FR2926805A1 - DEVICE FOR LIFTING AND MOVING AN OBJECT COMPRISING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF AT LEAST ONE TENSION CABLE - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for lifting and moving an object (4), that comprises a crane (1), said crane including a boom (1b) equipped with a so-called lifting cable (1a) having at the free end thereof a link (8, 8a-8b-8c) capable of holding at the lower end thereof an object suspended thereto via a gripping device (5,5a-5b), wherein the lifting cable (1a) is coupled to at least one traction cable (9, 9a-9b) having an end connected to at least one traction winch (10, 10a-10b), characterised in that it comprises: a powered bearing (30) connected to a connection ring or hook (1d) at the lower end of said lifting cable, said link being connected at the upper end thereof to a lower mobile portion (30b) of the powered bearing, said powered bearing (30) thus being capable of controlling the powered rotation of said link and of said object in rotation about itself when said lower portion (30b) is actuated in powered rotation; and said powered bearing (30) cooperates with a reaction arm (32) that allows the transfer of the torsion stress generated by said powered bearing upon rotation, at a fixed upper portion (30a) of said powered bearing, connected to said connection ring or hook.

Description

The present invention relates to the installation of artificial blocks for constituting shore protection dikes or dikes against the effects of waves. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It relates more particularly to the underwater control of the position and orientation of the blocks during handling and more particularly at the time of the final removal of said blocks on the structure.

Coastal shorelines and port areas are generally protected from the effects of waves and waves by structures with a shell that can withstand the extreme conditions of the sea for decades or even centuries. Numerous devices have been developed in order to ensure efficient operation over very long periods, without significant destabilization of the structure. The devices are generally made of natural blocks (rockfill) or artificial blocks (concrete blocks), resistant by their mass and / or their shape and / or nesting, said blocks being either simply deposited in bulk when it comes to gross quarry blocks, either arranged in one another according to a predefined laying plan with rules to be respected (case of monolayer shells), or else arranged pseudo-randomly when it comes to blocks of more massive shapes (For example cubic or pseudocubic blocks and their derivatives).

The establishment of molded blocks requires gripping and handling means that allow precise placement of each of the blocks in the building under construction, so that the installation of the following blocks can continue without difficulty . If the out-of-water zone, usually located at the end of the structure, is not really a problem because the crane operator has a direct view of the condition of the structure already installed and a control of the current block positioning installation, it is not the same for the portion of the work located under water. We generally use the contest of divers who then assist the crane operator during the phase of removal of the block and confirm the crane operator the correct positioning of the block, before it is disconnected from its gripping tool. It is then arranged to work in quiet time, because in case of high seas or swells, divers can not intervene safely, because of the ambient agitation and in particular the lack of sufficient visibility. In some parts of the world, ocean-weather conditions hardly ever reach a level of calm allowing construction operations to be carried out under acceptable conditions. Indeed, in these areas a persistent long-term swell disturbs the shoreline in the coastal zone and does not allow the intervention of divers in conditions of acceptable safety, and the shells are then extremely delicate to realize, and in addition the durations There are considerable risks of extension due to long periods of "stand-by", that is to say, waiting for periods of calm, which generates considerable additional costs for these works. Thus, the problem posed is to handle, in a controlled, precise and reliable manner, artificial blocks of all shapes, and to position them accurately and in accordance with the laying plans, on the shell of a dike being built. in the submarine zone from the bottom of the sea, to the emerging zone of the said structure, or even on its aerial part. To do this, the present invention provides a device for lifting and moving an object comprising a crane, said crane comprising an arrow equipped with a first cable, said lifting cable, preferably comprising at its end a suitable link. supporting a said object suspended from it by means of a gripping device, characterized in that said lifting cable, suspended at the end of said boom, is coupled to at least one second cable, said cable traction, one end of which is connected to at least one traction winch, preferably secured to a support platform of said boom, the other end of the pulling cable being integral with the suspension hoist rope, preferably at the a hook or connecting ring at the lower end of said hoisting cable, such that the reduction in length of at least one said pulling cable, by actuating at least one said tr traction, allows: a-tilting said lifting cable relative to the vertical ZZ and translational displacement said object, in a vertical plane passing through a said traction cable and said hoisting cable, preferably a vertical plane passing through the axis of said arrow XIX'1, and / or b- moving said object laterally relative to a vertical plane passing through the axis XIX'l of said arrow, in a plane passing through two cables of traction, the two traction cables cooperating with two traction winches arranged on either side of said arrow. It is understood that the inclination of the lifting cable relative to the vertical can be obtained by the implementation of a single pulling cable disposed substantially in the axis of said boom, but also by the implementation of several cables traction, including two traction cables arranged symmetrically or otherwise with respect to said arrow. And, in the case where the two traction cables are arranged symmetrically, it is understood that the displacement in said vertical plane passing through the axis of said boom is by a reduction in identical length of the two traction cables. On the other hand, it is understood that, to obtain a lateral displacement, it is necessary to use at least two traction cables arranged on either side of said boom and that at least one of the traction cables must have a reduction of length, by actuation of said traction hoist, to obtain this lateral displacement or, if the two traction cables experience a reduction in length, this length must be of different lengths if the two cables are arranged symmetrically with respect to said boom . These lateral displacements in a plane inclined with respect to the horizontal or displacements in a vertical plane of said object, with the aid of said cable (s) of traction, make it possible especially to stabilize said object in case of swinging in progress of operation, or to avoid the appearance of such swings. The present invention therefore also provides a method of moving and lifting an object using a lifting device and displacement according to the invention, characterized in that one stabilizes and / or adjusts the positioning of said object suspended from said lifting cable, by actuating at least one said traction hoist, by tilting said lifting cable with respect to the vertical ZZ and translating said object in a vertical plane passing through a said pulling cable and said lifting cable, preferably a vertical plane passing through the axis of said arrow XIX'1, and / or b- moving said object laterally with respect to a vertical plane passing through the axis XIX'l of said arrow, in a plane passing through two traction cables, the two traction cables cooperating with said traction hoists disposed on either side of said boom. Advantageously, a crane is used whose lower end of said boom rests on an arrow support, itself secured to a steering turret, and said boom being inclined in a vertical plane, said boom being adapted to be rotated relative to a vertical axis integral with said boom support. In an advantageous embodiment variant, the device according to the invention comprises a single traction cable of which said traction winch is disposed substantially in the axis XIX '1 of said boom, so that the reduction in length of said traction cable, by actuation of said pulling winch makes it possible to incline said lifting cable with respect to the vertical ZZ and to move in translation said object, in a vertical plane passing through said pulling cable and said lifting cable, preferably a vertical plane passing through the axis of said arrow XIX'1, that is to say when said pulling cable is located in the same vertical plane as the axis of said arrow (XIX'1). The implementation of a said traction cable makes it possible to accurately move the said connecting ring or hook and therefore the said object in translation in a vertical plane comprising the axis of the arrow, and to bring the said object closer to the said traction hoist. without having to change the inclination of the boom and, of course, without having to move the crane, which is prohibited when it is being lifted from a heavy object. To move in a precise manner said ring or hook of connection and thus said object in translation in a horizontal plane, that is to say laterally with respect to the vertical plane passing through the axis of the arrow, advantageously, the device according to the invention comprises at least two traction cables connected respectively to two traction hoists, one end of each pulling cable being connected to a said traction hoist, preferably secured to a support of said boom, the other end each of the two traction cables being secured to said lifting cable, preferably at its lower end at the same said connecting ring or hook, the two traction winches being disposed on either side of said boom, preferably symmetrically, so that a reduction in length of at least one of said two traction cables makes it possible to move said object laterally with respect to a plane v ertical passing through the axis XIX'1 of said arrow, in a plane passing through the two traction cables, preferably a different length reduction for the two traction cables arranged symmetrically with respect to a vertical plane passing through the axis of said arrow.

