EP0481982B1 - Travelling crane for heavy loads - Google Patents

Abstract

A travelling crane for heavy loads, intended preferably, but not exclusively, for barges and light sea-going vessels, and consisting of two coupled, pivoting jibs (11), hoists or lowers the load, for example ISO containers, over stem or stern, and displaces them preferably in a fore and aft motion. The crane is collapsible and is preferably but not exclusively operated by means of pusher chains (8, 5). Other special characteristics are load suspension with semi-atomatic balancing of the centre of gravity, lifting and depositing of the load on either side of the fulcrum (10) of the jib (11), swinging of the load through the upper dead centre of the jib, and transverse displacement of the load.

Description

The invention relates to a crane equipped with jibs for heavy goods, primarily, but not exclusively, for inland vessels and light seagoing vessels, the crane consisting of two coupled, swiveling jibs being able to move the loads longitudinally, e.g. Containers that can be picked up or handed over via the bow or stern, can be collapsed and are mainly operated using push chains.

Container cranes for on-board and land installation are known in various configurations. As a rule, they are characterized by high weight, high center of gravity, complex technology and thus high price. Therefore, they can only be used economically in places with high handling requirements (e.g. terminals). Because of the lack of on-board handling options, inland shipping could only take part in container traffic after costly terminals with land-based handling equipment had been built.

Jib cranes are known, e.g. according to GB patent specification 21 96603 (preamble of claim 1), but this has disadvantages. The crane is not designed primarily for horizontal load movement.

With its help, only parts of the deck area can be coated and two-dimensionally coordinated actuation of two different drives is necessary for the approximately horizontal load movement. A lateral shift of the load during the handling process and a partially automatic center of gravity compensation are not available. Even if this crane should be foldable, components remain of considerable height that hinder the passage of a bridge.

Especially in the countries of the Second and Third World, for example, a comprehensive integration into the world container traffic using the natural waterways, which do not require any effort, is not possible,
because there is a lack of suitable container handling equipment for lighter ships with little investment. The transshipment handling currently customary with on-board crockery is only possible with ships of considerable displacement and width, which are too expensive for a comprehensive feeder network with low traffic volume or too large for the waterways.

The transport of dangerous goods in containers on inland waterways is considered to be relatively less hazardous, but requires longer road transport routes from the terminals in or near large cities with a high volume of traffic.

The object of this invention is to provide a crane for handling heavy goods, e.g. of containers, which can be installed on inland and light seagoing ships, eliminates the occurrence of stability problems during handling, manages with simple technology and is therefore inexpensive to manufacture and can also be used sensibly in fixed systems.

This object is achieved by the features of the characterizing part of claim 1.

By the use of thrust chains, the boom of the crane can in a simple manner from approximately a horizontal position (transport position) by almost 180 ^° pivot (longest reach) and move on the track rail. By combining both drives, the loads can be moved in any way. The handling of containers is also possible outside of port facilities, e.g. on ferry ramps, in inclined, paved bank areas, etc. There can be handled independently of high and low water.

Further e.g. dangerous goods can be landed / picked up in many places along the Rhine outside of localities.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to drawings. These drawings only show exemplary embodiments and do not exclude other conceivable configurations according to invention claim 1.

Protective rights have been applied for separately for the push chain (5, 8, 20) used on the crane, including its drive and deflection housing (6, 9, 14, 21). These parts are therefore not described in detail here. An essential characteristic of the push chain is that it is constructed in the manner of a roller chain, is able to transmit both push and pulling forces and is secured against buckling outside the housing. The housings are designed so that the chain can enter or exit at different angles under load. All drives are self-locking.

The property rights for the push chain and associated drive are registered with the German Patent Office under number G 88 06 871.4 and as a PCT application under DE89 / 00322.

• Fig. 1 zeigt ein Binnenschiff mit Kran in Seitenansicht, einen Container auf einen Trailer an Land absetzend,
• Fig. 2 den Kran, einen Container an Bord aufnehmend,
• Fig. 3 den Kran zusammengelegt in Transportstellung,
• Fig. 4 eine Gestaltung der Kranschiene (1), Oberrolle (2) und Unterrollen (3), Kranwagen (4), Ausleger (11) und Stütze (12) in Transportstellung im Schnitt,
• Fig. 5 den Ausleger (11) im Längsschnitt mit eingebautem hydraulischen Hubwerk
• Fig. 6 den Querträger (15) im Schnitt und
• Fig. 7 den halbautomatischen Schwerpunktausgleich.

