Lifting beam and method for lifting object suspended vertically from lifting beam

Abstract

A lifting beam for suspending an object to be lifted in a vertical direction has a lower end surface extending in a longitudinal direction of the lifting beam on a vertical lower side in a state where the object is suspended. The lower end surface includes a first lower end portion, a second lower end portion positioned away from the first lower end portion to a first side in the longitudinal direction, and a third lower end portion positioned away from the first lower end portion to a second side in the longitudinal direction, on the opposite side of the first lower end portion from the second lower end portion. The second lower end portion is positioned higher than the first lower end portion, and the third lower end portion is positioned lower than the second lower end portion when the object is suspended from the lifting beam.

Claims

1. A lifting beam for suspending an object to be lifted in a vertical direction, comprising a lower end surface extending in a longitudinal direction of the lifting beam and positioned on a vertical lower side in a state where the object is suspended, the lower end surface including: a first lower end portion; a second lower end portion positioned away from the first lower end portion to a first side in the longitudinal direction; and a third lower end portion positioned away from the first lower end portion to a second side in the longitudinal direction, on an opposite side of the first lower end portion from the second lower end portion, wherein the second lower end portion is positioned higher than the first lower end portion, and the third lower end portion is positioned lower than the second lower end portion, in a state where the object is suspended from the lifting beam, wherein the second lower end portion is located in the same position as a first support point for suspending and supporting the object in the longitudinal direction, and wherein the third lower end portion is located in the same position as a second support point for suspending and supporting the object in the longitudinal direction.

2. The lifting beam according to claim 1, comprising an upper end surface extending in the longitudinal direction of the lifting beam and positioned on a vertical upper side in a state where the object is suspended, the upper end surface including: a first upper end portion located in the same position as the first lower end portion in the longitudinal direction; and a second upper end portion located in the same position as the second lower portion in the longitudinal direction, wherein the first upper end portion is positioned lower than the second upper end portion in the vertical direction.

3. The lifting beam according to claim 1, wherein the first lower end portion is positioned lower than the third lower end portion.

4. The lifting beam according to claim 1, wherein the first lower end portion is positioned such that a moment of a first-side portion of the lifting beam is equilibrated by a moment of a second-side portion of the lifting beam when the lifting beam is divided into the first-side portion including the second lower end portion and the second-side portion including the third lower end portion by a reference plane passing through a center of gravity of the lifting beam and the first lower end portion and perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

5. The lifting beam according to claim 4, comprising: a first tapered portion disposed between the first lower end portion and the second lower end portion and decreasing in height from the first lower end portion toward the second lower end portion; and a second tapered portion disposed between the first lower end portion and the third lower end portion and decreasing in height from the first lower end portion toward the third lower end portion.

6. The lifting beam according to claim 5, comprising: a first support portion extending from an end of the first tapered portion along the longitudinal direction and having a lower end surface including the second lower end portion; and a second support portion extending from an end of the second tapered portion along the longitudinal direction and having a lower end surface including the third lower end portion, and wherein at least one of a first support point and a second support point for suspending and supporting the object is adjustable in position in the longitudinal direction.

7. The lifting beam according to claim 6, comprising an upper end surface extending in the longitudinal direction of the lifting beam and positioned on a vertical upper side in a state where the object is suspended, wherein at least one of a position adjustment member for adjusting a suspended position of the object at the first support point or a position adjustment member for adjusting a suspended position of the object at the second support point is arrangeable on the upper end surface.

8. A method for lifting an object to be lifted suspended from a lifting beam in a vertical direction, the lifting beam comprising a lower end surface extending in a longitudinal direction of the lifting beam and positioned on a vertical lower side in a state where the object is suspended, the lower end surface including: a first lower end portion; a second lower end portion positioned away from the first lower end portion to a first side in the longitudinal direction; and a third lower end portion positioned away from the first lower end portion to a second side in the longitudinal direction, on an opposite side of the first lower end portion from the second lower end portion, wherein the second lower end portion is positioned higher than the first lower end portion, and the third lower end portion is positioned lower than the second lower end portion in a state where the object is suspended from the lifting beam, wherein the second lower end portion is located in the same position as a first support point for suspending and supporting the object in the longitudinal direction, and wherein the third lower end portion is located in the same position as a second support point for suspending and supporting the object in the longitudinal direction, the object having an outer surface, the outer surface including a portion that is highest in the vertical direction in a state where the object is suspended from the lifting beam, in the state where the object is suspended from the lifting beam, the lower end surface being positioned higher than the object in the vertical direction such that the lower end surface is apart from the object, the method comprising a connection step of connecting the object to the lifting beam via a string member, wherein, in the connection step, only a portion of the lower end surface is positioned lower than the portion of the outer surface of the object.

