SE1750899A1

SE1750899A1 - A system for levelling a load

Info

Publication number: SE1750899A1
Application number: SE1750899A
Authority: SE
Inventors: Jimmy Berggren
Original assignee: Braennstroems Mek Ab
Priority date: 2017-07-07
Filing date: 2017-07-07
Publication date: 2019-01-08
Also published as: WO2019008096A1; SE543661C2; EP3649070A1

Abstract

11 ABSTRACT The present invention relates to a system for levelling a load connected to acrane. The system comprises a housing comprising a hydraulic aggregateand a lifting lug, wherein the housing is configured to be connected to a cranevia the lifting lug, at least two hydraulic cylinders each having afirst end connected to a connecting member, wherein each cylinder isconfigured to be connected to the crane via the connecting member, and asecond end configured to be connected to the load, and wherein the at leasttwo cylinders are hydraulically connected to the hydraulic aggregate, and acontrol unit configured to communicate with and control the hydraulicaggregate, wherein the at least two hydraulic cylinders are configured to beindividually operated to level the load by remote communication with thecontrol unit. The present invention further relates to a method for |eve||ing aload by using the system. (Fig. 1).

Description

A SYSTEM FOR LEVELLING A LOAD Technical field The present invention relates to a system for levelling a load connectedto a crane. The present invention further relates to a method for levelling aload by using the system.

Background artWhen lifting a heavy load, such as building material or elements at a building site, commonly the load is connected to a hook of a crane, therebyallowing the load to be lifted and moved to a desired position.

Although the load may be manoeuvred to this desired position bymeans of the crane, it is a problem that the load may be imbalanced and notlevelled as desired. lt is a further problem, that building elements not beingcorrectly levelled or positioned during mounting to a building underconstruction, require dangerous and difficult manual positioning by workers.Thus, there is a need for efficient levelling of loads connected to a crane.Other examples of a need for efficient levelling of loads relates to loading andunloading of containers.

Levelling of loads may be realised by using a plurality of wiresconnected between the load and the crane, which wires are manuallyadjusted to level the load. However, such levelling suffers from beinginefficient, for example, by being labour intense, dangerous, time consuming,and/or difficult.

Hence, there is a need for an improved system for lifting of loadsconnected to a crane. Especially there is a need for an improved system forlevelling of a load connected to a crane.

Detailed descriptionlt is an object of the present invention to overcome the above problems, and to provide an improved system for levelling of a loadconnected to a crane.

According to a first aspect, this and other objects are achieved by asystem for levelling a load connected to a crane. The system comprises ahousing comprising a hydraulic aggregate and a lifting lug, wherein thehousing is configured to be connected to a crane via the lifting lug. The system further comprises at least two hydraulic cylinders, each having afirst end connected to a connecting member, wherein each cylinder isconfigured to be connected to the crane via the connecting member, and asecond end configured to be connected to the load, and wherein the at leasttwo cylinders are hydraulically connected to the hydraulic aggregate, and acontrol unit configured to communicate with and control the hydraulicaggregate, wherein the at least two hydraulic cylinders are configured to beindividually operated to level the load by remote communication with thecontrol unit.

By means of the system, efficient levelling of a load lifted by a crane isrealised. The system may be used and attached to a load hook of a cranewithout the need for adapting or rebuilding parts of the crane. The systemfurther is mobile and suitable for loads of different sizes and shapes. Thesystem may be used for loads of different sizes and shapes without a needfor rebuilding the system.

The housing provides for protection of the hydraulic aggregate.Further, the housing being comprised by the system allows for a compact andmobile system, and a proximity between the hydraulic cylinders and thehydraulic aggregate obtained thereby allows for an efficient hydraulic system,including short hydraulic tubings. The housing comprising a lifting lug,enables the housing, and the system, to be efficiently lifted by a crane.

The system comprising at least two hydraulic cylinders provides forefficient levelling of a load connected to a crane. Two hydraulic cylinders mayefficiently be used for levelling, for example, an elongated object. More thantwo cylinders may be used also for, for example, efficient levelling of objectshaving extension in two or more dimensions.

The hydraulic cylinders having a first end connected to a connectingmember allows for efficient connection of the hydraulic cylinder to the crane.