In the following, the crane is shown installed on a barge.

• 1 shows a side view of a barge with a crane, placing a container on a trailer on land,
• 2 the crane, receiving a container on board,
• 3 the crane folded in the transport position,
• 4 a design of the crane rail (1), top roller (2) and bottom rollers (3), crane truck (4), boom (11) and support (12) in the transport position in section,
• Fig. 5 shows the boom (11) in longitudinal section with a built-in hydraulic hoist
• Fig. 6, the cross member (15) in section and
• Fig. 7 shows the semi-automatic balance compensation.

In Fig. 1, the crane rail (1) laid on the side longitudinal aisle next to the loading hatch is visible, which extends to the outer end of the rectangularly shaped bow in order to achieve the greatest possible reach of the jib (11). The crane truck (4) rolls on the crane rail, moved by the push chain (5), driven by the push chain drive (6). To ensure synchronous operation, the push chain drives of both crane trucks (4) are driven by a drive machine via a common shaft, e.g. driven by a self-locking worm gear.

The boom (11) and the support (12) are rotatably mounted on the crane truck (4) around the bearing (10). While the boom (11) generally has a rectangular or round cross-section (see FIG. 6), the support (12) preferably has a U-shaped cross-section, so that the support (12) in the folded state has the boom (11) in it can record.

The two arms (11) and supports (12) are connected to each other by fixed cross members (15). Furthermore, the boom (11) and support (12) on each side are provided with a stiffener with an articulated joint (14). The stiffener (14) is self-locking in the stretched state and secures a predetermined spread angle during operation.

With the help of the push chain (8), which is driven by the push chain drive (9) on the crane truck (4), is rotatably attached to the boom (11) and is guided over the deflection housing (14) at the tip of the support (12), the boom (11) is pushed up out of its rest position and thus erected. The stiffener (13) stretches and takes the support (12) along with further pivoting. The support (12) also prevents the push chain (8) from being overdimensioned when the boom (11) is extended.

Alternatively, the connection between the jib (11) and the support (12) can be formed at its outermost points by a snap-in connection lock that can be locked in both end positions, and which is moved along a slide piece by moving the crane carriage (4) until it extends.

In order to be able to expediently capture the containers standing on board in several rows, there is a spacer (16) of approximately the width of the container which surrounds the tubular cross member (15) and can be moved on the cross member (15) and on which the hot dishes (22) is attached.

For handling at a fixed pier (see Fig. 1), the ship is moored with the stern anchor upstream and the bow line upstream. The bow can rest on the edge of the quay wall, especially if it is a boat with low water displacement.

The container is lifted from the trailer (32) on the pier and swung on board. The push chain (8) is loaded under tension. When swinging the boom (11) in the position acc. Fig. 2 supports the chain (8) the boom (11) and is loaded on thrust.

By alternately actuating the push chains (8) and the chains (5) for the crane truck (4), an approximately vertical load movement is generated, and simultaneous, coordinated actuation of both drives enables vertical load movement.

To coat larger storage areas along the pier, the ship is moved parallel to the pier by pulling in / plugging in the anchor chain and leading line.

If the containers have to be set down on the pier, various vehicles with chargers of simple design are available for transport, for which separate property rights have been applied for.

To cancel the tipping moments that occur when the boom (11) is swung out, the crane truck (4) (see FIGS. 4 and 5) is fastened on the crane rail (1) in a double-T shape with an upper roller (2) and lower rollers (3) . Alternatively, a U-shaped crane rail can be used or instead of top and and lower rollers of the crane trucks are guided with rollers engaging in the rails in the manner of a forklift.

In Fig. 1, the attachment of the push chain (5) for moving the crane carriage (4) and the associated drive (6) with the drive shaft (7) can be seen.

The box-shaped crane truck (4) also serves as a magazine for the unused parts of the push chain (8).

The crossbeams (15), which are firmly connected to the two arms (11), are preferably tubular. The spacer (16) is also attached to it in a tubular manner and comprises the cross member (15) in a movable manner. The spacer is dimensioned so that the load harness (22) can be guided perpendicular to the attachment points.

