A combination including a crane and a load guiding device for mounting to the crane, and the use of the load guiding device in such a combination

Abstract

A combination comprising a crane and a load guiding device mounted to the crane for controlling the orientation of a load suspended from a crane boom (2) by a load bearing line (5) relative to said load bearing line. The load guiding device comprises: two winches (7) placed on the crane, two cable lines (8), the cable lines (8) being connected to the winches and to an attachment bracket (10) attached to the top region (11) of the crane boom and being connected to the load for applying a controlled moment to the load relative to the load bearing line. The load guiding device further comprises: a winch frame (16) for each winch, the winch frame being arranged to be mounted directly on the crane and close to the crane counterweight (3), or directly on the crane counterweight (3), the crane counterweights (3) being located on each side of the crane, and two cable line redirecting devices, such as pulleys attached to the load. The redirecting devices allow the cable lines to roll or slide around the redirecting devices when the load is lifted or lowered. Each cable line is connected to the load through the redirecting device such that each cable line extends from the winch via the redirecting device to the attachment bracket. The load guiding device is easy to mount to the crane.

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a combination comprising a crane and a load guiding device for attachment to the crane, which combination comprises a crane boom, wherein the load guiding device is arranged to control the orientation of a load suspended from the crane boom by a load bearing line relative to the load bearing line, and wherein the combination comprises:

[0002] - two winches, each of which has a bidirectionally rotatable spool, wherein the winches are placed on the crane,

[0003] - two taglines, a first end of each tagline being attached to the spool, wherein each tagline is connected to the load for applying a controlled moment to the load relative to the load bearing line.

[0004] - two attachment brackets attached to the crane boom at attachment positions in a top region of the crane boom, each attachment bracket being arranged to attach to a second end of a tagline, and

[0005] - two tagline redirecting devices, such as snatch blocks connected to the load, wherein when the load is lifted or lowered, the redirecting devices allow the taglines to roll or slide around the redirecting devices and at the same time redirect the taglines, whereby each tagline is connected to the load by the redirecting device such that each tagline extends from the spool to the attachment bracket via the redirecting device.

[0006] Furthermore, the present invention relates to the use of a load guiding device in such a combination.

[0007] The winches can be controlled by a control unit or manually.

[0008] In the present application, the term tagline is used to denote an elongate connecting device connecting between the load and the winch for transferring a force from the winch to the load. The tagline can be a rope, a cable, a wire or other tether. The tagline is capable of transferring tension. Background Art

[0009] When lifting a load of relatively large dimensions, control of the orientation of the load is required. Examples of such loads can be wind turbine blades, towers, precast concrete elements for buildings, and the like.

[0010] Due to the inertia of the load, the load may potentially remain in place in space even when the load bearing line rotates, i.e. when the crane boom rotates. Thus, an uncontrolled load may potentially collide with the crane boom or with nearby persons or structures. Therefore, it is necessary for the load to be controlled. This is achieved by attaching taglines to the load in order to apply a moment to the load relative to the load bearing line. This moment can be clockwise or counterclockwise.

[0011] Due to the size of the load, it is unsafe for a person to operate the wire rope and apply a moment to the load relative to the load-bearing line.

[0012] In the onshore wind turbine market, there is a need to be able to control the load below the crane hook, and this need has not decreased as wind turbines have become taller, and the site layout has become increasingly complex.

[0013] There are several different wire rope systems, which have different functions on the crane.

[0014] There is a desire to meet the needs of the wind turbine market in order to be able to control the load, while at the same time minimizing the forces on the crane and minimizing the mobilization time.

[0015] A method and lifting device for installing a wind turbine blade on a wind turbine hub are known from WO2008 / 061797. The blade is suspended in a substantially horizontal orientation by a load-bearing line provided by a crane having a crane boom. The load-bearing line is attached to a lifting device, which is attached to the blade. The blade is lifted from a position on the ground to a position where the blade can be installed on the hub. To prevent the blade from rotating relative to the load-bearing line, the blade is connected to a control line that extends through a pulley on the crane boom to a winch device located at the bottom of the crane boom. The system uses one winch for controlling the orientation of the load and another manually operated winch for rotating the load.

[0016] Although the system of WO2008 / 061797 has been successfully implemented, the system has some disadvantages. The main disadvantage is that the crane needs to be modified. This usually requires permission from the crane manufacturer to ensure the required functions of the crane. Cranes are expensive to operate and are only used in the short term. A specially modified crane will have a lot of idle time. Alternatively, to make the crane available for other uses, the pulley, winch device, and control line must be removed from the system of WO2008 / 061797 at a location during the lifting operation.

[0017] EP2889251 also discloses a system for load guidance. This system also requires modification of the crane and requires guide lines and control lines attached to the crane boom.

