The Pipe Support Blog

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F-Type Variable Spring Supports

An assortment of standard variable spring supports were manufactured ranging in size from 8-5/8" to 12-3/4" dia. with installed heights ranging from 9-7/16" to 18-1/8". The F-Type pipe hanger assembly is used to support the pipe from below and are typically mounted to concrete pads via anchor bolts or welded to structural steel. The various springs shown are designed for operating conditions ranging from loads of 1750 lb. with .02" travel to 21,280 lb. loads with .13" travel. As with all of our variable supports, these were quality checked with a 100% spring coil deflection test and a load cell calibration to set the assembly at the prescribed installed load.

Do you see a need for variable springs in your piping system? Let us price them for you!

Ever wonder what makes a constant spring support different from a variable spring support? How does each one function? How do they support loads and allow for movement in a pipeline? Check out our new spring support article that provides all the answers to these questions and more.

F-Type Variable Springs with Slide Plates

Upthrust 200-U Type Constants for an Oil Refinery

Want to learn more about constants? Instantly view a past constants webinar now!

F-Type Variable Springs with Slide Plates

PT&P fabricated variable springs from hot-dipped galvanized carbon steel components and a neoprene coated spring steel coil. P.T.F.E. slide plates are welded to the load flange to reduce frictional forces generated during lateral movement of the supported pipe. Internal guides are also installed to help maintain vertical alignment of all moving components throughout the anticipated thermal deflection cycle. The installed (cold) load is set to 10,413 lb. With a design travel of 0.720” up, the final operating (hot) load will be 8,974 lb. Each spring is equipped with travel stops and went through load testing prior to shipping.

Want to learn more about variable springs? Instantly view a past variables webinar!

This Type G variable spring was manufactured for a Petrochemical Plant in Mexico. The Type G assembly is formed by welding two standard spring assemblies to the ends of a pair of channels. This type of assembly can accommodate unusually heavy loads, and is especially convenient for avoiding interference in spaces where headroom is limited.

Each spring assembly is loaded per the client’s specification at Piping Technology and Products manufacturing facilities. A travel stop is inserted and strapped in place to maintain the load for the assembly installation. In addition to banding the travel stops, the variables for this project required chained travel stops. The base style (F-Type) variables on this project were also required to have internal guides.

At Piping Technology and Products, Inc. we use PTP-1, PTP-2, PTP-4, PTP-6 and PTP-8 to designate the five standard coil arrangements to increase the working range of travel of variable supports.

Several types of variable supports were made for this particular project. They included Type A, Type B and Type F.

Do you require variable spring supports in your piping system? Get pricing today!

Piping Technology & Products, Inc. Performed Field Services for a Power Generating Plant in Texas

PT&P was contracted to assist in the determination of pipe support maintenance at a power plant in Texas. The constant effort support springs with loads of excess of 9,500 lbs and the variable spring supports with loads of 450 lbs were marked for needing attention.

Cleaning Variable Spring Unit

Inspecting Variable Springs for Performance

PT&P's objectives were to:

* Evaluate the pipe supports
* Determine state of performance
* Provide a plan of action
* Train personnel on-site to perform adjustments and replacement of supports or support components
* Provide final inspection of modified supports

After Cleaning & Preparation of the Constant

Final Assembly with Added Slide Plates

The pipe supports needing attention could not be set to the required installation position. A plan was initiated to recondition some of the support components such as turnbuckles and rods. This would allow a greater range of field adjustment to the pipe supports. During a planned shut-down, PT&P Field Service Units returned to the site to modify the existing supports. The initial phase of the modifications included bracing the piping in order to isolate and lock the supports in position. Then, they were disconnected from the system and modifications to the assemblies were completed. Afterwards, the supports were reinstalled and any necessary adjustments were completed. A total of eight pipe supports were modified or adjusted.

Roller Bearing Needing Maintenance

Restored Roller Bearing

 

Do you see a need for a routine inspection of your plant? Contact us for a quote today!

PTP 1-140 Type F Positive Variable Springs for a Power Plant"

Rows of Variable Springs on the Shipping Floor

All of the custom designed variables consist of a single flange with two spring supports in order to meet the customer's height restrictions. These PTP1-140 Type F variable springs are fabricated from A36 carbon steel with an overall weight of 16,900 lbs. They are designed for upward movement of 0.079" with a hot load of 4,490 lbs., and a cold load of 4,620 lbs.

 

Want to learn more about variable springs? View a past variable spring webinar now!

Eight Custom-Built Variable Springs for a Power Plant

All of the spring components are made of A4150H and carbon steel. Per customer's request, a two coat epoxy paint was applied to the springs. The Type-A variable spring assemblies measure 22" x 79" with an installed load of 45,000 lb., operating load of 56,000 lb., and a downward travel of 5". The Type-C assemblies measure 22" x 89" with an installation load of 38,000 lb., operating load of 47,000 lb., and a downward travel of 5 1/2". Each spring coil was tested to insure the wire diameter, coil height, and spring rates.

Do you see a need for variable springs in your piping system? Get a price quote today!

Piping Technology & Products, Inc. recently custom designed and manufactured 32 spring supports with PTFE, 25% glass filled, slide plates for a plant in China. The total weight of the spring supports supplied is 13,143 lbs. and they have a travel range of ¾”. These products support the vessel and the PTFE, 25% glass filled, slide plates allow height adjustment as well as mobility. These spring supports are designed for operating loads of 42,266 lbs. and were constructed of carbon steel.

Do you require spring supports or slide plates in your piping system? Get pricing now!

Piping Technology and Products, Inc. custom designed and manufactured variable springs to be used in conjunction with a rod and clevis assembly for a power plant in West Virginia.  Since the operating loads specified by the customer were greater than the maximum loads for the largest PT&P spring, custom units needed to be built for this application. The springs were fabricated using a large spring coil, normally only used in constant spring assemblies. The spring is 20 1/2" in diameter and has a standing height of 51". All components of the pipe hanger assembly were made from carbon steel and were supplied with a hot-dipped galvanized finish. The spring is 20 1/2" in diameter and has a standing height of 51".  The rods will be attached to type A variable springs designed to support loads from 850 lbs. to 13,300 lbs. Manufactured from A-36 carbon steel, the rods are 3/4" to 2" in diameter and range in length from 68" to 95".

To prevent contamination at high temperatures, a non-galvanized finish was applied to the rods per customer's request. Prior to delivery, a 100% dye-penetrant test was preformed to ensure quality.  The variable springs were tested in the load cell to insure proper operation and also to set the cold load to the specifications as provided by the customer.

Want to learn more about variable springs? Instantly view a past variable webinar!