Method for controlling the power supply of a crane from a primary source and a rechargeable secondary source

Description

[Technical Field of the invention]

[0001] The present invention relates to a power supply management method for electrically powering electrical equipment of a crane from a primary power source such as the electrical network and a rechargeable secondary power source such as a battery via a conversion circuit, as well as a crane implementing this management method. [Earlier technique]

[0002] The power supply provided by an electrical power source to power a crane is often limited. The electrical power source may not even be present near the crane, especially when installing the crane on a construction site. This is particularly the case for GMA Self-Erecting Cranes designed for small construction or renovation sites, and for which the electrical power source available on the construction site, which may be the electrical network or a generator for example, can provide different electrical voltage values, for example a 400V three-phase voltage, a 230V single-phase voltage with an electric current of 20A or 32A.

[0003] Thus, in order to power the crane, a crane user is forced to size the electrical energy source taking into account the minimum electrical energy requirement of the crane.

[0004] The cost of providing an adequate power source is proportional to the required power supply and increases considerably if the crane requires a new power grid installation capable of providing greater power supply or if the crane requires the use of a generator.

[0005] A known solution to limit the cost due to the power source of a crane is to reduce the minimum power requirement of the crane by reducing its performance, generally by choosing a smaller hoisting winch requiring less electrical current to operate. In this case, the drop in performance and productivity is considerable for the crane.

[0006] Another solution is to add an auxiliary or secondary rechargeable power source to the primary power source to increase the power supplied to the crane.

[0007] Thus, it is known to implement an electrical power management method for electrically powering electrical equipment of a crane from a primary power source capable of providing primary power and a rechargeable secondary power source capable of providing secondary power via a conversion circuit.

[0008] Document CN202004500U proposes, for example, the use of a rechargeable secondary power source for a lifting device such as a crane, in other words an autonomous battery power source with converter, and mentions a backup power function in the event of failure of the primary power source.

[0009] Document CN110963412A also proposes the use of an autonomous battery source, with converter, and mentions a hybrid power supply mode in which the primary power source and the rechargeable secondary power source are both connected to the electrical equipment of a crane to supply them with electricity.

[0010] Document WO 2013 / 001674 A1 proposes a method of managing electrical power supply according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0011] These provisions are satisfactory in that it becomes possible to provide additional power supply or to ensure a power supply relay during a cut-off or failure of the primary power source.

[0012] However, existing power supply management methods do not allow automatic control of power distribution from the primary power source when the demand for power supply to the crane's electrical equipment exceeds a maximum power threshold available from the primary power source. [General Description]

[0013] The present invention aims to resolve all or part of the drawbacks mentioned above.

[0014] The technical problem underlying the invention consists in particular in implementing an electrical power management method for electrically supplying electrical equipment of a crane, remarkable in that said method comprises monitoring a general power requirement which corresponds to a power requirement by all of the electrical equipment, and monitoring a charge level of the rechargeable secondary power source, and in providing the crane for which this management method is implemented with a simple and economical structure.

[0015] To this end, the present invention relates to a method for managing electrical power for electrically powering electrical equipment of a crane, via a conversion circuit, from a primary power source capable of providing primary power and a rechargeable secondary power source capable of providing secondary power according to the aforementioned type, remarkable in that it comprises monitoring of a general power requested which corresponds to a power requested by all the electrical equipment, and monitoring of a charge level of the rechargeable secondary power source, and in which the method for managing electrical power implements, as a function of said general power requested and said charge level, at least the following management modes: a charging mode in which the general power required is zero and the primary power source is available and connected to the rechargeable secondary power source to recharge it according to its charge level; a mixed charging / power supply mode in which the general power required is non-zero, and the primary power source is available and connected, on the one hand, to the electrical equipment to supply it with electricity and, on the other hand, to the rechargeable secondary power source to recharge it according to the charge level; a main power supply mode in which the general power required is non-zero, and only the primary power source is connected to the electrical equipment to supply it with electricity;a hybrid power supply mode in which the general power demand is non-zero, and both the primary power source and the rechargeable secondary power source are connected to the electrical equipment to supply them with electricity; and an autonomous power supply mode in which the general power demand is non-zero, and only the secondary power source is connected to the electrical equipment to supply them with electricity according to the load level. ;

[0016] The primary power source may, for example, refer to the electrical grid and / or a generator, and the secondary rechargeable power source may, for example, refer to one or more rechargeable batteries.

[0017] Furthermore, in the electrical power management method described according to the invention, the electrical equipment is powered by a maximum available power which corresponds to the minimum between a maximum conversion power and a source power, where the maximum conversion power corresponds to a maximum power which can be delivered at the output of the conversion circuit and where the source power corresponds to: the sum of the secondary power and the primary power in the hybrid power supply mode, the secondary power in the stand-alone power supply mode; the primary power in the main power supply mode; and the primary power less a recharge power used to recharge the rechargeable secondary power source in the mixed recharge / power supply mode; and where the electrical power management method implements, in the autonomous power supply mode and in the hybrid power supply mode, an adaptation of the secondary power as a function at least of the charge level, said secondary power being less than or equal to a maximum secondary power which corresponds to a maximum power which can be delivered by the rechargeable secondary power source.

[0018] Thus, the invention proposes to adapt the secondary power supplied by the rechargeable secondary power source according to its charge level, thus making it possible to improve, or even save, the management of the electrical energy coming from this rechargeable secondary power source.

[0019] The power supply management method implements a selection, in the hybrid power supply mode and in the autonomous power supply mode, of a management sub-mode from among several management sub-modes comprising at least: an automatic sub-mode in which the secondary power is controlled to correspond to ka times the maximum secondary power, where ka is a coefficient that is less than or equal to 1 and that decreases with the load level until the load level falls below a low threshold; an economy sub-mode in which the secondary power is controlled to correspond to ke times the maximum secondary power, where ke is a coefficient less than ka and that decreases with the load level until the load level falls below a low threshold.

[0020] In the power supply management method described and according to one mode of implementation: in the automatic sub-mode, the ka coefficient is equal to kamax as long as the charge level of the rechargeable secondary power source is above a high threshold, then the ka coefficient is equal to kamin when the charge level is between the low threshold and the high threshold, and finally the ka coefficient is zero when the charge level of the rechargeable secondary power source is below the low threshold, where kamax is greater than kamin;and in the economy sub-mode, the coefficient ke is equal to kemax as long as the charge level of the rechargeable secondary power source is above the high threshold, then the coefficient ke is equal to kemin when the charge level of the rechargeable secondary power source is between the low threshold and the high threshold, and finally the coefficient ke is zero when the charge level of the rechargeable secondary power source is below the low threshold, where kemax is greater than kemin, kamax is greater than kemax and kamin is greater than kemin. ;

[0021] According to one possibility, kamax is between 0.8 and 1, kamin is between 0.5 and 0.7, kemax is between 0.6 and 0.8 and kemin is between 0.2 and 0.4.

