Manway Cover Clamping Frame for Heavy Cover Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems and devices for separating manway covers from manways face challenges due to their heavy weight and access constraints, making removal and re-attachment difficult and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A clamping tool with two or more clamps, each securely attachable to the manway flange and cover, connected by a frame that allows relative movement, enabling easy separation and reattachment of the manway cover from the flange without altering existing holes, using clamp fasteners like pins or bolts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual handling methods are used for heavy manway covers, then no special equipment is needed, but the operation becomes difficult and inefficient due to heavy weight
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping tool serves as an intermediary device between the worker and the heavy manway cover. It includes clamps that engage with the cover and flange, and a frame with pulley system that distributes the lifting force, making it easier to handle the heavy cover without direct manual lifting
Solution Approach 2:
The pulley system with rope creates a mechanical advantage that counteracts the heavy weight of the manway cover. By routing the rope through the pulley and anchoring it to the frame, the system reduces the effective force needed to lift and position the cover
2Ease of operation
If heavy duty equipment is used to lift manway covers, then the weight problem is solved, but the equipment complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping tool is segmented into distinct functional components: clamps with jaws for engaging the cover and flange, a frame structure, a pulley system, and a rope. This modular segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while keeping the overall system relatively simple and easy to assemble/disassemble
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping tool is designed to be self-contained and self-serviceable. The clamps can be independently adjusted and secured, the frame provides structural support without requiring additional components, and the entire system can be deployed and removed by workers without needing external heavy duty equipment or complex installation procedures
3Reliability
If existing holes in manway flange and cover are modified to accommodate clamps, then clamp attachment is improved, but damage to existing components occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp design incorporates pre-formed engagement features that fit into the existing holes without requiring modification. The clamps are manufactured with predetermined attachment points that align with standard hole patterns, allowing direct insertion and engagement without drilling, cutting, or other damaging operations on the manway flange or cover
Data Source
AI summary
A clamping tool for use with manway covers may be selectively attached to a manway to permit the manway cover to be separated from its opposing manway flange without having to completely disassociate such manway cover with its corresponding manway. One possible arrangement makes use of at least two clamps, a manway cover clamp and a manway flange clamp, each of the clamps having portions which can be inserted between opposing portions of the manway cover and the manway flange. The clamping tool maintains the relative alignment of the manway cover and the manway flange, yet permits the manway to be selectively opened by separating the manway cover from such manway flange, or closed after such opening.