CA1061582A - Aboveground anchor support assembly for a pipeline - Google Patents
Aboveground anchor support assembly for a pipelineInfo
- Publication number
- CA1061582A CA1061582A CA277,650A CA277650A CA1061582A CA 1061582 A CA1061582 A CA 1061582A CA 277650 A CA277650 A CA 277650A CA 1061582 A CA1061582 A CA 1061582A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- pipeline
- frame
- coupling assembly
- relative
- support member
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Abstract
ABOVEGROUND ANCHOR SUPPORT ASSEMBLY FOR A PIPELINE An anchor support for supporting a pipeline above the ground has a self-aligning support saddle that allows the pipeline to orient itself on the anchor support during construction to relieve stresses in the pipeline and to allow for variations from nominal pipeline elevation and angulation relative to the ground. The anchor support normally fixes the pipeline's position relative to the ground but also allows relative movement between the support and the pipeline upon occurrence of a seismic disturbance or other disturbance that would cause a dislocation of the pipeline and/or anchor support from its nominal position. The selfaligning support saddle, which includes a ball and socket connection for allowing the pipeline to orient itself over the saddle, is fastened to a shiftable subassembly that rests on a stationary base assembly affixed to one or more ground engaging vertical support members. After the pipeline is aligned, the ball and socket can be permanently interconnected to restrain any further movement of the pipeline relative to the shiftable subassembly. The shiftable subassembly is capable of moving relative to the base assembly in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal dimension of the pipeline. When a differential force is applied between the vertical support members and the pipeline, as can be caused by a seismic disturbance, the shiftable subassembly can move along with the anchor saddle and the pipeline relative to the base assembly, thereby preventing any substantial damage to the pipeline. A restraining mechanism interconnects the shiftable subassembly with the base assembly to releasably restrain the shiftable subassembly upon application of a differential force of less than a predetermined magnitude. Upon application of a predetermined differential force, the restraining mechanism releases the shiftable subassembly so that it can move relative to the base assembly. Once the shiftable subassembly has begun to move relative to the base assembly, the restraining mechanism still applies a differential force opposing the movement. After the shiftable subassembly has moved a predetermined distance relative to the base assembly, an energy absorbing member decelerates and stops the shiftable subassembly to prevent it or the remainder of the anchor support from becoming damaged.
Description
The present invention relates to support assemblies for aboveground structures, and more particularly to support assemblies for aboveground pipellnes including a support saddle and apparatus associated with the support structure to prevent damage to the pipeline upon seismic or other major disturbances that can dislocate the pipeline relative to its aboveground supports.
The most economical means for transporting crude oil or other petroleum products through Arctic regions is a pipeline.
Normally such pipelines are subterranean~ that is, they are installed in back filled trenches that interconnect one or more pumping stations between a well and a shipping terminal or refinery. Through certain Arctic regions, however, a subterranean pipeline is not feasible as the permafrost that constitutes the soil will not, under certain termperature conditions, support the weight of a buried pipeline. Since the oil or petroleum traveling through the pipeline has an average temperature that resides above 32F, the heat of the oil in the pipeline combined with atmospheric heat during the summer months will melt the permafrost and destroy its supporting qualities, thus allowing the pipeline to move or sag within the ground and potentially causing damage to the pipeline~ The solution to this problem has been to place portions of the pipeline above the ground.
Not only are pipelines generally not supported above the ground because oE the additional cost involved in constructing an aboveground pipeline, but Arctic conditions/ especially those that exist between the north slope of Alaska and the southern coast of Alaska, present problems that have heretofore been -J unencountered in the construction of a pipeline. First of all, vertical support members or pilings must generally be oriented perpendicularly to the plane of the horizon, that is vertically, so as to achieve maximum strength with minimum structure and cost. The topography over which the pipeline traverses dictates - 1- ? ~?: ~
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that the pipeline at any given support location will not always be oriented at the same height and angulation as at the previous or the succeeding support location. To design individual inter-connecting assemblies for the pipeline and the vertical support members that could individually accommodate the varying orientation would be very expensive.
Moreover, in many Arctic areas, the pipeline must traverse regions in which seismic disturbances are likely to occur. A seismic disturbance could easily cause a shift in the ground and thus the pipeline support structures over a portion of the pipeline route. This in turn could cause the pipeline support structures for a portion of the pipeline to shift relative to adjacent support structures. If the support structures and the pipe were rigidly connected, such a shift might impress undue stress on the pipeline, causing damage to the line and potentially rupturing the line, resulting in an undesireable spill of crude oil.
It is, therefore, a broad object of the present invention to provide a support assembly for interconnecting a pipeline with an aboveground support member, which interconnecting structure includes a support asisembly that eliminates the need for many ` individually designed and constructed support structures and to minimize the labor and time required to install the support structures and the pipeline. Further objects of the present invention are to provide an interconnecting structure that is easily fabricated, that is inexpensive to construct, and that can be permanently affixed to the pipeline and to the ground support member.
An additional broad object of the invention is to provide an aboveground support structure that will minimize or eliminate damage to the pipeline and the ground support member ; should a differential force be applied therebetween, as might be .. ..
The most economical means for transporting crude oil or other petroleum products through Arctic regions is a pipeline.
Normally such pipelines are subterranean~ that is, they are installed in back filled trenches that interconnect one or more pumping stations between a well and a shipping terminal or refinery. Through certain Arctic regions, however, a subterranean pipeline is not feasible as the permafrost that constitutes the soil will not, under certain termperature conditions, support the weight of a buried pipeline. Since the oil or petroleum traveling through the pipeline has an average temperature that resides above 32F, the heat of the oil in the pipeline combined with atmospheric heat during the summer months will melt the permafrost and destroy its supporting qualities, thus allowing the pipeline to move or sag within the ground and potentially causing damage to the pipeline~ The solution to this problem has been to place portions of the pipeline above the ground.
Not only are pipelines generally not supported above the ground because oE the additional cost involved in constructing an aboveground pipeline, but Arctic conditions/ especially those that exist between the north slope of Alaska and the southern coast of Alaska, present problems that have heretofore been -J unencountered in the construction of a pipeline. First of all, vertical support members or pilings must generally be oriented perpendicularly to the plane of the horizon, that is vertically, so as to achieve maximum strength with minimum structure and cost. The topography over which the pipeline traverses dictates - 1- ? ~?: ~
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that the pipeline at any given support location will not always be oriented at the same height and angulation as at the previous or the succeeding support location. To design individual inter-connecting assemblies for the pipeline and the vertical support members that could individually accommodate the varying orientation would be very expensive.
Moreover, in many Arctic areas, the pipeline must traverse regions in which seismic disturbances are likely to occur. A seismic disturbance could easily cause a shift in the ground and thus the pipeline support structures over a portion of the pipeline route. This in turn could cause the pipeline support structures for a portion of the pipeline to shift relative to adjacent support structures. If the support structures and the pipe were rigidly connected, such a shift might impress undue stress on the pipeline, causing damage to the line and potentially rupturing the line, resulting in an undesireable spill of crude oil.
It is, therefore, a broad object of the present invention to provide a support assembly for interconnecting a pipeline with an aboveground support member, which interconnecting structure includes a support asisembly that eliminates the need for many ` individually designed and constructed support structures and to minimize the labor and time required to install the support structures and the pipeline. Further objects of the present invention are to provide an interconnecting structure that is easily fabricated, that is inexpensive to construct, and that can be permanently affixed to the pipeline and to the ground support member.
An additional broad object of the invention is to provide an aboveground support structure that will minimize or eliminate damage to the pipeline and the ground support member ; should a differential force be applied therebetween, as might be .. ..
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cause by a seismic disturbance.
According to one aspect of the present invention there is pro-vided a method for colmectingan aboveground pipeline to a ground support member wherein the pipeline is oriented along a predetermined path over said ground support member comprising the steps of: interconnecting said pipeline to said ground support member so as to allow relative movement therebetween in a direction along the path of said pipeline, and after allowing relative movement between said pipeline and said ground support member over a predetermined distance, gradually reducing~the speed of said realtive movement by nonresiliently absorbing energy related to said relative movement.
According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided an anchor support assembly for interconnecting an aboveground pipe-line to a ground support member, said pipeline being oriented along a pre-determined path over said ground support member, comprising: a frame capable of being connected to said ground support member, a coupling assembly mounted for sliding movement on said frame in a direction along the path of said pipe-line, said coupling assembly capable of being afixed to said pipeline, and a nonresilient energy absorbing means for gradually stopping the realtive movement between said frame and said coupling assembly, said nonresilient energy absorbing means being interposed between mutually opposing portions of said coupling assembly and said frame, said mutually opposing portions being positioned along the path of said sliding movement of said coupling assembly relative to said frame so as to approach each other upon occu~nce o said relative movement.