[0022] The low threshold is between 5 and 15% of a charge capacity of the rechargeable secondary power source and the high threshold is between 40 and 60% of a charge capacity of the rechargeable secondary power source.

[0023] In the autonomous power supply mode and whether in the automatic sub-mode or in the economic sub-mode, the electrical power management method can automatically switch to a standby mode after the charge level of the rechargeable secondary power source has fallen below the low threshold, where in the standby mode only predefined safety equipment among the electrical equipment is powered to enable the crane to be made safe, and in particular a boom of the crane to be turned to wind vane.

[0024] In standby mode, the secondary power can be controlled to match the maximum secondary power in order to supply the safety equipment at least for the duration of the crane safety (such as wind vane setting).

[0025] Alternatively, the management sub-modes also include an extreme sub-mode in which the secondary power corresponds to the secondary maximum power regardless of the value of the charge level of the rechargeable secondary power source.

[0026] In the extreme sub-mode, when the charge level of the rechargeable secondary power source has fallen below the low threshold, only the safety equipment can be powered to enable the crane to be made safe.

[0027] A method for distributing the maximum power available to the various electrical equipment can be implemented, regardless of the management mode among the hybrid power supply mode, the autonomous power supply mode, the main power supply mode and the mixed recharge / power supply mode.

[0028] According to one possibility, the maximum power distribution method comprises a step of selecting between: a raw mode in which the maximum available power is distributed over predefined actuating equipment and predefined accessory equipment among the electrical equipment, the actuating equipment is defined according to a configuration of the crane; and an optimized mode in which the maximum available power is distributed over the predefined actuating equipment, and also over the accessory equipment but according to cut-off conditions associated with the accessory equipment, so that according to their respective cut-off conditions the accessory equipment is powered or not.

[0029] Thus, this distribution process proposes to make a distinction between: actuating equipment which is the equipment suitable for actuating a movement of the crane or an element of the crane, and in particular for the assembly / disassembly of the crane and for the movement of a load; and accessory equipment which is the equipment which is not actuating equipment, in other words equipment which does not participate in the movement of the crane or an element of the crane.

[0030] It is obvious that electrical equipment includes actuating equipment and accessory equipment.

[0031] This distribution process then proposes to select between: the gross mode in which the maximum available power is distributed over the actuating equipment and the accessory equipment, without distinction between the actuating equipment and the accessory equipment, as long as the electrical equipment is in demand for electrical power; and the optimized mode in which the maximum available power is distributed over the actuating equipment, and also over the accessory equipment but only according to cut-off conditions.

[0032] If, for an accessory equipment, its cut-off condition is met so that there is a cut-off of the accessory equipment, then in the optimized mode this accessory equipment will not be electrically powered. On the other hand, if for an accessory equipment, its cut-off condition is not met so that there is a cut-off of the accessory equipment, then in the optimized mode this accessory equipment will be electrically powered. In the optimized mode, however, there is no cut-off condition for the actuating equipment, which therefore has priority.

[0033] The actuating equipment may include rigging equipment that assists in rigging the crane by actuating a movement of one or more parts of the crane when the crane is in a rigging configuration.

[0034] Actuation equipment may include work equipment that assists in moving a load when the crane is in a working configuration.

[0035] The assembly equipment may include at least one of the following equipment: a hydraulic folding / unfolding unit allowing folding / unfolding of a mast and a boom, a hydraulic wedging unit allowing wedging of the crane on the ground, a hydraulic orientation unit allowing orientation of a base of the crane, a hydraulic jib unit allowing actuation of an assembly jib.

[0036] The work equipment may include at least one of the following equipment: a motorized lifting system allowing lifting / lowering of a load, a motorized distribution system allowing distribution of a load along a boom, a motorized orientation system allowing orientation of a boom, a motorized translation system allowing translation of the crane, a motorized lifting system allowing lifting of a luffing boom.

[0037] The accessory equipment may include at least one of the following system accessory equipment: a heating system for heating a crane space, a ventilation or cooling system for ventilating / cooling a crane space; and the cut-out conditions depend on at least one environmental parameter that is a physical parameter representative of the crane space.

[0038] Thus, among the accessory equipment, we find the system accessory equipment associated with spaces of the crane and which, in the optimized mode, will be cut or not depending at least on the environmental parameter associated with the corresponding space.

[0039] The environmental parameter can be an interior temperature of the crane space.

[0040] According to one possibility, the crane space corresponds to an electrical cabinet internally grouping together all or part of the components involved in the crane's electrical supply, or to a pilot's cabin.

[0041] The accessory equipment may include at least one of the following user accessory equipment: a lighting system, an electrical outlet; and the disconnection conditions depend on a selection of a classification made by a user for the or each of the user accessory equipment, from among the following classifications: a “non-essential” classification which corresponds to an authorization not to supply the corresponding user accessory equipment in optimized mode for the benefit of the actuation equipment; and an “essential” classification which corresponds to a prohibition not to supply the corresponding user accessory equipment in optimized mode.

[0042] Thus, among the accessory equipment, we find the user accessory equipment, which is itself divided into two classes, a “non-essential” class and an “essential” class.

[0043] In the optimized mode, the actuating equipment may be supplied with an actuating power which is equivalent to the maximum available power or to the maximum available power less an accessory power necessary to supply the accessory equipment according to the cut-off conditions, and this actuating power is distributed to the actuating equipment according to a distribution scheme selected from the following two distribution schemes: a first scheme in which the actuating equipment is activated and therefore powered sequentially, so that each actuating equipment is powered, when activated, by the actuating power; and a second scheme in which the actuating equipment is activated and therefore powered simultaneously, so that all the actuating equipment is powered together by the actuating power.

[0044] According to one possibility, storage is implemented in a memory of a plurality of preferential distribution modes, each preferential distribution mode being associated with distribution percentages of the actuation power on the different actuation equipment in the second scheme, and the electrical power management method implements a selection of a preferential distribution mode to ensure a distribution of the actuation power in accordance with said selected preferential distribution mode when the second scheme is selected.

