Patent Publication Number: US-9834411-B2

Title: Apparatus, system, and method for pipe modular lift system

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application 62/121,740 filed Feb. 27, 2015, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to the moving of heavy structure or load vertically by way of a modular lifting system. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     There are various apparatuses, methods, and systems utilized today to transport heavy loads vertically. Various issues exist with the current methods in that the lift systems today all require suspended loads and conventional rigging attachment methods (e.g. slings, cables), hereafter referred to as “conventional lifting methods” all of which carry an inherent risk of failure. Many of these conventional lifting methods utilize cranes, which require time-consuming training and preparation, are prone to human performance failures, provide unreliable service due to wind speeds, and are often difficult to use because of scheduling. The embodiments disclosed herein include a lifting system that lifts the load at a steady rate while maintaining constant steel-on-steel contact, and as such does not rely on conventional methods to lift the load. There is thus disclosed various embodiments herein directed to a pipe modular lift system. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a unique heavy lifting system capable of transporting heavy loads from grade to any elevation required by the project. 
     The configuration consists of four (4) pipe columns that support a machine screw actuator at each column. At the base of each column, a column pedestal distributes the column loads to the supporting surface below. Each of the columns and pedestals are stabilized at their bases by a base stabilizing beam extending horizontally, orthogonal to the direction of the long span, at each column location. The columns are laterally braced along their height by long-span trusses and short-span trusses. The long-span trusses are braced at their top chord by K-brace panels. At the top of each column, a motor frame supports the machine screw synchronized lift system components. 
     Each travel nut supports a travel nut bracket, connected to a lift beam which spans the long direction of the system. The lift beam supports the array of deck section panels, which span the short direction of the system. 
     All the lifting system components quoted above are referenced numerically in the description of drawings and the drawings themselves on the pages that follow. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an isometric view of the Pipe Modular Lift System (PMLS) in accordance with one configuration of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 1 -A through  1 -D are various cutout perspective detail views taken from  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 2  is a long direction elevation of the PMLS from  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a short direction elevation of the PMLS from  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a plan view of the PMLS from  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4A  is a broken sectional view of the PMLS from  FIG. 4  taken along section line  4 A; 
         FIG. 5  is a partial plan view of the PMLS from  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5A  is a section view of the PMLS from  FIG. 5  taken along section line  5 A; 
         FIG. 6  is a partial isometric view of the PMLS at the base connections; 
         FIGS. 6 -A and  6 -B are various cutout perspective detail views taken from  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a partial plan view through a pipe column from the PMLS; 
         FIG. 7A  is a section view of the pipe column from  FIG. 7  taken along section line  7 A; 
         FIG. 7 -B is a cutout detail view of the connection between the stabilizer beam and the base pedestal; 
         FIG. 8  is a partial side view of the base from the PMLS; 
         FIG. 8A  is a section view of the base from  FIG. 8  taken along section line  8 A; 
         FIG. 8B  is a section view of the base from  FIG. 8  taken along section line  8 B; 
         FIG. 9  is a partial view of the PMLS at the modular pipe column connections; 
         FIG. 10  is a partial side view of the pipe column to pipe column connection 
         FIG. 10A  is a section view of the connection from  FIG. 10  taken along section line  10 A; 
         FIG. 11  is a partial isometric view of the PMLS at the pipe column and actuator frame connection; 
         FIG. 12  is a partial side view of the pipe column to top actuator frame connection; 
         FIG. 12A  is a section view of the connection from  FIG. 12  taken along section line  12 A; 
         FIG. 13  is a partial isometric view of the PMLS at the actuating system and frame connection; 
         FIGS. 13 -A through  13 -C are cutout perspective detail views of the PMLS from  FIG. 13  taken along corresponding section lines; 
         FIG. 14  is a partial isometric view of the PMLS at the pipe column to truss connections, and at the truss to K-brace connection; 
         FIGS. 14 -A through  14 -C are various cutout perspective detail views from  FIG. 14  taken along corresponding section lines; 
         FIG. 15  is a partial isometric view of the travel nut to the nut bracket connection; 
         FIG. 16  is a partial side view for the travel nut to the nut bracket connection; 
         FIG. 16A  is a section view from  FIG. 16  taken along section line  16 A; 
         FIG. 17  is a plan view of the nut bracket assembly; 
         FIG. 17A  is a section view from  FIG. 17  taken along section line  17 A; 
         FIG. 18  is a partial isometric view of the nut bracket to lift beam connection; 
         FIG. 19  is a partial side view of the nut bracket to lift beam connection; 
         FIGS. 19A and 19B  are section views from  FIG. 19  taken along corresponding section lines; 
         FIGS. 20 -A and  20 -B illustrate the rotational degrees of freedom in the transverse plane of the lift beam on the nut bracket to lift beam connection shown in an upright view of nut bracket and in a deflected lift beam and rotated nut bracket, respectively; 
         FIG. 21  is a partial isometric view of the lift beam to the deck panels connection; 
         FIG. 21 -A is a partial top view of the lift beam to the deck panels connection; 
         FIGS. 21B and 21C  are section views from  FIG. 21 -A taken along corresponding section lines; 
         FIGS. 22 through 22 -B are various views of the travel nut component from the PMLS; 
         FIGS. 23 through 23 -F are various views of the rod guide component and its subcomponents from the PMLS; 
         FIGS. 24 through 24 -G are various views of the flexible rod component and its subcomponents from the PMLS; 
         FIGS. 25 through 25 -B illustrate the rotational degrees of freedom from the flexible rod of  FIG. 24 ; 
         FIG. 26  is a partial isometric view of the lifting motor assembly; 
         FIGS. 26 -A and  26 -B are isometric details of individual lifting motor components; 
         FIGS. 27 through 27 -C are isometric and orthographic views of a pipe column from the PMLS and various section views; 
         FIGS. 27 -D through  27 -H are isometric views of individual components of the pipe column from the PMLS; 
         FIGS. 28 through 28 -C are isometric and orthographic views of a column base pedestal from the PMLS; 
         FIG. 28D  is a section view from  FIG. 28 -B taken along the section line  28 D; 
         FIGS. 28 -E through  28 -K are isometric views of individual components of the base pedestal from the PMLS; 
         FIGS. 29 through 29 -E are various views of a base stabilizing beam from the PMLS; 
         FIGS. 29 -F through  29 -J are isometric views of individual components of the base stabilizing beam from the PMLS; 
         FIGS. 30 through 30 -D are various views of a deck panel from the PMLS; 
         FIG. 30E  is a section view from  FIG. 30 -D taken along the section line  30 E; 
         FIGS. 30 -F through  30 -M are isometric views of individual components of the deck panel from the PMLS; 
         FIGS. 31 through 31 -L are various views of a nut bracket and of components making up the nut bracket from the PMLS; 
         FIGS. 32 through 32 -D are various views of a lift beam component from the PMLS; 
         FIGS. 32 -E through  32 -I are isometric views of individual components of the lift beam from the PMLS; 
         FIGS. 33 through 33 -E are isometric and orthographic views of a long span truss and cutout detail views thereof from the PMLS; 
         FIGS. 34 through 34 -D are isometric and orthographic views of a short span truss and cutout detail views thereof from the PMLS; 
         FIGS. 35 through 35 -D are isometric and orthographic views of a K-brace panel and cutout detail views thereof from the PMLS; 
         FIGS. 36 through 36 -C are various views of a top actuator frame from the PMLS; 
         FIGS. 36D -through  36 F are section views from  FIG. 36 -C taken along corresponding section lines; 
         FIGS. 37 through 37 -B are various views and details of a ground access ramp from the PMLS; 
         FIGS. 37C and 37D  are section views from  FIG. 37 -B taken along corresponding section lines; 
         FIG. 37 -E is a cutout detail from  FIG. 37D  of the ground access ramp from the PMLS; 
         FIGS. 38 through 38 -B are isometric and orthographic views of a column slot adaptor from the PMLS; 
         FIG. 38C  is a section view from  FIG. 38 -B taken along the line  38 C; 
         FIGS. 38 -D through  38 -F are isometric views of individual components of the column slot adaptor from the PMLS; 
         FIGS. 39 through 39 -C are isometric and orthographic views of a column rib bracket from the PMLS; and 
         FIGS. 39 -D and  39 -E are isometric views of individual components of the column rib bracket from the PMLS. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     While the invention is susceptible to embodiments in many different forms, the preferred embodiments of the present invention are shown in the drawings, and will be described in detail herein. It should be understood, however, that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the principles of the invention, and is not intended to limit the spirit or scope of the invention of the embodiments illustrated. 
