A mechanical snubber is a device designed to protect components from excess shock or sway caused by seismic disturbances or other transient forces.Specialty Item Gauges OPUS (Online Piping & Usage Specification), (retrieved 28 September 2010) Under normal operating conditions, the snubber allows for movement in tension and compression.Mechanical Snubber Assemblies Piping Technology & Products, Inc. Catalog, (retrieved 28 September 2010) When an impulse event occurs, the snubber acts as a restraint device. The device becomes rigid, absorbs the dynamic energy, and transfers it to the supporting structure.Pipe Supports Explore the World of Piping, (retrieved 28 September 2010)
The image shows an isometric view of one style of mechanical snubber. When a disturbance occurs that exceeds the acceleration threshold of the snubber, the ball screw and drum produce angular momentum to the inertia mass. The inertial resistance of the mass engages the resilient capstan to tighten around a hardened mandrel, which is part of the structural tube. This, in turn, causes restraining force against the rotation of the ball screw. During standard operation, the associated acceleration is far below the threshold limit of the snubber and does not activate the capstan spring.Mechanical Snubber Piping Technology & Products, Inc., (retrieved 28 September 2010)
Applications
Process impulse events water hammerCan You Believe that Gauge? Workman, Larry, Sept. 23, 2010, (retrieved 28 September 2010) tripped valve pipe rupture protection from overtravel or overstress by reducing the structural response
External impulse events seismic event (such as an earthquake)Seismic stops for nuclear power plants Anderson, P.H., Oct. 1, 1989, (retrieved 28 September 2010) unexpected failure of adjacent components high wind loads
See also Shock absorber
References