GB1238481A - - Google Patents

Abstract

1,238,481. Pipe-supporting spring units. BRITISH INDUSTRIAL ENG. CO. (STAFFS) Ltd. 8 Jan., 1969 [16 Jan., 1968], No. 2305/68. Heading F2S. A constant tension pipe support unit of the spring-and-lever type, Fig. 1, is characterized by the form of pivotal connection between the lever 17 and the hanger 33 to which, in use, the supported pipe is attached. This pivotal connection comprises a pin 35 from which the hanger depends and a pair of apertured members.37 carried by the lever. As shown in Fig. 3, the radius of curvature of the pin 35 is much less than that of the bearing surfaces 36 of the members 37, so that the pin is in substantially line contact with these surfaces and can roll around them when the lever 17 turns, the line of contact C thus varying in distance from the lever's fixed pivot 40 as the lever turns about that pivot. If, as is envisaged, the pipe to which the hanger 33 is attached (e.g. by a link, not shown, fitted to the turnbuckle 32) is restrained against horizontal displacement, vertically downward movement of the pipe will cause the hanger to tilt from its initially vertical orientation as shown to an oblique orientation, thereby causing the line of contact C between the pin 35 and surfaces 36 to move with respect to the latter. The specification demonstrates by means of a diagram (Fig. 5, not shown) and a table of calculated force-displacement values that a pipe secured against horizontal displacement and suspended for vertical movement by a spring-and-lever support embodying the above-described pivot means 35, 36 is acted on by a more nearly constant supporting force than such a pipe suspended from conventional spring-and-lever means. In Fig. 1, the angles A and B are respectively 57 and 60 degrees and the angle D is 23 degrees in an initial position (as shown) of the lever in which the hanger 33 is vertical. The abovementioned table indicates that D can vary from 20 degrees above to 40 degrees below the horizontal E without causing departure of the force exerted by the unit from its assigned constant value. The unit may incorporate a force adjusting means to compensate for the additional load when the supported pipe is filled with cleaning liquid as described in Specification 1,208,132.