WO2020225157A1

WO2020225157A1 - Compact jib crane

Info

Publication number: WO2020225157A1
Application number: PCT/EP2020/062210
Authority: WO
Inventors: Joop Roodenburg
Original assignee: Itrec B.V.
Priority date: 2019-05-03
Filing date: 2020-05-01
Publication date: 2020-11-12
Also published as: NL2023067B1; CN114072350A

Abstract

The invention relates to a crane for use on a vessel, preferably a jack-up vessel, wherein the crane is provided with a jib and a jib gantry, which jib gantry supports the jib at a support end, and which jib gantry is fixed to a hoisting end of a boom of the crane. According to the invention, the jib can be pivoted about a horizontal jib pivot axis between a jib hoisting position and a jib storage position.

Description

Title: compact jib crane

The present invention relates to a crane for use on a vessel, preferably a jack-up vessel, wherein the crane comprises a boom, a jib, and a jib gantry. The crane, when located on the vessel, can be used for offshore hoisting, for example for hoisting of parts of offshore wind turbines, for example during installation or maintenance of said wind turbines.

NL2015896 B1 discloses a mast crane for use on a vessel comprising a boom, a pivotable jib, and pivotably supported jib lever arms. The lever arms are configured to support a jib tensioning member which provides leverage for pivoting the jib. Both the jib and the jib lever arms are pivotably connected to the boom. The jib tensioning member extends between the jib and the crane mast and allows for pivoting of the jib.

The present invention aims to provide an alternative crane for use on a vessel. Further the present invention aims to improve on existing cranes by providing a crane that is more compact. Further the present invention aims to provide a compact crane with a comparatively large reach.

The invention therefore provides a crane according to claim 1.

According to the invention, a crane for use on a vessel, preferably a jack-up vessel, comprises:

- a pedestal to be mounted to, or formed integral with, the vessel;

- a crane housing which is rotationally supported by the pedestal for rotation of the crane housing relative to the pedestal about a vertical rotation axis;

- a boom, the boom having an pivot end, a mid-section, and a hoisting end opposite the pivot end of the boom, wherein the boom is supported by the crane housing, so that the boom can rotate about the vertical rotation axis, and wherein the pivot end of the boom is pivotably connected to the crane housing, so that the boom is pivotable up and down about a horizontal boom pivot axis; - a boom luffing assembly, comprising a boom luffing cable and a boom luffing winch, wherein the boom luffing cable extends from the boom luffing winch to the hoisting end of the boom, for pivoting the boom about the pivot axis;

- a main hoisting assembly comprising a main hoisting winch, a main hoisting cable, and a main load suspension device, wherein the main hoisting cable extends from the main hoisting winch via at least one sheave located at a main hoisting point to the main load suspension device;

- a jib gantry, the jib gantry having a support end, a mid-section, and a luffing end opposite the support end of the jib gantry, wherein the jib gantry is fixed to the hoisting end of the boom such that the support end and the luffing end of the jib gantry are located at opposite sides of the boom, preferably the support end and the luffing end of the jib gantry are each located away from the boom;

- a jib, the jib having a pivot end, a mid-section, and a hoisting end opposite the pivot end of the jib, wherein the pivot end of the jib is pivotably connected to the support end of the jib gantry, so that the jib is pivotable about a horizontal jib pivot axis between a jib hoisting position and a jib storage position;

- a secondary hoisting assembly comprising a secondary hoisting winch, a secondary hoisting cable, and a secondary load suspension device, wherein the secondary hoisting cable extends from the secondary hoisting winch via at least one sheave located on a secondary hoisting point, which is preferably located at the hoisting end of the jib, to the secondary load suspension device; and

- a jib luffing assembly, comprising a jib luffing cable and a jib luffing winch, wherein the jib luffing cable extends from the luffing winch to the hoisting end of the jib, for pivoting the jib about the jib pivot axis between the jib hoisting position and the jib storage position.

The crane according to the invention has a gantry structure formed by the jib gantry, the jib, and the jib luffing wires. The jib allows the boom to be shorter while not reducing the reach of the crane, thus making the crane lighter and more compact. According to the invention, the jib gantry not pivotably mounted to the boom, but is fixed to the hoisting end of the boom and is rigid relative to the boom. Thus, the invention provides an alternative crane. An advantage of a rigid connection between the boom and the jib gantry is that there is no need for additional structures, such as cables, rods, or chains extending from the jib gantry to e.g. the crane housing, to support and/or pivot the jib gantry. The absence of such structures makes the crane more compact. Additionally the connection between the jib gantry and the boom is stronger providing more stability during hoisting and transport.