[0045] When the general power requested is non-zero, the following management modes can be automatically implemented: the autonomous power supply mode is automatically implemented if the primary power source is not available; the primary power supply mode or the mixed recharge / power supply mode is automatically implemented depending on the charge level of the rechargeable secondary power source, if the power source is available and if the general power requested is lower than the primary power; the hybrid power supply mode is automatically implemented if the power source is available and if the general power requested is higher than the primary power.

[0046] The primary power source can deliver a primary power supply voltage of single-phase or three-phase type, for example 230 or 400 volts, and the conversion circuit ensures a conversion of said primary power supply voltage into a three-phase power supply voltage.

[0047] The present invention also relates to a crane comprising electrical equipment electrically powered, via a conversion circuit, by a primary power source capable of providing primary power and a rechargeable secondary power source capable of providing secondary power, notable in that said crane comprises a unit for monitoring a general requested power which corresponds to a power requested by all the electrical equipment and a charge level of the rechargeable secondary power source, and in that it comprises a control / command unit, connected to the monitoring unit and to the conversion circuit, and configured to implement the electrical power management method.

[0048] In the crane, the electrical equipment may include safety equipment configured to enable the crane to be made safe.

[0049] Electrical equipment may include accessory equipment such as a heating system for heating a space in the crane, a ventilation or cooling system for ventilating / cooling a space in the crane, a lighting system, an electrical outlet.

[0050] According to one possibility, the actuating equipment includes mounting equipment that participates in mounting the crane when the crane is in a mounting configuration, and working equipment that participates in moving a load when the crane is in a working configuration.

[0051] The crane may further comprise a user interface connected to the control unit for selecting, in the hybrid power supply mode, in the autonomous power supply mode, in the main power supply mode and in the mixed recharge / power supply mode, a management sub-mode from among several management sub-modes according to the electrical power supply management method.

[0052] The conversion circuit may be an AC / AC electrical converter comprising a rectifier and an inverter.

[0053] According to one embodiment, the conversion circuit comprises at least one frequency variator.

[0054] The conversion circuit may also include an electrical component intended to increase the value of the electrical signal, such as an electrical transformer for example.

[0055] The monitoring unit can be a microcontroller.

[0056] According to one embodiment, the monitoring unit selects the power source from among the primary power source and the rechargeable secondary power source by turning an electrical switch on or off.

[0057] The supply voltage can have an effective value of 230V and the three-phase supply voltage an effective value of 400V for example.

[0058] In a particular embodiment of the crane, the electrical equipment comprises actuating equipment defined according to a configuration of the crane and the accessory equipment, and the control / command unit is configured for implementing the distribution method described above, said control / command unit being connected, on the one hand, to an interface allowing a selection between the raw mode and the optimized mode and, on the other hand, to an electrical circuit connecting the primary power source and the rechargeable secondary power source to the electrical equipment to control a distribution of the maximum available power according to the mode selected from the raw mode and the optimized mode. [Presentation of Figures]

[0059] The invention will be better understood with the aid of the detailed description which is set out below with reference to the appended drawings in which: [ Fig. 1] is a schematic representation of a power supply management mode for electrically supplying electrical equipment of a crane called main power supply mode. [ Fig.2 ] is a schematic representation of a second mode of electrical power management for electrically supplying the crane's electrical equipment, known as hybrid mode. [ Fig.3 ] is a schematic representation of a third mode of electrical power management for electrically supplying the crane's electrical equipment, known as autonomous mode. [ Fig.4 ] is a schematic representation of a fourth power supply management mode for electrically supplying the crane's electrical equipment, called mixed charging / power supply mode. Fig.5 ] is a schematic representation of a fifth power supply management mode for electrically supplying the crane's electrical equipment, called recharging mode. Fig.6 ] is a flowchart showing the different steps to be carried out when implementing a power supply management method to electrically power the crane's electrical equipment. Fig.7 ] is a flowchart showing the different steps to be carried out when implementing a method for distributing electrical power to electrically supply the crane's electrical equipment. Fig.8 ] is a block diagram representing a conversion circuit connecting a primary power source and a rechargeable secondary power source to the crane's electrical equipment. [Detailed description of an exemplary embodiment of the invention]

[0060] In the detailed description which follows of the figures defined above, the same elements or elements fulfilling identical functions may retain the same references so as to simplify the understanding of the invention.

[0061] The first part of the following description relates to the implementation of a method P for managing electrical power supply to electrically supply electrical equipment 9 of a crane G, via a conversion circuit Q, from two power sources: a primary power source R such as an electrical network and / or a generator set, for example, capable of providing primary power PR, and a rechargeable secondary power source B such as one or more rechargeable batteries, for example, capable of providing secondary power PB.

[0062] The implementation of the steps of this method P for managing electrical power supply is presented in figure 6 and its management methods are represented on the figures 1 to 5 .

[0063] This power supply management method P implements two monitoring steps which are: monitoring of a general requested power PGEN which corresponds to a power requested by all the electrical equipment 9 of the crane G, and monitoring of a charge level NC of the rechargeable secondary power source B.

[0064] In addition, this power supply management method P implements, depending on the general power requested PGEN and the load level NC, at least the following management modes: a MCHARG charging mode presented at the Figure 5 in which the general power requested PGEN is zero and the primary power source R is available and connected to the secondary rechargeable power source B to recharge it according to its charge level NC; a mixed recharge / power supply mode MMIXT presented in figure 4in which the general power required PGEN is non-zero, and the primary power source R is available and connected, on the one hand, to the electrical equipment 9 of the crane G to supply them electrically and, on the other hand, to the rechargeable secondary power source B to recharge it according to the charge level NC; a main power supply mode MPRINC presented in the figure 1 in which the general power required PGEN is non-zero, and only the primary power source R is connected to the electrical equipment 9 of the crane G to supply them electrically; a hybrid power supply mode MHYBR presented in the figure 2 in which the general power required PGEN is non-zero, and the primary power source R and the rechargeable secondary power source B are both connected to the electrical equipment 9 of the crane G to supply them with electricity; and a MAUTON autonomous power supply mode presented in the figure 3 in which the general power required PGEN is non-zero, and only the rechargeable secondary power source B is connected to the electrical equipment 9 of the crane G to supply them electrically according to the load level NC.

