GB2403706A

GB2403706A - Connecting lifting hooks to load on ships

Info

Publication number: GB2403706A
Application number: GB0414371A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Lars Magnus Solstad
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-07-09
Filing date: 2004-06-28
Publication date: 2005-01-12
Anticipated expiration: 2024-06-28
Also published as: GB0414371D0; NO20033138D0; NO324632B1; NO20033138L; GB2403706B

Abstract

A method and a device for connecting a lifting device (26) located onboard a vessel (1) to or from a lifting hook (30) of a lifting crane, wherein the lifting hook (30) or an object attached to the lifting hook, is placed in a positionable guide (6) during the connection operation. Preferably, the guide is in two parts so it can be moved apart to allow the hook and connected load to be raised. Preferably, a robot arm 22 lifts a load sling 26 to allow the hook to snag it. Preferably, the traverse can be raised or lowered.

Description

1 2403706

A METHOD AND A DEVICE FOR CONNECTION OF A LIFTING DEVICE TO A

LIFTING CRANE

This invention concerns a method for connecting a lifting device to a lifting crane. More specifically, it concerns a s method for controlling a connection tool of a lifting crane, thereby allowing connection of the lifting device to the connection tool to be carried out in a safe and preferably at least partially automated manner. The invention also comprises a device for practicing the method.

When a load located on a vessel at sea is to be connected, the connection tool according to prior art is lowered to the deck of the vessel. The connection tool, hereinafter denoted a crane hook, but which may comprise any type of auxiliary equipment, then is manually connected to the lifting device concerned. Obviously, working operations of this type are dangerous, as the vessel may have a vertical movement of several meters during the connection work.

The object of the invention is to remedy the disadvantages of

prior art.

P24389DE - 22.06.04 The object is achieved in accordance with the invention and by means of the features disclosed in the following

description and in the subsequent claims.

According to the invention, the crane hook is guided to a particular position by means of a guide, preferably being funnel-shaped, when lowered towards a vessel. The guide is movably and manoeuvrably connected to a traverse, in which the traverse extends across the vessel and is mechanically movable along the longitudinal axis of the vessel.

lo Thus, the guide is arranged movable to a position anywhere within the working area of the traverse.

Advantageously, a remotely operated auxiliary arm is provided in connection with the guide, in which the auxiliary arm is arranged to pick up and place a lifting device in the crane hook.

When the lifting device is to be connected to the crane hook, first the guide is placed in a suitable position relative to an item to be lifted. Then, the crane hook is lowered into the guide and is guided by means of the guide to a desired position relative to the item. The corresponding lifting device for the item then is placed in the crane hook by means of the auxiliary arm. The guide, being provided in at least two parts, then is opened and moved together with the traverse away from the hook, thereby allowing the lifting crane to lift the item.

In the event of an unforeseen event occurring forcing the lifting crane to lift the item prior to moving the guide away P24389DE- 22.06.04 from the item, the funnel will swing out of position and open when lifted, owing to the shape thereof.

In a preferred embodiment, the funnel is connected to the traverse in a manner allowing the funnel to maintain its s vertical direction during the pitching and rolling of the vessel.

A stop device at the lower portion of the funnel is arranged, when in its active position, to form a landing base for the crane hook. Having lowered the crane hook into the funnel, lo and having no other suitable object to land the crane hook within, the stop device maintains the crane hook in position during the very connection operation.

Using the method and device according to the invention, personnel executing the connection operation may stay at a IS safe distance from the item to be lifted. Thus, the danger of damages arising is significantly reduced.

In the following, a non-limiting example of a preferred embodiment is described and illustrated on the attached drawings, in which: zo Figure 1 shows a plan view of a vessel provided with a traverse and a funnel guide; Figure 2 shows a side view of the vessel, in which a crane hook is on its way down towards the funnel guide; Figure 3 shows the vessel of figure 1, as viewed from the Is stern, when the crane hook has landed in the funnel guide; P24389DE - 22. 06.04 Figure 4 shows, in larger scale, a segment of figure 3, in which an auxiliary arm is picking up a lifting device for an item; Figure 5 shows the same as figure 4, but here the lifting device has been picked up and the funnel guide has been positioned for the lifting hook on its way down towards the funnel guide; Figure 6 shows, in partial section, the same as figure 5, but here the lifting hook has landed in the funnel guide as the lifting device is connected to the lifting hook by means of the auxiliary arm; Figure 7 shows the same as figure 6, but here the traverse and the funnel guide has been retracted, and the item is ready for lifting; and Figure 8 shows a plan view of the device according to figure 7.