Furthermore, the jib gantry being fixed to the top end of the boom allows for the jib to be folded towards the jib gantry, more in particular towards the boom. Providing the boom with a fixed jib gantry thus allows for a jib storage position in which the jib is located at the top end of the boom, and points in an upward direction.

Thus, when a jib according to the invention is to be pivoted into a jib storage position, the jib luffing wires are veered in and the jib, more in particular the hoisting end of the jib, is pivoted away from a hoisting side of the boom. Thus, when the crane is in a crane storage position, the boom preferably extends in a substantially horizontal direction and the jib points upward, towards the deck of the vessel.

This in contrast with prior art cranes, a jib is typically lowered into a storage positon, i.e. the luffing wires are veered out such that the hoisting end of the jib is pivoted towards the hoisting side of the boom. Thus, when the crane is in a crane storage position, the boom extends in a substantially horizontal direction and the jib points downward, towards the deck of the vessel.

Therefore, the invention provides the crane with a compact storage configuration.

Preferably, the jib, when in the jib storage position is substantially perpendicular relative to the boom. In such an embodiment, the crane allows for a storage positon in which the boom is substantially horizontal, while the jib does not, or not significantly extend the length of the boom in the horizontal direction.

Furthermore, due to the jib being pivoted towards the boom when in the jib storage position, the extension of the jib relative to the boom, i.e. in the vertical direction is limited compared to prior art cranes in which the jib is pivoted away from the boom in the storage positon. This is in particular the case when the jib gantry is fixed to the boom at the mid section of the jib gantry, or even at the luffing end of the jib gantry.

Thus, the invention provides the crane with a compact storage configuration. The crane according to the invention is adapted to be used on a vessel, preferably a jack up vessel. The vessel may comprise one or more cranes according to the invention. The vessel may be used in offshore hoisting operations, such as hoisting of wind turbines, oil rig parts, or for hoisting other loads.

The crane comprises a stationary pedestal which is to be mounted to or formed integral with the vessel. For example the stationary pedestal is mounted on a deck of the vessel, or, in case of a jack-up vessel, preferably around a leg of the jack-up vessel, for example, around a front leg of the jack-up vessel. The stationary pedestal supports the weight of the crane and of a load carried by the crane.

The crane further comprises a crane housing which is rotationally supported by the stationary pedestal. This allows for rotation of the crane housing relative to the pedestal about a vertical rotation axis. For example when the stationary pedestal is placed around a leg of the jack-up vessel, the crane housing is rotatable about the leg of the jack-up vessel and the vertical rotation axis is located near a centre of the leg of the jack-up vessel.

The crane further comprises a boom which has an pivot end, a mid-section, and an hoisting end opposite the pivot end. The boom is supported by the crane housing, so that the boom is rotatable about the vertical rotation axis. Additionally, the boom is pivotably connected to the crane housing so that the boom can pivot about a horizontal pivot axis. The boom can thus be lowered into a boom storage position and be lifted into a boom hoisting position, wherein the boom hoisting position may comprise different hoisting positions, i.e. may comprise several hoisting positions where the boom is orientated with different angles relative to the horizontal, i.e. a deck of a vessel. For example, the boom may in a first hoisting position extend relative to the horizontal at an angle of 40 degrees and in a second hoisting position extend relative to the horizontal at an angle of 60 degrees.

The boom may be a lattice boom having a lattice structure which provides stability and stiffness to the boom.

The boom may further be a double boom having a first mid-section with a first pivot end and a second mid-section with a second pivot end. Both the first pivot end and the second end are pivotably connected to the crane housing such that the double boom can pivot about the horizontal pivot axis. According to the invention a jib gantry is fixed to the hoisting end of the boom such that the jib gantry cannot move relative to the boom. For example the jib gantry is welded or bolted to the hoisting end of the boom. The jib gantry has a support end, a mid-section, and a luffing end opposite the support end of the jib gantry. The jib gantry is fixed to the hoisting end of the boom preferably such that the support end and the luffing end are located at opposite sides of the boom.

