Thermal Isolation Clamp

Abstract

In combination with a pipe ( 213 ), a clamp ( 201 ) is provided which supports the pipe in a fixed position with respect to a substrate. The clamp includes first ( 203 ) and second ( 205 ) bands, wherein each of the first and second bands has an arcuate portion ( 209 ) and first and second terminal portions ( 211 ), and wherein the arcuate portions of the first and second bands are disposed in opposing relation around the surface of the pipe. A first fastener ( 207 ) extends through the first terminal portions of the first and second bands, and a second fastener extends through the second terminal portions of the first and second bands. A thermal insulator ( 233 ) is disposed between the first fastener and the first terminal portions of the first and second bands, and between the second fastener and the second terminal portions of the first and second bands.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . In combination with a pipe, a clamp which supports said pipe in a fixed position with respect to a substrate, said clamp comprising:
 first and second bands, wherein each of said first and second bands has an arcuate portion and first and second terminal portions, and wherein the arcuate portions of said first and second bands are disposed in opposing relation around the surface of said pipe;   a first fastener which extends through the first terminal portions of said first and second bands;   a second fastener which extends through the second terminal portions of said first and second bands; and   a thermal insulator disposed between said first fastener and said first terminal portions of said first and second bands, and further disposed between said second fastener and said second terminal portions of said first and second bands.   
     
     
         2 . The combination of  claim 1 , wherein said thermal insulator is disposed between said substrate and said first terminal portion of said first band. 
     
     
         3 . The combination of  claim 2 , wherein said thermal insulator is disposed between said substrate and said second terminal portion of said first band. 
     
     
         4 . The combination of  claim 1 , wherein each of said first and second fasteners is equipped with a head, and wherein said thermal insulator is disposed between said head of said first fastener and said first terminal portion of said second band. 
     
     
         5 . The combination of  claim 4 , wherein said thermal insulator is disposed between said head of said second fastener and said second terminal portion of said second band. 
     
     
         6 . The combination of  claim 1 , wherein each of said first and second fasteners comprises a shaft, and wherein a first cylindrical portion of said insulator is disposed around the shaft of said first fastener and between the substrate and the first terminal portion of said first band. 
     
     
         7 . The combination of  claim 6 , wherein a second cylindrical portion of said insulator is disposed around the shaft of said second fastener and between the substrate and the second terminal portion of said first band. 
     
     
         8 . The combination of  claim 1 , wherein each of said first and second fasteners comprises a head, and wherein a third cylindrical portion of said insulator is disposed around the shaft of said first fastener and between the head of said first fastener and the first terminal portion of said second band. 
     
     
         9 . The combination of  claim 8 , wherein a fourth cylindrical portion of said insulator is disposed around the shaft of said second fastener and between the head of said second fastener and the second terminal portion of said second band. 
     
     
         10 . The combination of  claim 1 , wherein said first ends of said first and second bands are disposed in an opposing, spaced apart relation to each other, and wherein said second ends of said first and second bands are disposed in an opposing, spaced apart relation to each other. 
     
     
         11 . The combination of  claim 10 , wherein said first fastener is equipped with a shaft which extends through apertures in each of said first ends of said first and second bands, wherein said second fastener is equipped with a shaft which extends through apertures in each of said second ends of said first and second bands, wherein a first cylindrical portion of said insulator is disposed around the shaft of said first fastener and between the substrate and the first terminal portion of said first band, and wherein a second cylindrical portion of said insulator is disposed around the shaft of said second fastener and between the substrate and the second terminal portion of said first band, wherein the first cylindrical portion of said insulator extends through the aperture of the first terminal portion of said first band, and wherein the second cylindrical portion of said insulator extends through the aperture of the second terminal portion of said first band. 
     
     
         12 . The combination of  claim 11 , wherein each of said first and second fasteners is equipped with a head, wherein a third cylindrical portion of said insulator is disposed around the shaft of said first fastener and between the head of said first fastener and the first terminal portion of said second band, wherein a fourth cylindrical portion of said insulator is disposed around the shaft of said second fastener and between the head of said second fastener and the second terminal portion of said second band, wherein the third cylindrical portion of said insulator extends through the aperture in the first terminal portion of said second band, and wherein the fourth cylindrical portion of said insulator extends through the aperture in the second terminal portion of said second band. 
     
     
         13 . The combination of  claim 12 , further comprising a first washer disposed about the shaft of said first fastener and a second washer disposed about the shaft of said second fastener, wherein the third cylindrical portion of said insulator is disposed around the shaft of said first fastener and between the first washer and the first terminal portion of said second band, and wherein the fourth cylindrical portion of said insulator is disposed around the shaft of said second fastener and between the second washer and the second terminal portion of said second band. 
     
     
         14 . The combination of  claim 13 , further comprising a third washer disposed about the shaft of said first fastener and a fourth washer disposed about the shaft of said second fastener, wherein said first cylindrical portion of said insulator is disposed between the third washer and the first terminal portion of said first band, and wherein said second cylindrical portion of said insulator is disposed between the fourth washer and the second terminal portion of said first band. 
     
     
         15 . The combination of  claim 1 , wherein said arcuate portions of said first and second bands are complimentary in shape to the exterior surface of said pipe. 
     
     
         16 . The combination of  claim 1 , wherein said thermal insulator comprises polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). 
     
     
         17 . The combination of  claim 1 , wherein said thermal insulator is not disposed on the external surface of said pipe. 
     
     
         18 . The combination of  claim 1 , wherein said first and second bands comprise a thermally conductive material. 
     
     
         19 . The combination of  claim 1 , wherein said first and second bands comprise a metal. 
     
     
         20 . The combination of  claim 1 , wherein said clamp supports said pipe in a fixed, spaced apart relation to said substrate. 
     
     
         21 . The combination of  claim 1 , wherein said pipe is equipped with a heating strip which heats the surface of said pipe. 
     
     
         22 . The combination of  claim 1 , wherein said heating strip is helically wound about the surface of said pipe. 
     
     
         23 . The combination of  claim 1 , wherein said first and second fasteners are selected from the group consisting of bolts and screws. 
     
     
         24 . A method for thermally insulating a pipe from a substrate to which the pipe is mounted, comprising:
 providing first and second bands, wherein each of said first and second bands has an arcuate portion and first and second terminal portions;   providing first and second portions of a thermal insulator;   disposing the arcuate portions of said first and second bands in opposing relation around the surface of said pipe;   extending a first fastener through the first terminal portions of the first and second bands and through said first portion of said thermal insulator, and into the substrate; and   extending a second fastener through the second terminal portions of the first and second bands and through said second portion of said thermal insulator, and into the substrate.   
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein said first and second portions of said thermally insulating material are cylindrical in shape and have a central hole extending along the axis of said cylinder. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the height of the cylinder is greater than the radius of the pipe.