US2027506A - Handling apparatus - Google Patents

Description

1936- N. P. E. ANDERSEN HANDLING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 10, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet l 5 J0 INVENTOR.

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6.153140, 77 mm V ATTORNEY} Patented Jan. 14, 1936 UNITED STATES FATENT OFFICE HANDLING APPARATUS Application December 10, 1934, Serial No. 756,731

18 Claims.

This invention relates to a special type of crane equipment particularly designed and adapted for handling extremely heavy objects which operate in such crowded quarters that 5 very small clearances are available when handling the objects. Usually also the heavy objects contemplated must be accurately positioned or spotted especially when being assembled.

For example, in hydroelectric power plants,

H) such as the one now in course of construction at Boulder Dam, electric generators are positioned well above the turbines which'are disposed a substantial distance below the generators and have their turbine wheels suspended L; from a bearing adjacent the rotor which takes the vertical load of the system. An appreciation of the massiveness of the apparatus may be gained by bearing in mind that the rotors of the generators weight approximately six hundred :50 tons, the turbine wheels are some seventy-five feet below the generators, and the shaft which suspends the turbine wheel is made up of sections each weighing of the order of some thirty tons. The meeting ends of the shaft sections are 1 15 flanged and in the assembly the flanges are bolted together. Furthermore, the construction; is such that when the sections are unbolted and all but the uppermost section lowered as far as they may be, there is only approximately a one- 30 inch clearance between the lower end of the uppermost section and the upper end of the next lower section. To maintain said next lower section clear of the other shaft section with such a small clearance available and then move it 35 laterally away from said other shaft sections give rise to diflicult handling problems.

In hydroelectric plants of this character a great many generator turbine sets are employed and are spaced from each other along the power house at the proper level. The shaft sections removed are transferred laterally to an adjacent hatchway, released from the special crane and lifted up through the hatchway by an overhead crane operating above.

From the foregoing it will be understood that one object of the invention is to provide a handling apparatus or special type of crane capable durable construction and so constituted as to be readily and easily controlled.

Other objects and advantages reside in certain novel features of the construction, arrangement and combination of parts which will be herein,-

after more fully described and particularly pointed out in the appended claims, reference being had tothe accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and in which:

Figure l is a diagrammatic View in elevation illustrating one embodiment of the present invention positioned in engagement with a shaft section to be handled;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the grapple element of the apparatus;

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic view partly in transverse vertical section and partly in end elevation further illustrating the crane or apparatus embodying the present invention; and

Figure 4 is a diagrammatic view of the parallel link motion.

Referring to the drawings, it will be seen that the invention proposes the use of a crane designated generally at C. The crane C has the usual end trucks I, the wheels 2 of which ride on rails 3. The end trucks are cross connected by any conventional or suitable girders 4. Rails 5 extend along the girders 4 and provide a track for trolleys 6 from which a grapple l is suspended by cables 8. Any type of grapple may be employed, the one shown being especially adapted for use under the conditions which the specific embodiment illustrated has been designed. However, as the grapple 1 forms no part of the invention claimed, it will not further be described and may be taken as corresponding in function to a hook. It may be said that when the trolleys 6 are employed the special type of grapple, which forms the subject matter of the present invention, is removed from the crane. It is not necessary, however, to remove the trol leys 6 at any time in order for the special type of grapple to function.

This special type of grapple is designated generally at G and comprises frame members designated at 9 and H) which are disposed in spaced parallel relation and are supported for shifting movement on the crane girders 4.

The frame members 9 and ID are of identical construction and each comprises a pair of I-beams I secured together in spaced parallel relation by suitable spacers and fastening devices, the fastening devices being rivets or bolts and nuts and the spacers being plates or blocks. The frame members 9 and H! are constrained to corresponding motion by a parallel link arrangement comprising a link I5 havings its ends pivotally interconnected with the frame members in the rearward ends thereof as indicated at I6, and a link disposed adjacent to the forward ends of the frame members and pivotally interconnected therewith as indicated at I8. The link I5 is pivoted at its center to one of the crane girders 4 by a king pin Hi. The frame members 9 and it are positioned on the crane girders that the forward end portions 20 thereof project beyond one of the crane girders. On these projecting end portions 20 hydraulic jacks designated generally at 2| are secured, the jacks including a cylinder 22 and a piston or plunger 23, the upper end portion of which is reduced.

