Removable Sheave Nests for Lower-Cost Spreader Beam Rebuilds
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spreader beams require the entire structure, including integral sheaves, to be transported for repair or rebuilding, incurring significant transport costs due to their heavy weight.
Innovation Solution
The spreader beam design includes removable sheave nests that can be rebuilt or repaired at a lower cost by allowing only the sheave nests to be shipped to a repair shop, rather than the entire beam.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If the entire spreader beam is transported to a repair shop for sheave repair, then the sheaves can be rebuilt or replaced, but the transportation cost increases significantly due to the heavy weight of the entire beam
Solution Approach 1:
The spreader beam is divided into separate components: the main beam structure and the sheave nests. The sheave nests are designed as removable, separable units that can be independently removed from the main beam. This segmentation allows only the sheave nests to be transported for repair while leaving the heavy main beam at the worksite, thereby reducing transportation costs while maintaining full repair capability for the sheaves.
2Loss of energy
If the sheave nests are made removable from the main beam, then transportation cost is reduced, but the device complexity increases due to additional connection and disconnection mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The sheave nests are designed to nest within or attach to the main beam structure in a compact manner. The removable connection mechanism allows the sheave nests to be easily stored or transported separately when not in use, while providing a secure attachment when installed. This nesting approach minimizes the complexity of the connection mechanism while achieving the goal of reducing transportation requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A spreader beam and related method provide a simplified repair or rebuilding capability for wear parts of the spreader beam. The disclosed spreader beam includes removable sheave nests containing sheaves, which are the wear parts in a spreader beam. The disclosed spreader beam saves time and costs since an entire spreader beam need not be transported to a repair shop, rather only the removable sheave nests, or only the sheaves. In one embodiment, sheaves and sheave nests may be removed and replaced without the need for unwinding supporting cables.