       FIG. 1  shows the Pipe Modular Lift System (PMLS)  2  assembled to accommodate (spatially and load-wise) a standard 6-axle Self-Propelled Modular Transport (SPMT) vehicle (not shown), which would access the lifting system deck comprising of (in this configuration) eight (8) deck panel assemblies  110  via a ground access ramp assembly  180 . 
     The long braces referred to as long-span truss panels  140  provide the primary lateral bracing system to the structure, and are attached to the highest pipe column assembly  80  at the column slot openings positioned parallel to the long direction axis. The short braces referred to as short-span truss panels  150  along with the K-brace panels  160  provide the secondary lateral bracing system to the structure. The short-span truss panels  150  are attached to the pipe column assemblies  80  at various staggered elevations to achieve optimal lateral support along the short direction span. The K-brace panels  160  are set parallel to the deck panel assemblies  110 , and are attached to the long-span truss panels  140  at their top chords  142 , thereby providing additional stiffness to the long-span truss panels  140  and ultimately to the PMLS  2 . 
     At the bottom of the PMLS  2 , the four (4) base pedestals  90  are each supported on the outer sides of the PMLS  2  by a base stabilizing beam  100  oriented to resist overturning of the structure about the long (weak) axis in much the same way that outriggers do for crane mounts and similar assemblies. The base stabilizing beams  100  provide additional redistribution of ground-bearing pressure at the site surface, thereby further reducing the likelihood of local overstress. 
     The diaphragm at the top of the structure referred to as the top actuator frame assembly  170  exists to house the motor (electrical) components of the lift actuating system. These include four (4) M150 UNI-LIFT machine screw actuators  50 , two (2) MOTOVARIO worm gear reducers  60 , two (2) Lincoln 50 hp brake motors  70 , four (4) M150 UNI-LIFT coupling rods  72 , eight (8) sleeve gear couplers  74 , and other miscellaneous coupling, electrical, and cooling system components. 
       FIG. 1 -A shows the top corner cutout detail with break-outs made through a pipe column assembly  80  that encloses the 20′ Acme-threaded screw rod  20  whose rotation enables the vertical motion. Additionally, the aforementioned figure shows the flexible rod  40  attached at its bottom end to the screw rod  20 , and shows the machine screw actuator  50  at its top end, as well as a column slot adaptor  190  attached to the column slot vertical stiffeners  82  at the column opening  83 . 
       FIG. 1 -B shows a cutout detail near the base of the column with break-outs made through the pipe column assembly  80  in order to display the travel nut  10  and the travel nut bracket assembly  120  which bears on the travel nut  10  and connects via the pipe column assembly  80  slot to the lift beam assembly  130 . 
       FIG. 1 -C shows a cutout detail close to mid-height of the structure where a short-span truss panel  150  and pipe column assembly  80  connect via a column rib bracket  200 . 
       FIG. 1 -D shows a cutout detail of the base of a column with break-outs made through the pipe column assembly  80  and base pedestal assembly  90  in order to display the rotating screw rod guide assembly  30  attached to the screw rod  20  at its bottom end  21 . 
       FIG. 2  shows an elevation of the PMLS along the long span with lifting deck platform (which consists of deck panel assemblies  110  and lift beam assemblies  130 ) depicted in the lowered position as the main view, and—in the highest position achievable with six (6) pipe column assembly  80  sections per vertical support—as an overlay view. 
       FIG. 3  shows an elevation of the PMLS along its short span, with lifting deck platform (assemblies  110  &amp;  130 ) depicted in the lowered position. This view reveals a uniform vertically projected array of five (5) short-span truss panels  150 , each centered on a given pipe column assembly  80 . 
       FIG. 4  shows a plan view of the PMLS, which provides general information about the footprint and aspect ratio of the long and short directions. It also shows the top access platform  210  used for personnel and light construction equipment access to the motor components. 
       FIG. 4 -A shows a broken section through one of the short support bays, connecting visually the structure via the continuous line of rotating screw rods  20  from the machine screw actuators  50  on top to the travel nuts  10  at the bottom. 
       FIG. 5  is placed to show the context of the section cut,  FIG. 5A , which in itself depicts a motion diagram of the travel nut  10  enabled by rotational motion of the threaded screw rods  20 . All four (4) screw rods  20  are synchronized in direction and rate of rotation by coupling rods  72  and the two (2) brake motors  70  in order to enable smooth and even vertical translation. 
       FIG. 6  shows a close-up view of the column base (consisting of a base pedestal assembly  90  and the lower portion of a pipe column assembly  80 ), and provides the context for cutout  FIGS. 6 -A and  6 -B. 
