Riser Clamp Isolation Element With Reinforced Vibration Support

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional riser clamps transfer vibrations to the floor and surrounding structures due to inadequate vibration isolation, and existing solutions like loose pads can be mispositioned, leading to reduced effectiveness and potential deformation or failure under high loads.

Innovation Solution

A riser clamp with an isolation element featuring a pad portion and an upstanding portion made of vibration isolating material, combined with a reinforcing profile of stiffer material, such as metal, that distributes loads over a larger area and provides additional bending resistance, preventing excessive compression and deformation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a loose vibration isolating pad is placed below the clamp to reduce vibration transfer, then vibration isolation is improved, but the pad can be mispositioned during installation, reducing its effectiveness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevibration transferVSAvoidisolation effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The vibration isolating pad is merged with the clamp structure by providing it as an integrated component that extends along the clamp flange. The pad is attachable to the clamp flange, ensuring it remains in the correct position during installation and operation, eliminating the mispositioning problem of loose pads while maintaining vibration isolation effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The vibration isolating pad is pre-positioned and attachable to the clamp flange before the clamp is installed on the riser pipe. This preliminary attachment ensures the pad is correctly positioned from the start, preventing mispositioning during the tightening and rotation process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If the clamp flange length is short due to large passage hole diameter, then installation is easier, but the load on the clamp flange becomes too high, leading to deformation or failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation adaptabilityVSAvoidclamp flange load capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The reinforcing profile extends in the longitudinal direction along the clamp flange, adding structural support in this dimension. This extension compensates for the short flange length by distributing loads over a longer distance, preventing excessive stress concentration while maintaining installation adaptability for large passage holes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Force

If high compressive stress is applied to the clamp to secure the riser, then the riser is retained in place, but the vibration isolating material experiences excessive compression, reducing isolation function

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclamping forceVSAvoidvibration isolation

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The isolation element combines a resilient vibration isolating material with a stiffer reinforcing profile made of different material. The composite structure allows the resilient material to provide vibration isolation while the stiffer reinforcing profile bears the high compressive loads, preventing excessive compression of the isolating material and maintaining isolation effectiveness under high clamping forces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 isolates vibrations, prevents deformation, and maintains the riser clamp's stability by distributing loads and enhancing bending resistance, ensuring effective vibration isolation and secure clamp operation.

Implementation Method 1

a pad portion, which pad portion, in use, is located below the corresponding clamp flange for resiliently supporting it

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration isolation: Damping

Implementation Method 2

resiliently supporting it

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectResilient support: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS11193620B2Riser clamp with a vibration isolation element

Publication Date: 2021.12.07 J VAN WALRAVEN HLDG BV

AI summary

An isolation element for a riser clamp has two opposed clamp halves made of metal strip. Each of said clamp halves has a semi-circular section placed opposite each other against a riser pipe extending through a passage hole in a floor. The clamp halves have at the ends of its semi-circular section outwardly extending clamp flanges to be tightened towards the corresponding opposing clamp flanges of the other clamp half. The riser clamp is in use supported from beneath by a support structure. The isolation element includes a profile of vibration isolating material including a pad portion, which pad portion in use is located below the corresponding clamp flange for resiliently supporting it, and further including at least one upstanding portion extending along the corresponding clamp flange, wherein said upstanding portion is attachable to the corresponding clamp flange.