Heat transfer apparatus for releasably securing heating or cooling means to pipe

A heat transfer apparatus adapted to lay along the outer surface of a pipe having an outer circumference radius of curvature and to releasably secure at least one elongate heating or cooling means to the pipe, said apparatus comprising:

• an elongate heat conductive base member having a wall having sufficient flexibility to conform to the radius of curvature of the outer circumference of the pipe,
• a resilient side wall extending from the side of the base member that faces away from the pipe, said side wall extending over the base member to provide a longitudinally extending cavity therebetween that extends along the entire length of the base member and is suitably sized to contain the heating or cooling means, said side wall ending over the base member in a spaced-apart relationship with the base member to provide a longitudinally extending entrance-way into the cavity along the entire length of the base member that is suitably sized to permit the heating or cooling means to be inserted into and removed from the cavity, and said side wall shaped in such a manner that when the heating or cooling means is inserted through the entrance-way and into the cavity the side wall presses uniformly against the heating or cooling means and urges said means against the base member to provide a more effective heat transfer contacting relationship therebetween, and
• at least one protuberance disposed on the side of said base member which extends away from the outer surface of said pipe in spaced relationship thereto and faces towards said cavity and extends into said cavity to provide a longitudinally extending surface for positioning the heating or cooling means on the base member and providing an increased heat transfer contacting relationship between said heating or cooling means and said base member, and
• means disposed along the length of the apparatus for securing the apparatus to the outer surface of the pipe, said securing means adapted to provide a secured heat transfer contacting relationship therebetween and designed so as not to interfere with the entrance-way in order that the heating or cooling means can be inserted into and removed from the cavity without having to release the apparatus from the pipe.