     The cutout  FIG. 6 -A shows the connection of the base pedestal assembly  90  to the base stabilizing beam  100 , which is achieved via a main link pin  102 . The main link pin  102  has a narrowed section that positions the main link pin  102  to the appropriate location on the bottom pin cap plate  104 B in the vertical direction. The main link pin  102  is shown in more detail in  FIG. 29 -G, and the link pin connection through the base pedestal attachment plates  96 A &amp;  96 B on  FIG. 7 -B. During the connecting process of the base pedestal assembly  90  to the base stabilizing beam  100 , the two (2) stabilizer pin cap plates  104 A &amp;  104 B are aligned with the base pedestal attachment plates  96 A &amp;  96 B respectively. The main link pin  102  is then inserted through central holes on top plates  96 A and  104 A and set in place through central holes on bottom plates  104 B and  96 B. For this configuration, the base stabilizing beam  100  is secured parallel to the short span of the structure by an additional locking pin  106  inserted into the central hole of the aligned base pedestal assembly&#39;s  90  top attachment plate  96 A and stabilizer beam  100  top pin cap plate  104 A. Two (2) additional holes are provided on the top pin cap plate  104 A to position the base stabilizing beam  100 , seven (7) degrees from the central hole position in either direction. The locking pin  106  secures the base stabilizing beam  100  in its intended position. 
     The cutout  FIG. 6 -B shows a typical connection of the base pedestal assembly  90  to the pipe column assembly  80  via an array of twenty-two (22) uniformly spaced fasteners. Gusset plates  94  on the pipe column assembly  80  slot side, referred to as slot side gusset plates  94 A, are aligned with the pipe column assembly  80  slot opening before the installation of fasteners. 
       FIG. 7  shows the partial view through a pipe column assembly  80  and base pedestal assembly  90  for the purposes of providing context to  FIG. 7A  and enlarged section in  FIG. 7B , which shows a cross-section of the stabilizer pin cap plates  104 A &amp;  104 B and the two (2) connection pins (link pin  102  and locking pin  106 ). 
       FIG. 8  shows the partial side view of a column base (assemblies  80  &amp;  90 ) for the purposes of providing context to  FIG. 8A , which displays a section cut through the base pedestal assembly  90  and the connection fasteners, and to  FIG. 8B , which displays a section cut through the pipe column assembly  80  below the column wall rib ring  88 . 
       FIG. 9  shows the partial isometric view of three (3) vertically adjacent pipe column assemblies  80 , and two (2) typical pipe column assembly  80 -to-pipe column assembly  80  connections. In the same manner as in the previous connection, the fasteners are arrayed along the adjoining column flange plates  86 . The pipe column assembly  80  slot openings  83  (not shown) defined by column slot vertical stiffeners  82  are all aligned appropriately. 
       FIG. 10  shows one of the pipe column assembly  80 -to-pipe column assembly  80  connections in a partial orthographic view of a pipe column assembly  80  in order to provide context for the section cut which is  FIG. 10A . 
       FIG. 11  shows a partial view of the PMLS at the top corner of a pipe column assembly  80  that connects to the top actuator frame assembly  170  via an array of fasteners arranged in the same way as in the pipe column assembly  80  to base pedestal assembly  90  connection and in the pipe column assembly  80  to pipe column assembly  80  connection. 
       FIG. 12  shows a partial side view of the PMLS at the top corner of a pipe column assembly  80  that connects to the actuator frame assembly  170  in order to provide context for the section cut  FIG. 12A , which shows the array of twenty-four (24) fasteners through the bottom flanges of actuator frame corner beams  171 , and actuator frame shim plates. 
       FIG. 13  shows a partial isometric view of the assembly at the two top corners along the short span of the PMLS. This provides the context for the cutout details,  FIG. 13 -A,  FIG. 13 -B, and  FIG. 13 -C. 
       FIGS. 13 -A and  13 -C show the connection of the machine screw actuator  50  to the actuator frame top plate  173  via six (6) fasteners per machine screw actuator  50 . The fastener holes on the actuator frame top plate  173  are positioned such that the main cylinder  52  of the machine screw actuator  50  is aligned with the central axis of the pipe column assembly  80 . 
       FIG. 13 -B shows the connection of the worm gear reducer  60  to the actuator frame gear box plate  175  via four (4) fasteners. The worm gear reducer  60  is positioned on the top actuator frame assembly  170  so that each coupling rod  72  extends towards and attaches to the machine screw actuator&#39;s  50  secondary horizontal cylinder  54 . 
       FIG. 14  shows the partial isometric view of the PMLS with the top actuator frame assembly  170  removed for visual clarity. It provides the context for the cutout details which show different brace (long-span truss panel  140 , short-span truss panel  150  &amp; K-brace panel  160 ) connections. 
       FIG. 14 -A shows the connection of the long-span truss  140  to the pipe column assembly  80  via a column slot adaptor  190 . The long-span truss top chord  142  and long-span truss bottom chord  144  (not shown) connect to separate column slot adaptors  190  via a slot adaptor pin  194 . Four (4) smaller pins, referred to as column slot pins  196 , secure the column slot adaptor bracket  192  to the column slot vertical stiffeners  82 . 
       FIG. 14 -B shows the connection of a short-span truss panel  150  to a column vertical rib  84 . The short-span truss top chord  152  and the short-span truss bottom chord  154  (not shown) connect through separate short-span truss panel lugs  159  to the column rib bracket  200  via a rib bracket pin  201 . Two (2) bolts that are inserted into properly aligned holes of involved components secure the two (2) rib bracket plates  202  to the column vertical rib  84 . Each rib bracket plate  202  is positioned on a different side of a column vertical rib  84 . 
       FIG. 14 -C shows the connection of a K-brace panel  160  to the long-span truss top chord  142 . The rectangular hollow steel tube that comprises the long-span truss top chord  142  has four (4) shelf brackets  148  welded to its face oriented towards the inside of the PMLS frame at each end section of the long-span truss top chord  142 . The shelf brackets  148  have holes that align with holes on the K-brace main chords  162 . A fastener is inserted through the holes, thereby securing the K-brace panels  160  to the long-span truss panel  140 , and ultimately to the PMLS. 
       FIG. 15  shows a partial isometric view of the travel nut  10  to the travel nut bracket assembly  120  connection, with a break-out through the pipe column wall  81  for greater visual clarity. 