9. The method according to claim 8, further comprising, before the connection step, a step of lowering the lifting beam from above the object toward the object with a gap between the lower end surface and the object so that the lower end surface is not in contact with the object, wherein the object has a recess in the outer surface, and a portion of the lower end surface is positioned in the recess when the object is connected to the lifting beam via the string member.

10. The method according to claim 8, wherein, when the lifting beam is lifted, a center of gravity of the lifting beam and a center of gravity of the object are aligned on the same vertical line.

11. The method according to claim 8, wherein the object is asymmetric in a longitudinal direction of the object.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a diagram of a lifting beam suspended from an overhead crane according to an embodiment of the present invention.

(2) FIG. 2 is a front view of a position adjustment member disposed on a lifting beam according to an embodiment of the present invention.

(3) FIG. 3 is a plan view of a sling according to an embodiment of the present invention.

(4) FIG. 4 is a front view of a position adjustment member disposed on a lifting beam according to an embodiment of the present invention.

(5) FIG. 5 is a diagram for describing a step of a method for lifting an object to be lifted according to an embodiment of the present invention.

(6) FIG. 6A is a diagram for describing procedure for connecting a rotor to a lifting beam via a sling in a method for lifting an object to be lifted according to an embodiment of the present invention.

(7) FIG. 6B is a diagram for describing procedure for connecting a rotor to a lifting beam via a sling in a method for lifting an object to be lifted according to an embodiment of the present invention.

(8) FIG. 6C is a diagram for describing procedure for connecting a rotor to a lifting beam via a sling in a method for lifting an object to be lifted according to an embodiment of the present invention.

(9) FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a modification of a lifting beam according to an embodiment of the present invention.

(10) FIG. 8 is a front view of a modification of a position adjustment member disposed on a lifting beam according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(11) Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments. It is intended that dimensions, materials, shapes, relative positions and the like of components described in the embodiments shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

(12) FIG. 1 shows a lifting beam according to an embodiment of the present invention. A lifting beam 3 is suspended by a wire member 7 of a lifting device 2 mounted on a body of an overhead crane (not shown) so as to be vertically movable by the lifting device 2 of the overhead crane. The lifting beam 3 suspends a rotor 4a of a gas turbine via a string member, namely, a sling 16. Although in this embodiment, an object 4 to be lifted suspended from the overhead crane is the rotor 4a of the gas turbine, the object 4 is not limited to the rotor 4a.

(13) The object 4 may be any object that has a relatively elongated shape. For example, the object may be a casing of a rotary machine or any plant equipment machine.

(14) The lifting beam 3 has an upper end surface 12 extending along the longitudinal direction of the lifting beam 3 and positioned on the vertical upper side in a state where the rotor 4a is suspended. On the upper end surface 12, a bracket 8a including a pin 5 and two brackets 8b, 8b disposed on the opposite side to the bracket 8a are provided. The lifting beam 3 is connected to the lifting device 2 by engaging a hook 6 with the pin 5 and a pin 2a of the lifting device 2 and engaging both ends of the wire member 7 hooked to the pin 2a with the corresponding brackets 8b, 8b.

