Lifting Beam Orientation for Precast Concrete Dome Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Moving precast concrete domes is hazardous and inefficient due to their weight and the need for operators to leave the safety of heavy equipment cabs to manually position and lift them.
Innovation Solution
A lifting beam system for heavy equipment, such as excavators, with a movable boom and bucket, featuring a centrally positioned first connector and a second connector that allows for orientation change via a cable, enabling the beam to be lowered into and repositioned within the dome for safe and efficient lifting and relocation of precast concrete domes without requiring a second person on the ground.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the operator leaves the cab to manually position and lift the dome, then the dome can be precisely positioned, but the operator's safety is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting beam system enables self-positioning through its automatic orientation mechanism. The beam with centered connector automatically orients itself when lowered into the dome, eliminating the need for manual intervention while achieving precise positioning through the beam's inherent stability and geometry
Solution Approach 2:
The lifting beam acts as an intermediary device between the excavator and the dome. It transfers the lifting force while enabling precise positioning through its designed geometry and connector placement, all while keeping the operator safely inside the cab
2Reliability
If a second person is used on the ground to assist with lifting, then the lifting operation can be performed safely, but the operational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting beam system performs its own positioning and orientation functions through its designed geometry. The centered connector and beam dimensions enable automatic alignment when lowered into the dome, eliminating the need for a second person while maintaining safety
Solution Approach 2:
The function of the ground person is extracted and incorporated into the lifting beam design itself. The beam's geometry and connector placement embed the positioning intelligence that would otherwise require human intervention
3Productivity
If the lifting beam is made removable for easy extraction, then the operational efficiency improves, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting beam is designed as a segmented system with distinct components: the beam body, connectors, and orientation cable. This segmentation allows the beam to be easily disassembled and removed after use while maintaining structural integrity during operation
Solution Approach 2:
The lifting beam incorporates dynamic elements including the orientation cable and movable connectors that allow the beam to adapt its configuration. These dynamic features enable easy removal while providing the necessary structural stability during the lifting operation
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 safe and efficient movement of heavy precast concrete domes by allowing operators to maintain cab safety while repositioning the domes using the lifting beam, which spans the interior of the dome and can be easily removed after relocation, thus reducing operational risks and improving efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
When suspended from the first connector, the beam will tend to assume a generally horizontal position since the first connector is substantially centered on the beam
Data Source
AI summary
Devices and methods utilize a lifting beam comprising at least two connectors with a first connector substantially centered on the beam and a second connector disposed closer to an end of the beam which permit a heavy equipment operator to selectively change the vertical orientation of the lifting beam from a substantially horizontal position to a substantially vertical position. The lifting beam is selectively positionable by the equipment operator downwardly through the top opening of a precast, concrete dome without requiring the operator to leave the protection of the equipment cab. When positioned inside the concrete dome, the lifting beam is oriented substantially horizontally and the concrete dome can be lifted and repositioned by lifting the beam.