Patent Abstract:
A two-piece clamping arrangement for engaging and holding an elongated element, such as a tubular conduit for fluids, or the like. An upper and a lower clamp member are provided to engage oppositely-facing surfaces of the elongated element. One of the upper or lower clamp members includes at least one longitudinally-arranged alignment surface to assure proper alignment of the clamp members when the clamp is assembled about the elongated element. The alignment surface also serves to stiffen the clamp member against bending and thereby serves to increase the holding force of the clamp assembly.

Full Description:
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED DEVELOPMENT 
   This invention was made with U.S. government support under Contract No. N00019-96-C-0080 awarded by the Department of the Navy. The U.S. government has certain rights in this invention. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a support arrangement for supporting a tubular member. More particularly, the present invention relates to a support arrangement in the form of a two-piece clamping member for engaging and holding a tubular member, such as a fluid-carrying conduit, in a desired position against the effects of vibratory forces to which the tubular member is subjected. 
   Cylindrical members, such as support rods, or tubular conduits for carrying fluids, are often supported relative to a support surface or another component so that they are in a predetermined position, and also so that they are restrained from vibrating excessively, in order to avoid fatigue failure of the cylindrical member. Fluid-carrying conduits are generally found on various types of machinery for carrying pressurized gases, such as pressurized air, or pressurized liquids, such as hydraulic fluid. Because operating machinery generally often involves some degree of vibration, such conduits are frequently subjected to alternating vibratory forces that can cause excessive vibratory movement of the conduits. The vibratory movements must be minimized, or at least controlled, to avoid a resonant condition and also to avoid vibration-induced fatigue failure of the conduits. 
   Various supporting arrangements are known for supporting rods or conduits. Different forms of clamps have been devised to engage the rod or conduit and to hold it substantially steady relative to a surface of the equipment with which the conduit is associated. Generally, increased resistance to vibration-induced fatigue failure can be provided by increasing the size or weight of the clamp. However, in certain applications, such as in aircraft engines, the weight of the clamping arrangement must be minimized, while simultaneously providing the desired rigidity, the desired resistance to fatigue failure of the clamped member and of the clamp itself, and the desired ability simultaneously to withstand both the dynamic loads and the high temperature environment to which such elements are subjected during the operation of aircraft engines. 
   One form of tubing clamp that has been utilized on aircraft gas turbine engines includes two generally U-shaped clamp halves that are hingedly connected together at respective first ends thereof. The clamp halves can be opened to allow a tube to be positioned therebetween, and then pivoted together to enclose and surround the tube. Each such clamp half typically includes a generally semicircular recess to surround a portion of the outer surface the tube. A fastener, such as a threaded bolt, extends through openings formed in the ends of the tube clamp halves that are opposite to the hinged connection so that the bolt can be inserted through the openings. A connecting nut is threaded onto the bolt for drawing together the two clamp halves around the tube. The fastener typically also extends through an engine-mounted bracket for holding the tube relative to the outer surface of the engine casing. 
   The weight of the clamp structure can be minimized by forming it from a light weight metal, such as an aluminum alloy. But light weight metals often lack the necessary fatigue strength to withstand vibratory loads to thereby resist premature failure due to metal fatigue. Heavier metals, although generally more fatigue resistant, add weight to the structure, which is undesirable in an aircraft engine. 
   In addition to the fatigue aspects of known, hinged tubing clamp designs, tubing clamps that do not have a hinged connection can have tendency to rotate relative to each other during installation of a connecting bolt. Such relative rotation can cause the two parts of the clamp to be angularly skewed and misaligned relative to each other, which can cause the clamp members not to fully engage the conduit outer surface. In that condition edges of the clamp can bear against the outer surface of the conduit and result in stress concentrations within the conduit. Consequently, vibratory forces can cause the clamp edges to create irregular contact of the conduit outer surface over time and can lead to wear failure of the tubing. 
   BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Briefly stated, in accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a support is provided for engaging and holding a tubular member. The support includes a first clamp member having a body and a first recess having a first longitudinal axis for engaging an outer surface of the tubular member. A second clamp member having a second longitudinal axis is provided also having a body, and a second recess for engaging the outer surface of the tubular member. At least one of the first clamp member and the second clamp member includes an alignment surface carried on the body portion for orienting the first and second clamp members relative to each other so that the first and second recesses are opposite each other and the longitudinal axes of the first and second recesses are substantially parallel. The first and second clamp members include means for receiving a connecting member to hold the clamp members against an outer surface of the tubular member. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The structure, operation, and advantages of the present invention will become further apparent upon consideration of the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a tubing support having an improved clamp structure; 
       FIG. 2  is a side elevational view of the clamp members of the clamp structure shown in  FIG. 1  with the clamp members in their operative, engaged relationship; 
       FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line  3 — 3  of  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 4  is an exploded view of the clamp members shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 5  is a top perspective view of the upper clamp member shown in  FIG. 2 ; and 
       FIG. 6  is a bottom view of the upper clamp member shown in FIG.  2 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to  FIG. 1  thereof, there is shown a tubing support arrangement  10  for a fluid-carrying tubular conduit  12  that has a first end connection  14  and a second end connection  16 . Between first and second end connections  14 ,  16 , tubular conduit  12  has a U-shape, defining a pair of tubing legs  18 ,  20 . Although shown as a U-shaped arrangement involving only a single tubular conduit, it should be understood that tubing legs  18 ,  20  can also represent two distinct, non-interconnected tubes that are each carried by support arrangement  10 . Additionally, although shown in the form of a support for a hollow tubular conduit, it will be appreciated that support  10  can also be utilized for holding one or more tubular or cylindrical elements, such as support rods, or electrical cable harnesses, or Bowden-type cables, and the like. 
   Support arrangement  10  includes a bracket  22  for attachment to a rigid surface or to another structural element (not shown) to secure the tubing legs in a predetermined position. Bracket  22  includes a surface  24  to which a two-piece tube clamp  26  can be attached. Tube clamp  26  includes a first clamping member  28  that rests against bracket surface  24 , and a second clamping member  30  that overlies first clamping member  28 . Tubing legs  18 ,  20  lie between first and second clamping members  28 ,  30  and are secured relative to bracket  22  by a connecting bolt  31  that passes through respective openings formed in each of clamping members  28 ,  30  and bracket  22 . Arrangements of the type shown can be utilized for supporting and stabilizing cylindrical or otherwise-shaped elements against vibrations that are induced by operation of the machinery with which the supported elements are associated, or by external loadings of the machinery with which they are associated. For example, when utilized to secure and hold tubular conduits associated with an aircraft engine, the conduits can be subjected to vibratory forces induced by the engine operation or the operation of other components that are connected with the conduit. The conduits can also be subjected to loads induced by maneuvers undertaken by the aircraft itself, as well as combined aircraft-maneuver-induced loads superimposed upon the engine-induced vibratory forces. 
   Tube clamp  26 , defined by first clamping member  28  and second clamping member  30 , is shown in assembled, contacting relationship in  FIG. 2  in a side elevational view, and is shown in  FIG. 3  in a transverse cross-sectional view. First clamping member  28  includes a central body  32  that can be of generally rectangular configuration, as shown, and a pair of ends  34 ,  36  that are carried at respective longitudinal ends of central body  32 . Central body  32  has a lower surface  38  that is adapted to engage against the surface of a bracket, such as bracket  22  shown  FIG. 1 , or against another, preferably rigid, surface. Body  28  includes an upper surface  40  that is substantially flat and that is adapted to engage in surface-to-surface contact with second clamping member  30 , as will hereinafter be described. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , bracket surface  24  is flat, and therefore lower surface of first clamping member  38  is also flat, to allow substantial surface-to-surface contact for increased rigidity when first clamping member  28  is secured against a mounting surface. 
   Ends  34 ,  36  of first clamping member  28  are so shaped as to define upwardly-facing, element-engaging surfaces  42 ,  44 , respectively, that are configured to correspond substantially in shape with the shape of a portion of the outer surface of the element to be supported. For supporting a tubular conduit having a circular cross section, such as tube  12  shown in  FIG. 1 , surfaces  42 ,  44  have an arcuate form, such as an arc of a circle having a radius corresponding substantially with the radius that defines the outer surface of the tube, to provide substantial surface-to-surface contact area and thereby minimize stress concentrations on the clamped element at the areas of contact between surfaces  42 ,  44  and the outer surface of the tubular conduit. It will be understood that the form of the outer surface of the element that is being clamped will dictate the preferred form of surfaces  42 ,  44 . 
   Second clamping member  30  has an overall form that is similar to that of first clamping member  28 . In that regard, and as best seen in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , second clamping member  30  includes a central body  46  that can be of generally rectangular configuration, as shown, and a pair of ends  48 ,  50  carried at respective longitudinal ends of central body  46 . The lower surface  52  of central body  46  is adapted to engage against and to contact upper surface  40  of first clamping member  28  when the clamping members are assembled to form tube clamp  26  shown in FIG.  1 . Lower surface  52  is therefore flat, or planar, to allow adequate surface-to-surface contact of central bodies  32  and  46 . Upper surface  54  of central body  46  can be flat to provide a bearing surface against which can rest the head of a connecting bolt, an end surface of a washer, or an end surface of a connecting nut. 
