Internally Flanged Body Lifting Tool With Radial Petal Centering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lifting tools for internally flanged bodies face issues with non-optimal centering, limited support angles, and potential damage due to uneven stress distribution, particularly in bolted connections and openable elements.
Innovation Solution
A lifting tool with synchronized petals that radially move to center under the flange, using deformable sectors to minimize stress and ensure uniform contact pressure, supported by hydraulic jacks and rods for balanced lifting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If bolted connections are used for lifting, then the lifting tool can be assembled, but the assembly time becomes long and safety is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting tool is divided into multiple independent petals (at least three) that can operate simultaneously. Each petal has its own supporting means and can be positioned independently under the flange, allowing parallel assembly operations that reduce total assembly time while maintaining safety through distributed load bearing.
Solution Approach 2:
The petals are pre-configured with supporting means and positioning mechanisms before assembly. The synchronized radial movement capability is pre-designed into the structure, allowing the petals to automatically center and position themselves under the flange without time-consuming adjustments during assembly.
2Manufacturing precision
If openable elements are used to lift the flange, then assembly is faster, but the centering precision is insufficient and stress distribution is uneven
Solution Approach 1:
The petals are designed with asymmetric positioning capabilities that allow them to move radially to precise locations under the flange. The supporting means are positioned at specific radial distances, creating an asymmetric arrangement that naturally guides the petals into perfect centering while distributing stress uniformly across the flange surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The petals incorporate synchronized radial movement mechanisms that allow dynamic adjustment during assembly. The rods and levers enable the petals to move radially in unison, automatically achieving perfect centering through their coordinated motion rather than requiring complex fixed-positioning mechanisms.
3Stress or pressure
If the lifting tool rests under the flange, then lifting is possible, but the support angle is limited and stress on the flange increases
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting means are positioned at multiple radial distances from the center, creating a three-dimensional support distribution under the flange. This multi-dimensional arrangement increases the effective support angle by distributing contact points across different radial positions, thereby reducing stress concentration while maintaining lifting capability.
4Strength
If rigid contact is used between lifting tool and flange, then structural integrity is maintained, but stress concentration occurs and damage may result
Solution Approach 1:
The contact interface between the lifting tool and flange utilizes deformable material with controlled elasticity. This material parameter change allows the contact surface to deform slightly under load, distributing stress uniformly across the interface while maintaining sufficient structural integrity to bear the lifting force without concentration at specific points.
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 tool achieves centered and balanced lifting with minimized stress on the flange, preventing damage and ensuring a wide support angle through synchronized radial movement and deformable materials.
Implementation Method 1
a sufficiently deformable material is interposed between the flange and the lifting petals to ensure the maximum possible uniformity of the contact pressure between the lifting tool and the flange
Implementation Method 2
a lever (10) placed in rotation by at least one hydraulic jack (14), bound to the lever (10) in a hinge (13) and to the body (8) in a hinge (11)
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention consists of a lifting tool (1) for internally flanged bodies comprising: a body (8) consisting of a solid supporting structure; means (19) to ensure the rotation of a lever (10); means (10) for moving rods (9): these means consist of a lever (10) placed in rotation on the pin (19) by at least one hydraulic cylinder (14), which is connected to said lever (10) by means of a hinge (13) and to said body (8) by means of a hinge (11); means (14) for moving the lever (10); means (9) for pushing petals (5) radially outwards: these means consist of a rod (9) for each petal (5): said rods (9) are connected to the lever (10) by means of hinges (12) and to the petals (5) by means of hinges (20); means (5) to ensure the centering of the body (8) with respect to the pipe (2); to also ensure the lifting of said pipe (2) by engaging the flange (3), welded to the pipe (2): such means consist of at least three petals (5), constrained in movement by at least one sliding block (16) for each petal (5): each such sliding block (16) being slidable in a guiding slot (15) machined into the body of the petal (5); means (16) to ensure the radial movement of the petal (5) with respect to the geometric axis of the body (8); these means consist of at least one sliding block (16) for each petal (5): each such sliding block (16) being slidable relative to the petal (5) in a guiding slot (15) machined into the body of the petal (5) itself; means (6) to ensure that during the lifting of the petals (5) the petals (5) do not leave their seat; these means consist of supports (6) able to counteract the upward force that is generated on the back of the petal (5) during the lifting operation.