The connecting member may be any suitable object for attaching thehydraulic cylinder to the crane. The connecting member may, for example, beselected from a loop, a hook, a lug, and a spring hook. Thereby, efficientattachment to, for example, a load hook is realised. Such an attachment,further realises flexible attachment.

The hydraulic cylinder may be configured to be connected to the cranevia the connecting member by the hydraulic cylinder being directly orindirectly connected to the connecting member. lndirect connecting may bevia, for example, a chain, belt, or wire, or combinations thereof. Such indirect 3 connection provides a flexible connection.

At least two of the at least two hydraulic cylinders may be arranged onopposite sides of the housing.

Hydraulic cylinders arranged on one side of the housing, and hydrauliccylinders arranged on another side of the housing, may be connected toseparate connecting members. Hydraulic cylinders arranged on one side ofthe housing, and hydraulic cylinders arranged on an opposite side of thehousing, may be connected to separate connecting members.

Thereby, the hydraulic cylinders may be efficiently handled andefficiently connected to the crane.

The second end of the hydraulic cylinder may be configured to beconnected to the load via a flexible link. Thereby, the connection mayefficiently be adapted to for example the size of the load.

The flexible link may comprise a fastener configured to be fastened tothe load. The fastener may be, for example, a hook or a loop.

The remote communication may be wire-less. Thereby, a user of thesystem may conveniently control the system from a desired position, and at adistance from the system. The user may avoid contacting the system duringlevelling of the load. Further, the system, and the user, thereby benefits fromavoiding of cables or wires.

The housing may further comprise a chargeable battery. By allowingthe system to comprise a power supply the system is further improved, forexample in terms of improved mobility and handling.

A safety cable may be arranged to extend between the first andsecond ends of the hydraulic cylinders. Thereby safety is improved. Forexample, if one or more of the hydraulic cylinders break, the load would stillbe safely carried by the system.

According to a second aspect, there is provided a method for levellinga load by using a system according the first aspect. The method comprisesconnecting a load hook of a crane to the lifting lug and a connecting member,connecting the load to the second end of the hydraulic cylinders, lifting theload by operating the crane, and, levelling of the load by individually adjustingthe length of stroke of at least one of the at least two hydraulic cylinders. lt is realized that the system for levelling a load, suitably may be forconnecting the load to any suitable type of crane, including, for example,hoisting cranes, derrick cranes, and mobile cranes, and further suitable forbeing connected to, for example, bay, travers or traveling cranes. lt is noted that the disclosure relates to all possible combinations offeatures recited in the claims.

Brief Description of the Drawinqs These and other aspects of the present invention will now be describedin more detail, with reference to the appended drawings showingembodiments of the invention.

Fig. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a system according to anembodiment.

Fig. 2 schematically illustrates a method for leveling a load by using asystem according to embodiments.

As illustrated in the figures, the sizes of parts and portions for examplemay be exaggerated for illustrative purposes and, thus, are provided toillustrate the general structures of embodiments of the present invention. Likereference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

Detailed descriptionThe present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which currently preferredembodiments of the invention are illustrated. This invention may, however, beembodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited tothe embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided forthoroughness and completeness, and fully convey the scope of the inventionto the skilled person.lt will be realised from the descriptions herein that the system according to embodiments provides for efficient levelling of a load connectedto a crane. The system comprising the housing, which in turn comprises thehydraulic aggregate, and the hydraulic cylinders as well as means forconnecting to a crane provides for a movable system which efficiently may beconnected to a crane without a need for rebuilding or adapting the crane. Thehousing comprising the hydraulic aggregate further provides for a compactsystem without long hydraulic connections. lt will be appreciated that thesystem may be used for loads with different sizes and/or shapes withoutrebuilding the system or any of its parts. The system may efficiently be usedfor, for example, adjusting levelling of a load being supported by a craneand/or adjusting a position of a load, for example, during mounting orpositioning of a building element during building work.

