JP7762080B2 - Piping support device - Google Patents

Description

One embodiment of the present invention relates to a piping support device.

Piping is one method for transporting fluids. As the fluid flows through the pipe, changes in weight and temperature occur, causing the pipe to move. A pipe support device follows this movement while generating a certain reaction force. For example, the pipe support device disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a configuration in which springs are placed above and below the pipe as elastic bodies.

JP 2011-12778 A

One of the objectives of embodiments of the present invention is to provide a piping support device with a novel structure. Alternatively, one of the objectives of embodiments of the present invention is to provide a piping support device that is highly durable, easy to maintain, and lightweight.

One embodiment of the present invention is a piping support device. The piping support device includes a base ring, a spring, a hanger plate, a pair of guide rods, a spring seat, a pair of fixed rods, and a turnbuckle. The spring is positioned on and overlaps the base ring. The hanger plate is positioned on the spring. The pair of guide rods are fixed to the hanger plate and extend downward from the hanger plate, sandwiching the spring. The spring seat is positioned between the spring and the hanger plate and is configured to reversibly slide up and down along the guide rods, with an opening that overlaps the inside of the spring. The pair of fixed rods are positioned to pass through the opening, the inside of the spring, and the base ring, and secure the hanger plate to the base ring. A hook is suspended from the spring seat and is surrounded by the spring and the base ring.

1 is a schematic perspective view of a pipe support device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a schematic side view of a pipe support device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a schematic side view of a pipe support device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a schematic top view of a pipe support device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a schematic side view of a pipe support device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a schematic side view of a pipe support device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Each embodiment of the invention disclosed in this application will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention can be embodied in various forms without departing from the spirit of the invention, and should not be construed as being limited to the description of the embodiments exemplified below.

In order to clarify the explanation, the drawings may show the width, thickness, shape, etc. of each part schematically compared to the actual embodiment, but this is merely an example and does not limit the interpretation of the present invention. Furthermore, in this specification and each drawing, elements with the same function as those explained in the previous drawings may be given the same reference numerals, and duplicate explanations may be omitted.

In this specification and drawings, the same reference numeral is used to collectively refer to multiple identical or similar components, and a hyphen and number are added after the reference numeral when referring to them individually. When referring to multiple parts of a single component in a distinctive manner, the same reference numeral is used, and an alphabet is also used.

In this specification and claims, when multiple elements are integrated, it means that although the multiple elements have different functions, they are formed from a single member and have a continuous structure. Therefore, the integrated multiple elements contain the same material and have the same composition.

The following describes a piping support device 100, one embodiment of the present invention. The piping support device 100 supports piping and has the function of following piping movement due to changes in heat or weight. For convenience, in the drawings used in the following description, the vertical direction is defined as the z direction, and the horizontal plane perpendicular to the z direction is defined as the xy plane. Furthermore, as will be described in more detail below, the direction connecting the central axes of a pair of guide rods 112 and perpendicular to the z direction is defined as the x direction. The y direction is perpendicular to the z and x directions.

1. Overall Structure A perspective view of the piping support device 100 is shown in FIG. 1, a side view observed from the y direction is shown in FIG. 2, and a side view observed from the x direction is shown in FIG. 3. The piping support device 100 basically comprises a hanger plate 104, a base ring 110, a spring seat 106, a spring 108, a pair of guide rods 112, a pair of fixed rods 102, and a turnbuckle 116. These components are formed using metal such as iron or stainless steel. These components will be described in detail below.

1-1. Base Ring The base ring 110 is a ring-shaped part with an opening in the center, and supports the spring 108. For this reason, the opening is formed so that its diameter is smaller than the outer diameter of the spring 108. Preferably, the opening is formed so that its diameter is smaller than the inner diameter of the spring 108. As will be described later, the fixed rod 102 prevents the spring 108 from moving in the xy plane, thereby preventing the spring 108 from falling off the piping support device 100. For this reason, there is no need to provide a structure (such as unevenness or ribs) on the top surface of the base ring 110 to prevent the spring 108 from moving, and the top surface of the base ring 110 may be flat across the entire surface.