[0065] In the power supply management method P, the electrical equipment 9 is powered by a maximum available power PMAX which corresponds to the minimum between a maximum conversion power PCONV and a source power PS, where the maximum conversion power PCONV corresponds to a maximum power which can be delivered at the output of the conversion circuit Q.

[0066] The PS source power depends on the management mode, and corresponds to: the sum of the secondary power PB and the primary power PR in the hybrid power supply mode MHYBR of the Figure 2; the secondary power PB in the MAUTON autonomous power supply mode of the Figure 3 ; the primary power PR in the main power supply mode MPRINC of the Figure 1 ; and the primary power PR minus a recharge power PCH used to recharge the secondary rechargeable power source B in the mixed recharge / power supply mode MMIXT of the Figure 4 .

[0067] Furthermore, the electrical power management method P implements, in the autonomous power supply mode MAUTON and in the hybrid power supply mode MHYBR, an adaptation of the secondary power PB as a function at least of the charge level NC, said secondary power PB being less than or equal to a maximum secondary power PBMAX which corresponds to a maximum power that can be delivered by the rechargeable secondary power source B.

[0068] Thus, and with reference to the figure 6, the electrical power supply management method P begins with a power supply selection step C1, or “POWER SELECTION” step, during which a selection or deselection of the rechargeable secondary source B is carried out to supply the electrical equipment 9 of the crane G. In other words, this power supply selection step C1 operates a selection of the power supply with or without the rechargeable secondary source B. Thus, at the end of the power supply selection step C1, the rechargeable secondary source B is: either connected to the electrical equipment 9 of crane G to participate in their power supply, which leads to the hybrid power supply mode MHYBR or the autonomous power supply mode MAUTON; or disconnected from the electrical equipment 9 of crane G so as not to participate in their power supply, which leads to the main power supply mode MPRINC or the mixed recharge / power supply mode MMIXT.

[0069] If, at the end of the power supply selection step C1, the secondary rechargeable source B is disconnected, then the main power supply mode MPRINC or the mixed recharge / power supply mode MMIXT is selected, and then follows the execution of a step F1, or “POWER DISTRIBUTION” step, to initiate a process for distributing the maximum available power PMAX. As a reminder, the maximum available power PMAX corresponds to: in the main power supply mode MPRINC, at least between the maximum conversion power PCONV and the primary power PR; and in the mixed recharge / power supply mode MMIXT, at least between the maximum conversion power PCONV and the primary power PR minus the recharge power PCH.

[0070] If, on the other hand, at the end of the power supply selection step C1, the rechargeable secondary source B is connected (i.e. the electrical supply will use the rechargeable secondary source B), then a mode selection step C2, or “MODE SELECTION” step, follows, which consists of selecting between the hybrid power supply mode MHYBR and the autonomous power supply mode MAUTON.

[0071] This power supply selection step C1 followed by this mode selection step C2 thus leads to selecting the management mode. Depending on various parameters, and in particular the general power required PGEN, the availability of the primary power source R and the primary power PR, these selection steps C1, C2 can be carried out automatically for the selection of the management mode.

[0072] Thus, when the general power requested PGEN is non-zero, the following management modes can be automatically implemented or selected (during the two successive selection steps C1, C2): the autonomous power supply mode MAUTON is automatically implemented (or selected) if the primary power source R is not available; the main power supply mode MPRINC or the mixed recharge / power supply mode MMIXT is automatically implemented (or selected) depending on the charge level NC of the rechargeable secondary power source B, if the primary power source R is available and if the general power requested PGEN is lower than the primary power PR; the hybrid power supply mode MHYBR is automatically implemented (or selected) if the primary power source R is available and if the general power requested PGEN is higher than the primary power PR.

[0073] After the mode selection step C2, the electrical power management method P implements a selection, in the hybrid power supply mode MHYBR and in the autonomous power supply mode MAUTON, of a management sub-mode from among several management sub-modes comprising at least: an automatic sub-mode “AUTO” in which the secondary power PB is controlled to correspond to ka times the secondary maximum power PBMAX, where ka is a coefficient which is less than or equal to 1 and which decreases with the charge level NC until the charge level NC falls below a low threshold SB; an economic sub-mode “ECO” in which the secondary power PB is controlled to correspond to ke times the secondary maximum power PBMAX, where ke is a coefficient less than ka and which decreases with the charge level NC until the charge level NC falls below a low threshold SB; an extreme sub-mode “EXTR” in which the secondary power PB corresponds to the secondary maximum power PBMAX regardless of the value of the charge level NC of the rechargeable secondary power source B.

[0074] The low threshold SB can be between 5 and 15% of a charging capacity of the rechargeable secondary power source B and a high threshold SH can be between 40 and 60% of a charging capacity of the rechargeable secondary power source B.

[0075] In reference to the figure 6 , if the power supply mode selected during the mode selection step C2 is the autonomous power supply mode MAUTON, then a sub-mode selection step C3, or “SUB-MODE SELECTION” step, is executed, in which a selection is made between the automatic sub-mode “AUTO”, the economical sub-mode “ECO” and the extreme sub-mode “EXTR”.

[0076] If the sub-mode selected during the sub-mode selection step C3 is the automatic sub-mode “AUTO”, then a charge level control step C3-1, or “CHARGE LEVEL CONTROL” step, is executed, during which the charge level NC of the rechargeable secondary power source B is measured and is compared with the low threshold SB and the high threshold SH.

[0077] If, during the charge level control step C3-1, the charge level NC of the rechargeable secondary power source B is lower than the low threshold SB, then a step S3-1, or step “KA=0”, is executed, which sets the coefficient ka to zero, so that the secondary power PB is zero. In other words, if the charge level NC is lower than 5 to 15% of the charge capacity, then the rechargeable secondary power source B provides no power. At the end of this step S3-1, the method P automatically switches to a standby mode designated by “MV” at the figure 6 .

[0078] If, during the charge level control step C3-1, the charge level NC of the rechargeable secondary power source B is between the low threshold SB and the high threshold SH, then a step S3-2, or “KA=KAMIN” step, is executed, which sets the coefficient ka to a value kamin, kamin being between 0.5 and 0.7. In other words, and for example, if the charge level NC of the battery is 30% of its charge capacity, then the secondary power PB supplied is equal to kamin times the maximum secondary power PBMAX, i.e. PB=kamin.PBMAX. This step S3-2 is followed by a step F3-2, or “POWER DISTRIBUTION” step, which implements a method for distributing the maximum available power PMAX, where the maximum available power PMAX corresponds to the minimum between the maximum conversion power PCONV and the source power PS which is equivalent to the secondary power PB which is equal to kamin.PBMAX in this automatic sub-mode "AUTO" of the MAUTON autonomous power supply mode. These steps S3-2 and F3-2 are executed as long as the NC charge level is between the low threshold SB and the high threshold SH and, if the NC charge level falls below the low threshold SB, then step S3-1 is executed.

