US 12,111,116 B2
Heat transfer between tracer and pipe
Thomas William Perry, Charlotte, NC (US)
Assigned to CONTROLS SOUTHEAST, INC., Pineville, NC (US)
Filed by CONTROLS SOUTHEAST, INC., Pineville, NC (US)
Filed on May 6, 2019, as Appl. No. 16/403,668.
Application 16/403,668 is a continuation of application No. 15/484,120, filed on Apr. 10, 2017, abandoned.
Application 15/484,120 is a continuation of application No. 14/556,057, filed on Nov. 28, 2014, granted, now 9,841,239, issued on Dec. 12, 2017.
Application 14/556,057 is a continuation of application No. 14/033,991, filed on Sep. 23, 2013, granted, now 8,899,310, issued on Dec. 2, 2014.
Application 14/033,991 is a continuation of application No. 13/154,142, filed on Jun. 6, 2011, granted, now 8,662,156, issued on Mar. 4, 2014.
Application 13/154,142 is a continuation of application No. PCT/US2009/066904, filed on Dec. 6, 2009.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/167,023, filed on Apr. 6, 2009.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/120,425, filed on Dec. 6, 2008.
Prior Publication US 2019/0323777 A1, Oct. 24, 2019
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. F28D 7/00 (2006.01); B21D 53/06 (2006.01); F16L 53/32 (2018.01); F16L 53/38 (2018.01); F16L 53/70 (2018.01)
CPC F28D 7/0008 (2013.01) [B21D 53/06 (2013.01); F16L 53/32 (2018.01); F16L 53/38 (2018.01); F16L 53/70 (2018.01); Y10T 29/49361 (2015.01); Y10T 29/49826 (2015.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for facilitating heat transfer, comprising the steps of:
(a) positioning a tracer and a length of an extruded heat-conductive metal onto a pipe extending along an outer surface of the pipe,
(i) wherein the length of the extruded heat-conductive metal defines;
(A) a lengthwise channel formed by one or more channel walls and extending the length of the extruded heat-conductive metal, and
(B) one or more curved mounting surfaces, wherein the one or more curved mounting surfaces have a radius of curvature configured to mate with the outer surface of the pipe, wherein the one or more curved mounting surfaces comprise first and second curved mounting surfaces, and wherein a channel opening of the lengthwise channel is located between the first and second curved mounting surfaces,
(ii) wherein the tracer is received through the channel opening into the lengthwise channel, and
(iii) wherein the tracer is located within the lengthwise channel, and the one or more curved mounting surfaces mate with the outer surface of the pipe;
(b) including heat transfer cement between the length of the extruded heat-conductive metal and the outer surface of the pipe such that, following said positioning,
(i) the heat transfer cement fills space located between the one or more curved mounting surfaces and the outer surface of the pipe, and
(ii) whereby heat is transferred from the tracer, through the extruded heat-conductive metal and the heat transfer cement, to the pipe at locations where the one or more curved mounting surfaces mate with the outer surface of the pipe; and
(c) strapping the length of the extruded heat-conductive metal in place on the pipe, with the tracer located within the lengthwise channel.