1-2. Hanger Plate and Guide Rods The hanger plate 104 is located on the base ring 110 and is a part that supports a pair of guide rods 112. The guide rods 112 are bolts with heads 112a at their upper ends, and their threaded portions are provided with threads (not shown). The hanger plate 104 has an opening through which the threaded portions of the guide rods 112 pass but which the heads 112a do not pass through. By inserting the guide rods 112 into this opening and fastening them with nuts 120, the hanger plate 104 and the guide rods 112 are fixed to each other with the guide rods 112 extending downward (in the z direction) from the hanger plate 104. As described above, the x direction is the direction that connects the central axes of the pair of guide rods 112 that extend in the z direction and is perpendicular to the z direction.

1-3. Spring seat, spring, and turnbuckle The spring 108 is placed on the base ring 110 with its central axis aligned in the z direction, and is provided in a compressed state between the spring seat 106 and the base ring 110. Although the spring 108 is sandwiched between the base ring 110 and the spring seat 106, it is not welded or bolted.

As shown in FIG. 1 , a pair of notches are provided at both ends of the spring seat 106, sandwiching the guide rod 112 therebetween. Although not shown, instead of a pair of notches, the spring seat 106 may be provided with a pair of openings through which the guide rod 112 can be inserted. As an optional configuration, slotted nuts 124 and 126 may be attached to the notches or openings of the spring seat 106 to sandwich the spring seat 106. Washers are inserted between the nut 124 and the spring seat 106, and between the nut 126 and the spring seat 106, as appropriate. The nuts 124 and 126 surround the guide rod 112 but slide on it. As a result, the spring seat 106 can reversibly slide in the z-direction (i.e., up and down) along the guide rod 112 in response to the vertical movement of the piping, i.e., the vertical movement of the turnbuckle 116, without coming off the guide rod 112. Each guide rod 112 is fitted with two nuts 128, 130, one above the other, that engage with the threads. The positions of the nuts 128, 130 in the z direction are determined by rotating them around the guide rod 112. Therefore, by adjusting the positions of the nuts 128, 130, the upper and lower limit positions of the spring seat 106 are determined.

The spring seat 106 is further provided with openings (or slits; the same applies below) 106a through which the pair of fixed rods 102 pass. There may be one opening 106a, or the spring seat 106 may be configured so that a pair of openings 106a are provided and one fixed rod 102 passes through each opening 106a. As can be seen from the schematic top view (Figure 4) showing the positional relationship in the z direction of the spring seat 106, its opening 106a, spring 108, and base ring 110, the opening 106a is provided so as to overlap with the inside of the spring 108 and the opening 110a of the base ring 110 in the z direction. A portion of the opening 106a may overlap with the spring 108 or the base ring 110 in the z direction. When a pair of fixed rods 102 pass through one opening 106a, the longitudinal direction of the opening 106a may coincide with the y direction, or, although not shown, may be formed so that it is tilted within a range of ±90° from the y direction.

As will be described later, the fixed rod 102 prevents the spring 108 from moving within the xy plane, thereby preventing the spring 108 from falling off the piping support device 100. Therefore, as with the upper surface of the base ring 110, there is no need to provide a structure (such as unevenness or ribs) on the lower surface of the spring seat 106 to prevent the spring 108 from moving, and the lower surface may be flat across the entire spring seat 106.

The turnbuckle 116 is positioned so that its longitudinal direction faces the z direction, and its upper end is fixed to the spring seat 106 by welding or bolts 132, for example. If a bolt 132 is used, the bolt 132 can be inserted into the opening 106a. The turnbuckle 116 is positioned so that it is surrounded by the spring 108 and base ring 110 while suspended from the spring seat 106. Meanwhile, a piping fixture 140 that connects the piping to the turnbuckle 116 is connected to its lower end. The method for fixing the turnbuckle 116 to the piping fixture 140 is arbitrary, but for example, the turnbuckle 116 and the piping fixture 140 can be connected to each other by bolting or the like using the opening 116a provided at the lower end of the turnbuckle 116.

