Boom Attachment for Ground-Level Insulated Metal Panel Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional insulated metal panel (IMP) construction methods pose safety risks and efficiency challenges due to high-altitude assembly, requiring multiple workers and complex parapet assemblies, which restrict access and scheduling for other trades.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a panel assembly table and a boom IMP attachment for telehandlers, allowing assembly and maneuvering of IMPs at ground level, using a gantry, material lift arm, panel jacks, and a boom IMP attachment that rotates and tilts panels for installation, reducing the need for high-altitude work.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If workers assemble IMP sections at high elevations using conventional methods, then the panels can be installed directly at the building, but safety risks increase due to falling hazards and worker exposure to height
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by assembling the complete IMP section (panels, girts, and parapet) at ground level before installation. Workers assemble the entire wall section on the ground, then the pre-assembled section is hoisted by crane to the building for installation. This eliminates the need for workers to assemble panels at high elevations, thereby removing falling hazards while maintaining assembly capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a crane as an intermediary mechanism to transfer the pre-assembled IMP section from ground level to the building. The crane serves as a mediator that carries the heavy, pre-assembled panel section upward, eliminating the need for workers to manually handle panels at dangerous heights while maintaining the ability to install panels at the required elevation.
2Productivity
If IMP sections are assembled and hoisted by crane individually, then panels can be installed at the building, but the process is slow and restricts access to the jobsite
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by completing the entire IMP section assembly (including panels, girts, and parapet) at ground level before hoisting. This pre-assembly allows multiple panels to be prepared simultaneously on the ground, then hoisted as a complete section, dramatically increasing installation speed compared to hoisting individual panels one at a time. The ground-level assembly also enables better organization and faster preparation of multiple sections.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the assembly of multiple IMP panels into a single integrated section that is hoisted and installed together. By combining the assembly of multiple panels into one pre-assembled section, the patent eliminates the time-consuming process of individually hoisting and installing each panel, thereby increasing productivity and reducing scheduling conflicts with other trades.
3Reliability
If complex parapet assemblies and wall girts are used for IMP installation, then the panels can be secured to the building, but the assembly process becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-assembling the complete IMP section including panels, girts, and parapet at ground level. This pre-assembly allows all connection components to be properly aligned and secured before installation, ensuring secure attachment to the building while simplifying the on-site installation process. The complete section is hoisted and installed as one unit, eliminating the need for complex on-site assembly of separate components.
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
Minimizes falling hazards, improves worker safety, and enhances scheduling efficiency by enabling ground-level assembly and installation, optimizing access for multiple trades and reducing project durations.
Implementation Method 1
a material lift arm coupled to the gantry and configured to collect IMP panel sections for placement on a panel frame
Implementation Method 2
one or more panel jacks for lifting the panel module to allow access to an underside
Implementation Method 3
a first tilt linear actuator and a second tilt linear actuator configured to tilt the orientation of a panel module
Implementation Method 4
a first hydraulic rotation linear actuator and a second hydraulic rotation linear actuator configured to rotate the orientation of the panel module
Implementation Method 5
a plurality of clamp assemblies on each clamp header rail
Data Source
AI summary
An insulated metal panel (IMP) assembly system includes a panel assembly table and a boom IMP attachment. The panel assembly table allows for assembly of a panel module at ground level. The boom IMP attachment features a quick-coupler couplable to the boom of a telehandler, a swivel coupler column, one or more tilt linear actuators configured to tilt the orientation of a panel module, and one or more hydraulic rotation linear actuators configured to rotate the orientation of the panel module. The boom IMP attachment also includes a jib frame, a plurality of jib arms spanning outwards from the jib frame, and one or more clamp header rails having a plurality of clamp assemblies, each configured to grip a frame member of the panel frame of the panel module. The boom IMP attachment may hoist, tilt, and rotate the panel module.