Recessed Saddle Pipe Support for Lightweight Pipeline Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe support methods are often not sturdy, heavy, costly, and difficult to store and transport, failing to effectively support pipelines during assembly and installation while preventing damage and ensuring easy access to joints.
Innovation Solution
A pipe support design featuring an upper support surface with a recessed saddle and angularly extending sidewalls forming a hollow interior, including an inner support member with a handle and drain openings, and reinforcing ribs for added strength and ease of stacking and transport.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If large and heavy wooden skids or large plastic support members are used to support pipes outside the trench, then the pipes can be supported off the ground during assembly and installation, but the support devices become heavy, costly, and difficult to store and transport
Solution Approach 1:
The support device is divided into multiple individual support members that can be used separately or combined, replacing the need for large heavy skids. Each support member is a lightweight yet sturdy structure that can be positioned independently under pipe sections, providing stable support without the weight and storage issues of traditional large support devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The support member utilizes a hollow interior structure with thin-walled construction that provides high strength-to-weight ratio. The hollow design allows the support to be lightweight for easy transport and storage while maintaining sufficient structural integrity to support pipe sections during installation.
2Reliability
If traditional support methods are used to hold pipes off the ground during assembly, then pipe and coating damage is prevented and access to joints is provided, but the devices are not sturdy and frequently fail
Solution Approach 1:
The support member is constructed from high-density polyethylene or similar composite materials that provide exceptional strength, durability, and resistance to environmental factors. This composite construction ensures the support is both sturdy and reliable, eliminating the frequent failures associated with traditional wooden or plastic support devices while maintaining the necessary strength to prevent pipe and coating damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The hollow interior structure of the support member acts as a cushioning element that absorbs shocks and distributes loads evenly. This pre-engineered cushioning capability protects against sudden failures and provides consistent reliable support throughout the pipe assembly and installation process.
3Ease of operation
If existing support devices are used to support pipelines during installation, then the pipes can be accessed and joined, but the devices are costly and difficult to store and transport
Solution Approach 1:
The support system consists of multiple identical, simple support members that can be easily stored and transported individually or in small groups. This segmented approach replaces complex large-scale support devices, making storage and transport straightforward while maintaining full accessibility for pipe assembly and joint work through proper positioning of the individual support members.
Solution Approach 2:
Each support member is designed as a universal component that can be used in various positions and configurations during pipe assembly and installation. The standardized design allows the same simple structure to serve multiple functions, reducing the need for specialized equipment and simplifying both storage and transport operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A pipe support for supporting a pipe section above a ground surface, the pipe support including an upper support surface and at least one sidewall extending from the upper support surface to a base member. The upper support surface and the at least one sidewall form a hollow interior. The pipe support further includes a saddle formed in the upper support surface, the saddle recessed within the support surface to support a pipe therein. The saddle includes a first end and an opposed second end such that at least one of the first end or the second end angularly extends toward the base member.