Hydraulic Adjustable Chock for Heavy Machine Levelling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional height-adjustable chocks for anchoring and levelling heavy machines face difficulties in manual height adjustment, especially when supporting large loads, which can be labor-intensive and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
The chock employs a hydraulic system with a sealed chamber and axial sliding interfaces to allow for height adjustment of the centre element relative to the base element, using hydraulic fluid pressure to translate the centre element, and incorporates a mechanical stop for limiting maximum height and a locknut for securing the position, ensuring safe and reliable anchoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual height adjustment is used for heavy machines, then the device structure remains simple, but the operation becomes labor-intensive and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a hydraulic actuator system to replace manual height adjustment. The actuator includes a cylinder with a piston that moves a tilt saddle member between the piston rod and the load, enabling automated height adjustment of heavy machines without manual labor while maintaining structural simplicity through integrated hydraulic components.
2Extent of automation
If hydraulic fluid is used for height adjustment, then automation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the hydraulic actuator functionality directly into the chock structure. The actuator's cylinder, piston, and tilt saddle member are integrated with the base element and centre element, combining height adjustment automation with the anchoring function in a single unified device rather than separate systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The chock device performs multiple functions: it provides height adjustment through the hydraulic actuator, supports heavy loads through the spherical washer and mating surfaces, and enables anchoring through the center through hole for bolts. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the centre element is made axially translational for height adjustment, then adaptability is improved, but the stability of the structure may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic height adjustment mechanism where the centre element can move axially relative to the base element through the hydraulic actuator. The spherical washer with concave/convex surfaces allows angular misalignments during adjustment, while the mechanical stop provides a fixed maximum position to ensure structural stability when adjusted.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates a mechanical stop that limits the axial translation of the centre element before excessive movement can occur. This pre-established mechanical constraint prevents instability by defining the maximum adjustment position, ensuring the structure remains stable throughout its operational range.
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
This solution enables efficient and safe height adjustment and anchoring of heavy machines by reducing manual labor and ensuring stability, accommodating angular misalignments and supporting heavy loads with ease.
Implementation Method 1
filling the chamber with hydraulic fluid causes an axial translation of the centre element relative to the base element
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2~4
AI summary
The invention resides in an adjustable chock for levelling and anchoring a machine to a foundation. The chock comprises a base element (110), a centre element (120) and a spherical washer (130), each of which is rotationally symmetric about a centre axis (105), whereby the centre element is axially translational relative to the base element; the spherical washer comprises a surface which is one of concave or convex; the base element or the centre element comprises a mating surface for receiving the spherical washer, where the mating surface is the other of concave or convex; and the chock has a centre through hole for receiving an anchor bolt. According to the invention, the base element (110) comprises an hydraulic connection point (115) and a channel (117) for a hydraulic fluid. The channel is in connection with a chamber (160) enclosed between surfaces of the centre element and of the base element such that in use of the chock, filling the chamber with hydraulic fluid exerts an axial pressure on the centre element (120), causing an axial translation of the centre element relative to the base element.