Tower Erection Lift Kit Tools With Swiveling Bails
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tools for attaching lifting lines to tower segments are cumbersome and unsafe due to difficulties in adjusting for different hole sizes and spacings, leading to potential tool damage or improper use during heavy object lifting operations.
Innovation Solution
A kit of tools featuring top and bottom mounting brackets with swiveling and pivoting bails that define hemispherical envelopes, allowing for adjustable fastening through slotted and annular holes, and stepped fastener elements to accommodate various mounting configurations, ensuring safe and reliable lifting of heavy objects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If prior art tools are used for attaching lifting lines to mounting rings, then lifting operations can be performed, but the tools are difficult to adjust to safely accommodate different hole sizes and spacings, compromising reliability and safety
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting bracket is designed with multiple mounting holes arranged in different patterns (circular, linear, radial) and a slotted opening that can accommodate various hole spacings. This universal design allows the same bracket to be safely adapted to different mounting ring configurations without requiring multiple specialized tools, thereby maintaining reliability while providing versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The bail assembly incorporates pivoting and swiveling mechanisms that allow dynamic adjustment of the lifting line attachment point. The bail can pivot at the mounting bracket and swivel at the lifting line connection, enabling the tool to adapt to different loading conditions and hole configurations while maintaining safe lifting operations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If prior art tools are used for attaching lifting lines, then lifting operations can be performed, but the tools are complicated to adjust, compromising simplicity of use
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting bracket is pre-configured with multiple mounting holes in various patterns and a slotted opening during manufacturing. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for complex field adjustments, allowing workers to simply select the appropriate pre-configured holes for their specific mounting ring, thereby maintaining simplicity of use while providing adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The lifting tool is divided into modular components: a mounting bracket with multiple hole patterns, a pivoting bail assembly, and a swiveling lifting line connection. This segmentation allows each component to be independently optimized and simplified, making the overall tool easier to use while maintaining versatility through the combination of modular elements.
3Productivity
If prior art tools are mounted incorrectly, then lifting operations may proceed, but the tools can bend or break during lifting, causing safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting bracket includes a slotted opening that provides a tolerance zone, cushioning against incorrect mounting. The slot allows for positional adjustment and accommodates variations in hole spacing, preventing excessive stress concentrations that would lead to tool failure. This beforehand cushioning design prevents tool damage before it occurs rather than relying on detection after failure.
Solution Approach 2:
The tool design incorporates multiple mounting hole patterns with different geometries (circular, linear, radial) and spacings. By providing multiple parameter options in the mounting bracket design, the system accommodates variations in mounting ring configurations, ensuring proper load distribution and preventing tool failure due to improper mounting parameters.
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 solution provides a safe, reliable, and adjustable system for lifting heavy objects by accommodating different mounting hole sizes and spacings, reducing the risk of tool damage and ensuring proper alignment, thus enhancing operational safety and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a top bail mounted to the top mounting bracket for pivoting movement through at least approximately 180 degrees generally around a top pivoting axis that is approximately normal to the longitudinal axis
Implementation Method 2
swiveling movement through a full circle generally around a top swiveling axis that is approximately normal to the pivoting axis
Data Source
AI summary
A mounting tool for use in safely lifting a heavy object such as a wind tower segment. Mounting tools may be provided in a kit that includes a tool that is especially adapted for attachment to the top of the object, and a tool that is especially adapted for attachment to the bottom of the object. Both the top and bottom mounting tools include a mounting bracket for removably mounting the tool to a mounting ring on a heavy object. To accommodate different bolt patterns in mating holes in the objects, the mounting bracket has a slotted mounting hole and two generally annular mounting holes extending therethrough. These mounting holes are arrayed along a common axis. A hoist ring assembly is mounted to the mounting bracket and includes a bail adapted for swiveling and pivoting movement to define a generally hemispheric envelope.