. This aspect o~.the in~ention also provides an anchor support assembly for interconnecting an abo~eground pipeline to a ground support ~e~her, said pipeline...being orien.ted along a predetermined path over said ground support member, comprising the combination of: a frame and means for connecting said frame to said ground support member, a coupling assembly mounted for sliding movement on said frame in a direction along the path of said pipeline, said pipeline coupling assembly being capable of being affixed .ij, , .
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to s~aid pipeline, means for releasably restraining relative sliding movement between said pipeline coupling assembly and said frame, and nonresilient energy absorbing means associated with said frame and said coupling assembly, but dissociated from said releasably restraining means, for gradually reduc-ing the speed of the relative sliding movement between said frame and said coupling assembly after said movement has occurred.
A better understanding of the present invention can be derived by reading the ensuing specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:
FIGURE 1 is a plan view of a portion of a pipeline showing a pair of anchor supports at spaced locations along the pipeline with a plur-ality of intermediate support assemblies spaced between the anchor supports;
FIGURE 2 is a side elevation view of an anchor support assembly of the present invention showing the pipeline oriented perpendicularly to the vertical support members forming part of an anchor support;
FIGURE 3 is a side elevation view similar to FIGURE 2 showing the pipeline oriented at an angle other than perpendicular to the vertical support members forming part of an anchor support;
FIGURE 4 is a detailed isometric view of an anchor support of the pres3ntsiavention showing a segment of a pipeline supported thereby; -FIGURE 5 is a hori~ontal sectional view through a portion of the anchor support taken substantially along the dual level section line 5--5 . of FIGURE 6 with the cutaway portions thereof taken along the lower level of the section line and the remainder of the sectional view taken along the upper level of the dual level section line 5--5;
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FIGURE 6 is a vertical sectional view of the anchor support taken along section line 6--6 of FIGURE 5 showing the pipeline partia]ly cut away;
FIGURE 7 is a vertical sectional view of the anchor support of the present invention taken along section line 7--7 of FIGURE 5; and FIGURE 8 is a cross sectional view similar to a portion of FIGURE 6 showing the pipeline after it has moved relative to the anchor support.
Referring to FIGURE 1, a single section of pipeline 10 is shown strung between and supported above the ground by two anchor supports 12, normally spaced from about 900 to about 1800 feet apart. A plurality of intermediate supports 14 support the pipeline above the ground between the anchor supports 12. The pipeline is constructed in repetitive zig-- zag segments, one of which is located between each adjacent set of anchor supports 12, so as to allow the pipeline to expand and contract under transient and seasonal temperature changes, as well as to allow for lateral and longitudinal shifting of the pipeline upon occurrence of seismic dis-turbances that may cause one or more of the anchor supports or intermediate supports to shift relative to the pipeline. Other configurations can also be employed along the pipeline as necessary. The intermediate supports are so constructed as to allow relatively free longitudinal and lateral movement of the pipeline relative thereto. The intermediate supports are described in further detail in the copending patent application, Serial No. 277,659, filed May 4, 1977.
The pipeline 10 is releasably affixed to each of the anchor supports 12 so that, under transient and seasonal temp~ra-ture changes and under the influence of minor seismic disturbances or other pipe dislocating accident, the pipe cannot move any substantial amount relative to the anchor supports 12. As will ,''1 ' .
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be described in greater detail below, the anchor support incorpo-rates a support subassembly attached to the pipeline that is shiftable relative to the anchor support in a direction substan~
tially parallel to the path of the pipeline. By path of the pipeline it is meant the longitudi~ally extendlng path over which the pipeline is laid in plan view. Under normal circumstances, the pipeline is restrained from any substantial movement by cooperation of the shiftable subassembly with the supporting framework on the anchor support until a predetermined differential force is applied between the pipeline and the anchor support.
Upon application or occurrence of a predetermined differential force, the shiftable subassembly is released so that it can slide relative to the anchor support. When the term differential force -- is used herein it is intended to encompass the arithmetic summation of forces and components of forces acting on the pipeline and the anchor support in a direction substantially parallel to the path of the pipeline.
Referring to FIGURES 2 and 4, the anchor support 12 includes four vertical support members 16 in the form of pilings or other vertical members that are arranged in a rectang~lar array and are permanently affixed to or embedded in the grollnd.
Although four vertical support members are employed in the . .
- preferred embodiment, more or fewer vertical support members can -` be used as necessary, as can other means of support. In the preferred embodiment, cross braces 18 rigidify the vertical support members and hold them in a fixed relationship to each other. The cross braces can be omitted when they are not required -for structural purposes. The ceoss braces 18 extend longitudinally and laterally between each of the adjacent vertical support members to form a rectangular framework at a location between the ground and the top of the vertical support memberu In the preferred embodiment, two vertically spaced sets of cross braces are employed ','i S~;~
to structurally enhance the overall anchor support. A support assembly, generally designated 20, is mounted above the cross braces on the vertical support members and includes a base frame-work 22 and a shiftable subassembly bearing a self-aligning anchor saddle 24.
As hest viewed in FIGURES 2, 4 and 6~ the anchor saddle 24 comprises a horizontal anchor base plate 26 upon which rests an upright support socket 28. The support socket is an annularly shaped member, having its axis o revolution oriented in an upright direction, and preferably the axis is vertically oriented.
The annular member generally has thin walls and can be constructed from a section of pipe or a similar structure if desired. The annular member has an upwardly facing circular openlng generally defining a plane orthoyonal to the axis of the annular member, which opening forms a support socket for a downwardly extending, hemispherical member 30. The diameter of the circular opening in the support socket 28 is less than the diameter of the hemispherical member 30, the relative diameters of the two being chosen so that the hemispherical member 30 can be only partially inserted into the support socket 28 to form a ball and socket type, universally orientable, support joint or saddle. An upper, cylindrically shaped extension of the hemispherical member 30 is a~fixed to the lower half 32a ~f a generally annularly shaped pipe clamp. The upper end of the extension is configured so that its entire periphery cont nuously abuts the lower half 32a of the clamp.
The pipe clamp has a conventional configuration and includes a semiannular upper half 32b and the semiannular lower ` half 32a. Each of the clamp halves are sized to wrap about halfway around the pipe 10 so that the clamp halves are vertically separated from each other at diametric locations relative to the pipeline. Each o~ the clamp halves bears generally radially outwardly extending flanges adjacent the separatlon location of .
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the clamp halves. The flanges on the same side of the clamp halves form a flange pair and are generally horizontally oriented and are spaced from and parallel to each othex. A plurality of generally vertically oriented, mutually aligned bores extend through each of the flange pairs. Suitable bolts inserted through the bores in each of the flange pairs are tightened down to securely fasten the flange pairs together and thus the clamp halves to the pipeline. A suitable thermal and electrical insulat-; ing sleeve is preferably interposed between the clamp and the pipeline to thermally and electrically isolate the pipeline fromthe anchor support structure.
During construction, the vertical support members and the support assembly 20 as well as the cross bracing 18 are ~` erected at predetermined locations along the pipeline route. The vertical support members are usually vertically oriented, i.e., perpendicular to the plane of the horizon. The anchor base plate 26 is generally horizontally oriented on the support assembly 20 to orient the annular support socket 28 in an upright, preferably vertical, direction. Before the pipeline 10 is positioned on the an~hor support 12, the pipe clamp 32 along with the hemispherical member 30 affixed thereto is loosely coupled to the pipe and longitudinally positioned so that the hemispherical member 30 is positioned over the annular socket 28, i.e. so that the upright axis of the support socket 28 intersects the hemispherical member 30 and the path of the pipe 10. The pipe 10 is then lowered so `~ that the hemispherical member 30 engages the support socket 28.
Before the entire weight of the pipe 10 is allowed to rest on the anchor support 12, the two halves 32a and 32b of the pipe clamp are drawn toward each other by tightening the bolts 36 to secure the clamp to the pipe 10. Thereater, the full weight of the pipe 10 is allowed to rest on the anchor saddle 24. As the pipe is positioned in the saddle and as subsequent portions of the :, ;~ -8 . ~ .
pipe are laid on subsequent intermediate and anchor supports, the pipe can rotate in the saddle in the transverse, longitudinal and vertical axes relative to the path of the pipeline, aligning itself on the anchor support 12 and relieving all torsional and bending stresses that might otherwise be imposed on the pipeline.
