Movable Pipe Support With Pivoting Contact for Corrosion Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Metallic pipes in industrial settings are prone to corrosion at support points, making regular inspections, maintenance, and repairs challenging due to the difficulty in accessing and replacing supports without disrupting the pipe's weight, leading to costly downtime and material waste.

Innovation Solution

Movable pipe supports with a lever arm and pivot mechanism allow for the relocation of support points along the pipe, enabling inspection, maintenance, and repair while maintaining continuous support, potentially using non-corrosive materials like rubber or nylon rollers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional fixed pipe supports are used, then the pipe is supported stably, but the support areas become prone to corrosion and difficult to maintain

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepipe support stabilityVSAvoidsupport maintenance difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The pipe support is designed with a movable support surface that can be repositioned along the pipe length. The support structure includes a frame with adjustable support surfaces that can be moved to different locations, allowing the same support structure to serve multiple positions and prevent localized corrosion at fixed support points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The support structure is divided into multiple support surfaces that can independently contact different sections of the pipe. This segmentation allows the support to distribute weight across multiple points and enables selective positioning of support surfaces to avoid corroded areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Strength

If supports are made from metallic materials, then the support structure is strong, but the contact areas with the pipe are susceptible to rust and corrosion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupport structure strengthVSAvoidcorrosion susceptibility

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure combines metallic frame elements for structural strength with non-metallic support surfaces (such as rubber or plastic) that contact the pipe. This composite approach provides both the necessary mechanical strength and corrosion resistance at the contact points with the pipe.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

Different parts of the support structure have different material properties: the frame uses metallic materials for strength and load-bearing capacity, while the support surfaces that contact the pipe use non-corrosive materials to prevent rust and corrosion at the critical contact areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of repair

If temporary supports are fabricated for maintenance, then the pipe can be inspected and repaired, but substantial time and effort are wasted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepipe inspection capabilityVSAvoidmaintenance time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides continuous support for the pipe during normal operation and can be easily repositioned to allow inspection and maintenance access. The movable support surfaces eliminate the need for separate temporary support structures during maintenance operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The support structure can dynamically reposition its support surfaces along the pipe length, allowing maintenance personnel to access any section of the pipe for inspection or repair without requiring the pipe to be supported by temporary structures. This dynamic adjustment capability significantly reduces maintenance time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

Reduces corrosion risk by allowing periodic change of support points, facilitates easier maintenance and repair, and minimizes downtime by enabling the inspection and maintenance of pipe surfaces without the need for temporary supports or costly crane operations.

Implementation Method 1

a lever arm positioned in a slot in the top surface of the body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLever: Lever

Implementation Method 2

a pivot mechanism to allow the outer surface of the pipe support structure to continue to be in contact with the outer surface of the pipe while the pivot mechanism moves the outer surface of the pipe support structure along the outer surface of the pipe

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Advantage: Mechanical Advantage

Data Source

PatentUS11204110B2Movable pipe support

Publication Date: 2021.12.21 CHS INC

AI summary

Movable pipe supports are described herein. A movable pipe support can include a pipe support apparatus body having a slot sized to accommodate a first end of a lever arm positioned such that it extends through the slot, a pipe support structure attached to the first end of the lever arm and having an outer surface for contacting an outer surface of the pipe, and a pivot mechanism to allow the outer surface of the pipe support structure to continue to be in contact with the outer surface of the pipe while the pivot mechanism moves the outer surface of the pipe support structure along the outer surface of the pipe.