System for rearranging the counterweight of a crane operation

Abstract

A system (19; 19, 35) for reducing an amount of a counterweight for a crane comprises a crane (2) having a founding structure (3) being disposed on a base (20), a coupling unit (4), and a superstructure (5) being coupled to the founding structure (3) via the coupling unit (4). The system (19; 19, 35) further comprises a suspension device (21; 21, 36) for suspending the crane (2) at the base (20), said suspension device (21; 21, 36) having a guiding structure (22; 22, 37) defining a guiding direction (23; 23, 38), said guiding structure (22; 22, 37) being attached to the base (20), a displacement device (24) being displaceably attached to the guiding structure (22; 22, 37) along the guiding direction (23; 23, 38), and at least one suspension element (29) being connected with a first end to the crane (2) and being connected with a second end to the displacement device (24).

Claims

1. A system for rearranging the counterweight of a crane operation, said system comprising a crane (2) comprising a founding structure (3) being disposed on a base (20), said founding structure (3) being unmovable with respect to the base (20), a coupling unit (4), and a superstructure (5) being coupled to the founding structure (3) via the coupling unit (4), and at least one suspension device (21; 21, 36) comprising a guiding structure (22; 22, 37) defining a guiding direction (23; 23, 38), said guiding structure (22; 22, 37) being directly attached to the base (20), a displacement device (24) being displaceably directly attached with respect to the guiding structure (22; 22, 37) along the guiding direction (23; 23, 38), and at least one suspension element (29) being connected with a first end to the crane (2) and being directly connected with a second end to the displacement device (24), wherein the at least one suspension device (21; 21, 36) is anchored at the base (20) in the vertical direction to suspend the crane (2), wherein the at least one suspension element (29) is directly connected with the first end to a base crane structure (6) of the superstructure (5) of the crane (2), and wherein the superstructure (5) is slewably coupled to the founding structure (3) around a slewing axis (7).

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one suspension element (29) is connected with the first end to a superlift mast (9) of the crane (2).

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the superstructure (5) is displaceably coupled to the founding structure (3) along a displacement direction.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the superstructure (5) comprises a supporting frame (31) which takes forces being at least partially oriented horizontally.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one suspension element (29) is a chain.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the guiding structure (22; 22, 37) comprises a guiding track being fixed to the base (20).

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein the displacement device (24) comprises a bogie unit (25) having at least two rollers.

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein the displacement device (24) comprises a drive (28).

9. The system according to claim 1, wherein at least one load cell (34) is provided for measuring a load acting on the at least one suspension element (29).

10. A vessel comprising a system (19; 35) according to claim 1, wherein the base (20) is provided on a deck of the vessel (1).

11. A system for rearranging the counterweight of a crane operation, said system comprising a crane (2) comprising a founding structure (3) being disposed on a base (20), said founding structure (3) being unmovable with respect to the base (20), a coupling unit (4), and a superstructure (5) being coupled to the founding structure (3) via the coupling unit (4), and at least one suspension device (21; 21, 36) comprising a guiding structure (22; 22, 37) defining a guiding direction (23; 23, 38), said guiding structure (22; 22, 37) being directly attached to the base (20), a displacement device (24) being displaceably directly attached with respect to the guiding structure (22; 22, 37) along the guiding direction (23; 23, 38), and at least one suspension element (29) being connected with a first end to the crane (2) and being directly connected with a second end to the displacement device (24), wherein the at least one suspension device (21; 21, 36) is anchored at the base (20) in the vertical direction to suspend the crane (2), wherein two suspension elements (29) are provided at one suspension device (21; 21, 36), said two suspension elements (29) are arranged triangularly within a vertical plane and the second end of each of the two suspension elements being connected to one another, and wherein the superstructure (5) is slewably coupled to the founding structure (3) around a slewing axis (7).

12. The system according to claim 11, wherein each of the two suspension elements (29) is connected with its second end to a corresponding displacement device (24) and wherein the two suspension elements (29) are connected with their first ends together at a common mounting device (30).

13. The system according to claim 12, wherein the at least one suspension element (29) is connected with the first end to a superlift mast (9) of the crane (2), wherein the superstructure (5) comprises a supporting frame (31) which takes forces being at least partially oriented horizontally, and wherein the mounting device (30) is connected to the superstructure (5) via the supporting frame (31) to the superlift mast (9) via a superlift counterweight pendant (13), and to the displacement device (24) via the two suspension elements (29).