The anchor saddle 24 along with the pipe clamp 32 and the hemi-spherical member 30 can be employed regardless of the orientation of the pipe 10. As an example, the pipe 10 is shown in FIGURE 3 (and in the ghost outline in FIGURE 6) oriented at an angle relative to the plane of the horizon. The procedure of construct-ing and installing the self-aligning anchor is the same whether the pipe is oriented horizontally or whether it is oriented at an angle to the ground plane.
- The advantages of the anchor saddle of the present invention are manifold. Among the greatest of these is the elimination of an alignment procedure when the pipeline is brought to rest upon an anchor support, since the pipeline is ; allowed to orient itself on the anchor saddle. Moreover, the ; anchor saddle is much simpler and easier to fabricate than an interconnecting mechanism that would have the capability of being adjusted for angular orientation in the longitudinal, horizontal and transverse planes. By using the self-aligning anchor saddle of the present invention, no other provision need be made for relieving stresses in the pipeline as the stresses are automati-cally relieved while the pipe freely rests on the anchor saddle.
Moreover, the anchor saddle can be permanently interconnected once tbe pipe has aligned itself on the anchor support by simply ~- welding around the periphery of the hemispherical member adjacent the upper edge of the annular socket 28 to form an interconnecting bead 38 of metal.
Referring now to FIG~RES 4, 5, 6 and 7, the portion of the support assembly for allowing the pipeline to move relative _ 9 _ ~ i , . ~ i . . .
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to the vertical support members and the ground includes supporting framework 22, the saddle base plate 26, and its associated struc-ture forming the base for the anchor saddle 24. The basic support-ing framework includes two spaced I beams 44 and 46 oriented substantially parallel to the longitudinal dimension of the pipeline 10 and two/ spaced, transversely oriented I beams that are joined to the ends of the longitudinally oriented I beams 44 and 46. The longitudinally oriented I beams 44 and 46 are trans-versely spaced by a distance substantially equal to the transverse spacing between the vertical support members 16. The transverse I beams 48 and 50 are spaced by a distance slightly less than the longitudinal spacing of the vertical support members 16 to form a substantially square framework. A second pair of spaced, longitu-dinally oriented I beams 52 and 54 are positioned between the outer longitudinally oriented I beams 44 and 46 and span between and are joined to the transverse I beams 50 and 48. The interior longitudinally oriented I beams 52 and 54 are spaced by a distance slightly less thanJthe diameter of the pipeline, although this spacing is not critical and must only be chosen to conform with the width of the anchor support base plate 26 as will be understood later. I beam braces, generally designated 56, 58, 60 and 62, are joined to the outside surface of the webs of the longitudinally oriented interior I beams 52 and 54 and extend diagonally outwardly and are joined to the corners of the s~uare framework. All of ~ the I beams are oriented in an upright manner so that in elevation - view they form an I with a vertical web and top and bottom hori-zontally oriented flanges.
- The support framework 22 rests on four brackets 64 affixed respectively to the four vertical support members 16.
The four brackets 64 have an upper, generally horizontal surface on which the ends of the bottom flanges of the transverse I beams - 48 and 50 rest. The surfaces of the bracket 64 are provided with ~, :
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longitudinally oriented slots that are aligned with corresponding slots in the bottom flanges of the I beams 48 and 50. Suitable threaded fasteners inserted through the aligned slots secure the support framework 22 to the flanges 64, forming a rigid base for the support assembly. If desired, a permanent interconnection between the framework 22 and the flanges 64 can be effected by welding the two together.
The saddle base plate 26 of the anchor saddle 24 is generally rectangular and has its longitudinal dimension oriented parallel to the path of the pipeline 10. The bottom surface of the plate is sufficiently wide to transversely span the upper, horizontal flanges of both the interior I beams 52 and 54 of the support framework 22. The saddle base plate 26 rests on two friction reducing pads 66 and 68, positioned to span the longitu-dinal dimension of the upper flanges of the interior I beams 52 and 54. Each of the friction reducing pads 66 and 68 comprises superposed and bonded strips of low friction material such as polytetrafluoroethylene (sold under the trademark TEFLON by E. I.
duPont de Nemours & Co., Wilmington, Delaware) and a fiber-: 20 filled, elastomeric material such as is sold under the trademark FABREEKA by the Fabreeka Products Company of Boston, Massacusetts.
The bonded strips are affi~ed by conventional means to tbe bottom surface of the saddle base plate 26 and slide on the upper surface of the upper flange of the interior I beams 52 and 54. Thus the anchor saddle 24 is mounted for sliding movement on the support .l framework 22 in a direction substantially parallel to the path of . the pipeline 10.
Lateral movement of the saddle base plate 26 relativeto the support framework 22 is restrained by mounting a pair of angle beams adjacent each of the longitudinal sides o the base plate 26. One flange of each of the angle beams 70 and 72 is vertically oriented. Friction reducing pads 74 and 76 are ~. ~
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respectively affixed to each of the vertically ori.ented flanges.
A second set of longitud.inally oriented angle beams 78 and 80 are mounted on the upper flanges of and span between the transverse I
beams 48 and 50 forming the support framework 22. One flange of each of the larger angle beams 78 and 80 is vertically or.iented so that the inner face thereof is substantially parallel to a respective one of the friction reducing pads 74 and 7S on the small angle beams 70 and 72. The exposed surfaces of the friction reducing pads 74 and 76 are inwardly spaced from the inwardly facing surfaces of the vertical flange of the large angle beams 78 and 80 to allow a limited amount of lateral movement of the saddle base plate 26 relative to the support framework 22, but to prevent any substantial lateral movement between the two. The limited amount of lateral movement is desirable to allow for minor movement upon expansion and contraction of the pipeline under transient ambient and internal temperature fluctuations.
Thus the anchor saddle 24 is mounted on the support frame 22 for sliding movement in a direction substantially parallel to the pipeline but is prevented from any substantial lateral movement relative to the support frame 22.
As stated above, it is desirable for the anchor saddle to be so affixed to the ground support member (comprising the vertical support member 16 and the supporting framework 22~ that a small differential force applied between the pipeline lO and ; the ground support member will not precipitate any substantial movement between the pipeline and the ground support member in a direction substantially parallel to the path of the pipeline.
However, after the differential force reaches a predetermined ` magnitude, it i9 desirable to allow relative movement in a direc-tion parallel to the path of the pipeline. The pipeline is so - restrained by a unique restraining assembly generally designated ~ 82 that normally prevents substantial, relative movement between :~, ~ -12- .
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The restraining assembly 82 includes a pair of parallel, transversely spaced, vertically oriented, rectangular plates that have their longitudinal dimension spanning the longitudinal - dimension of the saddle base plate 26. The upper edges of the rectangular plates 84 and 86 are permanently affixed to the 10 bottom surface of the saddle base plate 26 at. a loca~ion spaced inwardly from the sides of the base plate. The rectangular plates 84 and 86 are sufficiently wide in the vertical dimension to extend downwardly between the vertical webs of the interior longitudinal I beams 52 and 54 of the support framework 22. Each of the rectangular plates 84 and 86 have a longitudinally oriented slot 88 adjacent their bottom edge ~this slot is best seen in FIGURE 6 on plate 86). A pair of angle beams 90 and 92, each having a vertically oriented flange and a horizontally oriented flange are positioned adjacent the rectangular plate 86 so that the exterior vertical surface of the angle beam 90 is positioned in intimate frictional contact with one surface of the rectangular plate 86 while the vertically oriented exterior surface of the angle beam 92 is positioned in intimate frictional contact with the opposite surface of the rectangular plate 86~ The angle - beams 90 and 92 extend beyond the ends of the rectangular plate 86 and terminate short of the vertical webs of the transverse I
beams 50 and 48 forming part of the support framework 22. The angle beams 90 and 92 are oriented in relation to the slot 88 in ~ .
the rectangular plate 86 so that a plurality of bores through the vertical flange of the angle beams 90 and 92 are aligned with the slot 88. Suitable fasteners 94 are employed to releasab].y affix the angle beams 90 and 92 in position on the rectangular plate . .
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96. Adjacent ends of the angle beams 90 and 92 are interconnected by vertically and transversely oriented bumper plates 96 and 98.