[0018] To address the disadvantages of modifying the crane, EP2526042 discloses a system in which a winch device is used to control the orientation of a load suspended from a load-bearing line, and the system provides flexibility in the arrangement of the winch device such that it does not need to be installed on the crane.

[0019] Furthermore, EP2526042 discloses a system in which the orientation of a load relative to a load-bearing line can be autonomously maintained without any user input other than starting the winch device.

[0020] The load is suspended by a load-bearing line provided by a crane. When the crane operator maneuvers the load, the winch device will maintain the orientation by applying a controlled torque relative to the load-bearing line. This can be achieved based on the measured values of a tension sensor processed in a control unit, or it can be achieved based on manual control of the measured values of the tension sensor or other measurements indicating rotation relative to the load-bearing line. Therefore, when operating the crane boom and / or the load-bearing line winch, the crane operator can fully focus on positioning the load according to height without having to operate yet another winch to maintain the orientation of the load relative to the load-bearing line.

[0021] The pull line extends directly from the winch to the load or from the winch to a platform. Thus, the above method and the winch device are flexible in terms of the placement of the winch device. For example, the winch device can be placed on the ground, on the crane, or on the load.

[0022] This system has been successfully implemented. However, it has been shown that a technically even simpler system can be obtained, and in which the advantages of controlling the load orientation according to the method disclosed in EP2526042 can be benefited from. Furthermore, it has been shown that such a system can be provided to ensure that the crane does not need to be modified in a manner that requires special permission.

[0023] Object of the Invention

[0024] The object of the present invention is to provide a combination including a crane and a load guiding device for mounting to the crane, which provides a technically simple load guiding device that can be placed on the crane without modifying the crane.

[0025] Another object is to provide a load guiding device that can also take advantage of the method of controlling the load orientation disclosed in EP2526042. Summary of the Invention

[0026] According to the present invention, the object of the invention is achieved by a combination as mentioned in the preamble, and the load guiding device further comprises:

[0027] - a crane counterweight, and

[0028] - a winch frame for each winch, the winch frame being arranged to be directly mounted on the crane and close to the crane counterweight, or directly mounted on the crane counterweight, and the crane counterweight being located at positions on each side of the crane.

[0029] This novel combination meets the requirements of the wind turbine market because the device can control the load while minimizing the forces on the crane and the crane boom, and also minimizing the mobilization time.

[0030] The combination according to the invention has several advantages:

[0031] - very simple,

[0032] - very easy to install on the crane,

[0033] - does not limit the crane by applying many forces on the crane boom,

[0034] - can be used on various types of cranes,

[0035] - will ensure good control of the lifted load, including horizontal control as well as vertical control,

[0036] - can follow the movement of the crane,

[0037] - can be used in sites with limited space, and

[0038] - does not require modification of the crane structure.

[0039] The force acting on the crane boom is reduced to the force of a single guy wire. The guy wire is attached to the crane boom at the top of the crane boom. This will reduce the torque compared to prior art systems. Thus, the combination according to the invention does not limit the crane by applying many forces on the crane boom. The guy wire can be attached directly to the crane boom or indirectly through traverses or spacers.

[0040] The top region of the crane boom can generally include the uppermost 1 / 3 of the crane boom height. However, the advantages of the invention can also be obtained by attaching two attachment brackets to positions in the top region of the crane boom, the attached positions including the uppermost 1 / 2 of the crane boom height. It is important that the height at which the two attachment brackets are attached to the crane boom allows for the best control of the load in the horizontal plane.

[0041] Using the combination according to the invention, the mobilization arrangement includes two guy wire winches and possibly a generator and a control cabinet. The guide wire system used in the prior art is removed, which simplifies the mobilization time and can also improve super lifting because the top traverse is no longer a burden on the top of the boom. Thus, the load guiding device is very simple and very easy to install on the crane, and can be used on various types of cranes. All components can be made to be handled by truck, vehicle-mounted lift, hand, or crane.

[0042] The mobilization process can involve only the following steps:

[0043] - The winch (TGM) system for counterweight is stored and transported on a flatbed truck or in a container, where the cable is set on the spool of the winch.

[0044] - A winch and a counterweight block are attached to the winch frame and lifted to the top of the counterweight frame on each side of the crane boom.

[0045] - At least one additional counterweight block is placed on the winch frame.

[0046] - The generator is lifted on the walkway (provided a separate generator is used).

[0047] - The cable is connected to the winch.

[0048] - The second end of the cable is attached to an attachment bracket located at a position approximately horizontally corresponding to the turbine hub in the top area of the crane boom.

[0049] - After super-lifting, the cable is let out to be attached to a pulley (or the like) on the load.