14. A system for rearranging the counterweight of a crane operation, said system comprising a crane (2) comprising a founding structure (3) being disposed on a base (20), said founding structure (3) being unmovable with respect to the base (20), a coupling unit (4), and a superstructure (5) being coupled to the founding structure (3) via the coupling unit (4), and at least one suspension device (21; 21, 36) comprising a guiding structure (22; 22, 37) defining a guiding direction (23; 23, 38), said guiding structure (22; 22, 37) being directly attached to the base (20), a displacement device (24) being displaceably directly attached with respect to the guiding structure (22; 22, 37) along the guiding direction (23; 23, 38), and at least one suspension element (29) being connected with a first end to the crane (2) and being directly connected with a second end to the displacement device (24), wherein the at least one suspension device (21; 21, 36) is anchored at the base (20) in the vertical direction to suspend the crane (2), wherein the base (39) is provided inside a hull of a vessel (1) between inner shells (41) of the hull, and wherein the superstructure (5) is slewably coupled to the founding structure (3) around a slewing axis (7).

15. The system according to claim 14, wherein the base (39) is provided on a mezzanine level beneath an upper deck (40).

16. The system according to claim 14, wherein the base (39) is provided at a height (H) in respect to a lower end of the vessel (1) such that the center of gravity (43) of the vessel is located in a plane of the base (39).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 shows a side view of a vessel with an onboard crane according to the prior art;

(2) FIG. 2 shows a top view of the vessel in FIG. 1;

(3) FIG. 3 shows a side view of a vessel with a system of a first embodiment;

(4) FIG. 4 shows a top view of the vessel in FIG. 3;

(5) FIG. 5 shows a back view of the vessel in FIG. 3;

(6) FIG. 6 shows a side view of a vessel with a system according to a second embodiment;

(7) FIG. 7 shows a top view of the vessel in FIG. 6;

(8) FIG. 8 shows a side view of a vessel with a system according to a third embodiment;

(9) FIG. 9 shows a back view of the vessel in FIG. 8;

(10) FIG. 10 shows an enlarged back view of a displacement device; and

(11) FIG. 11 shows a side view of the displacement device in FIG. 10.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

(12) A vessel 1 according to FIGS. 3 to 5 comprises a system 19 according to the first embodiment of the invention. The system 19 enables the reduction of an amount of a counterweight of the crane 2. The founding structure 3 of the crane 2 is stationary disposed on a base 20. The base 20 is an upper deck of the vessel 1. The coupling unit 4 is a slewing ring and enables slewing of the superstructure 5 around the slewing axis 7 regarding the founding structure 3.

(13) The base 20 is not part of the crane 2. In particular, it is also possible to provide the crane 2 on a stationary platform, e. g. of shore in the sea. It is further possible to provide the base on a barge or on a pontoon. It is also possible to provide the base 20 stationary on a flat roof of a large building.

(14) The system 19 further comprises a suspension device 21 for suspending the crane 2 at the base 20. The suspension device 21 comprises a guiding structure 22 as a guiding track having a T-shaped guide rail. The guiding structure 22 defines a guiding direction 23. The guiding direction 23 is an arc of a circle, since the superstructure 5 is slewable around the slewing axis 7 regarding the founding structure 3. However, it is also possible to provide a coupling unit such that the superstructure 5 is displaceable along a track, in particular along a straight track. In that case, the guiding direction 23 is parallel to the track provided for the displacement of the superstructure. The arc of the circle is provided coaxially to the slewing axis 7. In particular, the slewing axis is oriented vertically.

(15) The guiding structure 22 is stationary attached to the base 20. In particular, the guiding structure 22 is anchored in the base.

(16) The system 19 further comprises a displacement device 24 comprising two bogie units 25. The bogie units 25 are arranged spaced apart along the guiding direction 23.

(17) The guiding direction 23 is planar and defines a guiding plane which is parallel to the base 20.

