Abstract: A heating cable includes a bus wire structure that includes a plurality of bus wires. An insulation layer is provided to insulate the plurality of bus wires. A plurality of node areas exposes portions of the bus wires from the insulation. A heating element is wrapped around the bus wire structure in a helical manner. The heating element includes an insulating core and one or more resistance wires wrapped around the core in a helical manner. The heating element is electrically coupled to the nodes of the bus wire structure at the plurality of node areas. The insulating core may be made of a folded-over tape made of a cloth material, such as glass cloth. Pluralities of redundant paths in between two nodes are provided to allow for current to flow in a zone if one of the redundant paths is broken.

Abstract: A heating cable includes a bus wire structure that includes a plurality of bus wires. An insulation layer is provided to insulate the plurality of bus wires. A plurality of node areas exposes portions of the bus wires from the insulation. A heating element is wrapped around the bus wire structure in a helical manner. The heating element includes an insulating core and one or more resistance wires wrapped around the core in a helical manner. The heating element is electrically coupled to the nodes of the bus wire structure at the plurality of node areas. The insulating core may be made of a folded-over tape made of a cloth material, such as glass cloth. Pluralities of redundant paths in between two nodes are provided to allow for current to flow in a zone if one of the redundant paths is broken.

Abstract: A heating cable includes a bus wire structure that includes a plurality of bus wires. An insulation layer is provided to insulate the plurality of bus wires. A plurality of node areas exposes portions of the bus wires from the insulation. A heating element is wrapped around the bus wire structure in a helical manner. The heating element includes an insulating core and one or more resistance wires wrapped around the core in a helical manner. The heating element is electrically coupled to the nodes of the bus wire structure at the plurality of node areas. The insulating core may be made of a folded-over tape made of a cloth material, such as glass cloth. Pluralities of redundant paths in between two nodes are provided to allow for current to flow in a zone if one of the redundant paths is broken.

Abstract: A heat transfer material comprised of a polymeric material and a nitride or oxide is provided and is thermally conductive, but electrically non-conductive. The polymeric material may be silicone rubber, and the nitride or oxide may be aluminum nitride, boron nitride, silicon nitride, aluminum oxide or beryllium oxide. The material is made flexible by adding plasticizer and remains flexible after an extended period of use. A dielectric jacket for an electrical heating cable is thermally conductive and remains flexible so that it can be reused. The heat transfer material can be used on heating devices such as steam tubes and panels, where the heat transfer material does not bond to or adhere to the heated surface, which allows the heating device to be reused.

Abstract: An isolated tracer includes an elongated tube, a layer of insulation covering the tube, and a layer of tape compressing the insulation to provide a desired conductance rate for the isolated tracer. The isolated tracer is made by passing a pipe concurrently through a funnel-shaped die with a layer of insulation and wrapping tape around the insulation after it leaves the die. The insulation is compressed to a desired amount to provide a desired conductance rate by adjusting tension on the tape as it is wound about the insulation covering the tube.

Abstract: A heat transfer material comprised of a polymeric material and a nitride or oxide is provided and is thermally conductive, but electrically non-conductive. The polymeric material may be silicone rubber, and the nitride or oxide may be aluminum nitride, boron nitride, silicon nitride, aluminum oxide or beryllium oxide. The material is made flexible by adding plasticizer and remains flexible after an extended period of use. A dielectric jacket for an electrical heating cable is thermally conductive and remains flexible so that it can be reused. The heat transfer material can be used on heating devices such as steam tubes and panels, where the heat transfer material does not bond to or adhere to the heated surface, which allows the heating device to be reused.

Abstract: A heat transfer material comprised of a polymeric material and a nitride or oxide is provided and is thermally conductive, but electrically non-conductive. The polymeric material may be silicone rubber, and the nitride or oxide may be aluminum nitride, boron nitride, silicon nitride, aluminum oxide or beryllium oxide. The material is made flexible by adding plasticizer and remains flexible after an extended period of use. A dielectric jacket for an electrical heating cable is thermally conductive and remains flexible so that it can be reused. The heat transfer material can be used on heating devices such as steam tubes and panels, where the heat transfer material does not bond to or adhere to the heated surface, which allows the heating device to be reused.

Abstract: A heat transfer material comprised of a polymeric material and a nitride or oxide is provided and is thermally conductive, but electrically non-conductive. The polymeric material may be silicone rubber, and the nitride or oxide may be aluminum nitride, boron nitride, silicon nitride, aluminum oxide or beryllium oxide. The material is made flexible by adding plasticizer and remains flexible after an extended period of use. A dielectric jacket for an electrical heating cable is thermally conductive and remains flexible so that it can be reused. The heat transfer material can be used on heating devices such as steam tubes and panels, where the heat transfer material does not bond to or adhere to the heated surface, which allows the heating device to be reused.

Abstract: A heat transfer material comprised of a polymeric material and a nitride or oxide is provided and is thermally conductive, but electrically non-conductive. The polymeric material may be silicone rubber, and the nitride or oxide may be aluminum nitride, boron nitride, silicon nitride, aluminum oxide or beryllium oxide. The material is made flexible by adding plasticizer and remains flexible after an extended period of use. A dielectric jacket for an electrical heating cable is thermally conductive and remains flexible so that it can be reused. The heat transfer material can be used on heating devices such as steam tubes and panels, where the heat transfer material does not bond to or adhere to the heated surface, which allows the heating device to be reused.

