Pipe Support Structure With Heat-Capacity-Graded Plate

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pipe supporting structures experience damage due to thermal stress caused by temperature differences between the pipe and attached plate-like members, leading to deformation and peeling.

Innovation Solution

A pipe supporting structure design that includes a plate-like member with an inner side portion having a lower heat capacity per unit volume than the supported portion, combined with a tube-like member and a base, to minimize thermal deformation and stress.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a plate-like member is fixed to the outside surface of the pipe by welding, then the supporting structure can be simplified, but temperature difference between the pipe and plate-like member causes thermal stress leading to damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupporting structure complexityVSAvoidresistance to thermal stress damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The plate-like member is designed with non-uniform thickness, where the first region (contacting the pipe) has a larger thickness than the second region. This local quality variation creates different heat capacities in different regions, allowing the thicker first region to absorb temperature differences and reduce thermal stress at the welding interface, while the thinner second region maintains structural efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of manufacture

If the plate-like member has uniform thickness, then manufacturing is simplified, but thermal stress causes peeling and damage to the supporting structure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplate-like member manufacturingVSAvoidthermal stress and deformation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The plate-like member incorporates a thickness gradient where the first region has a larger thickness than the second region. This local variation in geometric quality allows the structure to better manage thermal stress by providing thermal mass where needed (at the pipe interface) while maintaining ease of manufacture through standard forming processes that can create gradual thickness transitions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the geometric parameter of the plate-like member by varying its thickness across different regions. This parameter change (from uniform to non-uniform thickness) fundamentally alters the thermal behavior and stress distribution, enabling the structure to withstand temperature differences without peeling or damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Strength

If a reinforcing plate is provided between the structure and support, then structural strength is improved, but the number of processing steps increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupporting structure strengthVSAvoidnumber of processing steps

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the reinforcing plate function directly into the plate-like member by making the first region of the plate-like member thicker. This integration eliminates the need for a separate reinforcing plate component, reducing the number of parts and processing steps while maintaining or improving the supporting structure strength through the optimized thickness distribution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The plate-like member is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides structural support, serves as a mounting surface for the tube-like member, and acts as a thermal buffer through its varied thickness. The first region's larger thickness simultaneously provides reinforcement and thermal mass, making the single component universal and eliminating the need for separate reinforcing elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 design effectively suppresses thermal deformation and stress, preventing damage to the supporting structure by managing temperature differences between the pipe and the plate-like member.

Implementation Method 1

the inner side portion has a smaller heat capacity per unit volume than the supported portion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat capacity:

Data Source

PatentUS12435817B2Pipe supporting structure

Publication Date: 2025.10.07 MITSUBISHI HEAVY IND LTD

AI summary

A pipe supporting structure includes: a plate-like member being into contact with an outside surface of a pipe; a tube-like member having a tubular shape and configured to support the plate-like member; and a base configured to support the tube-like member, wherein the plate-like member includes a supported portion supported by the tube-like member and an inner side portion surrounded by the supported portion, and the inner side portion has a smaller heat capacity per unit volume than the supported portion.