Pipe Buffer With Rollers for Friction Wear Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
In semiconductor fabrication facilities, fluid-transporting pipes experience friction-induced wear and breakage due to contact with support plates, leading to fluid leakage and potential hazards, such as exposure to leaked fluids and electronic component shorts.
Innovation Solution
A buffer system is used to support and elevate fluid-transporting pipes, utilizing a low-friction material and rollers to reduce contact with support plates, accompanied by an acoustic sensor to monitor roller wear and alert for timely replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the pipe is directly supported on the support plate, then the support structure is simple, but the pipe experiences friction-induced wear and breakage
Solution Approach 1:
A buffer made of low-friction material is introduced as an intermediary between the pipe and the support plate. This buffer reduces the coefficient of friction at the contact interface, thereby minimizing friction-induced wear on the pipe while maintaining the simplicity of the overall support structure. The buffer acts as a mediator that protects the pipe from direct high-friction contact with the support plate.
2Reliability
If the buffer material has low friction coefficient, then the pipe wear is reduced, but the buffer itself may experience wear and require replacement
Solution Approach 1:
Mechanical rollers are incorporated into the buffer structure to replace direct sliding friction with rolling friction. The rollers rotate as the pipe moves or vibrates, significantly reducing the frictional wear on both the pipe and the buffer. This mechanical substitution transforms the friction mechanism from sliding to rolling, thereby extending the service life of the buffer while maintaining effective pipe protection.
3Loss of time
If acoustic monitoring is added to detect roller wear, then maintenance timing is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
An acoustic sensor is implemented to provide feedback on the wear condition of the rollers. The sensor detects acoustic emissions generated by the rollers during operation, which change characteristically as wear progresses. This feedback mechanism enables condition-based maintenance, allowing the system to operate optimally until rollers actually wear, at which point maintenance can be scheduled. The feedback loop reduces unnecessary maintenance while preventing failures, thereby minimizing downtime.
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 buffer system prolongs the lifespan of pipes and cables by minimizing friction-induced wear, reducing downtime and safety risks in semiconductor processing.
Implementation Method 1
one or more rollers on the second side of the base, adapted to reduce the friction between the buffer and a support plate over which the buffer is placed
Implementation Method 2
The buffer includes a material having a coefficient of friction lower than the coefficient of friction of the surface material of the support plate
Data Source
AI summary
A buffer for holding a pipe adapted to transport a fluid includes a base. The buffer further includes a plurality of fingers extending outwardly from a first side of the base, wherein a first finger of the plurality of fingers and a second finger of the plurality of fingers define a cavity for receiving the pipe, the first finger extends outwardly from a first end of the base, and the second finger extends outwardly from a central portion of the base, and a third finger of plurality of fingers extends outwardly from a second end of the base opposite the first end, wherein the second finger is between the first finger and the third finger. The buffer further includes at least one roller on a second side of the base opposite the first side.