GB1597731A

GB1597731A - Pipe supports

Info

Publication number: GB1597731A
Application number: GB286/77A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Salter A J; SALTER YD
Current assignee: Salter A J; SALTER YD
Priority date: 1977-01-06
Filing date: 1977-01-06
Publication date: 1981-09-09
Also published as: CA1115255A; AU514915B2; ZA777663B; AU3207377A

Description

(54) IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO PIPE SUPPORTS (71) We, ANTHONY JOHN SALTER and YVONNE DIANE SALTER, both British Subjects, trading as SALTER SUP PORT SYSTEMS, of Cherry Trees, The Ridgeway, Sedgley, Dudley, West Midlands, formerly of Deep Trees, Walkmill Drive, Wychbold, Droitwich, Worcestershire, and 36 Marlborough Road, Dudley, West Midlands DY3 lBS, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a Patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: This invention relates to pipe supports of the kind suitable for supporting pipes which are subject to movement in use caused, for example, by variations in temperature. Pipes for conveying steam are usually supported by such supports.

In general, pipe supports of the kind set forth operate with either a constant supporting spring force or a variable supporting spring force. The spring force in the former type of pipe support remains substantially constant for a range of movement of a pipe supported by the pipe support in use, whereas in the latter type the spring force varies according to the movement of the pipe. The present invention is applicable to both types of pipe support.

There are occasions when it is necessary or desirable to lock the spring means of a pipe support against movement. Such an occasion may be, for example, when the interior of a pipe supported by the pipe support is to be cleansed by passing cleansing fluid through it, or when an hydraulic test is to be carried out in which the pipe is filled with fluid under pressure. Locking the spring means prevents it from being subjected to excessive stresses under loads applied to the pipe support which may be outside the normal working range of the spring means.

In previously proposed pipe supports which have had provision for locking the spring means against movement, the spring means could be locked in one position only. Getting the spring means to the position for it to be locked can be a difficult operation, and furthermore the application of the locking means can involve some difficulty. Commonly a hole is provided in a piston of the pipe support and there is another hole in a body of the pipe support with which it has to be aligned, by linear and possibly also angular relative movement of the piston and body, to receive a key which locks the piston and body together, and thereby locks the spring means.

In addition to the aforementioned difficulties, the provision of the holes to receive the key, and of the key itself, requires precision in manufacture which complicates the manufacture.

The present invention consists in a pipe support comprising a body, compression spring means located in the body, and carrier means connected to the spring means and adapted to be engaged with a pipe to connect the pipe to the spring means to be supported thereby, and locking means acting between the spring means and the body operative to lock the spring means against movement relative to the body in any one of an infinite number of positions within the operating range of the longitudinal movement of the spring means, and thereby restrain the carrier from movement relative to the body.

As the spring means can be locked in an infinite number of positions within the operating range of its longitudinal movement the spring means can be more easily and quickly locked against movement than previously.

Thus the spring means may be locked in a desired cold load set position before the pipe support is installed for use, and when the pipe support is installed and the spring means has been released, the spring means may subsequently be locked in whatever longitudinal position of use it has been occupying. Therefore, movement of the spring means to another position before it can be locked is unnecessary and hence locking is considerably facilitated.

The spring means may have an associated component which is longitudinally movable with the spring means relative to a bolt, stud or like elongated externally threaded member fixed to the body of the pipe support and carrying nuts which can be moved between released positions in which they are spaced from the component and leave it free to move longitudinally relative to the threaded member, and locking positions in which they are tightened against the component to prevent it from moving relative to the threaded member, and thereby lock the spring means against longitudinal movement. The component may have parts which are diametrically opposed with respect to the longitudinal axis of movement of the spring means, and there may be two threaded members which are also located at diametrically opposite sides of the said longitudinal axis adjacent to the parts of the component and each carry nuts for tightening against the respective parts.

