Non-Welded Branch Pipe Clamping for Vibration Crack Prevention
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Branch pipe systems in power plants are prone to damage due to vibrations, which can lead to resonance and cracking, especially at welding portions, and existing methods fail to accurately predict vibration loads or effectively reduce vibrations, leading to operational disruptions and safety concerns.
Innovation Solution
A non-welded branch piping reinforcement apparatus comprising a joint clamp, connection pipe clamp, and valve clamp with arc-shaped cross sections, featuring fastening portions and stress reinforcement plates that distribute loads and increase bending and torsional strength, allowing for clamp-fastened installation without welding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If welding is used to connect branch pipe to header pipe, then connection strength is improved, but risk of vibration-induced cracking and damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcement apparatus is divided into multiple separate clamp components (first clamp, second clamp, third clamp) that can be independently installed on different sections of the branch pipe system. This segmentation allows the reinforcement to be applied without welding, avoiding the creation of vulnerable welded joints while maintaining structural integrity through distributed mechanical fastening.
Solution Approach 2:
The reinforcement apparatus acts as an intermediary structure between the branch pipe and external environment. The clamps with fastening portions and stress reinforcement plates create a protective intermediary layer that distributes vibration loads and prevents direct stress concentration at potential welding locations, thereby reducing vibration-induced cracking risk.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If integrated support is used to connect branch pipe system to header pipe, then vibration reduction is improved, but installation complexity and space constraints increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single integrated support structure that would require complex installation and significant space, the vibration reduction function is achieved through multiple separate clamp components. Each clamp can be independently installed on available space around the branch pipe, simplifying the overall installation process while effectively distributing and reducing vibration loads through the network of clamps.
3Strength
If socket welding portion is reinforced, then fatigue resistance is improved, but discontinuous deformation at diameter change points is not prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcement apparatus merges multiple functions into a single integrated system: the clamps provide both fatigue resistance reinforcement and continuous structural support along the branch pipe. By combining the reinforcement function across multiple clamps with stress reinforcement plates that span across diameter change points, the system simultaneously improves fatigue resistance and prevents discontinuous deformation.
4Productivity
If branch pipe system operates with vibration, then power plant operation continues, but damage to branch pipe system occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcement apparatus is installed in advance on the branch pipe system before vibration damage can occur. The clamps with fastening portions and stress reinforcement plates are pre-positioned to provide protective reinforcement, allowing the power plant to operate continuously while the apparatus preemptively prevents vibration-induced damage to the branch pipe system.
Data Source
AI summary
A non-welded type branch piping reinforcement apparatus capable of preventing damage to a branch pipe system by increasing the strength of the branch pipe system by covering and protecting the branch pipe system connected to a header pipe, by a joint clamp, a connection pipe clamp, and a valve clamp includes: a joint clamp arranged to cover the branch pipe joint and the connection pipe and having an arc-shaped cross section; a connection pipe clamp arranged to cover the connection pipe and having an arc-shaped cross section; and a valve clamp arranged to cover the connection pipe and the valve and having an arc-shaped cross section, wherein one end of the connection pipe clamp is connected to the joint clamp and the other end of the connection pipe clamp is connected to the valve clamp.