method for reducing stress in a conduit brace assembly

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for reducing stress in a conduit brace assembly that includes the steps of forming a connection joint ( 125 ) that connects a brace bar ( 120, 121, 122 , or 123 ) to a conduit ( 103 A or 103 B) and applying localized heat at the connection joint ( 125 ) to relieve stress.

1 . A method for reducing stress in a conduit brace assembly, comprising the steps of:
 forming a connection joint ( 125 ) that connects a brace bar ( 120 ,  121 ,  122 , or  123 ) to a conduit ( 103 A or  103 B); and   applying localized heat at the connection joint ( 125 ) to relieve stress.   
     
     
         2 . The method for reducing stress in a conduit brace assembly according to  claim 1 , further comprising the step of applying localized heat on an area of the conduit ( 103 A or  103 B) that is adjacent to the connection joint ( 125 ) in order to relieve stress. 
     
     
         3 . The method for reducing stress in a conduit brace assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the application of localized heat heats the connection joint ( 125 ) to a temperature between 704° C. and 816° C. 
     
     
         4 . The method for reducing stress in a conduit brace assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the application of localized heat heats the connection joint ( 125 ) to a temperature of at least 760° C. 
     
     
         5 . The method for reducing stress in a conduit brace assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the localized heat is generated by a flame. 
     
     
         6 . The method for reducing stress in a conduit brace assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the localized heat is generated by an induction coil ( 300 ). 
     
     
         7 . The method for reducing stress in a conduit brace assembly according to  claim 1 , further comprising the step of allowing the connection joint ( 125 ) to air cool after the localized heat is applied. 
     
     
         8 . The method for reducing stress in a conduit brace assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the localized heat is applied while the conduit ( 103 A or  103 B) and brace bar ( 120 ,  121 ,  122 , or  123 ) are located on a production line. 
     
     
         9 . The method for reducing stress in a conduit brace assembly according to  claim 1 , further comprising the step of connecting at least one drive ( 104 ) and at least one pick off ( 105  or  105 ′) to the conduit before the application of the localized heat. 
     
     
         10 . The method for reducing stress in a conduit brace assembly according to  claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:
 forming another connection joint ( 125 ) that connects another brace bar ( 120 ,  121 ,  122 , or  123 ) to the conduit ( 103 A,  103 B); and   applying localized heat at the another connection joint ( 125 ) to relieve stress.   
     
     
         11 . The method for reducing stress in a conduit brace assembly according to  claim 10 , further comprising the step of applying localized heat on an area of the conduit ( 103 A,  103 B) that is adjacent to the another connection joint ( 125 ) in order to relieve stress 
     
     
         12 . The method for reducing stress in a conduit brace assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the brace bar ( 120 ,  121 ,  122 , or  123 ) is generally positioned at an end of the conduit ( 103 A,  103 B). 
     
     
         13 . The method for reducing stress in a conduit brace assembly according to  claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:
 forming another connection joint ( 125 ) that connects another brace bar ( 120 ,  121 ,  122 , or  123 ) to the conduit ( 103 A,  103 B), whereby the brace bar ( 120 ,  121 ,  122 , or  123 ) and the another brace bar ( 120 ,  121 ,  122 , or  123 ) are symmetrically located on the conduit ( 103 A,  103 B); and   applying localized heat at the another connection joint ( 125 ) to relieve stress.   
     
     
         14 . The method for reducing stress in a conduit brace assembly according to  claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:
 forming another connection joint ( 125 ) to connect the brace bar ( 120 ,  121 ,  122 , or  123 ) to another conduit ( 103 A or  103 B); and   applying localized heat at the another connection joint ( 125 ) to relieve stress.   
     
     
         15 . The method for reducing stress in a conduit brace assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the connection joint ( 125 ) is formed via welding.