NL2010478C2

NL2010478C2 - Support channel for a pipe.

Info

Publication number: NL2010478C2
Application number: NL2010478A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Frank Nijdam; Marek Juzak
Original assignee: Walraven Holding Bv J Van
Priority date: 2013-03-19
Filing date: 2013-03-19
Publication date: 2014-09-24

Description

Title: Support channel for a pipe

The present invention relates to a support channel for a pipe. The support channel has an elongate form with an arched channel wall in cross section.

Such a support channel is known made of metal. Such channels are used on plastic pipes as a reinforcement. Plastic pipes tend to sag if they are not supported at short intervals, especially if the medium that is transported through the plastic pipe is warm. The metal channels support the pipe from the underside and prevent the undesired deformation of the pipes. As a result, pipe clips to suspend the pipe can be arranged at larger intervals. Also, a metal channel will provide additional safety in case of fire. In general the outer diameter of the pipe corresponds substantially to the inner diameter of the channel.

It was found that a problem that occurs with these channels is that through condensation of room air a fluid film arises between the inner surface of the channel and the outer surface of the pipe. This fluid film becomes permanent and deteriorates the quality of the plastic pipe and will lead to haircracks in the pipe and eventually to failure of the pipe.

The present invention has for an object to overcome this problem.

This object is achieved by a support channel as described at the outset, wherein spacer elements are arranged on the inner surface of the channel.

The spacer elements inhibit a surface contact between the pipe outer surface and the channel inner surface and prevent that a fluid film can build up between them.

In a preferred embodiment the channel is made of metal. Preferably it may made of thin metal of about 0,8 mm thickness. The length of the channel pieces can be 2-3 m.

The spacer elements are preferably non-metallic, in particular a plastic material or an elastomer material is preferred.

The spacer elements may be formed as strips. The strips can be arranged on the inner side of the channel in tangential direction, in longitudinal direction, ora combination thereof (spiral shape).

Alternatively, the spacer elements can also be formed as spacer blocks.

A configuration in which spacer strips and spacer blocks are used is also conceivable.

The spacer elements may be attached to the inner side of the channel in several ways. One option is to adhere the spacer elements to the inner surface of the channel e.g. by means of an adhesive. The plastic or elastomer could for example also be extruded as a strip directly on the inner surface of the channel body.

Another possible embodiment has openings provided in the channel and the spacer elements have one or more attachment members which are received in said openings so as to connect the spacer elements to the channel body.

Preferably the spacer elements have an outer engagement member that engages on the outer surface of the channel body, and a bridge member extending through the opening in the channel member that is interconnected with the outer engagement member and the spacer element.

Preferably, the attachment members are substantially mushroom shaped protrusions with a head and a stem, which protrusions are inserted through the openings, such that the head of the mushroom shape engages the outer side of the channel body and forms the outer engagement member and the stem forms the bridge member.

In another embodiment the spacer element is formed as a strip and the outer engagement member is a strip that extends in the same direction as the strip-shaped spacer element, wherein, preferably, the strip-shaped spacer element and the strip shaped outer engagement member are extruded on the inner side and outer side of the channel body respectively, wherein the bridge members are formed by extruded melt that has flown into the openings in the channel body during extrusion.

In a particular practical embodiment the arch of the channel body extends over more than 180°. As the arch extends over more than 180° the channel body can be snapped on the plastic pipe.

Alternatively, the invention can be defined as follows: a support channel for a pipe, comprising a channel body having an elongate form with an open top, wherein spacer elements are arranged on the inner surface of the channel body.

The invention also relates to a method to manufacture a support channel as described in the above.

The invention will be elucidated in the following detailed description, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a cross section of a pipe with a support channel clamped on its underside,

Fig. 2 shows in a view in perspective a first embodiment of a support channel according to the invention,

Fig. 3 shows in a view in perspective a second embodiment of a support channel according to the invention,

Fig. 4 shows in a view in perspective a third embodiment of a support channel according to the invention,

Fig. 5 shows in a view in perspective a fourth embodiment of a support channel according to the invention, and

Figs. 6-8 show in a view in perspective a fifth embodiment of a support channel according to the invention.

The invention relates to a support channel for a pipe, comprising a channel body having an elongate form with an open top. In particular the invention relates to a support channel for a plastic pipe. In the Figs 2-8 are shown different embodiments of such a support channel.

The support channel has a metal channel body 1, possibly sheet metal with a thickness of about for example 0,8 mm. The length of a channel may vary, but can for example be up to 3 m in length. The channel body 1 is shaped as a hollow cylinder sectioned over the longitudinal direction. In this specific embodiment the arch of the channel wall seen in cross section extends over more than 180°. In this specific embodiment the outer diameter of a pipe 2 that the channel body 1 can be used on and the inner diameter of the channel body 1 are adapted to each other such that the channel body 1 can be clicked on the pipe 2 as is illustrated in Fig. 1. It must be noted however, that for the invention it is not necessary that the channel body can be snapped on the pipe. It is just as well possible to have a channel body with an arch less than 180°. If the fitter wants to fix the pipe to the support channel in such an embodiment (i.e. an embodiment in which the channel body is not clamped on the pipe), he may use for example wire, tie raps, tape or other suitable means as fixing means

In Fig. 2 is shown a first embodiment of a support channel. This support channel has spacer strips 3 (in this example four) of plastic or an elastomeric material such as rubber arranged on the inner side of the channel body 1. The spacer strips 3 extend in the longitudinal direction of the channel body 1. The strips 3 function as spacer elements to space apart the outer surface of the pipe and the inner surface of the channel body 1. This to mitigate the problem of moist film forming between the mentioned surfaces.