       FIG. 16  shows a partial orthographic view of the travel nut  10  to the travel nut bracket  120  connection, with a break-out through the pipe column wall  81  to show the location of the connection viewed from the side. It also provides the context of the section cut,  FIG. 16A , taken at the bottom of the travel nut  10  looking upward. The travel nut  10  has eight (8) holes through its top portion, which are aligned with the bottom holes of the travel nut bracket rocker plate  122  (as seen in  FIG. 17 ). The fasteners that terminate within the material of the travel nut bracket rocker plate  122  secure the two (2) components together. This connection in turn secures the travel nut  10  into a static position, allowing the screw rod  20  to rotate freely and in doing so to engage the threads of the travel nut  10 . This interaction between the rotationally static travel nut  10  and the rotating screw rod  20  enables the desired upward or downward motion of the travel nut  10  and the lifting deck platform (assemblies  110  &amp;  130 ) which is suspended from it. 
       FIG. 17  shows only the travel nut bracket assembly  120  and the travel nut  10  in plan view taken from the top of the assembly. This provides the context to the section cut,  FIG. 17A , which is taken through the two (2) diametrically opposite travel nut bracket rocker plate  122  to travel nut  10  fasteners in order to show their engagement of the two (2) components. The section also shows the fasteners that connect the travel nut bracket rocker plate  122  to the travel nut bracket rocker cone  124 . 
       FIG. 18  shows a partial isometric view of the assembly at the travel nut bracket assembly  120  to lift beam assembly  130  connection via each component&#39;s end plate (travel nut bracket end plate  123  and lift beam end plate  133 ). The two (2) end plates (components  123  &amp;  133 ) are identical in material, thickness, and bolt hole patterns. 
       FIG. 19  shows a partial orthographic view of the assembly at the travel nut bracket assembly  120  to the lift beam assembly  130  connection, and provides context to the section cuts,  FIG. 19A  and  FIG. 19B . 
       FIG. 19A  shows a section view through the main span of the lift beam assembly  130 , which delineates the lift beam end plate  133  and travel nut bracket end plate  123  bolt patterns, as well as the general fastening arrangement of the lift beam assembly&#39;s  130  subcomponents: lift beam rolled section  132 , lift beam cover plates  134 , lift beam flange plates  135 , lift beam end plate tabs  136 , and lift beam end cover plates  137  (shown in  FIGS. 32 and 32A ). 
       FIG. 19B  shows an enlarged section view through the pipe column assembly  80  looking down on the connection, and showing both the top row of the lift beam end plate  133  bolts, and the lift beam cover plate  134  to lift beam rolled section  132  countersunk fasteners. 
       FIG. 20 -A shows a partial side view of the PMLS at the lift beam assembly  130  to travel nut bracket assembly  120  connection, with a break-out through the pipe column assembly  80 , to delineate the rotational degrees of freedom of the travel nut bracket assembly  120  with respect to the travel nut  10 . In this configuration, the travel nut bracket assembly  120  is positioned so that its central axis is coincident with the central axis of the screw rod  20 . 
       FIG. 20 -B also shows a partial side view of the PMLS at the lift beam assembly  130  to travel nut bracket assembly  120  connection, with a break-out through the pipe column assembly  80  to delineate the rotational degrees of freedom of the travel nut bracket assembly  120  with respect to the travel nut  10 . In this configuration, the travel nut bracket assembly  120  is positioned so that it allows for a rotation of the lift beam assembly  130  in its transverse plane due to its natural sag when loaded in the said plane, without engaging the travel nut  10  and imparting strains on the screw rod  20 . 
     The nature of the sliding connection between the travel nut bracket rocker plate  122  and the travel nut bracket rocker cone  124 , depicted most descriptively in  FIG. 17A , allows for rotation of the travel nut bracket assembly  120  above the travel nut bracket rocker plate  122  in all three (3) principal directions.  FIG. 19B  shows the clearance between the travel nut bracket sleeve  125  and the pipe column assembly  80  opening, which sufficiently accommodates the relatively small lateral deflection of the lift beam assembly  130  due to wind and other lateral loads, as well as even smaller twisting (rotation with respect to the lift beam assembly&#39;s  130  long axis) due to unbalanced distribution of loads. In addition,  FIG. 15  and  FIG. 17A  show an ample void inside of the travel nut bracket hollow cylinder  126 , which encloses the screw rod  20  along the travel nut bracket hollow cylinder&#39;s  126  height. However, because the loads imparted on the lift beam assembly  130  are primarily in the transverse plane direction, and the displacements due to out-of-transverse-plane loads are comparatively miniscule, only the most pronounced rotation is shown visually. 
       FIG. 21  shows a partial isometric view of the PMLS at the deck panel assembly  110  to lift beam assembly  130  connection. The lift beam assembly  130  is “strung through” the deck panel supporting links  115 , which are dimensioned so that a tight but smooth fit is achieved. The current configuration and lift beam assembly  130  dimensions (length, depth and width) are suitable for an array of eight (8) deck panel assemblies  110 . 
       FIG. 21 -A shows a partial plan view of the connection looking at the lifting deck platform (assemblies  110  &amp;  130 ) below the long-span truss bottom chords  144 . This figure provides the context for the two section cuts: longitudinal cut at  FIG. 21B , and transverse at  FIG. 21C .  FIG. 21B  shows the even bearing surface of the lift beam assembly  130 , and consequentially the flush deck panel top plates  113 .  FIG. 21C-21C  shows the tight but forgiving clearances of the lift beam assembly&#39;s  130  cross-section with respect to the deck panel supporting links&#39;  115  top components. 
       FIG. 22  shows an isometric view of the travel nut  10 . The travel nut  10  is part of an actuating system generated outside of PSC, and is included in the drawings insofar as it works conjunctively with the directly attached components that are part of the travel nut bracket assembly  120 .  FIGS. 22 -A and  22 -B provide a top and side orthographic view respectively, and give a more complete depiction of the bolt hole arrangement and extents. 
       FIG. 23  shows an isometric view of the screw rod guide assembly  30 . The screw rod guide assembly  30  consists of a screw rod guide circular plate  32 , eight (8) screw rod guide track rollers  34  with eight (8) screw rod guide locknuts  35 , and one (1) screw rod guide threaded rod  36 . The screw rod guide assembly  30  serves the purpose of aligning the rotating screw rod  20  during the functional period of its operation. The screw rod guide track rollers  34  glide along the inner surface of pipe column walls  81 , and the screw rod guide circular plate  32  provides rigidity to the system. 
       FIG. 23 -A and  FIG. 23 -B show the screw rod guide assembly  30  in top and side view. The top view shows the screw rod guide track rollers  34  projecting sufficiently beyond the circumference of the screw rod guide circular plate  32  to prevent friction between the plate&#39;s circumferential edge and the interior surface of the pipe column wall  81 . The side view shows the relative arrangement of the screw rod guide track rollers  34  and the screw rod guide threaded rod  36 . 
