CLAMP SUITABLE FOR INCREASING FATIGUE LIFE OF BUTT WELDS OF PIPE PRESSURE VESSEL WHICH IS SUBSEQUENTLY BENT

摘要

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a pipe clamp for affixing to a pipe subjected to bending to minimize fatigue for a butt weld in the pipe.SOLUTION: A pipe clamp 10 includes an inside clamp segment 20 and an outside clamp segment 40 each having a semi-cylindrical shape, a first end 22 and a second end 24. An inside surface 26 of the inside clamp segment 20 is substantially smooth for permitting slippage of an outside surface of the pipe with respect to the inside surface of the clamp segment. The outside clamp segment 40 has an inside surface 50 that defines a friction element. The friction element is for gripping an outside surface of the pipe to which the outside clamp segment is affixed. A clamp mechanism 64 is provided for securing the inside clamp segment 20 to the outside clamp segment 40.