Adjustable Strap Clamp for Pipe Attachment Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing metal clamps for attaching nondestructive testing devices to pipes are limited in size and configuration, leading to inaccurate results due to movement or decoupling caused by temperature changes and cannot accommodate multiple probes effectively, especially at varying pipe diameters and temperatures.

Innovation Solution

A clamp system using a strap and spring washers to maintain attachment force over a wide temperature range, allowing a single design to fit various pipe diameters and accommodate multiple probes, with adjustable straps and compression coil springs to maintain consistent coupling force.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a metal clamp with U-bolt is used to attach the probe to the pipe, then the probe can be securely coupled to the pipe surface, but the clamp cannot accommodate temperature changes causing movement or decoupling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment stabilityVSAvoidtemperature range

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The clamp system transitions from a rigid fixed-geometry design to a dynamic adjustable design where the strap length can be modified to accommodate thermal expansion and contraction of the pipe, maintaining reliable attachment across temperature variations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system allows changing the geometric parameter of the strap (length) in response to temperature changes, enabling the clamp to adapt to thermal expansion/contraction of the pipe while maintaining secure probe attachment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If a single metal clamp design is used for various pipe diameters, then device versatility is improved, but the clamp cannot maintain consistent coupling force across different sizes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepipe diameter compatibilityVSAvoidcoupling force consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The clamp system is designed with a universal strap that can be adjusted to fit multiple pipe diameters, allowing a single clamp design to serve various pipe sizes while maintaining proper coupling force through adjustment mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The adjustable strap allows the clamp geometry to be dynamically modified for different pipe diameters, enabling consistent coupling force maintenance across various pipe sizes despite the universal design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Quantity of substance

If multiple probes are attached to the pipe using conventional clamps, then monitoring coverage is improved, but the clamps cannot maintain stable attachment for all probes simultaneously

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of probesVSAvoidattachment stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The clamp system can be segmented into multiple independent clamp units, each with its own adjustable strap, allowing multiple probes to be attached independently while maintaining stable attachment for each probe on different pipe sections

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 clamp system ensures stable attachment and accurate data collection by maintaining consistent coupling force across temperature changes and varying pipe diameters, preventing decoupling and allowing for multi-probe configurations, enhancing the reliability of corrosion/erosion monitoring.

Implementation Method 1

a spring that maintains an attachment force to prevent movement of the clamp body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

prevent movement of the clamp body over a wide range of temperatures and temperature cycling

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Implementation Method 3

one or more spring washers that maintain an attachment force between the device and the outer surface of the circular structure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 4

prevent detachment of the device from the outer surface of the circular structure over a wide range of temperatures and temperature cycling

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Data Source

PatentUS8186643B2Apparatus for attaching a device to a circular structure

Publication Date: 2012.05.29 BAKER HUGHES CO

AI summary

An apparatus for attaching a device to a circular structure is disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a clamp body attached to the outer surface of the circular structure using a strap, which can be attached to the clamp body using a spring that maintains an attachment force to prevent movement of the clamp body over a wide range of temperatures and temperature cycling of the circular structure and the strap. In one embodiment, the device can be installed in the clamp body and coupled to the outer surface of the circular structure using one or more spring washers that maintain an attachment force between the device and the outer surface of the circular structure to prevent detachment of the device from the outer surface of the circular structure over a wide range of temperatures and temperature cycling of the circular structure.