Pipe Support Film Compression Zone for Vapor Barrier Integrity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe supports suffer from undesired bulging and detachment of the vapor barrier film due to compression by the pipe clamp, leading to steam leaks and compromised thermal insulation, which can result in corrosion.
Innovation Solution
A pipe support design featuring a compression zone in the film that allows for localized absorption of compressive forces, with a sealing strip having higher water vapor diffusion resistance than the support segment, positioned between the support segment and the compression zone, to prevent film detachment and maintain vapor tightness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the pipe clamp compresses the insulating body to secure the pipe support, then the thermal insulation reliability is improved, but the film forming the vapor barrier detaches and bulges causing steam leaks
Solution Approach 1:
The insulating body is divided into two separable hollow cylinder halves that can be assembled around the pipe, allowing the vapor barrier film to be continuously formed across the joint without interruption, thus preventing steam leaks while maintaining compression integrity
Solution Approach 2:
A vapor barrier film is introduced as an intermediary layer between the insulating body and the external environment, which is continuously formed across the joint of the two halves and secured by the compression zone, preventing steam penetration while allowing mechanical compression
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the film is made continuous to prevent steam leaks, then the vapor barrier effectiveness is improved, but the film cannot accommodate compression and detaches under pipe clamp force
Solution Approach 1:
The film is designed with different local properties: a continuous vapor barrier section for preventing steam leaks and a separate compression zone with reduced film structure for accommodating mechanical compression, allowing both functions to coexist without compromise
Solution Approach 2:
The film structure is segmented into a continuous vapor barrier portion and a discontinuous compression zone portion, where the compression zone has openings or reduced material to allow elastic deformation under pipe clamp compression while the vapor barrier portion remains intact for steam prevention
3Reliability
If the hollow cylinder halves are assembled with tight fit to ensure insulation, then the thermal insulation performance is improved, but the assembly complexity and handling difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The insulating body is segmented into two halves that can be easily assembled around the pipe in a step-by-step manner, reducing handling difficulty while maintaining tight fit and insulation performance through the hinge connection and compression zone design
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 prevents film detachment and steam leaks, ensuring reliable thermal insulation and preventing corrosion, while maintaining good handling properties and low production costs.
Implementation Method 1
at least one compression zone is formed in the film, in particular for accommodating a reduction in the circumference of the insulating body
Implementation Method 2
the film forming a vapor barrier... which forms a hinge between the two segments... allows the film to be shortened with little or no stress
Implementation Method 3
the material of the sealing strip has a higher water vapor diffusion resistance than the material of the support segment... intended to prevent water vapor from penetrating into the insulating casing
Implementation Method 4
a pipe support for supporting a pipe in a pipe clamp in a thermally insulated manner... ensuring reliable thermal insulation
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~15
AI summary
The invention relates to a pipe bracket for thermally-insulated support of a pipe in a pipe clamp (99), having an insulating body (2) which comprises at least one foam material and in which a one passage (9) is formed for the pipe, wherein the insulating body (2) consists of a first segment (10) and a second segment (20), and comprising a film (30) forming a vapor barrier which is arranged on both the segments (10, 20) and which surrounds the two segments (10, 20) at least in some areas, and which forms a hinge (8) between the two segments (10, 20). According to the invention, at least one compression zone (51) is formed in the film (30).