Device for securing a pipe

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for securing a pipe, in particular for pipelines in the field of offshore and onshore oil extraction plants, comprising two corresponding block-shaped clamp parts (1) which are produced substantially from plastic, can be connected to one another, and have recesses (11) which form a feed-through (10) in the assembled state, wherein at least one of the two clamp parts (1) is provided with an electrically conductive earthing conductor (2) which projects into the recess (11) and extends as far as the top surface (15) opposite the recess (11).

Description

[0001] Lawyer's file 25207

[0002] October 22, 2025

[0003] Device for fastening a pipe

[0004] The invention relates to a device for fastening a pipe according to claim 1.

[0005] In the vicinity of offshore and onshore oil production facilities, pipelines are regularly installed both above and below the water level. These pipelines, often referred to as instrumentation lines, must be grounded regularly for safety reasons. Grounding of the pipelines, which are attached to a support structure with clamps, is achieved using a special grounding cable. One end of the cable is clamped between the clamp and the pipe, and the other end is connected to the support structure or to electrically connected metal parts of the clamp.

[0006] However, manufacturing the necessary grounding cables proves to be complex. Since the specific design depends on the pipe and clamp size, this must be taken into account by the installer. Furthermore, installation in cold or even arctic regions proves very demanding for the installers, especially when wearing thick and therefore unwieldy cold-weather gloves, which significantly complicate handling.

[0007] This is where the present invention comes in. The invention is based on the objective of providing a device for securing a pipe, particularly for pipelines in offshore and onshore oil production facilities, which is easy to install and ensures reliable grounding of the pipeline. According to the invention, this objective is achieved by a device with the features of claim 1.

[0008] The invention provides a device for securing a pipe, particularly for pipelines in offshore and onshore oil production facilities, which is easy to install and ensures reliable grounding of the pipeline. Because at least one of the two clamp parts is equipped with an electrically conductive grounding conductor that projects into the recess and extends to the cover surface opposite the recess, an electrical connection between the grounding conductor and the pipe is established immediately when the pipe is placed between the two pairs of clamps. Separate clamping of a grounding conductor between a clamp part and the pipe is not required.

[0009] Preferably, both clamp components are equipped with an electrically conductive grounding conductor. This reduces the number of different components required. This prevents incorrect installation on the construction site due to the use of clamp components without a grounding conductor, which would result in the required grounding of the pipe not being achieved.

[0010] A block-shaped clamp component, as used here, is understood to be a clamp component that has a substantially cuboid shape and, when assembled, forms a cuboid shape together with another block-shaped clamp component. The block-shaped design of the clamp components allows for a long recess and thus a large fastening area for the pipe to be accommodated. Furthermore, a block-shaped clamp component has a large contact surface, enabling a stable attachment to a mounting structure.

[0011] To simultaneously allow a large opening cross-section for the flow of air and / or water for good ventilation, the clamp parts preferably have longitudinal ribs in the recess for contact with the pipe to be accommodated. This reduces the effective contact area between the clamp part and the pipe. Larger areas between the pipe and the clamp part, where corrosion-promoting moisture can accumulate, are thus avoided. Instead of longitudinal ribs, any other raised features can be present in the recess, ensuring the smallest possible contact area between the clamp part and the pipe. In a further development of the invention, the grounding conductor is made of a resilient metal and has at least one resilient raised feature in the area of ​​the recess. This ensures reliable contact between the grounding conductor and the pipe.The inclusion of at least one spring-loaded protrusion reduces the effective contact area between the clamp part, grounding spring, and pipe, thereby ensuring good ventilation. This further counteracts corrosion.

[0012] In one embodiment of the invention, the grounding conductor has a rectangular cross-section, at least in some areas. This provides a large contact area. Preferably, the grounding conductor has a rectangular cross-section, at least in the area of ​​the recess in the clamp part and / or in the area of ​​the cover surface of the clamp part. This provides a large contact area for contact with the pipe to be received and / or a mounting component. Particularly preferably, the entire grounding conductor has a rectangular cross-section.

[0013] In a further embodiment of the invention, the grounding conductor extends longitudinally, at least partially, over the length of the recess.

[0014] This ensures a sufficient contact area. Preferably, the grounding conductor extends over the entire length of the recess.

[0015] In a further embodiment of the invention, the grounding conductor is designed in the form of a clamp, which is connected to the clamp part, at least partially, enclosing the top surface and the adjoining sides of the clamp part. This achieves a force-fit and / or form-fit attachment of the grounding conductor to the clamp part, thus enabling simple installation without additional fasteners.