In a similar manner, anyle beams 100 and 102 are oriented relative to and releasably affixed to the other rectangular plate 84 by fasteners 104~ The angle beams 100 and 102 have their respective ends affixed by similar bumper plates 106 and 108 (only one bumper plate 106 can be seen in FIGURE 7).
A vertically and transversely oriented abutment plate 112 is affixed to the bottom interior surface of the upper flange of the transverse I beam 48 forming part of the support framework 22 and is braced in its vertical position against the web of I
beam 50 by an interconnecting bar. The abutment plate 112 is oriented parallel to the bumper plates 98 and 106 and is spaced a small distance from the bumper plates 98 and 106 so that surfaces thereof are in mutually opposing relationship. In a similar manner, an abutment plate 110 is affixed to the bottom interior surface of the upper flange of the opposite transverse I beam 50 forming part of the support framework 22 so that its surface is oriented to oppose the outwardly facing suraces of the bumper plates 96 and 108 (only one o which can be seen in FIGURE 6) on the opposite ends of the angle beams 90, 92, 100 and 102.
In use, the anchor saddle 24 is centered in the longitu-dinal direction on the support framework 22. The angle beams 90, 92, 100 and 102 are then positioned relative to the rectangular plates 84 and 86 so that the outwardly facing surfaces of the bumpers on the ends thereof are slightly spaced from the abutment plates 110 and 112. Thereafter, the fasteners 94 and 104 are tightened to a predetermined torque value. In this manner, the angle beams 90, 92, 100 and 102 are fastened to the saddle base plate 26 and are restrained from relative movement along the slots in the rectangular plates 84 and 86 by the static friction between the surfaces of the angle beams that are in intimate 1~--;~ - . ., . ~ . ~
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contact with the surfaces of the rectangular plates 84 and 86.
The predetermined force necessary to overcome the frictional restraining force can be varied as desired during installation since the frictional force between the angle beams and the rectan-gular plate is proportional to the torque value to which the angle beam fasteners 94 and 104 are tightened.
Referring to FIGURE 8, when a differential force is applied between the pipe 10 and the anchor support assembly 12, the anchor saddle 24 along with its substructure, including the angle beams 90, 92, 100 and 102, will move in the direction of the pipeline path relative to the support framework 22 until, for example, the bumper plates 96 and 98 abut the abutment plate 112.
:- The anchor saddle 24 will not move any further in the longitudinal direction until the differential forse appl.ied to the pipeline reaches a predetermined value sufficient to overcome the restrain-ing frictional force between the angle beams and the rectangular ; plates. When a force of the predetermined value i5 applied the anchor saddle 24 can again move longitudinally relative to the support framework 22, which movement is then opposed by the dynamic frictional force created between the angle beams a~d the . rectangular plate.
If the differential force is of great enough magnitude and causes a large relative displacement over a sufficient amount of time, the differential momentum built up between the anchor saddle 24 and the support framework 22 may be great enough so that the dynamic frictional force between the angle beams and the rectangular plates on the anchor saddle 24 may not be able to decelerate the anchor saddle sufficiently fast to prevent it from ~ damaging the support f~amework 22 and/or overstressing or breaking .. 30 the pipeline. Referring to FIGURES 4 through 7, a pair o energy-absorbing members 114 and 116 are provided on the support frame-~! work 22 to absorb this momentum and to reduce the speed of and ., .
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stop the relative movement between the anchor saddle and the support framework. In the preferred embodiment, crushable members 114 and 116 comprise right rectangular polyhedron, or box shaped, honeycomb panels having their longitudinal cell axes oriented in a direction substantially parallel to the path of movemen~ of the anchor saddle and thus substantially parallel to the path of the pipeline. The honeycomb panel 114 is positioned in a retention channel formed by an angle beam 118 having a vertical flange affixed to the upper surface of the upper flange on the transverse I beam 50 and an inwardly extending horizontal flange spaced above the upper surface of the upper flange of the I beam 50. One end of the honeycomb panel 114 is positioned between the horizontal flange of the angle beam 118 and the upper surface of the upper flange o the I beam 50. The opposite end of the crushable honeycomb panel 114 extends inwardly beyond the inner edge of the upper flange on the I beam 50 and extends in the transverse dimension a distance somewhat less than the trans-verse dimension or width of the anchor support plate 24. Thus the crushable honeycomb panel 114 is positioned at a level substan-tially equal to that of the level of the saddle base plate 26.
Self-tapping machine screws (not shown) hold the honeycomb panel in position between the horizontal flange of the angle beam 118 and the upper flange on the I beam 50. The screws are inserted downwardly through bores in the horizontal flange on the angle beam 118 and into threaded engagement in mutually aligned bores , in the honeycomb panel 114. A bumper plate 120 is fitted to the . end of the saddle base plate 26 and is vertically oriented so as to provide an abutment surface or the exposed end of the crushable honeycomb panel 114. In a like manner~ the second honeycomb 30 panel 116 is retained by an angle beam 122 on the upper surface of the upper ~lange of~the transverse I beam 48 ~orming part of "~ the support framework 20. A second bumper plate 124 is affixed , , ~:
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to the opposite end of the saddle base plate 26 so as the oppose the location of the inner end of the second crusha~le honeycomb member 116 and provide an abutment surface therefor. Machine screws are again employed to hold the second honeycomb panel in place.
Referring again to FIGU~E 8, the anchor saddle 24 is illustrated as having been displaced sufficiently far relative to the support framework 22 so that the bumper plate has contacted and partially crushed the honeycomb panel 114. This occurred be~ause the differential force applied between the anchor saddle 24 and the support framework 22 was adequate to overcome the static frictional force between the angle beams 90 and the rectan-gular plates 84 and 86 and because the dynamic frictional force between the angle beams and the rectangular plates was insufficient to stop the relative movement. As the anchor saddle approached the limit of its relative displacement, the bumper 120 abutted `- the honeycomb panel 114, crushing the honeycomb panel. As the `~ honeycomb panel was crushed energy was absorbed to reduce the speed of the relative movement between the anchor saddle 24 and the support framework 22, consequently decelerating the anchor saddle to a stop.
Upon perusing the foregoing detailed description, one of ordinary skill will be able to ascertain that the preferred ~-- embodiment described above ulfills the objectives set forth in .; .the background of the invention and provides the enumerated and other advanta~es of those objectives~ In addition, the anchor su~port o the present invention has other advantages not yet discussed. For example, the spacing between the inner edges of the interior longitudinal I beams and the outer edges of the horizontal flanges on the angle beams 92 and 100 is sufficiently wide so that the entire shiftabIe subassembly can be dropped into place between the I beams 52 and 54 during construction. This ,~. .
' ~ -17-.', "'' ~...... ... ., ,; ~. , .. ~
spacing provic3es another advantage in the event oE a seismic disturbance that causes vertical relative displacement between the pipe and the ground. In the event of such an occurrence, the supporting framework 22 and vertical support members 16 can merely drop free of the anchor saddle 24, base plate 26, and associated restraining mechanism. Although the present invention has been described only in relation to a preEerred embodiment, one of ordinary skill after reading the foregoing specification will be able to make various changes, alterations, and substitu-tions of equivalents without departing from the intended scope ofthe invention. For example, a variety of means can be employed to provide the restraining force between the anchor saddle and the supporting framework. Likewise, energy absorbing means other than the crushable honeycomb panels can be employed to decelerate the movement between the anchor saddle and the support framework after a predetermined displacement between the two. It is there-fore intended that the grant of ~etters Patent for the present invention be limited only by the definitions con-tained in the appended claims and equivalents thereof.
.-.. , . . . , . . . : . ..
i~
s~
cause by a seismic disturbance.
According to one aspect of the present invention there is pro-vided a method for colmectingan aboveground pipeline to a ground support member wherein the pipeline is oriented along a predetermined path over said ground support member comprising the steps of: interconnecting said pipeline to said ground support member so as to allow relative movement therebetween in a direction along the path of said pipeline, and after allowing relative movement between said pipeline and said ground support member over a predetermined distance, gradually reducing~the speed of said realtive movement by nonresiliently absorbing energy related to said relative movement.
According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided an anchor support assembly for interconnecting an aboveground pipe-line to a ground support member, said pipeline being oriented along a pre-determined path over said ground support member, comprising: a frame capable of being connected to said ground support member, a coupling assembly mounted for sliding movement on said frame in a direction along the path of said pipe-line, said coupling assembly capable of being afixed to said pipeline, and a nonresilient energy absorbing means for gradually stopping the realtive movement between said frame and said coupling assembly, said nonresilient energy absorbing means being interposed between mutually opposing portions of said coupling assembly and said frame, said mutually opposing portions being positioned along the path of said sliding movement of said coupling assembly relative to said frame so as to approach each other upon occu~nce o said relative movement.