The jib gantry is fixed to the boom such that the jib gantry extends at an angle relative to the boom. Thus, the jib gantry has a longitudinal axis that extends between the support end and the luffing end, which longitudinal axis extends at perpendicular to the boom pivot axis and at angle with the boom. In an embodiment, the angle enclosed by the longitudinal axis of the jib and the longitudinal axis of the boom , is in the range of 80 - 140 degrees, preferably is in the range of 90 - 130 degrees. In an embodiment the jib gantry is mounted substantially perpendicular to the boom, i.e at an angle of 90 degrees.

The jib gantry may be fixed to the boom at the mid-section of the jib gantry. In another embodiment the jib gantry may be fixed at or near the support end of the jib gantry. In yet another embodiment the jib gantry may be fixed at or near the luffing end of the jib gantry.

The jib gantry may comprise a lattice structure to provide stability and stiffness to the jib gantry.

In an embodiment, the support end and the luffing end of the jib gantry are each located away from the boom. Thus, in such an embodiment, the opposite ends of the jib gantry are located remote from the boom, and on opposite sides of the boom. The luffing end is located on the top side of the boom, also referred to as the luffing side of the boom, and the support end of the gantry is located on the down side of the boom, also referred to as the hoisting side of the boom.

The boom is pivoted about the pivot axis by a luffing assembly. The luffing assembly comprises a luffing cable and a luffing winch. The luffing cable extends from the luffing winch towards the boom, for example towards the hoisting end of the boom, or towards the jib gantry, for instance towards the luffing end of the jib gantry. The luffing winch may be located on the crane housing, on the stationary pedestal, or in any other suitable location.

The crane according to the invention further comprises a main hoisting assembly which comprises a main hoisting winch, a main hoisting cable, and a main load suspension device. The main hoisting cable extends from the main hoisting winch via at least one sheave located at a main hoisting point to the main load suspension device. The main hoisting point may be located at or near the hoisting end of the boom, or at or near the support end of the jib gantry. The load suspension device is used to suspend loads from the crane. For example, the load suspension device may comprise a hook.

The crane further comprises a jib which is pivotably connected to the support end of the jib gantry so that the jib is pivotable about a horizontal jib pivot axis between a jib hoisting position and a jib storage position. The jib comprises a pivot end, which is connected to the jib gantry, and a hoisting end, which is located opposite the pivot end of the jib. The jib may be placed in the jib hoisting position when near or at a hoisting location and in the jib storage position when the vessel is moving between hoisting locations.

When the crane according to the invention is in a crane storage position, the boom of the crane is in the boom storage position and the jib of the crane is in the jib storage position. When the crane is in a crane hoisting position at least the boom is in a boom hoisting position. Preferably, when the crane is in the crane hoisting position, the boom is in the boom hoisting position and the jib is in the jib hoisting position.

The hoisting position of the jib may comprise several hoisting positions where the jib is orientated with different angles relative to the jib gantry structure. For example, the jib may in a first hoisting position extend relative to the jib gantry at an angle of 45 degrees and in a second hoisting position extend relative to the jib gantry at an angle of 70 degrees.

The jib may comprise a lattice structure to provide stability and stiffness to the jib. Providing the crane with a pivotably jib enhances the reach of the crane. In its hoisting positions the jib provides a reach beyond the length of the boom.

A secondary hoisting assembly is provided which comprises a secondary hoisting winch, a secondary hoisting cable, and a secondary load suspension device. The secondary hoisting cable extends from the secondary hoisting winch via at least one sheave, which is located on a secondary hoisting point to the secondary load suspension device. The secondary hoisting point is preferably located near the hoisting end of the jib so that full use can be made of the full length of the combined jib and boom. This increases a range of the crane, specifically of the secondary hoisting assembly. The jib is pivoted about a jib pivot axis by a luffing assembly. The jib luffing assembly comprises a jib luffing cable and a jib luffing winch. The jib luffing cable extends from the luffing winch to the hoisting end of the jib, for pivoting the jib about the jib pivot axis.

Preferably, the luffing wires extend between the jib and the luffing winch via the luffing end of the jib gantry, or the luffing winch is mounted on the jib gantry at the luffing and thereof.

The jib luffing wires extend between the jib and the luffing end of the jib gantry for pivoting the jib between the jib hoisting position and the jib storage position. Preferably the jib luffing wires extend from the hoisting end of the jib for allowing efficient pivoting of the jib.

