GB2248100A

GB2248100A - Thermal insulation

Info

Publication number: GB2248100A
Application number: GB9117588A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Graham Taylor
Original assignee: TAYLOR MADE ENERGY SAVERS EURO
Current assignee: TAYLOR MADE ENERGY SAVERS EURO
Priority date: 1990-08-15
Filing date: 1991-08-15
Publication date: 1992-03-25
Anticipated expiration: 2011-08-15
Also published as: GB2248100B; GB9117588D0; GB9017938D0

Abstract

A removable thermal jacket 10 includes cooperable securing means 14, (16) for securing the jacket around a valve 26, and a drawstring arrangement 20 for pulling the jacket snugly against the valve. Retaining straps 22 are connected together at 24 to retain the jacket in the vicinity of the valve when the securing means 14, (16) and the draw string arrangement 20 are released. The jackets are colour coded for identification purposes. <IMAGE>

Description

THERMAL INSULATION This invention relates to thermal insulation and 13 particular to thermal insulation for reducing transfer ol heat to or from a valve.

In runs of pipework it is often difficult to provide adequate insulation for valves in the network. Substantia amounts of heat can be wasted and a need exists for a for of insulation which is easy to apply yet can be remove: quickly when required, In buildings and installations which hav comple > networks of service pipework running through them, it can be difficult to identify which valve is associated with whicr network. A lot of time can be wasted in tracking down thc correct valve and also mistakes can be costly. A need also exists for a form of insulation which allows ready identifi-cation of a particular valve in a circuit.

In one aspect, this invention provides a removable thermal jacket for a valve or the like comprising a flexible thermally insulating portion, releasable fastening means fo securing the flexible portion in use around tne valve or tS; like and retaining means for retaining the thermal jacket adjacent said valve or the like when said fastening means is released.

Said flexible thermally insulating portion is preferably ly formed of glass fibre cloth material. The racket may Dc filled witn a suitable fibrous thermally insulating materia such as Rockwool.

The jacket is preferably colour coded for identification. Where the thermal jacket is intended for a valve arranged between two concentric pipe portions, the flexible portion preferably includes mutually engageable fastening means, (for example Velcro (RTM) or similar) at opposed end regions thereof which may be engaged to hold the flexible portion around the valve. One or both opposed edge regions of the flexible portion preferably include a drawstring cuff arrangement or the like to secure the edges of the flexible portion around the pipe portions to either side of the valve.

In another aspect of this invention there is provide a removable thermal jacket for a valve or the like which comprises a flexible thermally insulating portion, releasable fastening means for securing the flexible portion in use around the valve or the like, at least part of the thermal jacket being colour coded for identificatlon.

The invention extends to any inventive combination of features set out above or in the following description.

The invention may be performed in various ways and an embodiment therefore will now be described by way of example only, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figures 1 to 4 illustrate in sequence a thermal insulating jacket or cover being applied to a valve body.

The thermal insulating jacket or cover 10 comprises flexible portion 12 made of glass-fibre cloth with a Rockwool filling and having Velcro (RTM) tabs 14 projecting from one end and which co-operate with Velcro (RTI4) patches 16 on the external surface 18 of the portion 12. Each of the side margins of the flexible portion is provided with a drawstring arrangement 20.

The jacket also includes two retaining straps 22 se: into the flexible portion. Each strap terminates with a Dring 24 to allow it to be connected to the other strap.

When the core has been fully fitted to the valve the straps are passed around the pipe and connected. This ensures tha7.

the jacket 10 is left in the vicinity of this valve ever when the cover has to be removed for maintenance purposes.

The external surface 18 of the jacket is colour coded to allow quick identification of the valve surrounded thereby. For example, the covers may be available in several colours such as Red, Green, Blue or Grey, or combinations thereof.

To fit the jacket to a valve 26, the valve jacket 10 is opened and placed beneath the valve (Figure 1). Both ends are pulled together until they meet below the valve wheel and the Velcro tabs 14 pulled over the Velcro patches 1e (Figure 2) and then pushed down firmly to engage (Figure 3).

The drawstring arrangements 20 to either side of the valve 26 are pulled tight and then secured to make the jacket fit snugly against the valve with minimal gaps, and the retaining straps 22 are secured by a split ring 28 or the like (Figure 4).

Claims

1. A removable thermal jacket for a valve or the like, comprising a flexible thermally insulating portion, releasable fastening means for securing the flexible portion in use around the valve or the like, and retaining means for retaining the thermal jacket adjacent said valve or the like when said fastening means is released.

2. A removable thermal jacket according to Claim 1, wherein said flexible thermally insulating portion is formed of glass fibre cloth material.

3. A removable thermal jacket according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein said flexible thermally insulating portion includes a filling of fibrous thermally insulating material.

4. A removable thermal jacket according to an'# preceding Claim, wherein at least part of the thermal jacket is colour coded for identification.

5. A removable thermal jacket according to any preceding claim wherein said releasable fastening means comprises mutually engageable fastening means at opposed end regions thereof which may be engaged to hold the flexible portion around the valve in use.

6. A removable thermal jacket according to any preceding Claim at least one edge region of the flexible portion includes a drawstring arrangement for pulling the flexible portion close to the valve or the like.

7. A removable thermal jacket according to any preceding claim wherein said retaining means comprises a tie element or the like for being passed in use around a structure adjacent or associated with the valve.

8. A removable thermal jacket according to Claim 7, wherein said tie element is in two parts each secured at one end to the thermal jacket and carrying connection means at their other ends.

9. A removable thermal jacket for a valve or the like which comprises a flexible thermally insulating portion, releasable fastening means for securing the flexible portion in use around the valve or the like, at least part of the thermal jacket being colour coded for identification.

10. A removable thermal jacket substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in any of the accompanying drawings.