       FIG. 23 -C shows the screw rod guide circular plate  32  with holes and cutouts for optimal rigidity and self-weight.  FIG. 23 -D shows the screw rod guide track roller  34 .  FIG. 23 -E shows the screw rod guide locknut  35 .  FIG. 23 -F shows the screw rod guide threaded rod  36 , which is inserted through the central hole of the screw rod guide circular plate  32 , and then welded to the plane wall on the underside of the screw rod guide circular plate  32 . 
       FIG. 24  shows an isometric view of the flexible rod assembly  40 . The flexible rod assembly  40  consists of three (3) distinct link components: flexible rod coupling link  42 , flexible rod clevis link  44 , and flexible rod middle link  46 . The flexible rod coupling and clevis link components (components  42  &amp;  44 ) are arranged symmetrically around the flexible rod middle link  46  via four (4) flexible rod pins  48 . The purpose of the flexible rod assembly  40  is to release the amount of torque imparted on the actuating system assemblies (consisting of assemblies  50 ,  60  &amp;  70 ), and ultimately on the top actuator frame assembly  170  during the rotation of the screw rod  20 . 
       FIG. 24A  shows a broken section cut through the top view of the flexible rod assembly  40 , which is displayed in  FIG. 24 -B.  FIG. 24 -C shows a broken side view of the flexible rod assembly  40 , with positioning and orientation of the flexible rod pins  48  with respect to the connected links (flexible rod coupling link  42 , flexible rod clevis link  44 , and flexible rod middle link  46 ). 
       FIG. 24 -D shows a flexible rod coupling link  42 , out of a total of two (2) flexible rod coupling links  42  per flexible rod assembly  40 . The flexible rod coupling link  42  is a machined part that inserts into the top portion of the hollow screw rod  56  connected to the machine screw actuator  50  via threaded screws. The pin hole on the opposite side of the flexible rod coupling link  42  serves the purpose of connecting to the flexible rod clevis link  44  displayed on  FIG. 24 -E. The flexible rod clevis link  44  has two female ends with holes on separate ends perpendicular to one another, and this hole arrangement reorients the main component, the flexible rod middle link  46  shown on  FIG. 24 -F, by 90 degrees. The reorientation enables an additional rotational degree of freedom to the flexible rod assembly  40 , thereby fully releasing the induced torque to the brake motor  70  and top actuator frame assembly  170  components.  FIG. 24 -G shows one of four (4) flexible rod link pins  48  which connect all the flexible rod assembly  40  components together (components  42 ,  44 , and  46 ). 
       FIGS. 25, 25 -A and  25 -B show the flexible rod assembly  40  in a general rotational displacement of the flexible rod coupling link  42  and the flexible rod clevis link  44 . 
       FIG. 26  shows a partial isometric view of an isolated actuating system assembly, which includes the machine screw actuator  50 , the worm gear reducer  60 , the main brake motor  70 , and the two (2) coupling rods  72 .  FIG. 26 -A and  FIG. 26 -B show cutout details of the machine screw actuator  50 , and the worm gear reducer  60 , and the brake motor  70 , respectively. 
       FIG. 27  shows an isometric view of a 10 ft-long pipe column assembly  80 . The parts that comprise this assembly are the pipe column wall  81 , two (2) column slot vertical stiffeners  82 , six (6) column vertical ribs  84 , two (2) column flange plates  86 , and one (1) column wall rib ring  88 . These individual components are shown in  FIGS. 27 -D to  27 -H. All the components are welded at designated locations during the process of the pipe column assembly  80  construction. 
       FIG. 27 -A shows an orthographic view of the pipe column assembly  80  looking at the pipe column opening defined by column slot vertical stiffeners  82 .  FIG. 27B  shows a longitudinal section through the mid-plane of the column opening defined by column slot vertical stiffeners  82 .  FIG. 27C  shows a cross-section taken through the pipe column assembly  80  above the column wall rib ring  88  looking down. 
       FIG. 28  shows an isometric view of the column base pedestal assembly  90 . The base pedestal assembly  90  consists of one (1) rectangular base plate  91 , one (1) base pedestal cylindrical pipe  92 , one (1) base pedestal flange plate  93 , eight (8) vertical gusset plates ( 94 A,  94 B,  94 C, and  94 D), three (3) stiffener cross plates ( 95 A,  95 B, and  95 C), two (2) top attachment plates  96 A, two (2) bottom attachment plates  96 B, one (1) base pedestal opening hatch plate  97 A, and one (1) base pedestal hatch plate  97 B. All the components are welded together along appropriate adjacent edges during the process of column base pedestal assembly  90  construction. Individual components are shown in  FIGS. 28 -E through  28 -K. 
       FIG. 28 -A shows the top view of the column base pedestal assembly  90  delineating the arrangement of gusset plates  94 , stiffener cross plates  95 , and attachment plates  96  with respect to the rectangular base plate  91 .  FIGS. 28 -B through  28 -D show additional side views and sections for added clarity on vertical arrangement of attachment plates  96  and the position of the base pedestal cylindrical pipe  92  opening as well as the pedestal hatch plate  97 B that serves as the hole cover. 
       FIG. 29  shows an isometric view of the base stabilizing beam  100 . The base stabilizing beam  100  consists of one (1) stabilizer hollow steel section  101 A which includes two (2) welded cap plates and a flange plate; two (2) hollow steel section web plates  101 B; one (1) main link pin  102 ; one (1) top pin cap plate  104 A; one (1) bottom pin cap plate  104 B; two (2) bridge jacks with bearing plates  105 ; and one (1) locking pin  106 . Individual components are shown in  FIGS. 29 -F to  29 -J. 
       FIG. 29 -A shows the cutout detail of the bridge jack  105  in a standard configuration, and  FIG. 29 -B shows the cutout detail of the main link pin  102  connection to the PMLS base pedestal assembly  90 . 
       FIGS. 29 -C through  29 -E show the three principal orthographic views for greater clarity on arrangement of individual components of the base stabilizing beam  100 . 
       FIG. 30  shows an isometric view of the deck panel assembly  110 . Each deck panel consists of three (3) deck panel beams  112 , one (1) deck panel top plate  113 , one (1) deck panel bottom plate  114 , six (6) deck panel supporting links  115 , six (6) beam link pins  116 , twelve (12) supporting link bottom pins  117 A, twenty-four (24) supporting link top pins  117 B, two (2) deck panel railings  118 , and two (2) inter-deck connecting plates  119 . Individual components are shown in  FIGS. 30 -F through  30 -M. 