The crane according to the invention has a gantry structure formed by the jib gantry, the jib, and the jib luffing wires. The jib allows the boom to be shorter while not reducing the reach of the crane, thus making the crane lighter and more compact. According to the invention, the jib gantry is fixed to the hoisting end of the boom and is rigid relative to the boom. An advantage of a rigid connection between the boom and the jib gantry is that there is no need for additional structures, such as cables, rods, or chains extending from the jib gantry to e.g. the crane housing, to support and/or pivot the jib gantry. The absence of such structures makes the crane more compact. Additionally the connection between the jib gantry and the boom is stronger providing more stability during hoisting and transport.

The jib gantry being fixed to the top end of the boom allows for the jib to be folded towards the jib gantry, more in particular towards the boom. Providing the boom with a fixed jib gantry thus allows for a jib storage position in which the jib is located at the top end of the boom, and is substantially perpendicular relative to the boom. Thus, the invention provides the crane with a compact storage configuration.

Thus, when a jib according to the invention is to be pivoted into a jib storage position, the jib luffing wires are veered in and the jib, more in particular the hoisting end of the jib, is pivoted towards the jib gantry and away from a hoisting side of the boom. Thus, when the crane is in a crane storage position, the boom extends in a substantially horizontal direction and the jib points upwards, away from the deck of the vessel.

This in contrast with prior art cranes, in which a jib is typically lowered into a storage positon, i.e. the luffing wires are veered out such that the hoisting end of the jib is pivoted towards the hoisting side of the boom. Thus, when the crane is in a crane storage position, the boom extends in a substantially horizontal direction and the jib points downward, towards the deck of the vessel.

In an embodiment, the jib gantry according to the invention is located at the hoisting end of the boom where it is fixed and where it extends from the boom, in two opposite directions. Thus, the crane according to the invention makes efficient use of the location of the jib gantry.

By extending the gantry on opposite sides of the boom, such that both the support end of the gantry and the luffing end of the gantry are spaced from the boom, the reach of the jib gantry relative to the boom is reduced. Having a smaller extension of the jib gantry is advantageous because a large extension of the jib gantry makes the crane less stable and less compact. Additionally, by supporting the jib at a support end of the jib gantry that is space relative to the boom, the reach of the jib, and thus the crane, is extended.

The crane of the invention comprises a main hoisting assembly, the hoisting wire of which is supported at the top end of boom, and a secondary hoisting assembly, the hoisting wire of which is supported at the top end of the jib, which may be adapted for hoisting different loads. For example, heavier loads are hoisted by the main hoisting assembly whereas lighter loads are hoisted by the secondary hoisting assembly. This allows lighter loads to be hoisted to greater heights. This is advantageous in the hoisting of offshore wind turbines since a wind turbine blade, or wick, generally has to be hoisted to a greater height than a heavier nacelle, comprising for example gearing and a dynamo.

In an embodiment, the jib, when in the jib storage position, is substantially perpendicular to the boom. This allows for a compact crane storage position, in which crane storage position the boom is in a substantially horizontal position, i.e. extends in a substantially horizontal direction. It is submitted that large cranes, i.e. cranes with a long boom, for example cranes used for wind turbine installation, typically have a crane storage positon in which the boom is lowered into a substantially horizontal positon, in which the boom extends in the longitudinal direction of the vessel. According to the invention, positioning the jib in a jib storage position in which it extends substantially perpendicular to the boom thus allows for a crane storage position in which the length of the crane, i.e. in the horizontal direction, is not substantially extended by the jib. Positioning the jib in this jib storage positon is enabled by fixing the jib gantry to the boom.

In a further embodiment the jib is located substantially adjacent and parallel to the jib gantry when the jib is in the jib storage position. Is such an embodiment, the jib gantry preferably extends in a direction perpendicular to the boom. Allowing the jib to be positioned parallel and adjacent to the jib gantry provides an extra compact configuration.

In a further embodiment, the jib, when in the jib storage position, is substantially

perpendicular to the boom.

In the jib storage position the jib is aligned with the jib gantry by pivoting the jib about the horizontal pivot axis. The secondary load suspension device may be secured when the jib is in the jib storage position. For example the secondary load suspension device is secured to the tip of the jib by a cable or by a chain when the jib is in the jib storage position.

When the vessel is moving between hoisting locations the jib is secured in the jib storage position. On a vessel space is a limited commodity hence effort should be made to reduce the size of the crane on the vessel, in particular when the vessel is moving between hoisting locations. Having the jib adjacent and parallel to the jib gantry reduces the total size of the jib and gantry structure. Furthermore the gantry structure comprising the jib gantry, the jib luffing wires and the jib in jib storage position occupies minimal space. When the jib gantry is fixed perpendicularly to the hoisting end of the boom, this allows for a gantry structure that is smaller when projected on a deck of the vessel thus having a smaller footprint on the deck of the vessel. Overall this leads to a crane with a large reach because of its jib, combined with a compact storage space.