[0050] In fact, the load guiding device can be used in combination with the method disclosed in EP2526042. This is also referred to as the TGM system. Two TGM winches are placed near the crane counterweight, and the generator can be placed on the walkway near the counterweight block.

[0051] The second end of the cable is fixed to the top area of the crane boom using an attachment bracket. The attachment bracket can be connected to the boom pin joint or pipe of the crane boom. Alternatively, the attachment bracket can be connected to the crane boom through a crossbar or spacer. The attachment bracket may include a connection eye or other suitable device for fixing the second end of the cable to the crane boom in the top area of the crane boom.

[0052] The load is connected to the cable at a position between the winch and the attachment bracket through a pulley or other redirecting device that can roll or slide relative to the cable. Thus, the cable supports and controls the orientation of the load, as described in detail below.

[0053] The cable extends directly from the winch through the load to the attachment bracket.

[0054] The cable winch is set at a position where installation is convenient and fast.

[0055] The winch can be an electric winch or a hydraulically driven winch.

[0056] The winches are placed on both sides of the crane boom of the crane. Thus, when the crane moves, including yawing, these winches will follow the movement of the crane. The winch frame can be designed to fit the crane. For example, the winch frame can be designed to be placed directly on the crane counterweight, whereby the crane does not need to be modified when installing the winch frame.

[0057] By using the winch frame, when assembling the crane at the site where the crane is used, the winch frame can be placed on the crane counterweight frame. The crane counterweight blocks will be lifted from the crane during transportation and installed when assembling at the site where the crane is used. Thus, this combination does not require special crane permission because the winch frame and winches placed on the crane can be regarded as part of the crane counterweight. It should be noted that crane permission is required, however, it is expected that typical permission can be obtained, whereby different types of cranes will be permitted for the load guiding device according to the present invention.

[0058] In addition, the winches can be placed on the crane as part of the normal procedure for installing the counterweight blocks.

[0059] The weight of the counterweight blocks is usually between 8 and 15 tons. Usually 20 or more counterweight blocks are used. The weight of the winches used is usually between 3 and 5 tons. The winches only add a very limited weight. Thus, the weight of the winches can be neglected, thereby reducing or completely eliminating the need for specific crane permission.

[0060] The winch frame does not need to be screwed to the crane. The winch frame can be held in place by the weight of the crane counterweight.

[0061] Alternatively, a frame welded to the crane can also be manufactured, so that this frame can form part of the crane and will be used for installing the winches.

[0062] The generator / power source for the winches can be placed on the maintenance platform of the crane or on the winch frame.

[0063] The power source of the winches can alternatively be provided by the crane and can be an electric power source or a hydraulic power source.

[0064] The attachment bracket can be clamped to the structure of the crane boom. Thus, the crane boom does not need to be modified.

[0065] When modifying the crane boom by screwing something onto the boom, specific crane permission is required. This is not necessary for the attachment bracket, referring to the above comments on crane permission.

[0066] The crane boom itself has strength in the longitudinal direction; however, the crane boom is not suitable for twisting movement or torsional movement.

[0067] By using an attachment bracket clamped to the crane boom structure, there is no need to connect bolt elements into the crane boom. Thereby, no specific crane permit is required, referring to the comments on crane permits above.

[0068] By installing the attachment bracket in this way, the load on the crane boom will be positioned at a certain location on the crane boom itself at the top of the crane, so that only a very small rotational force or torsional force is generated or no rotational force or torsional force is generated.

[0069] It is important to place the attachment bracket / fixing point for the guy wire on the crane boom.

[0070] The height of the attachment bracket must be close to the height where the load requires primary control. For blade installation, these heights are in the range of several meters above or below the hub height.

[0071] This will provide the best angle for the upper part of the guy wire arranged between the redirecting device and the attachment bracket to stabilize the lifted load in the horizontal direction, and provide the best angle for the lower part of the guy wire arranged between the redirecting device and the winch to stabilize the lifted load in the vertical direction.

[0072] The position of the attachment bracket for attaching the guy wire to the crane boom is important. The position of the attachment point can be provided to the crane boom in different ways: on each side of the crane boom, to the top cross member or to a single guide wire.

[0073] Optimal control is given when there is a certain distance between two attachment brackets. Generally, the connection points on the load to be lifted are spaced 8 - 20 meters apart. If the guy wire is connected to attachment brackets spaced between 4 - 12 meters apart, this provides good control of the load.

[0074] The guy wire is connected to the load but not fixed to the load. The redirecting device allows the guy wire to move freely by sliding or rolling around the elements of the redirecting device.