Advantageously, the two said traction hoists are arranged at both ends of a transverse beam secured to a platform supporting said boom. This makes it possible, in particular, to adjust at the end of the laying the adequacy of the position of a block with respect to the already laid block of a dike in progress. In another preferred embodiment, said link is connected at its upper end to a motorized bearing secured to a said connecting ring or hook at the lower end of said lifting cable, said motorized bearing for controlling the motorized rotation. said link and said object rotating on itself when its engine is actuated, and said motor bearing acting as a pin when its engine is disengaged. This rotation can be controlled by the crane operator and makes it possible to adjust the position of the object as needed during its final removal, in particular in the case of a block to be deposited in a particular laying plane on an assembly of blocks of a dike in progress.

Advantageously, said motorized bearing cooperates with a rigid arm, said reaction arm, which makes it possible to take up the torsional forces generated by said motorized bearing in rotation, at the upper part of said motorized bearing secured to said connecting ring or hook, said reaction arm being interposed between the end of a said traction cable and the upper portion of said motor bearing which it is secured. It is therefore understood that one end of the reaction arm is fixed on said upper part of the motorized bearing and the other end of the traction cable being fixed to a said traction hoist.

The present invention therefore also provides a method in which a device of this type according to the invention is implemented and said motorized bearing is rotated so as to orient the object, by rotation on itself, in the final phase of the invention. deposit.

In an advantageous embodiment, a lifting device according to the invention said link is equipped with an inertial unit, said inertial unit being fixed on said link, preferably such that the axis of said link, when it is stretched by a said suspended object is confused with one of the axes of the reference (Xc, Yc, Zc) related to the inertial unit, said inertial unit being connected to a computer, preferably located in the cabin of the crane operator, to which are transmitted the data, recorded in real time, of longitudinal accelerations of said inertial unit in the three directions of a moving marker (Xc, Yc, Zc) and rotational accelerations (y1, y2, y3) of said inertial unit with respect to same axes of the mobile reference (Xc, Yc, Zc) of said inertial unit, the computer being able to indicate position and orientation of said object suspended at said link in a fixed reference (X, Y, Z) of the space, deduced s instantaneous position and orientation of the inertial unit, and preferably the computer being able to display on a screen movements of said object in space. The term "reference (Xc, Yc, Zc) related to the inertial unit" means that said marker is fixed relative to the control unit when it is movable relative to the fixed reference (X, Y, Z).

An inertial unit is an accelerometer device known to those skilled in the art, able to record in real time its accelerations of longitudinal displacement in the three directions of the space of a movable marker (Xc, Yc, Zc) and the rotational displacement accelerations (yl, y2, y3) of the same movable marker, with respect to the three axes of a fixed reference (X, Y, Z) of the space. It is understood that said computer first calculates the evolution of the position and trajectory of said inertial unit. And, knowing these position and orientation of the inertial unit, as well as the distance of said inertial unit from the center of gravity of said object, this distance being constant since said link remains tight by said object which is suspended from it, the computer can deduce, by a simple geometric calculation, a position and orientation in real time of said object. It is thus possible, in the absence of any direct visibility of said object by the crane operator, to control the movement of said object according to the data calculated by said computer and to determine the trajectory of said object to be placed at a desired determined location, in particular when the objects in question are objects of heavy load, several tens of tons, such as concrete blocks assembled for the realization of an underwater dike.

