Double-Masted Jack With Adjustable Bottom Bracket
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing telescoping jacks used for constructing large cylindrical structures, such as grain bins and tanks, are inadequate for handling significantly larger loads and require a more versatile lifting solution to ensure uniform and safe lifting of heavy structures.
Innovation Solution
A double-masted jack system with a pair of identical upright masts, a base, cap, back strut, hydraulic ram, bottom bracket, and shuttle, allowing for adjustable configuration to accommodate various load capacities and stroke lengths, and enabling uniform lifting by connecting to a common hydraulic fluid source for synchronized operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If traditional telescoping jacks are used for constructing large cylindrical structures, then the construction of grain bins and tanks has been effective for over ten years, but the system cannot accommodate significantly larger loads and is reaching practical limits
Solution Approach 1:
The jack is divided into two independent masts (first mast and second mast) that can be separately adjusted and positioned. Each mast has its own set of holes for receiving locking pins, allowing independent height adjustment. This segmentation enables the jack to handle larger loads by distributing force across two masts while maintaining adaptability through individual mast configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The jack design incorporates universal features including interchangeable locking pins that can engage with multiple hole positions on both masts, a movable bottom bracket that can be repositioned along the masts, and a telescoping back strut that adjusts to different mast length combinations. This multi-functionality allows the same jack to accommodate a wide range of load capacities and structural configurations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the hydraulic ram stroke distance is made significantly smaller than the mast length, then the jack can accommodate a wide range of hydraulic rams with different stroke lengths, but this requires more complex adjustment mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The bottom bracket is designed to be movable along the masts rather than fixed, allowing dynamic repositioning to accommodate different hydraulic ram stroke lengths. The locking pins can be engaged at different hole positions, and the bottom bracket can be repositioned vertically along the mast length, providing flexible adaptation without requiring complex mechanical adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking pins serve as intermediaries between the masts and the bottom bracket/shuttle assembly. By engaging different locking pins at various hole positions, the system can accommodate different ram stroke lengths without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms. The pins simplify the connection while enabling versatile positioning.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the jack uses a pair of masts with evenly spaced holes for locking pins, then the configuration can be adjusted for different heights and load capacities, but this increases the number of components compared to single-mast designs
Solution Approach 1:
The first and second masts are merged into a single jack assembly that shares common components including the base, cap, back strut, and hydraulic ram system. The bottom bracket connects both masts at the lower end, and the shuttle connects both masts at the upper end, combining multiple functions into integrated components that reduce overall complexity despite the dual-mast configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
Both masts are designed with identical features including evenly spaced holes for locking pins, allowing them to be interchangeable and simplifying the overall design. This homogeneity reduces the number of unique components needed and simplifies manufacturing and assembly while maintaining configuration flexibility.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the back strut is made telescoping to accommodate different mast lengths, then the jack can be used with varying mast configurations, but this adds complexity to the support structure
Solution Approach 1:
The back strut is designed as a telescoping structure that can dynamically adjust its length to accommodate different mast height configurations. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the same jack to work with varying mast lengths without requiring multiple fixed-length back struts, simplifying the overall system despite the added flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A jack for lifting segments of a structure includes a pair of masts, a mast base, a mast cap, a hydraulic ram, a bottom bracket and a shuttle. The masts are identical and upright with a plurality of evenly spaced holes. The mast base supports the mast and the mast cap receives the upper ends of the masts and maintains the masts in a parallel, relationship. The hydraulic ram moves between a retracted position and an extended position with a stroke distance which is significantly less than the mast height. The bottom bracket is removably pinned to the masts and receives and supports the lower end of the hydraulic ram. The shuttle receives the upper end of the hydraulic ram. The bottom bracket and shuttle, when not pinned to the masts, can slide vertically up the masts. The shuttle includes features for connecting to a segment of a structure.