[0079] If during the charge level control step C3-1, the charge level NC of the rechargeable secondary power source B is greater than the high threshold SH, then a step S3-3, or “KA=KAMAX” step, is executed, which sets the coefficient ka to a value kamax, kamax being greater than kamin and for example between 0.8 and 1. In other words, and for example, if the charge level NC of the battery is 90% of its charge capacity, then the secondary power PB supplied is equal to kamax times the maximum secondary power PBMAX, i.e. PB=kamax.PBMAX. This step S3-3 is followed by a step F3-3, or “POWER DISTRIBUTION” step, which implements a method for distributing the maximum available power PMAX, where the maximum available power PMAX corresponds to the minimum between the maximum conversion power PCONV and the source power PS which is equivalent to the secondary power PB which is equal to kamax.PBMAX in this automatic sub-mode "AUTO" of the MAUTON autonomous power supply mode. These steps S3-3 and F3-3 are executed as long as the NC charge level is higher than the high threshold SH and, if the NC charge level falls below the high threshold SH, then steps S3-2 and F3-2 are executed.

[0080] If the sub-mode selected during the sub-mode selection step C3 is the economical sub-mode “ECO”, then a charge level control step C3-2, or “CHARGE LEVEL CONTROL” step, is executed, during which the charge level NC of the rechargeable secondary power source B is measured and is compared with the low threshold SB and the high threshold SH.

[0081] If during the charge level control step C3-2, the charge level NC of the rechargeable secondary power source B is lower than the low threshold SB, then a step S3-4, or step "KE=0", is executed, which sets the coefficient ke to zero, so that the secondary power PB is zero. In other words, if the charge level NC is lower than 5 to 15% of the charge capacity, then the rechargeable secondary power source B provides no power. At the end of this step S3-4, the method P automatically switches to a standby mode designated by "MV" at the figure 6 .

[0082] Thus, in the autonomous power supply mode MAUTON, and whether in the automatic sub-mode “AUTO” or in the economical sub-mode “ECO”, the electrical power management method P automatically switches to the standby mode “MV” after the charge level NC of the rechargeable secondary power source B has fallen below the low threshold SB, where in this standby mode “MV” only predefined safety equipment among the electrical equipment 9 of the crane G is powered to enable the crane G to be made safe. In the standby mode MV, the secondary power PB can be controlled to correspond to the maximum secondary power PBMAX in order to power this safety equipment at least for the duration of the crane G to be made safe.

[0083] This safety equipment may include equipment which will, for example, allow the boom 7 to be raised before releasing it in orientation so that it is free to turn with the wind while offering a reduced turning radius, the boom 7 is then described as being put into a weather vane.

[0084] If during the charge level control step C3-2, the charge level NC of the rechargeable secondary power source B is between the low threshold SB and the high threshold SH, then a step S3-5, or “KE=KEMIN” step, is executed, which sets the coefficient ke to a value kemin, kemin being between 0.2 and 0.4. In other words, and for example, if the charge level NC of the battery is 30% of its charge capacity, then the secondary power PB supplied is equal to kemin times the maximum secondary power PBMAX, i.e. PB=kemin.PBMAX. This step S3-5 is followed by a step F3-5, or “POWER DISTRIBUTION” step, which implements a method for distributing the maximum available power PMAX, where the maximum available power PMAX corresponds to the minimum between the maximum conversion power PCONV and the source power which is equivalent to the secondary power PB which is equal to kemin.PBMAX in this “ECO” economic sub-mode of the MAUTON autonomous power supply mode. These steps S3-5 and F3-5 are executed as long as the NC charge level is between the low threshold SB and the high threshold SH and, if the NC charge level falls below the low threshold SB, then step S3-4 is executed.

[0085] If during the charge level control step C3-2, the charge level NC of the rechargeable secondary power source B is greater than the high threshold SH, then a step S3-6, or step “KE=KEMAX”, is executed, which sets the coefficient ke to a value kemax, kemax being greater than kemin and kemax being for example between 0.6 and 0.8. In other words, and for example, if the charge level NC of the battery is 90% of its capacity, then the secondary power PB is equal to kemax times the maximum secondary power PBMAX, i.e. PB=kemax.PBMAX. This step S3-6 is followed by a step F3-6, or step “POWER DISTRIBUTION”, which implements a method for distributing the maximum available power PMAX, where the maximum available power PMAX corresponds to the minimum between the maximum conversion power PCONV and the source power which is equivalent to the secondary power PB which is equal to kemax.PBMAX in this “ECO” economic sub-mode of the MAUTON autonomous power supply mode. These steps S3-6 and F3-6 are executed as long as the NC charge level is above the high threshold SH and, if the NC charge level falls below the high threshold SH, then steps S3-5 and F3-5 are executed.

[0086] In principle, the value of kemax is greater than that of kemin, and kamax is greater than kemax and kamin is greater than kemin.

[0087] If the sub-mode selected during the sub-mode selection step C3 is the extreme sub-mode “EXTR”, then a step F3-0, or “POWER DISTRIBUTION” step, is executed, which implements a method of distributing the maximum available power PMAX, where the maximum available power PMAX corresponds to the minimum between the maximum conversion power PCONV and the source power which is equivalent to the secondary power PB which is equal to PBMAX in this extreme sub-mode “EXTR” of the MAUTON autonomous power supply mode.

[0088] According to one possibility, in the extreme sub-mode “EXTR” in step F3-0, when the charge level NC of the rechargeable secondary power source B has fallen below the low threshold SB then the method P automatically switches to the standby mode “MV” previously described, during which only the safety equipment of the crane G is powered to enable the crane G to be made safe.

[0089] In reference to the figure 6 , if the power supply mode selected during the mode selection step C2 is the hybrid power supply mode MHYBR, then a sub-mode selection step C4 is executed in which a selection is made between the automatic sub-mode “AUTO”, the economical sub-mode “ECO” and the extreme sub-mode “EXTR”.