At both ends of the spacer (16) ball cages (17) are firmly attached, which, filled with balls (18), both allow movement of the spacer (16) between the two arms (11) for positioning over the load, as well as one Rotational movement on the cross member when the boom (11) is pivoted. A push chain holder (19) is rotatably mounted on one side of the spacer (16), to which the push chain (20) causing the transverse movement of the spacer (16) is fastened. The push chain (20) is moved by the push chain drive (21) attached to or in the boom (11).

The load harness (22) for attaching the load is attached to the spacer (16) primarily in pairs on each side.

As a rule, containers with container hooks come for containers to use. The slings can be placed in the upper or lower container fittings depending on their accessibility. If the containers are stowed in several layers on board, appropriate use of the lifting height of the jibs can be achieved by strops of different lengths.

In an alternative, the booms (11) can be made telescopic in order to increase the lifting height of the crane.

In a further alternative, the spacer (16) can be fastened in a transversely displaceable manner on a crossbar (23) which is attached to two ropes (24) below the crossmember (15). The ropes (24) are guided over pulleys (25) at the tips of the brackets and over deflection pulleys (26) and fastened to the brackets. The deflection rollers are actuated by actuators (27), e.g. Hydraulic cylinders, moves and causes the load to be raised and lowered. (see Fig. 5).

According to this invention, alternating ropes or chains or rack and pinion drives can also be used to move the crane trucks (4).

Containers and other loads do not always have a center of gravity. 40-foot containers in particular can therefore be significantly inclined in the longitudinal axis. This can make them difficult to handle, and can even prevent them from entering tight spaces or mounts. 7 shows a semi-automatic device for detecting the load in the center of gravity. It is assumed that when lifting a load, it is immediately recognizable if it is not suspended above the center of gravity. By repositioning and appropriately adjusting the suspension point (eg by moving the crane), the load in the center of gravity can be detected if the length of the strops is automatically adjusted and can be locked in the new position.

The two pairs of slats (30, 30 ') are guided side by side in approximately the width of the load (container width). They are with a middle part (31), e.g. a link chain, connected together. At its ends, the spacer (16) is provided with rotatable gear wheels (32) which surround it and which have chains (31) of corresponding toothing. Furthermore, there are extensive, firmly connected fine toothings (34) outside the chain wheels.

In addition, guide levers (37) are rotatably attached with cams (36). The guide levers are equipped with sliding surfaces (38) and are pulled inwards with tension springs (39). Under load, the stripped strings (30) stretch and incline the two ends of the link chain. The guide lever (37) with its cam (36) presses on the toothed block (40) mounted in the toothed block holder (41), which thereby presses into the fine toothing (34) and changes the length of the slats (30) with the central part of the link chain (31). prevented. The load hangs safely with the center of gravity corresponding to different lengths of crane. Alternatively, the device can be manufactured as an independent assembly with a suspension link.

Alternatively, the function of the push chain (8) can also be achieved by a combination of an adjustable cable connection between supports (12) and outrigger arms (11), hydraulic cylinders as a connection between supports (12) and crane truck (4) and an erection device consist.

In the transport position, the hydraulic cylinder is below the support (12) and the boom (11), rotatably attached to the outer end of the support. The free end of the cylinder slides on the crane truck (4) with a slide shoe in a guide rail. A rotatable lever is attached to the slide shoe, which engages under the support (12) and extension arm (11) and bends them slightly when actuated. In the transport position, the lever is attached to a suitable point, for example with a rope, on stationary parts of the ship. By moving the crane truck (4), the support (12) and boom (11) are raised slightly above the lever, so that the hydraulic cylinder is also slightly inclined. After the lever has hit a limiting stop, the rope now pulls the hydraulic cylinder towards the end of the carriage (4) near (9) into an end position. There the hydraulic cylinder is locked in a rotatable manner. This movement process is usually, but not exclusively, only intended for the erection of the crane in the operating position, less for lifting loads (the unfavorable force application angles would require large-sized cylinders). With the help of the hydraulic cylinders, the supports (12) can be moved a little beyond the vertical.

You do the necessary lifting work.

The brackets (11) are attached with ropes e.g. comparable to that shown in Fig. 5 (23-27). The ropes carry the load after they have passed top dead center.

Further alternatives in the pursuit of the basic ideas outlined above are conceivable and also covered by this invention. For example, additional actuators can be provided for the erection, and instead of the push chain (8) between the crane truck (4) and the support (12), an articulated lever can be provided which is stretched by an actuator.

