Abstract: A technique for installing and replacing, if necessary, readily bendable electrical heat-tracing cable on and insulating a network of installed pipes including straight sections, straight joints, and elbow sections is disclosed herein. In accordance with this technique, initially provided heat-tracing cable is installed in individual continuous sections along the length of and adjacent to the straight pipe sections, joints and elbow sections. Routing guides are placed over and/or under lengthwise surfaces of at least those segments of the heat-tracing cable adjacent to the joints and elbows and retained in place along with the cable itself. With the cable and routing guides so retained, a layer of thermal insulation is placed over the network of pipes as well as the cable and routing guides so that opposite ends of individual cable sections are readily accessible for connection with the source of electrical power or a section of replacement cable.

Abstract: A rail heating system is provided for heating railroad components such as railroad switch areas and electrified third rails. The heating system includes a side heater having a heating pad that has a flexible contact surface. A clip arrangement such as a spring steel clip is provided for securing the heating pads to the stock rail and pressing the contact surface into engagement with the rail. The contact surface of the heating pad is forced to conform to the shape of the contacted portion of the rail. Ground pan heaters may be used to keep areas of the switch that are not suitable for attachment by the side heaters, such as the switch rod, free from ice and snow.

Abstract: A mounting device for a heater module which permits rapid installation and removal of the device from a ferrous surface. The mounting device includes a pair of oppositely disposed assemblies each of which has a magnet and a spring loaded structure for mounting the magnet so that the magnet surface can be quickly and conveniently positioned in engagement with the ferrous surface so as to retain the heater module in close heat transferring contact with the surface. Each assembly is provided with a handle to facilitate installation and removal of the module from the surface.

Abstract: A planar electrical heating unit that is sufficiently flexible to be conformable to nonplanar surfaces such as the exterior of pipes and tanks. The unit is formed of plural layers. There are two glass fiber reinforced silicon rubber layers between which is sandwiched an electric resistance heater element. On one outside surface is adhesively secured an imperforate metal plate. Mounted to the plate is a junction box for electrical connections to the heating element and for ground connection to the metal plate. A thermoelectric sensor is housed within the junction box and serves to interrupt current to the heating element when a prescribed temperature has been reached. Adjacent the edge margins of the unit are a plurality of grommets which prevent delamination of the layers of the device and facilitate mounting the device to the exterior surface of a pipe, tank, or the like.