Adjustable Pipe Clamp for Welding Closely Spaced Boiler Tubes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clamping tools for welding boiler wall tubes lack versatility to accommodate pipes of varying dimensions, as they are specifically designed for fixed sizes and do not effectively handle closely spaced boiler tubes with webs.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable clamp consisting of four clamp corners with specific apertures and bolts, allowing for adjustable spacing and accommodating pipes of varying diameters from 1.5 to 6 inches, through the use of spacers and threaded inserts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If fixed-size clamping tools are used for welding boiler tubes, then the clamping function is effective for specific tube sizes, but the tools cannot accommodate pipes of varying dimensions
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp is divided into four separate clamp corners that can be secured together in various configurations. Each clamp corner can be independently positioned and secured to pipes of different dimensions using spacers and bolts, allowing the overall clamp structure to adapt to varying pipe sizes while maintaining structural integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp corners are designed with multiple apertures (first transverse aperture, second transverse aperture, and third parallel aperture) that can accommodate different pipe diameters from 1.5 to 6 inches. The same clamp corner components can be used across various pipe sizes by adjusting the configuration and positioning, making the tool universally applicable to different boiler tube dimensions
2Adaptability or versatility
If closely spaced boiler tubes with webs are welded, then the tubes form a continuous boiler wall, but existing clamping tools cannot effectively engage the tubes
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp is segmented into four corners that can be independently positioned on closely spaced tubes. This segmentation allows each corner to engage with individual tubes or tube groups, accommodating the closely spaced configuration and web structures that prevent use of traditional single-piece clamps
Solution Approach 2:
Spacers are used as intermediary elements between the clamp corners and the pipes. These spacers facilitate proper positioning and engagement of the clamp corners with closely spaced tubes, enabling the clamp to bridge gaps and accommodate the specific geometry of boiler wall tube arrangements
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable clamp for welding together pipes, the adjustable clamp having a first axis perpendicular to the pipes and a second axis parallel to the pipes. The adjustable clamp includes four clamp corners, four transverse bolts, two parallel bolts, two threaded inserts, and four spaces. Each clamp corner includes a first transverse aperture, a second transverse aperture, and a third parallel aperture. The first and second apertures are transverse relative to the first axis and the third aperture is parallel relative to the first axis. Each transverse bolt is securable within the first and second transverse apertures of the four clamp corners. Each parallel bolt is securable within the third apertures of the four clamp corners. Each threaded insert is placeable within the third apertures of the four clamp corners and each threaded insert is mated with a respective parallel bolt. Each spacer surrounds a portion of each transverse bolt.