Abstract: A pipe heat transfer assembly adapted to be easily and rapidly installed with unskilled in the field on a pipe to be heated or cooled includes an elongated rigid channel cover member and a separate elongated, preshaped, solid, flexible strip of thermoplastic resin heat transfer material having a first surface preshaped to conform closely to the inner cavity surface of the channel member and a second surface preshaped to conform closely to the shape of the pipe surface on which it is to be mounted. The strip of heat transfer material may be pre-shaped by molding or extruding. An elongated heat transfer element, which may be an electric heating wire or an elongated tube for a heat transfer liquid to flow therethrough, is embedded in the strip during such pre-shaping. Alternatively, a space for reception of the heat transfer element can be formed in the strip during the pre-shaping of the strip and the element subsequently installed in the space.

Abstract: Pipe heat transfer assembly and method of making same, wherein a strip of heat transfer material is pre-shaped to a solid flexible form for closely .[.comforming.]. .Iadd.conforming .Iaddend.with a heat transfer element for either heating or cooling and which is also pre-shaped to fit closely within an external channel member, whereby the entire assembly may be more easily and rapidly installed with unskilled labor in the field on a pipe to be heated or cooled, using retaining band means as the holding means for the assembly, with the assurance of complete coverage of the heat transfer element by said heat transfer material so as to eliminate air gaps. The heat transfer material may be pre-shaped by molding or extruding, with the heat transfer element embedded therein during such pre-shaping, or with a preformed space for the heat transfer element.