[0016] In a further development of the invention, the two clamp parts have at least one aligned bore for the passage of a screw, wherein a mounting component, at least partially metallic, is arranged for attachment to a mounting structure. The grounding conductor is electrically connected to this mounting component, and it has at least one internal thread for screwing in a screw. This allows the clamp formed by the two clamp parts to be attached to a mounting structure, while simultaneously the section of the grounding conductor located on the top surface of the clamp part facing the mounting component is in contact with it, thus electrically connecting the grounding conductor to the mounting component. A separate grounding wire for grounding the pipe is not required.To ensure continuous electrical contact between the mounting component and the grounding conductor on the one hand, and the fastening structure on the other, the mounting component is preferably made entirely of metal.

[0017] In one embodiment of the invention, the mounting component is formed by a mounting plate which has at least one internal thread for screwing in a fastening screw. This mounting plate, which extends over the entire top surface of the clamp part abutting it, can be welded, riveted or screwed to the fastening structure, for example.

[0018] In another embodiment of the invention, the mounting component is formed by a C-profile rail which accommodates at least one T-nut having an internal thread for screwing in a fastening screw. This allows for a change in the longitudinal position of the mounting component while simultaneously ensuring the electrical connection between the mounting component and the grounding conductor of the clamp part attached to it. The grounding conductor runs transversely to the longitudinal slot of the C-profile rail.

[0019] In a further development of the invention, a clamping plate is arranged opposite the mounting component, the clamping plate having at least one bore that aligns with the at least one internal thread of the mounting component, wherein the two clamp parts are clamped against each other between the clamping plate and the mounting component. This ensures reliable clamping of the pipe between the two clamp parts. Preferably, the clamping plate is dimensioned such that it extends over the entire surface of the clamp part bearing against it.

[0020] The invention further relates to a fastening arrangement with a device of the type described above according to claim 11. In this case, the grounding conductor is preferably spring-loaded against the pipe, thereby ensuring continuous electrical contact between the grounding conductor and the pipe.

[0021] Other embodiments and configurations of the invention are specified in the remaining dependent claims. An exemplary embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawings and is described in detail below. The drawings show:

[0022] Figure 1: a schematic spatial representation of a device for fastening a pipe;

[0023] Figure 2: side view of the device from Figure 1;

[0024] Figure 3: a top view of the device from Figure 1 and

[0025] Figure 4: the device from Figure 1 in exploded view.

[0026] The device chosen as an embodiment for connecting two pipe sections consists of two identically designed clamp parts 1, each of which is provided with an earthing conductor 2 and which are clamped against each other between a mounting plate 3 and a clamping plate 4 by means of two screws 5.

[0027] In the exemplary embodiment, the clamp parts 1 are made of polypropylene (PP) and have a substantially cuboid-shaped base body with rounded corners, into which a semi-cylindrical recess 11 is formed in the center in the transverse direction. Two ribs 12 are arranged opposite each other in the recess 11, spaced apart from one another, and extend axially along the recess 11. The ribs 12 are formed from an elastomer. To prevent corrosion at the contact surfaces of the ribs 12 with a pipe (not shown), the elastomer can be mixed with a corrosion inhibitor in the form of a volatile corrosion inhibitor (VCI). Of course, the ribs can also be made of the same material as the clamp parts.

[0028] Two bores 13 are provided in the clamp parts 1, opposite each other on either side of the recess 11. The bores 13 serve to pass through the screws 5 for clamping the two clamp parts 1 against a pipe (not shown) to be positioned between the recesses 11. Furthermore, recesses 14 are provided on both sides of the bores 13. These recesses 14 serve to save material and reduce the weight of the clamp parts 1.

[0029] In the exemplary embodiment, the passage 10 formed by the recesses 11 has four ribs 12 between which the pipe (not shown) can be clamped. Alternatively, only three ribs can be provided, distributed across the two pipe clamp parts 1 and preferably arranged offset from each other by 120°. Of course, the arrangement of more than four ribs is also possible. However, it should be noted that the total contact area between the clamp parts 1 and the pipe to be clamped increases with the number of ribs, thus increasing the risk of corrosion.

