Lock Tab Washer for Vibration-Resistant Pipe Hangers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Pipes suspended from ceilings using clevis hangers can loosen due to vibrations from seismic events, foot traffic, or fluid flow, making it difficult to maintain secure attachment.

Innovation Solution

A pipe hanger system featuring a lock tab washer with bent tabs that prevent the washer and nut from rotating, ensuring secure attachment by folding over edges and circumferential sides of the suspension member and nut, respectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If nuts and bolts are used to secure pipe hanger parts, then the attachment can be initially secured, but the nuts and bolts can loosen due to vibrations from seismic events, foot traffic, or fluid flow

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment securityVSAvoidfastener tightness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The lock tab washer is pre-formed with tabs in specific positions (one tab extending radially outward to engage the suspension member and another tab extending axially outward to engage the nut) before installation. This preliminary configuration ensures that as soon as the washer is placed on the threaded rod, the tabs are positioned to prevent rotation and loosening, proactively addressing the vibration problem before it can cause fastener failure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The lock tab washer acts as an intermediary component between the suspension member and the nut. It mediates the connection by providing a mechanical interface that prevents relative rotation between these two components through its engaged tabs, thereby protecting the fastener assembly from vibration-induced loosening without requiring modification of the suspension member or nut themselves

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If lock tab washer with bent tabs is used to prevent rotation, then vibration resistance is provided, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevibration resistanceVSAvoidwasher structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lock tab washer is segmented into functional zones: a washer body portion that provides the basic washers function, and multiple tab portions that extend from the body. Each tab is segmented further into sections that can be bent to different angles. This segmentation allows the single component to perform multiple functions (washing, preventing rotation, preventing loosening) without requiring multiple separate parts

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges the functions of a standard washer, a lock washer, and a safety washer into a single integrated lock tab washer component. The washer body combines with multiple bent tabs to simultaneously provide vibration resistance, prevent rotation, and prevent loosening, thereby reducing the total number of components needed while achieving enhanced reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS12448996B2Pipe hanger with lock tab washer

Publication Date: 2025.10.21 ASC ENGINEERED SOLUTIONS LLC

AI summary

A lock tab washer for a pipe hanger includes a washer body; an edge tab defining a first section and a second section, wherein the first section extends from the washer body and the second section is bent relative to the first section in a first direction; and first, second, and third nut tabs extending from the washer body, wherein each of the first, second, and third nut tabs are bent relative to the washer body in a second direction opposite the first direction.