According to the present invention, said inertial unit is thus not fixed directly on said object, as is customary in other areas of use of this type of device, for the following reasons: 1- said object is susceptible to collide with other objects during its removal, especially when said object is a concrete block that is deposited at the bottom of the sea to make a dike, shocks with previously laid blocks being frequent. Fixing the inertial unit on said object could cause damage to said plant during said shocks. 2- the fact of deporting the support of the inertial unit with respect to said object along said link allows a first clipping or filtering of the amplitude of the accelerations related to the possible shocks, is done mechanically via said link, as explained further. 3 - the fact of moving upwards said central allows to maintain it out of the water and use positioning means in the space type GPS (Global Positioning System), DGPS (GPS differential), positioning type laser or automatic theodolite, as explained below. The present invention therefore also provides a method of moving and lifting an object with the aid of a device according to the invention comprising an inertial unit, characterized in that said object is moved in order to place it at a given location, according to its position and its angular orientation with respect to the three dimensions of the space (XYZ, y1-y2-y3) and, preferably, according to the visualization of its movements, as calculated by said computer. In a preferred embodiment, said inertial unit is coupled to a Kalman filter which makes it possible to clip the acceleration amplitudes recorded by the inertial unit, in the event of a large acceleration amplitude of the inertial unit caused by an impact. on said object, and making it possible to substitute, at these amplitudes of accelerations thus clipped (hereinafter parasitic accelerations), the probable values of evolution of the position parameters of said inertial unit, and, preferably, said Kalman filter allowing in addition, to identify the location of said shock and, more preferably, to visualize on the screen the position of the object during the impact and / or of another said object already laid with which said object being applied is collided. These Kalman filters are known to those skilled in the art. Such a filter is a recursive estimator which is used to eliminate "parasitic" movements calculated aberrantly by the computer in view of their appearance in the form of peaks, whereas these movements are not carried out in reality, in particular in case shock on said object, as explained below. In an original way according to the present invention, this Kalman filter is used to further identify the location at which said object has received an impact, for example by visualizing said object by a different color at each shock, in the zone of said shock. . It is understood that the latter information is very useful for the crane operator, in order to adjust the position of the block in the final phase of removal of said object, including a block on a dike, and more particularly in the absence of any visibility of said block by the crane operator or a service diver to supervise the final phase. In a preferred embodiment, said inertial unit is combined with a device for directly measuring the position of said inertial unit in said fixed frame (y1, y2, y3), said measurement comprising the study of the path of an emitted wave. by said measuring device, such as a laser sighting device, an automatic theodolite or, preferably, a differential GPS. This embodiment makes it possible to implement a method in which, advantageously, only the angular acceleration data (y1, y2, y3) recorded with the aid of said inertial unit are processed within the computer. it being coupled to a Kalman filter, and the longitudinal position in the space of said object with respect to said fixed reference (X, Y, Z) being provided by means of an additional device for direct determination of the position of said inertial unit by means of wave emission, such as a laser aiming system type device, theodolite or, preferably, a differential GPS type device. Advantageously, in a method according to the invention, the realization by the Kalman filter of the clipping of the acceleration amplitudes caused by shocks on said object, is used to identify and, preferably, to display on a screen, the occurrence of a shock on said object. This makes it possible, in particular, to adjust at the end of the laying the adequacy of the position of a block with respect to the already laid block of a dike in progress. In an alternative embodiment, said link is constituted by the lower part of the hoisting cable. However, in a preferred variant, said link is independent of the lifting cable and has a greater torsional stiffness than said lifting cable, said link being preferably constituted by a metal chain or a steel tube or profile. or composite material, said tube or profile having torsional rigidity and flexural flexibility with respect to its longitudinal direction. The term "flexion with respect to the longitudinal direction" is used here to mean a bending by which the straight axis of said link at rest adopts a curved shape with respect to said rectilinear axis, when it is stressed in bending. This torsional stiffness combined with flexibility in bending with respect to the longitudinal direction of the link makes it possible to perform a first greater mechanical filtering of the parasitic accelerations recorded at the level of the inertial unit due to possible shocks on a said object. Furthermore, and above all, this torsional stiffness of said link allows the position and orientation of said object and movements of said object visualized following the calculations of said computer to be more faithful with respect to the real movements of said object, that is to say are better synchronized with the movements of said inertial unit. More preferably, said link is connected to the lower end of said lifting cable by a ring or hook connection, the upper end of said link cooperating with said hook or connecting ring via a pin. Here is meant by "pin", a ball bearing device, roller, or even smooth bearing type, allowing rotations of said link on itself, without torsion at its connection to said ring or hook connection. These characteristics allow the movements of the inertial unit to reflect, even more accurately, the movements of the object. Preferably, the gripping device is integral with the lower end of the link and adapted to cooperate with a said object, so that: the center of gravity of said object remains in alignment with said link being lifted and displaced and the movements of said object and said link in rotation with respect to the axis of said link (Zc) are passed on to each other.

According to another advantageous characteristic, said inertial unit is integral with said link in the vicinity of said connecting ring or hook between said lifting cables and said link, where appropriate under a said pin connected to the end of said link and cooperating with a said hook. or connecting ring.

In a particular embodiment, the gripping device at the lower end of said link is constituted by a plurality of slings arranged in a crow's foot, connected to a plurality of lifting rings, integral with said object and distributed around said object such that the center of gravity of said object remains in alignment with said link being lifted and moved. In another embodiment, said gripping device is constituted by an entirely rigid device, of the type of sugar tongs. These gripping devices, such as sugar tongs or crow's feet, are particularly advantageous so that any rotation of said object on itself is reflected by a rotation of said link and therefore of said inertial unit, so that the rotational movements of said object on itself are more accurately transcribed by the calculations performed on the basis of data recorded from the movements of the inertial unit.

