Adjustable Pipe Clamp Rails for Concentric Offshore Fastening
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Solution Overview
Problem
In shipbuilding and offshore platforms, existing pipe fastening devices struggle to maintain a concentric alignment of pipes with angular deviations, leading to inadequate resistance against contact corrosion and increased maintenance costs due to crevice corrosion issues.
Innovation Solution
A device with adjustable clamping rails and clamp parts that allow for angular adjustments up to +/- 3°, featuring snap-in installation, spring tongues, and locking lugs, ensuring a concentric pipe alignment and effective resistance to contact corrosion through obtuse angles between ribs and pipes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple clamps (multiclamps) are used to fasten multiple pipes in a confined space, then the productivity and space utilization are improved, but the manufacturing precision and alignment quality deteriorate because pipes cannot pass through concentrically without angular deviations
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp is divided into two independently adjustable clamp parts that can be positioned at different locations along the pipe. Each clamp part can be adjusted individually to accommodate angular deviations, allowing the pipe to pass through concentrically even when fastening multiple pipes with different orientations.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp parts are made adjustable along the clamping rails, transforming a static fixed-position clamp into a dynamic system where each clamp part can be positioned independently. This dynamic adjustment capability enables concentric alignment despite angular deviations between multiple pipes being fastened.
2Device complexity
If conventional fixed-position clamps are used, then the device complexity is low, but the reliability deteriorates because they cannot compensate for angular deviations of pipes
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp incorporates adjustable clamp parts that can move along clamping rails, transforming a static structure into a dynamic system. This adjustment capability ensures reliable concentric alignment of pipes, preventing angular deviations that would compromise corrosion resistance, while adding only moderate complexity to the overall device.
3Ease of operation
If pipes are fastened with angular deviations using fixed clamps, then the ease of operation is improved, but the durability deteriorates due to crevice corrosion in gaps between ribs and pipes
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable clamp parts enable operators to easily accommodate angular deviations during installation by positioning each clamp part independently. This dynamic adjustment prevents the formation of crevices between ribs and pipes, eliminating the root cause of crevice corrosion and thereby extending the service life of the pipe fastening system.
Solution Approach 2:
The design converts the potential harm of angular deviations (which would create crevices and cause corrosion) into a benefit by providing adjustment mechanisms that accommodate these deviations. The clamp parts can be positioned to maintain concentric alignment even when pipes are not perfectly aligned, transforming installation tolerances from a source of corrosion into an acceptable range that maintains durability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device ensures high-quality resistance to contact corrosion by maintaining a concentric pipe alignment, reducing maintenance efforts and extending the lifespan of pipe fastenings and pipes by preventing crevice corrosion.
Implementation Method 1
The clamp parts (21, 22) each have two oppositely arranged spring tongues (26) with locking lugs (261)
Implementation Method 2
The locking lugs (261) can engage behind the edge (131) of the opening (13)
Data Source
Figure 1~2c
Figure 3
Figure 4a~5b
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for fastening pipes, particularly in the field of shipbuilding and offshore platforms, comprising at least one clamp (2) comprising a first clamp part (21) and a second clamp part (22), each having a recess (23) which, in the assembled state, forms a passage (20) for receiving a pipe (5), in which at least three longitudinal ribs (28) are arranged spaced apart from one another for bearing against a received pipe (5), extending in the longitudinal direction of this pipe (5), wherein two clamping rails (1) are arranged, wherein the first clamp part (21) of the at least one clamp (2) is adjustably fastened to the first clamping rail (1) and the second clamp part (22) of the at least one clamp (2) is adjustedly fastened to the second clamping rail (1), and wherein the two clamping rails (1) are connected opposite each other by clamping means, by means of which they can be clamped against each other.wherein the opposing first and second clamp parts (21, 22) of the at least one clamp (2) can be clamped against a pipe (5) received by it.