Modular engine shipping skid
AssigneeCummins Inc.
InventorChad M. Couch
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A modular shipping skid for an engine is provided. The skid includes a base sized to receive an engine thereon, at least one alignment member projecting from the base, and a plurality of vertically extending support members extending from the base. The skid includes a fixture plate having an opening to fit a profile of the at least one alignment member and secure the fixture plate onto the base. The engine is mounted to a fixture on the fixture plate, and different fixture plates are provided with different fixtures to accommodate different sized engines on the same base.
Claims19
A modular shipping skid for supporting an engine, comprising:
- a base sized to receive the engine thereon;
- an alignment member integrally formed with and projecting from the base, the alignment member including a profile configured to provide a predetermined orientation;
- a plurality of vertically extending support members extending from the base;
- and
- a plurality of fixture plates, each of the plurality of fixture plates having a different type of fixture for supporting the engine, and each of the plurality of fixture plates having an opening provided thereon that is configured to fit the profile of the alignment member projecting from the base in the predetermined orientation in order to secure the fixture plate onto the base.
A method for supporting an engine for shipping, comprising:
- providing a base sized to receive the engine thereon, wherein the base includes an alignment member integrally formed with and projecting from the base, the alignment member including a profile configured to provide a predetermined orientation and the base includes a plurality of vertically extending support members extending therefrom;
- providing a plurality of fixture plates, each of the plurality of fixture plates having a different type of fixture for supporting the engine;
- positioning one of the plurality of fixture plates over the alignment member to secure the one of the plurality of fixture plates to the base, each of the plurality of fixture plates including an opening to interfit with the profile of the alignment member projecting from the base in the predetermined orientation;
- and
- supporting the engine on the one of the plurality of fixture plates with the fixture plate secured to the base.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.