[0075] The guy wire is only fixed to the spool and the attachment bracket, and no guide wire or control wire required by the systems disclosed in WO2008 / 06179 and EP2889251 is needed.

[0076] The guy wire will be fixed to the spool and the attachment bracket. The redirecting device is connected to the load and fixed on the load.

[0077] Due to the action of gravity, the load will hang down from the top of the crane where the load-bearing line is installed, and there will be a force on the load redirecting device on both sides of the load pointing outward towards the crane boom. In addition, a force will be applied along the direction from the load towards the crane boom, and the crane boom is arranged at an oblique angle corresponding to the vertical direction. Therefore, when the spool rotates, the action of the pulling line will apply forces in the vertical and horizontal directions.

[0078] In addition, the oblique angle from the attachment bracket at the crane boom to the redirecting device on each side of the crane boom will apply a force in the horizontal plane. Therefore, the crane operator can manipulate the load by applying a controlled torque relative to the load-bearing line. The control system can operate based on the principles disclosed in EP2526042.

[0079] Therefore, a tension sensor can be used to measure the tension that appears in the pulling line. These measurements can be processed in the control unit to activate the motor in the winch, thereby activating the rotation of the rotating spool.

[0080] In other words, the system can operate as follows. The pulling line applies a torque to the load relative to the load-bearing line. The pulling line is flexible, so the pulling line is in a tensioned state. The pulling line force is a three-dimensional force, which has two perpendicular horizontal components and one vertical component (z-component). One of the horizontal components (x-component) points from the redirecting device on the load towards the load-bearing line, and the other (y-component) starts from the redirecting device and is perpendicular to the x-component. A controlled torque is applied relative to the load-bearing line in the horizontal plane. This torque is composed of the y-component of the pulling line force and the distance to the load-bearing line (lever arm). The winch is far enough from the load in the y-component direction to apply the necessary torque to control the load. The required distance depends on the magnitude of the rated pulling line force of the winch, the moment of inertia of the load, the distance between the redirecting device and the load-bearing line, the maximum lifting height, and external forces other than wind force.

[0081] The relative relationship of the distance between the winch and the load is as follows: a relatively longer distance allows a smaller pulling line force, a larger moment of inertia, a shorter lever arm, a higher maximum lifting height, and / or larger external forces, while a winch closer to the load requires a larger rated force, a smaller moment of inertia, a longer lever arm, a smaller lifting height, and / or smaller external forces.

[0082] The winches are arranged on opposite sides of the crane boom and thus on opposite sides of the load-bearing line. The winches are arranged such that they apply torques in opposite directions to the load. For example, the first winch applies a clockwise torque and the second winch applies a counterclockwise torque; the first winch applies a counterclockwise torque and the second winch applies a clockwise torque. When the sum of the torques applied by the winches is equal to zero, the load will maintain its orientation relative to the load-bearing line.

[0083] The first and second winches can be positioned to have the same lever arm and positions symmetrical with respect to the load-bearing line, or to have different lever arms and positions asymmetrical with respect to the load-bearing line. The control system is capable of compensating during the process of controlling the winch motors.

[0084] Load guiding devices are generally used to control the orientation of loads of considerable size and / or weight suspended by a load-bearing line relative to the load-bearing line. Examples of such loads can be wind turbine blades, towers, precast concrete elements for buildings, etc., or other loads with a large moment of inertia.

[0085] The load can be suspended on a crane by a load-bearing line. The load-bearing line can have an attachment device for connecting to the load or a suspension bracket attached to the load. For example, the attachment device can be a hook.

[0086] Each winch can have a winch motor that hydraulically or electrically drives the spool. Through the transmission or bi-directional rotation of the winch motor, the spool can rotate bidirectionally. The pulling wire is wound around the spool, and the pulling wire can be a wire, a cable, or preferably a rope. The pulling wire is provided with an attachment device for attaching to an attachment bracket.

[0087] A control system is provided for controlling the operation of the winch motors. The winch motors can operate simultaneously at the same or different speeds. Thus, the winch motors can operate individually. The control system includes a tension sensor device for determining the tension in the pulling wire and a spool rotation sensor device for determining the position and operation of the spool. During the use of the system, the sensors continuously operate to provide operating feedback to the control system.

[0088] The control system can be provided with an output device for providing the measurement results of the sensors to the crane operator or a data recorder. In addition, when a preset limit value is about to be exceeded / has been exceeded, the control system can provide a warning signal to the crane operator. This will enable, for example, the crane operator to interrupt the lifting and bring the load to a safe condition in case of a change in the assumed wind conditions and exceeding the predefined limit value.

[0089] In another embodiment, the combination according to the invention is characterized in that each attachment bracket includes an attachment clamp that is directly mounted on the crane boom by clamping two clamp parts on the lattice member of the crane boom.

