A method and apparatus for insulating a fluid line in a container configured to contain a fluid. The apparatus comprises a container, a fluid line in the container, and a tube. The container is configured to contain a fluid. The tube is placed around the fluid line in the container to form a channel
A method and apparatus for insulating a fluid line in a container configured to contain a fluid. The apparatus comprises a container, a fluid line in the container, and a tube. The container is configured to contain a fluid. The tube is placed around the fluid line in the container to form a channel around a first portion of the fluid line. The tube is configured to contain the fluid from the container in the channel and to prevent a first flow of the fluid between the container and the channel except through a number of ends of the tube. The tube is further configured to reduce a second flow of the fluid within the channel such that the fluid in the channel insulates the fluid line.
대표청구항▼
1. An thermal insulation system comprising: a container containing a first fluid;a fluid line in the container containing a second fluid; anda tube placed around a first portion of the fluid line in the container to form a channel around the first portion of the fluid line, wherein a diametrical cro
1. An thermal insulation system comprising: a container containing a first fluid;a fluid line in the container containing a second fluid; anda tube placed around a first portion of the fluid line in the container to form a channel around the first portion of the fluid line, wherein a diametrical cross-section of the tube comprises a C-shape, wherein the tube contains the first fluid from the container in the channel and prevents a first flow of the first fluid between the container and the channel except through a number of ends of the tube, and wherein the tube reduces a second flow of the first fluid within the channel such that the first fluid in the channel insulates the second fluid contained within the fluid line. 2. The thermal insulation system of claim 1 further comprising: a retaining system holding the tube around the fluid line. 3. The thermal insulation system of claim 2, wherein the retaining system comprises: a number of clamps configured to reduce movement of the tube along the fluid line. 4. The thermal insulation system of claim 1, wherein: the channel configured to contain the first fluid from the container is a first channel;an inner surface of the tube defines the first channel;a second portion of an outer surface of the tube defines a second channel located in the first channel such that the first channel surrounds the second channel; andthe fluid line is positioned in the second channel. 5. The thermal insulation system of claim 4, wherein the tube has a flexibility that allows the second channel to receive the fluid line through an opening extending along a length of the second channel. 6. The thermal insulation system of claim 4, wherein: the portion of the outer surface of the tube defining the second channel is in substantially continuous contact with the fluid line. 7. The thermal insulation system of claim 1, wherein: the second fluid contained within the fluid line is hydraulic fluid;the container is a fuel tank containing the first fluid; andthe first fluid in the container is a fuel, wherein the fuel is selected such that a thermal conductivity of the fuel provides a desired level of insulation for the second fluid contained within the fluid line. 8. The thermal insulation system of claim 7, wherein the tube retains the fuel within the channel when the tube is at least partially immersed in the fuel in the container and wherein the fuel retained within the channel flows out of the channel as a level of the fuel in the container lowers in a manner that results in less of a volume of the channel being filled with the fuel. 9. The thermal insulation system of claim 7, wherein the apparatus maintains a desired temperature for the second fluid contained within the fluid line when the fuel in the container has a temperature of about minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit. 10. The thermal insulation system of claim 1, wherein: the tube comprises two ends and at least one of the two ends is blocked such that the first flow of the first fluid and the second flow of the first fluid are reduced to provide a desired level of insulation for the second fluid contained within the fluid line. 11. The thermal insulation system of claim 10, wherein: the two ends are blocked such that the first flow of the first fluid and the second flow of the first fluid are reduced to provide the desired level of insulation for the second fluid contained within the fluid line. 12. The thermal insulation system of claim 1, wherein the flow of the first fluid that is reduced is caused by a convective current through the first fluid in the container. 13. The thermal insulation system of claim 1, further comprising: a platform in which the fluid line and the container are located, wherein the platform is selected from the group consisting of an aquatic-based structure, a space-based structure, an unmanned aerial vehicle, a helicopter, a submarine, a bus, a tank, a train, an automobile, a spacecraft, a space station, a satellite, a surface ship, a power plant, a dam, a manufacturing facility, and a building. 14. The thermal insulation system of claim 1, wherein: the tube comprises a series of folds configured to provide the tube with a flexibility to allow the tube to be slid down a length of the fluid line comprising bends;the channel is between an inner surface of the tube and the fluid line;the tube comprises two ends; andat least one of the two ends is blocked such that the first flow of the first fluid and the second flow of the first fluid are reduced to provide a desired level of insulation for the second fluid contained within the fluid line. 15. A method for thermally insulating a fluid line in a container configured to contain a first fluid, the method comprising: placing a tube around the fluid line in the container to form a channel around a first portion of the fluid line, wherein a diametrical cross-section of the tube comprises a C-shape;insulating a second fluid contained within the fluid line, wherein the insulating comprises: containing the first fluid from the container in the channel of the tube; andpreventing a first flow of the first fluid between the container and the channel except through a number of ends of the tube; andreducing a second flow of the first fluid within the channel. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the tube and the fluid line are located in a fuel tank, wherein the first fluid is a fuel selected such that a thermal conductivity of the fuel provides a desired level of insulation for the second fluid contained within the fluid line. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the fuel tank is in an aircraft, wherein insulating the second fluid contained within the fluid line further comprises: insulating a second fluid contained within the fluid line, wherein the fluid line is located in the fuel tank of the aircraft. 18. The method of claim 15, wherein: the channel configured to contain the first fluid from the container is a first channel;an inner surface of the tube defines the first channel;a second portion of an outer surface of the tube defines a second channel located in the first channel such that the first channel surrounds the second channel; andthe fluid line is positioned in the second channel.
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Chang ZhaoHua (Poolesville MD) Baust John (Candor NY) Pottorff Larry (Candor NY), Cryogenic transport hose.
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