Frequently Asked Questions
A snubber is a shock absorber, it stops all movement caused by a sudden transient (emergency) load in a pipe system. A sway brace is ashock arrestor, it dampens the load and reduces the overall movement. A sway strut stops all movement and transfers it into the pipe structure.
Large Sway Brace
The basic working principal behind a hydraulic snubber is that under slow(normal) speeds, a piston moves within a hydraulic reservoir pushing hydraulic fluid from the front to the back (or visa versa) of that reservoir. When an impulse load occurs and the piston tries to move at a high speed, a valve willclose thereby restricting or blocking the movement of the fluid within the reservoir and subsequently locking the moving piston.
Hydraulic Snubber Assemblies
Piping struts,also referred to as sway struts, are devices used to restrain movement of piping in one direction while providing for movement due to thermal expansion or contraction in another direction.
Sway Struts with 3-Bolt Pipe Clamps
A mechanical snubber is a device that permits pipe deflection under normal operating conditions, but when subjected to an impulse load, such as an earthquake, waterhammer, etc., the snubber becomes activated and acts as a rigid restraint to restrict pipe movement as a result of the unwanted impulse loading.
A mechanical snubber uses gears and springs to produce the restraint force when activated.
Mechanical Snubbers
Because the strut assembly consists of basically two rods joined by a structural steel member, once the strut’s overall length is established, it will not change during operation. Consequently, loads applied in either direction will be counter-balanced by the strut.
240″ Sway Strut for a Local Refinery
A pipe snubber is a device that permits pipe deflection under normal operating conditions, but when subjected to an impulse load, such as an earthquake, water hammer, etc., the snubber becomes activated and acts as a rigid restraint to restrict pipe movement as a result of the unwanted impulse loading.
Limit stops have free movement through deflection. Also a limit stop acts as a rigid support.
A snubber is activated under transient loads. The snubber is a passive element under normal conditions.
A strut is a load bearing component with limited deflection.
Restraints prevent or resist free movement in one direction.
Most hydraulic snubbers have a piston which is relatively unconstrained in motion at low displacement rates. At high displacement rates the piston “locks up” and acts as a rigid restraint.
When the velocity of the piston reaches a certain value (about 8in/min),the hydraulic valve will shut off and the entire system is locked. i.e. that isthe piston movement is arrested.
Hydraulic Snubber
Pipe wake is the vibrations caused by turbulent flow in piping systems.
Custom Designed Sway Braces
No because a variable spring hanger does not work horizontally, it must work vertically.
Variable Spring and Cro-Moly 3-bolt Clamp Assemblies for a Power Generation Facility
The reservoir cylinder is to maintain a conservation of mass ofthe hydraulic fluid within the snubber.
Hydraulic Snubbers Designed for a Geothermal Facility
It's a 50-50 proposition depending upon the type of deflection you are anticipating. If you are expecting dual-motion you would use sway braces in pairs.
48 Sway Braces for a Refinery Expansion Project
A sway brace can operate in an apparent tension and compression whereas a spring is only in compression.
Custom Sway Braces with Ball Joints for a Refinery
Yes, a snubber can be usedto arrest the imposed force due to safety valve blowing.
Hydraulic Snubbers Designed for a Geothermal Facility
You would only use the snubber if it is an occasional occurrence, not if it is a continuous occurrence. If you want to lock it in place, use asway strut. If you want to dampen the impulse forces, then use a sway brace.
Hydraulic Snubber Assemblies for a LNG Processing Facility in Peru
Hydraulic snubbers and mechanical snubbers can take the same loads if they are the same size snubber. It depends upon the load that each type of snubber is designed for.
Hydraulic Snubbers Designed for a Geothermal Facility