[0090] When using the attachment clamp to attach the attachment bracket, the attachment clamp can be directly mounted on a pipe that forms part of the lattice of the crane boom. Therefore, no interference with the crane boom is required. For example, when using two components requiring protection clamped around the lattice member, there will be a technically simple solution for attachment without the need for a specific crane permit.

[0091] In another embodiment, the combination according to the invention is characterized in that the attachment brackets are mounted at opposite ends of a cross member which is attached to the crane boom.

[0092] To obtain a greater distance between the attachment brackets, a cross member can be used. The cross member will be attached to the crane boom. To attach the cross member to the crane boom, attachment clamps can also be used, which can be in the form of two parts. Thus, the cross member can be clamped to the lattice members of the crane boom without changing the structure of the crane boom itself. This is a technically simple solution to obtain a wider distance between the attachment brackets and can be installed without specific crane permits, referring to the comments on crane permits above.

[0093] In another embodiment, the combination according to the invention is characterized in that each winch frame is designed to have a form corresponding to the form of the counterweight blocks, and the winch frame is attached to the crane counterweight at the position between the counterweight blocks.

[0094] Alternatively, the winch frame can be implemented in other ways. The winch plate can be implemented such that it can be attached to or at the counterweight, for example on top of the stacked counterweight blocks.

[0095] The most convenient way to provide the winch frame is to have a form corresponding to the form of the counterweight blocks. Thus, when the winch frame is inserted into the stack of counterweight blocks, installing the winch is very simple. Preferably, one or more counterweight blocks will be installed on top of the winch frame. Thus, the winch frame can be installed in the stack of counterweight blocks without specific connecting devices. Thus, in addition to the devices for installing the counterweight blocks, the winch frame can be installed on the crane without specific connecting devices.

[0096] In another embodiment, the combination according to the invention is characterized in that the cable redirecting device is selected among pulleys, connection eyes, shaft connectors, rolling connectors or similar elements, allowing the cable to roll or slide around the redirecting device during lifting or lowering of the load.

[0097] The redirecting device will preferably be a pulley allowing free rotation, which allows the cable to be connected to the load and at the same time redirected, which is necessary due to the construction of the crane boom. The crane boom is usually inclined relative to the vertical direction, and due to the influence of gravity on the load, the load-bearing line will have a vertical direction. However, due to the forces applied to the load, this vertical direction will change slightly.

[0098] When the cable is used to control the load, a pulling force will be applied to the crane boom, whereby the load-bearing line will deviate slightly from the vertical direction.

[0099] The redirecting device can also be provided in the form of an eye or shaft connection, which allows the cable to slide freely in the redirecting device when the load is raised or lowered. Thus, the connection between the cable and the redirecting device controls the orientation and guides the load simultaneously.

[0100] In another embodiment, the combination according to the invention is characterized in that the attachment position is arranged at a position below the top position of the crane boom, whereby the load can be lifted to a position higher than the attachment position.

[0101] The position of the attachment bracket will be at an attachment position below the top position of the crane boom. Thus, the load can be lifted to a position higher than the attachment position.

[0102] Generally, the height of the connection position should be selected according to the height at which the load needs to be mainly controlled. When installing a blade in a wind turbine, this position will be at a height corresponding to the height of the wind turbine hub.

[0103] Generally, it is preferred to arrange the redirecting device on the lower side of the load. However, the redirecting device can also be arranged on the upper side of the load.

[0104] When the redirecting device is arranged on the lower side of the load, the requirements for the height of the crane boom are smaller.

[0105] In another embodiment, the combination according to the invention is characterized in that the load guiding device further comprises a yoke element for supporting the load, and two cable redirecting devices are connected to the load through the yoke element.

[0106] The redirecting device does not need to be directly connected to the load. The redirecting device can be indirectly connected to the load through a yoke element. In this embodiment, a conventional yoke used commonly when installing a blade in a wind turbine can be used.

[0107] In another embodiment, the combination according to the invention is characterized in that the mutual distance between the two cable redirecting devices is greater than the mutual distance between the two winches.

[0108] Since the distance between the winch and the load is relatively large, the two cables between the cable redirecting device and the winch are arranged at a relatively small mutual angle, for example, between 20° and 30°.

[0109] The magnitude of the angle is not important; however, the angle will provide a slight control over the movement of the load in a direction transverse to the direction pointing to the crane boom.

[0110] What is more important is the distance between the attachment devices arranged at the load.

[0111] Particularly in the lower region of the crane boom, it is advantageous to have a long distance between the attachment devices, as high horizontal control can be obtained.

[0112] Since the product of force and distance affects the control of the load, a longer distance between the attachment devices provides higher stability / control.