[0090] If the sub-mode selected during the sub-mode selection step C4 is the automatic sub-mode “AUTO”, then a charge level control step C4-1, or “CHARGE LEVEL CONTROL” step, is executed, during which the charge level NC of the rechargeable secondary power source B is measured and is compared with the low threshold SB and the high threshold SH.

[0091] If, during the charge level control step C4-1, the charge level NC of the rechargeable secondary power source B is lower than the low threshold SB, then a step S4-1, or step "KA=0", is executed, which sets the coefficient ka to zero, so that the secondary power PB is zero. In other words, if the charge level NC is lower than 5 to 15% of the charge capacity, then the rechargeable secondary power source B does not provide any power, and thus the source power PS is entirely provided by the primary power source R.This step S4-1 is followed by a step F4-1, or “POWER DISTRIBUTION” step, which implements a method of distributing the maximum available power PMAX, where the maximum available power PMAX corresponds to the minimum between the maximum conversion power PCONV and the source power PS which is equivalent to the primary power PR, i.e. PS=PR, in this automatic sub-mode “AUTO” of the hybrid power supply mode MHYBR.

[0092] If during the charge level control step C4-1, the charge level NC of the rechargeable secondary power source B is between the low threshold SB and the high threshold SH, then a step S4-2, or “KA=KAMIN” step, is executed, which sets the coefficient ka to the value kamin, kamin being between 0.5 and 0.7. In other words, and for example, if the charge level NC of the battery is 30% of its charge capacity, then the secondary power PB supplied is equal to kamin times the maximum secondary power PBMAX, i.e. PB=kamin.PBMAX. This step S4-2 is followed by a step F4-2, or “POWER DISTRIBUTION” step, which implements a method for distributing the maximum available power PMAX, where the maximum available power PMAX corresponds to the minimum between the maximum conversion power PCONV and the source power PS which is equivalent to the sum of the primary power PR and the secondary power PB, i.e. PS=PR+kamin.PBMAX in this automatic sub-mode “AUTO” of the MHYBR hybrid power mode. These steps S4-2 and F4-2 are executed as long as the NC charge level is higher than the low threshold SB and, if the NC charge level falls below the low threshold SB, then steps S4-1 and F4-1 are executed.

[0093] If during the charge level control step C4-1, the charge level NC of the rechargeable secondary power source B is greater than the high threshold SH, then a step S4-3, or “KA=KAMAX” step, is executed, which sets the coefficient ka to the value kamax, kamax being between 0.8 and 1. In other words, and for example, if the charge level NC of the battery is 90% of its charge capacity, then the secondary power PB supplied is equal to kamax times the maximum secondary power PBMAX, i.e. PB=kamax.PBMAX. This step S4-3 is followed by a step F4-3, or “POWER DISTRIBUTION” step, which implements a method for distributing the maximum available power PMAX, where the maximum available power PMAX corresponds to the minimum between the maximum conversion power PCONV and the source power PS which is equivalent to the sum of the primary power PR and the secondary power PB, i.e. PS=PR+kamax.PBMAX in this automatic sub-mode “AUTO” of the MHYBR hybrid power mode. These steps S4-3 and F4-3 are executed as long as the NC charge level is higher than the high threshold SH and, if the NC charge level falls below the high threshold SH, then steps S4-2 and F4-2 are executed.

[0094] If the sub-mode selected during the sub-mode selection step C4 is the economical sub-mode “ECO”, then a charge level control step C4-2, or “CHARGE LEVEL CONTROL” step, is executed, during which the charge level NC of the rechargeable secondary power source B is measured and is compared with the low threshold SB and the high threshold SH.

[0095] If, during the charge level control step C4-2, the charge level NC of the rechargeable secondary power source B is lower than the low threshold SB, then a step S4-4, or step “KE=0”, is executed, which sets the coefficient ke to zero, so that the secondary power PB is zero. In other words, if the charge level NC is lower than 5 to 15% of the charge capacity, then the rechargeable secondary power source B does not provide any power, and thus the source power PS is fully provided by the primary power source R.This step S4-4 is followed by a step F4-4, or “POWER DISTRIBUTION” step, which implements a method of distributing the maximum available power PMAX, where the maximum available power PMAX corresponds to the minimum between the maximum conversion power PCONV and the source power PS which is equivalent to the primary power PR, i.e. PS=PR, in this “ECO” economic sub-mode of the MHYBR hybrid power supply mode.

[0096] If during the charge level control step C4-2, the charge level NC of the rechargeable secondary power source B is between the low threshold SB and the high threshold SH, then a step S4-5, or step “KE=KEMIN”, is executed, which sets the coefficient ke to the value kemin, kemin being between 0.2 and 0.4. In other words, and for example, if the charge level NC of the battery is 30% of its charge capacity, then the secondary power PB supplied is equal to kemin times the maximum secondary power PBMAX, i.e. PB=kemin.PBMAX. This step S4-5 is followed by a step F4-5, or “POWER DISTRIBUTION” step, which implements a method of distributing the maximum available power PMAX, where the maximum available power PMAX corresponds to the minimum between the maximum conversion power PCONV and the source power PS which is equivalent to the sum of the primary power PR and the secondary power PB, i.e. PS=PR+kemin.PBMAX in this “ECO” economic sub-mode of the MHYBR hybrid power mode. These steps S4-5 and F4-5 are executed as long as the NC charge level is above the low threshold SB and, if the NC charge level falls below the low threshold SB, then steps S4-4 and F4-4 are executed.

[0097] If during the charge level control step C4-2, the charge level NC of the rechargeable secondary power source B is greater than the high threshold SH, then a step S4-6, or step “KE=KEMAX”, is executed, which sets the coefficient ke to the value kemax, kemax being between 0.6 and 0.8. In other words, and for example, if the charge level NC of the battery is 90% of its charge capacity, then the secondary power PB supplied is equal to kemax times the maximum secondary power PBMAX, i.e. PB=kemax.PBMAX. This step S4-6 is followed by a step F4-6, or step “POWER DISTRIBUTION”, which implements a method for distributing the maximum available power PMAX, where the maximum available power PMAX corresponds to the minimum between the maximum conversion power PCONV and the source power PS which is equivalent to the sum of the primary power PR and the secondary power PB, i.e. PS=PR+kemax.PBMAX in this “ECO” economic sub-mode of the MHYBR hybrid power mode. These steps S4-6 and F4-6 are executed as long as the NC charge level is above the high threshold SH and, if the NC charge level falls below the high threshold SH, then steps S4-5 and F4-5 are executed.

