Perforated Pipe Restraint Body Diffusing High-Pressure Fluid
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe restraint systems for nuclear reactors face limitations in effectively managing pipe breakages, including energy absorption, directional control, and structural integration, often resulting in unintended damage from jet impingement and seismic forces, and require ideal structural attachment points that may not always be available.
Innovation Solution
A pipe restraint assembly comprising a cylindrical shaped restraint body with perforations to diffuse high-pressure fluid release, allowing controlled exit and distribution of forces, and a method for assembling this system around potential failure points to maintain apertures' position and absorb kinetic energy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pipe whip restraints are attached to large structures like bioshield walls, then pipe break energy can be absorbed, but the attachment requires ideal structural locations that may not be available and can change pipe system behavior
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a shock-absorbing element as an intermediary component between the pipe and the restraint structure. This mediator absorbs the shock of pipe breaks, allowing the restraint to be attached to smaller, more flexible structures rather than requiring large bioshield walls, thus improving installation flexibility while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The restraint system incorporates energy-absorbing elements that are pre-configured to cushion the impact of potential pipe breaks. This beforehand cushioning allows the system to mitigate pipe break effects without requiring attachment to massive structures, enabling installation in locations that would otherwise be unsuitable
2Stability of the object's composition
If rigid struts are used to form rigid restraints, then axial movement is prevented, but significant operational movement of pipes cannot be accommodated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic restraint elements that can adapt their stiffness characteristics. During normal operation, the restraints allow pipe movement, but during pipe breaks, they provide sufficient restraint. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction between maintaining stability and accommodating operational movement
Solution Approach 2:
The restraint system utilizes elements whose mechanical properties change based on operating conditions. The restraints are designed to be flexible during normal operation to accommodate thermal expansion and movement, but become rigid when subjected to pipe break forces, thus achieving both stability and adaptability
3Adaptability or versatility
If pipe clamps with friction characteristics are used, then pipe displacement can be accommodated, but instability results from creep characteristics of preset metals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite restraint elements that combine materials with different properties. The composite structure provides both the flexibility needed to accommodate pipe displacement and the stability required to prevent creep-induced instability, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and stability
4Loss of energy
If pipe whip restraints are placed near building structures, then kinetic energy can be absorbed, but jet impingement forces exceeding 15,000 pounds can still damage surrounding components
Solution Approach 1:
The restraint system incorporates segmented or distributed energy-absorbing elements that are strategically positioned to both absorb kinetic energy and deflect jet streams. This segmentation allows the system to address both the kinetic energy absorption and jet impingement protection functions simultaneously
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 pipe breakage impacts by diffusing fluid pressure and distributing forces, reducing the risk of structural damage and allowing for flexible installation without relying on ideal attachment points, thereby enhancing safety and operational stability.
Implementation Method 1
A plurality of apertures penetrate through the restraint body and are positioned proximate to a location of the postulated pipe failure. The apertures may be configured to provide a number of passageways for the fluid to exit from the location of the postulated pipe failure and to be released outside of the restraint body.
Implementation Method 2
Pipe whip restraints may be configured to dampen and absorb the kinetic energy of bursting pipes in emergency cases.
Implementation Method 3
The resulting energy in the pipes may be absorbed and transferred to the structure up to a maximum rated load, and when above that, the forces may be transformed into deformation energy by the energy absorber.
Data Source
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AI summary
A pipe restraint assembly includes a restraint body configured to be removably attached to a portion of pipe. The portion of pipe is associated with a postulated pipe failure associated with a release of high pressure fluid. A plurality of apertures penetrate through the restraint body and are positioned proximate to a location of the postulated pipe failure. The apertures are configured to provide a number of passageways for the fluid to exit from the location of the postulated pipe failure and to be released outside of the restraint body. One or more restraint devices maintain the position of the apertures relative to the location of the postulated pipe failure.