Climbing system for a crane

Abstract

The invention relates to a climbing system (1) for a crane. The system comprises a climbing apparatus (2) for inserting a mast section (3) or for removing a mast section (3) from a tower structure (4) of a crane, and a control unit (5) for controlling the climbing apparatus (2). The system is furthermore characterized in that the system comprises a first sensor (51) for monitoring a state of a connection means of the climbing apparatus (2) and/or the tower structure (4), wherein the first sensor (51) is connected to the control unit (5). A climbing process of a crane can thus be simplified and the safety of the climbing process can be increased.

Claims

1. A climbing system (1) for a crane, comprising: a climbing apparatus (2) positioned for inserting a mast section (3) or for removing a mast section (3) between sections of a tower structure (4) of a crane, the climbing apparatus (2) connectable to a portion of the tower structure (4) extending above and below the climbing apparatus (2) and comprising devices (13) for connecting the mast section (3) to the tower structure (4), a control unit (5) coupled to the climbing apparatus (2) for controlling the climbing apparatus (2), and a first sensor (51) positioned proximate to each said connection device (13) for monitoring a state of the respective connection devices (13) of the climbing apparatus (2) and/or the tower structure (4), wherein the first sensor (51) is connected to the control unit (5).

2. The system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the control unit (5) comprises an interface (6) to be connected to a crane control of the crane such that the crane and the climbing apparatus (2) are controllable via a common control unit, preferably the control unit (5).

3. The system (1) according to claim 1, comprising a second sensor (52) for detecting a mark mounted on a guiding frame (7) of the climbing apparatus (2) or the tower structure (4) and enabling conclusion to specific properties of the tower structure (4), wherein the second sensor (52) is connected to the control unit (5).

4. The system (1) according to claim 3, wherein the guiding frame (7) surrounds the mast section (3) and the second sensor (52) is mounted upon the guiding frame (7) of the climbing apparatus (2).

5. The system (1) according to claim 1, comprising a third sensor (53) for monitoring a hoisting device (10) of the climbing apparatus (2), wherein the third sensor (52) is connected to the control unit (5).

6. The system (1) according to claim 5, additionally comprising a guiding frame (7) surrounding the mast section (3), wherein the third sensor (53) is mounted on the guiding frame (7).

7. The system (1) according to claim 1, comprising a fourth sensor (54) for detecting the orientation and the angle of slope of the climbing apparatus (2) and/or the crane, wherein the fourth sensor (54) is connected to the control unit (5).

8. The system (1) according to claim 7, additionally comprising a guiding frame (7) surrounding the mast section (3), wherein fourth sensors (54) are mounted on stiffeners at the top and bottom of the guiding frame (7).

9. The system (1) according to claim 1, comprising a fifth sensor (55) for the torque detection at least at one point of the climbing apparatus (2), wherein the fifth sensor (55) is connected to the control unit (5).

10. The system (1) according to claim 9, additionally comprising a guiding frame (7) surrounding the mast section (3), wherein the fifth sensor (55) is mounted on the guiding frame (7).

11. The system (1) according to claim 1, comprising a detection system for monitoring an area between the tower structure (4) and the climbing area (2) and an area where the mast section (3) is inserted in the tower structure (4) or is removed from the latter, wherein monitoring is preferably effected by a light grid, a laser, a haulage rope and/or a camera system.

12. The system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the control unit (5) is configured to trigger the climbing apparatus (2) and/or the crane such that an inserting process of the mast section (3) into the tower structure (4) or a removing process from the latter runs automatically.

13. The system (1) according to claim 12, comprising at least one device for coupling and uncoupling the respective connection devices (13) connected to the control unit (5) and controllable by the latter.

14. The system (1) according to claim 1, comprising optical display elements (8) for reproducing various states of the system (1) and preferably for displaying activities to be executed.

15. The system (1) according to claim 1, additionally comprising a hoisting device (10) positioned to lift a portion of the tower structure (4) arranged above the climbing apparatus (2) away from a portion of the tower structure (4) beneath the climbing apparatus (2), and a carrier drive (16) arranged to horizontally insert a mast section (3) into a gap between the separated portions of the tower structure (4) or remove the mast section therefrom.

16. The system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the connection devices (13) are studs arranged to be inserted into respective holes in the tower structure (4).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Hereinafter, the present invention is described in more detail by means of drawings, where

(2) FIG. 1: shows the climbing system of the invention in a lateral view of a tower structure,

(3) FIG. 2: shows a stylised representation of the climbing system of the invention,

(4) FIG. 3: shows a control panel with its optical display elements for controlling the control unit of the system of the invention,

(5) FIG. 4(a) shows a display of a control panel for a specific state of the climbing system, and

(6) FIG. 4(b) shows another display of a control panel for a specific state of the climbing system.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(7) FIG. 1 shows a portion of a crane tower wherein a climbing system 1 is arranged. The climbing system comprises a climbing apparatus 2, which surrounds the tower structure 4. The climbing apparatus 2 is connected to a crane tower portion arranged above and beneath it. Moreover, it is provided with a hoisting device 10 which can push away the portion of the crane arranged above the climbing apparatus 2 upwards from the portion of the crane arranged beneath the climbing apparatus 2. Thereby, the hoisting device 10 is supported on so-called supporting cleats 14 protruding outwards on a mast section 3.

