Pivoting Beam Rotator Arms for Safer Steel Beam Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steel beam rotators have narrow openings that complicate beam insertion and often rely on chains that allow the beam to sway during welding, posing safety hazards.
Innovation Solution
A beam rotation device with a pivotable second vertical jaw arm and a support arm that expands the throat for easy beam insertion and a stable support mechanism to hold the beam stationary during operations, using linear actuators and a chain system for controlled rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a narrow opening is used in the beam rotator arms, then the device structure is compact, but beam insertion becomes difficult and hazardous
Solution Approach 1:
The second vertical jaw arm is made pivotally coupled to the base support, allowing it to dynamically adjust between a closed position (for compact storage) and an opened position (for easy beam insertion). This dynamic configuration resolves the contradiction by providing both compactness and ease of operation at different stages of use.
Solution Approach 2:
The arm structure is segmented into a first vertical jaw arm (fixed) and a second vertical jaw arm (movable/pivotal). This segmentation allows the opening width to be adjusted independently, enabling easy beam insertion when needed while maintaining a compact overall structure when the movable arm is closed.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a chain is used to hold and rotate the steel beam, then rotation is enabled, but the beam can move during welding creating safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The support arm is designed to be moveable up and down via a linear actuator, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position. It can be lowered to allow beam rotation on the chain, then raised to clamp onto the beam and hold it stationary during welding, providing both rotation capability and stability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The support arm system serves multiple functions: it allows the beam to rest on the chain for rotation, then actively clamps onto the beam to hold it stationary during welding operations. This self-adjusting mechanism provides both rotational freedom and welding stability without requiring separate devices.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the second vertical jaw arm is kept in a fixed closed position, then the structure is simple, but beam insertion is hazardous
Solution Approach 1:
The second vertical jaw arm transitions from a fixed structure to a dynamically adjustable one, pivoting between closed and opened positions. This allows the opening width to be increased during beam insertion for safety, then closed during operation for compactness, resolving the safety-complexity contradiction.
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
Facilitates safer and more efficient steel beam fabrication by allowing easy access, reducing hazards, and maintaining beam stability during welding and rotation.
Implementation Method 1
A housing comprises a linear actuator coupled to a support arm bracket. Extending from the support arm bracket is a support arm. The support arm is moveable up and down on a y-axis via the linear actuator to hold a steel beam.
Implementation Method 2
The beam may also be cradled on a chain that extends between the first vertical jaw arm and the second vertical jaw arm.
Implementation Method 3
The second vertical jaw arm may be pivotally coupled to the base support and the second base plate. Accordingly, the second vertical jaw arm may pivot outward away from the first vertical jaw arm so as to increase the width of a throat area
Data Source
AI summary
The beam rotation device described herein has a base support with a first vertical jaw arm, a second vertical jaw arm, and a support arm. The second vertical jaw arm may be pivotally coupled to the device so as to go from a first, closed position to a second, opened position to receive a steel beam (e.g., I-beam). Once the steel beam is placed within the device, the support arm may hold the beam stationary to allow a worker to weld or perform other tasks. It will be appreciated that multiple beam rotation devices may be coupled together and work in tandem to receive and rotate a beam. The beam rotation device creates a safer working environment than the rotators found in the art by having a pivotable second vertical jaw arm that may open to receive a beam and a support arm to hold the beam during fabrication.