Pipe Gripping Clamp With Sliding Blocks for Uniform Axial Blocking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gripping devices for axisymmetric bodies under axial stresses face challenges with large dimensions and deterioration of the pipe's external sheath due to high radial and tangential loads, necessitating a solution to maximize friction coefficient and minimize clamp size while ensuring uniform load distribution.
Innovation Solution
A gripping device with radially arranged gripping members featuring toothed sliding blocks, hinged coupling means, and antifriction materials, which distribute axial loads uniformly through tabs and abutment elements, maximizing contact area and minimizing radial dimensions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high radial loads are applied to maximize friction coefficient, then axial blocking capability is improved, but clamp dimensions increase and pipe sheath deterioration worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping device is divided into multiple gripping members arranged circumferentially, each independently applying radial load through sliding blocks. This segmentation distributes the total radial load across multiple contact points, reducing the stress concentration on any single point of the pipe sheath while maintaining the overall friction force needed for axial blocking.
Solution Approach 2:
Antifriction materials are applied specifically at the contact interfaces between sliding blocks and pipe sheath, and between gripping members and pipe surface. This localized application of low-friction materials reduces the radial load required to achieve the necessary friction force, thereby reducing pipe sheath deterioration while maintaining axial blocking capability.
2Reliability
If high radial loads are applied to maximize friction coefficient, then axial blocking capability is improved, but clamp radial dimensions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping members are designed with hinged coupling means that allow dynamic adjustment of the radial load application. This enables the clamp to adapt to variations in pipe diameter and surface conditions, optimizing the friction force generation without requiring excessive radial dimensions. The dynamic configuration allows the same clamp size to effectively handle a range of pipe specifications.
3Reliability
If radial loads are applied through conventional gripping members, then axial blocking is achieved, but load distribution uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping device employs multiple gripping members distributed uniformly around the pipe circumference, with sliding blocks positioned at different axial locations. This segmentation ensures that radial loads are applied at multiple discrete points, creating a uniform load distribution pattern that prevents localized stress concentrations and ensures stable axial blocking.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinged coupling means merge the rotational and radial motion components into a unified mechanism. This allows the gripping members to simultaneously adjust their angular position and radial force application, ensuring that loads are distributed uniformly across all gripping members while maintaining effective axial blocking capability.
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 reduces the radial dimensions of the clamps, minimizes the deterioration of the pipe's external sheath, and ensures uniform load distribution, enhancing the clamp's ability to withstand axial stresses without causing interference between sliding blocks.
Implementation Method 1
The axial force resulting from these radial actions (forces) is proportional to the friction coefficient that is generated in use between the sliding blocks of the gripping device and the sheath that externally covers the pipe
Implementation Method 2
distribute axial loads uniformly through tabs and abutment elements, maximizing contact area
Data Source
AI summary
A clamp (1000) designed to axially block an axisymmetric body (CA) by applying radial actions (forces) and provided with a plurality of gripping devices (1) distributed concentrically around an axis (AX) and developed along a given direction (D) to apply radial actions (forces) centered on said central axis (AX); each device (1) comprising a support assembly (10) and a gripping assembly (20) coupled by means of a plate (22) that supports at least one holding unit (200) at the front; each holding unit (200) comprising at least one toothed sliding block (202) carried in a freely rotatable and axially fixed way and axial-hinge coupling members (30) arranged between the plate (22) and each sliding block (202) and distributed along the direction (D).