. This aspect o~.the in~ention also provides an anchor support assembly for interconnecting an abo~eground pipeline to a ground support ~e~her, said pipeline...being orien.ted along a predetermined path over said ground support member, comprising the combination of: a frame and means for connecting said frame to said ground support member, a coupling assembly mounted for sliding movement on said frame in a direction along the path of said pipeline, said pipeline coupling assembly being capable of being affixed .ij, , .
.; -3-,, .
to s~aid pipeline, means for releasably restraining relative sliding movement between said pipeline coupling assembly and said frame, and nonresilient energy absorbing means associated with said frame and said coupling assembly, but dissociated from said releasably restraining means, for gradually reduc-ing the speed of the relative sliding movement between said frame and said coupling assembly after said movement has occurred.
A better understanding of the present invention can be derived by reading the ensuing specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:
FIGURE 1 is a plan view of a portion of a pipeline showing a pair of anchor supports at spaced locations along the pipeline with a plur-ality of intermediate support assemblies spaced between the anchor supports;
FIGURE 2 is a side elevation view of an anchor support assembly of the present invention showing the pipeline oriented perpendicularly to the vertical support members forming part of an anchor support;
FIGURE 3 is a side elevation view similar to FIGURE 2 showing the pipeline oriented at an angle other than perpendicular to the vertical support members forming part of an anchor support;
FIGURE 4 is a detailed isometric view of an anchor support of the pres3ntsiavention showing a segment of a pipeline supported thereby; -FIGURE 5 is a hori~ontal sectional view through a portion of the anchor support taken substantially along the dual level section line 5--5 . of FIGURE 6 with the cutaway portions thereof taken along the lower level of the section line and the remainder of the sectional view taken along the upper level of the dual level section line 5--5;
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. --4--"
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FIGURE 6 is a vertical sectional view of the anchor support taken along section line 6--6 of FIGURE 5 showing the pipeline partia]ly cut away;
FIGURE 7 is a vertical sectional view of the anchor support of the present invention taken along section line 7--7 of FIGURE 5; and FIGURE 8 is a cross sectional view similar to a portion of FIGURE 6 showing the pipeline after it has moved relative to the anchor support.
Referring to FIGURE 1, a single section of pipeline 10 is shown strung between and supported above the ground by two anchor supports 12, normally spaced from about 900 to about 1800 feet apart. A plurality of intermediate supports 14 support the pipeline above the ground between the anchor supports 12. The pipeline is constructed in repetitive zig-- zag segments, one of which is located between each adjacent set of anchor supports 12, so as to allow the pipeline to expand and contract under transient and seasonal temperature changes, as well as to allow for lateral and longitudinal shifting of the pipeline upon occurrence of seismic dis-turbances that may cause one or more of the anchor supports or intermediate supports to shift relative to the pipeline. Other configurations can also be employed along the pipeline as necessary. The intermediate supports are so constructed as to allow relatively free longitudinal and lateral movement of the pipeline relative thereto. The intermediate supports are described in further detail in the copending patent application, Serial No. 277,659, filed May 4, 1977.
The pipeline 10 is releasably affixed to each of the anchor supports 12 so that, under transient and seasonal temp~ra-ture changes and under the influence of minor seismic disturbances or other pipe dislocating accident, the pipe cannot move any substantial amount relative to the anchor supports 12. As will ,''1 ' .
, 5~
be described in greater detail below, the anchor support incorpo-rates a support subassembly attached to the pipeline that is shiftable relative to the anchor support in a direction substan~
tially parallel to the path of the pipeline. By path of the pipeline it is meant the longitudi~ally extendlng path over which the pipeline is laid in plan view. Under normal circumstances, the pipeline is restrained from any substantial movement by cooperation of the shiftable subassembly with the supporting framework on the anchor support until a predetermined differential force is applied between the pipeline and the anchor support.
Upon application or occurrence of a predetermined differential force, the shiftable subassembly is released so that it can slide relative to the anchor support. When the term differential force -- is used herein it is intended to encompass the arithmetic summation of forces and components of forces acting on the pipeline and the anchor support in a direction substantially parallel to the path of the pipeline.
Referring to FIGURES 2 and 4, the anchor support 12 includes four vertical support members 16 in the form of pilings or other vertical members that are arranged in a rectang~lar array and are permanently affixed to or embedded in the grollnd.
Although four vertical support members are employed in the . .
- preferred embodiment, more or fewer vertical support members can -` be used as necessary, as can other means of support. In the preferred embodiment, cross braces 18 rigidify the vertical support members and hold them in a fixed relationship to each other. The cross braces can be omitted when they are not required -for structural purposes. The ceoss braces 18 extend longitudinally and laterally between each of the adjacent vertical support members to form a rectangular framework at a location between the ground and the top of the vertical support memberu In the preferred embodiment, two vertically spaced sets of cross braces are employed ','i S~;~
to structurally enhance the overall anchor support. A support assembly, generally designated 20, is mounted above the cross braces on the vertical support members and includes a base frame-work 22 and a shiftable subassembly bearing a self-aligning anchor saddle 24.
As hest viewed in FIGURES 2, 4 and 6~ the anchor saddle 24 comprises a horizontal anchor base plate 26 upon which rests an upright support socket 28. The support socket is an annularly shaped member, having its axis o revolution oriented in an upright direction, and preferably the axis is vertically oriented.
The annular member generally has thin walls and can be constructed from a section of pipe or a similar structure if desired. The annular member has an upwardly facing circular openlng generally defining a plane orthoyonal to the axis of the annular member, which opening forms a support socket for a downwardly extending, hemispherical member 30. The diameter of the circular opening in the support socket 28 is less than the diameter of the hemispherical member 30, the relative diameters of the two being chosen so that the hemispherical member 30 can be only partially inserted into the support socket 28 to form a ball and socket type, universally orientable, support joint or saddle. An upper, cylindrically shaped extension of the hemispherical member 30 is a~fixed to the lower half 32a ~f a generally annularly shaped pipe clamp. The upper end of the extension is configured so that its entire periphery cont nuously abuts the lower half 32a of the clamp.
The pipe clamp has a conventional configuration and includes a semiannular upper half 32b and the semiannular lower ` half 32a. Each of the clamp halves are sized to wrap about halfway around the pipe 10 so that the clamp halves are vertically separated from each other at diametric locations relative to the pipeline. Each o~ the clamp halves bears generally radially outwardly extending flanges adjacent the separatlon location of .
. ' . . - ., . : - . ' '' . . . ,, , , , ~ , :: , .
the clamp halves. The flanges on the same side of the clamp halves form a flange pair and are generally horizontally oriented and are spaced from and parallel to each othex. A plurality of generally vertically oriented, mutually aligned bores extend through each of the flange pairs. Suitable bolts inserted through the bores in each of the flange pairs are tightened down to securely fasten the flange pairs together and thus the clamp halves to the pipeline. A suitable thermal and electrical insulat-; ing sleeve is preferably interposed between the clamp and the pipeline to thermally and electrically isolate the pipeline fromthe anchor support structure.
During construction, the vertical support members and the support assembly 20 as well as the cross bracing 18 are ~` erected at predetermined locations along the pipeline route. The vertical support members are usually vertically oriented, i.e., perpendicular to the plane of the horizon. The anchor base plate 26 is generally horizontally oriented on the support assembly 20 to orient the annular support socket 28 in an upright, preferably vertical, direction. Before the pipeline 10 is positioned on the an~hor support 12, the pipe clamp 32 along with the hemispherical member 30 affixed thereto is loosely coupled to the pipe and longitudinally positioned so that the hemispherical member 30 is positioned over the annular socket 28, i.e. so that the upright axis of the support socket 28 intersects the hemispherical member 30 and the path of the pipe 10. The pipe 10 is then lowered so `~ that the hemispherical member 30 engages the support socket 28.
