Rigid PEX Tube Support for Thermal Expansion and Noise Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tube supports cause noise due to contact between pipes and building members during temperature changes, restrict pipe expansion, and fail to accommodate insulation requirements, especially with PEX tubing, which requires flexible installation and reduced fastener usage.
Innovation Solution
An offset tube support using arcuated grooves with internal protrusions that deform the PEX tube for secure holding, allowing axial movement and rotation, and featuring a rigid design with minimal fasteners for easy installation and insulation compliance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If rigid tube supports are used to hold multiple tubes, then installation time is reduced and spacing is uniform, but the tubes cannot expand and contract freely causing noise and thermal stress
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure incorporates a resilient member with arcuated grooves that can flex to accommodate tube expansion and contraction. The resilient tab at the end of the groove allows the support to deform elastically, permitting thermal movement of the tubes while maintaining secure holding. This flexible element resolves the contradiction by enabling both rigid support for installation efficiency and flexible accommodation for thermal expansion.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure changes its physical state from rigid to flexible through the inclusion of a resilient member that can deform. The resilient tab allows the support to undergo elastic deformation, changing its dimensional parameters temporarily to accommodate tube expansion and contraction. This parameter change enables the support to adapt to thermal variations while maintaining its primary support function.
2Reliability
If rigid supports are used to secure tubes firmly, then the tubes are held in place, but the tube's ability to expand and contract is restricted causing noise
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient member with arcuated grooves provides a flexible yet secure holding mechanism. The resilient tab allows the support to flex and deform elastically, maintaining secure tube holding while accommodating thermal expansion and contraction movements. This flexible element ensures reliability by keeping the tube in place while permitting necessary thermal movement to prevent noise.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure transitions from a static rigid form to a dynamic system that can adapt its shape. The resilient member allows the support to undergo elastic deformation in response to thermal expansion and contraction forces. This dynamic behavior enables the support to maintain secure holding while adapting to changing dimensional requirements of the tube.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple hangers are spaced apart to accommodate insulation, then insulation requirements are met, but the number of fasteners and installation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure integrates multiple tube-holding grooves into a single unified component that can accommodate multiple tubes simultaneously. The arcuated grooves are spaced within the single support to provide appropriate spacing for insulation around each tube. This merging of multiple functions into one support reduces the number of separate fasteners needed while maintaining insulation requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The single support structure performs multiple functions by holding multiple tubes simultaneously with appropriate spacing for insulation. The arcuated grooves are designed to accommodate different tube configurations while maintaining proper insulation clearance. This multi-functional design reduces the number of separate fasteners and simplifies installation while meeting insulation requirements.
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 reduces noise and thermal stress, accommodates insulation, and simplifies installation by using the elasticity of PEX tubes for retention, providing a strong, reliable, and cost-effective multi-tube support system.
Implementation Method 1
a protrusion placed midway within each groove which deforms the PEX tube at least 10 percent until it moves to its final position. This support depends on the elasticity of the PEX tube
Implementation Method 2
As the pipe expands and contracts with changes in temperature it may rub against the building member causing a noise
Implementation Method 3
heat from hot water pipes can be lost through heat transfer from the pipe to the building member
Data Source
AI summary
A rigid tube support having no flexing sections comprised of an elongated rectangular shape having arcuated round ended slots for restraining multiple PEX (crosslinked polyethylene) tubes used in construction for hydronics and plumbing. These slots have openings to allow the tubes to be freely inserted radially into the openings. These slots further have within each of them a single semicylindrical protrusion axially oriented with the tube trapping the tube from sliding out radially once inserted. The protrusion forces the tube to be temporarily deformed during insertion. When in final position the slots are large enough to allow the tubes to freely rotate and slide axially within the support accommodating linear thermal expansion of the tubes. These larger slots also allow for tube rotation for ease of installation. The curved opening enables the support to be used horizontally as well as vertically. The support keeps the multiple tubes spaced apart and offset from the mounting surface to allow for insulation to be later applied to the tubes. Placed perpendicular and in between each of the tube openings are apertures through which fasteners are inserted. Although there are multiple apertures only two fasteners are required.