(15) The lifting beam 3 also has a lower end surface 11 extending along the longitudinal direction of the lifting beam 3 and positioned on the vertical lower side in a state where the rotor 4a is suspended. A first lower end portion 11a in the lowest position on the lower end surface 11 is positioned such that, when the lifting beam 3 is divided into a first-side portion 3c with a first end 3a of the lifting beam 3 and a second-side portion 3d with a second end 3b of the lifting beam 3 by a reference plane P passing through the center of gravity G.sub.1 of the lifting beam 3 and the first lower end portion 11a and perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the lifting beam 3, a moment of the first-side portion 3c is equilibrated by a moment of the second-side portion 3d. This moment equilibrium prevents rotation of the lifting beam 3 that may occur when the lifting beam 3 is connected to the lifting device 2 without suspending the object 4.

(16) To achieve the moment equilibrium, a side with the smaller moment, i.e., the first-side portion 3c in this embodiment, is provided with a first support portion 15 of rectangular block shape. By adjusting the size and the weight of the first support portion 15, the moment equilibrium can be achieved. Since a portion of the lifting beam 3 other than the first support portion 15 is composed of an H-shaped steel beam, the moment equilibrium can be adjusted by the first support portion 15 of relatively small volume.

(17) The first support portion 15 and a second support portion 25 in the vicinities of both ends 3a, 3b of the lifting beam 3 each have a flat upper end surface 15a, 25a (the upper end surface 15a, 25a constitutes a part of the upper end surface 12) extending in the horizontal direction in a state where the lifting beam 3 is connected to the lifting device 2. Each upper end surface 15a, 25a is provided with a position adjustment member 20, 30 for adjusting a position at which the rotor 4a is suspended via the sling 16.

(18) As shown in FIG. 2, the position adjustment member 20 has a body 21 placed on the upper end surface 15a of the first support portion 15. The body 21 has a rectangular shape elongated in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the first support portion 15 (in FIG. 2, a direction perpendicular to the plane of the figure). A lower surface 21a of the body 21 is provided with a pair of engagement members 22, 22 extending vertically downward, and the first support portion 15 is disposed between the pair of engagement members 22, 22. The lower ends of the engagement members 22 form engagement end portions 23 bent so as to face each other. Each engagement end portion 23 is inserted in a groove 24 formed on each side surface 15c of the first support portion 15 so as to extend in the longitudinal direction of the first support portion 15. By sliding the body 21 in the longitudinal direction of the first support portion 15 so as to move the engagement end portions 23 along the grooves 24, the position adjustment member 20 is slid along the first support portion 15. Since the body 21 is held by the grooves 24 and portions of the side surfaces 15c of the first support portion 15 in contact with the engagement members 22, the body 21 is prevented from rotating.

(19) The body 21 has a rod member 26 passing through the body 21 in the longitudinal direction. Each end of the rod member 26 has a disc-shaped end plate 27 having a larger diameter than the outer diameter of the rod member 26. The rod member 26 is engaged with both ends of the sling 16 between the body 21 and each end plate 27. As shown in FIG. 3, the sling 16 is a string member made of fiber having engagement portions 16a of loop shape at both ends. Referring to FIG. 2 again, by inserting the rod member 26 into the loop-shaped engagement portions 16a at both ends of the sling 16 and engaging the engagement portions 16a with the rod member 26, the sling 16 for suspending the rotor 4a (see FIG. 1) can be attached to the position adjustment member 20.

(20) When the rotor 4a is suspended from the lifting beam 3 via the sling 16, the rotor 4a is suspended and supported at a portion on the upper end surface 15a of the first support portion 15 on which the body 21 is placed. This portion is defined as a first support point 13. By sliding the position adjustment member 20 along the first support portion 15, the position of the first support point 13 can be adjusted.

(21) As shown in FIG. 4, the position adjustment member 30 has a body 31. The body 31 has a pair of side surface portions 32, 32 sandwiching the lifting beam 3 from the horizontal direction and an engagement portion 33, fixed between the pair of side surface portions 32, 32 and placed on the upper end surface 25a of the second support portion 25, for engaging the body 31 with the second support portion 25. By changing the position of the engagement portion 33 placed on the upper end surface 25a, the position adjustment member 30 is slid along the second support portion 25.