More particularly, in the method according to the invention, said object is a concrete block and is made, by lifting, moving and laying of blocks, an assembly of blocks in a desired position for the realization of a shore protection dyke or harbor dyke resting on the bottom of the sea.

Advantageously, said inertial unit is fixed on said link at a distance from said block such that said inertial unit is always kept out of water. Other features and advantages of the present invention will emerge more clearly from a reading of the description which follows, given in an illustrative and nonlimiting manner, with reference to the appended drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a cross-section and a side view the installation of artificial blocks of cubic shape, to make the shell of a embankment embankment according to the prior art, - Figures 2A-2B respectively show in top view and in side view, a block of cubic shape, FIGS. 3A-3B show a side view of a "gripper" type gripping device making it possible to adjust the orientation angle of said block with respect to the vertical, FIG. on the side of placing artificial blocks of cubic shape with the aid of the lifting device according to the invention; FIG. 4A represents the Cartesian orthogonal coordinate system linked to the inertial unit with respect to the fixed Cartesian reference frame; FIG. 4B shows the Cartesian orthogonal coordinate system Xc-Yc-Zc relating to the oblique position of the inertial unit with reference to FIG. 4; FIG. 5 is a view relating to FIG. , in which the positioning of the hook is provided by two traction cables connected to two traction winches, the latter being either integral with the structure of the crane, or installed on fixed supports relative to the ground, - Figure 5A shows in FIG. view from above of the lateral and longitudinal movements of the connecting hook by acting on the length of the traction cables connected to the traction hoists, - Figure 5B shows an inertial unit 6 mounted on a rigid link 8a, consisting of a profiled tube. steel or rigid material, and connected to the lower end of the hoist cable and a traction cable 9a-9b via a pin 29, - Figures 6A-6B i FIG. 7 is the logic diagram of the operation of a Kalman filter in the particular case of the laying of the blocks according to the invention. FIGS. 8A and 8C are views of a Kalman filter, FIG. side of a rigid link consisting of a tube or section steel or rigid material 8a (Figure 8A) or a steel chain 8b (Figure 8C), cooperating with the connection point of the ends of the traction cable 9 and cable by means of a motorized bearing 30 cooperating with a reaction bar 32, - Figure 8B is a top view of Figures 8A and 8C. In Figure 1, there is shown the laying of artificial blocks according to the prior art. A crane 1 installed on the embankment 2a closer to the sea 3 handles a block 4 suspended by a clamp 5 to the main cable of said crane, said lifting cable, to make the shell of a fill 2c according to a predetermined profile corresponding substantially to the curve 2d. The crane comprises a support platform 14 which supports a cockpit 13 and an arrow lb which rests on the platform 14 by its lower end. The arrow lb is in an inclined position relative to the vertical, this inclination being variable and adjustable, in particular by means of an arrow support cable 1c connected to a hoisting winch 18 supported by said platform 14. The support platform 14 is able to be displaced in rotation around a vertical axis ZZ with respect to its displacement means on which it rests, such as tracks 19, thereby rotating the boom and the cabin of the crane. around a vertical axis. By adjusting the length of the cables 1c, the orientation of the arrow lb in the vertical plane can be adjusted so that the block 4 can be positioned vertically to its destination, then down by unscrewing the cable la to be deposited at the desired location on the already assembled work. This procedure works properly when the sea is calm and the work can be controlled by divers. On the other hand, when a large chop or an offshore swell 3a is established over a long period, the work must be interrupted because, under the effect of said swell, the suspended block is urged and oscillates for several meters. in all directions, and more or less randomly. In addition, in the area of the not yet protected embankment, the swell breaks or creates a major agitation suspending particles of sand or aggregates, or creating micro-bubbles and foam, which make the visibility almost zero, thus preventing any intervention by the divers. FIGS. 2A-2B show respectively in plan view and in side view an artificial block 4 of known shape, substantially cubic having on its lateral faces median recesses in the form of substantially cylindrical grooves with semi-circular section . These recesses or grooves 4a have the advantage of facilitating gripping, increase interblock reactions and the "porosity" of a block assembly. Thus, when a block assembly is struck by the incident wave, during heavy swells or storms, the dissipated energy is considerably increased by this porosity and the attenuation effect is thereby enhanced. Unlike the storage of blocks during manufacture and supply, which requires a very orderly arrangement so as to occupy as little space as possible, as shown in Figure 5, when setting up the blocks for a dike , we aim at optimizing the overall porosity, that is to say that we try to install the blocks of crooked with respect to each other while ensuring a stable contact with the adjacent blocks and blocks lower, the next layer to permanently lock the position of the lower previous layer, thus ensuring the stability of the whole throughout the lifetime of the work that exceeds several decades or even the century. This procedure is known to those skilled in the art and is the subject of special preparations leading to specific laying plans that must be respected for the work of art can properly perform its office. Many very different specific forms have been developed in the world (for example, reference is made to the international recommendations which describe them extensively), and some of them have the advantage of naturally interlocking with each other. In FIGS. 3A-3B, a front view is shown of a known gripping device 5a of the "sugar tong" type in the form of a half circle, which makes it possible to grasp the block either vertically (FIG. 3A) or with a angle α to the vertical (Figure 3B). In Figure 4, preferably, the gripping device is constituted by a crowbar slings 5b having at least three strands attached to the lifting rings 5c incorporated in precise positions of the block before pouring concrete. This gripping device 5b makes it possible to maintain the center of gravity of the block in the axis of alignment of the link 8, on the one hand, and, on the other hand, favors the synchronization of the rotations of said block and said link with respect to the Zc axis (axis of the link 8). In Figure 4, there is shown in side view the device according to the invention consists of a ring or connection hook Id located at the end of the hoist cable la. The connection hook Id is connected to the upper end of a link consisting of a sling 8, preferably via a trunnion, its lower end being connected to a crowbar 5b connected to 5c lifting rings integral with the block 4. On the sling 8, preferably out of the water, preferably in the upper part near the connection hook Id, an inertial unit 6 is installed whose function is to record in real time the longitudinal displacement acceleration along the Xc-Yc-Zc axes, as well as the rotational accelerations cp, rpz rp3 about the same axes. The Cartesian coordinate system corresponding to said axes is a relative reference to the actual support of the inertial unit, as shown in FIG. 4A, the Zc axis corresponding to the longitudinal axis of the link 8. Thus, when the link 8 is vertical as shown in dashed lines in FIG. 4, said axis Zc then corresponds with the Z axis of the fixed marker, the Xc-Yc axes having an angular offset 0 with respect to the XY axes of the fixed marker.

