Designed to control movement during impulse and prevent sudden displacement
When thermal movement, seismic activity, or pressure surges strike, unrestrained piping systems can suffer catastrophic failures. For project managers and engineers tasked with safeguarding critical infrastructure in unpredictable environments, hydraulic snubbers provide a tested and proven line of defense.
Without them, it could lead to breaks in the piping system, cause misalignment issues, and/or anchor bolt failure. With tight project schedules and in high-risk applications, that’s a scenario no one can afford.
How Hydraulic Snubbers Work
Hydraulic snubbers allow free thermal movement during normal operating conditions. But when a sudden shock load occurs, such as a water hammer, blast, or seismic event, the hydraulic snubber reacts instantly to restrict movement.
By automatically locking up during sudden displacement and staying passive during slow, normal motion, they effectively protect the piping system without interfering with normal operation. This dual-mode performance makes them ideal for high-performance applications requiring both flexibility and protection.
Case in Point: Custom Manufactured Hydraulic Snubbers for a California Geothermal Plant
For a geothermal facility in California, Fronek Anchor/Darling, a division of Piping Technology & Products (PT&P), designed and fabricated high-load hydraulic snubbers tailored for seismic resilience. In this application, our engineers designed two unique snubbers and a three-bolt pipe clamp:
- Hydraulic snubbers designed for a 50,000 lb. max load, 5” cylinder, 6” stroke, measuring 34 ¾” to 37 ⅝” piston-to-piston.
- Hydraulic snubbers designed for a 20,000 lb. max load, 2 ½” cylinder, and 6” stroke, measuring 56 15/16” to 59 5/16” piston-to-piston.
- Custom three-bolt carbon steel pipe clamps designed to fit the snubbers and accommodate the high loads.
Before shipment, our quality and production teams performed cycle testing on each hydraulic snubber unit, extending it from zero to its full range.
The result: the geothermal facility received vibration protection that met strict seismic standards, safeguarding its piping system from high-intensity earthquakes without interfering with thermal movement or risking damage.
Where Hydraulic Snubbers Work Best
Because of the ability to restrict and control sudden movements, snubbers are ideal for specific needs, such as:
- Geothermal plants, where the buildup of steam could cause steam hammers in the pipeline.
- Petrochemical plants, where sudden forces like pressure surges, thermal expansion, or seismic activity could impact system stability and safety
- Power plants, where dynamic loads such as seismic events, steam hammers, or turbine trips could cause sudden pipe movements.
- Nuclear plants, where seismic activity and system fluctuations can affect the movement of critical liquids and gases.
- High-vibration environments that aren’t always predictable
- Seismically active zones that require restraint under load but flexibility at rest.
At the geothermal facility in California, our snubbers were necessary in ensuring the heat of the pipes didn’t cause misalignment of their route. Because of our hydraulic snubbers, these pipes can transport energy safely and without interruption to thousands of homes.
Key Benefits of a Hydraulic Snubber
The benefits are visible the moment they are needed. Because of its design, a hydraulic snubber:
- Transfers shock and vibration from the piping equipment to the building structure during dynamic events, absorbing the impact instantly.
- Allows free movement under normal thermal expansion
- Minimizes damage risk from water hammer or seismic activity
- Has a fully customizable stroke and can be supplied with pipe clamps for specific load applications.
- Can be easily and efficiently cycle tested for durability and code compliance
Engineer’s Take: Why Choose Our Hydraulic Snubbers
Engineers and project managers trust hydraulic snubbers from Fronek/Anchor Darling and PT&P because they:
- Meet ASME and seismic restraint codes.
- Are manufactured to specific specs based on an engineer’s and project manager’s application needs.
- Can be manufactured and delivered at a faster rate than many other manufacturing firms.
- Are designed and tested for long-term performance.
- Offer replacement parts and repair services on existing snubbers in your facility
Products Often Paired with Hydraulic Snubbers
- 2-bolt, 3-bolt, and Yoke clamps to attach the snubber to the pipe
- Rear brackets to serve as an anchor point for the snubber
- Constant spring supports
Get the Specs, Validate the Fit and Envelope
Talk to an Engineer today to get stroke, clamp, and load options tailored to your job, or Request a Quote to start planning with accurate lead time and technical documentation.
