NL2013542B1

NL2013542B1 - Hoisting system.

Info

Publication number: NL2013542B1
Application number: NL2013542A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Anton Hart Jan
Original assignee: Anton Hart Jan
Priority date: 2014-09-29
Filing date: 2014-09-29
Publication date: 2016-09-29

Abstract

A hoisting system comprises a hoisting cable suitable for coupling to an object; an actuator for acting on the hoisting cable such as to allow lifting and lowering of the object, when the object is coupled to the hoisting cable; and a ballast weight linkable to the object, when coupled to the hoisting cable, such that a weight of the ballast weight acts on the object to lift the object and the object is lifted by the ballast weight. The actuator is releasably linked to the hoisting cable such that the ballast weight is linked to the object to lift the object upon release of the actuator. The ballast weight is coupled to the hoisting cable such that the ballast weight rises in case the object lowers and the ballast weight lowers in case the object rises, and the actuator is coupled to the ballast weight to allow lifting and lowering of the ballast weight for lowering and lifting, respectively, of the object.

Description

HOISTING SYSTEM FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[ 01 ] The invention relates to a hoisting system comprising a hoisting cable suitable for coupling to an object; and an actuator constructed and arranged for acting on the hoisting cable such as to allow lifting and lowering of the object, when the object is coupled to the hoisting cable. The invention especially relates to an emergency situation training system having such a hoisting system, particularly a training system for helicopter crashes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[ 02 ] In training systems for helicopter crashes a dummy helicopter cabin is lowered into a water basin with a hoisting system, so that persons present in the helicopter cabin can be trained on how to act in such an emergency situation. The known systems are electrically powered and have double circuitry for safety reasons. However, such double circuitry may not work in some situations, for instance, during a power failure. Having the double circuitry further adds quite some complexity and costs to the system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[ 03 ] It is an objective of the invention to provide a hoisting system with an enhanced safety measures.

[ 04 ] It is another or alternative objective of the invention to provide a hoisting system with an improved fail safe mechanism.

[ 05 ] It is yet another or alternative objective of the invention to provide a hoisting system having a simple and straightforward safety system.

[ 06 ] It is yet another or alternative objective of the invention to provide to provide a hoisting system having a reliable safety system.

[ 07 ] It is yet another or alternative objective of the invention to provide to provide a hoisting system having a cost-effective safety system.

[08] At least one of the above objectives is achieved by a hoisting system (1) comprising - a hoisting cable (10) suitable for coupling to an object (O); - an actuator (20) constructed and arranged for acting on the hoisting cable such as to allow lifting and lowering of the object, when the object is coupled to the hoisting cable; and - a ballast weight (30) linkable to the object such that a weight of the ballast weight acts on the object to lift the object and the object is lifted by the ballast weight.

The ballast weight acts on the object by way of gravity forces that are always present when the ballast weight is linked to the object. A simple mechanism can be provided to have the ballast weight linked to the object such that it is lifted, irrespective of any action by the actuator. In one arrangement the ballast weight is continuously coupled to the object such that lifting of the object by the ballast weight is prevented by action of the actuator and actual lifting and lowering is provided by action of the actuator. Decoupling the actuator from the object will then link the ballast weight to the object so that the object is lifted. In another arrangement the actuator is continuously coupled to the object and is the ballast weight being coupled, and thus linked, to the object such that action by the ballast weight takes precedence over action by the actuator and lifts the object. Action by the actuator is in the latter arrangement overruled by action of the ballast weight when linked to the object.

[ 09 ] In a preferred embodiment the actuator (20) is releasably linked to the hoisting cable (10) such that the ballast weight (30) is linked to the object (0) to lift the object upon release of the actuator, which shows to be a very simple, efficient and cost-effective way of achieving a reliable fail safe lifting of the object.

[ 10 ] In an advantageous embodiment the ballast weight (30) is coupled to the hoisting cable (10) such that the ballast weight rises in case the object (O) lowers and the ballast weight lowers in case the object rises. In this way the ballast weight assists in lifting and lowering of the object and provides a link to the object which is continuously present.

[11] Advantageously, the actuator (20) is coupled to the ballast weight (30) to allow lifting and lowering of the ballast weight for lowering and lifting, respectively, of the object (0). Having the actuator act directly on the ballast weight provides a very simple construction that is very reliable and cost-effective.