In an embodiment, the jib luffing winch is mounted on the jib gantry, preferably is mounted at the luffing end of the jib gantry, for pivoting the jib between the jib hoisting position and the jib storage position. This allows for short luffing wires, and thus for a compact jib luffing assembly. In an alternative embodiment, the luffing winch is on the boom of the crane.

In an embodiment, the jib gantry is provided with a jib stop, and wherein the jib is pulled by the jib luffing assembly against the jib stop when in the jib storage position, for securing the jib in the jib storage position. In such an embodiment, the jib can be pulled against the jib gantry, more in particular against the jib stop provided on the jib gantry, and thus can be stored in a position close to the top end, more in particular the hoisting end, of the boom. In an embodiment, the jib stop extends relative to the jib, to position the jib parallel to the gantry when in the jib storage positon, or to prevent the jib from being inclined towards the jib gantry, when in the jib storage position.

Thus, the jib is configured to engage the jib stop when in the jib storage position. In an embodiment, the jib is provided with a jib stop engagement structure, for cooperating with the jib stop, which jib stop engagement structure is mounted on the jib, and extends away from the jib, such that it positions the jib relative to the jib stop when the jib is in the jib storage positon. In such an embodiment, the jib stop and the jib stop engagement structure are configured to cooperate, and to position the jib, relative to the jib gantry, when in the jib storage position. The jib stop engagement structure can thus be used position the jib parallel to the gantry when in the jib storage positon, or to prevent the jib from being inclined towards the jib gantry, when in the jib storage position.

In an embodiment the main hoisting point is located at the support end of the jib gantry, which support end is located away from the top end of the boom. Hence the main load suspension device is located directly under the support end of the jib gantry and space from the top end of the boom. This creates distance between the main load suspension device and the boom, in particular when the jib gantry is fixed to the boom at its mid section or even at its luffing end, thus allowing hoisting of loads with more different sizes. In particular this embodiment allows for the hoisting of more voluminous loads even when the boom is orientated relatively vertical. This reduces probability of hitting the boom with a load during hoisting. The jib gantry is capable of supporting a load during hoisting since the jib gantry is fixed to the hoisting end of the boom. Advantageously the jib gantry is fixed to the hoisting end of the boom with the mid-section of the jib gantry.

In an embodiment the crane comprises a locking mechanism for locking the jib in the jib storage position. The locking mechanism may comprise a clamp for clamping the jib which is connected to the jib gantry. In the jib storage position of the jib the clamp clamps the jib such that the jib is unable to move creating a safer situation when the jib is in the jib storage position. Preferably, the locking mechanism is configured for securing the jib to the jib gantry, preferably for securing the jib to a jib stop mounted on the jib gantry.

In an embodiment the boom of the crane may be placed in a boom storage position during transport between hoisting locations. In the boom storage position the boom is substantially horizontal relative to a deck of the vessel. In this position the jib gantry preferably is substantially vertical and thus it has a smaller footprint on the deck of the vessel.

Advantageously the jib is adjacent and parallel to the jib gantry when in the jib storage position such that the jib, when in the jib storage position, has a smaller footprint on the deck of the vessel. Thus, these embodiments further allow for a compact storage configuration of the crane.

In an embodiment, the jib comprises an A-frame, the A-frame comprising a left jib section and a right jib section, each jib section comprising a pivot end, a mid section and a hoist end, and wherein the two jib sections are joined at the hoist ends, and are spaced relative to each other at the pivot ends.

In such an embodiment the jib thus comprises a left jib pivot end connected to a left jib mid section and a right jib pivot end connected to a right jib mid-section, both the left jib pivot end and the right jib pivot end are pivotably connected to the support end of the jib gantry. In an embodiment, the left jib mid-section and the right jib-mid section are connected to each other in the hoisting end of the jib. A jib comprising an A-frame, or a left jib pivot end connected to a left jib mid-section and a right jib pivot end connected to a right jib mid-section, provides more stability.

It is submitted that in such an embodiment, the jib gantry may comprise a left jib gantry section, and a right jib gantry section, supporting the left jib section and the right jib section respectively, and/or may be located between the two jib pivot ends.

The invention further relates to a vessel comprising a crane according to one or more of claims 1-8.

