EP4573039A1 - Installing a heavy lift crane system at a hoisting site - Google Patents
Installing a heavy lift crane system at a hoisting siteInfo
- Publication number
- EP4573039A1 EP4573039A1 EP23755409.2A EP23755409A EP4573039A1 EP 4573039 A1 EP4573039 A1 EP 4573039A1 EP 23755409 A EP23755409 A EP 23755409A EP 4573039 A1 EP4573039 A1 EP 4573039A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- back mast
- connector strut
- slew
- counterweight
- main boom
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B66—HOISTING; LIFTING; HAULING
- B66C—CRANES; LOAD-ENGAGING ELEMENTS OR DEVICES FOR CRANES, CAPSTANS, WINCHES, OR TACKLES
- B66C23/00—Cranes comprising essentially a beam, boom, or triangular structure acting as a cantilever and mounted for translatory of swinging movements in vertical or horizontal planes or a combination of such movements, e.g. jib-cranes, derricks, tower cranes
- B66C23/62—Constructional features or details
- B66C23/72—Counterweights or supports for balancing lifting couples
- B66C23/74—Counterweights or supports for balancing lifting couples separate from jib
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B66—HOISTING; LIFTING; HAULING
- B66C—CRANES; LOAD-ENGAGING ELEMENTS OR DEVICES FOR CRANES, CAPSTANS, WINCHES, OR TACKLES
- B66C23/00—Cranes comprising essentially a beam, boom, or triangular structure acting as a cantilever and mounted for translatory of swinging movements in vertical or horizontal planes or a combination of such movements, e.g. jib-cranes, derricks, tower cranes
- B66C23/18—Cranes comprising essentially a beam, boom, or triangular structure acting as a cantilever and mounted for translatory of swinging movements in vertical or horizontal planes or a combination of such movements, e.g. jib-cranes, derricks, tower cranes specially adapted for use in particular purposes
- B66C23/36—Cranes comprising essentially a beam, boom, or triangular structure acting as a cantilever and mounted for translatory of swinging movements in vertical or horizontal planes or a combination of such movements, e.g. jib-cranes, derricks, tower cranes specially adapted for use in particular purposes mounted on road or rail vehicles; Manually-movable jib-cranes for use in workshops; Floating cranes
- B66C23/365—Cranes comprising essentially a beam, boom, or triangular structure acting as a cantilever and mounted for translatory of swinging movements in vertical or horizontal planes or a combination of such movements, e.g. jib-cranes, derricks, tower cranes specially adapted for use in particular purposes mounted on road or rail vehicles; Manually-movable jib-cranes for use in workshops; Floating cranes dismantable into smaller units for transport purposes
Definitions
- the present invention relates to the field of heavy lift crane systems.
- a heavy lift crane system has a track arrangement configured to be installed on the ground.
- the arrangement includes a circular slew track assembly that extends over at least a slew arc about a slew center.
- the crane has a crane carriage with a base, a first chassis, and second chassis. The first and second chassis are configured to travel over the track arrangement and to support the base thereon.
- a main boom of the crane is pivotal relative to the base of the crane carriage about a main boom pivot axis and has a main boom tip.
- a back mast is pivotal relative to the base of the crane carriage about a back mast pivot axis and has a back mast tip.
- An adjustable length arrangement is provided between the back mast and the main boom.
- the crane has a counterweight that is arranged at the slew center.
- a connector strut of the crane serves to suspend the counterweight from the back mast.
- the counterweight may then still rest on the ground or another support.
- a swivel is provided between the counterweight and the back mast to allow for slew motion of the crane about the slew center, e.g. the swivel being integrated with the connector strut.
- the main boom and the back mast are each assembled from modules, e.g. latticed modules.
- the main boom and/or back mast are embodied as an A-frame.
- Other designs are also known, e.g. a main boom with parallel boom legs connected by brace members.
- the track arrangement may comprise load spreading boards on which the tracks are mounted, so that loads are distributed in view of the allowable ground pressure.
- the track arrangement is mounted on a foundation, e.g. for a more permanent (longer duration) use of the crane at one site.
- the main boom possibly extended by a jib, may be over 100 meters long.
- a tall main boom e.g. including a jib, is for example envisaged for wind turbine assembly.
