Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B66—HOISTING; LIFTING; HAULING
  • B66C—CRANES; LOAD-ENGAGING ELEMENTS OR DEVICES FOR CRANES, CAPSTANS, WINCHES, OR TACKLES
  • B66C5/00—Base supporting structures with legs
  • B66C5/02—Fixed or travelling bridges or gantries, i.e. elongated structures of inverted L or of inverted U shape or tripods
  • B66C5/04—Fixed or travelling bridges or gantries, i.e. elongated structures of inverted L or of inverted U shape or tripods with runways or tracks supported for movements relative to bridge or gantry
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B66—HOISTING; LIFTING; HAULING
  • B66C—CRANES; LOAD-ENGAGING ELEMENTS OR DEVICES FOR CRANES, CAPSTANS, WINCHES, OR TACKLES
  • B66C17/00—Overhead travelling cranes comprising one or more substantially horizontal girders the ends of which are directly supported by wheels or rollers running on tracks carried by spaced supports
  • B66C17/06—Overhead travelling cranes comprising one or more substantially horizontal girders the ends of which are directly supported by wheels or rollers running on tracks carried by spaced supports specially adapted for particular purposes, e.g. in foundries, forges; combined with auxiliary apparatus serving particular purposes
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B66—HOISTING; LIFTING; HAULING
  • B66D—CAPSTANS; WINCHES; TACKLES, e.g. PULLEY BLOCKS; HOISTS
  • B66D1/00—Rope, cable, or chain winding mechanisms; Capstans
  • B66D1/60—Rope, cable, or chain winding mechanisms; Capstans adapted for special purposes
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G21—NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
  • G21C—NUCLEAR REACTORS
  • G21C19/00—Arrangements for treating, for handling, or for facilitating the handling of, fuel or other materials which are used within the reactor, e.g. within its pressure vessel
  • G21C19/02—Details of handling arrangements
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G21—NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
  • G21C—NUCLEAR REACTORS
  • G21C19/00—Arrangements for treating, for handling, or for facilitating the handling of, fuel or other materials which are used within the reactor, e.g. within its pressure vessel
  • G21C19/20—Arrangements for introducing objects into the pressure vessel; Arrangements for handling objects within the pressure vessel; Arrangements for removing objects from the pressure vessel
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G21—NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
  • G21C—NUCLEAR REACTORS
  • G21C19/00—Arrangements for treating, for handling, or for facilitating the handling of, fuel or other materials which are used within the reactor, e.g. within its pressure vessel
  • G21C19/32—Apparatus for removing radioactive objects or materials from the reactor discharge area, e.g. to a storage place; Apparatus for handling radioactive objects or materials within a storage place or removing them therefrom
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G21—NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
  • G21D—NUCLEAR POWER PLANT
  • G21D1/00—Details of nuclear power plant
  • G21D1/003—Nuclear facilities decommissioning arrangements
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
  • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
  • Y02E30/00—Energy generation of nuclear origin
  • Y02E30/30—Nuclear fission reactors