Claims (8)

1. Crane for heavy loads, in particular for boats on inland waterways and light seagoing vessels, in particular,
   movable fore-and-aft for the receipt and delivery of the load via bow or stern, consisting of two booms (11) and two supports (20) which are firmly connected by cross members,
   characterised by the fact that the booms (11) are pivoted by more than 90°, the crane is collapsible and is mainly operated with the aid of traction chains,
   in particular, characterised by the fact that the crane is movable mainly on T beams or channel-shaped crane rails (1) mounted fore-and-aft parallel to the ship's side is movable with the aid of two crane trucks (4) which are not connected with each other through pressure and tension absorbing pulleys (2,3) and that for movement in both directions traction chains (5) are mounted on the truck (4) which are guided by traction chain drives (6) which are connected to a joint shaft (7) and are moved by a self-locking drive,
   further characterised by the fact that on each truck (4), a boom (11) pivoting on a bearing (10) as well as a support (12) is provided and that the two booms (11) and the supports (12) are firmly connected with cross members (15),
   further characterised by the fact that on the top of the booms (11) traction chains (8) are pivotally attached which are, guided by chain guide housings (14) at the top of the supports (12), received by the drive housings (9) at the truck (4),
   further characterised by the fact that the cross member (15) between the booms (4) is tubular and spanned as well by a tubular spacer (16) which is provided with ball cages (17) at its end and supported on the cross member (15) through balls (18) and that, one-sided, at the spacer (16), a traction chain pivot support (19) with a traction chain (20) is guided to the boom (11) by traction chain drive (21),
   further characterised by the fact that the crane is equipped with an equalising device for the eccentric centre of gravity of the load,
   characterised by the fact the load receiving unit with respect to the load-bearing slings have the form of a wheel, preferably a chain wheel (32),
   further characterised by the fact that two load slings (30) are connected with each other via a middle section (31) which is guided through a wheel (32), with the wheel (32) and middle section (31) with forced meshing, allowing a joint movement of the middle section (31) and wheel (32),
   but excluding a relative movement between wheel (32) and middle section (31),
   further characterised by the fact that the wheel (32) is provided with a fine teething (32) outside the clearance of motion of the middle section (31) into which a corresponding interlocked gear block (40) meshes which is movable between the two positions "in mesh with (34)" and "without meshing (34)" and fixed in the gear block holder (41) and the position "in mesh with (34)" is achieved by force when the strings are under load tension.
2. Movable crane for heavy loads according to Claim 1, characterised by the fact that for the movement of the truck (4) rotating ropes or chains or rack steering drives are provided.
3. Movable crane for heavy loads according to Claims 1 and 2 characterised by the fact that the connection between the top of the boom (11) and the top of the support (12) is formed by a rigid and collapsible connecting piece which is securable in both end positions and the traction chains (8) are pivoted on the supports (12).
4. Moveable crane for heavy goods according to Claims 1, 2 and 3, characterised by the fact that the booms (11) have a telescopically changeable length.
5. Moveable crane for heavy goods according to Claims 1, 2, 3 and 4 characterised by the fact that the tops of the booms (11) are provided with rope pulleys (25), load suspension is effected at a cross beam (23) below the cross member (15) and the cross beam (23) is fixed to the ropes (24) which are guided by rope pulleys (25) and are connected with the positioning elements (27) provided at the respective boom.
6. Moveable crane for heavy loads according to Claims 1, 2,3,4 and 5 characterised by the fact that the outer end of the support (12) is connected with the end of the crane truck (4) through a space-changing, load-bearing positioning element and that this positioning element is reducible to an approximately horizontal position with the help of a further positioning element and that lengthwise adjustable ropes or chains are used as a load-bearing connection between the ends of the booms (11) and support (12).
7. Moveable crane for heavy loads according to Claims 1, 2,3,4,5 and 6 characterised by the fact that the partial or complete erection of the support (12) is effected through connection elements through the movement of the crane truck (4).
8. Moveable crane for heavy loads according to Claims 1, 2,3,4,5,6 and 7 characterised by the fact that the wheel (32) has one-dimensional movement slightly more than the teeth height of the fine teething by spring force and a toothed counterpart similar to (40) meshes with the gearing (34) of the wheel (32) if the load exceeds the spring force.

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