Michael G Bradshaw

US Patent:

20150362118, Dec 17, 2015

Filed:

Jun 12, 2014

Appl. No.:

14/302758

Inventors:

- Arlington VA, US
Michael C. Bradshaw - Bartlett IL, US
Daniel L. Peterson - Sachse TX, US

International Classification:

F16L 57/00

Abstract:

A system includes an enclosure and a compressible device. The enclosure forms a confined space where water can accumulate in ambient conditions that fluctuate between freezing and non-freezing water temperatures. The enclosure can contain a protected item within at least a portion of the confined space. The compressible device is within at least the portion of the confined space and compresses under pressure from an uncompressed state to a compressed state that increases the available volume for water within the confined space. The compressible device compresses from the uncompressed state to the compressed state under a first pressure force created by the expansion of frozen water within the enclosure. The first pressure force is less than a second pressure force capable of damaging the enclosure or the protected item.