Abstract: A pipe stand instrument heater system for heating an instrument within an enclosure supported by a pipe stand. The heater system includes a housing mounted to the pipe stand and a heater unit in the housing. A bracket is provided for mounting the instrument to the housing. The heater unit can be powered by electric, steam or other fluids.

Abstract: A pipe stand instrument heater system heats an instrument within an enclosure supported by a pipe stand. The heater system includes a housing mounted to the pipe stand and a heater unit in the housing. A bracket is provided for mounting the instrument to the housing. The heater unit can be powered by electric, steam or other fluids.

Abstract: Safety-enhanced steam tracing includes a metallic tube with a thin jacket of polymeric material, such as silicone rubber. The polymeric jacket is typically about 40 mils to about 60 mils thick. The safety-enhanced steam tracing provides a substantially lower risk of burn injury than bare metal steam tracing, yet its conductance performance is about the same as that of bare metal steam tracing.

Abstract: The invention pertains to the apparatus and process for shaping and forming of thermal insulation materials around tubes and pipes in a continuous production process wherein the tube or pipe and a long singular strip of insulating material passes linear with the tube or pipe through a shaping die. The shaping die forms the insulating material around the circumference of the tube or pipe without substantial compression and is captured by overlapping coils of helical wound tape, wire or like material.

Abstract: A parallel, zone-type heating cable wherein thermally-controlled ferrite reed switches in each zone regulate current flow to heating elements aligned in parallel with each other. Two parallel conductors deliver current to the switches and the heating elements. A dielectric insulation material separates the conductors from each other and the heating elements. The heating cable may further include a component having a particular temperature coefficient of resistance aligned in parallel with the switch to further regulate current flow to a positive but lesser level when the switch is open.

Abstract: A dual wall thermally insulated conduit which is heat traced using skin effect pipes. A plurality of equally spaced skin effect pipes run longitudinally with the conduit and are located adjacent and external to the carrier or process pipe in the annular cavity between the process and sleeve or jacket pipes. Special joint connectors include holes in the yoke portion to allow the skin effect pipes to exit the annular cavity between the process and jacket pipes. A clam shell is fitted over the special joint connector after the pipe section is assembled and the return conductor installed. The cavity inside the clam shell is filled with insulation. Structural insulation is positioned at the ends of the clam shell to provide a smooth transition to the protective concrete weight coating conventionally used with subsea piping.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of and means for an improved internal combustion engine performance and of substantially reduced or eliminated pollutants. A relatively slow and long burning combustion is provided which produces an exhaust of high pressure which can be utilized to drive a turbocharger or cylinder or subsequent cylinders. Ideally, the compression ratio is reduced with respect to current internal combustion engines, and the maximum temperature in the power or combustion cylinder can be below the temperature at which NO.sub.x is formed. Preferably the pressure during combustion remains substantially constant and the air or air/fuel mixture is externally compressed 40 to 100% of its compression pressure in the combustion cylinder. This results in a controlled energy release tailored to a change in volume per unit of time which results in more torque and horsepower, less fuel consumption and drastically decreases pollution, both chemical and heat to the atmosphere.

Abstract: A retarding heat tracing system amd method of making same adapted to externally heat a process pipe including a channel member, a heat transfer element, a retarding heat transfer strip made from a retarding heat transfer material, and a plurality of clamping members. The retarding heat transfer strip has a longitudinal cavity which receives the heat transfer element. The external shape of the retarding heat transfer strip substantially conforms to a longitudinal recess of the channel member. The retarding heat transfer strip with heat transfer element is positioned in the recess of the channel member and the clamping members attach the channel member to the process pipe. The retarding heat transfer material optimizes the heat transfer between the heat transfer element and the process pipe while minimizing the heat transfer element heat loss.

Abstract: A flexible electric heating pad has a plurality of positive temperature coefficient (PTC) ceramic thermistor chip heating elements arranged in a two dimensional array between first and second flexible planar sheets of electrically conductive material, preferably woven of copper wire or other electrically conductive fibers. The PTC thermistor chips are disposed in spaced openings in a flexible dielectric separator disposed between the sheets and each chip has opposed planar surfaces soldered, welded or brazed to the sheets to establish electrical and thermal contact therewith. An outer flexible dielectric material covers the external surfaces of the sheets to prevent grounding or shock. A metallic enclosure, for example of stainless steel, can be formed over the outer dielectric material to add corrosion or abrasion resistance to the flexible heating pad.

Abstract: A flexible heating cable and method using positive temperature coefficient conductive (PTC) polymeric material as the primary heat source with the PTC composition material being electrically and mechanically connected to substantially flat, preferably braided, electrical conductors. A covering of dielectric material preferably is used to electrically separate the cable from the environment. The cable construction improves the heat transfer from the PTC composition material to the environment, thereby increasing the power generated by the PTC composition material. Additionally, the cable construction improves the temperature distribution of the cable.

Abstract: A flexible heating cable using positive temperature coefficient thermistors as a primary heat source with the thermistors being electrically and mechanically connected to substantially flat, preferably braided, electrical conductors with dielectric material preferably separating the conductors. A covering of dielectric material preferably is used to electrically separate the cable from the environment. The cable construction improves the heat transfer from the thermistors to the environment and improves the temperature distribution of the cable.