(22) The body 31 has a rod member 34 passing through the pair of side surface portions 32, 32 and adjacent to the lower end surface 25b of the second support portion 25 (the lower end surface 25b constitutes a part of the lower end surface 11). Each end of the rod member 34 has a disc-shaped end plate 35 having a larger diameter than the outer diameter of the rod member 34. By engaging the engagement portions 16a of the sling 16 with the rod member 34 between each side surface portion 32 and each end plate 35, the sling 16 for suspending the rotor 4a (see FIG. 1) can be attached to the position adjustment member 30.

(23) When the rotor 4a is suspended from the lifting beam 3 via the sling 16, the rotor 4a is suspended and supported at a portion on the upper end surface 25a of the second support portion 25 on which the engagement portion 33 is placed. This portion is defined as a second support point 14. By sliding the position adjustment member 30 along the second support portion 25, the position of the second support point 14 can be adjusted.

(24) As shown in FIG. 1, a portion on the lower end surface 15b (the lower end surface 15b constitutes a part of the lower end surface 11) of the first support portion 15 coinciding in the longitudinal direction of the lifting beam 3 with the first support point 13 for suspending and supporting the rotor 4a is referred to as a second lower end portion 11b. In other words, the first support point 13 can also be referred to as a second upper end portion in the same position as the second lower end portion 11b in the longitudinal direction of the lifting beam 3. The first upper end portion 18 located in the same position as the first lower end portion 11a in the longitudinal direction of the lifting beam 3 is positioned lower than the second upper end portion (first support point 13) in the vertical direction. Further, a portion on the lower end surface 25b of the second support portion 25 coinciding in the longitudinal direction of the lifting beam 3 with the second support point 14 for suspending and supporting the rotor 4a is referred to as a third lower end portion 11c. The second lower end portion 11b is higher than the first lower end portion 11a, the third lower end portion 11c is lower than the second lower end portion 11b, and the second lower end portion 11b is higher than the first lower end portion 11a. When the lifting beam 3 has the first lower end portion 11a, the second lower end portion 11b, and the third lower end portion 11c with different heights, the lifting beam 3 can suspend an object 4 whose height is locally high in the longitudinal direction while coming as close to the object 4 as possible, i.e., the suspension point can be lowered. Thus, it is possible to reduce the total lifting height, and consequently, it is possible to reduce the lifting cost.

(25) The lifting beam 3 has a first tapered portion 17a disposed between the first lower end portion 11a and the second lower end portion 11b and decreasing in height from the first lower end portion 11a toward the second lower end portion 11b, and a second tapered portion 17b disposed between the first lower end portion 11a and the third lower end portion 11c and decreasing in height from the first lower end portion 11a toward the third lower end portion 11c. When the rotor 4a is suspended and supported at the first support point 13 and the second support point 14, the moment applied to the first tapered portion 17a and the moment applied to the second tapered portion 17b increase with an increase in distance from the first support point 13 and the second support point 14 respectively, i.e., as approaching the first lower end portion 11a. Accordingly, in the vicinity of the first lower end portion 11a, the height needs to be increased to achieve stiffness that can withstand a large moment. On the other hand, since the moment decreases with an increase in distance from the first lower end portion 11a, i.e., as approaching each end 3a, 3b of the lifting beam 3, the height can be reduced in this direction. With the lifting beam 3 having this configuration, it is possible to reduce the weight of the lifting beam 3 compared to the case where the height in the longitudinal direction is constant. Since a larger lifting weight requires a larger crane and thus a higher cost, it is possible to reduce the lifting cost by reducing the weight of the lifting beam.

(26) In this embodiment, the rotor 4a has a recess 9 positioned vertically below the first lower end portion 11a when the rotor 4a is suspended from the lifting beam 3 via the sling 16, and the first lower end portion 11a of the lifting beam 3 and its peripheral portion can be inserted in the recess 9. In this embodiment, the center of gravity G.sub.1 of the lifting beam 3, the center of gravity G.sub.2 of the rotor 4a, and the hook 6 are aligned on the same vertical line. Thus, it is possible to stably lift the rotor 4a suspended from the lifting beam 3.

