Grounding Pipe Clamp With Adjustable Bolt And Pads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Typical pipe clamps are designed for a narrow size range and configuration, requiring multiple clamps for different conductor sizes and attachment orientations, which limits versatility and convenience for end users.
Innovation Solution
A grounding pipe clamp with a bolt, main body, and clamping pads that accommodate various conductor sizes and orientations, featuring a V-bolt with L-shaped cutouts and adjustable clamping pads to secure conductors in multiple configurations without separating clamp components, allowing for easy installation and secure attachment of conductors parallel or perpendicular to the pipe.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If typical pipe clamps are designed for specific diameters and configurations, then the clamp structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the clamp can only accommodate a narrow size range and requires multiple clamps for different conductor sizes and orientations
Solution Approach 1:
The pipe clamp is designed with a main body that can accommodate conductors in multiple orientations (parallel and perpendicular to the pipe) and a wide range of conductor sizes (8 AWG to 250 kcmil). The clamp integrates multiple functions into a single device, eliminating the need for multiple specialized clamps for different conductor configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp incorporates adjustable components including a movable clamping pad that can be positioned at different locations along the bolt, and an adjustable bolt mechanism that allows the clamp to adapt to various pipe diameters and conductor sizes. This dynamic adjustability enables the clamp to maintain proper clamping force across different application scenarios.
2Ease of operation
If multiple specialized clamps are used for different conductor sizes and configurations, then each clamp can be optimized for its specific purpose, but the overall system requires more components and is less convenient for end users
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the functionality of multiple specialized clamps into a single universal clamp design. The main body, bolt, and clamping pads are integrated into one assembly that can handle various conductor sizes and orientations, reducing the total number of clamp components needed in the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp is divided into modular components including a main body, adjustable bolt, and separate clamping pads that can be positioned independently. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall versatility, and enables easy adjustment and installation without requiring the entire clamp assembly to be replaced.
Data Source
AI summary
A grounding pipe clamp secures a pipe and accommodates various attachment configurations to secure a range of conductor sizes. The grounding pipe clamp includes a bolt, a main body, and clamping pads. The bolt has a first leg and a second leg. The main body has a first end portion, a middle portion, and a second end portion. The first end portion has a slot that receives the first leg of the bolt. The second end portion has a L-shaped cutout that receives the second leg of the bolt to secure a pipe between the main body and the bolt. The clamping pads are secured to the first leg of the bolt and the second leg of the bolt. The clamping pads secure the conductors positioned on the main body.