Modular Skid Base Overlapping Section Stiffness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional skid bases for power generation systems face high stress levels, flexure, and reduced stiffness between prime movers and driven machines, leading to potential cracking and component failures due to torsional and bending forces during transportation and operation, and require expensive custom machining and materials.
Innovation Solution
A modular skid base design with an overlapping section that increases stiffness between the prime mover and driven machine, using standard steel beams and reducing mass, while allowing for variable widths and lower profiles to accommodate different machine sizes and reduce resonant responses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional skid bases use single set of side rails for mounting prime mover and driven machine, then the structure is simple, but the stiffness is reduced and stress levels increase leading to potential cracking
Solution Approach 1:
The skid base is divided into multiple modular sections (first skid section, second skid section, third skid section) that can be independently manufactured and assembled. Each section has standardized dimensions allowing for segmentation without compromising overall structural integrity or stiffness
Solution Approach 2:
The overlapping section combines two different skid sections with varying wall thicknesses (first skid section with first wall thickness, second skid section with second wall thickness) to create a composite structure that enhances stiffness and stress distribution while maintaining structural integrity
2Adaptability or versatility
If skid base length is increased to accommodate larger power generation systems, then the capacity increases, but the stress levels and flexure increase leading to component failures
Solution Approach 1:
The long skid base is segmented into multiple standardized sections that can be assembled in series to achieve the required length while maintaining structural integrity. Each section maintains standardized dimensions to ensure uniform stress distribution across the entire length
Solution Approach 2:
The overlapping sections are designed in advance with predetermined wall thickness variations to preemptively address stress concentration issues that would occur in uniformly thick skid bases of extended length
3Adaptability or versatility
If different support members with different widths and heights are used to accommodate different machine sizes, then the adaptability increases, but the machining requirements and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The skid base sections are designed with universal standardized dimensions and mounting features that can accommodate various prime mover and driven machine configurations. The standardized interface allows the same skid section design to serve multiple applications without custom machining
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of changing the physical dimensions of support members, the invention accommodates different machine sizes by varying the arrangement and configuration of standardized sections, including wall thickness variations in overlapping regions, rather than requiring custom-machined components
4Reliability
If the skid base is designed with higher stiffness to reduce flexure, then the reliability improves, but the mass and material costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The skid base features localized variations in wall thickness specifically at overlapping sections where stress concentration occurs, rather than uniformly increasing the thickness of the entire structure. This provides enhanced stiffness and stress resistance only where needed
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
A modular skid base is provided for supporting, for example, a power generation system that includes a prime mover (e.g., an engine) and a driven machine (e.g., an alternator; a generator; a compressor; a pump; a gear drive for, for example, heavy industrial applications; or any other type of load device). The modular skid base includes a pair of first support skid rails and a pair of second support skid rails. The modular skid base also includes an overlapping section that includes a portion of the second support skid rails overlapping a portion of the first support skid rails along a length direction of the modular skid base. The overlapping section can provide stiffness where required without adding height and mass to the entire modular skid base.