GB2285667A - Pipe support - Google Patents

Abstract

A pipe support has a base (1) and a saddle (2) fixed to it to cradle a pipe. Both the base and saddle are made primarily of fibre reinforced plastics material. In one form, the base (1) is of inverted T-section, providing load-bearing flanges (6) and an upstanding rib (3). The upper edge of this rib is concavely curved to fit in a groove (9) on the underside of the curved saddle (2). Alternatively there may be one or more ribs longitudinal of the pipe. The saddle can also locate straps (13) which encircle and retain the pipe on either side of the rib(s) (3). To keep the straps out of direct contact with the pipe, further saddles can be placed around the pipe and be clamped by the straps. <IMAGE>

Description

"Improvements relatinq to Pipe Supports" This invention relates to pipe supports. It is primarily concerned with those for large diameter pipes such as are found in industrial installations, rather than for domestic piping.

Pipe supports of metal have been common, but they are expensive, subject to corrosion, and are poor insulators.

For some years, we have been producing a pipe support of fibre-reinforced plastics material, which is better in all three respects. Essentially, it is a simple rectangular block with an arcuate recess in the top to cradle the pipe.

But it does have some drawbacks. For example, it uses a lot of material, it is not always easy to fix, and it does not positively retain the pipe.

It is the aim of this invention to provide a pipe support in the same material, but of a different design that should largely remedy these drawbacks.

According to the present invention, there is provided a pipe support comprising a base and a saddle that fits on the base and in which the pipe is cradled, both the base and saddle being primarily of fibre-reinforced plastics material, the base having a load-spreading lower portion and, upstanding from that, a narrower formation to cooperate with and positively locate the underside of the saddle.

Conveniently the upstanding base formation is at least one rib which engages an associated groove in the underside of the saddle. In one preferred form there is a single rib with a concave upper edge lying transversely to the pipe to engage in the groove, the underside of the saddle being curved co-axially with the upper surface which receives the pipe. The groove may be flanked by at least one further groove to receive and locate a strap by which a pipe can be encircled and held to the saddle.

In another alternative arrangement, the or each rib is aligned with the pipe and has a substantially straight upper edge lying parallel to the axis of the pipe. The or each rib and its associated groove will preferably be shorter than the saddle lengthwise of the pipe, the saddle then providing at least one circumferential groove on its underside to receive and locate a strap by which a pipe can be encircled and held to the saddle.

With either arrangement, at least one further saddle can be arranged in circumferential alignment with the first saddle to form an annulus or part annulus extending around the pipe and to be encircled and held by the strap or straps. Conveniently there are three similar saddles each subtending an arc of 1200. This avoids direct contact between the straps and the pipe and will improve insulation.

The base may have a bottom plate of metal, while the bulk of its body will preferably be a polyester glass reinforced thermosetting compound. The metal plate will enable the support to be welded to metal structures.

The saddle will generally be positively fixed to the base, and this may be by adhesive or by mechanical fasteners such as screws.

For a better understandiny of the invention, one embodiment will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an elevation of a pipe support assembled from a base and a saddle, viewed axially of the pipe, Figure 2 is a section on the line II-II of Figure 1, Figure 3 is a perspective view of a pipe support with a pipe retaining strap, Figure 4 is a perspective view of a pipe support augmented by further saddles, Figure 5 is a side view of another pipe support, and Figure 6 is a cross section on the line VI-VI of Figure 5.

The pipe support of Figure 1 has a base 1 and a saddle 2. The base is of inverted T-section, the stem 3 forming an upstanding rib which will be transverse to the pipe and whose upper edge is arcuate and concave. It is bevelled at 4, and the lower portion of the rib thickens at shoulders 5, co-axial with the upper edge. The bottom of the rib is smoothly radiused into the horizontal flanges 6. The main body of the base 1 is integrally moulded of fibre-reinforced plastics material, and this is mounted on a metal plate 7, which may be fixed by screws up into the plastics body, or which may be keyed to the plastics during the moulding process.

The saddle 2 is an arcuate member subtending an angle of 120 . Its upper surface 8 is radiused to fit snugly to the pipe it is intended to support. Underneath, there is a central groove 9 extending in the circumferential direction and defined by downwardly projecting ribs 10. This is dimensioned to receive the upper edge portion of the rib 3 in a firm press fit. The bevels 4 ease entry. At the axial ends of the saddle 2 there are small downwardly projecting flanges 11 and between these and the ribs there are defined shallow grooves 12. In an alternative version (not shown) there might be just one such groove.