(18) The displacement device 24 is displaceably attached to the guiding structure 22 along the guiding direction 23. The displacement device 24 can be guided along the guiding direction 23 within the guiding plane. At the same time, the displacement device 24 is retrained by the guiding structure 22. In particular, the bogie unit 25 of the displacement device comprises a pair of rollers 26 that are connected with each other by a bracket 27. The bracket 27 at least partially encompasses the guiding structure 22. The rollers 26 are arranged parallel to the guiding direction 23. The guiding track of the guiding structure 22 is arranged between two corresponding rollers 26 in a direction perpendicular to the guiding direction 23. The rollers 26 are retained in a direction perpendicular to the guiding plane by the T-shaped guide rail of the guiding track. An enlarged view on the displacement device 24 is provided in FIGS. 10 and 11.

(19) The displacement device 24 further comprises a at least one drive 28. In particular, the displacement device 24 comprises one drive for each of the rollers 26. In particular, a pair of rollers, i. e. two rollers 26, are provided on each sides of the guiding track. The suspension device is also called a track and roller device. That means, four rollers 26 are provided for each bogie unit 25. The displacement device 24 is connected via two suspension elements 29 each in form of a bogie pendant with a gimbal mounting as a common mounting device 30. The common mounting device 30 is attached to the superstructure 5, in particular to the upper carriage 6, via a supporting frame 31. The supporting frame 31 takes up forces being at least partially oriented horizontally. In particular, the forces that are taken by the supporting frame 31 result from friction that occurs between the displacement device 24 and the base 20. Thus, the friction forces are oriented along the guiding direction 23, i. e. in the guiding plane.

(20) The system 19 further comprises a top mast spreader 32 and a bottom mast spreader 33. Between the top mast spreader 32 and the bottom mast spreader 33, the superlift counterweight pendants 13 are arranged in parallel. Further, a load cell 34 is attached to each of the superlift counterweight pendants 13.

(21) The system 19 enables suspension of the crane 2 at the base 20, wherein the derrick mast 9 is suspended via the superlift counterweight pendants 13, the common mounting device 30 and the suspension elements 29 at the suspension device 21, i. e. via the displacement device 24 at the guiding structure 22.

(22) As best seen in FIG. 5, the suspension elements 29 are arranged triangularly within a vertical plane. In particular, the suspension elements 29 are arranged as an inverted V, wherein a vertex of the V is connected to the common mounting device 30. The common mounting device 30 is a single point joint that is attached at a rear end of the supporting frame 31. Thus, it is possible to provide the superlift counterweight pendants 13 parallel to each other from the common mounting device 30 via the bottom mast spreader 33 and the topmast spreader 32 to the tip 12 of the derrick mast 9 on the one hand. On the other hand it is possible to provide the suspension elements 29 triangularly between the superstructure 5 and the bogie units 25 of the displacement device 24. Thus, only lateral load in a mid-centre plane of supporting frame 31 is transferred via the gimbal mounting of the common mounting device 30. It is also possible to provide an additional winch on the supporting frame 31 in order to bring the suspension element 29 up/down to/from the joint of the supporting frame 31.

(23) The common mounting device 30 is connected to the superstructure 5 via the supporting frame 31, to the superlift mast 9 via the superlift counterweight pendant 13 and to the displacement device 24 via the suspension element 29.

(24) However, it is possible to provide the system 19 not only on the vessel 1 but also on a barge, pontoon or any other sea vehicle in order to replace or reduce the amount of a counterweight. In particular, it is also possible to provide the system 19 on the ground, wherein the crane 2 is fixed with the founding structure 3 on the ground. In particular, the superlift-counterweight which is necessary at a crane according to the prior art is prevented with the inventive system 19. However, the superstructure counterweight 15 is still provided.

(25) The system 19 provides slewing or translation of the crane 2 with the derrick mast 9 concerning the founding structure 3. The system 19 comprises two bogie units 29 that run on a curved or a straight guiding track of the guiding structure 22. The guiding structure 22 is included in the base 20 of a carrier, i. e. the vessel 1. The bogie units 25 each are rolling on the track. The bogie units 25 follow the motion of the superstructure 5 of the crane 2, i. e. slewing around the slewing axis 7 or displacement along a straight or a curved track. A displacement of the bogie units 25 of the displacement device 24 is initiated as soon as a tangential force of a connection between the superstructure 5 and the bogie units 25 is large enough to overcome friction forces between the bogie units 25 and the guiding track of the guiding structure 22. Since the suspension elements 29 are triangularly arranged to each other, when slewing the superstructure tangential forces are provided on both of the suspension elements 29, wherein the tangential forces are high enough to centre the bogie units 25 under the superstructure 5. Thus, a non-continuous stick/roll movement of the bogie units 25 is prevented. Such stick/roll movement of the bogies units 25 may occur when using parallel arrangement of the suspension elements from the superstructure 5 to the bogie units 25. Then the superstructure 5 needs some tangential distance to the bogie units 25 in order to achieve an angle between the parallel line of the suspension elements 29 and a vertical axis. This will course tangential forces to move the bogies units 25. Since the static friction is higher than the rolling friction, the bogie units 25 are accelerated and thus will overtake the superstructure 5. When the superstructure 5 is still slewing, same procedure starts again and will thus lead to said non-continuous stick/roll movement of the bogie units 25.

