An insulator includes an insulation tube, an insulation foam body disposed in the insulation tube, and a curable adhesive disposed between the insulation foam body and an inner wall of the insulation tube. The curable adhesive after being cured is softer than both the insulation foam body and the insulation tube.

A heat-insulated box for insulating parallel-slide valves includes multiple sections each including an outer protective steel envelope with a heat insulation coating on an inner surface. A number and configuration of sections is determined based on geometric parameters of the insulated valve. Some sections include two semi-cylindrical segments rigidly coupled together and oriented in mutually perpendicular directions such that one segment can be installed on the valve and one segment can be installed on the pipeline. The box also includes stiffeners at the junction of the two semi-cylindrical segments. The sections include shock-absorbing sealing gaskets made of cellular rubber substance to ensure a tight seal of the box. The box includes a locking mechanism for coupling the sections together.

A retention device for attaching an insulation element to a V band clamp or to another device for connecting pipe ends. The retention device includes closure elements that cooperate to permit the outer and/or inner circumference of the retention device to be decreased. The retention device further includes a bendable belt segment that may be placed about an insulation element as part of an outer covering or like a type of outer covering.

A reusable insulation wrap may include a multilayer insulation member having at least one stretchable layer adapted to resist moisture and sized to closely wrap around an article, at least one insulative layer adapted to accommodate deformation of the at least one stretchable layer, and at least one protective layer adapted to be abrasion and moisture resistant and prevent damage to at least one of the at least one stretchable layer and the at least one insulative layer. A releasable fastener may be configured to close the multilayer insulation member in releasable engagement around the article; whereby, the wrap may be configured to stretch around and fit snugly on the article.

A method is shown for installing a heat tube on a section of pre-insulated piping. A metal carrier pipe is covered with a first layer of foam insulation. Next, a routing device is used to cut a longitudinal slot along the length of the pipe so that the pipe exterior surface is exposed from the insulation. A heat tube is then installed within the longitudinal slot, whereby the heat tube contacts the exterior surface of the metal carrier pipe. A second layer of foam insulation is then sprayed onto the exterior of the metal carrier pipe, covering the previously formed longitudinal slot and installed heat tube. A polyolefin coating is then applied over the insulation to form a protective outer jacket for the insulated pipe.

A monolithic metal thermal insulating sleeve liner for fluid flow devices such as valves and piping used in severe industrial applications is additively manufactured (e.g., by 3D printing) to fit the bore of a protected fluid flow device. Tessellated support structures obliquely extending between inside surfaces of inner and outer shells provide increased resistance to thermal conduction while also providing increased strength against compression forces. Example support structures include an array of four obliquely oriented elongated members mutually intersecting mid-way between the inside surfaces of inner and outer cylindrical shells. If internal interstices are sealed they can be vacuumed or pressurized to enhance thermal insulating properties. A pressure equalizing aperture can be provided on or through the sleeve if needed in some applications.

A monolithic metal thermal insulating sleeve liner for fluid flow devices such as valves and piping used in severe industrial applications is additively manufactured (e.g., by 3D printing) to fit the bore of a protected fluid flow device. Tessellated support structures obliquely extending between inside surfaces of inner and outer shells provide increased resistance to thermal conduction while also providing increased strength against compression forces. Example support structures include an array of four obliquely oriented elongated members mutually intersecting mid-way between the inside surfaces of inner and outer cylindrical shells. If internal interstices are sealed they can be vacuumed or pressurized to enhance thermal insulating properties. A pressure equalizing aperture can be provided on or through the sleeve if needed in some applications.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a self-molding composite system for insulation and covering operations. The self-molding composite system may be cured to form any desired shaped for insulation and covering operations. The composite system comprises one or more layers that may create a rigid layered composite when cured. The one or more layers of the composite system may include a base layer that is a braided, knit, or non-woven fiber based substrate, an interstitial matrix layer, and customizable top coat. The customizable top coat may be a solvent based polymer solution that includes various additives that may include color pigments, additives for additional abrasion protection, additives for thermal protection, and/or additives for creating various textures or visible appearances to the composite system.

In combination with a pipe (213), a clamp (201) is provided which supports the pipe in a fixed position with respect to a substrate. The clamp includes first (203) and second (205) bands, wherein each of the first and second bands has an arcuate portion (209) and first and second terminal portions (211), and wherein the arcuate portions of the first and second bands are disposed in opposing relation around the surface of the pipe. A first fastener (207) extends through the first terminal portions of the first and second bands, and a second fastener extends through the second terminal portions of the first and second bands. A thermal insulator (233) is disposed between the first fastener and the first terminal portions of the first and second bands, and between the second fastener and the second terminal portions of the first and second bands.

In combination with a pipe (213), a clamp (201) is provided which supports the pipe in a fixed position with respect to a substrate. The clamp includes first (203) and second (205) bands, wherein each of the first and second bands has an arcuate portion (209) and first and second terminal portions (211), and wherein the arcuate portions of the first and second bands are disposed in opposing relation around the surface of the pipe. A first fastener (207) extends through the first terminal portions of the first and second bands, and a second fastener extends through the second terminal portions of the first and second bands. A thermal insulator (233) is disposed between the first fastener and the first terminal portions of the first and second bands, and between the second fastener and the second terminal portions of the first and second bands.