The invention further relates to a vessel, preferably a jack-up vessel, comprising a crane, comprising:

- a deck;

- a pedestal mounted to, or formed integral with, the vessel;

- a boom, the boom having an pivot end, a mid-section, and a hoisting end opposite the pivot end of the boom, wherein the boom is supported by the crane housing, so that the boom can rotate about the vertical rotation axis, and wherein the pivot end of the boom is pivotably connected to the crane housing, so that the boom is pivotable up and down about a horizontal boom pivot axis;

- a boom luffing assembly, comprising a boom luffing cable and a boom luffing winch, wherein the boom luffing cable extends from the boom luffing winch to the hoisting end of the boom, for pivoting the boom about the pivot axis; - a main hoisting assembly comprising a main hoisting winch, a main hoisting cable, and a main load suspension device, wherein the main hoisting cable extends from the main hoisting winch via at least one sheave located at a main hoisting point to the main load suspension device;

- a jib gantry, the jib gantry having a support end, a mid-section, and a luffing end opposite the support end of the jib gantry, wherein the jib gantry is fixed to the hoisting end of the boom such that the support end and the luffing end are located at opposite sides of the boom, preferably the support end and the luffing end are each located away from the boom;

In an embodiment of the vessel, the jib, in the jib storage position, of the crane is located substantially adjacent and parallel to the jib gantry.

In an embodiment of the vessel, the main hoisting point is located at the support end of the jib gantry, preferably is located away from the top end of the boom.

In an embodiment, the vessel furthermore comprises a boom rest to support the boom of the crane in a boom storage position. Preferably, the boom rest is configured such that the boom extends substantially parallel to the deck of the vessel, i.e. is in a substantially horizontal position, when in the boom storage position. In an embodiment, the jib of the crane, when in the jib storage position, extends substantially perpendicular to a deck of the vessel, i.e. is in a substantially vertical position with the jib pivot end pointing upwards, when the boom is in the boom storage position.

The invention furthermore provides a method for bringing a crane into a crane storage position, using a vessel according to the invention. The method comprises

- lowering, i.e. pivoting downwards, the boom into a boom storage position, in which boom storage position the boom is substantially parallel to the deck of the vessel; and

- lifting, i.e. pivoting upwards, the jib into a jib storage position, in which jib storage position the jib preferably is substantially perpendicular to the deck of the vessel and/or substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the boom .

The invention furthermore provides a method for installing a wind turbine, using a crane according to the invention, or using a vessel according to the invention, the method comprising the steps:

- lifting a nacelle into place on top of a wind turbine mast using the boom and the main hoisting assembly; and

- lifting a wind turbine blade into place using the jib and the secondary hoisting assembly.

Advantageous embodiments of the crane according to the invention and the method according to the invention are disclosed in the sub claims and in the description, in which the invention is further illustrated and elucidated on the basis of a number of exemplary embodiments, of which some are shown in the schematic drawing. In the figures, components corresponding in terms or construction and/or function are provided with the same last two digits of the reference numbers.

Whilst primarily presented for illustrative purposes with reference to one or more of the figures, any of the technical features addressed below may be combined with any of the independent claims of this application either alone or in any other technically possible combination with one or more other technical features.

In the drawings

Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of a vessel with a crane according to the invention;

Fig. 2 shows a top end of an embodiment of a crane according to the invention, with a boom in a boom storage position and a jib in a jib storage position;

Fig. 3 shows a top end of an embodiment of a crane according to the invention with a jib in a jib hoisting position; Fig. 4 shows an exemplary embodiment of a crane according to the invention while lifting a nacelle of a wind turbine;

Fig. 5 shows a top end of the crane of Fig. 4 while lifting a blade of a wind turbine; and Fig. 6 shows a top end of a crane of an exemplary embodiment according to the invention, with a jib depicted in both a jib hoisting position and a jib storage position relative to a jib gantry.

Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a vessel 1 with a crane 2 according to the invention.

In the preferred embodiment shown, the vessel 1 is a jack-up vessel.

The vessel comprises a deck 3 and a pedestal 4 mounted to the vessel. Furthermore, in the particular embodiment shown, the vessel furthermore comprises a boom rest 5 to support a boom 7 of the crane 1 in a boom storage position. In the embodiment shown, the boom rest 5 is configured such that the boom 7 extends substantially parallel to the deck 3 of the vessel 1 , i.e. is in a substantially horizontal position, when in the boom storage position.