- the present invention aims to enhance the installation process of a heavy lift crane system.
- the present invention provides a method according to claim 1.
- the circular slew track assembly is installed at the hoisting site. This can be a full circle slew track, a semi-circular slew track, or a track extending over another arc segment, e.g. just more or less than half a circle.
- the center of the slew track forms the slew center of the crane.
- the slew track can be configured to be deployed at various locations, as the crane system is used at these locations for hoisting jobs.
- the slew track can also be permanent, e.g. when the crane system is to be used at one location over a prolonged period.
- the slew track can be mounted on a foundation, e.g. of concrete.
- the main boom is assembled in a horizontal orientation thereof to the crane carriage.
- the main boom will in practical embodiments be modular, and assembled from (many) main boom segments, e.g. as in W02021/140011.
- the main boom is an A-frame.
- the horizontal main boom will rest on ground supports that hold the main boom horizontal and at a distance above the ground, e.g. the assembly of the main boom takes place on the ground supports.
- a jib may be fitted to the tip end of the main boom.
- the back mast is assembled in horizontal orientation thereof to the crane carriage.
- the back mast will in practical embodiments be modular, and assembled from (many) back mast segments, e.g. as in W02021/140011.
- the back mast is an A-frame.
- the horizontal back mast will rest on ground supports that hold the back mast horizontal and at a distance above the ground, e.g. the assembly of the back mast takes place on the ground supports.
- the adjustable length arrangement is provided between the back mast and the main boom. As, for example, described in W02021/140011 , this arrangement may comprise one or more winch driven cables, e.g. in multiple-fall arrangements between associated sheaves, between the back mast and the boom, e.g.
- the arrangement comprises a dedicated mechanism of winch(es) and cable(s) between the back mast that is solely used for raising of the main boom (e.g. with jib), this mechanism not being of use during normal operation of the crane.
- the connector strut can be effectively handled.
- This connector strut is a crucial component of significant dimensions (in particular length) and mass, and may be assembly from strut components that are secured end-to-end.
- the strut may have multiple parallel strut components.
- the connector strut is moved underneath the still horizontal back mast, e.g. using one or more vehicles, e.g. self-propelled modular transporters.
- the assembly of the connector strut is done underneath the still horizontal back mast.
- ground supports upon which the back mast rests are first removed or displaced to clear the area for the connector strut.
- the adjustable length arrangement is operated, e.g. tensioned, so that the back mast no longer rests on the ground supports and is effectively suspended, albeit in horizontal position, by this adjustable length arrangement.
- the connector strut is arranged horizontally underneath the horizontal back mast.
- the upper end of the connector strut is then pivotally connected to the back mast, e.g. to the tip end of the back mast, about a strut pivot axis.
- the connector strut which is pivotally connected to the back mast, e.g. to the tip end of the back mast, hangs in a substantially vertical orientation.
- the counterweight is connected to a lower end of the connector strut and thereby suspended from the back mast.
- the connector strut moves from a horizontal to a substantially vertical position during pivoting of the back mast into an inclined position. As the back mast is raised the tip end of the back mast is elevated. Since the connector strut is pivotally connected and allowed to rotate along the pivot axis defined by the pivotal connection, the orientation of the connector strut is changed. This change of orientation is for example instigated by a gravitational force pulling on it or a drive guiding the rotation of the connector strut.
- a temporarily fastening is then arranged and/or operated to secure the connector strut along the back mast.
- This allows to raise the connector strut by the process step of pivoting the back mast into a raised position thereof.
- the temporarily fastening involves the use of an auxiliary winch of the crane system and a corresponding winch driven cable that extends from the back mast and that is attached to the connector strut remote from its upper end, e.g. at or near its lower end. The cable can be used to pull the connector strut towards the back mast.
- Other approaches to provide a temporary fastening e.g. involving the use of slings, locking devices, etc. are also envisaged.
- Pivoting the back mast into the raised position can be done, in embodiments, using the adjustable length arrangement.
- Other approaches, e.g. including a dedicated upending mechanism for the back mast, are also envisaged.
- the connector strut is - after pivotally connecting the upper end of the connector strut to the horizontal back mast - supported at a lower end thereof by a vehicle, wherein the method then comprises:
- the vehicle can be one that has been employed in moving the connector strut in position underneath the horizontal back mast.
- the connector strut is brought into position that allows for connection of the lower end thereof to the counterweight. For example, the connector strut is released from the back mast so that the strut can swing about its pivotal connection to a more or less vertical orientation, e.g. completely vertical orientation.
- an auxiliary winch and corresponding cable may be employed to cause a controlled swing of the connector strut.
- the temporarily fastening involves the use of an auxiliary winch of the crane system and a corresponding winch driven cable that extends from the back mast and that is attached to the connector strut remote from its upper end, e.g. at or near its lower end, wherein the cable is used to retain the connector strut along the back mast, e.g. to pull the connector strut towards, e.g. against, the back mast.
- the present invention also relates to a heavy lift crane system to be installed at a hoisting site according to claim 10.
- - fig. 1 shows an example of the installation of a heavy lift crane system according to the invention, wherein the crane is arranged on the circular slew track assembly,
- - fig. 4 illustrates the assembly of the back mast in horizontal orientation to the crane carriage, and providing the adjustable length arrangement between the back mast and the main boom,
- - fig. 6 illustrates the arranging of the connector strut underneath the horizontal back mast, the pivotally connecting of an upper end of the connector strut to the horizontal back mast, and the temporarily fastening the connector strut along the back mast,
- - fig. 7 illustrates the pivoting the back mast into an inclined raised position by operating the adjustable length arrangement between the back mast and the main boom
- - fig. 8 illustrates the arranging of the counterweight at the slew center, the undoing of the temporarily fastening the connector strut and causing the connector strut to swing to a substantially vertical orientation, followed by connecting a lower end of the connector strut to the counterweight,
- - fig. 9 illustrates another embodiment for the arranging of the connector strut underneath the horizontal back mast, and the pivotally connecting of an upper end of the connector strut to the horizontal back mast,
- - fig. 10 illustrates, following the figure 9, the pivoting the back mast into an inclined raised position by operating the adjustable length arrangement between the back mast and the main boom,
- - fig. 11 illustrates, following the figure 10, the arranging of the counterweight at the slew center, bringing the connector strut above the counterweight, followed by connecting a lower end of the connector strut to the counterweight.
- the figures 1 and 2 show a heavy lift crane system that is installed at a hoisting site.
- a crane carriage comprising a base 30, a first chassis 31 and second chassis 31 , the first and second chassis being configured to travel over the track arrangement and to support the base 30 thereon,
- a hoist system of the crane 20 includes a winch driven hoist cable 90 that depends from a sheave assembly on the tip of the jib 55 in a multiple-fall arrangement to a hoisting block 91, e.g. with hook.
- a further hoist system of the crane includes a winch driven hoist cable that depends from a sheave assembly on the tip of the main boom in a multiple-fall arrangement to a hoisting block, e.g. with hook.
- the crane is provided with a taglines system, e.g. including one or more tagline rails along the main boom on which one or more tagline trolleys travel, as is known in the art, e.g. in view of handling wind turbine blades.
- the tracks of the tracks of the circular slew track assembly may be embodied for skidding.
- each track comprises a skid surface arranged between two skid rails, wherein skid actuators are engageable with one or both of said skid rails and with the carriage to advance the crane over the respective track.
- the track engaging members are embodied as wheels that are configured to roll over a roll surface of the tracks, e.g. similar to railroad tracks.
- the main boom 40 is, as is preferred, modular, more preferably with two latticed legs, e.g. as an A-frame as shown here.
- Figure 4 illustrates the assembly of the back mast 50 in horizontal orientation to the crane carriage 30, and providing the adjustable length arrangement 60 between the back mast 50 and the main boom 40.
- This arrangement 60 includes one or more winches 61 on the back mast 50 and one or more winch driven cables 62 that extend from the tip of the back mast 50 and are to be connected in this phase to the main boom 40.
- the back mast is resting on ground supports 54.
- Figure 5 illustrates tensioning the adjustable length arrangement 60 and removal of the supports 54 from underneath the still horizontal back mast 50 to clear an area for the connector strut 80.
- Figure 6 illustrates the arranging of the connector strut 80 underneath the horizontal back mast 50.
- two self-propelled modular transporters 100 are used to transport the strut 80 that rests thereon.
- the upper end of the strut 80 is pivotally connected to the horizontal back mast.
- the temporarily fastening of the strut 80 to the back mast involves the use of an auxiliary winch 95 of the crane system and a corresponding winch driven cable 96 that extends from the back mast 50 and that is attached to the connector strut 80 remote from its upper end, here at its lower end.
- the cable 96 is used to retain the connector strut 80 along the back mast, here to pull the connector strut towards, e.g. against, the back mast 50.
- Figure 7 illustrates the pivoting the back mast 50 as well as the temporarily fastened connector strut 80 into an inclined raised position by operating the adjustable length arrangement 60 between the back mast and the main boom 40.
- the raised position of the back mast 50 the allows for the undoing of the temporarily fastening of the connector strut 80, and causing the connector strut 80 to swing to a substantially vertical orientation, followed by connecting a lower end of the connector strut to the counterweight.
- the swing of the strut 80 is here controlled by operation of the winch 95.
- the main boom (here with jib) is raised by operating the adjustable length arrangement 60 between the back mast and the main boom 40.
- the crane system is now ready for use.
- the figure 9 illustrates that the connector strut 80 is transported on two transporters 100 to a location underneath the horizontally oriented back mast 50, which rests on ground supports 54.
- the transporters 100 move in between the supports 54 so that the back mast 50 can remain supported thereon in this phase.
- the figure 9 illustrates that the upper end of the connector strut 80 is lifted by means of a mobile crane 200 with hoist cable 201 , so that the upper end of the strut 80 can be connected to the tip end 52 of the back mast.
- the lower end of the strut 80 remains on the transporter 100.
- Figure 9 illustrates that an auxiliary bracket 130 is employed to provide a lever for the arrangement 60 in the course of the following step of raising the back mast 50.
- the figure 10 illustrates that - before pivoting the back mast 50 into the inclined raised position - the lower end of the connector strut 80 is connected via a sling 85 or cable to the back mast, thereby limiting the pivot angle of the connector strut 80 relative to the back mast.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Transportation (AREA)
- Jib Cranes (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| NL2032809A NL2032809B1 (en) | 2022-08-19 | 2022-08-19 | Installing a heavy lift crane system at a hoisting site |
| PCT/EP2023/072512 WO2024038072A1 (en) | 2022-08-19 | 2023-08-16 | Installing a heavy lift crane system at a hoisting site |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| EP4573039A1 true EP4573039A1 (en) | 2025-06-25 |
| EP4573039B1 EP4573039B1 (en) | 2026-04-01 |
Family
ID=84462915
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| EP23755409.2A Active EP4573039B1 (en) | 2022-08-19 | 2023-08-16 | Installing a heavy lift crane system at a hoisting site |
Country Status (4)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP4573039B1 (en) |
| CN (1) | CN119947978A (en) |
| NL (1) | NL2032809B1 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2024038072A1 (en) |
Family Cites Families (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CA1033688A (en) * | 1975-10-23 | 1978-06-27 | Manitowoc Company | Demountable gantry, boom hoist and counter-weight |
| US4579234A (en) * | 1984-03-16 | 1986-04-01 | American Hoist & Derrick Company | Self-erecting mobile crane |
| US8550266B2 (en) | 2009-04-17 | 2013-10-08 | Bigge Crane & Rigging Co. | Ring derrick with stationary counterweight |
| NL2019514B1 (en) | 2017-09-08 | 2019-03-19 | Mammoet Eng B V | Reconfigurable crane system and methods for use thereof. |
| NL2024610B1 (en) | 2020-01-06 | 2021-09-06 | Itrec Bv | A mobile heavy lift crane system |
-
2022
- 2022-08-19 NL NL2032809A patent/NL2032809B1/en active
-
2023
- 2023-08-16 CN CN202380066674.9A patent/CN119947978A/en active Pending
- 2023-08-16 WO PCT/EP2023/072512 patent/WO2024038072A1/en not_active Ceased
- 2023-08-16 EP EP23755409.2A patent/EP4573039B1/en active Active
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| WO2024038072A1 (en) | 2024-02-22 |
| EP4573039B1 (en) | 2026-04-01 |
| CN119947978A (en) | 2025-05-06 |
| NL2032809B1 (en) | 2024-02-27 |
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