The base 1 and saddle 2 may be secured together by adhesive within the groove 9. Alternatively, screws could be used, for example entered through the flanges 10 and into the rib 3. It might then be advisable to have metal inserts embedded in the plastics material to receive the screws. In any event, when so assembled, the support is ready to receive a pipe (not shown). When resting in the saddle 2, the pipe can be secured by a strap 13, as indicated in Figure 3, locating in one of the grooves 12. Preferably, metal straps are used, of a kind known for securing insulation around pipes. The equipment for tightening and securing them is also known.

To avoid direct contact between the strap and the pipe, the arrangement of Figure 4 may be preferred. Two further saddles 2 are provided and aligned circumferentially with the first saddle, completely to encircle the pipe. These are then encircled by straps 13 which, when tightened down into the grooves 12 clamp the two extra saddles in place.

These extra saddles do not need the groove 9. Therefore they may be simpler structures, with the ribs 10 reduced and the groove 9 filled in to provide a single broad rib 14 as shown in Figure 4.

Instead of a transverse rib 3, the base may have a rib at right angles to that, parallel to the length of the pipe.

But, for greater stability, there will preferably be two parallel ribs as shown in Figures 5 and 6.

In this embodiment a base 15 has two upstanding ribs 16 symmetrically positioned one on each side of its longitudinal centre line. A saddle 17, of part cylindrical form and rather longer than the one of the previous figures, is carried by these ribs, whose upper edges engage in grooves or slots 18 cut or moulded in the underside of the saddle parallel to its axis. Beyond the ends of these slots the saddle has external circumferential groove formations 19 to receive straps (not shown). As with the previous embodiment, extra saddle(s) 17, preferably without slots 18, can be placed around a supported pipe to provide annular channels for the retaining straps.

The base 1 or 15 can be secured in various ways. With the metal plate 7, it can be welded to metal structures, a fillet weld being run along the bottom edge. Alternatively, the inverted T-shape structure allows the horizontal flanges 6 to be drilled through and the base to be bolted or screwed to some other structure. Another possibility is for the base 1 or 15 to be clamped in place, the upper jaw of a clamp bearing down on one of the horizontal flanges 6.

One use of such supports is to carry large pipes with a bore of the order of 500 mm which convey liquified natural gas at a temperature of about -1600C. Each support may then be subject to a weight of the order of 1000 kg. The forces caused by the inertia of this liquid as the pipe changes direction can produce side loads of say 500 kg, while if a safety valve slams shut the impulse generated can generate forces of 10,000 kg. The fibre reinforced plastics material we have used on the simple block supports referred to earlier has proved to have the necessary structural strength and insulating properties, it being important not only for the support itself not to become brittle but for the structure on which it stands not to be embrittled by being excessively chilled through the support.

Claims (11)

1. A pipe support comprising a base and a saddle that fits on the base and in which the pipe is cradled, both the base and the saddle being primarily of fibre reinforced plastics material, the base having a load-spreading lower portion and, upstanding from that, a narrower formation to co-operate with and positively locate the underside of the saddle.

2. A pipe support as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the upstanding base formation is at least one rib which engages an associated groove in the underside of the saddle.

3. A pipe support as claimed in Claim 2, wherein there is a single rib with a concave upper edge lying transversely to the pipe to engage in the groove, the underside of the saddle being curved co-axially with the upper surface which receives the pipe.

4. A pipe support as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the groove is flanked by at least one further groove to receive and locate a strap by which a pipe can be encircled and held to the saddle.

5. A pipe support as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the or each rib is aligned with the pipe and has a substantially straight upper edge lying parallel to the axis of the pipe.

6. A pipe support as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the or each rib and its associated groove is shorter than the saddle lengthwise of the pipe, the saddle then providing at least one circumferential groove on its underside to receive and locate a strap by which a pipe can be encircled and held to the saddle.

7. A pipe support as claimed in Claim 4 or Claim 6, wherein at least one further saddle is arranged in circumferential alignment with the first saddle to form an annulus or part annulus extending around the pipe and to be encircled and held by the strap or straps.

8. A pipe support as claimed in Claim 7, wherein there are three similar saddles each subtending an arc of 1200.

9. A pipe support as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the base has a bottom plate of metal.

10. A pipe support as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the saddle is positively fixed to the base.

11. A pipe support substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.