Louvered Pipe Shroud Assembly

Abstract

Embodiments of an apparatus of the present invention generally include a filtration assembly having a louvered shroud circumferentially positioned around a perforated inner pipe, such that at least a substantial portion of the shroud's inner surface contacts and frictionally engages the outer surface of the inner pipe. Embodiments of a method of the present invention generally include spirally wrapping a substantially flat strip of louvered material around the inner pipe, wherein adjoining edges of the louvered material abut and are at least partially welded together, to provide the shrouded pipe. Other method embodiments generally include an inner pipe having a louvered shroud positioned there around being introduced to a device operable to, dynamically or statically, radially compress the shroud such that at least a substantial portion of the shroud's inner surface contacts and frictionally engages at least a substantial portion of the outer surface of the inner pipe.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A louvered shrouded pipe section, comprising:
 a substantially tubular shroud comprising an exterior surface comprising a plurality of louvered apertures disposed thereon, wherein said apertures allow fluid communication between the exterior of said shroud and the interior of said shroud; and   a substantially tubular pipe section comprising an exterior surface comprising a plurality of orifices disposed thereon, wherein said orifices allow fluid communication between the exterior of said pipe section and the interior of said pipe section;
 wherein: 
 said shroud circumferentially encompasses at least a portion of said pipe section; 
 at least a portion of an inner surface of said shroud contacts and frictionally engages said exterior surface of said pipe section; and 
 fluid communication is provided between said exterior of said shroud and an interior of said pipe, via said apertures and said orifices. 
   
     
     
         2 . The louvered shrouded pipe section of  claim 1 , wherein one or more of said louvered apertures comprise an indentation comprising a portion of said exterior surface of said louvered shroud angled inwardly toward said interior of said shroud. 
     
     
         3 . The louvered shrouded pipe section of  claim 1 , wherein said tubular shroud is affixed to said exterior surface of said pipe section proximate either or both ends of said tubular shroud. 
     
     
         4 . The louvered shrouded pipe section of  claim 1 , wherein one or more of said louvered apertures is formed in said shroud by punching said exterior surface of said louvered shroud. 
     
     
         5 . The louvered shrouded pipe section of  claim 4 , wherein at least one said aperture formed by punching comprises an indentation comprising a first edge and a second edge parallel to each other, and a depressed section connected between said first edge and a second edge. 
     
     
         6 . The louvered shrouded pipe section of  claim 5 , wherein said depressed section, between a location of connection with said first edge and a location of connection with said second edge, is substantially planar. 
     
     
         7 . A method of producing a louvered shrouded pipe section, comprising:
 providing a substantially planar material comprising a surface comprising a plurality of louvered apertures; and   spirally wrapping said material around a substantially tubular pipe section, wherein said pipe section comprises an exterior surface comprising a plurality of orifices disposed thereon, thereby forming a louvered shroud circumferentially around said pipe section;
 wherein: 
 at least a portion of an inner surface of said shroud contacts and frictionally engages said exterior surface of said pipe section; and 
 fluid communication is provided between the exterior of said shroud and an interior of said pipe, via said apertures and said orifices. 
   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said spirally wrapping said material around a substantially tubular pipe section comprises cold rolling said material. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein one or more of said louvered apertures comprise an indentation comprising a portion of said exterior surface of said louvered shroud angled inwardly toward said interior of said shroud. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising affixing said tubular shroud to said exterior surface of said pipe section proximate either or both ends of said tubular shroud. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein one or more of said louvered apertures is formed in said shroud by punching said exterior surface of said louvered shroud. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein at least one said aperture formed by punching comprises an indentation comprising a first edge and a second edge parallel to each other, and a depressed section connected between said first edge and a second edge. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said depressed section, between a location of connection with said first edge and a location of connection with said second edge, is substantially planar. 
     
     
         14 . A method of producing a louvered shrouded pipe section, comprising:
 providing a substantially tubular shroud comprising a plurality of louvered apertures;   advancing said shroud over a substantially tubular pipe section, wherein said pipe section comprises an exterior surface comprising a plurality of orifices disposed thereon, thereby forming a louvered shrouded pipe section; and   radially circumferentially compressing said louvered shrouded pipe section by advancing said louvered shrouded pipe section through at least one compression device;
 whereby:
 at least a portion of an inner surface of said shroud contacts and frictionally engages an exterior surface of said pipe section; and 
 fluid communication is provided between the exterior of said shroud and an interior of said pipe, via said apertures and said orifices. 
 
   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , comprising affixing said tubular shroud to said exterior surface of said pipe section proximate a lead end thereof prior to radially circumferentially compressing said louvered shrouded pipe section. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said compression device comprises a tube-reduction mill. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said tube-reduction mill comprises four rollers positioned at ninety degree angles to each other. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said tube-reduction mill is controllable utilizing a pressure measurement device. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said compression device comprises a static die. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said radially circumferentially compressing said louvered shrouded pipe section elongates said shroud, and an excess length of said shroud is eliminated.