Pictures on this page show the status of the support structure, a first concept of the lifting fixture for MuCap and MuLan, cable strain relief concepts, and possible removable plugs of cans at the top of the detector. I need some feedback about whether the cable strain relief is acceptable in particular, before I can detail the connecting bars. The support structure is very far along. One of the things that needs to be done is to see how stable the three-point support is to people climbing around on the edge of the structure.

The problem with shipping large pieces to PSI is solved, and a new bracket will be added to the old MuCap frame. See the section on the lifting fixture for more details.

Click on the thumbnails to get an expanded image. You are welcome to download any of the images. If they are used for other than private viewing, credit to Bartoszek Engineering would be appreciated.

The three point support from MuCap has been adapted to support and align the middle frame that holds the soccer ball. All of the ball-end rods are now attached to the middle frame. Note the new lifting lugs at the corners of the frame. We are currently designing a new lifting fixture that will work on both MuCap and MuLan. The lift points will be bolted brackets on MuCap, but these lugs have been added to the MuLan frame. Breaking the long beams for shipping became an opportunity to slip in the lifting lug brackets.

See the next few pictures for how the first lifting fixture concept works for both MuLan and MuCap.

First Lifting Fixture Concept on both MuCap and MuLan

The top pictures show the lifting fixture connected to MuCap, close-up of the connection bracket on the right. The second row shows the lifting fixture around MuLan, again a close-up of the integrated connection on the right.

This design has the standard lifting fixture features and uses material very efficiently. The problem with it at the moment is that you can't put it down. The rods do not have enough column strength to resist buckling. They would have to be removed every time the lifting fixture was placed on the floor. We are currently working on another version that can stand on its own. This design could be used if there were another fixed structure that could be used to hang it on. That seemed like a needless complication, hence the new design. If there is an existing structure at PSI that this lifting fixture could be parked on conveniently, then this design might be perfectly feasible. If anyone knows about this, please let me know. I will post the new concept as soon as it available.

Cable strain relief bars

I have added four 1/2-13 tapped holes to each of the upper connection bars (the ones that do not have the hemispherical hole). I really need feedback about this configuration to see if it is adequate for strain relieving the cables from the cans. I'm imagining that the rods are fully threaded so that cable ties can grab at any point on the length of the rod. All of the cables from one bay in any can would be routed and tied off at a single rod. (Two HV, two signal and one 10 pin connector cable on each rod.)

Possible Top Plugs (Pumpkin Lids)

The picture on the left shows the top four cans (two hexes and two pents) grouped together for removal as a unit. (I don't show how the group would be lifted yet. The picture on the right is a group of six cans, two additional hex cans on the outside of the original group of four. The configuration shown previously, (see the bottom of this page,) with four hex cans strung out in a line and removed simultaneously is not possible to remove vertically because the outboard hex cans would pass through the pent cans left in place.

The interesting thing about those outboard two hex cans is that the CG of the hex cans is outboard far enough that they are still trying to rotate toward the inside cans. Even though they are not connected on the inside surface, these should lift out OK. It is close however. Any other cans lower down would probably not hang correctly and may try to swing out as they are lifted.

Before the pumpkin lid configuration can be finalized, we probably need to finalize the target/He bag configuration.

Back to the MuLan Main Menu

Back to the Bartoszek Engineering Home Page