When the assembly consisting of the cable 1a, the inertial unit 6, the link 8, the gripping means 5 and the artificial block 4 moves, the longitudinal accelerations along Xc-Yc-Zc and angular according to cp, rpz rp3 are recorded in real time within the inertial unit and transmitted to a computer, preferably located in the crane operator's cabin.

This allows, by a double integration with respect to time, to calculate the exact trajectory of said inertial unit, as well as its orientation, therefore the direction of the link 8, since the orientation of the link 8 is constant with respect to the orientation of the link. the inertial unit. Knowing this direction, as well as the distance from the inertial unit to the center of gravity of the block, it is deduced by a simple geometric calculation the real time position of the center of gravity of the block, therefore the real time position of the block, and this in the absence of any direct visibility of the block by the crane operator. Thus, a preferred procedure is as follows: block 40 is seized on the storage area of FIG. 5, said block being in the known position X0-Y0-Z0, and then the link 8 is drawn by acting on the lifting cable 1a, the said link is then vertical and the Cartesian references relating to the inertial unit and the absolute reference point have the Z axis in common as detailed in FIG. 4A, then, as soon as the block leaves the ground 2a, the inertial unit is triggered, which then records all the movements of said central unit, and then the upper end of the arrow is positioned so that said object is substantially in line with the desired location in the drop zone, such as illustrated in FIG. 4, then - knowing the absolute position of the inertial unit, the position of the block is calculated in real time, and the final approach by the crane operator, before removal, is carried out, even in the absence of visibility or in the absence of any control by the plungers, thanks to said calculated XYZ position of the block, the movements of the block as well as the state of the work already made being visualized on a screen in the cabin of the crane operator, and - after removal, the gripping device is disconnected , preferably automatically by a release device, not shown, controlled from the crane operator's cabin; - The crane is then free to go to grab the next block on the storage area. In Figure 4, there is shown a traction cable 9 connected at its right end to the ring Id and at its left end to a traction winch 10 secured to the turret 13 of the crane. During the handling of the block by the crane, the length O of said traction cable is reduced, in order to bring the connecting ring or hook Id towards the vertical of the point of deposit, which has the advantageous effects of drastically limiting the oscillations of the block in the XoZ plane. In addition, this maneuver is much faster than straightening the jib lb of the crane by acting on the cables 1c, to come to position its end vertically said removal point. In a preferred version of the invention shown in the plan view of FIG. 5, there are two traction cables 9a-9b connected to two traction winches 10a-10b, the two traction winches being advantageously secured to a beam 17, itself secured to the bearing structure of the arrow lb, so the turret of the crane. By acting on the respective lengths e, û @ of the traction cables 9a-9b, the ring or connection hook Id is accurately positioned, in a bipolar manner, in the plane formed by the two straight lines constituted by said cables 9a-9b. , said straight lines intersecting at the point Or C at the ring Id. Thus, when the ring or connecting hook Id is brought back to the turret of the crane by reducing the length of said cables, as detailed in FIG. 4, the two cables 9a-9b are strongly tensioned and, if the lengths O, = @ 2, the ring or hook connection is exactly in the axis of the crane boom. The triangle ABC formed by the end of the cable coming out of the winch 10a (A), the end of the cable coming out of the winch 10b (B) and the point C constituting the connecting ring or hook Id is then isosceles and said ring is then stabilized in its position thus avoiding any lateral swing relative to the crane axis, in the direction of the Y axis. This stabilizing effect being all the more important as the inclination R of the crane cable relative to vertically is important because the decomposition of forces at the ring or connection hook Id (Gold point C) creates a horizontal tension in the traction cables 9a-9b, proportional to said inclination p3. By reducing the length of one of the traction cables relative to the other, as shown in FIG. 5A, for example the traction cable 9a, the point C of the triangle, and therefore the connecting ring or hook Id moves towards the top of the figure by describing a circular arc 12 centered at A. Thus, by playing on the lengths of the cables 9a-9b, the ring or connecting hook is advantageously positioned in any desired manner. point of the surface 11, while preventing the rocking movements of said ring in both directions XX-YY.

Thus, by using only one pulling cable 9 as explained with reference to FIG. 4, it removes the quasi-totality of the swinging of the ring or connection hook Id in the plane XoZ only, the ring or hook connection 1d remaining free to swing in the perpendicular plane YoZ, while with two traction cables 9a-9b as explained with reference to Figure 5, it removes almost the entire swing in the planes XoZ and YoZ, the ring remaining stable.

And, by playing on the differences in length O, - @ 2 of said pulling cables 9a-9b, it moves with precision said ring or connecting hook 1d on a surface II of several m2, in all directions around the initial position, thus allowing extremely precise and stable positioning of said blocks in space.