At this point it should be understood that the grapple G is initially spotted or positioned first by movement of the crane itself so as to bring the centers of the upper reduced ends 23 of the jack plungers into co-incidence with a line passing through these centers and through the axis of the shaft 30. The next movement to be imparted to the forward end of the special grapple and particularly to the upper reduced ends 23 of the jacks is one along the line passing through the axis of the shaft and laterally with respect to the shaft in order that the upper reduced ends of the jacks may be symmetrically positioned on the pitch circle of the coupling bolts connecting the vertical turbine shaft sections. This means that the centers of the plungers of the jacks are symmetrically disposed with respect to the axes of the turbine shaft and that the point midway between these jack plunger centers is co-axial with the turbine shaft center.

For effecting the latter motion suitable means is provided for shifting the special grapple about its king bolt l9. This means must be so constituted as to exert a lateral or sideways thrust on the special grapple near the forward end thereof, and is shown as comprising oppositely disposed fluid pressure motors 50 and 5|, the movement elements of which are operatively interconnected with the frame members 9 and In so that these motors not only act to shift the special grapple in the manner mentioned but also to hold it in the position to which it is shifted. The particular characteristics of the means employed for exerting the lateral thrust or sideway movement is not material. Instead of fluid pressure motors 59 and 5| screws or any other suitable instrumentality may be employed.

After the jacks have been positioned in the manner described, it becomes necessary to effect angular or circumferential alinement of the centers of the jack plungers with the centers of bolt holes which connect the sections. It will be understood that before such circumferential or angular shifting diametrically opposite bolts are removed in order to provide for the insertion of the reduced ends of the jack plungers thereinto. The upper reduced ends of the jack plungers are adapted to fit into the bolt holes without any appreciable amount of play.

For shifting the side frame members 9 and IE! suitable means such as fluid pressure motors or screws designated generally at 24 and 25 are provided. These motors are of identical construction and each comprises a cylinder 2% pivotally interconnected with the side frame members, preferably with the pivots I8 of the link Reciprocable in the cylinders 25 are pistons 27, the rods 28 of which are pivotally interconnected with the rear end of the special grapple which may be king pin I9. Obviously, the manner in which this motion is imparted to the side frame members of the special grapple may be Widely varied. Suitable valve controlled means is provided for supplying fluid under pressure to the jacks 2| and to the cylinders of the fluid pressure motors and By operating the motors 24 and 25 the frame members 9 and I0 may be moved back and forth and when they so move their outer end portions move in the arc of a circle and move in opposite directions due to the action of the parallel link arrangement.

When fluid pressure is supplied to the jacks 2| their plungers are elevated.

As previously indicated, the present invention in'the embodiment illustrated is designed for use in handling the heavy shaft sections of turbine generator sets of a hydroelectric plant. In

Figures 1 and 3 the shaft of such set is designated generally at S and the invention is shown in the operation of removing section 3!} of this shaft. The sections of the shaft have flanged ends 3| which, in the assembly, abut and are secured together by a circumferential series of bolts.

The shafts extend down through vertical well; or openings in the dam. Quite a number of turbine generator sets are provided on a dam of this character and they are, of course, a corpose of allowing the shaft sections or other I of the turbine removed for purposes of replacement or repair to be taken to the proper level of the power house of the dam.

which the crane C rides are fixed on snotuders 32 of the tunnel T.

