Weatherproof Pipe Support Pad for Uneven Ground Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional wooden block systems for supporting large iron pipes are prone to breakdown under adverse weather conditions and land erosion, and they deteriorate quickly in humid environments, failing to provide durable and impermeable solutions for pipe support.
Innovation Solution
An iron pad with a polyethylene closed cell composition foam support platform and a polymer spray-on coat, featuring V-shaped channels and a central orifice, which is customizable and resistant to mechanical vibrations, liquids, and environmental hazards, ensuring stability and durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wooden blocks are used to support iron pipes, then the pipes can be kept off the ground, but the support system breaks down easily under adverse weather conditions and deteriorates quickly in humid environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameters from organic (wood) to inorganic (concrete), fundamentally altering the chemical composition and physical properties to resist degradation from weather and humidity, thereby resolving the durability contradiction
Solution Approach 2:
The support pad uses composite construction combining concrete base material with polymer coating layers, creating a multi-material system that leverages the compressive strength of concrete and the protective properties of polymers to achieve superior weather resistance
2Ease of manufacture
If wooden blocks are used to support pipes, then assembly is simple, but the system requires frequent replacement and maintenance due to deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts this principle by creating an expensive but long-lasting object - the concrete support pad with polymer coating is more costly upfront but eliminates the need for frequent replacement, achieving economic efficiency through extended service life rather than through disposability
Solution Approach 2:
Changing from wood to concrete fundamentally alters the service life parameter, transforming a short-lived support system into a permanent or semi-permanent installation that requires minimal maintenance over decades
3Reliability
If traditional support methods are used, then basic support is provided, but liquid leakage occurs and structural integrity is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies flexible polymer coating films (epoxy and polyurethane) over the rigid concrete surface, creating a seamless impermeable barrier that prevents liquid penetration while maintaining structural integrity, directly addressing the leakage problem
4Ease of operation
If wooden blocks are used for pipe support, then the system can be quickly assembled, but it provides poor stability on uneven surfaces and soft soil
Solution Approach 1:
The concrete support pad is pre-formed with integrated structural features including recesses for pipe positioning and drainage capabilities, allowing the single component to self-adjust and stabilize on uneven surfaces without requiring additional assembly steps or components
Data Source
AI summary
A pipe-support device is used to retain a pipe in a desired position and orientation. The pipe-support device has a baseplate, a support platform, a set of channels, and a weatherproof coating. The support platform is attached to the baseplate and function as a force distribution system that transfers the weight of the pipe into the baseplate. The channels traverse into a support surface of the support platform. Thus, creating trenches within which the pipe rests. The support platform is constructed from a semirigid material that facilitates retaining the pipe in a desired position. The weatherproof coating is an impermeable liner that isolates the support platform and the baseplate from hazards in the external environment. Thereby, providing a robust device designed to resist damage due to external environmental factors.