Pittsburgh Seam Closing With Integrated Angle Plate Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current machines for closing duct seams and inserting angle plates into duct work cannot automatically seal the top and bottom four to five inches of a Pittsburgh seam, requiring manual labor and additional machines, which increases time and expense.
Innovation Solution
A dual-head apparatus with benders at the top and bottom for automatically closing the top and bottom four to five inches of the Pittsburgh seam, combined with an assembly for inserting angle plates into duct flanges, allowing for simultaneous seam closing and angle plate insertion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If conventional seam closing machines are used, then the seam can be closed, but the top and bottom four to five inches of the Pittsburgh seam cannot be automatically sealed, requiring manual labor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple seam closing operations into a single integrated machine that can automatically close the entire Pittsburgh seam including the top and bottom four to five inches that previously required manual labor. The machine merges the functionality of automatic seam closing with manual bending operations into one automated system.
Solution Approach 2:
The seam closing machine is designed with multi-functionality to handle different portions of the duct seam simultaneously. It can close the main body of the Pittsburgh seam while also automatically sealing the top and bottom four to five inches, making it a universal machine that replaces both automatic and manual operations.
2Productivity
If multiple machines are used for seam closing and angle plate insertion, then complete duct assembly is achieved, but time and expense increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the seam closing function and angle plate insertion function into a single integrated machine. This allows both operations to be performed simultaneously on the duct, eliminating the need to use separate machines sequentially and thereby reducing processing time and expense.
Solution Approach 2:
The machine enables continuous operation by performing seam closing and angle plate insertion in an uninterrupted sequence within a single machine cycle. This eliminates the downtime and repositioning required when using multiple separate machines, maintaining continuous productive action.
3Productivity
If conventional machines are used, then seam closing is possible, but additional machines are needed for angle plate insertion, increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two separate machines (seam closing machine and angle plate inserter) into one integrated apparatus. The machine includes both seam closing mechanisms and angle plate insertion mechanisms, reducing the total number of devices from two to one and simplifying the overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The machine is designed as a universal apparatus that can perform both seam closing and angle plate insertion operations. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for multiple specialized machines, reducing device complexity while maintaining full productivity for both operations.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and methods are described for automatically closing the seam of duct work and for automatically inserting angle plates into duct work and then closing the seam of the duct work. The seam closing apparatus includes a first seam closing members for closing the top and bottom portions of the seam and a second seam closing member for closing the remainder of the seam of the duct work.