[ 12 ] In a preferred embodiment the actuator (20) is configured as a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder (30) acting on the ballast weight (30), which allows quick and easy release of pressure to achieve a rapid lifting of the object.

[ 13 ] In an embodiment the cylinder (20) acts on the ballast weight (30) to lift the ballast weight when the cylinder is powered.

[ 14 ] In a further embodiment the cylinder (20) acts in the vertical direction.

[ 15 ] In yet a further embodiment a bottom side (21) of the cylinder (20) is attached to a frame (40) of the hoisting system (1).

[ 16 ] In another embodiment a pulley arrangement (31) is connected to the ballast weight and a cable suitable for coupling to the object (0) is guided over the pulley arrangement, the pulley arrangement comprising multiple pulleys (30a) so as to provide for a reduction ratio. The hoisting cable (10) can be guided over the pulley arrangement (31). Further, the pulley arrangement (31) may be connected to a frame (40) of the hoisting system (1). The (hoisting) cable may be connected to the pulley arrangement, ballast weight or frame [ 17 ] The invention further provides for an emergency situation training system for an enclosure in a water basin, the enclosure being suited to hold persons and the training system comprising a hoisting system (1) as referred to above.

[ 18 ] The invention yet further provides for such a training system, wherein the training system is a helicopter emergency situation training system for a helicopter cabin and the object is the helicopter cabin.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[ 19 ] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description of the invention byway of non-limiting and non-exclusive embodiments. These embodiments are not to be construed as limiting the scope of protection. Various other embodiments can be envisioned within the scope of the invention. Embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which [ 20 ] The only figure shows a schematic view in cross section of a hoisting system according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[ 21 ] A hoisting system 1 according to the invention comprises a frame 40 along which a hoisting cable 10 is guided. The hoisting cable 10 can be coupled to an object O by means of a coupling 13 that is connected to a pulley 12 over which the hoisting cable runs. The hoisting cable will generally be a steel cable, but may also be embodied as a chain, rope or the like. The hoisting cable 10 is at an end 10a fixed to the frame 40 and runs over pulleys 11 b of a runner arrangement 11 that has wheels 11 a that are guided on a rail (not shown) on the top of a horizontal part45 of the frame 40. The runner arrangement 11 is moveable back and forth over the rails on the top of the frame part 45 in the directions of double arrow A3. The object O hoisted by the hoisting system is thereby also moveable in the directions of double arrow A3. The object O can be lifted and lowered in the directions of double arrow A1 through a lifting and lowering action of the hoisting cable 10.

[ 22 ] The hoisting cable 10 runs further over a pulley arrangement 31 that is connected to a ballast weight 30. A bottom series of pulleys 31 a is connected to the ballast weight 30 and a top series of pulleys 31 b is connected to the frame 40. When the ballast weight is lifted the length of the hoisting cable 10 over the top frame part 45 increases, which causes the object O to move downwards. On the other hand, when the ballast weight 30 is lowered the length of the hoisting cable over top frame part decreases, which causes the object O to raise. Raising and lowering of the ballast weight 30 is indicated by double arrow A2.

[ 23 ] Multiple top pulleys 31 b, for instance, two pulleys, are arranged in the pulley arrangement 31 one behind the other on one axis mounted on the frame 40 and a corresponding number of bottom pulleys 31a is arranged on one axis mounted on the ballast weight 30. This causes a reduction ratio. A change in height of the ballast weight will therefore cause a longer change in length of the hoisting cable 10 over top frame part 45 as defined by the reduction ratio. The hoisting runs over one pulley 12 that is coupled to the object O. The number of pulleys in pulley arrangement 31 is chosen such that a change in height of object O is twice the change in height of ballast weight 30 in the embodiment shown. Raising ballast weight 30 therefore allows object 0 to be lowered into basin B, since object O has to travel over a longer height difference than ballast weight 30.

[ 24 ] The weight of the ballast weight 30 is chosen such in dependence of the weight of object O and the combined reduction ratios of the pulleys arranged along the hoisting cable 10 that object O is always lifted in case only the force of gravity acts on the ballast weight 30.

[ 25 ] Ballast weight 30 is lifted and lowered using an actuator 30. The actuator in the embodiment shown is a hydraulic cylinder20, but a pneumatic cylinder may be used as well. An electric motor driving a pulley in the pulley arrangement31, or otherwise directly driving the hoisting cable, could also be employed, and other actuators and ways of moving the ballast weight up and down can be envisioned as well.