     With the exception of the deck panel railing  118 , there are no other welded components within the deck panel assembly  110 . The deck panel top plate  113  is attached to the three (3) deck panel beams  112  by counter-sunk fasteners that are inserted through the holes of the deck panel top plate  113 , and secured with a nut and a washer at the bottom face of the deck panel beams&#39;  112  top flanges. The deck panel bottom plate  114  is attached to the three (3) deck panel beams  112  by through bolts that are inserted through the deck panel bottom plate  114  holes, and secured with a nut and a washer at the top face of the deck panel beams&#39;  112  bottom flanges. The deck panel supporting links  115  are assembled by aligning the plates that comprise the deck panel supporting link  115  components, and inserting the deck supporting link pins (components  117 A &amp;  117 B) through appropriate holes. Each deck panel supporting link  115  is inserted through the top flange openings of the deck panel beam  112 , and connected to the deck panel beam&#39;s  112  web via a beam link pin  116 . 
       FIGS. 30 -A and  30 -B show cutout details of the deck supporting link  115  and beam link pins  116  at the deck panel supporting link  115  to deck panel beam  112  connection. 
       FIGS. 30 -C and  30 -D show the two orthographic views—top and side, respectively—for greater clarity on arrangement of individual components of the deck panel assembly  110 . 
       FIG. 30E  shows a partial cross-section taken within the interior of the deck panel assembly  110  platform. The section shows the alignment of deck panel plates (components  113  &amp;  114 ) with deck panel beam  112  holes, as well as an orthographic view of a deck panel supporting link  115  to beam link pin  116  connection. 
       FIG. 31  shows an isometric view of the travel nut bracket assembly  120 . The travel nut bracket assembly  120  consists of two (2) travel nut bracket rib plates, one (1) travel nut bracket rocker plate  122 , one travel nut bracket end plate  123 , one (1) travel nut bracket rocker cone  124 , one (1) travel nut bracket sleeve  125 , one (1) travel nut bracket hollow cylinder  126 , seven (7) column wall bearing braces  127 , seven (7) column bearing brace pads  128 , and four (4) rocker stop pin sleeves  129 . Individual components are shown in  FIGS. 31 -G through  31 -L. 
     The travel nut bracket end plate  123 , travel nut bracket sleeve  125 , and travel nut bracket hollow cylinder  126  are welded along appropriate adjacent edges to form the main body of the travel nut bracket  120 . The travel nut bracket rocker cone  124  is screwed via a threaded fastener to the travel nut bracket hollow cylinder  126 . The column wall bearing braces  127  are fastened to the travel nut bracket rib plates  121  at appropriate hole locations via a through bolt for a total of fourteen (14) bolts per travel nut bracket assembly  120 . Each bolt is secured into place by a nut and a washer. 
       FIGS. 31 -A and  31 -B show the two orthographic views—top and side, respectively—for greater clarity on arrangement of individual components of the deck panel assembly  110 . 
       FIG. 31C  shows a cross-section taken at  FIG. 31 -B through the central axis of the travel nut bracket hollow cylinder  126 . It explains visually the placement of column wall bearing braces  127  with respect to the travel nut bracket rib plates  121 . 
       FIG. 31D  shows a cross-section taken at  FIG. 31 -B through the nut bracket sleeve  125  looking towards the travel nut bracket end plate  123 . It explains visually the location of the travel nut bracket end plate  123  bolt holes with respect to the travel nut bracket sleeve  125  made of four (4) welded plates. 
       FIG. 31E  shows a cross-section taken at  FIG. 31 -B through a cross-sectional plane of the hollow travel nut bracket cylinder  126  looking down. It explains visually the placement of the travel nut bracket rocker cone  124  with respect to the orientation of the travel nut bracket sleeve  125 , and the tight but smooth clearances between the travel nut bracket rocker cone  124  and rocker stop pin sleeves  129 . The purpose of the rocker stop pin sleeves  129  is to adjust the travel nut bracket assembly  120  overall position due to local accidental eccentricities, so that its rotation is primarily in the transverse plane of the lift beam assembly  130 . 
       FIG. 32  shows an isometric view of the lift beam assembly  130 . The lift beam assembly  130  consists of one (1) lift beam rolled section  132 , two (2) lift beam end plates  133 , two (2) lift beam cover plates  134 , four (4) lift beam end flange plates  135 , four (4) lift beam end tab plates  136 , and four (4) lift beam end cover plates  137 . Individual components are shown in  FIGS. 32 -E through  32 -I. 
       FIG. 32 -A is a cutout detail of the lift beam assembly&#39;s  130  end. It shows the arrangement of lift beam end flange plates  135  with respect to the lift beam rolled section&#39;s  132  trimmed flanges and lift beam end cover plates  137 . The lift beam end cover plates  137 , when fastened through the adjoining lift beam end flange plate  135  surfaces, serve the purpose of leveling the lift beam assembly&#39;s  130  top and bottom surface in order for all the deck panel supporting links  115  to lay flush on top of the lift beam assembly  130 . 
       FIGS. 32 -B and  32 -C show the two orthographic views—top and side, respectively—for greater clarity on arrangement of individual components of the lift beam assembly  130 . 
       FIG. 32D  shows a cross-section of the lift beam assembly  130  taken at  FIG. 32 -C through the end moment connection (consisting of components  133 ,  135 , and  136 ) looking towards the lift beam end plate  133 . It gives additional visual explanation of the positioning of the lift beam rolled section  132 , the lift beam end flange plates  135 , and the lift beam end cover plates  137 . 
       FIG. 33  shows an isometric view of the long-span truss panel  140 . The long-span truss panel  140  consists of one (1) long-span truss top chord  142 , one (1) long-span truss bottom chord  144 , five (5) long-span truss vertical braces  145 , four (4) long-span truss diagonal braces  146 , eight (8) long-span truss gusset plate assemblies  147 , four (4) shelf brackets  148 , and four (4) long-span truss panel lugs  149 . Individual components are shown in  FIGS. 33 -A through  33 -C. 
       FIG. 33 -A shows a cutout detail of the top corner of a long-span truss panel  140  where the long-span truss vertical brace  145  joins the long-span truss top chord  142 . The long-span truss vertical brace  145  is welded to the bottom face of the long-span truss top chord  142  along its perimeter. It also shows the connecting edges of the shelf brackets  148  to the side face of the long-span truss top chord  142 , and the long-span truss panel lug  149 , which connects the long-span truss panel  140  to the column slot adaptor  190 , and ultimately to the pipe column assembly  80 . 
       FIG. 33 -B shows a cutout detail of the bottom corner of the long-span truss panel  140  where the long-span truss vertical brace  145  joins the long-span truss bottom chord  144  and one of the long-span truss gusset plate assemblies  147 , which in turn serves as the connection point for the long-span truss diagonal brace  146 . The long-span truss vertical brace  145  is welded to the top face of the long-span truss bottom chord  144  along its perimeter. The long-span truss diagonal brace  146  is welded along its connected slot edges to the long-span truss gusset plate assembly  147 . The long-span truss gusset plate assemblies  147  are welded to the main long-span truss top and bottom chords (components  142  &amp;  144 ) and long-span truss vertical braces  145 . The long-span truss panel lugs  149  are welded to the ends of long-span truss top and bottom chords (components  142  &amp;  144 ). 
       FIG. 33 -C shows a cutout detail of the bottom corner of the long-span truss panel  140  at the mid-span of the assembly, where the long-span truss vertical brace  145  joins the long-span truss bottom chord  144  and two (2) of the long-span truss gusset plate assemblies  147 , which in turn serve as connection points for the two (2) long-span truss diagonal braces  146 . The long-span truss vertical brace  145  is welded to the top face of the long span truss bottom chord  144  along its perimeter. The long-span truss diagonal brace  146  is welded along its connected slot edges to the long-span truss gusset plate assembly  147 . The long-span truss gusset plate assemblies  147  are welded to the long-span truss top and bottom chords (components  142  &amp;  144 ) and long-span truss vertical braces  145 . 
       FIGS. 33 -D and  33 -E show the two orthographic views—top and back, respectively—for greater clarity on arrangement of individual components of the long-span truss panel  140 . 
       FIG. 34  shows an isometric view of the short-span truss panel  150 . The short-span truss panel  150  consists of one (1) short-span truss top chord  152 , one (1) short-span truss bottom chord  154 , three (3) short-span truss vertical braces  155 , two (2) short-span truss diagonal braces  156 , four (4) short-span truss gusset plate assemblies  157 , and four (4) short-span truss panel lugs  159 . Individual components are shown in  FIGS. 34 -A and  34 -B. 
       FIG. 34 -A shows a cutout detail of the top central joint of the short-span truss panel  150  where the middle short-span truss vertical brace  155  joins the short-span truss top chord  152  and two (2) of the short-span truss gusset plate assemblies  157 . 
       FIG. 34 -B shows a cutout detail of the bottom corner of the short-span truss panel  150  where the short-span truss vertical brace  155  joins the short-span truss bottom chord  154  and one (1) of the short-span truss gusset plate assemblies  157 , which in turn serve as connection points for the short-span truss diagonal brace  156 . The short-span truss vertical brace  155  is welded to the top face of the short-span truss bottom chord  154  along its perimeter. The diagonal brace  156  is welded along its connected slot edges to the gusset plate assembly  157 . The short-span truss gusset plate assemblies  157  are welded to the short-span truss top and bottom chords (components  152  &amp;  154 ) and short-span truss vertical braces  155 . It also shows the short-span truss panel lug  159 , which connects the short-span truss panel  150  to the column rib bracket  200 , and ultimately to the pipe column assembly  80 . 
       FIGS. 34 -C and  34 -D show the two orthographic views—top and front, respectively—for greater clarity on arrangement of individual components of the short-span truss panel  150 . 
       FIG. 35  shows an isometric view of the K-brace panel  160 . The K-brace panel  160  consists of two (2) K-brace main chords  162 , three (3) orthogonal braces  164 , two (2) diagonal braces  166 , and four (4) gusset plate assemblies  167 . Individual components are shown in  FIGS. 35 -A, and  35 -B. 
       FIG. 35 -A shows a cutout detail of the central joint of the K-brace panel  160 , where the middle orthogonal brace  164  joins the outer K-brace main chord  162  and two (2) of the K-brace gusset plate assemblies  167 . 
       FIG. 35 -B shows a cutout detail of the corner of the K-brace panel  160 , where the orthogonal brace  164  joins the K-brace main chord  162  and one of the K-brace gusset plate assemblies  167 , which in turn serve as connection points for the diagonal brace  166 . The orthogonal brace  164  is welded to the inner side face of the K-brace main chord  162  along its perimeter. The orthogonal brace  166  is welded along its connected slot edges to the K-brace gusset plate assembly  167 . The K-brace gusset plate assemblies  167  are welded to the K-brace main chords  162  and to the orthogonal braces  164 . 
       FIGS. 35 -C and  35 -D show the two orthographic views—side and top, respectively—for greater clarity on arrangement of individual components of the K-brace panel  160 . 
       FIG. 36  is an isometric view of the top actuator frame assembly  170 . The top actuator frame assembly consists of four (4) corner jack frame sub-assemblies  172 , two (2) motor frame sub-assemblies  174 , and two (2) longitudinal frame sub-assemblies  176 . Individual frame components are shown in  FIGS. 36 -C through  36 -E. 
       FIG. 36 -A is a cutout detail of a typical corner of the top actuator frame assembly  170 . It shows the position of the actuator frame top plate  173  and actuator frame shim plate  177 , as well as pinned connections between the corner jack frame assembly  172  and the motor frame assembly  174 . 
       FIG. 36 -B is a cutout detail of the motor frame assembly  174 , which shows the positioning of the actuator frame gear box plate  175 . 
       FIG. 36 -F shows the top actuator frame assembly  170  viewed from the top, and provides the context for the three section cuts,  FIG. 36G ,  FIG. 36H , and  FIG. 36I . The section cuts provide added clarity on arrangement of sub-components (access holes, lugs, bracing elements, etc.) within each of the individual frames, as well as how they connect to each other. 
       FIG. 37  is an isometric view of the ground access ramp assembly  180 . The ground ramp assembly  180  consists of two (2) ground access ramp main plates  182 , six (6) ramp supporting beams  184 , eight (8) ramp connecting angle braces  186 , and twelve (12) ramp beam stiffener plates  188 . The ground access ramp main plates  182  are welded to the webs of the ramp supporting beams  184  to form the two (2) ramp tracks—left ramp track sub-assembly  181 A and right ramp track sub-assembly  181 B. The ramp beam stiffener plates  188  are welded at the ends of ramp supporting beams  184 , two (2) per ramp supporting beam  184  on each side of its web. The ramp connecting angle braces  186  are bolted to the ground access ramp main plates  182  with through bolts and secured by nuts and washers. Individual components are shown in  FIGS. 37 and 37 -A. 
       FIG. 37 -A is a cutout detail of the ground access ramp assembly  180  with a break-out through the ground access ramp main plate  182  to show the positioning of the ramp supporting beams  184  and a close-up view of a typical ramp connecting angle brace  186  to ground access ramp plate  182  connection. 
       FIG. 37 -B is a top view of the ground access ramp assembly  180 , which shows the layout and spacing of the left and right ramp track sub-assemblies (sub-assemblies  181 A &amp;  181 B). It also provides context to the two section cuts,  FIG. 37C  and  FIG. 37D . 
