Abstract: Apparatus for clearing frozen water lines or conduits includes a wheel mounted cart or main frame supporting a holding tank or reservoir open to the atmosphere along with means for heating the holding tank. A vertical standpipe has a top end portion open to the atmosphere and a bottom end portion which can be attached to, and longitudinally aligned with, an open end portion of an ice blocked conduit to be cleared. A first hollow return line is open from a part of the standpipe vertically above the holding tank and into the holding tank. A second hollow return line is open from a portion of the standpipe above the first return line and below the open top of the standpipe, and it, too, opens into the holding tank. An inner end of a length of flexible tubing is extended down through the standpipe and into the conduit to be adjacent to the ice to be cleared. A pump is open to the bottom of the holding tank and to an outer end of the flexible tubing.

Abstract: A temperature-responsive valve comprises a pair of wax-filled thermal actuators connected in series and set to expand at different temperatures respectively at the high and low limits of a temperature range. In one version, a valve element is movable by the actuators through an orifice form one side thereof to the other, closing the orifice when in an intermediate position, and opening the orifice when one actuator expands and when the other actuator contracts. The actuators are both in contact with the fluid controlled by the valve in the first version. In a second version, one of the actuators is isolated from the controlled fluid and responsive to the ambient temperature. In a third version, the valve is a snap-action valve, in which the series actuators operate a cam which normally holds latching balls in a projecting condition in which they engage a detent to hold the valve element closed.

Abstract: A tubular structure is provided including an internal tube and an external tube which is formed from at least a straight strip bent or undulated, whose width is disposed substantially along at least a line normal to said tubes which it separates. It may be used, for example filled with an insulating lagging, by surrounding a pipe line or being adapted to the pipe line which then forms the internal tube.

Abstract: A device for protecting installations for the storage or supply of a freezing liquid, in particular water, against freezing, comprising at least one heat tube or heat pipe having one end placed in the ground at a distance from the surface sufficient so that the temperature at this location is always above 0.degree. C., the end being equipped on the outside with a fin type heat recovery system or the like, and on the inside with a system for the distribution of the condensate drip, while the other end of the heat pipe is laid out and arranged so that it is located in the immediate vicinity of the part of the installation exposed to the risk of freezing, and the application of the device to installations for the storage and distribution of water.

Abstract: A freeze prevention device for water systems includes a relief valve and an actuator having an elongated chamber which contains water and segments that sequentially sense the incremental expansion caused by ice formation therebetween. The segments are axially aligned within the chamber. The segments may be balls, truncated pyramids, and the like that have a sealing portion and an axial portion with a foot which is adapted to engage an adjusting screw or a wear compensating spring at the bottom of the chamber or the top of the adjacent segment. An actuation linkage transmits linear meovement of one or more segments to a poppet in a valve seat, thereby opening a valve port connecting water, from a water supply system or a tank, to a discharge port, whereby water may be bled from the water system to prevent freezing thereof, or steam from a steam system for admission to tracer lines.

Abstract: Method for clearing a road culvert or the like which is choked with ice, wherein a substantially homogeneous rope of a material having at least a certain reversible extensibility is extended through the culvert from its inlet side to its outlet side and wherein the rope in its unloaded condition is clamped in connection with the outlet side and the inlet side respectively of the culvert so that the rope extends through the culvert.

Abstract: A system for freeze protection of pipes is provided, comprising a cold water supply line, connected to a main water supply line at one end and to at least one cold water fixture at the other end; a hot water tank having an inlet and an outlet; a hot water tank inlet line, connected at one end to the cold water supply line, and at the other end to the hot water tank inlet; a hot water supply line, connected to the hot water tank outlet at one end and to at least one hot water fixture at the other end; at least one restrictive connection, connecting between the cold water supply line and the hot water supply line; and a circulating pump, connected in-line in a circuit comprising the cold water supply line, the hot water tank inlet line, the hot water tank, the hot water supply line and the restrictive connection.

Abstract: A system and method for relieving frost-heaving stresses in a pipeline for ransporting a product at a temperature less than 32.degree. F. where said pipeline passes through frost-susceptible ground in a trench beneath the ground surface. Bedding supports the pipeline in the trench with its top substantially below the surface of the ground. A pair of relatively thin, elongated soil separators are installed in the trench, one along each side of the pipeline in parallel relation to the longitudinal axis of the pipeline. Each separator has a transverse width extending vertically upward substantially beyond the top of the pipeline and into backfill soil above the pipeline. Padding supports a lower edge of the shear separators adjacent to the pipeline and the separators each have an upper edge located substantially beyond this padding and beyond the top of the pipeline.

Abstract: Thermal conduction through a liquid line is deterred when liquid is not flowing through it by lodging a double-acting spring-centered plunger in a constricted section of a passage connecting opposite ends of a barrel in the line. Such plunger can be displaced from the passage constricted section in either direction to a passage expanded section automatically by pressure of liquid in the line resulting from opening a valve in the line.

Abstract: An animal watering apparatus has a thermal insulated tank having a water storage chamber. An upright tubular member located in the chamber has openings in its opposite ends to permit thermal circulation of the water in the chamber. Animal actuated water dispensing nipples mounted on the tank are surrounded with thermal insulated housings. Thermal insulated covers mounted on the housings with flexible sheets cover the outer ends of the nipples.

