Chain Brace Wedge Assembly for Out-of-Plane Bending Restriction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing chain support assemblies in offshore and maritime industries fail to adequately restrict out of plane bending of chains due to rotational friction, leading to premature failure, and extending the lever arm to mitigate this is costly and hazardous.
Innovation Solution
A chain brace comprising a wedge block, outer blocks, and a tension member is installed within a chain link to restrict relative movement between adjacent links, enhancing rotational break-out friction and reducing out of plane bending.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a chain support assembly with a trunnion assembly is used to accommodate rotation and reduce out of plane bending, then the chain's out of plane bending is reduced, but rotational friction in the trunnion assembly still causes link movement and potential premature failure
Solution Approach 1:
The chain brace acts as an intermediary device installed within the chain link structure. It includes a wedge block with tapered sides that can be driven between inner blocks to restrict the relative movement of chain links. This intermediary mechanism directly addresses the rotational friction issue by mechanically constraining the links rather than relying solely on the trunnion assembly's friction-based rotation accommodation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical state of the chain link system by introducing a adjustable restriction mechanism. The wedge block can be driven to different positions within the link, changing the degree of restriction from free movement to constrained movement. This parameter change allows optimization of the balance between accommodating necessary rotation and preventing harmful out-of-plane bending.
2Reliability
If the lever arm of the chain support assembly is extended to overcome friction and further limit out of plane bending, then out of plane bending is reduced, but the operation becomes costly and hazardous
Solution Approach 1:
The solution segments the problem into two independent components: the existing chain support assembly for accommodating rotation, and the new chain brace for restricting link movement. Rather than modifying the entire chain support assembly by extending its lever arm, the invention adds a separate, focused component that performs the specific function of limiting out-of-plane bending at the chain link level.
Solution Approach 2:
The chain brace operates in a different dimensional approach compared to extending the lever arm. Instead of increasing the horizontal lever arm length of the chain support assembly, the invention works within the vertical dimension of the chain link itself, using the wedge block's tapered geometry to restrict movement in the out-of-plane direction without affecting the overall chain support structure.
3Ease of operation
If the wedge block width tapers toward the first end to enable displacement of outer blocks, then the tension member can effectively restrict relative movement, but the wedge block design becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The wedge block incorporates dynamic geometry with tapered sides that allow it to be easily inserted and adjusted. The varying width from first end to second end enables the wedge to be driven into position between the outer blocks, creating a progressive restriction effect. This dynamic geometric design allows for easy installation and adjustment while maintaining structural effectiveness.
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 chain brace effectively reduces relative movement and out of plane bending, prolonging chain life and safety without the complexity and cost of extending the lever arm.
Implementation Method 1
The wedge block can be configured to engage with and partially receive an outer surface of an end of the first link of chain. The concave outer surface of the second outer block can be configured to engage with and partially receive an outer surface of an end of the third link of chain.
Data Source
AI summary
A chain brace for restricting relative movement between first, second, and third serially connected links of a chain. The chain brace can include a wedge block defining a bore at least partially therethrough, first and second outer blocks, a capture frame that can include a reaction plate that can define a bore therethrough, and a tension member. The capture frame can be configured to position the outer blocks and the wedge block within the second link of the chain. The tension member can be positioned through the bore defined by the reaction plate and into the bore defined by the wedge block to apply a force on the wedge block such that the wedge block displaces the first and second outer blocks into contact with the ends of the first and third links of chain, respectively, to restrict relative movement between the first, second, and third links of the chain.