[0113] In the middle region of the crane boom, a long distance between the attachment devices is also advantageous, as high horizontal control can be obtained. In the middle region, the horizontal control obtained by the load is lower than that in the lower region.

[0114] In the top region, the height of the load is set close to the height of the attachment bracket, and the angle between the cable and the imaginary line connecting the two redirecting devices - as measured between the cable redirecting device, the attachment bracket, and the said imaginary line connecting the two redirecting devices - may not be too small. A small angle will result in a relatively small horizontal force in the direction relative to the crane boom and a relatively large force in the lateral direction, which is usually in the longitudinal direction of the load. Therefore, a small angle may pose a risk of instability. Generally, the angle should be greater than 20° and preferably greater than 30°.

[0115] The angle between the cable and the vertical direction is usually small. Therefore, the force acting on the cable between the winch and the redirecting device will only make a very limited contribution to the control in the horizontal plane. However, these forces will provide control in the vertical direction.

[0116] Optimal control of the load is obtained when there is a certain distance between the redirecting devices, which is greater than the distance between the two winches provided on the crane.

[0117] In addition, the mutual distance between the two cable redirecting devices is greater than the mutual distance between the two attachment brackets.

[0118] In another embodiment, the combination according to the invention is characterized in that the mutual distance between the two cable redirecting devices is between 8 and 20 meters, and the mutual distance between the two winches is between 4 and 12 meters.

[0119] When this combination is used for installing blades in a wind turbine, the general distance between the redirecting devices is between 8 and 20 meters. For such a distance, it has been shown that the mutual distance between the two winches should be between 4 and 12 meters. It should be noted here that the above-mentioned mutual angles should also be observed, and such mutual angles are obtained when there is a mutual distance between the redirecting devices and the winches.

[0120] In another embodiment, the combination according to the invention is characterized in that the combination includes a control system, and the winches are controlled by the control system.

[0121] The combination may include a control system. The control system may be of the type known from EP2526042. The advantages of such a control system are explained in said patent and are therefore not given in detail herein. The content of EP2526042 is incorporated herein by reference. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0122] The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings, in which

[0123] Figure 1 a schematic view of a combination according to the invention is shown, which combination includes a crane and a crane boom provided with load guiding means;

[0124] Figure 2 a schematic view of a crane provided with load guiding means is shown and the top region, middle region and lower region of the crane boom are shown;

[0125] Figure 3 different views of a combination according to the invention are shown, which combination includes a crane and load guiding means and a load is provided in the top region of the crane boom;

[0126] Figure 4 a schematic partial view of a crane is shown, in which a part of the crane boom is used to illustrate the installation of a winch;

[0127] Figure 5 shows Figure 4 a partially enlarged view in

[0128] Figure 6 order to more clearly illustrate the installation of the winch;

[0129] Figure 7 shows Figure 6 a partially enlarged view of

[0130] Figure 8 in order to show the position of the attachment bracket at the crane boom;

[0131] Figure 9 is a partial side view for illustrating the forces for stabilizing the load against rotation in the lower region; Figure 8 is a top view of the situation shown in

[0132] Figure 10 is a partial side view for illustrating the forces for stabilizing the load against rotation in the middle region;

[0133] Figure 11 is Figure 10 a top view of the situation shown in

[0134] Figure 12 Is a partial side view for illustrating the forces that stabilize the load against rotation in the top region;

[0135] Figure 13 Is Figure 12 A top view of the situation shown in Detailed implementation

[0136] In the following, corresponding or similar features will have the same reference numerals, and each feature will not be fully explained in conjunction with each figure.

[0137] Figure 1 Schematically shows a crane 1 provided with a crane boom 2 and a crane counterweight 3. A load 4 is suspended from the crane boom 2 by a load-bearing line 5 extending from the top 6 of the crane boom.

[0138] The guiding device includes two winches 7 respectively attached to the counterweight 3, two wire ropes 8, two redirecting devices 9 connected to the load 4, and an attachment bracket 10 attached to the crane boom 2 in the top region 11 of the crane boom. The crane boom also has a middle region 12 and a lower region 13. Each of these three regions can constitute approximately 1 / 3 of the height of the crane boom.

[0139] The wire rope 8 includes a lower member 14 provided between the winch 7 and the redirecting device 9 and an upper member 15 provided between the redirecting device 9 and the attachment bracket 10.

[0140] Therefore, the wire rope 8 has a first end 8' attached to the winch 7 and a second end 8" attached to the attachment bracket 10.

[0141] In Figure 1 , only one wire rope, one winch, one redirecting device, and one attachment bracket are shown. However, the load guiding device will include two of each of these elements, arranged at the mutual distances described below.

