Variable Spring Support Design, Size Selection, Installation & Maintenance Webinar
This Webinar will focus on the different types of variable spring supports and big ton variable spring supports. Learn about the special features available, in addition to the design of a variable support. View how the different coil configurations produce a unique response to an applied load and see how a spring assembly is loaded. Discover the basic steps in selecting a hanger design and the step by step process used to size a spring for your application. Learn about the different attachments, testing, and installation and maintenance procedures. View examples of failed supports provided by our Field Service Division and learn why they failed and how to prevent it. Gain knowledge of the valuable tips used when deciding to replace or re-calibrate a variable spring support, as well as adjustments, shutdown and isolation procedures.
These variable spring hangers were designed for a 10″ pipe line in a solar electric generating system. All assemblies were fabricated from A-36 carbon steel with a hot-dipped galvanize finish. The picture on the left shows a structural steel assembly supporting a PTP-1 variable spring and a Fig.80 heavy 3-bolt clamp designed for a 3,789 lb. load. The picture on the right shows two PTP-2 variable spring hangers welded to a structural steel beam designed for a 675 lb. load. Each pipe hanger assembly went through standard load and travel testing prior to shipping.
These F-Type variable spring cans were designed with PTFE, 25% glass filled slide plates for a local oil refinery. Slide plates are used to reduce the friction between the load flange of the spring and the pipe support. This allows for easier adjustment of the spring’s installed height. These variables include external travel stops. The external travel stops are sometimes referred to as universal travel stops and can be utilized to adjust the installed load (also called the cold load) to other installed loads within the working range of the spring. 113 variable springs were supplied for this job. The variables have an installed load ranging from 95 lb. to 11,000 lb. and an operating load ranging from 90 lb. to 10,703 lb. They are part of a plant expansion and will be used to support horizontal piping in an oil refinery.
A total of 232 variable spring supports were custom designed for a natural gas processing and separation plant. This project included various spring sizes from PTP-1 30 C-type to PTP-4 160 F-type assemblies. The variables are fabricated from carbon steel, galvanized and coated with a special 3-coat paint system to protect against corrosive byproducts such as sulphur. The F-types include 304 stainless steel and PTFE, 25% glass filled slide plate assemblies.
A total of 90 variable spring supports were designed and manufactured to support pipe lines in a gas storage facility in Abu Dhabi. The pictures above show PTP-4 Double Spring B-Type, PTP-6 Triple Springs B-Type, PTP-1 Triple Springs D-Type, and PTP-4 Double Springs F-Type, (also known as F-Cans). Load capacities range from 1,000 lb. to 45,000 lb., and movements range from 3/8″ to 3″. A two-layer custom paint was applied over the hot-dip galvanized finish to protect against a severely corrosive environment. Travel stops were chained to the spring can housing, so they can be reused during plant shutdowns. Load and quality assurance tests were performed on all the supports prior to shipment.
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PTP-2 Type-G variable spring support assemblies were designed and fabricated for an expansion project at an oil refinery. The G-type spring is comprised of two standard variable spring housing-coil subassemblies joined together with an intermediate bridge assembly. The bridge assembly is customized to match existing site conditions, which allows for use in applications with limited space or interferences. This particular assembly was provided with extra large channels because the specified C-C dimension of 59″ exceeded the maximum (48″) of our standard G-type variable springs. The housings, internal components and channels were fabricated from carbon steel, and spring steel was used for the coils. The assembly was designed for a total operating load of 24,014 lb. with a design travel of 0.76″ upward.
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C-Type Variable Spring Support Assemblies
The C-Type variable spring assemblies range in overall length from 3′-2½” to 3′-5/8″, and the F-Type measures 1′-1½. The C-Type variables are designed with an operating load of 1653 lb. and a spring rate of 680 lb/in. The F-Type variable is designed with an operating load of 1511 lb. and a spring rate of 340 lb/in.
F-Type Variable Spring Support
The variable supports will be utilized in a highly corrosive environment; therefore, Grade 316 stainless steel was used with a unique 3-coat paint system applied to the can housing.
C-Type Variable Spring Assembly
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A-Type Variable Spring Supports with a Load Capacity of 596 lb.
Drawing of Variable Spring
Fabricated from A-36 carbon steel, these PTP-4 A-Type variable spring supports measure 6 5/8″ OD x 19 9/16″ in length with an installed load of 596 lb. They have a spring rate of 56 lb/in., and a downward travel of 1.375″. These supports are designed to suspend from a rod that is threaded through the upper portion of the variable (see Fig. PTP-4). This particular design is generally used to keep the variable further away from the beam to avoid interference.
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Variable Spring Supports for a Refinery in Texas
Piping Technology & Products, Inc. designed and manufactured variable spring supports for a refinery in Forney, Texas.
The spring supports are made of carbon steel and have a length by casing diameter range from 9-3/16 by 8-5/8 to 53-11/16 by 12 ¾. In order to insure the quality of the springs, compression tests were used with a load capacity of 21,500 pounds.
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45,000 lb. Load CAD Spring Support
The photograph above shows a CAD Spring Support to handle over 45,000 lb. Load with movement in excess of 4”. This is a PTP-8, size 22 Type F Spring Support utilizing four stacked hellcat coils with eliminates the possibility of binding or squirming, problems which baffled others attempting development of such a design. Travel stops hold the coils in compression to cold load, while hydrostatic test spots prevent the coils from “bottoming out” during line tests. The spring casing and baseplate, which eliminates the need to weld after galvanizing, are paramount to the success of this design.
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