Pipe-Laying Machine Base Levelling for Slope Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pipe-laying machines are limited in their ability to adapt to varying terrain slopes, often risking tipping over due to a fixed center of gravity and lack of flexibility in operation, especially on steep slopes.
Innovation Solution
A pipe-laying machine with a central body connected to two track assemblies, featuring a levelling mechanism that allows the base to tilt along both longitudinal and transverse axes, using pistons and a rotating device to adjust the center of gravity within the track assemblies' support area, enabling operation on uneven terrain without tipping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the boom and cab are fixed to the tracks, then the machine structure is simple and stable on flat terrain, but the machine cannot adapt to steep slopes and risks tipping over
Solution Approach 1:
The base is made rotatable relative to the track assemblies, allowing the boom and cab to dynamically adjust their orientation according to the terrain slope. This transforms the fixed structure into a dynamic one that can adapt to both flat and sloped terrains, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and terrain adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
A new rotational degree of freedom is introduced between the base and track assemblies, adding a dimensional aspect to the machine's adaptability. This allows the boom to operate in different orientations beyond the original single-plane movement, enabling operation on slopes without significantly complicating the overall structure.
2Reliability
If the counterweight is increased to prevent tipping on slopes, then the machine's stability improves, but the machine's mobility and ease of transport deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a fixed, heavy counterweight, the invention uses a rotatable base that can dynamically adjust the boom's orientation to maintain stability on slopes. This dynamic adjustment allows the machine to achieve stability without requiring excessive counterweight, preserving mobility and ease of transport.
3Productivity
If the boom is positioned lateral to the tracks for efficient pipe laying, then the pipe laying efficiency is high, but the machine becomes unstable on slopes with the center of gravity outside the support area
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable base allows the boom to maintain its efficient lateral positioning for pipe laying while dynamically adjusting the overall machine orientation to keep the center of gravity within the support area on slopes. This resolves the contradiction by making the stability mechanism dynamic rather than requiring a fixed compromise in boom positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The addition of rotational capability in another dimension (base rotation) allows the boom to maintain its optimal lateral position for productivity while the base orientation adjusts to ensure stability, separating the two requirements into independent controllable dimensions.
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
The machine can adapt to slopes of up to 20° or 30° longitudinally and 15° transversely, maintaining stability and preventing tipping, thus enhancing operational flexibility and safety on diverse terrains.
Implementation Method 1
a levelling mechanism (80) is interposed between said base (10) and said central body (30) in order to tilt said base (10) with respect to the track assemblies (60)... adapting the machine to the inclination of the ground by tilting the base (10)
Implementation Method 2
the levelling mechanism may comprise a first and a second piston, configured to rotate both the first rotation device and the second rotation device
Implementation Method 3
a rotating device preferably interposed between the levelling mechanism and the base configured to rotate said base about an axis of rotation orthogonal to the base
Data Source
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AI summary
Pipe-laying machine (100) for laying pipes in particular in the construction of gas, oil and water pipelines comprising a central body (30) to which two track assemblies (60) are mechanically connected, for its movement said central body (30) being adapted to support a base (10) on which at least a boom (20) is installed, configured to move/lift/position the pipe, lifting means (70) for handling the boom (20) comprising a main winch (71), a control cab (50) suitable to house an operator; said boom (20) comprises a first end (21) pivoted on the base (10) and a second end (22), connected to a control cable (71a) of the lifting means (70), adapted to wind/unwind itself on the main winch (71) in order to rotate said boom (20) carrying the second end (22) away from/towards the ground, characterised in that between said base (10) and said central body (30) a levelling mechanism (80) is interposed adapted to tilt said base (10) with respect to the track assemblies (60), according to a longitudinal axis (Y) parallel to the direction of advancement of said track assemblies (60) and/or according to a transverse axis (X) orthogonal to the direction of advancement of said track assemblies (60).