In the specific embodiment shown in Fig. 2, two of the spacer strips 3 are arranged at the upper edges of the metal channel body 1.

The channel body 1 is provided with openings 4 as can be seen in Fig. 3. The openings provides a means to attach the spacer strips 3 to the channel body 1. In a possible embodiment the material of the spacer strips 3 is extruded on the metal sheet material of the channel body 1. If also on the other side of the metal sheet material a thin layer of plastic 5 (see Fig. 2) or elastomer is extruded at the same time, a material bridge will be formed through the openings 4. Thereby a reliable mechanical retaining structure for the strips 3 is provided.

It is conceivable to extrude the strip material on the channel body 1 whilst it is already formed as a channel. However it is also conceivable to extrude the spacer strips 3 on a flat metal sheet provided with the holes 4 and after forming of the spacer strips 3 bend the flat sheet into a channel form as shown.

The channel body also has lines of elongate openings 6 in them. These openings 6 provide some ventilation when a pipe is arranged in the channel, thereby mitigating the problem of moist residing on the pipe outer surface which can lead to a degrading of the pipe material.

In Fig. 3 is shown an embodiment of a support channel wherein pieces of spacer strip 13 extend diagonally with respect to the longitudinal axis of the channel body 1. Thus the spacer strips 13 extend in both the transverse and the longitudinal direction. In this embodiment the spacer strips 13 are not attached in the openings 4, but may for example be adhered to the inner surface of the channel body 1. Although not shown here it is however also conceivable to provide the spacer strips 13 on the back side with protrusions that can be inserted in the openings 4 to attach the spacer strips 13 to the channel body 1.

In Fig. 5 is shown an embodiment of a support channel wherein several spacer blocks 7 are distributed over the inner surface of the channel body. This channel body 1 has openings distributed over its surface. The spacer blocks have a boss 8 or another attachment protrusion for example shaped as a mushroom that can be inserted through the openings to attach them to the channel body 1.

In Fig. 4 is shown an embodiment of a support channel in which spacer strips 23 are arranged in a transverse direction of the channel body 1. In this specific embodiment the spacer strips 23 are at their respective ends provided with a gripping arrangement 9 that grips over the edge 10 of the channel body 1.

Yet another embodiment of the support channel is illustrated in Figs 6-8. In this embodiment loose spacer strips 33 shaped as ring segments are arranged in the metal channel body 1. The ring segments 33 extend over a longer arch than the channel body does. Preferably the ring segments extend over an arch of more than 200°. After the ring segments are placed in the channel body 1 a pipe 2 can be arranged in the ring segments 33 as is shown in Fig 8.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A support channel for a pipe, comprising a channel body with an elongated shape with a channel wall bent in cross-section, wherein spacer elements are arranged on the inner surface of the channel body.

2. Support channel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the channel body is made of metal.

3. Carrying channel according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the spacer elements are made of a non-metallic material.

4. Carrying channel according to claim 3, wherein the spacer elements are made from a plastic material or from an elastomer.

5. Carrying channel as claimed in any of the claims 1-4, wherein the spacer elements are formed as strips.

6. Carrying channel as claimed in any of the claims 1-4, wherein the spacer elements are formed as blocks.

7. Carrying channel as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the channel body is provided with openings and the spacer elements are provided with one or more fixing members which are included in said openings to connect the spacer elements to the channel body.

8. Carrying channel as claimed in claim 7, wherein the spacer elements have an outer engaging member which engages the outer surface of the channel body, and a channel body extending through the opening in the channel body and which is connected to the outer engaging member and the spacer element.

9. Carrying channel according to claim 8, wherein the fixing members are essentially mushroom-shaped protrusions with a head and a stem, which protrusions are inserted through the openings so that the head of the mushroom shape engages the outside of the channel body and forms the outer engaging member and handle forms the bridge member.

The support channel of claim 8, wherein the spacer element is shaped as a strip and the outer engagement member is a strip that extends in the same direction as the strip-shaped spacer element.

The support channel of claim 10, wherein the strip-shaped spacer element and the strip-shaped outer engaging member are extruded on the inside and outside of the channel body, respectively, the bridge members being formed by an extruded melt that has flowed into the openings in the channel body during extrusion .

A support channel according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the spacer elements are adhered to the inner surface of the channel, for example by an adhesive.

A method for manufacturing a support channel according to any of claims 1-12.