Universal Hoist Bracket for Gas Engine Lifting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lifting tools are specialized and costly, requiring multiple tools to lift different portions of gas engine assemblies, and often necessitate partial disassembly of the engine enclosure for lateral positioning, which is time-consuming and expensive.
Innovation Solution
A universal engine hoist system featuring a support member with an upper, lower, and connecting portion, an elongate member orthogonally coupled to the lower portion, and at least one bracket slidably engaged with the elongate member, allowing for axial translation and linkage member attachment to lift and position gas engine assemblies within an enclosure without disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple specialized lifting tools are used to lift different portions of gas engine assemblies, then the lifting capability is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent describes a universal engine hoist system that can lift different portions of gas engine assemblies (gas generator, power turbine, or complete assembly) using a single multi-functional device. The hoist system includes adjustable brackets and linkage members that can be configured to engage with various engine components, eliminating the need for multiple specialized lifting tools while maintaining full lifting capability across different engine configurations
Solution Approach 2:
The hoist system is divided into modular components including a support member, elongate member, bracket, and linkage members that can be independently adjusted and configured. This segmentation allows the single device to adapt to different lifting scenarios by reconfiguring the modular components rather than requiring multiple specialized tools
2Ease of operation
If conventional lifting tools are used, then the lifting operation can be performed, but the enclosure must be partially disassembled to enable lateral positioning, increasing time and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket is designed with sliding engagement on the elongate member, allowing dynamic adjustment of the bracket position along the length of the elongate member. This dynamic positioning capability enables lateral movement of the engine assembly within the enclosure without requiring enclosure disassembly, as the bracket can be repositioned to accommodate different lateral positions during the lifting and positioning operation
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple specialized lifting tools are used, then different engine portions can be lifted, but the cost for tools and their validation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The universal hoist system replaces multiple specialized lifting tools with a single device that can lift any portion of the gas engine assembly through configurable linkage members and brackets, thereby reducing the total quantity of tools required and associated validation costs while maintaining the ability to select and lift different engine portions as needed
Data Source
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AI summary
A hoist (202) for lifting at least a portion of a gas engine assembly (100) includes a support member (204) including an upper portion (314), a lower portion (318), and a connecting portion (316) extending therebetween. The hoist (202) also includes an elongate member (206) coupled to the lower portion (318) of the support member (204) and extending substantially orthogonally to the lower portion (318), and at least one bracket (402) slidably engaged with the elongate member (206) and axially translatable along a length of the elongate member (206). In addition, the hoist (202) includes a plurality of linkage members (414 and 416) coupled to the at least one bracket (402), where each linkage member (414 and 416) of the plurality of linkage members (414 and 416) is configured to attach to at least a portion of the gas engine assembly (100).