[0098] If the sub-mode selected during the sub-mode selection step C4 is the extreme sub-mode “EXTR”, then a step F4-0, or “POWER DISTRIBUTION” step, is executed, which implements a method of distributing the maximum available power PMAX, where the maximum available power PMAX corresponds to the minimum between the maximum conversion power PCONV and the source power PS which is equivalent to the sum of the primary power PR and the secondary power PB which is equal to PBMAX, i.e. PS=PR+PBMAX in this extreme sub-mode “EXTR” of the hybrid power supply mode MHYBR.

[0099] According to one possibility, in the extreme sub-mode “EXTR” in step F4-0, when the charge level NC of the rechargeable secondary power source B has fallen below the low threshold SB then the method P automatically switches to the standby mode “MV” previously described, during which only the safety equipment of the crane G is powered to enable the crane G to be made safe.

[0100] The second part of the following description concerns the implementation of the distribution method F to distribute the maximum available power PMAX to the various electrical equipment 9 of the crane G, regardless of the management mode among the hybrid power supply mode MHYBR, the autonomous power supply mode MAUTON, the main power supply mode MPRINC and the mixed recharge / power supply mode MMIXT. The purpose of this distribution method F is to optimize the distribution of the maximum available power PMAX, in particular when this maximum available power PMAX is insufficient to supply at full capacity all the electrical equipment 9 of the crane G

[0101] As previously described, the maximum available power PMAX depends on the management mode, the management sub-mode and the charge level NC of the rechargeable secondary power source B, with a maximum available power PMAX which is equivalent to the minimum between the maximum conversion power PCONV and the source power PS which is equivalent to: in step F1 in main power supply mode MPRINC, the primary power PR (i.e. PS=PR); in step F1 in mixed recharge / power supply mode MMIXT, the primary power PR less the recharge power PCH (i.e. PS=PR-PCH); in step F3-2 in automatic sub-mode “AUTO” of autonomous power supply mode MAUTON, the secondary power PB which is equal to kamin.PBMAX (i.e. PS=PB=kamin.PBMAX); in step F3-3 in automatic sub-mode “AUTO” of autonomous power supply mode MAUTON, the secondary power PB which is equal to kamax.PBMAX (i.e. PS=PB=kamax.PBMAX); in step F3-5 in economic sub-mode “ECO” of autonomous power supply mode MAUTON, the secondary power PB which is equal to kemin.PBMAX (i.e. PS=PB=kemin.PBMAX); in step F3-6 in the “ECO” economic sub-mode of the MAUTON autonomous power supply mode, the secondary power PB which is equal to kemax.PBMAX (i.e. PS=PB=kemax.PBMAX); in step F3-0 in extreme sub-mode “EXTR” of the MAUTON autonomous power supply mode, the secondary power PB which is equal to PBMAX (i.e. PS=PB=PBMAX); in step F4-1 in automatic sub-mode “AUTO” of the MHYBR hybrid power supply mode, the primary power PR (i.e. PS=PR); in step F4-2 in automatic sub-mode “AUTO” of the MHYBR hybrid power supply mode, the sum of the primary power PR and the secondary power PB which is equal to kamin.PBMAX (i.e. PS=PR+PB=PR+kamin.PBMAX); in step F4-3 in automatic sub-mode “AUTO” of the MHYBR hybrid power supply mode, the sum of the primary power PR and the secondary power PB which is equal to kamax.PBMAX (i.e. PS=PR+PB=PR+kamax.PBMAX); in step F4-4 in the “ECO” economic sub-mode of the MHYBR hybrid power supply mode, the primary power PR (i.e. PS=PR); in step F4-5 in the “ECO” economic sub-mode of the MHYBR hybrid power supply mode, the sum of the primary power PR and the secondary power PB which is equal to kemin.PBMAX (i.e. PS=PR+PB=PR+kemin.PBMAX); in step F4-6 in the “ECO” economic sub-mode of the MHYBR hybrid power supply mode, the sum of the primary power PR and the secondary power PB which is equal to kemax.PBMAX (i.e. PS=PR+PB=PR+kemax.PBMAX); in step F4-0 in extreme sub-mode “EXTR” of the hybrid power supply mode MHYBR, the sum of the primary power PR and the secondary power PB which is equal to PBMAX (i.e. PS=PR+PB=PR+PBMAX).

[0102] In reference to the Figure 7 , this distribution method F implements an initial selection step T1, or “SELECTION MODE” step, which consists of a selection between: a raw mode “MBRUT” in which the maximum available power PMAX is distributed over predefined actuation equipment 91, 92 and over predefined accessory equipment 93, 94 among the electrical equipment 9 of the crane G, the actuation equipment 91, 92 being defined according to a configuration of the crane G; and an optimized mode “MOPT” in which the maximum available power PMAX is distributed over the predefined actuation equipment 91, 92, and also over accessory equipment 93, 94 but also according to cut-off conditions associated with the accessory equipment 93, 94, so that according to their respective cut-off conditions the accessory equipment 93, 94 is powered or not.

[0103] The actuating equipment 91, 92 may comprise mounting equipment 91 which participates in the mounting of the crane G when the crane G is in a mounting configuration designated by “MOUNTING” on the figure 7 , and the actuating equipment 91, 92 comprises working equipment 92 which participates in the movement of a load when the crane G is in a working configuration designated by “WORK” on the figure 7 . It is conceivable that the crane G does not include assembly equipment 91, as for example in the case of a crane with element assembly.

[0104] The assembly equipment 91 may comprise at least one of the following equipment: a hydraulic folding / unfolding unit allowing folding / unfolding of a mast and a boom, a hydraulic wedging unit allowing wedging of the crane on the ground, a hydraulic orientation unit allowing orientation of a base of the crane, a hydraulic jib unit allowing actuation of an assembly jib. Generally, in the assembly configuration, in other words during the assembly / disassembly phases of the crane, either a single assembly equipment is actuated (for example the hydraulic folding / unfolding unit), or several assembly equipment 91 are actuated successively and individually because the assembly / disassembly phases are sequenced.

[0105] The work equipment 92 may comprise at least one of the following equipment: a motorized lifting system 920 allowing lifting / lowering of a load, a motorized distribution system 921 allowing distribution of a load along a boom 7, a motorized orientation system 922 allowing orientation of a boom 7, a motorized translation system allowing translation of the crane, a motorized lifting system allowing lifting of a luffing boom (or tilting boom). Generally speaking, in the working configuration, in other words during the phases of moving a load, several work equipment 92 are actuated simultaneously, and sometimes are actuated successively and individually.