Definitions

• This patent generally relates to crane systems, and more particularly to a gantry or bridge crane that incorporates a fail-proof hold lift mechanism.
• FIG. 1 illustrates one exemplary embodiment of a known lifting or crane system 100.
• the crane system 100 includes a bridge or gantry 102 configured to support a wire hoist 104.
• the bridge or gantry 102 includes a pair of transverse beams 106, each of which is coupled to a leg or support 108, 110.
• the legs 108, 110 are attached and disposed at respective ends of each of the transverse beams 106, thereby creating an open arch-like structure.
• the legs 108, 110 are not required because the structure or building in which the crane system 100 operates includes an elevated runway system (not shown).
• the elevated runway (not shown) allows the bridge or gantry 102 to translate along a pre-defined path within the structure.
• Drive systems 112 are coupled to each pair of legs 108 and 110, thereby providing additional support and rigidity to the overall gantry 102. Alternatively, the drive system 112 may be coupled directly to the bridge or gantry 102.
• Each of the drive systems 112 includes a motor 114 such as, for example, a traction motor, mechanically coupled to a plurality of wheels or rollers 116.
• the motor 114 on each of the drive systems 112 motivates the wheels 116 which, in turn, moves or drives the gantry 102 in a desired direction or to a desired location.
• the wire hoist 104 is supported by a platform or trolley 118 carried along a top rail on the surface of the transverse beams 106.
• the trolley 118 is configured to traverse or travel along the plane defined by the transverse beams 106.
• the wire hoist 104 includes drives and controllers (not shown) designed and arranged to control and monitor a plurality of wires or ropes 120.
• the wires 120 extend from the wire hoist 104 and engage a container C.
• the container C hangs from the plurality of wires 120 and can be moved in the direction of travel followed by the trolley 118 or the drive system 112, or both.
• the lifting or loading capacity of the exemplary systems such as the crane system 100 may be increased and/or augmented by utilizing multiple wire hoists 104.
• a crane system In order to provide a high-capacity, high safety factor system, a crane system must typically be designed to support five to ten times the normal operating load. This excess load capacity is intended to ensure, that in the event of an accident or catastrophe such as, for example, a seismic or dynamic event, the load will remain secure and supported.
• a great deal of mechanical and electrical complexity must be incorporated into the system design.
• These additional systems and components provide multiple points of potential failure that must be monitored, reinforced and/or otherwise protected. Points of failure may, among other things, include the electrical and control circuitry and wiring, the mechanical drive and lift components, and the wires utilized for supporting and lifting the container C or other loads.
• the disclosed crane system may be configured to support a load during a seismic event that could cause the load to momentarily and dynamically increase by a factor of five to ten.
• One disclosed embodiment is an overheard crane system that includes a trolley which incorporates a support span and carries a drive system on the support span.
• the drive system may be, in turn, configured to translate the trolley between a first position and a second position.
• the crane system may further include a lift mechanism carried by the support span and configured to releasably translate a chain between a support position and a lift position.
• One exemplary lift mechanism may include a fixed latch configured to engage a first link of the chain, the fixed latch having an open position and a positive closed position, and a traveling latch movably aligned relative to the fixed latch and configured to engage a second link of the chain, the traveling latch having an open position and a positive closed position.
• the lift mechanism can translate between the support position and the lift position.
• the fixed latch is in the positive closed position and the traveling latch is in the open position
• the lift mechanism can translate between the lift position and the support position.
• FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a known crane system
• FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of a crane system constructed in accordance with the teaching disclosed herein;
• FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a trolley that may be utilized in conjunction with the crane system disclose herein;
• FIG. 3A illustrates a top view of the trolley shown in FIG. 3;
• FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a lift mechanism that may be utilized in conjunction with the crane system shown in FIG. 2 and the trolley shown in
• FIGS. 3 and 3 A are identical to FIGS. 3 and 3 A; and
• FIG. 4 A illustrates a plan view of the lift mechanism that may be cooperatively engaged to a chain.
• FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a bridge or gantry crane system 200 that may be utilized to transport materials and/or equipment in a conventional manner with a high safety factor utilizing mechanical friction brakes or stops in cooperation with a wire rope hoist system (discussed below).
• a wire rope hoist system discussed below.
• NRC Nuclear Regulatory Commission
• the system 200 may be built with the capacity to lift and hold three-hundred and fifty tons (350 tons) or ten times the anticipated normal duty-cycle load. While the likelihood of a dynamic or seismic event occurring during a lift or transport operation is extremely low, e.g., around 0.0000001 or 1 x e-7, the ability to prevent a catastrophic failure is desirable. In this configuration, should the system 200 experience a seismic event producing forces or accelerations of 3Gs (or three times the force of gravity) during the transport of a reactor head, the reactor head would still be support and held secure. Thus, the excess holding capacity of the system 200 provides for a failure proof hold operation.
• the crane system 200 includes a bridge or gantry 102 similar to the one discussed in connection with the crane system 100.
• the gantry 102 or movable gantry in turn, supports a trolley 202 configured to carry one or more hydraulic lift mechanisms 204 (shown in an exploded perspective view in FIG. 2).
• the lift mechanism 204 may be oriented in a variety of manners with respect to the gantry 102 or the trolley 202, but will often be oriented or aligned in a symmetrical manner with respect to each other (or multiple lifts mechanisms) in order to balance forces and load communicated to the gantry 102 and/or the trolley 202.
• the trolley 202 may include wheels or rollers 208 mounted along a bottom trolley surface in contact with the top edge of the transverse beam 106.
• the top edge or top rail 106a of the transverse beam 106 may, in turn, be designed to cooperate with the rollers 208 or may include a rail (not shown) along which along which the trolley 202 may travel.
• the trolley 202 may include a drive system 206 that is configured to directly drive the rollers 208 along the transverse beams 106.
• the drive system 206 may include a dedicated drive wheel (not shown) that can couple directly to the transverse beams 106 to drive the trolley 202 and the rollers 204 may simply act as free-wheeling bearing or support surfaces.
• the trolley 202 may further include a support deck 210 that spans the distance between the transverse beams 106.
• the support deck or support span 210 can be configured to carry the hydraulic lift mechanisms 204 and/or any control or hydraulic equipment required to operate the same.
• the support deck or span 210 may be fixedly attached to the trolley 202, or may be shiftable relative to the trolley structure to allow for precise positioning of the hydraulic lift mechanisms 204.
• the hydraulic lifts or lift mechanisms 204 may be a linear chain jack manufactured by the BARDEX CORPORATION of Goleta, California.
• the hydraulic lifts 204 in one exemplary embodiment, releasably engage a chain 212 that extends through the support deck 210.
• FIG. 3 illustrates an enlarged partial perspective view of another embodiment of a trolley 300 that may be utilized to transport the load L.
• the trolley 300 may be an extended length trolley designed to span the width of a rectilinear structure or the circumference of a round structure, and may be configured to translate along a rail 302 via the roller or wheels 304 disposed or positioned at its ends.
• the trolley 300 and the rail 302 are permanently mounted within a structure as opposed to upon the gantry 102.
• the rail 302 can be mounted around the circumference or perimeter of a structure thereby allowing the trolley 300 to transport materials therein.
• the trolley 300 includes a support deck or support span 306.
• the support span 306 may be fixedly attached to the trolley 300, or alternatively may be configured to translate along the structure of the trolley 300 independently of the trolley's motion along the rail 302.
• the support span 306 carries a hydraulic generation and control equipment 308 and electrical control and monitoring equipment 310.
• the hydraulic generation and control equipment 308 may include a one hundred twenty-five horsepower (125 HP) motor driving a hydraulic power unit (not explicitly shown) configured to generate fifty-two hundred pounds-per-square-inch (5,200 PSI) of oil pressure to drive the hydraulic lift 204.
• the power generated by the equipment 308 may be utilized to drive and control the lift mechanism 204.
• the hydraulic generation and control equipment 308 and/or the hydraulic power unit may be designed and selected from commercially available components and will be sized based on the design and load requirements of the crane system 200 and/or trolley 300.
• the hydraulic generation and control equipment 308 may further include hard-piping 312 (see FIG. 3A) and at least one one-way control valve or simply a control valve 314 (see FIG. 3A) that allows the fluid to be freely pumped into the lift mechanism or hydraulic lift 204, but released only upon receipt of a specific command from the hydraulic and/or electrical control and monitoring equipment 310.
• the electrical control and monitoring equipment 310 may be communicatively coupled to the hydra ⁇ lic lift 204 and the hydraulic generation and control equipment 308.
• the electrical control and monitoring equipment 310 may include, for example, an industrial computer (not explicitly shown), sensors, proximity switches, relays, transmitters and receivers, and other command, control, and communication equipment.
• the electrical control and monitoring equipment 310 may further be communicatively coupled to the drive systems 112, 206. In this way, the electrical control and monitoring equipment 310 may be programmed to direct and control the movement and/or rotation of the trolley 300 and/or crane system 200. Alternatively, the electrical control and monitoring equipment 310 may be in communication with a central control room (not shown) and be configured to communicate control and movement instructions received from the same. In yet another alternative embodiment, the electrical control and monitoring equipment 310 may incorporate a Web server (not shown) that allows for equipment monitoring and control over a network such as, for example, the Internet, an intranet, a wide area network (WAN), etc.
