Foamed Ceramic Pipe Clamp for Thermal Insulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thermally insulating pipe clamps using plastic foams are ineffective across a wide temperature range and mechanically sensitive, while materials like foam glass and expanded clay are not suitable for load-bearing applications.
Innovation Solution
A thermally insulating pipe clamp with a foamed ceramic insulating body that transfers loads to a holder, lined with an elastic material to compensate for dimensional tolerances and equipped with a soundproofing element to address acoustic issues, ensuring reliable force distribution and insulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If plastic foam is used for insulation, then thermal insulation is provided, but the material is only effective within a narrow temperature range and can be destroyed by high or low temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from plastic foam to foamed ceramic, which fundamentally alters the temperature resistance characteristics. Foamed ceramic maintains its structural integrity and insulation properties across a wide temperature range from -269°C to +1000°C, resolving the contradiction between temperature range and material stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite structure combining foamed ceramic with an elastic material lining. The foamed ceramic provides high-temperature resistance and insulation, while the elastic material layer compensates for dimensional tolerances and ensures even force distribution, together resolving the contradictions of temperature range and reliability.
2Temperature
If foam glass is used for insulation, then thermal insulation and wide temperature range are achieved, but the material is mechanically sensitive and requires soft plastic inserts for force distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by lining the inner circumference of the foamed ceramic clamp body with an elastic material. This elastic layer is specifically positioned at the contact points with the pipe to provide force distribution and compensation for dimensional tolerances, while the foamed ceramic body maintains its mechanical strength for load-bearing applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic material acts as an intermediary between the foamed ceramic clamp body and the pipe. It mediates the force transmission, ensuring even distribution of loads while allowing the foamed ceramic to maintain its mechanical strength and load-bearing capacity.
3Strength
If expanded clay or foamed ceramics are used for insulation, then wide temperature range and mechanical strength are achieved, but the materials are not suitable for load-bearing applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the clamp body into a foamed ceramic outer structure for insulation and load distribution, with an elastic material lining for force compensation. This segmentation allows the foamed ceramic to serve both insulation and load-bearing functions simultaneously, resolving the contradiction between strength and reliability.
4Temperature
If foamed ceramic is used as insulating body, then thermal insulation and mechanical strength are improved, but soundproofing properties are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite structure combining foamed ceramic with elastic material lining. The foamed ceramic provides thermal insulation and mechanical strength, while the elastic material layer provides soundproofing by damping vibrations and reducing noise transmission, thus resolving the contradiction between thermal insulation and soundproofing properties.
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 solution provides excellent thermal insulation, mechanical strength, and soundproofing, with the elastic lining ensuring even force application and the soundproofing element mitigating noise transmission, while maintaining structural integrity and fire resistance.
Implementation Method 1
its inner circumference being lined with an elastic material. Surprisingly, it has been shown that foamed ceramic not only has excellent thermal insulation properties, but is also able to reliably and permanently divert the static and dynamic forces occurring during pipeline construction to the holder. The elastic material compensates for tolerances in the outer diameter of the pipe and ensures an even application of force in the transition area between pipe and pipe clamp.
Implementation Method 2
Thermally insulating pipe clamps are used where, in the case of process heating or process cooling lines, pipes should also be insulated in the area where they are attached, in order to avoid a deterioration in the efficiency of the system.
Implementation Method 3
a soundproofing element is provided between the clamp body and the holder. Such a soundproofing element avoids the introduction of acoustically disturbing vibrations into the masonry, since the foamed ceramic does not have particularly good soundproofing values.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 1a
Figure 2
AI summary
The thermally insulating pipe clamp (10) has a holder (28) for wall-, floor- or ceiling installation, and a ring-shaped insulating body (12). The insulating body is made of foamed ceramic. The insulating body lies in the power flow and emits the load at the holder. The insulating body is lined at its inner circumference with an elastic material. The holder is connected with a clamp body (14), which is embedded in the insulating body. The clamp body is divided and is provided at a separation point of a screw-threaded connection.