[0142] Figure 2 The crane 1 is shown in more detail, and the situation where the load is arranged in the middle region 12 of the crane boom is shown.

[0143] Figure 3 Shows a front view, a side view, and a perspective view of the crane 1, which has a guiding device and a load 4 in the top region at the top of the crane boom. Each attachment bracket 10 is provided with an attachment position, which is basically set at a height corresponding to the position height of the load 4.

[0144] Figure 3The situation shown is a typical one where the load in the top region is in a position requiring main control. In particular, for blade mounting in a wind turbine, main control is required at the height of the wind turbine hub (not shown).

[0145] From Figure 3 it can be seen that the upper part 15 of the cable 8 is substantially horizontal and the lower part 14 of the cable is substantially vertical. Thus, the force of the upper part 15 of the cable will give optimal control of the load 4. However, due to the action of the lower part 14 of the cable, control is also established in the vertical direction. Thus, the load 4 suspended on the load-bearing line 5 and capable of rotating relative to the load-bearing line 5 can be reliably controlled.

[0146] Control in the horizontal plane is the most important, while rotational control in the vertical plane is less important. Thus, it is important to have main control in the vertical plane, which is obtained when the upper part 15 of the cable 8 is substantially horizontal.

[0147] Figure 4 and Figure 5 shows in more detail the arrangement of the winch 7 at the counterweight 3. The winch 7 is mounted on the winch plate 16. The winch plate 16 is implemented and arranged for direct mounting in the counterweight 3.

[0148] As shown, a counterweight block 17 is provided at the top of the winch plate 16. Thus, no specific device is required for attaching the winch to the crane, and the winch mounted on the winch plate 16 is mounted to the crane simultaneously with the stacking of the counterweight block 17.

[0149] From Figure 4 and Figure 5 it can be seen that there is a winch 7 on each side of the crane, although only one of the winches 7 is visible in Figure 4 and Figure 5 .

[0150] In Figure 5 the control box 18 can be seen, which is used to automatically control the cable according to the signal given to the control box 18 by a tension sensor or other sensors. The control box 18 calculates the rotation required for the motor, which is part of the winch 7, in order to rotate the spool of the winch.

[0151] Alternatively, the rotation of the winch 7 can also be manually controlled by an operator.

[0152] Figure 6 shows the connection of the redirecting device 9 to the load 4. The redirecting device 9 is provided in the form of a pulley 19, which includes a rotating wheel 20 attached to the mounting bracket 21, where the mounting bracket 21 is fixed to the load 4.

[0153] Figure 7The attachment bracket 10 is shown more clearly. The attachment bracket 10 includes a connection eye 22 for attaching the second end 8” of the draw wire 8. The attachment bracket is connected to the boom pin 23, and the boom pin 23 connects different components of the lattice of the crane boom. As shown, the crane boom includes a plurality of pipes 24 that make up the lattice.

[0154] A clamp can be used instead of the boom pin 23. The clamp includes two clamp parts that clamp onto the pipes 24 of the lattice. Any clamp used in the crane boom can be used to attach the attachment bracket 10 to the crane boom 2.

[0155] Figure 8 and Figure 9 Shows the stability of the load against rotation when the load 4 is in the lower region 13. The redirecting devices 19 are arranged at an interspacing 25, which can be, for example, 20 meters. The winches are arranged at an interspacing 26, which can be, for example, 12 meters. Thus, an angle 27 is formed between the two lower components of the draw wire, and the magnitude of the angle 27 is 20° - 24°.

[0156] From Figure 8 It can be seen particularly clearly that the lower component 14 of the draw wire is substantially horizontal. Thus, a force 28 is provided mainly in the horizontal plane, and the force 28 acts on the load 4 at each redirecting device 9. Thus, the control against rotation in the horizontal plane is very effective.

[0157] A small force is also generated in the vertical direction because the lower component 14 of the draw wire has an inclined orientation relative to the horizontal plane.

[0158] Figure 10 and Figure 11 Shows the stabilizing force in the middle region 12. As shown here, the magnitude of the angle 27 will be the same as that described in connection with Figure 8 and Figure 9 . In addition, it can also be seen that the force 28 is mainly in the horizontal plane in order to stabilize the load and prevent the load from rotating relative to the load-bearing line 5.

[0159] Due to the angle, the stabilizing force in the middle region 12 is not as strong as the forces in the lower region and the top region. However, usually the most powerful and firm control is required in the top region to prevent rotation.

[0160] Figure 12 and Figure 13 Correspond to Figure 8 and Figure 9 respectively, and Figure 10 and Figure 11 , however, shows the stability of the load in the top region 11.