Compact devices are commercially available, including an inertial unit equipped with a gyroscope and accelerometer for measuring movements, orientation and position of an object to which it is attached. It will be possible to use a device marketed by XSens Technologies BV (the Netherlands).

These devices generally comprise a metal support on which is fixed the inertial unit itself. This support will be attached to the link. The operation of an inertial unit is known to those skilled in the art, but its operation in the context of the invention is very particular. Indeed, in the final phase of the approach, just before the removal of the block on the structure, the block comes in contact with the adjacent blocks in general before moving into its final position. These shocks induce sudden variations in speed, and therefore significant accelerations, which disturb the inertial unit, which is then no longer able to provide a precise and reliable calculated positioning, which creates an unacceptable shift in the calculated position of the block relative to one another. at its real position. To overcome this drawback, a Kalman filter, known to those skilled in the art, is used in a particular way to eliminate these disturbances.

The Kalman filter is a recursive estimator. This means that to estimate the current state of a system, only the previous state and the current measurements are needed to estimate the future position with optimal accuracy. Thus, in the event of a side impact as explained in FIG. 6A, the acceleration, angular or longitudinal, has a series of peaks 15 during a lapse of time 8t. During this period 8t, the block has hardly moved, but the mathematical calculation consisting of the double integration of accelerations on each of the axes over this period 8t, generally leads to aberrant calculated movements, because not performed in reality. For this purpose, the Kalman filter detects these parasitic accelerations by simple real-time analysis of the previous step of the movement, the filter isolates them by clipping 16a-16b said accelerations, and thus does not take them into account in the calculation. mathematical of the instantaneous position. In certain configurations, the Kalman filter is able, by analyzing the previous steps, to predict the movements during this short period 8t and thus to substitute for these parasitic accelerations, the probable evolution of the system, as shown in FIG. 6B, leading thus to a better reliability in the calculation of the instantaneous position. In a preferred version of the invention, only the angular accelerations are used in the calculation of the exact position of the block, the longitudinal acceleration peaks are observed to indicate to the crane operator the shocks of the blocks with the adjacent blocks or those of the layer lower, but the accelerations themselves are not directly taken into account in the calculation of the position. Thus, in order to determine the position of the block in real time, for example, using an automatic theodolite shown in FIG. 4 in the same form 7a-7b as the data transmission device, the position XYZ in real time of the inertial unit 6, then knowing the evolution in real time of the angular accelerations cp, rpz rp3 of said plant, we deduce the direction of the link 8, and knowing the distance from the center of gravity of the block to said inertial unit which is a constant length L, the exact position of the center of gravity of the block is calculated.

In a preferred version of the invention, the inertial unit is provided with a DGPS satellite positioning system. This system, known to those skilled in the art, is a differential system, that is to say, a beacon is installed on the inertial unit and a second beacon is installed on the ground at a fixed point. Thus, by synchronously combining the signals of the two receivers, the positioning of the mobile is realized, not in absolute terms with respect to the satellite, but in relative relation to the fixed receiver, thus radically improving the positioning accuracy.

FIG. 7 shows a first global mode of operation of the positioning system, in which the 6 main parameters in the raw state (longitudinal accelerations Xc-Yc-Zc and angular accelerations y1-y2-y3) are transmitted from the inertial unit 6 to the computer, preferably located in the cabin 13 of the crane operator. The data is then processed within the computer 20 by the Kalman filter 20a and the position 21 of the block 4 is established based on all or part of these 6 filtered parameters. The exploitation of the data relating to the aberrant accelerations, corresponding to the shocks of the block with the adjacent blocks, is carried out at 20b and is displayed at 22, preferably directly in the cabin of the crane operator, advantageously in the form 22a: vertical shock amplitude " 3 ", in the form 22b: right lateral shock (amplitude" 0 ") and, in the form 22b: left side impact (amplitude" 0 "). Thus, the crane operator knowing the type of shock and its amplitude, is able to judge the type of contact between the block being installed and the work already done, and thus determine in the absence of any visual contact, or any information from divers, the adequacy of the position of the block relative to the laying plan, so its correct installation. In the same FIG. 7, there is shown a second preferred overall mode of operation of the positioning system, in which the 6 main parameters in the raw state (longitudinal accelerations Xc-Yc-Zc and angular accelerations y1-y2-y3) are transmitted from the inertial unit 6 to the computer preferably located in the cabin of the crane operator. Only the angular accelerating data y1-y2-y3 then processed within the computer 20 by the Kalman filter 20a, the position in the space of said inertial unit 6 being provided by a remote measuring means 7a. 7b, such as an automatic theodolite, a laser sighting system or DGPS-type satellite positioning, which makes it possible to very precisely calculate the position 21 of the block 4 by not considering the values of the longitudinal accelerations Xc-Yc-Zc. The exploitation of the data relating to the outgoing accelerations is carried out in the same way as explained above, which allows the crane operator to have in real time precise information on the various shocks between the block being installed and the structure already done, just before the final deposit. In a preferred version of the invention shown in Figures 8A-8B, the link 8a consists of a bar, preferably rectilinear, resistant to torsion, and rigidly secured to the gripping tool, so that the the orientation of the integral inertial unit of the link 8a has the same orientation along the Zc axis as the block 4. Said link 8a is connected to the connection ring Id via a motorized bearing 30, electrical, hydraulic or pneumatic, supplied with energy by means not shown, acting as a trunnion when the engine is disengaged. A rigid arm acting as a reaction arm 32, integral with the upper part 30a of the engine, is connected to a traction cable 9b under tension. The lower part 30b of the engine is rigidly connected to said link 8a. Thus, by actuating the actuator in one direction or the other, the lower part 30b of the actuator drives the inertial unit 6 and the block 4, the angular displacements being substantially identical because of the torsional rigidity along the axis ZZ of said link 8a. The reaction arm counterbalances the effects of torsion at the upper part 30a of the engine. Indeed, as shown in FIG. 8B, a torsion torque M applied to the upper part 30a of the motorization induces a rotation 32a of the reaction arm 32. And because the reaction arm and the traction cable 9b are under significant tension due to the angle 3 of the hoist cable 1a with the vertical, a restoring force F returns said arm 32 in alignment with the pulling cable 9b. Thus, shortly before depositing the block 4 in final position, the instantaneous position of said block being known thanks to the inertial unit, the crane operator can accurately adjust its orientation a few degrees of rotation along the axis Zc, by simply acting on the motor 30, in one direction or the other. The angular movement being recorded by the inertial unit, is then immediately available to help the crane operator in this final phase of the installation.