In the embodiment shown, the crane 2 is an around the leg crane. The crane comprises a crane housing 6, a boom 7, a boom luffing assembly 8, a main hoisting assembly 9, a jib gantry 10, a jib 11 , a secondary hoisting assembly 12, and a jib luffing assembly 13.

The crane housing 6 is rotationally supported by the pedestal 4 for rotation of the crane housing relative to the pedestal about a vertical rotation axis.

The boom 7 has an pivot end 14, a mid-section 15, and a hoisting end 16 opposite the pivot end of the boom. The boom 7 is supported by the crane housing 6, so that the boom can rotate about the vertical rotation axis. The pivot end 14 of the boom 7 is pivotably connected to the crane housing 6, so that the boom is pivotable up and down about a horizontal boom pivot axis.

The boom luffing assembly 8 comprises a boom luffing cable 17 and a boom luffing winch 18. The boom luffing cable 17 extends from the boom luffing winch 18 to the hoisting end 16 of the boom 7, for pivoting the boom about the boom pivot axis.

The main hoisting assembly 9 comprises a main hoisting winch 19, a main hoisting cable 20, and a main load suspension device 21. The main hoisting cable 20 extends from the main hoisting winch 19 via at least one sheave located at a main hoisting point 22 to the main load suspension device 21. The jib gantry 10 has a support end 23, a mid-section 24, and a luffing end 25 opposite the support end of the jib gantry. The jib gantry 10 is fixed to the hoisting end 16 of the boom 7 such that the support end 23 and the luffing end 25 of the jib gantry 10 are located at opposite sides of the boom 7. Furthermore, in the embodiment shown the support end 23 and the luffing end 25 of the jib gantry are each located away from the boom 7.

The jib 11 has a pivot end 26, a mid-section 27, and a hoisting end 28 opposite the pivot end of the jib. The pivot end 15 of the jib 11 is pivotably connected to the support end 23 of the jib gantry 10, so that the jib 11 is pivotable about a horizontal jib pivot axis between a jib hoisting position and a jib storage position.

The secondary hoisting assembly 12 comprises a secondary hoisting winch 29, a secondary hoisting cable 30, and a secondary load suspension device 31. The secondary hoisting cable 30 extends from the secondary hoisting winch 29 via at least one sheave located on a secondary hoisting point 32, which is preferably located at the hoisting end 28 of the jib 11 , to the secondary load suspension device 31.

The jib luffing assembly 13 comprises a jib luffing cable 35 and a jib luffing winch 36. The jib luffing cable 33 extends from the luffing winch 34 to the hoisting end 28 of the jib 11 , for pivoting the jib about the jib pivot axis between the jib hoisting position, depicted in figure 3, and the jib storage position, depicted in figure 2.

In the embodiment shown, the vessel 1 comprises a boom rest 5 to support the boom 7 of the crane 1 in a boom storage position, depicted in figure 1. The boom rest 5 is configured such that the boom 7 extends substantially parallel to the deck 3 of the vessel 1 , when in the boom storage position.

Furthermore, in the embodiment shown, the jib 11 of the crane 2, when in the jib storage position, depicted in figure 1 and in figure 2, extends substantially perpendicular to a deck 3 of the vessel 1 , i.e. is in a substantially vertical position with the jib pivot end 26 pointing upwards, while the boom 7 is in the boom storage position.

To obtain the compact crane storage position depicted in figure 1 , the boom 7 is lowered, i.e. pivoted downwards, into a boom storage position, in which boom storage position the boom is substantially parallel to the deck of the vessel. Also, the jib 11 is lifted, i.e. is pivoted upwards, into the jib storage position. In the preferred embodiment shown, in the jib storage position the jib 11 is substantially perpendicular to the deck 3 of the vessel 1 and substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the boom 7.

Fig. 4 shows an exemplary embodiment of the crane 1 according to the invention while lifting a nacelle of a wind turbine, using the main hoisting assembly 9. Both the boom 7 and the jib 11 of the crane 1 are in a hoisting position. Thus, the crane is in a hoisting positon, with the boom in the boom hoisting position and the jib in the jib hoisting position.

Fig. 5 shows a top end of the crane of Fig. 4 while lifting a blade of a wind turbine, using the secondary hoisting assembly 12. Thus, the boom and the main hoisting assembly can be used to lift heavy loads, while the jib provides the crane with additional range for relatively lighter loads.