(26) In addition, the triangle-arrangement of the suspension elements 29 has its vertex at an upper centre point, which is located in between the bogies units 25. The suspension elements 29 provide an isosceles triangle.

(27) A further embodiment of a system according to the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7. Components that correspond to those as described in previous FIGS. 1 to 5 have identical reference signs.

(28) The system 35 differs from system 19 in that in addition to the first suspension device 21 a second suspension device 36 is provided. The second suspension device 36 is essentially identical to the first suspension device 21. In particular, the second suspension device 36 enables a suspension of the crane 2 at the base 20. The suspension device 36 comprises a second guiding structure 37 defining a second guiding direction 38. Both guiding structures 22, 37 are provided as an arc of a circle, wherein both guiding structures 22, 37 are arranged coaxially to the slewing axis 7

(29) The displacement devices 24 that are displaceably attached to the guiding structures 22, 37 are identical. Also the suspension elements 29 are identical for the first and the second suspension device 21, 36.

(30) The main difference is the arrangement of the suspension elements 29. The suspension elements 29 of the first suspension device 21 are connected to the derrick mast 9 as already explained above in order to compensate a superlift counterweight. The suspension elements 29 of the second suspension device 36 are directly connected to the upper carriage 6 of the superstructure 5 of the crane 2. Thus, the second suspension device 36 enables counterbalancing the superstructure counterweight, in particular to counterbalance internal loads. Thus, no counterweight is necessary anymore. The vessel 1 with the system 35 is free of any counterweight.

(31) A further embodiment of a system according to the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9. Components that correspond to those as described in previous FIGS. 1 to 7 have identical reference signs.

(32) Similar to the first embodiment in FIGS. 3 to 5, the crane 2 comprises a superlift counterweight 15. The main difference concerning the crane in FIGS. 3 to 5 is that the founding structure 3 is provided on a base 39 which is on a mezzanine level under the upper deck 40 of the vessel 1. The base 39 is part of a hull of the vessel 1 and is directly attached to inner shells 41 of the vessel 1. In particular, the inner shells 41 enable deformation, i. e. absorb deformation during suspension.

(33) The upper deck 40 has an opening 42 for guiding out the founding structure 3 of the inside of the vessel 1.

(34) The height H of the base 39, i. e. the vertical distance of the base 39 to a lower end of the vessel 1, is provided such that the center of gravity 43 of the vessel 1 is in plane with the base 39. In particular, it is also possible to modify a lateral position of the crane 2 such that the center of gravity 43 is on the slewing axis 7.

(35) FIGS. 10 and 11 each show an enlarged view of the displacement device 24, in particular one of the bogie units 25 of the displacement device 24.

(36) The guiding structure 22 comprises the T-shaped guide rail 44. Two rollers 26 are provided on each side of vertical walls 45 of the guide rail 44. The rollers 26 are connected to a common drive 28. It is also possible to provide one drive for each of the rollers 26. The pair of rollers on each side of the T are connected with each other via a bracket structure 27. The bracket structure 27 encompasses an upper, horizontally oriented section 47 of the T. The rollers 26 roll on the base 20 during a motion of the crane and thus a motion of the displacement device 24. The rollers 26 are vertically secured by the section 47. The guide rail 44 enables horizontal guidance and prevents vertical movement.

(37) In an upper, horizontal portion of the bracket structure 27 an connection opening 46 is provided. The connection opening 46 provides the connection of the bogie unit 25 with a pendant. In particular, the connection opening 46 enables hinge-connection with the pendant.