       FIG. 37C  shows a transverse section cut near the high point of the ground access ramp assembly  180  looking towards the ramp beam stiffener plates  188 , in order to provide added clarity to positioning and orientation of the ramp supporting beams  184  and ramp beam stiffener plates  188 . 
       FIG. 37D  shows a longitudinal section cut through the mid-plane of the ground access ramp assembly  180 , and provides added clarity to the positioning and orientation of the ramp connecting angle braces  186 . In addition,  FIG. 37 -E shows a cutout detail of the section cut from  FIG. 37D , for added clarity on fastening of the ramp connecting angle braces  186  to the ground access ramp main plates  182 . 
       FIG. 38  shows an isometric view of the column slot adaptor  190 . The column slot adaptor  190  consists of one (1) column slot adaptor bracket  192 , slot adaptor pin  194 , and four (4) column slot pins  196 . All the plates that comprise the column slot adaptor bracket  192  are welded at adjacent joining surfaces. Individual components are shown in  FIGS. 38 -D through  38 -F. 
       FIG. 38 -A shows the top view of the column slot adaptor  190  for added clarity on the arrangement and orientation of column slot pins  196  and the slot adaptor pin  194 . 
       FIG. 39  shows an isometric view of the column rib bracket  200 . The bracket assembly consists of a rib bracket pin  201  and two (2) rib bracket plates  202 . Individual components are shown in  FIGS. 39 -D and  39 -E. 
       FIGS. 39 -A,  39 -B, and  39 -C show the three orthographic views—top, front, and side, respectively—for greater clarity on arrangement and spacing of individual components. The rib bracket pin  201  has sufficient length to accommodate small variations in the spacing of rib bracket plates  202 , which is controlled by the thickness of the column vertical rib  84  to which the bracket assembly  200  attaches. 
     The Pipe Modular Lift System (PMLS) is shown and described above with reference to  FIG. 1  through  FIG. 39 -E. The embodiment is a steel platform supported by columns, which bear on the ground, at four corners which consist of steel pipe column assemblies  80  with machine screw actuators  50  centered on the pipe column assemblies  80 . The machine screw actuator  50  is a motor-driven gear box, the gears of which mate with a long threaded screw rod  20 . Two (2) brake motors  70  rotate the shafts, which power the machine screw jack gears  50 , which in turn cause the threaded screw rod  20  to rotate. The rotation of the threaded screw rod  20  causes the travel nut  10  to translate vertically, engaging the travel nut bracket assembly  120  fastened to the travel nut  10 . The vertical motion of the travel nut bracket  120  engages the lift beam assembly  130  via the bolted end plate connection (components  123  &amp;  133 ) of each of the two (2) components. The vertical motion of the lift beam assembly  130  engages the deck panel supporting links  115 , which suspend the deck panel assemblies  110  from the lift beam assemblies  130 . Loads imposed on the suspended deck panel assemblies  110  transfer back to the travel nut  10  via connected components along the outlined load path. The axial load imparted by the travel nut  10  to the threaded screw rod  20  which hangs at the top from machine screw actuators  50  transfers via the worm gear boxes  60  to the corner jack frame sub-assembly  172 . The corner jack frame sub-assembly  172  bears on the two (2) pipe column assemblies  80 , which stacked upon one another deliver the loads to the column base pedestal assemblies  90 , and ultimately to the ground. 
     The standard configuration footprint provided in the figures of this document measures 58′-9″ by 44′-3″ rounded up to the next closest inch. The overall height of the structure, measured from ground level to the top of the platform  210  measures 70′-4″ rounded up to the next closest inch. Due to the nature of component connections (pins and fasteners as well as modular hole patterns on various component plates), the PMLS is capable of achieving different (rectangular) geometries according to a specific set of lifting project requirements. It is also capable of achieving different heights below or above the standard configuration, within the structural limitations of the critical components due to added loads. 
     Varying the length of the lifting deck platform (assemblies  110  &amp;  130 ) is achieved by adding or removing the 4 ft-wide deck panel assemblies  110  from the array, and modifying the lift beam assembly&#39;s  130  span—and where needed for structural capacity, the overall lift beam rolled section  132  profile and lift beam end cover plate  134  dimensions. Long-span truss panels  140  would change in geometry accordingly, if reducing or increasing the lifting deck platform (assemblies  110  &amp;  130 ) length required repositioning of the pipe column assemblies  80 . The top actuator frame&#39;s longitudinal frame sub-assembly  176  would consist of longer or shorter main beams. The connections of longitudinal frame sub-assemblies  176  to the corner jack frame sub-assemblies  172  would be devised and assembled in the same manner as for the standard configuration. 
     Varying the width of the lifting deck platform (assemblies  110  &amp;  130 ) is achieved by lengthening or shortening the deck panel beams  112  and the deck panel top and bottom plates (components  113  &amp;  114 ). Due to the nature of suspension of the deck panel assemblies  110  from the lift beam assemblies  130 , and the lift beam assembly  130  to nut bracket assembly  120  connection, changes in the direction perpendicular to the lift beam assembly&#39;s  130  span necessitate the repositioning of the pipe column assemblies  80 , and thus modification in the length of the short-span truss panel  150  and the K-brace panel  160 . The top actuator frame&#39;s motor frame sub-assemblies  174  would consist of longer or shorter main beams. The connections of motor frame sub-assemblies  174  to the corner jack frame sub-assemblies  172  would be devised and assembled in the same manner as for the standard configuration. 
     Varying the height of the PMLS to reach greater or lesser heights and range of elevations would be achieved by installing or removing the 20′ long screw rod  20  components within the motor frame (assemblies  50 ,  60  &amp;  70 ), and adding or removing the pipe column assembly  80  components fabricated to the desired length. Additional short-span truss panels  150  in the direction perpendicular to the lift beam assembly&#39;s  130  span may be required. Long-span truss panels  140  spanning the direction parallel to the lift beam assembly&#39;s  130  span may need a somewhat modified geometry. 
     The advantages of this system over conventional lifting methods are numerous, and only a few are listed herein. 
     Since the screw threads maintain firm contact with the travel nut, there is continuous steel-to-steel contact at all times the load is being transported. The factors of safety for failure of the threads through shearing are much higher than factors of safety typically found when conventional lifting methods are utilized. 
     The risks inherent to rigging and cranes are eliminated by utilization of the PMLS. 
     The risk and consequences of human error are far less than with a crane operator and rigging. 
     Time consuming pre-lift meetings, lift plan preparation, rigging procurement, rigging supervision, and various other requirements inherent with conventional lifting methods are eliminated. 
     From the foregoing statements, it is observed that numerous variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concept of the invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the embodiments illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred. It is intended to cover, by the appended drawings provided, all such modifications within the scope of the invention.