• WAN wide area network
• FIGS. 4 and 4A illustrate an enlarged view of the hydraulic lift 204 that may be utilized in conjunction with the crane systems and trolleys disclosed herein.
• the hydraulic lift 204 in this exemplary embodiment includes a pair of hydraulic cylinders 400 each having an extendable rod 402 and hydraulic cylinder head (disposed within the cylinder and therefore not shown).
• the extendable rods 402 being hydraulically shiftable between a support or retracted position adjacent to the hydraulic cylinders 400 and a lift or extended position.
• the extendable rods 402 each include a rod end 404 configured to support and carry a traveling cross arm 406.
• the lift or hydraulic cylinders 400 are substantially vertically lined and arranged in a parallel manner with the respect to each other.
• one or more flow valves in fluid communication between the hydraulic cylinders 400 and the hydraulic generation and control equipment 308 may regulate and balance the flow/pressure provided to each of the cylinders 400.
• the hydraulic pressure provided by the hydraulic generation and control equipment 308 will be equally delivered to the hydraulic cylinders 400 thereby causing the extendable rods 402 and the associated rod ends 404 to shift and/or move at a substantially common rate or velocity.
• a fixed cross arm 408 ties together a top or base portion 410 of the hydraulic cylinders 400.
• the fixed cross arm 408 spaces apart and secures the hydraulic cylinders 400 while providing additional rigidity and stability to the overall hydraulic lift 204.
• Both the traveling cross arm 406 and the fixed cross arm 408 each support and carry a pair of latches, wherein each pair of latches is individually identified as traveling latches 412 and fixed latches 414, respectively.
• the latches 412, 414 are one-way latches which allow movement in a single direction and prevent movement in the opposite direction. In this exemplary embodiment, the latches 412, 414 allow vertical movement in the direction indicated by the arrow Al and prevent movement in the direction indicated by the arrow A2.
• the latches 412, 414 are mounted adjacent to a slot 416 (see FIG. 4A) manufactured through and provided within both the traveling cross arm 406 and the fixed cross arm 408, respectively.
• the slot 416 is sized to accept the chain 212 and the individual links 214.
• the chain 212 is oriented and aligned substantially in the direction indicated by the arrow Al and positioned through the slots 416 provided within the traveling cross arm 406 and a fixed cross arm 408, respectively.
• the links 214 of the chain 212 are alternately and individually engaged by the traveling latches 412 and the fixed latches 414.
• the fixed last 416 engages and carries an inner portion of the link 214 when the extendable rods 404 and the associated traveling cross arm 406 are translating towards an extended position, i.e., a position away from the hydraulic cylinders 400.
• the fixed latches 414 do not engage the chain 212 and may be aligned substantially parallel to the direction indicated by the arrow Al.
• the fixed latches 414 Upon reaching the extended position, the fixed latches 414 rotate or close to a position substantially perpendicular to the direction of the chain 212 and any one of the links 214. In other words, the fixed latch 414, while substantially aligned with the traveling cross arm 406, engages one of the links 214. As the hydraulic cylinders 400 reverse directions and begin to retract the extendable rods 404, the chain 212 is carried and moved in a substantially vertical direction indicated by the arrow Al.
• the movement of the chain 212 in a substantially vertical direction causes the previously closed fixed latch 414, i.e., the fixed latch 414 was releasably engaged with one of the links 214 and arranged substantially perpendicular to the direction of the chain 212 and any one of the links 214, to swivel and open to a position substantially aligned in the direction indicated by the arrow Al.
• the hydraulic cylinders 400 force the extendable rods 404 and associated hardware towards an extended position, the chain 212 is securely held by the latches 412 supported on the fixed cross arm 408.
• each hydraulic cylinder 400 may be a six inch (6") diameter hydraulic cylinder configured to receive fifty-two hundred pounds per square inch (5,200 PSI) of hydraulic pressure from the hydraulic generation and control equipment 308.
• each hydraulic cylinder 400 is capable of pulling with a force equal to approximately sixty-five (65) tons.
• the two hydraulic cylinders 400 of the hydraulic lift 204 can combine to carry or move approximately one hundred and thirty (130) tons.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Plasma & Fusion (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• High Energy & Nuclear Physics (AREA)
• Civil Engineering (AREA)
• Structural Engineering (AREA)
• Carriers, Traveling Bodies, And Overhead Traveling Cranes (AREA)
• Leg Units, Guards, And Driving Tracks Of Cranes (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (2)

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ID=39584216

Family Applications (1)

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Families Citing this family (11)

Family Cites Families (9)

• 2006
  • 2006-12-31 US US11/618,859 patent/US20080159831A1/en not_active Abandoned
• 2007
  • 2007-12-26 WO PCT/US2007/088816 patent/WO2008083154A2/en not_active Ceased
  • 2007-12-26 EP EP07869900A patent/EP2158151A4/de not_active Withdrawn

Non-Patent Citations (2)

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