If it is desired to remove the section 30, the crane is run over until the jacks ti on the projecting ends 20 of the grapple G are supported or positioned beneath the upper flange 3| of the shaft section 30. Diametrically opposite bolts are removed from the flanges 3| and the motors 24, 25, 5D and 5| operated to the extent neces sary to aline the upper reduced ends of the jack plunger 23 with the bolt holes from which the bolts have been removed. Fluid under pressure is then supplied to the jacks 2| to cause the r plungers to elevate and engage and support the section 30. The remaining bolts connecting the flanges 3| of the section 30 and the shaft sec-- tion overlying the same are then removed. jacks 2! may now be lowered through the distance allowed, which, in the instance cited, approximately one inch. Thereupon the bolts connecting the lower flange 3| of the section 30 With the next lowermost shaft section are then The removed and the jacks 2| are then elevated sufficiently to free the section 30 of the other shaft sections. The crane C is then backed away carrying the shaft section 30 with it until this shaft section is located in one of the intermediate hatchways where it is positioned to be pickedup by a crane operating at the proper level in the power house and raised to the desired point. A reversal of the operation is involved in the assembly of the section 30 with the other sections. The other shaft sections and parts of the turbine may be conveniently elevated following removal of the section 3|] by means of the trolleys 6 and their grapples 1 and, of course, such operating requires the removal of the grapple G.

While I have shown and described one construction in which my invention may be advantageously embodied, it is to be understood that this construction has been selected merely forthe purposes of illustration or example and that various changes in the size, shape and arrangement of the parts may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

The invention claimed is:

1. A machine for handling heavy objects in crowded quarters and comprising a crane, and a grapple on the crane consisting of a pair of frame members having end portions projecting beyond the frame and adapted to straddle the object to be handled, jacks on said end portions for engaging said object, a parallel link motion interconnecting the frame members and means for shifting the frame members relative to the crane.

2. A machine for handling heavy objects in crowded quarters and comprising a mobile support and a grapple on said support including a pair of frame members having portions projectbeyond the mobile frame member and adapted to straddle the object to be handled, means on said projecting ends for engaging the object, said frame members being shiftable with respect to said mobile frame, a parallel link motion for controlling the movement of which the frame members may partake, one of said links being pivotally interconnected with the mobile frame members, and means for shifting said frame members, and including a fluid pressure motor having one of its elements pivotally interconnected with a pivotal connection between one of said links and the mobile frame members and having the other of its elements pivotally interconnected with the connection between the other link and one of the frame members.

3. In combination with a crane having end trucks and girders extending between and supported on said end trucks, a grapple comprising frame members slidably supported on said girders and projecting beyond the same, parallel links pivotally interconnecting said frame members, means for pivotally interconnecting one of said links and one of said crane girders, and hydraulic jacks mounted on the outer ends of sa d frame members.

4-. In combination with a crane having end trucks and girders extending between and supported on said end trucks, a grapple comprising frame members slidably supported on said girders and projecting beyond the same, parallel links extending transversely between and pivotally interconnecting said frame members, means for pivotally interconnecting one of said links and one of said crane girders, the projecting ends of sa'idframe members being adapted to straddle the objects to be handled, and means on said projecting ends for engaging said objects.

5. In combination with a crane having end trucks and girders extending between and supported on said end trucks, a grapple comprising frame members slidably supported on said girders and projecting beyond the same, parallel links extending transversely between and pivotally interconnecting said frame members, means for pivotally interconnecting one of said links and one of said crane girders, the projecting ends of said frame members being adapted to straddle the objects to be handled, and means on said projecting ends for engaging said object, said means being vertically adjustable whereby said object may be elevated with respect to said frame members.

6. In combination with a crane having end trucks and girders extending between and supported on said end trucks, a grapple comprising rigid frame members slidably supported on said girders and projecting beyond the same, means for constraining said frame members to corresponding movement in opposite directions whereby the outer ends thereof may be accurately spotted in an arcuate path, said outer ends being adapted to straddle and engage the object tobe handled.

7. A machine for handling heavy objects in crowded quarters and comprising a mobile support, and a grapple including a pair of frame members supported for horizontal sliding movement on said support, means for shifting said frame members laterally of said support, and means for constraining the outer ends of the frame members to move in arcuate paths in a horizontal plane when the frame: members are shifted longitudinally.

8. A machine for handling heavy objects in crowded quarters and comprising a mobile support, and a grapple including a pair of frame members supported by and for longitudinal. movement relative to said support, the outer ends of said frame members projecting beyond said support and having means to engage an object to be handled. and means for constraining the outer ends of the frame members to move in arcuate paths in a horizontal plane when the frame members are shifted longitudinally.