In an alternative arrangement a threaded member or members may be longitudinally movable with the spring means relative to a fixed part of the body and carry nuts which can be moved between released positions in which they are spaced from the fixed part and leave the threaded member free to move longitudinally relative to the fixed part and locking positions in which they are tightened against the fixed part to prevent the threaded member or members from moving relative to the fixed part, and so lock the spring means against longitudinal movement.

The carrier means may be constructed to support a pipe in suspension from the pipe support, or to support a pipe from beneath.

Preferably the body is able to accommo date the spring means in the free length state of the spring means. An advantage of this is that the spring means may be tested and calibrated when installed in the body and assembly of the pipe support has been completed, rather than before final assembly of the body as has always been necessary in known pipe supports.

There is described and claimed in Pat.

Apen. No. 25294/80 (Serial No. 1,597,732) divided from this Application.

A spring assembly adapted for use in the construction of a pipe support, comprising a compression spring engaging at its opposite ends respectively with first and second locating members of which one is adapted for fixture as a part of a body of a pipe support and the other is adapted to have carrier means of a pipe support connected to it for a pipe to be supported by the spring in use, an elongated externally threaded member which is fixed to the first locating member, extends lengthwise of the compression spring towards and beyond the second locating member and between which threaded member and the second locating member relative movement is possible longitudinally of the threaded member, and nuts threadedly engaged with the threaded member at opposite sides of the second locating member being movable on the threaded member between released positions in which they allow relative movement between the second locating member and the threaded member longitudinally of the threaded member and locking positions in which they are tightened against the opposite sides of the second locating member to prevent that member from moving longitudinally relative to the threaded member, thereby to locate the spring against longitudinal movement in any one of an infinite number of positions within the operating range of its longitudinal movement.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which : Figure 1 is a front view of a variable load pipe support in accordance with the invention for supporting a pipe in suspension; Figure 2 is a vertical section on line 2-2 of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a horizontal section on line 3-3 of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a vertical section through a second variable load pipe support for supporting a pipe from below; and Figure 5 is a fragmentary vertical section showing a modification to the pipe support of Figure 4.

In the embodiment illustrated by Figures 1 to 3 the variable load pipe support comprises a body 1, a piston 2 which is vertically movable in the body, a helical compression spring 3 in the body disposed with its longitudinal axis vertical, and a turnbuckle 4 suspended from the piston 2.

The body 1 is substantially rhomboidal, its longitudinal axis being vertical and coaxial with that of the spring 3 and the turnbuckle 4. The body comprises two opposed V-section, pressed metal, side wall members 5 which extend vertically between, and are welded to the peripheries of, two generally similar top and bottom plates 6 and 7 respectively. Each plate 6 and 7 is of rhomboidal shape with two laterally opposed projections 8 having banjo-shaped recesses 9 extending from their outer edges towards the central axis of the plate, the narrower portions of the recesses being adjacent the outer edges. The recesses 9 of the top plate are aligned with the respective recesses of the bottom plate. The side wall members 5 are disposed such that two similar vertically extending, opposed gaps 10 are left between them through which the projections 8 of the top and bottom plates protrude. The top plate 6 has a central plain-bore hole 11, and a nut 12 is welded to the upper surface of the plate co-axially with the hole to receive the lower end of a threaded sling rod 13 by which the pipe support may be suspended from a beam or other anchorage in use. Alternatively an apertured lug, or a pair of apeltured lugs, may be welded to the upper sur face of the top plate for fastening to a clevis, bracket or other attachment. Extending between the top and bottom plates are two externally threaded members 14 which are welded at their opposite ends in the aligned recesses 9 of the projections 8 of the two plates. The threaded members are threaded throughout their lengths and each carries two hexagonal nuts 15 between the plates.

The bottom plate 7 has a large concentric aperture 17 through which the turnbuckle 4 depends out of the body.

The rhomboidal form of body described and illustrated is preferred as it is relatively cheap and easy to manufacture. The body may take other forms if desired.