[0030] In the exemplary embodiment, the grounding conductor 2 is designed as a clamp with a rectangular cross-section, which is arranged centrally encompassing the clamp part 1 through its recess 11 between the ribs 12. The two ends of the clamp are engaged in a receptacle 111 located in the recess 11, thereby positively and frictionally connecting the grounding conductor 2 to the clamp part 1. In the exemplary embodiment, the grounding conductor 2 is made of a copper-alloyed spring steel with good electrical conductivity. In the area of ​​the recess 11 of the clamp part 1, the grounding conductor 2 may have several, in particular two, spaced-apart arc-shaped protrusions to minimize contact with a pipe and to generate maximum contact pressure at the contact surfaces.

[0031] The mounting plate 3 is made of metal and has a base area essentially corresponding to the cover surface 15 of the clamp part 1 facing it. Two weld nuts 31 for screwing in the screws 5 are arranged spaced apart from each other on the mounting plate 3 and are aligned with the bores 13 of the clamp parts 1.

[0032] The clamping plate 4, also made of metal, has a base area that essentially corresponds to the top surface 15 of the clamp part 1 facing it. Two holes 41 are spaced apart from each other in the clamping plate 4, which are aligned with the holes 13 of the clamp part 1.

[0033] To mount a pipe (not shown), the mounting plate 3 is attached to a metallic mounting structure, in particular by welding. Subsequently, a first clamp part 1 with its bores is placed onto the weld nuts 31 of the mounting plate 3. For this purpose, the bores 13 have a diameter-enlarged section 131 at their end facing away from the recess 11 of the clamp part 1, the outer diameter of which essentially corresponds to the outer diameter of the weld nut 31.

[0034] After inserting the pipe (not shown) into the recess 11 of the first clamp part 1, the second clamp part is placed onto the pipe with its recess 11, and then the clamping plate 4 is placed onto the second clamp part 1. The screws 5 are then passed through the bores 41 of the clamping plate and the bores 13 of the clamp parts 1 and screwed into the weld nuts 31 of the mounting plate, thereby clamping the two clamp parts 1 against the pipe. The grounding conductors 2 of the clamp parts 1 are in contact with the pipe as well as with the metallic mounting plate 3 and the metallic clamping plate 4, respectively, and are electrically connected to them. The metallic clamping plate 4 is electrically connected to the mounting plate via the screws 5, which in turn is electrically connected to the fastening structure. The pipe is thus grounded via the device according to the invention without the need for a separate grounding conductor.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Device for fastening a pipe, in particular for pipelines in the area of ​​offshore and onshore oil production facilities, comprising two corresponding, essentially plastic, connectable, block-shaped clamp parts (1) which have recesses (11) which form a through-hole (10) in the assembled state, characterized in that at least one of the two clamp parts (1) is provided with an electrically conductive grounding conductor (2) which projects into the recess (11) and extends to the cover surface (15) opposite the recess (11).

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the block-shaped clamp parts (1) have projections in the recess for contact with a pipe to be received, which are preferably designed as longitudinal ribs.

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the earthing conductor (2) is made of a resilient metal and has at least one resilient protrusion in the area of ​​the recess (11).

4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the earthing conductor (1) has a rectangular cross-section at least in some areas.

5. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the earthing conductor (2) extends in the longitudinal direction at least partially, preferably over the entire length of the recess (11).

6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the earthing conductor (2) is designed in the form of a clamp which secures the cover surface (15) and the adjoining sides of the The clamp part (1) is connected to the clamp part (1) at least partially enclosing it.

7. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the two clamp parts (1) have at least one mutually aligned bore (13) for passing a screw (5), wherein an at least partially metallic mounting component is arranged for attachment to a mounting structure, to which the earthing conductor (2) is electrically connected and which has at least one internal thread for screwing in a screw (5).

8. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the mounting component is formed by a mounting plate (3) which has at least one internal thread for screwing in a fastening screw (5).

9. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the mounting component is formed by a C-profile rail which accommodates at least one T-nut having an internal thread for screwing in a fastening screw.

10. Device according to one of claims 7 to 9 characterized in that a clamping plate (4) is arranged opposite the mounting component, which has at least one bore (41) that is aligned with the at least one internal thread of the mounting component, wherein the two clamp parts (1) are clamped against each other between the clamping plate (4) and the mounting component.

11. Fastening arrangement comprising a tube which is held in the passage (10) between the two clamp parts (1) of at least one device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the earthing conductor (2) of at least one of the clamp parts (1) of a device rests against the tube.

12. Fastening arrangement according to claim 11, characterized in that the earthing conductor (2) is resiliently pre-tensioned against the pipe.

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