9. A machine for handling heavy objects in crowded quarters and comprising a mobile support and a grapple including a pair of frame members supported by and for movement relative to said support, the outer ends of said frame members projecting beyond said support and having means to engage an object to be handled, and means for constraining the outer ends of theframe members to move in arcuate paths in a horizontal plane when the frame members are shifted longitudinally and including horizontally disposed parallel links connecting said frame members.

10. A machine for handling heavy objects in crowded quarters and comprising a mobile support and a grapple comprising a pair of frame members supported for horizontal sliding movement on said support, parallel links extending transversely between said frame members and having their ends pivotally connected thereto, one of said links being pivotally connected midway between itsends with said support.

11. A machine for handling heavy objects in crowded quarters and comprising a mobile support and a grapple comprising a pair of frame members supported for horizontal sliding movement on said support, parallel links extending transversely between said frame members and having their ends pivotally connected thereto, said frame members having their outer ends projecting beyond said support and provided with means for engaging an object to be handled, the link remote from the outer ends of the frame members being pivotally connected midway its ends with the support, and means coacting with said frame members for shifting them laterally.

12. A machine for handling heavy objects in crowded quarters and comprising a mobile support and a grapple comprising a pair of frame members supported for horizontal sliding movement on said support, parallel links extending transversely bet-ween said frame members and having their ends pivotally connected thereto, said frame members having their outer ends projecting beyond said support and provided with means for engaging an object to be handled, the link remote from the outer ends of the frame members being pivotally connected midway its ends with the support, and fluid pressure motors coacting with the frame members to cause their outer ends to move in arcuate paths when the frame members are shifted longitudinally and in opposite directions.

13. In combination with a crane having end trucks and cross girders, a grapple comprising a pair of frame members supported on said crane girders for sliding horizontal movement and having their outer ends projecting therebeyond, said outer ends having means for engaging an object to be handled, means coacting with the frame members to constrain their outer ends to move in curved paths and in opposite directions when said frame members are shifted longitudinally, and means for shifting said frame members longitudinally.

14. In combination with a crane having end trucks and cross girders, a grapple comprising a pair of frame members supported on said crane girders for sliding horizontal movement and having their outer ends projecting therebeyond, said outer ends having means for engaging an object to be handled, and a parallel link motion interconnecting said frame members.

15. In combination with a crane having end trucks and cross girders, a grapple comprising a pair of frame members supported on said crane girders for sliding horizontal movement and having their outer ends projecting therebeyond, said outer ends having means for engaging an object to be handled, and a parallel link motion interconnecting said frame members, one of the links of said motion being pivotally interconnected with one of the crane girders for rotary movement about a vertical axis.

16. In combination with a crane having end trucks and cross girders, a grapple comprising a pair of frame members supported on said crane girders for sliding horizontal movement and having their outer ends projecting therebeyond, said outer ends having means for engaging an object to be handled, a parallel link motion interconnecting said frame members, one of the links of said motion being pivotally interconnected with one of the crane girders for rotary movement about a vertical axis, and fluid pressure motors between said last-named pivotal axis and the pivotal connection between the other link of said motion and said frame members.

1'7. In combination with a crane having end trucks and cross girders, a grapple comprising a pair of frame members supported on said crane girders for sliding horizontal movement and having their outer ends projecting therebeyond, said outer ends having means for engaging an object to be handled, a parallel link motion interconnecting said frame members, one of the links of said motion being pivotally interconnected with one of the crane girders for rotary movement about a vertical axis, and fluid pressure motors for shifting the frame members laterally.

18. A machine for handling heavy shaft sections of the type having coupling flanges designed to be bolted together in the shaft assembly and comprising a crane, frame members shiftably supported on the crane and having their outer ends projecting beyond the crane and adapted to straddle a shaft section, flange engaging elements supported by said outer ends, said crane being operable to position said elements so that their centers coincide with a straight line passing therethrough and through the axis of the shaft section being handled, means for shifting the frame members laterally to position said elements with their centers symmetric to the axis of said shaft section and so that a' point midway between their centers is coaxial with the shaft section, and means for moving the outer ends of the frame members in arcuate paths while maintaining the adjustments recited so that the centers of said elements may be alined with the centers of said bolt holes.

NILS PETER ERIK ANDERSEN.

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