In FIGS. 8A-8B, the device according to the invention is represented with two traction cables 9a-9b, only the traction cable 9b is connected to the reaction arm, the cable 9a being connected directly or to the ring or Id hook, or at the upper part 30a of the engine, in the immediate vicinity of its axis of rotation. In the case of the use of a single traction cable 9, as shown in Figure 4, the reaction arm 32 is connected directly to said cable. In a simplified version of the invention, not shown, the motorization is removed, and the link 8a having a torsional stiffness along the axis Zc, is on the one hand suspended from the ring or hook Id, and other part is rigidly connected to the reaction arm 32. In this case, when the block is tapped on its storage area, as described previously with reference to FIG. 5, the position of the gripping tool is pre-adjusted. so that once the crane in position in the removal zone, the block has the right orientation, because the crane then no longer has the means to vary this angular positioning along the vertical axis Zc. FIG. 8C shows an advantageous embodiment of the link 8 having torsional rigidity, which is in the form of a chain 8b. Indeed, in the absence of tension in the chain, it is possible to turn it on its axis ZZ with little effort, but when we apply a significant tension, each link being connected perpendicular to the following and the diameter of the wire of each of the rings being slightly less than the free internal diameter of the adjacent ring, the chain will naturally tend to reposition in zero torsion configuration, so perpendicular to the adjacent link, as detailed in Figure 8C. The link 8, 8a-8b with torsional stiffness along the axis ZZ can be obtained from a simple steel tube, or else from a profile made of composite material, which has good torsional stiffness, while keeping a great flexural flexibility in the XoZ and YoZ planes, which advantageously makes it possible to perform a first mechanical filtering of the shocks on the blocks, thus avoiding directly passing on to the inertial unit all the parasitic accelerations due to shocks. It remains in the spirit of the invention if the hoisting rope is continuous up to the gripping device 5, the hook or the ring then being replaced by a mechanical cable clamp from gripping said hoisting rope at a fixed point on which is connected the end of the traction cable or cables, the portion above the cable tie then acting as the hoisting cable and the part below said cable tie acting as the link 8.20

Claims (20)

1. Device for lifting and moving an object (4) comprising a crane (1), said crane comprising an arrow (1b) equipped with a first cable, said lifting cable (1a), preferably comprising its end a link (8, 8a-8b) adapted to support a said object suspended from it by means of a gripping device (5b), characterized in that said hoisting cable (1a), suspended from the end of said boom (1b), is coupled to at least one second cable, said traction cable (9, 9a-9b)), one end of which is connected to at least one traction winch (10, 10a-10b) , preferably secured to a support platform (14) of said boom, the other end of the pulling cable (9) being integral with the suspension hoisting rope, preferably at a hook or connecting ring (Id) at the lower end of said hoisting cable, such that the reduction in length of at least one said pulling cable, by actuating at least one said traction hoist, it is possible to incline (33) said lifting cable (1a) with respect to the vertical (ZZ) and to translate said object (4) in translation in a plane vertical passing through a said traction cable and said hoisting cable, preferably a vertical plane passing through the axis of said arrow (X1X'1), and / or b- moving said object laterally with respect to a vertical plane passing through the axis (X1X'1) of said boom, in a plane passing through two traction cables (9a, 9b), the two traction cables cooperating with two traction winches (10a-10b) arranged on both sides other of said arrow. 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a single traction cable (9), said traction winch (10) is disposed substantially in the axis (X1X'1) of said arrow, so that the reduction in the length of said traction cable, by actuation of said traction hoist, makes it possible to incline said lifting cable with respect to the vertical ZZ and to translate said object in translation in a vertical plane passing through said pulling cable and said cable for lifting, preferably a vertical plane passing through the axis of said boom (XIX'1), that is to say when said pulling cable is situated in the same vertical plane as the axis of said boom ( XIX'1). 3. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises at least two traction cables (9a, 9b) respectively connected to two traction winches (10a, 10b), one end of each pull cable being connected. to a said traction hoist (10a, 10b), preferably secured to a support (14) of said boom, the other end of each of the two traction cables being integral with said hoisting rope (1a), preferably its lower end at the same said ring or hook connection (Id), the two traction winches being arranged on either side of said arrow, preferably symmetrically, so that a reduction in length (O1, e2 ) of at least one of said two traction cables (9a, 9b) is used to move said object laterally relative to a vertical plane passing through the axis (XIX'1) of said arrow, in a plane passing through the two traction cables (9a, 9b), preferably a reduction different length for the two traction cables arranged symmetrically with respect to a vertical plane passing through the axis of said arrow. 4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that said two traction winches (10a, 10b) are arranged at both ends of a transverse beam (17) integral with a platform (14) supporting said boom. 5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it comprises a said link connected at its upper end to a motor bearing (30) integral with a said ring or hook connection (Id) to the lower end of said hoisting cable, said motorized bearing (30) for controlling the motorized rotation of said link and said object in rotation on itself when its motor (30b) is actuated, and said motorized bearing (30) playing the role of trunnion when its motor (30b) is disengaged. 28 6. Device according to claim 5 and one of claims 3 or 4, characterized in that said motor bearing (30) cooperates with a rigid arm, said reaction arm (32), which allows to take the torsional forces generated by said rotationally motorized bearing, at the upper part (30a) of said motorized bearing integral with said connecting ring or hook, said reaction arm (32) being interposed between the end of a said pulling cable (9a, 9b) and the upper part (30a) of said motorized bearing which it is secured. 7. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises a said link (8, 8a-8b) is equipped with an inertial unit (6), said inertial unit being fixed on said link ( 8, 8a-8b), preferably such that the axis of said link, when it is stretched by a said suspended object, coincides with one of the axes (7c) of the reference (Xc, Yc, Zc) linked to the inertial unit, said inertial unit (6) being connected to a computer (20), preferably located in the cabin (13) of the crane operator, to which are transmitted the data recorded in real time longitudinal accelerations of said inertial unit in the three directions of a moving mark (Xc, Yc, Zc) and rotational accelerations (.p1, 'p2, y3) of said inertial unit with respect to the same axes of the mobile mark (Xc, Yc, Zc) of said inertial unit , the computer being able to indicate position and orientation of said object suspended at said link in a reference fixed (X, Y, Z) space deduced from the position and orientation of the inertial unit, and preferably the computer being able to display on a screen movements of said object in space. 8. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that said inertial unit (6) is coupled to a Kalman filter (20a) which allows to clipping (16a-16b) the acceleration amplitudes recorded by the inertial unit, in a case of large amplitude of acceleration of the inertial unit caused by an impact on said object, and of substituting for these amplitudes of accelerations thus clipped the probable values of evolution of the position parameters of said inertial unit, and preferably , said Kalman filter further making it possible to identify the location of the duditchoc and, more preferably, to display on the screen the position of the object during the impact and / or of another said object already laid with which said object during installation has collided. 9. Device according to one of claims 7 or 8, characterized in that said inertial unit (6) is combined with a device for directly measuring the position of said inertial unit in said fixed frame (yl, y2, y3), said measurement comprising the study of the path of a wave emitted by said measuring device, such as a laser sighting device, an automatic theodolite or, preferably, a differential GPS. 10. Device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that said link (8, 8a-8b) has a greater torsional stiffness than said lifting cable (la), said link being preferably constituted by a metal chain or a tube or profile made of steel or composite material, said tube or profile having a torsional rigidity and flexural flexibility with respect to its longitudinal direction. 11. Device according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that said link (8, 8a-8b) is connected to the lower end of said lifting cable by a ring or hook connection (Id), the upper end of said link (8) cooperating with said hook or connecting ring (Id) via a pin (29). 12- Device according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the gripping device (5b) is integral with the lower end of the link (8, 8a-8b) and adapted to cooperate with a said object, of such that: the center of gravity of said object remains in alignment with said link being lifted and displaced, and the movements of said object and said link in rotation with respect to the axis of said link (Zc) are passed on one to another. 13. Device according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that said inertial unit (6) is integral with said link (8, 8a-8b) near said ring or hook connection (Id) between said hoisting ropes. and said link, where appropriate under a said pin (29) connected to the end of said link and cooperating with said hook or connecting ring (Id). 14. A method of moving and lifting an object with the aid of a device according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that one stabilizes and / or adjusts the positioning of said object suspended to said cable lifting, by actuating at least one said pulling winch, by: a-tilting (33) said lifting cable (1a) with respect to the vertical (ZZ) and translating said object (4) in a vertical plane passing through a said traction cable and said hoisting cable, preferably a vertical plane passing through the axis of said boom (XIX'1), and / or b- moving said object laterally with respect to a vertical plane passing through the axis (XIX'1) of said boom, in a plane passing through two traction cables (9a, 9b), the two traction cables cooperating with said traction winches disposed on either side of said boom. 15. The method of claim 14, characterized in that it implements a device according to one of claims 5 or 6, and said motor bearing (30) is rotated so as to orient the object, by rotation on itself, in the final phase of removal. 16. Method according to one of claims 14 or 15, characterized in that it implements a device according to one of claims 7 to 12 and said object is moved to pose at a specific location, in function of its position and its angular orientation with respect to the three dimensions of the space in a fixed reference (X, Y, Z) and, preferably, according to the visualization of its movements, as calculated by said computer. 17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that only the angular acceleration data (y1, y2, y3) recorded with the aid of said inertial unit are processed within the computer (20). it being coupled to a Kalman filter (20a), and the longitudinal position in the space of said object with respect to said fixed reference (X, Y, Z) being provided by means of an additional device for direct determination of the position of said inertial unit by means of wave emission (7a-7b), such as a laser aiming system type device, theodolite or, preferably, a differential GPS type device. 18. A method according to claim 17, characterized in that the realization by the Kalman filter (20a) of the clipping (16a, 16b) acceleration amplitudes caused by shocks on said object, is used to identify and, preferably, displaying on a screen, the occurrence of a shock on said object. 19. Method according to one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that said object is a concrete block and is made by lifting, moving and laying blocks, an assembly of blocks in a desired position for the realization of a shore protection dyke or harbor dike resting on the bottom of the sea. 20. The method of claim 19, characterized in that said inertial unit is fixed on said link at a distance from said block such that said inertial unit is always kept out of water.