Adjustable Support Frame for Gas Cylinder Pallet Manifolds
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current gas cylinder pallets with permanently attached manifold systems require frequent disassembly for requalification and refilling, especially for cylinders containing carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, or liquid fuel gases, which is inefficient and labor-intensive.
Innovation Solution
A universal, demountable support frame that can be securely attached to various pallets, allowing the manifold to be easily moved and rotated, eliminating the need for periodic system requalification and simplifying cylinder replacement and refilling by providing a stable platform with three points of contact through adjustable braces and a cantilever arm.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a permanently attached manifold system is connected to cylinders on a pallet, then the cylinders can be handled and shipped as a single unit, but the pallet must be disassembled every five years to requalify the cylinders
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into separate components: a removable support frame with manifold that can be detached from the pallet, and the cylinder pack itself. This segmentation allows the manifold to remain permanently attached to the cylinders for stable handling, while the support frame can be easily removed for requalification without disassembling the entire pallet structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The support frame incorporates adjustable and removable features that transition from a fixed permanent attachment to a dynamic removable configuration. The frame can be easily detached and reattached, providing the flexibility needed for periodic requalification while maintaining stable connection during normal operation.
2Ease of manufacture
If the pallet is disassembled to refill cylinders containing carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, or liquid fuel gases, then the cylinders can be refilled, but the entire cradle, pack, or pallet must be disassembled
Solution Approach 1:
The support frame is designed as a separate removable component from the pallet structure. This allows individual cylinders to be accessed and refilled by removing only the support frame, rather than disassembling the entire pallet, significantly reducing the complexity of the refilling operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The manifold and support frame are extracted as a separate removable unit from the pallet structure. This extraction allows cylinders to be refilled by simply removing the support frame, avoiding the need to disassemble the entire pallet while maintaining the manifold connection during normal operation.
3Ease of operation
If a universal demountable support frame is used instead of a permanently attached manifold, then cylinder replacement and refilling become easier, but the manifold must be reattached to each new pallet
Solution Approach 1:
The support frame is pre-configured with the manifold and adjustment mechanisms before being moved to a new pallet. This preliminary preparation allows for quick installation on the new pallet without requiring time-consuming adjustments or modifications, reducing the overall reattachment time while maintaining ease of cylinder replacement.
Data Source
AI summary
A support frame attachable to a pressurized gas cylinder pallet is disclosed. The support frame includes an adjustable first support member having a first brace and a second brace and a second support member having a third brace that extends from the first support member. The first support member is adjustable to move the first and second brace into engagement with the pallet and the third brace is slidable along the second support member to also move the third brace into engagement with the pallet. The three points of contact stabilize the support frame on the pallet such that a manifold can be connected to the support frame for connection to the cylinders on the pallet. Also disclosed is a kit including the support frame and the manifold.