Adjustable Support System for Floating Roof Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing support systems for floating roofs during maintenance are not internally adjustable in height without increasing the load, are difficult to transport through restrictive spaces, and require extensive disassembly and reassembly for repositioning.
Innovation Solution
A support system composed of four adjustable support members with jacks, attachment plates, and connectors that can be easily assembled and disassembled without tools, allowing for real-time height adjustment and repositioning without disassembly, using a crank shaft mechanism and extension tubes for increased versatility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional cribbing systems are used, then support stability is achieved, but the system cannot be adjusted in height without increasing load or disassembly
Solution Approach 1:
The support member incorporates a telescopic mechanism with extension tubes that can be extended or retracted to adjust the height of the support system. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the system to adapt to different roof heights without requiring disassembly or adding excessive load, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The telescopic mechanism uses nested extension tubes where one tube is inserted inside another. This nesting arrangement allows multiple height adjustments within a compact structure, enabling height variability while maintaining a relatively simple overall device configuration when not in use.
2Strength
If support systems are designed for stability, then they can support the floating roof, but they are difficult to transport through restrictive spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The support system is divided into multiple separate components including support members, cross members, and connection elements. Each component can be transported through restrictive spaces independently, and then assembled together to form the complete support structure with adequate strength to support the floating roof.
Solution Approach 2:
The telescopic mechanism allows the support members to be compacted to a smaller size for transport and then extended to the required length and strength configuration when deployed, enabling both compact transport and adequate support capacity.
3Reliability
If traditional support systems are assembled, then they provide roof support, but repositioning requires extensive disassembly and reassembly
Solution Approach 1:
The telescopic mechanism can be adjusted in height without requiring disassembly of the support structure. This allows the system to be repositioned or reconfigured quickly by simply extending or retracting the appropriate support members, significantly reducing the time required for repositioning while maintaining support stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The support members are pre-configured with telescopic capabilities and connection mechanisms that allow for quick adjustment and repositioning. This preliminary design consideration enables rapid reconfiguration without extensive disassembly, saving time during maintenance operations.
4Weight of moving object
If height adjustment is made without telescopic mechanisms, then load increases during assembly, but telescopic mechanisms add device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The telescopic mechanism allows the support members to be adjusted to the correct height before final assembly, distributing the load more effectively and preventing excessive concentrated loads during the assembly process. While the mechanism adds some complexity, it prevents the greater complexity and potential damage associated with forcing assembly under excessive load.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system provides a stable, adjustable, and easily transportable support solution that allows for safe working environments without the need for extensive effort or specialized tools, enabling efficient maintenance of floating roofs and other structures.
Implementation Method 1
a crank shaft penetrating through a jack first side and a crank shaft coupling attachment accessible from a jack second side opposite the jack first side
Data Source
AI summary
A support system for supporting a work surface, such as a floating roof during maintenance of the associated tank. More particularly, the present disclosure is directed to providing a system composed on elements which can be transported without constrictive spaces, assembled within work area, and employed to provide support to a structure above and to provide a safe working environment therein. The support system includes four support members, each having a jack, a lower, and a cap, eight connectors which fix the support members in relation to one another and provide rigidity, and may include two connecting shafts to permit simultaneous adjustment of two jacks on a side of the support system.