Jacking Tower Installation System Using Detachable Support Stands
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for installing jacking towers on cargo container handling cranes are inefficient and costly, requiring dedicated lifting cranes or lengthy assembly processes that take cranes out of service.
Innovation Solution
A jacking tower installation system with forward and rear legs supported by detachable support stands and dollies, allowing the tower to be raised and lowered for independent movement and placement onto sill beams without a separate crane, using hydraulic lifts for vertical adjustment and temporary free-standing supports for stabilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a dedicated lifting crane is used to install the jacking tower, then the installation can be completed, but the cost and operational expense increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces support stands with dollies as intermediary devices between the jacking tower and the ground. These support stands enable the tower to be moved horizontally and positioned without requiring a dedicated lifting crane, thereby reducing cost while maintaining installation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The jacking tower is designed to be self-installable through its own integrated support stands and dollies. The tower can lift and move itself into position on the crane sill beams without external heavy lifting equipment, eliminating the need for expensive dedicated cranes
2Quantity of substance
If the jacking tower is assembled directly on the crane, then equipment cost is reduced, but the time required and crane downtime increase
Solution Approach 1:
The jacking tower can be partially assembled on the ground with support stands attached before being moved to the crane. This preliminary assembly reduces on-crane assembly time and minimizes crane downtime while still avoiding the need for expensive dedicated lifting cranes
3Productivity
If the jacking tower is fully assembled before transport, then installation speed improves, but the complexity of moving and positioning it increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support stands are designed as detachable components that can be attached to or separated from the jacking tower legs. This segmentation allows the tower to be moved with supports attached for stability, then supports removed for final positioning, balancing movement complexity with installation speed
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
Facilitates fast, cost-effective installation and removal of jacking towers, reducing job time and operational expenses by enabling independent movement and placement without dedicated lifting cranes.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the support stands includes a dolly such that the jacking crane can be moved along a work surface, and a lift that permits the legs of the jacking tower to be raised and lowered
Implementation Method 2
Each of the support stands includes a dolly such that the jacking crane can be moved along a work surface
Data Source
AI summary
A jacking tower installation system comprises a jacking tower having at least two forward and at least two rear legs, wherein each of the legs is supported on one of a plurality of support stands attached to and horizontally offset from the leg, the legs including dollies which enable horizontal movement of the jacking tower and lifts capable of raising and lowering the jacking tower clear of the sill beams of a cargo container crane, such that the legs of the jacking tower can be lifted and positioned over and lowered onto the sill beams.