Before the entire weight of the pipe 10 is allowed to rest on the anchor support 12, the two halves 32a and 32b of the pipe clamp are drawn toward each other by tightening the bolts 36 to secure the clamp to the pipe 10. Thereater, the full weight of the pipe 10 is allowed to rest on the anchor saddle 24. As the pipe is positioned in the saddle and as subsequent portions of the :, ;~ -8 . ~ .
pipe are laid on subsequent intermediate and anchor supports, the pipe can rotate in the saddle in the transverse, longitudinal and vertical axes relative to the path of the pipeline, aligning itself on the anchor support 12 and relieving all torsional and bending stresses that might otherwise be imposed on the pipeline.
The anchor saddle 24 along with the pipe clamp 32 and the hemi-spherical member 30 can be employed regardless of the orientation of the pipe 10. As an example, the pipe 10 is shown in FIGURE 3 (and in the ghost outline in FIGURE 6) oriented at an angle relative to the plane of the horizon. The procedure of construct-ing and installing the self-aligning anchor is the same whether the pipe is oriented horizontally or whether it is oriented at an angle to the ground plane.
- The advantages of the anchor saddle of the present invention are manifold. Among the greatest of these is the elimination of an alignment procedure when the pipeline is brought to rest upon an anchor support, since the pipeline is ; allowed to orient itself on the anchor saddle. Moreover, the ; anchor saddle is much simpler and easier to fabricate than an interconnecting mechanism that would have the capability of being adjusted for angular orientation in the longitudinal, horizontal and transverse planes. By using the self-aligning anchor saddle of the present invention, no other provision need be made for relieving stresses in the pipeline as the stresses are automati-cally relieved while the pipe freely rests on the anchor saddle.
Moreover, the anchor saddle can be permanently interconnected once tbe pipe has aligned itself on the anchor support by simply ~- welding around the periphery of the hemispherical member adjacent the upper edge of the annular socket 28 to form an interconnecting bead 38 of metal.
Referring now to FIG~RES 4, 5, 6 and 7, the portion of the support assembly for allowing the pipeline to move relative _ 9 _ ~ i , . ~ i . . .
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to the vertical support members and the ground includes supporting framework 22, the saddle base plate 26, and its associated struc-ture forming the base for the anchor saddle 24. The basic support-ing framework includes two spaced I beams 44 and 46 oriented substantially parallel to the longitudinal dimension of the pipeline 10 and two/ spaced, transversely oriented I beams that are joined to the ends of the longitudinally oriented I beams 44 and 46. The longitudinally oriented I beams 44 and 46 are trans-versely spaced by a distance substantially equal to the transverse spacing between the vertical support members 16. The transverse I beams 48 and 50 are spaced by a distance slightly less than the longitudinal spacing of the vertical support members 16 to form a substantially square framework. A second pair of spaced, longitu-dinally oriented I beams 52 and 54 are positioned between the outer longitudinally oriented I beams 44 and 46 and span between and are joined to the transverse I beams 50 and 48. The interior longitudinally oriented I beams 52 and 54 are spaced by a distance slightly less thanJthe diameter of the pipeline, although this spacing is not critical and must only be chosen to conform with the width of the anchor support base plate 26 as will be understood later. I beam braces, generally designated 56, 58, 60 and 62, are joined to the outside surface of the webs of the longitudinally oriented interior I beams 52 and 54 and extend diagonally outwardly and are joined to the corners of the s~uare framework. All of ~ the I beams are oriented in an upright manner so that in elevation - view they form an I with a vertical web and top and bottom hori-zontally oriented flanges.
- The support framework 22 rests on four brackets 64 affixed respectively to the four vertical support members 16.
The four brackets 64 have an upper, generally horizontal surface on which the ends of the bottom flanges of the transverse I beams - 48 and 50 rest. The surfaces of the bracket 64 are provided with ~, :
:., 58~
longitudinally oriented slots that are aligned with corresponding slots in the bottom flanges of the I beams 48 and 50. Suitable threaded fasteners inserted through the aligned slots secure the support framework 22 to the flanges 64, forming a rigid base for the support assembly. If desired, a permanent interconnection between the framework 22 and the flanges 64 can be effected by welding the two together.
The saddle base plate 26 of the anchor saddle 24 is generally rectangular and has its longitudinal dimension oriented parallel to the path of the pipeline 10. The bottom surface of the plate is sufficiently wide to transversely span the upper, horizontal flanges of both the interior I beams 52 and 54 of the support framework 22. The saddle base plate 26 rests on two friction reducing pads 66 and 68, positioned to span the longitu-dinal dimension of the upper flanges of the interior I beams 52 and 54. Each of the friction reducing pads 66 and 68 comprises superposed and bonded strips of low friction material such as polytetrafluoroethylene (sold under the trademark TEFLON by E. I.
duPont de Nemours & Co., Wilmington, Delaware) and a fiber-: 20 filled, elastomeric material such as is sold under the trademark FABREEKA by the Fabreeka Products Company of Boston, Massacusetts.
The bonded strips are affi~ed by conventional means to tbe bottom surface of the saddle base plate 26 and slide on the upper surface of the upper flange of the interior I beams 52 and 54. Thus the anchor saddle 24 is mounted for sliding movement on the support .l framework 22 in a direction substantially parallel to the path of . the pipeline 10.
Lateral movement of the saddle base plate 26 relativeto the support framework 22 is restrained by mounting a pair of angle beams adjacent each of the longitudinal sides o the base plate 26. One flange of each of the angle beams 70 and 72 is vertically oriented. Friction reducing pads 74 and 76 are ~. ~
.' -11-.
respectively affixed to each of the vertically ori.ented flanges.
A second set of longitud.inally oriented angle beams 78 and 80 are mounted on the upper flanges of and span between the transverse I
beams 48 and 50 forming the support framework 22. One flange of each of the larger angle beams 78 and 80 is vertically or.iented so that the inner face thereof is substantially parallel to a respective one of the friction reducing pads 74 and 7S on the small angle beams 70 and 72. The exposed surfaces of the friction reducing pads 74 and 76 are inwardly spaced from the inwardly facing surfaces of the vertical flange of the large angle beams 78 and 80 to allow a limited amount of lateral movement of the saddle base plate 26 relative to the support framework 22, but to prevent any substantial lateral movement between the two. The limited amount of lateral movement is desirable to allow for minor movement upon expansion and contraction of the pipeline under transient ambient and internal temperature fluctuations.
Thus the anchor saddle 24 is mounted on the support frame 22 for sliding movement in a direction substantially parallel to the pipeline but is prevented from any substantial lateral movement relative to the support frame 22.
As stated above, it is desirable for the anchor saddle to be so affixed to the ground support member (comprising the vertical support member 16 and the supporting framework 22~ that a small differential force applied between the pipeline lO and ; the ground support member will not precipitate any substantial movement between the pipeline and the ground support member in a direction substantially parallel to the path of the pipeline.
However, after the differential force reaches a predetermined ` magnitude, it i9 desirable to allow relative movement in a direc-tion parallel to the path of the pipeline. The pipeline is so - restrained by a unique restraining assembly generally designated ~ 82 that normally prevents substantial, relative movement between :~, ~ -12- .
~:
:.. ; . . . , .. . - , ., . . . ., -',, . ~, , the support frame 22 and the anchor saddle 24 but will release the anchor saddle for movement in the direction of the path of the pipeline when the relative force between the tw~ reaches a predetermined magnitude.
The restraining assembly 82 includes a pair of parallel, transversely spaced, vertically oriented, rectangular plates that have their longitudinal dimension spanning the longitudinal - dimension of the saddle base plate 26. The upper edges of the rectangular plates 84 and 86 are permanently affixed to the 10 bottom surface of the saddle base plate 26 at. a loca~ion spaced inwardly from the sides of the base plate. The rectangular plates 84 and 86 are sufficiently wide in the vertical dimension to extend downwardly between the vertical webs of the interior longitudinal I beams 52 and 54 of the support framework 22. Each of the rectangular plates 84 and 86 have a longitudinally oriented slot 88 adjacent their bottom edge ~this slot is best seen in FIGURE 6 on plate 86). A pair of angle beams 90 and 92, each having a vertically oriented flange and a horizontally oriented flange are positioned adjacent the rectangular plate 86 so that the exterior vertical surface of the angle beam 90 is positioned in intimate frictional contact with one surface of the rectangular plate 86 while the vertically oriented exterior surface of the angle beam 92 is positioned in intimate frictional contact with the opposite surface of the rectangular plate 86~ The angle - beams 90 and 92 extend beyond the ends of the rectangular plate 86 and terminate short of the vertical webs of the transverse I
beams 50 and 48 forming part of the support framework 22. The angle beams 90 and 92 are oriented in relation to the slot 88 in ~ .
the rectangular plate 86 so that a plurality of bores through the vertical flange of the angle beams 90 and 92 are aligned with the slot 88. Suitable fasteners 94 are employed to releasab].y affix the angle beams 90 and 92 in position on the rectangular plate . .