On the drawings, reference numeral 1 denotes a vessel provided with a traverse 2. Traverse 2 extends across the longitudinal direction of vessel 1 at a suitable height above so a cargo deck 4 of vessel 1. Traverse 2 being arranged to be elevated and lowered, is movable along cargo deck 4 in a manner known per se, and by means of wheel passages (not shown).

A two-part, substantially vertically oriented, funnel-shaped guide 6 is connected to a carriage 8. Carriage 8 is arranged movable along traverse 2. At its upper portion, guide 6 is P24389DE - 22.06.04 provided with a relatively wide upper opening 10. In transverse section, guide 6 tapers inwards and downwards. In the embodiment shown, funnel 6 extends into a guide portion 12 having mainly parallel walls.

The two halves of guide 6 are pivotally supported about a vertical opening axis 14, cf. figure 8, and is arranged movable between an active position, cf. figure 1, and an open position, cf. figure 8.

A stop device 16 is provided at the lower part of guide portion 12. Stop device 16 is provided in two parts and is movable between a retracted, active position, in which it partially closes the transverse section of guide portion 12, cf. figure 8, and an extended, non-active position.

Otherwise, the halves of stop device 16 rotate together with their respective guide portions 12.

In order to be maintained in a desired orientation also during the pitching and rolling of vessel 1, guide 6 is pivotal about a pitching axis 18 and a rolling axis 20. By means of a control system known per se (not shown) comprising inclinometers and actuators, guide 6 is guided about said axes 18 and 20 to a vertical direction.

A remotely operated auxiliary arm 22 is connected to carriage 8.

When an item 24 provided with a lifting device 26 is to be lifted, carriage 8 is brought to a suitable position by moving the traverse 2 along vessel 1 and moving carriage 8 along traverse 2, thereby allowing a connection loop 28 of P24389DE- 22.06.04 lifting device 26 to be picked up by means of auxiliary arm 22, cf. figure 4.

Carriage 8 then is positioned so as to locate guide 6 substantially centred above item 24 to be lifted, cf. figure s 5. Guide 6 is in its operational position, and stop device 16 is in its active position. Auxiliary arm 22 holds connection loop 28 of lifting device 26. A lifting hook 30 is lowered towards guide 6.

Lifting hook 30 is guided down through upper opening 10 in lo guide 6 and onwards down through guide portion 12 until the lifting hook lands on stop device 16, cf. figure 6.

Connection loop 28 is placed in lifting hook 30 by means of auxiliary arm 22.

Auxiliary arm 22 then is released from connection loop 28, after which guide 6 is opened by rotating the halves of guide 6 about opening axis 14 and away from lifting hook 30. The traverse is moved away from item 24, after which lifting hook if lifted, thus tightening lifting device 26, cf. figures 7 and 8.

go Disconnection of lifting device 26 from lifting hook 30 may be carried out in opposite order.

P24389DE- 22.06.04 l

Claims

C 1 a i m s 1. A method for connecting a lifting device (26) located

onboard a vessel (1) to or from a lifting hook (30) of a lifting crane, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the s lifting hook (30) or an object attached to the lifting hook, is placed in a positionable guide (6) during the connection operation.
2. The method according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the lifting hook (30) lo is landed against a stop device (16) in the guide (6).
3. A device for connecting a lifting device (26) located onboard a vessel (1) to or from a lifting hook (30) of a lifting crane, in which the vessel (1) is provided with a traverse (2), c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the traverse (2) is provided with a guide (6), in which the guide (6) is arranged to receive the lifting hook (30) or an object attached to the lifting hook.
4. The device according to claim 3, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the guide (6) is connected to the traverse (2) via a carriage (8).
5. The device according to claim 4, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the traverse (2) extends across the longitudinal direction of the vessel (1) at a suitable height above a cargo deck (4) of the vessel (1).

Pt4389DE - 22.06.04
6. The device according to claim 4, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the traverse (2) is arranged to be elevated and lowered.
7. The device according to claim 4, C h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the traverse (2) is movable along the cargo deck (4).
8. The device according to claim 3, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the guide (6) comprises at least two portions arranged movable away o from one another.
9. The device according to claim 3, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the guide (6) is provided with a stop device (16).
10. The device according to claim 3, C h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the guide (6) is connected to an auxiliary arm (22).
11. A method for connecting a lifting device located onboard a vessel to or from a lifting hook of a lifting crane, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
12. A device for connecting a lifting device located onboard a vessel to or from a lifting hook of a lifting crane, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

P24389DE- 22.06.04