[ 26 ] The hydraulic cylinder 20 is a telescope type cylinder with multiple segments providing a range of about 2 meters in the embodiment depicted in the figure. At its bottom end 21 the cylinder 20 is attached to the frame 40. At its moveable top end 22 the cylinder pushes against ballast weight 30. The cylinder acts in the vertical direction along a vertical part 46 of frame 40. At its bottom end 41 the frame is mounted on a floor F. The cylinder thus acts with respect to the floor F.

[ 27 ] When the hydraulic cylinder is powered so that its internal pressure is increased, the cylinder top end 22 moves upwards and lifts the ballast weight, which causes the object O to be lowered. Lowering of ballast weight 30 is achieved by releasing pressure inside the cylinder, which causes the object O to be lifted. The hydraulic pressure inside cylinder 20 is controlled and powered by controller unit 23.

[ 28 ] The control 23 is provided with a quick release button 23a. Pushing the emergency quick release button 23a causes the hydraulic pressure within the hydraulic cylinder to be very quickly released. This causes the cylinder to shorten and the ballast weight 30 to be lowered fast, which causes a rapid lifting of object O. Another quick release mechanism can be provided by a mechanical release connection (not shown) at the top end 22 of the cylinder and the ballast weight 30. More types of quick release mechanisms can be envisioned as well. More than one quick release mechanism can be provided as an additional safety measure.

[ 29 ] The hoisting system can be used in an emergency system training set up, as is shown in the figure for a training system for helicopter crashes. The objectO resembles a helicopter cabin. During a training the helicopter cabin O is lowered into a water basin B to simulate a helicopter crash in water. Persons inside the cabin are trained for escaping from the helicopter cabin after such a crash. However, something may go wrong during the training. In that case the quick release mechanism can be operated so that the helicopter cabin is rapidly lifted from the water basin through gravity action on the ballast weight linked to the cabin, and accidents during training can be avoided.

Claims

1. A hoisting system (1) comprising - a hoisting cable (10) suitable for coupling to an object (O); - an actuator (20) constructed and arranged for acting on the hoisting cable such as to allow lifting and lowering of the object, when the object is coupled to the hoisting cable; and - a ballast weight (30) linkable to the object such that a weight of the ballast weight acts on the object to lift the object and the object is lifted by the ballast weight.

2. The hoisting system according to claim 1, wherein the actuator (20) is releasably linked to the hoisting cable (10) such that the ballast weight (30) is linked to the object (O) to lift the object upon release of the actuator.

3. The hoisting system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the ballast weight (30) is coupled to the hoisting cable (10) such that the ballast weight rises in case the object (O) lowers and the ballast weight lowers in case the object rises.

4. The hoisting system according to the preceding claim, wherein the actuator (20) is coupled to the ballast weight (30) to allow lifting and lowering of the ballast weight for lowering and lifting, respectively, of the object (O).

6. The hoisting system according to the preceding claim, wherein the actuator (20) is configured as a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder (30) acting on the ballast weight (30).

6. The hoisting system according to the preceding claim, wherein the cylinder (20) acts on the ballast weight (30) to lift the ballast weight when the cylinder is powered.

7. The hoisting system according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the cylinder (20) acts in the vertical direction.

8. The hoisting system according to the preceding claim, wherein a bottom side (21) of the cylinder (20) is attached to a frame (40) of the hoisting system (1).

9. The hoisting system according to any one ofthe preceding claims, wherein a pulley arrangement (31) is connected to the ballast weight and a cable suitable for coupling to the object (0) is guided over the pulley arrangement, the pulley arrangement comprising multiple pulleys (30a, 30b) so as to provide for a reduction ratio.

10. The hoisting system according to the preceding claim, wherein the hoisting cable (10) is guided over the pulley arrangement (31).

11. The hoisting system according to any one of the preceding two claims, wherein the pulley arrangement (31) is connected to a frame (40) of the hoisting system (1).

12. An emergency situation training system for an enclosure in a water basin, the enclosure being suited to hold persons and the training system comprising a hoisting system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the object (O) is the enclosure suited to hold persons.

13. A helicopter emergency situation training system for a helicopter cabin, comprising the training system according to the preceding claim, wherein the object (0) or the enclosure is the helicopter cabin.