The piston 2 is a fiat metal plate of generally similar shape to the top and bottom plates of the body with laterally opposed projections 18 which protrude through the gaps 10 and have deep U-shaped recesses 19 extending inwardly from the outer edges of the projections. The threaded members 14 pass through the recesses 19 with clearance. The nuts on each threaded member are disposed one above and the other below the piston. When the nuts of each threaded member are screwed to the opposite ends of the member the piston is free to move vertically in the body, its movement being guided by the radial projections 18 in the gaps 10.

The extremities of the widest possible range of vertical movement of the piston are defined by the nuts in those positions. When the nuts are tightened against the piston, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, it is locked against movement in the body. It can be locked at any position between the extremities of the widest possible range of its vertical movement.

Spring 3 bears at its lower end on the bottom plate 7 and supports the piston at its upper end. Angularly spaced studs 20 welded to the bottom plate and piston engage inside the end coils of the spring and locate it co-axially in the body. It is possible to accommodate the spring in its free length state in the body if that should be required. An information plate 21 is secured to the side wall member 5 of the body by screws 22 and extends across one of the gaps 10. A centre vertical slot 23 of similar width to the gap extends down the information plate 21 from its top edge. At either side of the slot 23 there are scales 24 and 25 on the information plate calibrated to show the deflection of the spring under a range of loads applied to the spring in use by supported pipes when cold and hot respectively. Screws 26 are applied to the information plate 21 with their kerfs horizontal to mark specific settings on the scales, and two screws 27 are applied to the projection 18 of the piston adjacent to the two scales, again with their kerfs horizontal, to serve as indicators.

An upper threaded element 28 of the turnbuckle 4 passes through a plain central hole 29 in the piston and is rigidly secured above the piston to a nut 30 which retains the turnbuckle to the piston whilst permitting it to turn relative to the piston. The nut also serves as a fulcrum about which the turnbuckle can swing, the large aperture 17 in the bottom plate 7 providing ample room for the turnbuckle to be able to swing. The facility for the turnbuckle to swing is desirable to accommodate any misalignment when the pipe support is in use.

When the pipe support is in use, the load exerted on the piston by a pipe through the tumbuckle is taken by the spring and the vertical position of the piston varies according to the load applied.

It will be understood from the foregoing that the piston, and hence the spring, can be readily locked in a required cold load set position prior to installation of the pipe support for use, and when the support has been installed and the piston released to operate, the piston can also be readily locked in any vertical position it occupies in use whenever necessary, as for example for cleansing or hydraulic testing of the pipe supported by the pipe support in use.

An advantage of the foregoing construction from a manufacturing point of view, is that the spring 3 may be assembled with the bottom plate 7 and piston 2, and the spring may also be compressed in that partial assembly and held compressed, before the top plate 6 and remaining parts of the pipe support are added. For the partial assembly to be obtained the threaded members 14 are initially welded only to the projections 8 of the bottom plate. The partial assembly is effected in the following manner: the spring is located on the bottom plate; one of the nuts, if not already fitted, is applied to each threaded member; the piston is mounted on the spring and the second one of the nuts 15 is applied to each threaded member. The turnbuckle 4 may be connected to the piston before or after the piston is or has been mounted on the piston. A load may then be applied to the turnbuckle to cause the spring to be compressed and the nuts are tightened against the piston to retain the spring in the compressed state. The spring may be compressed to a required cold load position ready for use. The partial assembly may be left in that form until a complete pipe support is required, when the top plate is added and welded to the threaded members, the top plate having such fittings applied to it as are appropriate for the particular installation in which the pipe support is to be used.

The side wall members 5 of the body are welded to the top and bottom plate at this stage. It will be understood that a stock of partial assemblies may be built up from which complete pipe supports can be readily made up as required. Hence manufacture and supply can be facilitated.

In the second embodiment shown in Figure 4, parts which correspond to those in the first embodiment are indicated by the same reference numerals. The pipe support is constructed to support a pipe from below. To this end the turnbuckle is replaced by a screw 31 which is threadedly engaged with a nut 32 fixed to the underside of the piston, extends vertically upwardly through a plain central hole 33 in the piston and a large co-axial hole 34 in the top plate, and has a load plate 35 rotatably located on its upper end by means of a collar 36 at the underside of the load plate. A pipe to be supported in use rests on the load plate. A diametral hole 37 in the screw 31 can receive a tommy bar for turning the screw to adjust it, and hence the load plate 35, vertically relative to the piston. At its lower end the screw has a plain cylindrical portion 38 which slidingly engages in a central upstanding guide tube 39 welded to the bottom plate. The piston can be locked in any position in its range of vertical movement in the same way as before.

It will be appreciated that in this lastdescribed embodiment also partial assembly and pre-compression of the spring are possible.

The modification of the second embodiment shown in Figure 5 comprises the addition of a floating platform 40 which is mounted on the load plate 35 to provide the seating for a pipe and can be laterally adjusted relative to the load plate. The platform 40 has a skirt 41 which surrounds the periphery of the load plate leaving a substantial space between it and the load plate. Angularly spaced set screws 42 threadedly engaged with holes 43 in the skirt extend radially with respect to the longitudinal axis of the screw 31 and engage underneath the load plate. The set screws 42 retain the platform to the load plate and the lateral position of the platform on the load plate is adjusted by means of them. Ball bearings 44 in a cage 45 are interposed between the platform and the load plate and they allow the platform to move easily relative to the load plate when its lateral position is being adjusted whilst supporting a load.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:- 1. A pipe support comprising a body, compression spring means located in the body, and carrier means connected to the spring means and adapted to be engaged with a pipe to connect the pipe to the spring means to be supported thereby, and locking means acting between the spring means and the body operative to lock the spring means against movement relative to the body in any one of an infinite number of positions within the operating range of the longitudinal movement of the spring means, and thereby restrain the carrier from movement relative to the body.

2. A pipe support according to Claim 1 wherein the spring means has an associated component which is longitudinally movable with the spring means relative to an elongated externally threaded member fixed to the body and carrying nuts which can be moved between released positions in which they are spaced from the component and leave it free to move longitudinally relative to the threaded member, and locking positions in which they are tightened against the component to prevent it from moving relative to the threaded member, and thereby lock the spring means against longitudinal movement.

3. A pipe support according to Claim 2 wherein the component has parts which are diametrically opposed with respect to the longitudinal axis of movement of the spring means, and there are two elongated externally threaded members also at diametrically opposite sides of the longitudinal axis adjacent to the parts of the components each of which threaded members carries nuts for tightening against the respective parts.

4. A pipe support according to Claim 3 wherein the diametrically opposed parts of the component project out of the body through elongated gaps which extend in the direction of the longitudinal axis of operating movement of the spring means and guide the component in its movement with the spring means, and the parts freely co-operate with the threaded members which are fixed externally of the body opposite the gaps.

5. A pipe support according to Claim 4 wherein the body comprises two similar and opposed side wall members which are laterally spaced apart to define the gaps between them, and two end plates between and to which the side wall members are fixed, at least one of the end plates having portions projecting outwardly beyond the side wall members to which the threaded members are fixed.

6. A pipe support according to Claim 5 wherein the body is of rhomboidal form, the side wall members being of V-section and the end plates being of generally rhomboidal shape.

7. A pipe support according to Claim 5 or Claim 6 wherein both end plates have projecting portions and the threaded members extend between the two end plates and are secured at their opposite ends to both of the end plates at the projecting portions.

