Pipe Support Mount With Radial Bellows for Noise Attenuation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing noise attenuation devices fail to effectively reduce high-frequency noise from pressurized fluids or gases in harsh environmental conditions, such as high temperatures and pressures, while maintaining structural integrity and providing an effective seal.

Innovation Solution

A noise attenuation arrangement comprising a mount with radially extending bellows around a pipe, featuring an undulating surface profile and a resilient material, such as silicone rubber, to create a sealed volume that dampens vibrations and noise through strained layer damping, with the resilient material bonded to the bellows and contacting the pipe and mount.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If rubber materials are used for noise attenuation, then high frequency noise can be reduced, but the device cannot withstand high temperatures and pressures in harsh environmental conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenoise transmissionVSAvoidstructural integrity under high temperature and pressure
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary resilient material (such as rubber or elastomer) between the pipe and the support structure. This resilient material acts as a mediator that absorbs vibrations and reduces noise transmission while being contained within a protective housing that shields it from direct exposure to harsh environmental conditions, thereby maintaining both noise attenuation performance and structural integrity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The resilient noise attenuation material is nested within a protective housing or casing structure. The resilient material is positioned inside the housing, which protects it from direct contact with high temperature and pressure environments, allowing the rubber material to function effectively for noise reduction without compromising its structural integrity under harsh conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a resilient material is provided in the volume between bellows, mount and pipe, then noise attenuation is enhanced through deformation, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenoise transmissionVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs flexible bellows components made of corrugated metal or flexible material that can deform axially and radially. These flexible shells provide the necessary compliance to accommodate pipe movements and thermal expansion while maintaining a sealed environment for the resilient material, achieving noise attenuation without requiring complex rigid structures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The arrangement incorporates dynamic elements including flexible bellows that can expand and contract, and resilient material that deforms in response to vibrations. This dynamic design allows the system to adapt to varying operational conditions, thermal expansion, and shock movements, providing effective noise attenuation across different states without requiring multiple static components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 arrangement effectively reduces noise transmission by utilizing the resilient material's deformation into the undulating surface, enhancing noise attenuation and structural integrity, while withstanding harsh conditions and accommodating thermal and shock movements.

Implementation Method 1

A resilient material is provided in the volume defined by the bellows, mount and pipe, and contacts each of the bellows, mount and pipe... utilizing the resilient material's deformation into the undulating surface, enhancing noise attenuation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectStrained layer damping: Damping

Implementation Method 2

The resilient member may comprise and/or consist of rubber (natural or synthetic), for example silicone rubber... accommodating thermal and shock movements

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3203134B1An arrangement for adjoining a support structure to a pipe
Publication Date: 2020.04.22 ROLLS ROYCE POWER ENG PLC
  • EP3203134B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

An arrangement for use in adjoining a support structure (12) to a pipe (14) that passes through the support structure (12). The arrangement comprises a mount (20) attachable to the support structure (12). Radial bellows (22) are connected to the mount (20). The bellows (22) are arranged in use to extend circumferentially around a pipe (14) and be connectable thereto such that a volume is defined by the bellows (22), mount (20) and pipe (14).