Abstract: A joint for fluid storage tank insulation systems. A central expansion joint forms a fluid-sealed recessed channel having a ridge-like cap. Water and moisture are directed away from the central expansion joint by the ridge-like cap. Any water that breaches the cap enters the recessed channel and flows out of the expansion joint without damaging tank insulation material. With installations having multiple expansion joints, at least one of the expansion joints can be equipped with an inverted cap to form a gutter within such expansion joint.

Abstract: A fluid pipeline has a first end and a second end. An elongated heat trace element is aligned and coupled to at least a portion of an outer surface of the fluid pipeline. The outer surface of fluid pipeline carries a first insulation material, wherein the first insulation covers a first portion of the outer surface. The outer surface of fluid pipeline further carries a second insulation material, wherein the second insulation covers a second portion of the outer surface and wherein the second portion of the outer surface is different than the first portion of the outer surface. The first and second insulation materials are configured to cover the outer surface of the fluid pipeline. The fluid pipeline further comprises a third insulation material carried over a second outer surface defined by the cooperation of the first and second insulation materials.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for correlating signals generated by a sensor with a position of a plurality of rotating blades to determine turbine blade tip clearance and measurements. The sensor may be positioned in the housing of a turbine, and may be used to determine a radial clearance between the tips of a plurality of rotating turbine blades and a housing during turbine testing and/or operation. A method for using a plurality of sensors separated by a known distance is also disclosed. Other embodiments are disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: The manufacture and installation of heat trace systems, particularly cables, are controlled from comprehensive controls in the design and management of the heat trace systems.

Abstract: A skin-effect heater cable has inorganic ceramic insulation. The heater cable has at least one core conductor wire within a sheath. Electricity is directed through the core conductor in an outward path and returns along a surface “skin” of the sheath in a return path for generating heat.

Abstract: Techniques for leak detection are described. A leak detection module may include a plurality of wires comprising one or more collection points. The leak detection module may further include a capacitor configured to store a charge for powering the module during a power-off state and a plurality of switches to be controlled by a processor. The processor may initiate a predetermined switching sequence when a power-off state has been detected. During the switching sequence, leak detection data may be collected at the one or more collection points. The collected leak detection data may be stored in a set of registers. The leak detection module may transmit the stored leak detection data. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: Heat trace system design is disclosed. In some embodiments, pipe system data including data associated with pipe system components is received, and in response to receiving a selection of a pipe system component, data associated with a set of one or more pipe system components including the selected pipe system component is automatically extracted from the received pipe system data. One or more heat trace system components for the set of pipe system components are determined based at least in part on the extracted data.

Abstract: A sensor for detecting the presence of an organic liquid. The sensor includes an a elongate substrate having a first and second opposed surface, and a first sensor surface disposed on at least a portion of the first surface of the substrate and a second sensor surface disposed on at least a portion of the second surface of the substrate. The sensor also includes a bridging electrode electrically coupling the first and second sensor surfaces, a first electrode disposed on the first surface of the substrate and electrically coupled to the first sensor surface, and a second electrode disposed the second surface of the substrate and electrically coupled to the second sensor surface.

Abstract: A heated hose includes an inner hose (109 covered by a braided support web (20) that fixes heating conductors (30) against the inner hose (10); and further including a protective jacket (40) covering.

Abstract: A heat tracing device has one or more heating elements positioned adjacent to a heatable surface, an aerogel high temperature insulation layer adjacent to the one or more heating elements, a low temperature insulation layer adjacent to the aerogel high temperature insulation layer and a locking mechanism effective to fix the position of the low temperature insulation layer to the aerogel high temperature insulation layer.

Abstract: A covered cable suitable for detecting the presence of corrosive liquids is disclosed. In an embodiment the cable includes two sensing wires wrapped around a core member, at least one of the sensing wires being surrounded by a non-conductive surface layer. In an alternate embodiment the cable includes two sensing wires wrapped around a core member, the sensing wires and core member being encapsulated by a non-conductive surface layer. Preferably, the cable includes insulating wires for detecting the location of a leak. When a corrosive liquid contacts the sensing wires of the cable an electrical connection is created between them. An interrupted covering covers the sensor cable. The resulting covered sensor cable is useful in wicking applications, and/or providing enhanced UV radiation resistance.

Abstract: A sensor for detecting the presence of an organic liquid. The sensor includes an a elongate substrate having a first and second opposed surface, and a first sensor surface disposed on at least a portion of the first surface of the substrate and a second sensor surface disposed on at least a portion of the second surface of the substrate. The sensor also includes a bridging electrode electrically coupling the first and second sensor surfaces, a first electrode disposed on the first surface of the substrate and electrically coupled to the first sensor surface, and a second electrode disposed the second surface of the substrate and electrically coupled to the second sensor surface.

Abstract: A device and method for detecting the presence of one or more targeted liquids in volume of space where the targeted liquid is not normally present. The device includes a sensor that can differentiate between the target fluid and a non-target fluid.

Abstract: A method for controlling a heat tracing circuit automatically determines power off time durations. The method calculates the off time duration based on the temperature of a process pipe measured at the end of an initial predetermined power off time interval together with a particular process pipe set point temperature as well as a dead band temperature that is greater than the set point temperature. The set point temperature is based on the process media, heating cable parameters and installation environment of the process pipe. The power off cycle time duration is limited to the time it takes the process pipe temperature to reach the set point temperature, thus limiting the number of on/off cycles of the heat tracing circuit and consequently the life of the circuit components.

Abstract: A cable connector wire guide and a connector assembly including the same. The wire guide includes first and second portions defining a cable opening. The first and second portions are configured to allow for expansion of the cable opening to allow cables of different dimensions to be received within the cable opening.

Abstract: A heat tracing device has one or more heating elements positioned adjacent to a heatable surface, an aerogel high temperature insulation layer adjacent to the one or more heating elements, a low temperature insulation layer adjacent to the aerogel high temperature insulation layer and a locking mechanism effective to fix the position of the low temperature insulation layer to the aerogel high temperature insulation layer.

Abstract: A subterranean electro-thermal heating system including one or more heater cable sections extending through one or more heat target regions of a subterranean environment and one or more cold lead sections coupled to the heater cable section(s) and extending through one or more non-target regions of the subterranean environment. A cold lead section delivers electrical power to a heater cable section but generates less heat than the heater cable section. The heater cable section(s) are arranged to deliver thermal input to one or more localized areas in the subterranean environment to vaporize a liquid, e.g. water.

Abstract: A cable connector wire guide and a connector assembly including the same. The wire guide includes first and second portions defining a cable opening. The first and second portions are configured to allow for expansion of the cable opening to allow cables of different dimensions to be received within the cable opening.

Abstract: A subterranean electro-thermal heating system including one or more heater cable sections extending through one or more heat target regions of a subterranean environment and one or more cold lead sections coupled to the heater cable section(s) and extending through one or more non-target regions of the subterranean environment. A cold lead section delivers electrical power to a heater cable section but generates less heat than the heater cable section. The heater cable section(s) and the cold lead section(s) are arranged to deliver thermal input to one or more localized areas in the subterranean environment.

Abstract: A subterranean electro-thermal heating system including one or more heater cable sections extending through one or more heat target regions of a subterranean environment and one or more cold lead sections coupled to the heater cable section(s) and extending through one or more non-target regions of the subterranean environment. A cold lead section delivers electrical power to a heater cable section but generates less heat than the heater cable section. The heater cable section(s) are arranged to deliver thermal input to one or more localized areas in the subterranean environment to vaporize a liquid, e.g. water.