A an energy storage system includes a crane and a plurality of blocks, where the crane is operable to move blocks from a lower elevation to a higher elevation (via stacking of the blocks) to store electrical energy as potential energy of the blocks, and then operable to move blocks from a higher elevation to a lower elevation (via unstacking of the blocks) to generate electricity based on the kinetic energy of the block when lowered (e.g., by gravity). The energy storage system can, for example, store electricity generated from solar power as potential energy in the stacked blocks during daytime hours when solar power is available, and can convert the potential energy in the stacked blocks into electricity during nighttime hours when solar energy is not available, and deliver the converted electricity to the power grid.

A an energy storage system includes a crane and a plurality of blocks, where the crane is operable to move blocks from a lower elevation to a higher elevation (via stacking of the blocks) to store electrical energy as potential energy of the blocks, and then operable to move blocks from a higher elevation to a lower elevation (via unstacking of the blocks) to generate electricity based on the kinetic energy of the block when lowered (e.g., by gravity). The energy storage system can, for example, store electricity generated from solar power as potential energy in the stacked blocks during daytime hours when solar power is available, and can convert the potential energy in the stacked blocks into electricity during nighttime hours when solar energy is not available, and deliver the converted electricity to the power grid.

A an energy storage system includes a crane and a plurality of blocks, where the crane is operable to move blocks from a lower elevation to a higher elevation (via stacking of the blocks) to store electrical energy as potential energy of the blocks, and then operable to move blocks from a higher elevation to a lower elevation (via unstacking of the blocks) to generate electricity based on the kinetic energy of the block when lowered (e.g., by gravity). The energy storage system can, for example, store electricity generated from solar power as potential energy in the stacked blocks during daytime hours when solar power is available, and can convert the potential energy in the stacked blocks into electricity during nighttime hours when solar energy is not available, and deliver the converted electricity to the power grid.

A an energy storage system includes a crane and a plurality of blocks, where the crane is operable to move blocks from a lower elevation to a higher elevation (via stacking of the blocks) to store electrical energy as potential energy of the blocks, and then operable to move blocks from a higher elevation to a lower elevation (via unstacking of the blocks) to generate electricity based on the kinetic energy of the block when lowered (e.g., by gravity). The energy storage system can, for example, store electricity generated from solar power as potential energy in the stacked blocks during daytime hours when solar power is available, and can convert the potential energy in the stacked blocks into electricity during nighttime hours when solar energy is not available, and deliver the converted electricity to the power grid.

Crane-support apparatus for mounting a tower crane onto a side of a high-rise building under construction, enabling ascending of the tower crane according to the upwards progression of the building construction, including a chassis configured to support a climbing frame of the tower crane mast, and at least one reinforcement element. A distal end of the chassis is hingedly attached to the distal end of the reinforcement element. In a deployed, support mode, the chassis is aligned in a horizontal position, and the reinforcement element is aligned in a slanted position. In a folded, mobilization mode, the chassis and the reinforcement element are configured to be pulled by at least one lifting cable at the distal end of the chassis and the reinforcement element with the chassis and the reinforcement element hingedly folded and aligned in vertical positions. A method for using the apparatus in both modes is also provided.

Crane-support apparatus for mounting a tower crane onto a side of a high-rise building under construction, enabling ascending of the tower crane according to the upwards progression of the building construction, including a chassis configured to support a climbing frame of the tower crane mast, and at least one reinforcement element. A distal end of the chassis is hingedly attached to the distal end of the reinforcement element. In a deployed, support mode, the chassis is aligned in a horizontal position, and the reinforcement element is aligned in a slanted position. In a folded, mobilization mode, the chassis and the reinforcement element are configured to be pulled by at least one lifting cable at the distal end of the chassis and the reinforcement element with the chassis and the reinforcement element hingedly folded and aligned in vertical positions. A method for using the apparatus in both modes is also provided.

A lift system for performing operations on a structure includes a base and rack assembly mounted on the base. The rack assembly includes at least two legs. A carriage is engaged with the rack assembly, and is configured to travel vertically along the legs of the rack assembly. A crane is configured for transverse movement on the carriage. In some implementations, the base is moved under self-propulsion. In some implementations, the base includes a leveling assembly that is operable to adjust an orientation of the rack assembly with respect to the structure.

A mounting/dismounting device for mounting/dismounting a connecting pin used for an end-to-end assembly of two frame elements includes a mounting/dismounting rod having a longitudinal axis, a head adapted to cooperate with a screwdriver, and a rod body having a proximal portion and a threaded distal portion. The device also includes a base supporting a nut and having an abutment portion shaped to bear on one of the two frame elements, the threaded distal portion being provided to be screwed into the nut, a proximal stop mounted freely in rotation on the proximal portion of the rod body, and a bushing mounted around the rod body between the nut and the proximal stop.

The present invention relates to a crane having a multiple-piece longitudinal structural part, in particular a tower or boom, whose pieces comprise corner arms or horizontal beams which can be placed next to one another and which can be releasably connected to one another by a mortise and tenon joint, wherein the mortise and tenon joint comprises a tongue which can be plugged into a tongue receiver and which can be fixed by means of at least one crossbar which can be inserted transversely to the plug-in direction of the tongue. In accordance with the invention, the crossbar of the mortise and tenon joint can be spread apart by a spreading device such that the pieces of the longitudinal structural part to be connected can be clamped to one another by spreading apart the crossbar.

The present invention relates to a crane tower comprising a crane tower base, which has a crane tower or a crane tower element fixed thereto and from which the crane tower extends upwards, and a tension element for bracing the crane tower 1 on the crane tower base. The tension element has one of its two ends connected to the crane tower base and its respective other end connected to the crane tower or to a coupling element that is connected to the crane tower. The crane tower is characterized in that the tension element extends outside of the crane tower. It is thus possible to reduce the dimensions of the crane tower without causing any change of bending resistance or to increase the bending resistance on the basis of the same dimensions.