(27) Next, a method for lifting an object suspended from an overhead crane including the lifting beam according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

(28) As shown in FIG. 5, the lifting device 2 lowers the lifting beam 3 toward the rotor 4a from above the rotor 4a (arrow A). The lifting beam 3 is lowered with a gap between the lower end surface 11 and the rotor 4a so that the lower end surface 11 is not in contact with the rotor 4a. When the lowering of the lifting beam 3 is completed, the first lower end portion 11a and its peripheral portion are positioned inside the recess 9.

(29) As shown in FIG. 6A, one of the engagement portions 16a of one sling 16 is engaged with the rod member 26 between the body 21 and one of the end plates 27. Further, one of the engagement portions 16a of the other sling 16 is engaged with the rod member 34 between the body 31 and one of the end plates 35. Then, as shown in FIG. 6B, the other engagement portion 16a of each sling 16 is passed below the rotor 4a. Then, as shown in FIG. 6C, the other engagement portion 16a of the one sling 16 is engaged with the rod member 26 between the body 21 and the other end plate 27. Further, the other engagement portion 16a of the other sling 16 is engaged with the rod member 34 between the body 31 and the other end plate 35 (see FIG. 3).

(30) As shown in FIG. 5, since the first lower end portion 11a is positioned inside the recess 9 when connecting the rotor 4a to the lifting beam 3 via the sling 16, the lifting beam 3 is closer to the rotor 4a in the state of FIG. 5 than in the state of FIG. 1 where the rotor 4a is suspended from the lifting beam 3. Thus, as shown in FIGS. 6B and 6C, the other engagement portion 16a of each sling 16 can be passed below the rotor 4a to engage with the rod member 26, 34, with the sling 16 loosened, which facilitates connection between the rotor 4a and the lifting beam 3 via the sling 16.

(31) Further, for connecting the rotor 4a to the lifting beam 3 via the sling 16, the lifting beam 3 needs to be brought closer to the rotor 4a than when the rotor 4a is suspended from the lifting beam 3. The height of the lifting beam 3 relative to the rotor 4a in a state where the rotor 4a is suspended from the lifting beam 3 needs to be determined with a margin of distance at which the lifting beam 3 approaches the rotor 4a to connect the rotor 4a to the lifting beam 3 via the sling 16, so that the height of the lifting beam 3 relative to the rotor 4a is increased accordingly. However, in this embodiment, since the lifting beam 3 can approach the rotor 4a so that the first lower end portion 11a is positioned in the recess 9 of the rotor 4a when connecting the rotor 4a to the lifting beam 3 via the sling 16, it is possible to suppress an increase in height of the lifting beam 3 relative to the rotor 4a when the rotor 4a is suspended from the lifting beam 3. As a result, it is possible to reduce the total lifting height, and it is possible to reduce the lifting cost.

(32) Then, as shown in FIG. 1, the lifting device 2 lifts the lifting beam 3 (arrow B). When the lifting beam 3 is lifted, the loosened sling 16 is tensioned. Further, as the lifting beam 3 is lifted, the rotor 4a suspended from the lifting beam 3 is lifted. When the rotor 4a is suspended from the lifting beam 3, the first lower end portion 11a is positioned lower than the highest portion 10 of the outer surface of the rotor 4a. This enables the rotor 4a to be suspended from the lifting beam 3 while the lifting beam 3 is brought as close to the rotor 4a as possible. Thus, it is possible to reduce the total lifting height compared to the lifting beam having a uniform linear shape in the longitudinal direction, and consequently, it is possible to reduce the lifting cost.

(33) As described above, the rotor 4a can be suspended from the lifting beam 3 while bringing the lifting beam 3 as close to the rotor 4a as possible, i.e., the suspension point can be lowered, and thus it is possible to reduce the total lifting height, and consequently, it is possible to reduce the lifting cost.

