Issues regarding the installation load of spring supports
Thread Content
As the title suggests, I haven’t understood this issue for many years because I don’t come into contact with spring supports in my work. Regarding the installation load, what is stated in the book refers to the load of the spring when it is at room temperature. Regarding the load at low temperatures, some people say it refers to the load when the spring is not deformed. But how can there be a load when there is no deformation? There is also talk about the preload applied to the spring at the time of manufacturing. Why is preloading applied to the spring when it leaves the factory? Can’t it be shipped in its natural state? Why is it necessary to compress it in advance?
The installation load for spring supports refers to the predetermined load that the spring should withstand during system installation (i.e., in the cold state). The “cold state” here refers to the condition when the pipeline is not in use and its temperature is at room temperature. Spring supports need to be pre-compressed for the following reasons: 1. **Maintaining position**: Pre-compression of the springs ensures that the piping system remains in its designed position under varying temperature or load conditions. The pre-compressed spring can provide the necessary initial force to keep the pipe in the correct position, unaffected by temperature or pressure. 2. **Compensating for thermal expansion**: At operating temperatures, pipes expand, which can lead to displacement. The pre-compressed spring can release some energy when the pipe expands, which helps to control and compensate for the displacement caused by thermal expansion. 3. **Guaranteed performance**: By pre-compressing the spring, it is ensured that the support and hanger function properly under various loads, thereby reducing operational risks. In summary, pre-compression of the spring at the time of manufacture is intended to ensure the stability and reliability of the piping system after installation, as well as to accommodate different operating conditions. This is not an optional option, but a necessary measure to ensure the secure and efficient operation of the system. .
In other words, the mounting load of the spring is responsible for bearing the weight of the pipeline when it is at low temperature, as well as other loads; the spring does deform, so it’s not the load without deformation as some people claim, right?
Yes, you’ve understood correctly. The installation load of a spring indeed refers to the deformation that occurs in the spring under its weight and other loads when the pipeline is at low temperature. Even at low temperatures, the spring undergoes a certain degree of deformation, so as to enable better adjustment and compensation for the displacement of the pipeline caused by temperature changes under operating conditions (such as at high temperatures). Therefore, the function of spring supports is not only to bear loads, but also to accommodate and adjust deformations in the pipes that occur due to temperature or other factors during operation. .