1-4. Fixed Rods The pair of fixed rods 102 extend in the z direction and pass through openings 106a in the spring seats 106. Furthermore, the pair of fixed rods 102 are surrounded by the spring 108 and the base ring 110. That is, the pair of fixed rods 102 extend inside the spring 108. The pair of fixed rods 102 may be arranged so as to overlap in the y direction as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, or may be arranged so that the angle between the y direction and a line in the xy plane connecting the central axes of the pair of fixed rods 102 is within a range of ±90°. The cross-sectional shape of the fixed rod 102 in the xy plane may also be determined arbitrarily and may be rectangular, circular, elliptical, or composed of curves and straight lines.

Furthermore, as shown in Figures 1 and 3, each of the pair of fixed rods 102 is bent so that its lower end extends perpendicular to the z direction. Therefore, the portion extending perpendicular to the z direction is located below the spring 108 and base ring 110, overlaps the spring 108 and base ring 110, and functions as a support portion 102a that supports the base ring 110 (see Figure 4). It is preferable that the support portions 102a of the pair of fixed rods 102 be configured to extend in opposite directions. Although the support portions 102a contact the base ring 110, they do not need to be fixed to the base ring 110 by welding, bolting, or the like.

On the other hand, the upper ends of the fixed rods 102 may be connected to each other via a hooking plate 114 that overlaps the hanger plate 104. The pair of fixed rods 102 may be integrated with the hooking plate 114. In this case, the pair of fixed rods 102 and the hooking plate 114 straddle the hanger plate 104. In other words, the portion located above the upper surface of the hanger plate 104 is the hooking plate 114, and the remaining portion sandwiching the hanger plate 104 can be considered to be the fixed rod 102. The hooking plate 114 and the fixed rod 102 may be fixed to the hanger plate 104 by welding, bolting, or the like. However, the restoring force of the compressed spring 108 exerts a force pushing the spring seat 106 upward, which in turn applies an upward force to the guide rod 112 and hanger plate 104 via the nut 128. Therefore, the hanger plate 104 may be fixed to the hooking plate 114 and the fixed rod 102 solely by utilizing the friction generated by this force. The support portion 102a and base ring 110 are also fixed to each other by frictional force caused by the restoring force of the spring 108.

The hanger plate 104 has an opening 114a formed perpendicular to the z-direction, which can be used to hang the piping support device 100 in an appropriate position. There are no restrictions on the size or shape of the opening 114a, and it can be designed appropriately taking into account the size and weight of the piping support device 100 and the piping it supports.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 5, the fixed rod 102 may be arranged to extend downward from the underside or side of the hanger plate 104. In this case, the fixed rod 102 is fixed to the hanger plate 104 by welding, bolting, or the like. Meanwhile, a hanging ring 134 for suspending the piping support device 100 is provided on the upper surface of the hanger plate 104. As with the opening 114a, there are no restrictions on the configuration of the hanging ring 134, and it can be designed appropriately taking into account the size and weight of the piping support device 100 and the piping it supports.

As described above, the spring 108 is positioned in a compressed state between the base ring 110 and the spring seat 106. Therefore, an upward force is always applied to the spring seat 106 due to the restoring force of the spring 108, and in the initial state, the spring seat 106 is in the upper limit position determined by the nut 128. That is, the piping support device 100 is in a state in which the nuts 124 and 128 are in contact. Therefore, an upward force is also applied to the hanger plate 104 via the guide rod 112. However, as shown in Figures 1, 2, and 5, the hooking plate 114 or the support portions 102a of the pair of fixing rods 102 extending from the hanger plate 104 are positioned below the base ring 110. Therefore, the hanger plate 104 remains in contact with the hooking plate 114, and the distance between the hanger plate 104 and the base ring 110 is fixed.

When fluid passes through the pipe, the weight and heat of the fluid cause a downward displacement of the pipe. The turnbuckle 116 moves downward in response to this displacement (see the arrow in Figure 2), and as a result, the spring seat 106 moves downward along the guide rod 112, compressing the spring 108 (Figure 6). The restoring force generated at this time acts upward, allowing the turnbuckle 116 to follow the vertical displacement of the pipe. As a result, it is possible to effectively prevent damage to the pipe or equipment caused by the vertical movement of the pipe.