(8) One furthermore detects a mast section 3 to be inserted which is suspended from a carrier drive 16 of the climbing apparatus 2. The carrier drive 16 essentially ensures horizontal travel of the mast section such that the latter can be introduced into a gap created by the hoisting device 10. By means of the fully mounted crane upper section, the mast section 3 is transferred to the climbing apparatus mounted in a specific height.

(9) Moreover, a first sensor 51 monitoring a state of the connection means is provided proximate to the connection means of the various mast sections 3. Thereby, it is possible to determine whether the connection means between the various mast sections 3 are in their intended position.

(10) Furthermore, two third sensors 53 are arranged on the guiding frame 7 of the climbing apparatus 2. These are able to determine the position of the lifting unit of the hoisting device 10 and can determine the supporting cleat 14 which is currently being used and where the hoisting devices is supported.

(11) Two fourth sensors 51 which can determine the slope of the guiding frame 7 respectively of the tower structure 4 are positioned on the stiffeners of the guiding frame 7 arranged on its top and on its bottom.

(12) Furthermore, several fifth sensors 55 are mounted on the guiding frame 7 and can determine a torque present on the guiding frame at their respective mounting spots. Thereby, any transgression of the admissible maximum load of the guiding frame 7 can be detected and such load can be returned into its normal state by appropriate corrective action.

(13) Any and all sensors are connected to the control unit. The connection can be executed as a wireless or a wire-bound one. The information collected from several sensors are processed in the control unit 5 such that even automated climbing can be realised by means of the climbing system of the invention.

(14) FIG. 2 shows a crane featuring a climbing system 1. One distinguishes a climbing apparatus 2 arranged beneath the crane upper section as well as a mast section 3 which is retractable by means of a carrier drive into the gap created by the hoisting device 10. Thereby, the mast section 3 is suspended at a carrier drive 11 belonging to the climbing apparatus 2. In order to achieve this position, the mast section 3 is lifted from the bottom by means of the main jig of the crane and transferred to the climbing apparatus 2.

(15) The climbing apparatus 2 is in an effective connection with the tower structure 4 and thus is supported by the latter in order to constitute an opening between the tower structure 4 as well as the crane elements arranged above the climbing apparatus 2.

(16) Moreover, one distinguishes the control unit 5 which is connected to the control panel 12 for controlling the control unit 5. One also distinguishes the interface of the control unit 5 via which a connection is ensured to the crane control. Furthermore, the control unit features a connection to a second sensor 52 which can detect a mark positioned on the tower structure 4 or on the guiding frame of the climbing apparatus 2, whereby the control unit 5 is informed about specific properties of the tower structure 4. Thereby, it is possible to adjust the crane control to specific properties during a climbing process. For example, it is conceivable to restrict the maximum load to be lifted of the crane and/or to reduce the maximum jig length while the crane is climbing.

(17) The interface 6 of the control unit 5 is designed for its connection to the crane control. When executing this connection, control of the crane and the climbing apparatus is possible via common control. Here, coordinated control of the crane and the climbing apparatus is possible. In this way, the control unit 5 can control the crane even without entering a control instruction. This is an advantage for example where a state diverging from the normal state is detected by means of the sensors represented in FIG. 1. In the event of a slope of the guiding frame 7 respectively the tower structure 4, a process of the counter ballast can be executed automatically in order to balance the slope of the guiding frame respectively the crane tower.

(18) FIG. 3 shows a control panel 9 for the control unit 5. One distinguishes a display 8 as well the state displays and the control keys for interacting with the control unit 5, arranged beside the display 8.

(19) FIG. 4(a) shows a possible display of the display 8. Here, one schematically distinguishes a cross section of the tower structure 4 in an area where the climbing apparatus 2 surrounds the crane tower. Furthermore, one distinguishes the various states of the connection means 13 which are insertable in the counterparts provided to this effect. In the specific representation, the connection means 13 are studs which are insertable in their associated reception holes. None of the connection means 13 is in effective connection to the tower structure 4 as it is shown that the corresponding studs are not connected to the latter.

(20) Furthermore, the state of the hoisting device 10 is represented by the graphic presentation 15. One distinguishes that the lifting cylinder of the hoisting device 1 is not in a deployed state.

(21) Moreover, one distinguishes a representation of a mast section 3 showing several vertically stacked cleats 14 where the climbing apparatus can be supported. At the right side of the stylised mast section 3, the state of the hoisting device 10 which, in FIG. 10, corresponds to an inserted state, is also shown.

(22) Essentially, FIG. 4(b) shows the same symbols as FIG. 4(a). Only their state was changed. Thus, the cross-section presentation of the tower structure 4 two connection means 13 are now connected to the tower. This represents an inserted stud. The middle one of the three stacked supporting cleats 14 is shown in a different colour. That means that the hoisting device 10 is connected to such supporting cleat and is supported by it. The state of the hub device as such is also shown in a changed way and by a deployed cylinder, by contrast to FIG. 4(a).

(23) By means of such visualisation, an operator of the climbing system of the invention can gain an overview within a short period of time over any and all important parameters of the system. Any potential errors can also be detected quickly.