Movable Pipelayer Counterweight for Fore-Aft Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pipelayer machines face instability and tipping issues due to the uneven distribution of weight during heavy lifting, particularly in fore-aft directions, which current counterweight systems do not adequately address, limiting their lifting capacity and maneuverability in rugged terrains.
Innovation Solution
A movable counterweight system that can be selectively extended or retracted from the side of the pipelayer machine to adjust its center of gravity in forward, rearward, and lateral directions, allowing for improved stability and increased lifting capacity by actively managing the machine's weight distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the pipelayer machine is made larger and heavier to satisfy higher lifting capacities and boom lengths, then the lifting capacity is improved, but the footprint, maneuverability, and transportation capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The counterweight system is made dynamically adjustable rather than fixed. The counterweight can be selectively deployed and repositioned along the counterweight boom to change the center of gravity in fore-aft direction, allowing the machine to adapt its stability characteristics to different lifting scenarios without increasing overall size
Solution Approach 2:
A counterweight system with counterweight assembly and counterweight boom is introduced to offset the tipping moment created by the load. The counterweight can be positioned to provide fore-aft stability in addition to the traditional lateral stability, enabling higher lifting capacities without increasing the machine's footprint
2Power
If the undercarriage and boom are oversized to increase lifting capacity, then the lifting capacity is improved, but the manufacturing costs and operating costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of oversizing the undercarriage and boom structures to handle higher loads, a counterweight system is used to provide the necessary stability. This allows the use of smaller, more cost-effective structural components while achieving the same lifting capacity through active center of gravity management
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile pipelayer machine includes a machine chassis having a forward end, a rear end, a first side, and a second side, and a boom extending from the first side of the machine chassis. The mobile pipelayer machine also includes a movable counterweight system extending from the second side of the machine chassis, the movable counterweight system being selectively movable to change a center of gravity of the machine in at least one of a forward or a rearward direction.