Grooved Pipe Support With Polymer Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe support structures are prone to mechanical damage and corrosion at the point of contact, especially in corrosive environments, due to direct contact and potential galvanic reactions between dissimilar metals, and adhesive bonding solutions are unsatisfactory as they can delaminate and exacerbate corrosion.
Innovation Solution
A pipe support structure featuring grooves for pipe support elements that project beyond the surface, allowing these elements to be made of corrosion-resistant and low-friction materials, such as polymeric materials, which reduce contact stress and prevent corrosion by spacing the pipe away from the support surface, eliminating direct metal contact and using non-adhesive contact methods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If direct contact between pipe and metal support plate is used, then structural strength and stability are improved, but corrosion and mechanical damage to anti-corrosion coatings occur at contact points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces pipe support elements made of corrosion-resistant material (such as polymer or stainless steel) as an intermediary between the pipe and the metal support plate. These elements contact the pipe surface without causing galvanic corrosion or mechanical damage to anti-corrosion coatings, while the metal support plate provides structural strength. The intermediary elements resolve the contradiction by decoupling the structural support function from the contact function.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure uses composite construction combining metal support plate (for strength) with non-metallic or corrosion-resistant pipe support elements (for corrosion resistance). This composite approach allows the system to simultaneously achieve high structural strength and resistance to corrosion, resolving the contradiction between these two requirements.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If adhesive bonding is used to attach support plate to pipe, then contact stress is reduced, but adhesive delamination and corrosion exacerbation occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the adhesive bonding function from the support system by using mechanical insertion of pipe support elements into grooves. The pipe support elements are retained by the groove structure without requiring adhesive, eliminating the reliability issues of adhesive delamination while maintaining low contact stress through the compliant corrosion-resistant material.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If pipe support elements project beyond groove surface, then corrosion resistance is improved by spacing pipe away from support plate, but structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is segmented into distinct functional components: the metal support plate providing structural support, the grooves providing retention and spacing, and the pipe support elements providing corrosion-resistant contact. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while working together as an integrated system, resolving the contradiction between improved corrosion resistance and structural complexity.
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 effectively mitigates corrosion and mechanical damage to anti-corrosion coatings by using materials with low friction and high corrosion resistance, reducing the risk of electrolytic corrosion and distributing load across a larger area, thus enhancing the durability and longevity of pipeline supports.
Implementation Method 1
A pipe support structure featuring grooves for pipe support elements that project beyond the surface, allowing these elements to be made of corrosion-resistant and low-friction materials
Data Source
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AI summary
A pipe support structure is described comprising a support member defining a support surface, and a plurality of pipe support elements; wherein the support surface defines a plurality of grooves each correspondingly sized and shaped to receive a respective one of the pipe support elements, with the pipe support element being sized to project beyond its groove when so received. The pipe support elements may then be fabricated from a material selected for instance for low friction, corrosion resistance or the like. A pipeline system, a method for supporting a pipe, and a method for deploying a pipeline system are also described embodying the same general principles.