Modular Block Shipping Attachments for Heavy Machinery

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for shipping and securing heavy machinery, such as gas turbines, are labor-intensive and time-consuming due to the use of heavy support brackets that require special equipment for lifting and multi-layer welds, and the process of bolting and unbolting these brackets is cumbersome and exposes workers to prolonged weld heat fumes.

Innovation Solution

A compact and reusable support system comprising block units that restrict vertical, axial, and lateral displacement of machinery during transport, featuring lightweight and easily detachable pin and block assemblies, with adjustable height features and reduced welding requirements, allowing for faster installation and detachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If heavy support brackets are used to secure machinery during shipping, then the machinery is securely restrained, but the brackets require special lifting equipment and are difficult to install and remove

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecurity of machinery restraintVSAvoidease of installation and removal

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The support system is divided into separate modular components: base blocks that attach to the deck, attachment blocks with pins that connect to the machinery base, and removable pins that allow easy assembly and disassembly. This segmentation enables each component to be handled independently without special lifting equipment while maintaining secure restraint capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Strength

If multi-layer welds are used to attach brackets to the deck, then strong attachment is achieved, but welding time increases 2-3 times and exposure to weld heat fumes increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestrength of attachment to deckVSAvoidwelding time

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment process is segmented into multiple simple steps: positioning base blocks, inserting pins through alignment holes, and securing with nuts. This replaces the single complex multi-layer welding operation with multiple simpler operations that achieve equivalent or superior attachment strength without the time penalty or health hazards of extended welding exposure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Base blocks serve as intermediary elements between the deck and the machinery. These blocks provide pre-fabricated attachment points with alignment holes and pin receptacles, eliminating the need for complex field welding of brackets directly to the deck while maintaining secure attachment through the intermediary block structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If approximately 40 bolts are used to connect brackets to the gas turbine base, then secure connection is achieved, but the bolting process is time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecurity of connection to machinery baseVSAvoidbolting time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The connection system is segmented into pin-and-hole interfaces rather than requiring 40 individual bolts. Each attachment block engages with the machinery base through aligned holes that receive pins, reducing the number of fastening operations from dozens of bolts to a manageable number of pin insertions while maintaining secure connection through the distributed pin array.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Strength

If heavy brackets are used for shipping support, then adequate support strength is provided, but the brackets are 50% heavier than necessary and require special lifting equipment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupport strength during transportVSAvoidweight of attachment components

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The support system is segmented into lightweight modular components that can be optimally sized for their specific functions. Base blocks are sized only for deck attachment, attachment blocks for machinery connection, and pins for joining them. This eliminates the need for oversized heavy brackets while maintaining adequate support strength through the distributed pin-and-block architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment system transitions from static heavy brackets to dynamic removable pins that can be quickly inserted and removed. This dynamic approach allows the same components to provide adequate support strength during transport while being lightweight enough to be handled without special lifting equipment, as the pins can be rapidly deployed and removed as needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS10059249B2Compact and reusable shipping attachments for securing heavy machinery on a deck

Publication Date: 2018.08.28 GE INFRASTRUCTURE TECH LLC

AI summary

An assembly for securing machinery such as a gas turbine on a deck includes a first block unit configured to restrict vertical displacement of the machinery relative to the deck, and a second block unit configured to restrict axial and lateral displacement of the machinery. The first block unit includes a base block securable to the deck and an attachment block secured to the base block. The second block unit is engageable with the machinery base.