~' a~
96. Adjacent ends of the angle beams 90 and 92 are interconnected by vertically and transversely oriented bumper plates 96 and 98.
In a similar manner, anyle beams 100 and 102 are oriented relative to and releasably affixed to the other rectangular plate 84 by fasteners 104~ The angle beams 100 and 102 have their respective ends affixed by similar bumper plates 106 and 108 (only one bumper plate 106 can be seen in FIGURE 7).
A vertically and transversely oriented abutment plate 112 is affixed to the bottom interior surface of the upper flange of the transverse I beam 48 forming part of the support framework 22 and is braced in its vertical position against the web of I
beam 50 by an interconnecting bar. The abutment plate 112 is oriented parallel to the bumper plates 98 and 106 and is spaced a small distance from the bumper plates 98 and 106 so that surfaces thereof are in mutually opposing relationship. In a similar manner, an abutment plate 110 is affixed to the bottom interior surface of the upper flange of the opposite transverse I beam 50 forming part of the support framework 22 so that its surface is oriented to oppose the outwardly facing suraces of the bumper plates 96 and 108 (only one o which can be seen in FIGURE 6) on the opposite ends of the angle beams 90, 92, 100 and 102.
In use, the anchor saddle 24 is centered in the longitu-dinal direction on the support framework 22. The angle beams 90, 92, 100 and 102 are then positioned relative to the rectangular plates 84 and 86 so that the outwardly facing surfaces of the bumpers on the ends thereof are slightly spaced from the abutment plates 110 and 112. Thereafter, the fasteners 94 and 104 are tightened to a predetermined torque value. In this manner, the angle beams 90, 92, 100 and 102 are fastened to the saddle base plate 26 and are restrained from relative movement along the slots in the rectangular plates 84 and 86 by the static friction between the surfaces of the angle beams that are in intimate 1~--;~ - . ., . ~ . ~
L5~'~
contact with the surfaces of the rectangular plates 84 and 86.
The predetermined force necessary to overcome the frictional restraining force can be varied as desired during installation since the frictional force between the angle beams and the rectan-gular plate is proportional to the torque value to which the angle beam fasteners 94 and 104 are tightened.
Referring to FIGURE 8, when a differential force is applied between the pipe 10 and the anchor support assembly 12, the anchor saddle 24 along with its substructure, including the angle beams 90, 92, 100 and 102, will move in the direction of the pipeline path relative to the support framework 22 until, for example, the bumper plates 96 and 98 abut the abutment plate 112.
:- The anchor saddle 24 will not move any further in the longitudinal direction until the differential forse appl.ied to the pipeline reaches a predetermined value sufficient to overcome the restrain-ing frictional force between the angle beams and the rectangular ; plates. When a force of the predetermined value i5 applied the anchor saddle 24 can again move longitudinally relative to the support framework 22, which movement is then opposed by the dynamic frictional force created between the angle beams a~d the . rectangular plate.
If the differential force is of great enough magnitude and causes a large relative displacement over a sufficient amount of time, the differential momentum built up between the anchor saddle 24 and the support framework 22 may be great enough so that the dynamic frictional force between the angle beams and the rectangular plates on the anchor saddle 24 may not be able to decelerate the anchor saddle sufficiently fast to prevent it from ~ damaging the support f~amework 22 and/or overstressing or breaking .. 30 the pipeline. Referring to FIGURES 4 through 7, a pair o energy-absorbing members 114 and 116 are provided on the support frame-~! work 22 to absorb this momentum and to reduce the speed of and ., .
:... - .. .:: - . . :.. ... : .. . ,,,,:, .... :, .,~ .. ..... . ... . .
stop the relative movement between the anchor saddle and the support framework. In the preferred embodiment, crushable members 114 and 116 comprise right rectangular polyhedron, or box shaped, honeycomb panels having their longitudinal cell axes oriented in a direction substantially parallel to the path of movemen~ of the anchor saddle and thus substantially parallel to the path of the pipeline. The honeycomb panel 114 is positioned in a retention channel formed by an angle beam 118 having a vertical flange affixed to the upper surface of the upper flange on the transverse I beam 50 and an inwardly extending horizontal flange spaced above the upper surface of the upper flange of the I beam 50. One end of the honeycomb panel 114 is positioned between the horizontal flange of the angle beam 118 and the upper surface of the upper flange o the I beam 50. The opposite end of the crushable honeycomb panel 114 extends inwardly beyond the inner edge of the upper flange on the I beam 50 and extends in the transverse dimension a distance somewhat less than the trans-verse dimension or width of the anchor support plate 24. Thus the crushable honeycomb panel 114 is positioned at a level substan-tially equal to that of the level of the saddle base plate 26.
Self-tapping machine screws (not shown) hold the honeycomb panel in position between the horizontal flange of the angle beam 118 and the upper flange on the I beam 50. The screws are inserted downwardly through bores in the horizontal flange on the angle beam 118 and into threaded engagement in mutually aligned bores , in the honeycomb panel 114. A bumper plate 120 is fitted to the . end of the saddle base plate 26 and is vertically oriented so as to provide an abutment surface or the exposed end of the crushable honeycomb panel 114. In a like manner~ the second honeycomb 30 panel 116 is retained by an angle beam 122 on the upper surface of the upper ~lange of~the transverse I beam 48 ~orming part of "~ the support framework 20. A second bumper plate 124 is affixed , , ~:
, .
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to the opposite end of the saddle base plate 26 so as the oppose the location of the inner end of the second crusha~le honeycomb member 116 and provide an abutment surface therefor. Machine screws are again employed to hold the second honeycomb panel in place.
Referring again to FIGU~E 8, the anchor saddle 24 is illustrated as having been displaced sufficiently far relative to the support framework 22 so that the bumper plate has contacted and partially crushed the honeycomb panel 114. This occurred be~ause the differential force applied between the anchor saddle 24 and the support framework 22 was adequate to overcome the static frictional force between the angle beams 90 and the rectan-gular plates 84 and 86 and because the dynamic frictional force between the angle beams and the rectangular plates was insufficient to stop the relative movement. As the anchor saddle approached the limit of its relative displacement, the bumper 120 abutted `- the honeycomb panel 114, crushing the honeycomb panel. As the `~ honeycomb panel was crushed energy was absorbed to reduce the speed of the relative movement between the anchor saddle 24 and the support framework 22, consequently decelerating the anchor saddle to a stop.
Upon perusing the foregoing detailed description, one of ordinary skill will be able to ascertain that the preferred ~-- embodiment described above ulfills the objectives set forth in .; .the background of the invention and provides the enumerated and other advanta~es of those objectives~ In addition, the anchor su~port o the present invention has other advantages not yet discussed. For example, the spacing between the inner edges of the interior longitudinal I beams and the outer edges of the horizontal flanges on the angle beams 92 and 100 is sufficiently wide so that the entire shiftabIe subassembly can be dropped into place between the I beams 52 and 54 during construction. This ,~. .
' ~ -17-.', "'' ~...... ... ., ,; ~. , .. ~
spacing provic3es another advantage in the event oE a seismic disturbance that causes vertical relative displacement between the pipe and the ground. In the event of such an occurrence, the supporting framework 22 and vertical support members 16 can merely drop free of the anchor saddle 24, base plate 26, and associated restraining mechanism. Although the present invention has been described only in relation to a preEerred embodiment, one of ordinary skill after reading the foregoing specification will be able to make various changes, alterations, and substitu-tions of equivalents without departing from the intended scope ofthe invention. For example, a variety of means can be employed to provide the restraining force between the anchor saddle and the supporting framework. Likewise, energy absorbing means other than the crushable honeycomb panels can be employed to decelerate the movement between the anchor saddle and the support framework after a predetermined displacement between the two. It is there-fore intended that the grant of ~etters Patent for the present invention be limited only by the definitions con-tained in the appended claims and equivalents thereof.
.-.. , . . . , . . . : . ..