An embodiment will now be described with reference to figure 1illustrating a system 1 for levelling a load (not illustrated) connected to acrane (not illustrated). The system 1 comprises a housing 2 comprising ahydraulic aggregate, which aggregate cannot be viewed in the illustrationsince it is obscured by the housing, and a Iifting lug 4. The housing 2 isconfigured to be connected to the crane via the Iifting lug 4. The system 1further comprises at least two hydraulic cylinders 6, each having a first end 8connected to a connecting member 14, 15 wherein each hydraulic cylinder 6is configured to be connected to the crane via the connecting member 14, 15.Each hydraulic cylinder 6 further has a second end 10 configured to beconnected to the load. The at least two hydraulic cylinders 6 are hydraulicallyconnected to the hydraulic aggregate, and a control unit (not illustrated) isconfigured to communicate with and control the hydraulic aggregate, whereinthe at least two hydraulic cylinders 6 are configured to be individuallyoperated to level the load by remote communication with the control unit.

Individual operation of the hydraulic cylinders 6 allows for efficientlevelling. For example, if it is noted that one side or end of the load should beelevated or lowered for desired levelling, one or more hydraulic cylindersadjacent to that side may be operated to lift or lower the load. The hydrauliccylinders may be operated to increase and/or decrease the length of stroke.Thereby, efficient levelling may be achieved. The system further allows forefficient and suitable distribution of weight of the load to the fasteners 22 andthe hydraulic cylinders 6.

The control unit configured to communicate with and control thehydraulic aggregate is arranged and configured in a suitable way as is knownin the art. The hydraulic aggregate is further arranged and configured in asuitable way.

According to an embodiment as illustrated in figure 1, the system maycomprise six hydraulic cylinders 6, of which only four hydraulic cylinders 6a-dcan be seen in the figur 1 and the remaining two hydraulic cylinders areobscured by the housing 2. The at least two hydraulic cylinders 6 may be, forexample, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or more, hydraulic cylinders 6. ln the embodiment, thethree hydraulic cylinders 6 on the side of the housing 2 facing away from aviewer of the illustration are similarly arranged as the hydrauliccylinders 6 a, b, c on the side of the housing 2 facing the viewer. As illustratedin figure 1, the system 1 may comprise a plurality of connectingmembers 14, 15. Hydraulic cylinders 6 arranged on one side of the housing 2, and hydraulic cylinders 6 arranged on another side of the housing 2, may beconnected to separate connecting members 14, 15. Different arrangementsfor connecting hydraulic cylinders 6 to connecting member 14 may be usedwith the system 1. For example, all hydraulic cylinders 6 of the system 1 maybe connected to a single connecting member 14, 15; each hydraulic cylinder 6 of a system 1 may be connected to a separate connectingmember 14, 15; or one or more hydraulic cylinders 6 of a system 1 may beconnected to one connecting member 14, 15 while another one or otherhydraulic cylinders 5 of the same system 1 may be connected to another orother connecting member 14, 15.

As illustrated in figure 1, each hydraulic cylinder 6 may be indirectlyconnected to the connecting member 14, 15 via a chain 18, although it isrealised that the hydraulic cylinders alternatively may be directly connected.Alternative options for indirect couplings includes any suitable means, suchas, for example, a chain, a belt, or a wire, or combinations thereof. The atleast two hydraulic cylinders 6 are hydraulically connected to the hydraulicaggregate. The at least two hydraulic cylinders 6 may be hydraulicallyconnected to the hydraulic aggregate via hydraulic tubes (not illustrated)communicating hydraulic fluid between the hydraulic aggregate and thehydraulic cylinders 6. Any suitable means, such as hydraulic pipings ortubings may be used for this purpose. The hydraulic tubings or pipings maybe arranged through openings 26 of the housing 2 and be connected to thehydraulic cylinders 6. The hydraulic cylinders 6 may be hydraulicallyconnected at their first or second ends.

As further illustrated in figure 1, the second end 10 of the hydrauliccylinders 6 may be configured to be connected to the load via a flexiblelink 16. ln figure 1, the flexible link 16 is illustrated divided in three pieces, butit will be realised that it is for illustrative purposes and that the flexible link 16is intended to be in one consecutive piece. lt will be appreciated that when aload is connected to the system, the flexibility of the flexible link 16 allows thesystem to efficiently adapt or adjust, for example, to meet fastening positionson the load and to adapt to different sizes of the load, without having torebuild the system. The connecting member 14 and/or the hydrauliccylinder 6 being indirectly connected to the connecting member via, forexample, a chain 18 may further provide efficient connection of the system toa load.

