Gripping Assembly for Marine Piles with Radial Actuators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gripping assemblies for marine or aquatic wind power plants are cumbersome and limited in application, as they are designed for specific types of piles (flanged or conical), requiring frequent re-equipment and posing operational complications, especially in constrained ship environments, and are prone to deformation during handling due to concentrated force distribution.
Innovation Solution
A gripping assembly with a central portion equipped with multiple linear actuators and radially extending arms, featuring hydraulic actuation and low-friction, pressure-deformable materials, allowing for adjustable grasping units that can interact with both flanged and conical pile ends, ensuring stable and safe handling by distributing force evenly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a gripping assembly is designed for specific types of piles (flanged or conical), then the gripping operation is reliable and safe, but the device complexity increases and adaptability decreases due to requiring frequent re-equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping assembly incorporates two distinct gripping mechanisms (first gripping mechanism for flanged piles and second gripping mechanism for conical piles) within a single device, allowing it to handle both pile types without requiring replacement. The central portion can selectively activate the appropriate gripping mechanism based on the pile type, achieving universal functionality while maintaining gripping safety for each specific pile type.
Solution Approach 2:
The gripping assembly is divided into functionally independent segments: a first gripping mechanism with first grasping members for flanged piles and a second gripping mechanism with second grasping members for conical piles. Each mechanism can be independently activated or deactivated, allowing the system to adapt to different pile types while maintaining the reliability of each specialized gripping function.
2Reliability
If a gripping assembly is designed for specific types of piles, then the gripping operation is reliable, but the device complexity increases due to requiring frequent re-equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two specialized gripping mechanisms into a single integrated assembly. The first gripping mechanism (with grasping members for flanged piles) and the second gripping mechanism (with grasping members for conical piles) are combined in one device, eliminating the need for frequent replacement and reducing operational complexity while maintaining the reliability of each gripping function.
Solution Approach 2:
The gripping assembly incorporates movable and adjustable components that allow dynamic adaptation between different gripping modes. The central portion can selectively position and activate the appropriate gripping mechanism based on the pile type, enabling the device to transform its configuration dynamically rather than requiring physical replacement of the entire assembly.
3Stability of the object's composition
If grasping members are inserted inside the flanged end of the pile, then the pile can be stably suspended, but the device complexity increases and operational space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The first grasping members are designed to be inserted inside the flanged end of the pile, nesting the gripping mechanism within the pile structure itself. This provides stable suspension by anchoring the pile within its own flange, while the compact nested design reduces the overall device complexity and space requirements compared to external gripping structures.
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
Enables quick and efficient selective gripping and lifting of both flanged and conical piles, reducing deformation risks and operational complexities by providing a versatile solution that can adapt to different pile types without the need for frequent assembly changes, ensuring safe and precise handling in limited shipboard spaces.
Implementation Method 1
a central portion shaped to support a plurality of linear actuators about a central axis
Implementation Method 2
featuring hydraulic actuation
Implementation Method 3
low-friction, pressure-deformable materials
Data Source
AI summary
A gripping assembly (1) for a pile (CP) provided with a longitudinal axis (AL) and axially delimited by a longitudinal end (LE) having a given shape, by a first shell (IM) and by a second shell (EM) which delimit the longitudinal end (LE) from the inside and from the outside, respectively; the assembly (1) comprising a frame (10) provided with a central portion (12) shaped to support a plurality of linear actuators (20) about a central axis (120), where each linear actuator (20) is provided with a stem (24) carried by the central portion (12) having a radial orientation, and with an armature (22) that terminates with a free end (220) which carries the grasping means (30) designed to radially couple with at least one of the first shell (IM) and second shell (EM) of the end (LE) of the pile (CP); the central portion (12) carrying a plurality of arms (14) which extend radially around the central axis (12); each arm (14) being provided with a radial guide (140) to which the grasping means (30) are coupled in a freely slidable manner.