[0161] As shown here, the upper part 15 of the cable is arranged above the attachment bracket 10, which is attached to the crane boom 2.

[0162] Therefore, the load 4 here is in a position between the attachment bracket 10 and the top 6 of the crane boom.

[0163] The force 28 in the horizontal direction will be very important for the direction towards the crane boom. Generally, the angle 29 between the two upper parts 14 of the cable will vary between 90° and 30°. The angular deviation of the upper part 14 relative to the horizontal plane will be very limited, usually less than 30°. Therefore, a very high force 28 acting on the horizontal plane is obtained. This ensures very good stability of the load and prevents the load from rotating relative to the load-bearing line 5 in the horizontal plane.

Claims

1. A combination comprising a crane and a load guiding device, the load guiding device being arranged to be mounted to the crane, the crane comprising a crane boom, wherein the load guiding device is arranged to control the orientation of a load suspended from the crane boom by a load bearing line relative to the load bearing line, wherein the combination comprises: - two winches, each winch having a bidirectional rotating spool, wherein the two winches are placed on the crane, - two pull lines, a first end of each pull line being attached to the spool, wherein each pull line is connected to the load for applying a controlled moment to the load relative to the load bearing line, - two attachment brackets, the attachment brackets being attached to the crane boom at an attachment position in a top region of the crane boom, each attachment bracket being arranged to attach to a second end of the pull line, and - two pull line redirecting devices, connected to the load, wherein when the load is lifted or lowered, the redirecting devices allow the pull lines to roll or slide around the redirecting devices and at the same time redirect the pull lines, whereby each pull line is connected to the load via the redirecting device such that each pull line extends from the spool to the attachment bracket via the redirecting device, characterized in that the combination further comprises: - a crane counterweight, and - a winch frame for each winch, the winch frame being arranged to be directly mounted on the crane and close to the crane counterweight, or directly mounted on the crane counterweight, the crane counterweight being located on each side of the crane, and each winch frame being designed to have a form corresponding to the form of the counterweight blocks, and the winch frame being attached to the crane counterweight at a position between the counterweight blocks.

2. The combination according to claim 1, characterized in that each attachment bracket comprises an attachment clamp that is directly mounted to the crane boom by clamping the crane boom lattice member between two clamp portions.

3. The combination according to claim 1, characterized in that the attachment brackets are mounted at opposite ends of a cross member that is attached to the crane boom.

4. The combination according to claim 1, characterized in that the pull line redirecting devices are selected from a pulley, a connection eye, a shaft connection, a rolling connection, so as to allow the pull lines to roll or slide around the redirecting devices during lifting or lowering of the load.

5. The combination according to claim 1, characterized in that the attachment position is arranged at a position lower than the top position of the crane boom, whereby the load can be lifted to a position higher than the attachment position.

6. The combination according to claim 1, characterized in that the combination further comprises a yoke element for supporting the load, and the two pull line redirecting devices are connected to the load via the yoke element.

7. The combination according to claim 1, characterized in that the mutual distance between the two pull line redirecting devices is greater than the mutual distance between the two winches.

8. The combination according to claim 7, characterized in that the mutual distance between the two pull line redirecting devices is between 8 and 20 meters, and the mutual distance between the two winches is between 4 and 12 meters.

9. The combination according to claim 1, wherein, the combination includes a control system, and the winch is controlled by the control system.

10. The combination according to claim 1, wherein, the two wire redirecting devices are pulleys.

11. An application of a load guiding device in the combination according to claim 1, wherein the load guiding device is arranged to be mounted to a crane, and the load guiding device comprises: - two winches, each winch having a bidirectional rotating spool, wherein the two winches are placed on the crane, - two wire ropes, a first end of each wire rope being attached to the spool, wherein each wire rope is connected to a load for applying a controlled moment to the load relative to the load-bearing line, - two attachment brackets, the attachment brackets being attached to the crane boom at an attachment position in a top region of the crane boom at a position lower than the top position of the crane boom, whereby the load can be lifted to a position higher than the attachment position, wherein each attachment bracket is arranged to be attached to a second end of the wire rope, and - two wire redirecting devices, wherein when the load is lifted or lowered, the redirecting devices allow the wire ropes to roll or slide around the redirecting devices and at the same time redirect the wire ropes, whereby each wire rope is connected to the load through the redirecting device such that each wire rope extends from the spool to the attachment bracket via the redirecting device, - a winch frame for each winch, the winch frame being arranged to be directly mounted on the crane and close to the crane counterweight, or directly mounted on the crane counterweight, the crane counterweight being located on each side of the crane, and each winch frame being designed to have a form corresponding to the form of the counterweight block, and the winch frame being attached to the crane counterweight at a position between the counterweight blocks.

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