Orthogonal Trunnion Gimbal Joint for Compact Two-Axis Load Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mechanical joints used in offshore energy applications are large, expensive, and difficult to handle, and they fail to effectively articulate a first member relative to a second member while transmitting loads across two axes.
Innovation Solution
A mechanical joint configuration featuring a gimbal table with bearing surfaces and trunnions aligned orthogonally, allowing the arm to rotate relative to the gimbal table about a first axis, with trunnions engaging with bearing blocks and caps to provide an articulated connection between members, and a process for installing this joint to connect a first member to a second member.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional mechanical joints are used to connect members in offshore energy applications, then load transmission and articulation about two axes are achieved, but the joints become large, expensive, and difficult to handle
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical joint is divided into separate modular components including a first member with bearing blocks, a second member with an arm, trunnions, bearing caps, and a gimbal table with aperture. These segmented components can be manufactured independently, assembled on-site, and handled more easily than a single large joint structure, while maintaining load transmission capability through the bearing surfaces and trunnion engagements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If existing mechanical joint designs are used, then articulation between members is provided, but the cost and handling difficulty increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The arm of the second member is disposed through the aperture of the gimbal table, creating a nested configuration where the arm passes through the table structure. The trunnions are positioned within bearing caps that engage with bearing surfaces on the gimbal table. This nesting arrangement allows compact packaging of the joint components, reducing overall size and handling difficulty while preserving full articulation capability about two orthogonal axes.
3Force
If conventional mechanical joints are employed, then load transmission across two axes is achieved, but the overall size and handling complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The joint utilizes a three-dimensional configuration where the arm extends through the aperture of the gimbal table, and trunnions engage with bearing surfaces on multiple faces of the gimbal table structure. This spatial arrangement allows load transmission paths to be distributed across different dimensions and planes, enabling effective load bearing with a more compact overall joint size compared to conventional two-dimensional joint designs.
Data Source
AI summary
Mechanical joints and processes for using same. The mechanical joint can include a gimbal table that can define a first and second bearing surface and include a first and second trunnion extending from a pair of opposing sides. The arm can include a third and fourth trunnion disposed toward a second end thereof. The third and fourth trunnion can be aligned along a first axis and the first and second trunnion can be aligned along a second axis. The first and second axes can be substantially orthogonal or substantially perpendicular to one another. The third trunnion and the first bearing surface and the fourth trunnion and the second bearing surface, respectively, can be engaged with one another. The arm can be rotatable relative to the gimbal table about the first axis, and at least a portion of the arm can be disposed through an aperture defined by the gimbal table.