   Ends  48 ,  50  of second clamping member  30  are so shaped as to define downwardly-facing, element-engaging surfaces  56 ,  58 , respectively, that are configured to correspond substantially with the shape of a portion of the outer surface of the element to be supported. In that regard, surfaces  56 ,  58  can have a shape similar to that of surfaces  38 ,  40  of first clamping member  28 . For supporting an element having a circular cross section, such as the tubular conduit shown in  FIG. 1 , surfaces  56 ,  58  can have an arcuate form, such as an arc of a circle having a radius corresponding substantially with the radius that defines the outer surface of the tubular conduit, to provide substantial surface-to-surface contact between second clamping member  30  and the tubular conduit and thereby minimize contact stress on the outer surface of the clamped tubular conduit at the regions of contact between surfaces  54 ,  56  and the outer surface of the tubular conduit. It will be understood that the form of the outer surface of the element that is being clamped will dictate the preferred form of surfaces  54 ,  56 . 
   As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 6 , extending downwardly along longitudinal edges  60 ,  62  of central body  46  are a pair of depending ridges  64 ,  66 , respectively. Ridges  64 ,  66  are substantially parallel to each other and are spaced from each other a distance that is greater than the transverse width of central body  32  of first clamping member  28 , so that when upper surface  40  of first clamping member  28  is in surface-to-surface contact with lower surface  52  of second clamping member  30 , ridges  64  and  66  are opposite the side surfaces of central body  32 . 
   As best seen in  FIG. 3 , each of ridges  64 ,  66  includes a respective inner surface  68 ,  70  that is inclined relative to lower surface  52  and that together define an outwardly-diverging included angle therebetween. The spacing between the respective points of intersection  72 ,  74  at which inner surfaces  68 ,  70  meet lower surface  52  corresponds substantially with the width of central body  32  of first clamping member  28 . The angle of inclination of inner surfaces  68 ,  70  relative to lower surface  52  can range from about 100° to about 140°, preferably from about 115° to about 125°, and most preferably from about 118° to about 122°. The spacing between points  72 ,  74  and the inclination of inner surfaces  68 ,  70  can be selected to limit the angular misaliignment that can exist between first and second clamping members  28 ,  30  when tube clamp  26  is in its assembled condition. The angular misalignment referred to herein is the angle defined between the longitudinal axes of each of first and second clamping members  28 ,  30 . For example, those parameters can be selected to limit the maximum angular misalignment to an angle of no larger than about 3°, in order not to allow outer edges of element-engaging surfaces of the clamping members to produce irregular contact and wear, or indent the outer surface of the engaged element. 
   The provision of inner surfaces  68 ,  70  serves to facilitate assembly of clamp  26 . By manually pressing lower surface  52  of second clamping member  30  against upper surface  40  of first clamping member  28  during clamp assembly, inner surfaces  68 ,  70  will engage the edges of central body  32  of first clamping member  28  and cause second clamping member  30  to pivot relative to first clamping member  28 . The pivotal movement corrects for any longitudinal misalignment between the clamping members, and therefore inner surfaces  68 ,  70  serve as alignment surfaces during clamp assembly. 
   In addition to the alignment function provided by inner surfaces  68 ,  70  of depending ridges  64 ,  66 , the ridges also serve to stiffen central body  46 . As a result, the tendency of central body  46  to bend about a transverse axis, relative to the assembled clamping members, when first and second clamping elements  28 ,  30  are drawn together by the tightening of a connecting bolt, is significantly reduced. Such bending can occur if there is not substantial surface-to-surface contact between lower surface  52  of second clamping element  30  and upper surface  40  of first clamping element  28 . In that instance, the higher rigidity of central body  46  of second clamping element  30  resulting from the provision of ridges  64 ,  66  causes the clamping force applied to the outer surface of the clamped member to be higher than it would be if bending of central body  46  were allowed to occur. Moreover, the stiffening effect provided by the ridges allows the thickness of central body  46  to be reduced, thereby saving weight. 
   An additional benefit of the configuration of the clamping members as shown is a reduction of the length of the connecting bolt for connecting together the two clamping members, with a consequent reduction of the weight of the clamping assembly. Because the two clamping members are configured differently, they must be assembled in the correct manner. In that regard, if second clamping member  30  were to be positioned against the clamp supporting surface, such as surface  24  shown in  FIG. 1 , which would reduce the desired surface-to-surface contact area between the clamping member and the clamp support surface, assembly of the clamping members could not properly be effected. Because first clamping member would be uppermost the connecting nut could not be engaged with the connecting bolt as the distance from the supporting surface to the uppermost surface of the clamping assembly would be too great. 
   Although particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. It is therefore intended to encompass within the appended claims all such changes and modifications that fall within the scope of the invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 5