Confined Space Entry Station Manway Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a lack of suitable and convenient placement options for gas monitors, probes, warning devices, and communication equipment near manways in confined spaces, leading to obstacles, damage, and inefficiencies during worker entry and exit, as well as potential safety hazards and regulatory compliance issues.
Innovation Solution
A confined space entry station comprising a back plate, accessory holder, and pivotable probe holding arm that securely attaches to a manway, allowing for the deployment and storage of gas monitors, probes, and other accessories, ensuring safe and convenient access while minimizing obstruction and risk.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If gas monitoring equipment is placed on or adjacent to the manway, then worker safety monitoring is improved, but the equipment becomes an obstacle to ingress and egress and may be damaged by workers
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into separate functional components: the gas monitor unit, the probe, the mounting bracket, and the cable management system. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the probe can be positioned for monitoring while the monitor unit is placed in a safe, accessible location away from the manway opening.
Solution Approach 2:
A mounting bracket or stand acts as an intermediary structure between the gas monitor and the manway. This intermediary allows the probe to extend into the confined space for monitoring while keeping the main equipment body positioned at a safe distance, eliminating both the obstacle and damage risks while maintaining monitoring capability.
2Reliability
If the probe is extended through the manway into the confined space, then gas monitoring effectiveness is improved, but the probe becomes an obstacle and may be damaged during worker movement
Solution Approach 1:
The probe mounting system incorporates adjustable and movable elements that allow the probe position to be dynamically optimized. The probe can be positioned at various angles and depths to achieve effective monitoring while minimizing exposure to damage risks from worker movement. The mounting bracket may include flexible positioning mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The probe is protected through pre-installed protective elements such as protective sleeves, bumpers, or reinforced mounting structures that cushion against potential impacts from worker equipment or accidental contact during ingress and egress operations.
3Reliability
If gas monitoring equipment is placed in a clean area away from the manway, then equipment protection is improved, but convenient placement and probe positioning become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system provides locally optimized placement options at strategic locations near the manway that balance cleanliness requirements with operational convenience. Specific mounting points are designed to accommodate both equipment protection and easy probe positioning, creating localized zones that satisfy both requirements simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes vertical or lateral spacing to create separation between the monitor unit and the manway opening. By positioning the equipment at different heights or lateral distances while maintaining probe connection, the system achieves both equipment protection in clean areas and operational convenience near the manway.
4Reliability
If multiple safety devices (gas monitor, documents, warning devices, communication equipment) are placed adjacent to the manway, then comprehensive safety coverage is improved, but suitable placement space and convenience are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple safety functions are integrated into a single unified mounting system or station. The mounting bracket or stand is designed to accommodate the gas monitor, document holder, warning device, and communication equipment together, consolidating what would otherwise require multiple separate placement locations into one convenient, organized assembly near the manway.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting system is designed as a universal platform that can support various types of safety equipment and accessories. This multi-functional design allows different devices to be mounted on the same structure, providing comprehensive safety coverage while using a single placement location that maintains convenience.
Data Source
AI summary
A confined space entry station is disclosed. The station has a back plate, an accessory holder, and a probe holding arm. The back plate is configured to attach to a manway of a confined space. The accessory holder is connected to the back plate. The probe holding arm has a connecting segment and a probe holding segment. The probe holding arm has a deployed position and a stored position. The connecting segment is connected to the probe holding segment. The probe holding segment is transverse to the connecting segment. The connecting segment is pivotally connected to the back plate and extends beyond the back plate when the probe holding arm is in the deployed position. The probe holding segment has a surface for supporting a probe. The probe holding segment extends transverse to the back plate when the probe holding arm is in the deployed position.