECHNOLOGIES HOLDINGS CORP.
To: THERMA-STOR LLC
Reel/Frame 045003/0972 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 31, 2017
From: TECHNOLOGIES HOLDINGS CORP.; THERMA-STOR LLC
To: THERMA-STOR LLC
Reel/Frame 044997/0596 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 19, 2015
From: MYERHOLTZ, ROBERT M., JR; DANCEY, LARRY L.
To: TECHNOLOGIES HOLDINGS CORP.
Reel/Frame 034988/0829 →