Segmented Pipe Support Assembly for Misalignment and Vibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pipe support systems face challenges in ensuring proper clamping of pipes that are not centralised, leading to deviation from a straight line path, stress, vibration, and premature failure, which can result in costly and environmentally unacceptable losses, especially in large industrial installations.
Innovation Solution
A pipe support assembly featuring a body with clamp arms and a spacer system, where the spacer is segmented with tapered arcuate profiles to accommodate misalignment, ensuring proper positioning and reduced stress on the pipe by spacing the clamp arms from the pipe, and optionally using a temporary support device for adjustment and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If clamp arms directly clamp the pipe without a spacer, then the clamping force is maximized, but the pipe experiences stress, deviation from straight line path, and vibration
Solution Approach 1:
A spacer is introduced as an intermediary element between the clamp arms and the pipe. The spacer distributes the clamping force uniformly across the pipe surface, preventing stress concentration and deviation while maintaining secure clamping. The spacer acts as a mediator that transforms the concentrated force from the clamp arms into a distributed force on the pipe.
2Ease of operation
If the pipe is not centralised within the clamp device, then installation is simpler, but the pipe deviates from a straight line path and experiences stress
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer is pre-formed with a specific geometry that corresponds to the desired centralised position of the pipe within the clamp device. By installing the spacer first, the correct alignment position is established in advance, guiding the pipe into proper centralisation during installation without requiring complex adjustment procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The spacer transforms the alignment parameters by providing a physical reference surface that defines the correct position of the pipe relative to the clamp arms. The geometry of the spacer converts the abstract concept of 'centralised position' into a tangible dimensional parameter that can be easily achieved during installation.
3Device complexity
If a single solid spacer is used, then the structure is simple, but the spacer cannot accommodate misalignment and pipe configuration variations
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer is divided into multiple segments or blocks that can be individually positioned and adjusted. This segmentation allows each segment to accommodate local variations in pipe position and orientation, providing adaptability to misalignment while maintaining overall structural integrity. The modular segments can be arranged to match the specific pipe configuration.
4Productivity
If the clamp device is pre-installed on the structure, then the installation process is simplified, but the pipe cannot be properly centralised leading to stress and vibration
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer is pre-installed in the clamp device before the pipe is positioned. This preliminary action establishes the correct centralised position and alignment parameters in advance, so that when the pipe is subsequently installed, it automatically assumes the correct position without requiring complex adjustment procedures, thereby maintaining high installation productivity while ensuring reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A pipe support assembly comprising: a body having a clamp device adapted to clamp the pipe within an aperture in the body, having first and second clamp arms and a fastening mechanism; a spacer adapted to be received within the aperture in the body having an inner face adapted to engage the pipe and an outer face adapted to engage at least one of the first and second clamp arms, to space at least one of the first and second clamp arms from the pipe. The spacer comprises at least two segments and the aperture is non-circular. Each spacer segment has a first circumferential end and a second circumferential end, and in at least two spacer segments in the spacer, the first circumferential end has a larger radial dimension than the second circumferential end. At least two spacer segments have a tapered arcuate profile between the first and second circumferential ends.