Elevated Steel Platform for Oil Pump Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Heavy operating equipment, such as horsehead oil pumps, experiences undesirable shifting due to expansive soils, frost heave, and wetting and drying cycles when placed on concrete pads, which can lead to equipment failure and damage, and is difficult to transport and install in remote areas.
Innovation Solution
The use of steel piles driven deep into the ground with pile caps and a steel platform that minimizes shifting by securing the equipment above grade, eliminating the need for large concrete pads and allowing for easier transportation and installation of the support system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If heavy operating equipment is positioned on a concrete pad, then the equipment is held at a fixed location, but the concrete pad is susceptible to damage or shifting due to expansive soils, frost heave, and wetting and drying cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the equipment from direct contact with the problematic ground surface by using piles to elevate the platform above grade. The piles transfer the equipment load to deeper, more stable soil layers, removing the equipment from the harmful environmental cycles that affect surface concrete pads.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an intermediary support system consisting of piles and a steel platform between the equipment and the ground. This intermediary structure protects the equipment from direct exposure to expansive soils, frost heave, and wetting/drying cycles while providing stable support.
2Stability of the object's composition
If large concrete pads are used to support equipment, then the equipment is stable, but the pads become difficult to transport and install in remote areas
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the support system into separate, transportable components: individual piles, a modular steel platform, and connection elements. These components can be transported separately to remote locations and assembled on-site, eliminating the logistics challenges of moving large pre-cast concrete pads.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the material parameter from concrete to steel for the platform and support structure. Steel members can be fabricated in smaller, more transportable sections and assembled on-site, while providing equivalent or superior structural performance to large concrete pads.
Data Source
AI summary
An elevated equipment assembly includes operating equipment situated atop a platform above grade. Piles are installed into the ground with free ends thereof extending above grade, and pile caps are coupled to the free ends of the piles. Each pile cap includes a cap plate disposed in a generally horizontal orientation. A platform is situated atop the pile caps and includes two longitudinally-extending structural beams and cross beams spanning between the two structural beams. Attachment members are secured to and extend outwardly from the outboard side of each structural beam. Each attachment member includes a generally flat attachment plate disposed in a generally horizontal orientation and secured to a cap plate of a pile cap.