Pipe Turning Support with Pivoting Rockers for Large Diameters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional turning devices for large diameter pipes lack adequate load-bearing capacity, leading to potential damage and deformation during coating processes, and are often designed for specific pipe diameters, requiring multiple devices for different sizes.
Innovation Solution
A turning device with a base body and two supporting devices, each comprising pivotable rocker elements and rollers that adapt to different pipe diameters by pivoting about multiple axes, ensuring even distribution of weight and minimizing contact points to prevent deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional turning devices are used to support large diameter pipes, then the pipes can be turned during coating processes, but the pipes risk indentation and damage due to inadequate load-bearing capacity and excessive stresses
Solution Approach 1:
The turning device employs rocker elements that can pivot about multiple axes (first pivot axis and second pivot axis) to dynamically adapt to different pipe diameters and weight distributions. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the device to optimize its load-bearing configuration for each specific pipe, ensuring adequate support without excessive stresses that could cause damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The device changes its geometric parameters by allowing the rocker elements to pivot about multiple axes, thereby adjusting the contact points and load distribution according to the specific pipe diameter and weight. This parameter adaptation enables the same device to safely handle pipes of varying sizes without causing indentation or damage.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple turning devices are kept for different pipe diameters, then each device can be optimized for a specific size, but the overall device complexity and material requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The turning device is designed as a universal multi-functional system where the rocker elements can pivot about multiple axes to accommodate pipes of different diameters. Instead of requiring separate devices for each pipe size, this single device can be adjusted through pivot movements to suit various pipe dimensions, thereby reducing the total number of components and simplifying the overall system.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic pivoting capability of the rocker elements about multiple axes enables the device to adapt its configuration for different pipe diameters. This dynamic adjustment mechanism replaces the need for multiple static devices, reducing complexity while maintaining versatility across different pipe sizes.
3Reliability
If multiple rollers are used to support large pipes, then the load distribution improves, but the dead weight of the turning device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rocker elements pivot about multiple axes to dynamically position the rollers for optimal weight distribution. This dynamic adjustment allows the device to achieve even load distribution with fewer rollers compared to static configurations, thereby reducing the dead weight of the turning device while maintaining reliability.
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, damage-free, and uniform turning of pipes with diameters from 6m to 12m without deformation, and adapts to various diameters without the need for multiple devices, reducing material usage and assembly complexity.
Implementation Method 1
The first rocker element (5) comprises two main pivot arms (8, 11) which extend out from the first axle (7) and are arranged at a fixed angle to one another
Implementation Method 2
At the outer end of the side arm that is located farthest away from the first axle, a roller axle (31) is arranged on which a roller (10) is rotatably mounted on the side arm
Implementation Method 3
A second rocker element (6) is pivotably mounted on the second axle (21). A secondary pivot axis of the supporting device runs through the second axle (21)
Implementation Method 4
The first rocker element (5) comprises two main pivot arms (8, 11) which extend out from the first axle (7) and are arranged at a fixed angle to one another
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a turning device for turning pipes with a large diameter about their longitudinal axis. The turning device includes a base body and two supporting devices that are arranged on the base body. Each supporting device includes a pedestal and at least one rocker element that is pivotably mounted in a receptacle of the pedestal. The pedestal is connected to the base body. The rocker elements each include one or more rollers. The turning device adapts to different pipe diameters as a result of the rocker elements, so that no exchanging of the turning device is necessary and multiple turning devices do not need to be kept on hand for different pipe diameters.