Perforated Pipe Support Shell for Stable Plastic Pipe Hanging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe support assemblies lack versatility and stability, particularly in supporting plastic pipes that sag due to temperature changes and require frequent interval support, and they do not provide adequate flexibility during installation.
Innovation Solution
A pipe support assembly with perforated flanges that allow secure fixation to a hanger assembly, preventing longitudinal movement of the shell body, combined with a clamp portion to tighten around the pipe and optional use of threaded rods or cable ties for additional stability, and a saddle element for support from below, enabling flexible positioning and installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional pipe clips are used to support plastic pipes, then the pipes can be supported, but the support intervals must be short due to pipe sagging
Solution Approach 1:
The support system is divided into modular components: shell bodies with flanges, hanger assemblies with engagement portions, and clamp portions. This segmentation allows for flexible configuration and easier installation while maintaining support stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The flanges are pre-provided with series of perforations during manufacturing, and the hanger assemblies are pre-formed with engagement portions. This preliminary preparation enables quick field assembly without requiring complex fastening operations, thereby improving installation efficiency while ensuring reliable support.
2Reliability
If metal support shells are used to prevent pipe deformation, then additional safety is provided, but the assembly lacks flexibility during installation
Solution Approach 1:
The support assembly is segmented into the shell body, flanges, hanger assembly, and clamp portion. This allows the rigid metal shell to provide structural integrity and fire safety while the separate hanger and clamp components provide installation flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The flanges with series of perforations serve multiple functions: they provide attachment points for hanger assemblies, allow for adjustable positioning, and enable flexible configuration during installation. The engagement portions of hanger assemblies similarly serve both as connection elements and positioning mechanisms.
3Productivity
If pipe clips are arranged at larger intervals, then installation efficiency improves, but pipe sagging increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shell bodies are formed with a curved, semi-cylindrical configuration that conforms to the pipe's outer surface. This curved geometry provides superior support and distribution of loads compared to flat supports, enabling larger intervals between support points while maintaining pipe stability and preventing sagging.
4Reliability
If the flanges have perforations for secure fixation, then longitudinal movement is prevented, but the complexity of the assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fixation system is segmented into the flange with perforations and the separate hanger assembly with engagement portion. This separation allows the perforations to be simple holes in the flange while the complex engagement mechanism is contained in the removable hanger assembly, reducing overall assembly complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of making the flange itself complex with integrated fastening mechanisms, the invention inverts the approach by providing simple perforations in the flange and placing the complex engagement portion in the separate hanger assembly. This reverses where the complexity resides, making the overall system easier to manufacture and assemble.
Data Source
AI summary
A pipe support assembly includes a pipe support shell body having a substantially semicylindrical wall portion conforming to an outer contour of a pipe to be supported. The shell body has a length which is greater than a width thereof and has an open top flanked by longitudinal rims and a flange formed at each of said rims. The pipe support assembly furthermore includes at least one hanger assembly adapted to be suspended from an overhead support structure and including an engagement portion for engaging at least one of the flanges of the pipe support shell body. The flanges extend outwardly from the respective longitudinal rims and are each provided with a series of perforations distributed over the length thereof. The engagement portion of the hanger assembly is adapted to be inserted at least partially through at least one of the perforations in one of the flanges.