Telescoping Shock Absorber Stand for Falling Mast Impact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Oil rig masts can uncontrollably fall during raising or lowering operations due to hoisting assembly failures, causing damage to the mast, equipment, and posing safety risks to personnel.
Innovation Solution
A shock absorber stand with a planar frame structure, resilient layer, and telescoping vertical supports is positioned near the mast to absorb shocks and prevent damage upon uncontrollable falls, featuring a resilient layer with varying hardness and a truss structure for stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a shock absorber stand is positioned to catch a falling mast, then damage to the mast is minimized, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The shock absorber stand is divided into multiple vertical support members (first and second vertical support members) arranged in a array, with each member independently absorbing impact forces. This segmentation distributes the protective function across multiple simpler elements rather than requiring a single complex structure
Solution Approach 2:
A resilient member is introduced as an intermediary element between the first and second vertical support members. This resilient member absorbs and dissipates impact energy during mast falls, protecting the mast while maintaining structural simplicity through the use of a dedicated energy-absorbing component
2Reliability
If a resilient layer with varying hardness is used, then shock absorption is improved, but manufacturing becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient layer is constructed with multiple layers of different hardness values, where softer layers are positioned closer to the impact point and harder layers are positioned deeper. This local differentiation of material properties optimizes shock absorption by allowing progressive energy dissipation while maintaining structural integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient layer employs a composite structure combining multiple materials or material densities with different hardness values. This composite approach enables the layer to simultaneously provide cushioning at the surface and structural support at depth, achieving superior shock absorption through material composition rather than complex geometry
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
The shock absorber stand effectively minimizes damage to the mast and ensures safety by evenly distributing the load during falls, maintaining the mast's integrity and preventing accidents.
Implementation Method 1
A resilient member is positioned between the first vertical support member and the second vertical support member. The resilient member is deformable in response to a telescoping movement between the first vertical support member and the second vertical support member.
Implementation Method 2
The resilient layer may include a plurality of layers of different hardness stacked to conform to the top side. The plurality of layers may be harder in a lower portion than in an upper portion of the resilient layer.
Data Source
AI summary
A shock stand absorber includes a resilient layer disposed on a planar frame structure and a plurality of vertical supports positioned to support the planar frame structure from below. Each of the vertical supports includes a resilient member between a first vertical support member and a second vertical support member in a telescoping arrangement. The resilient member is deformable in response to a telescoping movement between the first vertical support member and the second vertical support member. A plurality of connecting webs are formed between the vertical supports. The plurality of vertical supports are longitudinally aligned with a plurality of points on one or more paths defined on the bottom side of the planar frame structure.