Fig. 6 shows a top end of a crane 101 of an exemplary embodiment according to the invention, with a jib 111 depicted in both a jib hoisting position and a jib storage position relative to a jib gantry 110.

In the embodiment shown, the jib gantry 111 is provided with a jib stop 133. In the storage positon shown, the jib 111 is pulled by a jib luffing assembly 113 against the jib stop 133, for securing the jib in the jib storage position.

Furthermore, in the exemplary embodiment shown in figure 6, a main hoisting point 122 of a main hoisting assembly of the crane 101 is located at a support end 123 of the jib gantry 110.

More in particular, the embodiment shown, the crane 101 is provided with an auxiliary main hoisting assembly, comprising an auxiliary main hoisting point 134, which auxiliary main hoisting point is also located in, and supported by, the jib gantry 110.

Reference signs

01 vessel

02 crane

03 deck

04 pedestal

05 boom rest

06 crane housing

07 boom

08 boom luffing assembly

09 main hoisting assembly

10 jib gantry

11 jib

12 secondary hoisting assembly

13 jib luffing assembly

14 pivot end boom

15 mid-section boom

16 hoisting end boom

17 boom luffing cable

18 boom luffing winch

19 main hoisting winch

20 main hoisting cable

21 main load suspension device

22 main hoisting point

23 support end jib gantry

24 mid-section jib gantry

25 luffing end jib section

26 pivot end jib

27 mid-section jib

28 hoisting end jib

29 secondary hoisting winch

30 secondary hoisting cable

31 secondary load suspension device

32 secondary hoisting point

33 jib stop

34 auxiliary main hoisting point

35 jib luffing cable

36 jib luffing winch

Claims

1. Crane for use on a vessel, preferably a jack-up vessel, comprising:

- a pedestal to be mounted to, or formed integral with, the vessel;

- a boom luffing assembly, comprising a boom luffing cable and a boom luffing winch, wherein the boom luffing cable extends from the boom luffing winch to the hoisting end of the boom, for pivoting the boom about the pivot axis;

- a jib luffing assembly, comprising a jib luffing cable and a jib luffing winch, wherein the jib luffing cable extends from the jib luffing winch to the hoisting end of the jib, for pivoting the jib about the jib pivot axis between the jib hoisting position and the jib storage position.

2. Crane according to claim 1 , wherein the jib, when in the jib storage position, is substantially perpendicular to the boom, and preferably is located adjacent to the jib gantry.

3. Crane according to claims 1-2, wherein the jib gantry is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the boom.

4. Crane according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the jib gantry is provided with a jib stop, and wherein the jib is pulled by the jib luffing assembly against the jib stop when in the jib storage position, for securing the jib in the jib storage position.

5. Crane according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the jib luffing winch is mounted on the jib gantry, preferably is mounted at the luffing end of the jib gantry, for pivoting the jib between the jib hoisting position and the jib storage position.

6. Crane according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the main hoisting point is located at the support end of the jib gantry.

7. Crane according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein a locking mechanism is provided for locking the jib in the jib storage position, preferably for securing the jib to the jib gantry, preferably for securing the jib to a jib stop mounted on the jib gantry.

8. Crane according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the jib comprises an A- frame, the A-frame comprising a left jib section and a right jib section, each jib section comprising a pivot end, a mid section and a hoist end, and wherein the two jib sections are joined at the hoist ends, and are spaced relative to each other at the pivot ends.

9. Vessel comprising a crane according to one or more of the preceding claims.

10. Vessel, preferably a jack-up vessel, comprising a crane, preferably a crane according to one or more of the preceding claims, the vessel comprising:

- a deck;

- a pedestal mounted to, or formed integral with, the vessel;

11. Vessel according to claim 10, wherein the vessel further comprises a boom rest to support the boom of the crane in a boom storage position, wherein boom rest preferably is configured such that the boom extends substantially parallel to the deck of the vessel, i.e. is in a substantially horizontal position, when in the boom storage position.

12. Vessel according to claim 10 or claim 11 , wherein the jib of the crane, when in the jib storage position, extends substantially perpendicular to a deck of the vessel, i.e. is in a substantially vertical position with the jib pivot end pointing upwards, when the boom is in the boom storage position.

13. Method for bringing a crane into a crane storage position, using a vessel according to one or more of the claims 10-12, the method comprising:

14. Method for installing a wind turbine, using a crane according to one or more of the claims 1-9 or using a vessel according to one or more of the claims 10-13, the method comprising the steps: