Portable Manway Hinge Device for Confined Space Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing manway cover handling devices are bulky, complex, and require multiple parts, making them difficult to attach and remove, especially in confined spaces, and often necessitate welding, which can compromise equipment integrity.
Innovation Solution
A portable manway cover hinge device using elongated hinge members with longitudinally-aligned apertures, support members, and linkage members that can be easily attached and detached using existing bolts, allowing for quick installation and removal without welding, suitable for various sizes and materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional davit swing arms, chain falls, or ratchet hoists are used to remove heavy manway covers, then the covers can be lifted and removed, but the devices become bulky, complex, and difficult to attach and remove
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into separate components: a base plate with mounting brackets, a swing arm mechanism, and a cover attachment system. Each component can be independently attached or detached, allowing the system to be configured for specific applications and easily disassembled when not in use.
Solution Approach 2:
The swing arm is designed to be movable and adjustable, allowing it to pivot between a stowed position and an operational position. This dynamic mechanism enables the device to adapt to different cover sizes and weights while maintaining a compact form when not in use.
2Ease of operation
If permanent davit assemblies are attached to equipment to facilitate cover removal, then cover handling is simplified, but welding is required which can compromise equipment integrity
Solution Approach 1:
The device uses an intermediary mounting system that attaches to existing equipment through mechanical connections rather than welding. The base plate can be secured using bolts, clips, or other non-destructive fastening methods that preserve the integrity of the underlying equipment while providing a stable mounting point for the swing arm mechanism.
3Weight of moving object
If heavy manway covers are handled without assistance, then no additional equipment is needed, but the covers are too heavy to be handled by unaided individuals
Solution Approach 1:
The swing arm mechanism provides mechanical advantage by leveraging lever arms and pivot points to counterbalance the weight of the manway cover. The long swing arm acts as a lever that can lift and position heavy covers with minimal input force from the operator.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is designed to be self-supporting through its swing arm mechanism, which automatically positions and supports the manway cover during handling operations. The mechanical system performs the heavy lifting and positioning functions without requiring additional external assistance.
4Reliability
If portable devices are used for manway cover handling, then equipment integrity is preserved, but the devices must be compact and portable
Solution Approach 1:
The swing arm can be nested or folded back against the base plate when not in use, creating a compact configuration that is easy to transport and store. The mechanical components are arranged to allow the swing arm to nest within or alongside the base plate structure, minimizing the overall footprint of the device.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of handling the removal and installation of a manway cover to a manway flange includes removing a plurality of manway cover bolts, assembling a portable manway cover hinge device having a pair of hinge plates having a hinge aperture alignable with an existing bolt opening or a user formed bolt opening, forming one or more bolt openings in a peripheral portion of one of the manway cover and the manway flange, aligning a hinge aperture of the support member of each of the pair of hinge plates with the one or more bolt openings formed in the peripheral portion of the one of the manway cover and the manway flange or the plurality of existing bolt openings, inserting a pin into each hinge aperture of the hinge plates, and removing the remaining manway cover bolts from the manway cover.