Suspended Cable Pipe Mounting for Thermal Expansion and Permafrost
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pipeline mounting systems are costly due to the need for high horizontal tensile strength, restrict movement, and cause heat transfer that destabilizes permafrost and increases pipe stress, leading to potential failure.
Innovation Solution
A suspended composite pipeline and cable design with reduced mounting points, allowing for lateral and vertical movement of the pipe, and using coated galvanized steel cables with pulleys to support the pipe at elevated heights, reducing the number of mounts and heat transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional rigid mounting structures are used, then the pipe is securely supported, but the number of mounting points increases and heat transfer to permafrost occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the support function from the pipe itself and transfers it to an independent cable system. The cable is suspended between mounting points and supports the pipe through hangers, eliminating the need for frequent rigid mounting structures along the pipe length. This reduces heat transfer to permafrost while maintaining support stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable acts as an intermediary element between the mounting points and the pipe. Instead of directly mounting the pipe to numerous support structures, the cable system mediates the support function, allowing fewer mounting points while maintaining structural stability and reducing thermal contact with the ground.
2Strength
If the pipe is rigidly mounted, then structural support is provided, but thermal expansion and contraction cause stress on the pipe and mounting system
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic characteristics to the mounting system by allowing the pipe to move vertically within the hangers while maintaining horizontal support. The cable system can flex and the hangers can accommodate vertical displacement, enabling the pipe to expand and contract thermally without generating excessive stress on the mounting structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the support parameters from rigid fixed positions to flexible suspended positions. The cable tension and hanger alignment can adjust to accommodate thermal expansion and contraction, transforming the static rigid support into a dynamic system that adapts to temperature-induced dimensional changes.
3Strength
If pipe wall thickness is increased to compensate for thermal movement, then structural integrity is maintained, but the pipe becomes significantly heavier
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical solution of increasing pipe wall thickness with a system-level mechanical arrangement. Instead of making the pipe itself stronger to handle thermal stress, the cable and hanger system is designed to accommodate thermal movement, eliminating the need for heavier pipe walls while maintaining structural integrity.
4Ease of operation
If surface mounting is used, then the pipe is easily accessible, but movement of native animal life and machinery is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions the pipe from ground-level surface mounting to elevated suspension in the vertical dimension. By raising the pipe above the ground surface on suspended cables, the space beneath the pipe becomes accessible to native animal life and machinery while the pipe remains easily accessible for maintenance and operation from above or at elevated levels.
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
This solution reduces costs, weight, and heat loss, allows for thermal expansion, and decreases the horizontal tensile strength requirements of the pipe, while minimizing disruption to the environment and reducing the risk of pipe failure.
Implementation Method 1
allowing the pipe to expand and contract independent of cable during temperature changes
Implementation Method 2
reducing heat loss in pipe and heat transfer from pipe to permafrost through the improved insulation and elimination of direct structures
Implementation Method 3
through the improved insulation
Data Source
AI summary
A pipe mounting system comprising support cables is provided for use in mounting an above-ground elevated pipe or an underwater pipe. The pipe mounting system includes a suspended composite pipeline and a support cable. Multiple cable carriers are provided to carry the support cable along the length of the pipeline, and cradles or rings are provided that extend from the cable carriers and receive and support the pipeline.