8. A pipe support according to any of Claims 4 to 7 wherein a scale of lineal measurements is provided on the body adjacent to and extending longitudinally of one of the gaps and the component carries an indicator which registers with the scale to

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. made up as required. Hence manufacture and supply can be facilitated. In the second embodiment shown in Figure 4, parts which correspond to those in the first embodiment are indicated by the same reference numerals. The pipe support is constructed to support a pipe from below. To this end the turnbuckle is replaced by a screw 31 which is threadedly engaged with a nut 32 fixed to the underside of the piston, extends vertically upwardly through a plain central hole 33 in the piston and a large co-axial hole 34 in the top plate, and has a load plate 35 rotatably located on its upper end by means of a collar 36 at the underside of the load plate. A pipe to be supported in use rests on the load plate. A diametral hole 37 in the screw 31 can receive a tommy bar for turning the screw to adjust it, and hence the load plate 35, vertically relative to the piston. At its lower end the screw has a plain cylindrical portion 38 which slidingly engages in a central upstanding guide tube 39 welded to the bottom plate. The piston can be locked in any position in its range of vertical movement in the same way as before. It will be appreciated that in this lastdescribed embodiment also partial assembly and pre-compression of the spring are possible. The modification of the second embodiment shown in Figure 5 comprises the addition of a floating platform 40 which is mounted on the load plate 35 to provide the seating for a pipe and can be laterally adjusted relative to the load plate. The platform 40 has a skirt 41 which surrounds the periphery of the load plate leaving a substantial space between it and the load plate. Angularly spaced set screws 42 threadedly engaged with holes 43 in the skirt extend radially with respect to the longitudinal axis of the screw 31 and engage underneath the load plate. The set screws 42 retain the platform to the load plate and the lateral position of the platform on the load plate is adjusted by means of them. Ball bearings 44 in a cage 45 are interposed between the platform and the load plate and they allow the platform to move easily relative to the load plate when its lateral position is being adjusted whilst supporting a load. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:-

1. A pipe support comprising a body, compression spring means located in the body, and carrier means connected to the spring means and adapted to be engaged with a pipe to connect the pipe to the spring means to be supported thereby, and locking means acting between the spring means and the body operative to lock the spring means against movement relative to the body in any one of an infinite number of positions within the operating range of the longitudinal movement of the spring means, and thereby restrain the carrier from movement relative to the body.

indicate the extent of deflection of the spring means under applied pipe loads.

9. A pipe support according to Claim 1 wherein the spring means has an associated elongated externally threaded member which is longitudinally movable with the spring means relative to a fixed part of the body and carries nuts which can be moved between released positions in which they are spaced from the fixed part and leave the threaded member free to move longitudinally relative to the fixed part, and locking positions in which they are tightened against the fixed part to prevent the threaded member from moving relative to the fixed part, and thereby lock the spring means against longitudinal movement.

10. A pipe support according to any preceding claim wherein the carrier means comprises the or a component which is supported by and longitudinally movable with the spring means, and connecting means attached to the component for connecting the component to a pipe to be supported by the spring means.

11. A pipe support according to Claim 10 wherein the connecting means comprises a member which extends co-axially through the spring means and out of the body adjacent the opposite end of the spring means from that at which the component is supported.

12. A pipe support according to Claim 11 wherein the member is pivotally connected to the component and projects out of the body through an aperture therein which permits the member to swing about its pivotal connection to the component.

13. A pipe support according to Claim 10 wherein the connecting means comprises a member which extends co-axially away from the spring means and out of the body adjacent to the end of the spring means at which the component is supported.

14. A pipe support according to Claim 13 wherein the member has a load plate at its end remote from the component which load plate is rotatable about the axis of the member and provides a seat for a pipe to be supported.

15. A pipe support according to Claim 13 wherein the member has a load plate at its end remote from the component, and a floating platform is mounted on the load plate for rotation about an axis extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the spring means, is adjustable relative to the load plate transversely of the longitudinal axis of the spring means, and provides a seat for a pipe to be supported.

16. A pipe support according to any of Claims 13 to 15 wherein within the spring means the member has a portion which slidingly engages in a complementary guide fixed in the body.

17. A pipe support according to any preceding claim wherein the body is able to accommodate the spring means in the free length state of the spring means.

18. A pipe support substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated by Figures 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings.

19. A pipe support substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated by Figure 4 as modified by Figure 5 of the accompanying drawings.