Claims (16)
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. An anchor support assembly for interconnecting an aboveground pipeline to a ground support member, said pipeline being oriented along a predetermined path over said ground support member, comprising the combination of a frame and means for connecting said frame to said ground support member, a coupling assembly mounted for sliding movement on said frame in a direction along the path of said pipeline, said pipeline coupling assembly being capable of being affixed to said pipeline, means for releasably restraining relative sliding movement between said pipeline coupling assembly and said frame, and nonresilient energy absorbing means associated with said frame and said coupling assembly, but dissociated from said releasably restraining means, for gradually reducing the speed of the relative sliding movement betwen said frame and said coupling assembly after said movement has occurred.
2. The assembly of Claim 1 wherein said nonresilient energy absorbing means gradually reduces the speed of said movement only after said frame and said coupling assembly have relatively moved over a predetermined distance.
3. The assembly of Claim 1 wherein said nonresilient energy absorbing means is interposed between mutually opposing portions of said coupling assembly and said frame, said mutually opposing portions being positioned at spaced locations along the path of sliding movement of said coupling assembly relative to said frame, said mutually opposing portions moving toward each other upon relative movement of said frame and said coupling assembly.
4. The assembly of Claim 3 wherein said nonresilient energy absorbing means comprises a crushable member, said mutually opposing portions of said coupling assembly and said frame have mutually opposing surfaces oriented transversely to the path of sliding movement of said coupling assembly, said crushable member being spaced a predetermined distance from at least one of said mutually opposing surfaces so as to allow relative sliding movement between said coupling assembly and said frame for a predetermined distance, said mutually opposing surfaces thereafter contacting said crushable member and upon further relative movement crushing said crushable member, said crushable member being capable of absorbing sufficient energy to decelerate said coupling member to a stop over a second predetermined distance.
5. The assembly of Claim 3 wherein said nonresilient energy absorb-ing means is so configured and positioned relative to the mutually opposing portions of said coupling assembly and said frame as to allow sliding move-ment of said coupling assembly relative to said frame over a first predeter-mined distance, and thereafter, to decelerate said coupling assembly to a stop over a second predetermined distance.
6. A method for connecting an aboveground pipeline to a ground support member wherein said pipeline is oriented along a predetermined path over said ground support member comprising the steps of: interconnecting said pipeline to said ground support member so as to allow relative movement therebetween in a direction along the path of said pipeline, releasably restraining said movement, and gradually reducing the speed of the relative movement between said pipeline and said ground support member after the relative movement has occurred over a predetermined distance by nonresiliently absorbing energy re-lated to said relative movement.
7. The method of Claim 6 wherein the speed of said relative movement is gradually reduced to zero, thereby stopping the relative movement between said pipeline and said ground support member.
8. An anchor support assembly for interconnecting an aboveground pipe-line to a ground support member, said pipeline being oriented along a prede-termined path over said ground support member, comprising: a frame capable of being connected to said ground support member, a coupling assembly mounted for sliding movement on said frame in a direction along the path of said pipe-line, said coupling assembly capable of being affixed to said pipeline, and a nonresilient energy absorbing means for gradually stopping the relative movement between said frame and said coupling assembly, said nonresilient energy absorbing means being interposed between mutually opposing portions of said coupling assembly and said frame, said mutually opposing portions being positioned along the path of said sliding movement of said coupling assembly relative to said frame so as to approach each other upon occurr-ence of said relative movement.
9. The assembly of Claim 8 wherein said nonresilient energy absorbing means comprises a crushable member, said mutually opposing portions of said coupling assembly and said frame having mutually opposing surfaces oriented transversely to the path of sliding movement of said coupling assembly, said crushable member being spaced from at least one of the mutually opposing portions of said coupling assembly and said frame so as to allow relative sliding movement between said coupling assembly and said frame for a prede-termined distance before said crushable member is crushed between said mutu-ally opposing surface portions.
10. The assembly of Claim 8 wherein said nonresilient energy absorbing means is so constructed and positioned relative to the mutually opposing portions of said coupling assembly and said frame as to allow sliding move-ment of said coupling assembly relative to said frame over a first predeter-mined distance, said mutually opposing portions thereafter contacting said energy absorbing means to decelerate said coupling assembly to a stop over a second predetermined distance.
11. A method for connecting an aboveground pipeline to a ground sup-port member wherein the pipeline is oriented along a predetermined path over said ground support member comprising the steps of: interconnecting said pipeline to said ground support member so as to allow relative movement therebetween in a direction along the path of said pipeline, and after allow-ing relative movement between said pipeline and said ground support member over a predetermined distance, gradually reducing the speed of said relative movement by nonresiliently absorbing energy related to said relative movement.
12. The method of Claim 11 wherein said gradual reduction in speed is accomplished by the step of: interposing a nonresilient energy absorbing, crushable member between mutually opposing portions of said pipeline and said ground support member so that after said relative movement occurs over a predetermined distance, said mutually opposing portions will contact and crush said member, said member thereby absorbing the energy of the relatively moving pipeline and ground support member and gradually reducing the speed of said relative movement.
13. The assembly of Claims 1 or 3 wherein said nonresilient energy absorbing means is compressible.
14. An anchor support assembly for interconnecting an aboveground pipeline to a ground support member, said pipeline being oriented along a predetermined path over said ground support member, comprising the combina-tion of: a frame and means for connecting said frame to said ground support member, a coupling assembly mounted for sliding movement on said frame in a direction along the path of said pipeline, said pipeline coupling assembly being capable of being affixed to said pipeline; and means for releasably restraining relative sliding movement between said pipeline coupling assembly and said frame, and a nonresilient, energy absorbing honey comb panel having cells thereof oriented substantially parallel to the path of travel of said coupling assembly, said panel being interposed between mutually opposing portions of said coupling assembly and said frame, said mutually opposing por-tions having surfaces oriented transversely to the path of sliding movement between said coupling assembly and said frame, said panel being spaced from at least one of the mutually opposing portions of said coupling assembly and said frame so as to allow relative sliding movement between said coupling assembly and said frame for a predetermined distance, said mutually opposing surfaces thereafter contacting said panel, and upon further relative movement crushing said panel, said panel being capable of absorbing sufficient energy to decelerate said coupling member to stop over a second predetermined distance.
15. An anchor support assembly for interconnecting an aboveground pipeline to a ground support member, said pipeline being oriented along a predetermined path over said ground support member, comprising: a frame capable of being connected to said ground support member, a coupling assembly mounted for sliding movement on said frame in a direction along the path of said pipeline, said coupling assembly capable of being affixed to said pipeline, and a nonresilient, energy absorbing honeycomb panel for gradually stopping the relative movement between said frame and said coupling assembly, said panel having cells thereof oriented substantially parallel to the path of travel of said coupling assembly, said panel being interposed between mutually opposing portions of said coupling assembly and said frame, said mutually opposing portions having mutually opposing surfaces oriented trans-versely to the path of sliding movement of said coupling assembly, said panel being spaced from at least one of the mutually opposing portions of said coupling assembly and said frame so as to allow relative sliding move-ment between said coupling assembly and said frame for a predetermined dis-tance before said panel is crushed between said mutually opposing surface portions.
16. A method for connecting an aboveground pipeline to a ground support member wherein the pipeline is oriented along a predetermined path over said ground support member comprising the steps of: interconnecting said pipe-line to said ground support member so as to allow relative movement there-between in a direction along the path of said pipeline, interposing a nonre-silient, energy absorbing honeycomb panel between mutually opposing portions of said pipeline and said ground support member, orienting the cells of said honeycomb panel substantially parallel to the path of travel of said pipe-line whereby after said relative movement occurs over a predetermined distance, said mutually opposing portions will contact and crush said honeycomb panel, said honeycomb panel thereby absorbing the energy related to said relative movement and gradually reducing the speed of said relative movement.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US68830376A | 1976-05-20 | 1976-05-20 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1061582A true CA1061582A (en) | 1979-09-04 |
Family
ID=24763891
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA277,650A Expired CA1061582A (en) | 1976-05-20 | 1977-05-04 | Aboveground anchor support assembly for a pipeline |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1061582A (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN112429542A (en) * | 2020-11-17 | 2021-03-02 | 中冶华成(武汉)工程有限公司 | Municipal road drainage pipeline construction equipment and construction method thereof |
-
1977
- 1977-05-04 CA CA277,650A patent/CA1061582A/en not_active Expired
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN112429542A (en) * | 2020-11-17 | 2021-03-02 | 中冶华成(武汉)工程有限公司 | Municipal road drainage pipeline construction equipment and construction method thereof |
| CN112429542B (en) * | 2020-11-17 | 2022-02-22 | 中冶华成(武汉)工程有限公司 | Municipal road drainage pipeline construction equipment and construction method thereof |
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