As described above, the spring 108 is sandwiched between the base ring 110 and the spring seat 106, but is not welded or bolted. Therefore, as the spring 108 expands or contracts, it is subjected to a force that rotates it around its central axis extending in the z direction, which can cause it to move within the xy plane. Such movement can lead to the spring 108 falling off. Furthermore, depending on the number of turns, pitch, length, coil diameter d (see Figure 2), and central diameter of the spring 108, buckling can occur during the expansion or contraction process. However, the piping support device 100 is provided with a pair of fixed rods 102 that extend in the z direction inside the spring 108. Therefore, even if the spring 108 moves within the xy plane, it interferes with the fixed rods 102, thereby preventing the spring 108 from falling off or buckling.

The pipe support device 100 having the above configuration effectively prevents the spring 108 from falling off or buckling without using a cover or other device to cover the side of the spring 108. This allows for a lighter weight of the pipe support device 100 while ensuring high breathability for the spring 108 and the turnbuckle 116 placed inside it. This significantly reduces corrosion caused by rainwater and improves the durability of the pipe support device 100. Furthermore, since almost the entire spring 108 and turnbuckle 116 can be visually inspected from the outside, the condition of the spring 108 and turnbuckle 116 can be easily grasped. Therefore, damage to parts such as the spring 108 and turnbuckle 116 can be detected early. This simplifies maintenance work and contributes to more efficient maintenance work. Furthermore, the pipe support device 100 can be connected and fixed using only bolts, without welding, allowing for low-cost manufacturing.

The above-described embodiments of the present invention can be implemented in any suitable combination, provided they are not mutually inconsistent. Furthermore, even if a person skilled in the art adds or deletes components or modifies the design based on each embodiment, such additions or deletions are also included within the scope of the present invention, as long as they incorporate the essence of the present invention.

Furthermore, even if there are other effects and advantages different from those provided by the above-described embodiments, if they are clear from the description in this specification or can be easily predicted by a person skilled in the art, they are naturally understood to be provided by the present invention.

100: Pipe support device, 102: Fixed rod, 102a: Support part, 104: Hanger plate, 106: Spring seat, 106a: Opening, 108: Spring, 110: Base ring, 110a: Opening, 112: Guide rod, 112a: Head, 114: Hooking plate, 114a: Opening, 116: Turnbuckle, 116a: Opening, 120: Nut, 124: Nut, 126: Nut, 128: Nut, 130: Nut, 132: Bolt, 134: Hanging ring, 140: Pipe fastener

Claims (7)

Base ring,
a spring located on the base ring and overlapping the base ring;
said sprung hanger plate;
a pair of guide rods fixed to the hanger plate, extending downward from the hanger plate and sandwiching the spring;
a spring seat positioned between the spring and the hanger plate, configured to reversibly slide up and down along the guide rod, and having an opening overlapping the inside of the spring;
a pair of fixing rods arranged to penetrate the opening, the inside of the spring, and the base ring and fix the hanger plate to the base ring; and a turnbuckle suspended from the spring seat, surrounded by the spring and the base ring , and configured to be connected to a piping fixture for holding piping . The pair of fixed rods are connected to each other via a hooking plate,
The piping support device according to claim 1 , wherein the hooking plate is positioned on and overlaps the hanger plate. The piping support device described in claim 2, wherein the pair of fixed rods and the hooking plate are integrated. A piping support device as described in claim 2, wherein the hooking plate has an opening extending perpendicular to the central axis of the spring. The piping support device described in claim 1, wherein the pair of fixed rods are connected to the underside or side of the hanger plate. The piping support device described in claim 5, wherein the hanger plate has a hanging ring on its upper surface. Each of the pair of fixed rods has a support portion at a lower end thereof extending perpendicular to the central axis of the spring,
The pipe support device according to claim 1 , wherein the support portion overlaps with the base ring and supports the base ring.