Clamp-On Pipe Anchor for Thin-Insulation Axial Restraint
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional pipe anchor supports with lugs or plates fail to effectively restrain pipes due to insufficient compressive area caused by newer, thinner insulation materials, which compromise their ability to resist axial forces and stresses.
Innovation Solution
A clamp-on pipe anchor assembly featuring a pipe trunnion stop welded to the pipe, with a base cradle that includes structural and thermal inserts to isolate and securely attach the trunnion stop, providing axial, lateral, and rotational restraint while maintaining insulation, and utilizing a polygonal cross-sectional shape to prevent slippage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If newer thinner insulation materials are used to improve insulating qualities, then insulation thickness is reduced, but the compressive area is greatly decreased to the point that pipe lugs will not function properly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from a two-dimensional lug attachment (compressing against the pipe surface) to a three-dimensional cradle enclosure (surrounding the pipe on multiple sides). The cradle portions wrap around the pipe to provide restraint forces from multiple directions, effectively increasing the functional compressive area without requiring thicker insulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The anchor assembly is divided into separate cradle portions (first cradle portion, second cradle portion, third cradle portion) that can be independently positioned around the pipe. Each cradle portion applies restraint forces at different locations, distributing the compressive loads across multiple contact points rather than relying on a single large compressive area.
2Force
If pipe lugs are used to transmit axial forces through the insulation, then force transmission is achieved, but the design requires great insulation cross section width which is not compatible with newer thinner insulation materials
Solution Approach 1:
The cradle portions act as intermediary elements between the pipe and the anchor housing. Instead of lugs directly compressing through the insulation, the cradles encircle the pipe and transmit forces through a distributed contact interface, using the pipe's own circumference as part of the force transmission path rather than relying solely on compression through the insulation layer.
Solution Approach 2:
The anchor assembly combines multiple materials and structural elements: cradle portions (metal or composite), insulation material, and housing structures. This composite approach allows the system to achieve sufficient force transmission capability without requiring the insulation alone to provide the entire compressive area, as the metal cradle structures contribute to the overall load-bearing capacity.
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 limits pipe movement and provides improved stability and insulation, ensuring the pipe anchor can function properly even with thinner insulation, enhancing its ability to resist forces and stresses.
Implementation Method 1
The base cradle includes structural, thermal inserts, which isolate the pipe trunnion stop from the base assembly
Data Source
AI summary
A pipe anchor is disclosed having a pipe trunnion stop for attaching to an outer surface of a pipe by welding. A mating top cradle and a bottom cradle generally encircle and hold a length of the pipe. The bottom cradle has a pass-through to accommodate the pipe trunnion stop. There is a base onto which the bottom cradle sets, the base includes a void into which the pipe trunnion stop is secured. An insulation layer is positioned between the pipe and the top cradle and bottom cradle, and around the pipe trunnion stop. A bolting assembly on the top cradle and a mating bolting assembly on the bottom cradle secure the top cradle and the bottom cradle to each other. Another embodiment includes multiple pipe trunnion stops along with respective pass-through and base void sections.