An optional link stretcher 20 may be comprised by the system 1. Bymeans of the link stretcher 20, a first rough adjustment may be made beforelevelling or adjusting a load using the hydraulic cylinders 6. Thereby,adjustments exceeding the maximum stroke length of the hydraulic cylindermay be realised.

The flexible link 16 optionally may comprise a fastener 22 configured tobe fastened to the load. As illustrated, the fastener 22 may be a spring hook,but the fastener 22 may be of any suitable type, such as selected from ahook, a loop, and a spring hook.

The load may be any suitable load to be levelled by the system, forexample, building elements, containers, beams, girders or frames.

The lifting lug 4 and connecting member 14, 15 may be connected via,for example, a loop, which loop may be configured to be connected to thecrane. Thereby, improved handling of the system may be realised. Thus, thelifting lug 4 and the connector 14, 15 may be directly or indirectly connectedto a crane.

The housing 2 may be weather protected. For example, the housing 2may have suitable seals and/or protection to avoid rain, snow and/or wind toreach the interior of the housing.

As illustrated in figure 1, at least two of the at least two hydrauliccylinders 6 may be arranged on opposite sides of the housing.

The communication may be wire-less. Wire-less communication maybe realised in any suitable way known in the art.

The housing may further comprise a chargeable battery (notillustrated). Thereby, the system may comprise a power supply for poweringof the system, thus avoiding a need for a power cable connected to thesystem. Suitably, the battery may be comprised in the housing 2.

A safety cable 30 may be arranged to extend between the first andsecond ends 8, 10 of the hydraulic cylinders 6, as illustrated in figure 1. Thelength of the safety cable 30 may equal or exceed the length of the hydrauliccylinder 6 when fully extended, thereby allowing extending the hydrauliccylinder 6 into the full length of the cylinder while providing security forexample if the hydraulic cylinder 6 is malfunctioning or breaks.

The safety cable 30 may be of any suitable type, for example, a chain,a belt, or wire, or combinations thereof.

With reference to figure 2, a method 100 for levelling a load by using asystem 1 according to embodiments of the first aspect will now be discussed.

The method comprises connecting 102 a load hook of a crane to the Iifting lugand a connecting member 14, connecting 104 the load to the second end ofthe hydraulic cylinders, Iifting 108 the load by operating the crane,levelling 110 of the load by individually adjusting the length of stroke of atleast one of the at least two hydraulic cylinders.

Claims

1. A system (1) for levelling a load connected to a crane, the systemcomprising a housing (2) comprising a hydraulic aggregate and a lifting lug (4),wherein the housing (2) is configured to be connected to a crane via the lifting'H9 (4), at least two hydraulic cylinders (6) each having a first end (8)connected to a connecting member (14), wherein each cylinder (6) isconfigured to be connected to the crane via the connecting member (14), anda second end (10) configured to be connected to the load, and wherein the atleast two cylinders (6) are hydraulically connected to the hydraulic aggregate,and a control unit configured to communicate with and control thehydraulic aggregate, wherein the at least two hydraulic cylinders (6) are configured to beindividually operated to level the load by remote communication with thecontrol unit.

2. The system according to anyone of the previous claims, whereinat least two of the at least two hydraulic cylinders (6) are arranged onopposite sides of the housing.

3. The system according to anyone of the previous claims, whereinthe second end (10) of the hydraulic cylinder (6) is configured to beconnected to the load via a flexible link (16).

4. The system according to claim 3, wherein the flexible linkcomprises a fastener configured to be fastened to the load.

5. The system according to anyone of the previous claims, whereinthe communication is wire-less.

6. The system according to anyone of the previous claims, whereinthe housing further comprises a chargeable battery.

7. The system according to anyone of the previous claims, wherein asafety cable is arranged to extend between the first and secondends (8, 10) of the hydraulic cylinders (6).

8. A method for levelling a load by using a system according toanyone of the previous claims, the method comprising connecting a load hook of a crane to the lifting lug and a connectingmember, connecting the load to the second end of the hydraulic cylinders, lifting the load by operating the crane, and |eve||ing of the load by individually adjusting the length of stroke of atleast one of the at least two hydraulic cylinders.