Abstract: A chilled-gas carrying pipeline installation in soil or rock zones with different heave properties is disclosed which includes an earth-covered buried steel pipe with insulation formed of high strength urethane or other material covering substantially the upper 300 peripheral degrees of the buried pipe; the bottom of the pipe is bare of insulation so that the insulation means provides sufficient resistance to heat flow from the earth above the pipe into the pipe to permit the earth above the pipe to thaw from the surface down to about the horizontal diameter of the pipe during the warm season. The buried pipe is consequently substantially unrestrained against upward movement caused by freezing of the soil in active areas beneath the pipe so that the pipe is subjected to minimum strain or relieves substantially any strain accumulated during the previous cold season.

Abstract: A system for providing temporary water service between a water main and one or more locations normally connected to the main in which a pipeline is provided above ground and has a supply section and a return section which are connected to the main. Each of the locations are connected between the supply section and the return section. The water is circulated from said supply section, through said location and to said return section in response to the ambient temperature dropping below a predetermined value.

Abstract: A device for reopening an ice-bound water source is disclosed. Once a hole is provided in a frozen water source, the tubular member is inserted into the hole where it becomes frozen in place. The ice block which will form in the interior region (28) of the tubular member can be ejected. The tubular member itself is heated by a fluid circulating and heating means (62) which runs heated fluid between the walls (20 and 22) of tubular member (12). The heated fluid allows for release of the ice block and dislodgment of the entire unit from the frozen surface of the water supply.

Abstract: In order to prevent a conduit for heat absorption from a sea bottom or the like to float up in wintertime from the bottom due to icing, it is proposed according to the invention that the flow cross-section of the conduit is heat insulated from the surrounding water. Such insulation is obtained according to one embodiment of the invention, in that a work fluid is imparted with a laminar flow in the upper cross-section (15) of the conduit by means of a constricting inner pipe (12) located upwardly in the conduit, while the work fluid in the remaining cross-section (16) is permitted to have a turbulent flow.

Abstract: Working fluid from a source thereof and which is to be conditioned in heat exchangers and fluid conditioning means is admitted lastly to the passageways of a heat exchanger and to a bypass around the passageways to provide to the point of use a fluid from the passageways in a final condition tempered by the bypassed fluid.

Abstract: A thermally insulating fuel filter cover provides thermal insulation of the fuel filter of a diesel engine such as is used in the trucking industry. The cover is a flexible cylindrical body of thermal insulating material such as expandable urethane foam which has a closed end, an open end, and a hollow interior portion for receiving the fuel filter. The cover is slidable over the fuel filter and is flexible so as to form a friction fit. The cover encloses the exposed surfaces of the fuel filter and provides thermal insulation to help prevent waxing and freeze-up of the fuel in the fuel filter in cold weather.

Abstract: A water or other hydraulic system is protected by a thermostatic drain valve having a bimetal disc arranged with a three port cavity and a specially designed and compliantly sealed valve core so that the spring action of the disc acting together with the pressure of the fluid in the system constitutes the only power required to operate the valve.

Abstract: A plate-fin heat exchanger for transferring heat energy between heated air and relatively cold air, including elongated rounded surface hollow header bars traversing the cold air inlet for passing a portion of the hot air thereacross to prevent excessive ice formation.

Abstract: A heat applying assembly for thawing out clogged asphalt containing pipes.

Abstract: An animal watering apparatus has an exterior housing with a water pipe disposed therein leading from a below ground source of water under pressure to an above ground outlet valve mechanism which can be actuated by an animal to release water directly into the animal's mouth. A longitudinally extending electric heating element disposed within the housing in immediate heat exchange relationship with one side of the water pipe continually supplies heat to the pipe to prevent freezing of the water therein. Thermal insulation surrounds the heating element and pipe. A circuitous passageway, provided within the heated portion of the pipe by means of an open-ended tubular member disposed therein, causes continuous water circulation in the pipe for preventing build-up of heat at the water outlet valve of the watering device.

Abstract: A flare for waste gas disposal by combustion is disclosed particularly suited for use in remote areas such as deserts, where space is not limited and in which the portions of the flare exposed to radiation are of heat resistant material, the remainder of the flare and its supply connections being covered for protection against deleterious radiation effects thereon, provisions being made for protection of the waste gas supply line, pilot gas supply line and the ignitor supply line to minimize problems of expansion and contraction and to avoid erosion of the protective provisions.

Abstract: A conduit for the transport of fluid at a temperature different from the temperature of the immediately surrounding ambient atmosphere may be quickly and efficiently protected against thermal transport by an insulating device comprising an elongating sheet of flexible heat insulating material having a length terminated by a top edge and a bottom edge, having a width slightly greater than the equitorial dimension of the fluid conduit and terminated by a first side edge and a second side edge and having an interior conduit-facing side and an exterior side, and means for releasably securing the elongated sheet about the fluid conduit.

Abstract: An animal watering apparatus of a type having an inlet pipe connected to a source of water under pressure and an outlet valve which can be actuated by an animal to release water directly into the animal's mouth. A tubular casing is disposed around the water supply pipe. A conduit is disposed along side the water supply pipe within the casing and has a heating element therein for preventing the freezing of the watering apparatus. Still another conduit is disposed within the casing for allowing a power supply cord to be connected to the heating element. The casing being filled with an insulation material such a urethane foam. A baffle structure is provided in the water supply line for causing the water within the water supply line to continually circulate and thereby prevent a buildup of heat in the water which the animals are drinking and furthermore distributing the heat from the heating element along the entire water supply pipe so as to insure that it does not freeze.

Abstract: A method of laying heating medium conveying pipes, wherein a pipe receiving trench is prepared and pipes, wrapped in heat insulating jackets permitting transversal relative movements of the pipes within the jackets, are placed in the trench. The pipes and the insulating jackets are then bent to follow a serpentine path and the trench filled to cover the pipes.