(34) Although in this embodiment, the first lower end portion 11a of the lifting beam 3 is below both the second lower end portion 11b and the third lower end portion 11c, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. The first lower end portion 11a may be in any position between the second lower end portion 11b and the third lower end portion 11c, and may be positioned higher than the third lower end portion 11c. Further, for instance as shown in FIG. 7, the first lower end portion 11a and the third lower end portion 11c may be in the same position in the vertical direction, and the second lower end portion 11b may be positioned higher than the first lower end portion 11a and the third lower end portion 11c. Further, although the first lower end portion 11a is positioned such that, when the lifting beam 3 is divided into the first-side portion 3c with the first end 3a of the lifting beam 3 and the second-side portion 3d with the second end 3b of the lifting beam 3 by the reference plane P passing through the center of gravity G.sub.1 of the lifting beam 3 and the first lower end portion 11a and perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the lifting beam 3, a moment of the first-side portion 3c is equilibrated by a moment of the second-side portion 3d, the first lower end portion 11a may be displaced from this position.

(35) Although in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the first support portion 15 has the groove 24 in each side surface 15c so as to extend in the longitudinal direction of the first support portion 15, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. The shape of the first support portion 15 shown in FIG. 2 is intended to maintain the position of the center of gravity when the lifting beam 3 is lifted alone near the suspension point, and the structure of the groove 24 (e.g., depth and width of groove) can be freely changed so as to have a weight necessary for adjusting the position of the center of gravity. For instance, when it is intended to shift the center of gravity toward the first end 3a, the groove is changed (e.g., depth and width of groove are decreased) so as to increase the weight of the first support portion 15. Further, the shape of the first support portion 15 can also be freely changed for the same purpose. For instance, as shown in FIG. 8, the first support portion 15 may have a simple rectangular shape, and the engagement end portions 23 may be engaged with the lower end surface 15b of the first support portion 15.

(36) Although in this embodiment, the sling 16 made of fiber is used as the string member for suspending the rotor 4a to the lifting beam 3, the present invention is not limited thereto. The string member may be a metallic wire or chain that has a sufficient strength for suspending the rotor 4a. Further, although in this embodiment, the engagement portions 16a at both ends of the sling 16 are engaged with the lifting beam 3, and the rotor 4a is suspended and supported from below between the ends of the sling 16, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. For instance, the rotor 4a may be suspended by connecting one end of the string member to the lifting beam 3 by any means and connecting the other end of the string member to the rotor 4a by any means.

(37) Although in this embodiment, each of the positions of the first support point 13 and the second support point 14, i.e., the positions of the second lower end portion 11b and the third lower end portion 11c are adjustable, only either one may be adjustable. That is, the position of the other one may be fixed. Further, the configurations of the position adjustment members 20, 30 are not limited to that described in this embodiment, and the position adjustment members 20, 30 may have any configuration. Two position adjustment members 20 may be used by using the position adjustment member 20 instead of the position adjustment member 30, or two position adjustment members 30 may be used by using the position adjustment member 30 instead of the position adjustment member 20.

(38) Although in this embodiment, the object 4 is shaped such that a high-height portion is formed in a portion of the longitudinal direction, the object 4 may be asymmetric in the longitudinal direction as with the rotor 4a.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

(39) 2 Crane 3 Lifting beam 3a End (of lifting beam) 3b End (of lifting beam) 3c First-side portion (of lifting beam) 3d Second-side portion (of lifting beam) 4 Object 4a Rotor 5 Pin 6 Hook 7 Wire 8a Bracket 8b Bracket 9 Recess 10 Highest portion 11 Lower end surface 11a First lower end portion 11b Second lower end portion 11c Third lower end portion 12 Upper end surface 13 First support point (Second upper end portion) 14 Second support point 15 First support portion 15a Upper end surface (of first support portion) 15b Lower end surface (of first support portion) 15c Side surface (of first support portion) 16 Sling (String member) 16a Engagement portion 17a First tapered portion 17b Second tapered portion 18 First upper end portion 20 Position adjustment member 21 Body 21a Lower surface (of body) 22 Engagement member 23 Engagement end portion 24 Groove 25 Second support portion 25a Upper end surface (of second support portion) 25b Lower end surface (of second support portion) 26 Rod member 27 End plate 30 Position adjustment member 31 Body 32 Side surface portion 33 Engagement portion 34 Rod member 35 End plate G.sub.1 Center of gravity (of lifting beam) G.sub.2 Center of gravity (of rotor) P Reference plane