Portable Manway Hinge Device Using Segmented Linkage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
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 hinge device using elongated hinge members with longitudinally-aligned apertures, support members, and linkage members that can be easily installed and removed without welding, allowing for quick access and support of manway covers in various sizes and materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional manway cover handling devices are used, then the covers can be removed and installed, but the devices are bulky and complex requiring multiple parts that are difficult to attach and remove
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge device is divided into separate components including hinge members, support members, and linkage members that can be independently handled and assembled. This segmentation allows the device to be transported in manageable parts and assembled quickly on-site without requiring complex installation procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge device is designed to be adaptable to various manway cover sizes and configurations through adjustable linkage members and multiple aperture positions. This universality allows a single device design to handle different equipment types without requiring custom-built solutions for each application.
2Reliability
If traditional handling devices are used, then covers can be moved, but welding is often necessitated which can compromise equipment integrity
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge members are pre-configured with apertures and attachment features that align with standard manway cover bolt patterns. This preliminary preparation allows for direct mechanical attachment using existing fastening holes, eliminating the need for welding operations and preserving equipment integrity while simplifying the installation process.
3Weight of moving object
If portable hinge devices are used, then the device can be handled by one person, but the device must be compact and easy to assemble
Solution Approach 1:
The linkage members are designed to nest within or alongside the hinge members when not in use, creating a compact folded configuration. This nesting arrangement reduces the overall device footprint and weight, allowing a single person to easily transport and store the device while maintaining the structural integrity needed for effective manway cover handling.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
A portable manway hinge device (10) has a pair of hinge plates (110,120) where each hinge plate has a support member (40) with a hinge aperture (42) positioned for alignment with a bolt opening (2a,4a) of a manway cover (4) and a manway flange (2), a linkage member (130) adjacent a first end of each hinge plate and extending out of the plane of the hinge plate, and a pivotal connection (150) coupling overlapping pairs of the linkage member of the pair of hinge plates.