Alloy Insert Clamp for High-Temperature Pipe Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pipe clamps designed for high-temperature applications often fail due to reduced load-carrying capacity and high production costs, particularly at temperatures above 1000°F, as materials like ASTM A387 Grade 22 and P91 alloys are expensive and difficult to machine.
Innovation Solution
A pipe support clamp system featuring a standard grade alloy housing with high-temperature inserts made from alloys like ASTM A387 Grade P91, which can withstand temperatures over 500°F, and spacers to separate the clamp components, allowing for increased load capacity and reduced material costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high-temperature alloy materials (ASTM A387 Grade P91) are used throughout the entire clamp structure, then the clamp can withstand high temperatures (over 500°F) and maintain load capacity, but the manufacturing cost increases significantly and machining difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using high-temperature alloy inserts (ASTM A387 Grade P91) only at specific contact points where the clamp engages the pipe, while the main clamp body is made of standard grade alloy. This localized application of high-grade material provides the necessary heat resistance and load capacity exactly where needed, without requiring the entire clamp structure to be made from expensive and difficult-to-machine high-temperature alloy, thereby reducing overall manufacturing cost and machining difficulty while maintaining reliability at high temperatures.
2Ease of manufacture
If standard grade alloy is used for the entire clamp, then manufacturing cost decreases and machining becomes easier, but the clamp fails to maintain load capacity at temperatures above 750°F
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite materials by combining standard grade alloy for the clamp body with high-temperature alloy inserts (ASTM A387 Grade P91) at the contact surfaces. This composite construction allows the majority of the clamp structure to be made from cost-effective, easily machined standard grade alloy, while the high-temperature alloy inserts provide the necessary thermal resistance and load-bearing capability at temperatures above 750°F, thus achieving both economic manufacturability and high-temperature reliability.
3Reliability
If high-temperature alloy inserts are added to the clamp structure, then temperature resistance increases and load capacity is maintained, but the device complexity and number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the clamp into distinct functional components: a standard grade alloy body and separate high-temperature alloy inserts. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function - the body provides structural support and ease of manufacture, while the inserts provide localized heat resistance. The inserts can be independently manufactured and then integrated into the clamp body, simplifying the overall manufacturing process compared to making the entire clamp from high-temperature alloy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the high-temperature resistance function from the entire clamp structure and concentrates it only in the inserts that directly contact the pipe. By taking out this specific function and isolating it to small, separate components, the patent reduces the overall complexity of the device while maintaining the necessary performance characteristics. The extracted high-temperature alloy inserts can be easily replaced or maintained independently if needed.
Data Source
AI summary
A pipe support clamp, a system using the clamp, and a method of supporting a pipe with the clamp are disclosed. The pipe support clamp includes two housings, and a number of high temperature inserts, where at least one high temperature insert is coupled to the first housing and at least one high temperature insert is coupled to the second housing.