[0106] For the remainder of the description, three work equipment 92 will be considered for crane G when in working configuration, namely: the motorized lifting system 920 which receives an electrical lifting power PLEV, which is less than or equal to the electrical power requested by this motorized lifting system 920; the motorized distribution system 921 which receives an electrical distribution power PDIST, which is less than or equal to the electrical power requested by this motorized distribution system 921; the motorized orientation system 922 which receives an electrical orientation power PORIEN, which is less than or equal to the electrical power requested by this motorized orientation system 922.

[0107] The accessory equipment 93, 94 is equipment which does not participate in the operations of mounting and moving a load or a structural element of the crane G, and this accessory equipment 93, 94 may comprise one or more system accessory equipment 93 and / or one or more user accessory equipment 94.

[0108] System accessory equipment 93 may include at least one of the following equipment: a heating system 931 for heating a space 71 of the crane, such as for example a pilot cabin, a ventilation or cooling system 932 for ventilating / cooling a space 72 of the crane; and the cut-off conditions for these system accessory equipment 931, 932, in the optimized “MOPT” mode, may depend on at least one environmental parameter which is a physical parameter representative of the space 71, 72 of the crane G. According to one possibility, this environmental parameter is an interior temperature of the space 71, 72 of the crane G.

[0109] The space 72 of the crane G may correspond to an electrical cabinet internally grouping together all or part of the components involved in the electrical power supply of the crane G. In other words, in the optimized “MOPT” mode, the heating of the pilot cabin 71, and the ventilation or cooling of this electrical cabinet 72 will depend on cut-off conditions which are a function of the internal temperature respectively in this pilot cabin 71 and in this electrical cabinet 72.

[0110] The accessory user equipment 94 may comprise at least one of the following equipment: a lighting system 941, an electrical outlet 942; and the cut-off conditions of these accessory user equipment 94, in the optimized “MOPT” mode, may depend on a selection of a classification made by a user for the or each of the accessory user equipment 94, from among the following classifications: a “non-essential” classification which corresponds to an authorization not to power the corresponding user accessory equipment 94 in optimized MOPT mode for the benefit of the actuation equipment 91, 92; and an “essential” classification which corresponds to a prohibition not to power the corresponding user accessory equipment 94 in optimized MOPT mode.

[0111] In reference to the Figure 7 , if during the initial selection step T1, the raw mode MBRUT is selected, then a configuration selection step T3, or “CONFIGURATION SELECTION” step, is executed, in which a choice of crane configuration is made between the assembly configuration and the working configuration.

[0112] And in the same way, if during the initial selection step T1, the optimized MOPT mode is selected, then a configuration selection step T2, or “CONFIGURATION SELECTION” step, is executed, in which a choice of crane configuration is made between the assembly configuration and the working configuration.

[0113] If, in the raw mode MBRUT, during the configuration selection step T3, the mounting configuration is selected, then a step E3-1, or “PMAX DISTRIBUTION” step, is executed, during which the maximum available power PMAX is distributed over the actuation equipment 91, 92 (which here are the mounting equipment 91) and over the accessory equipment 93, 94, so that these mounting equipment 91 receive an actuation power PACT which is equivalent to the maximum available power PMAX reduced by an accessory power PACC, i.e. PACT=PMAX-PACC; the accessory power PACC corresponding to the electrical power requested by the accessory equipment 93, 94 or the power necessary to supply these accessory equipment 93, 94.This step E3-2 is followed by a step E3-3, or “PACT DISTRIBUTION” step, during which the PACT actuation power is distributed over the assembly equipment(s) 91, such that each assembly equipment receives an electrical power which is less than or equal to this PACT actuation power. If only one assembly equipment is involved (for example the hydraulic folding / unfolding unit) then all the PACT actuation power is allocated to this single assembly equipment.

[0114] If, on the other hand, in the raw mode MBRUT, during the configuration selection step T3, the working configuration is selected, then a step E3-2, or “PMAX DISTRIBUTION” step, is executed, during which the maximum available power PMAX is distributed over the actuation equipment 91, 92 (which here are the working equipment 92) and over the accessory equipment 93, 94, so that these working equipment 92 receive an actuation power PACT which is equivalent to the maximum available power PMAX reduced by the accessory power PACC, i.e. PACT=PMAX-PACC.This step E3-2 is followed by a step E3-4, or “PACT DISTRIBUTION” step, during which the PACT actuation power is distributed over the different work equipment 92, so that each work equipment receives an electrical power which is less than or equal to this PACT actuation power, which amounts to, in the embodiment previously described, PLEV≤PACT, PDIST≤PACT and PORIEN≤PACT.

[0115] In the optimized MOPT mode, the actuation equipment 91, 92 can be powered by an actuation power PACT which is equivalent: either at the maximum available power PMAX if the cut-off conditions are such that all the accessory equipment 93, 94 is cut off (therefore switched off or not powered), or PACT=PMAX; or at the maximum available power PMAX reduced by the accessory power PACC, or PACT=PMAX-PACC, this accessory power PACC corresponding to the electrical power requested by the accessory equipment 93, 94 which is not cut off according to the cut-off conditions.

[0116] Thus, the accessory equipment 93, 94 will be divided into: cut-off accessory equipment, which is accessory equipment whose cut-off conditions are satisfied so that this cut-off accessory equipment is not electrically powered; and uncut-off accessory equipment, which is accessory equipment whose cut-off conditions are not satisfied so that this uncut-off accessory equipment is not electrically powered.

[0117] For User Accessory Equipment 94, cut accessory equipment is accessory equipment for which a "non-essential" classification has been selected, and uncut accessory equipment is accessory equipment for which an "essential" classification has been selected.

[0118] So, with reference to the figure 7, if during the configuration selection step T2, the mounting configuration is selected, then a step of verifying the cut-off conditions T4, or “CUT-OFF VERIFICATION” step, is executed, in which the cut-off conditions of the various accessory equipment 93, 94 are checked, which leads to two situations.

[0119] In a first situation, if at least one cut-off condition is not satisfied, then a step E4-1, or “PMAX DISTRIBUTION” step, is executed, during which the maximum available power PMAX is distributed over the actuation equipment 91, 92 (which here are the mounting equipment 91) and over the uncut accessory equipment(s), so that these mounting equipment 91 receive an actuation power PACT which is equivalent to the maximum available power PMAX reduced by the accessory power PACC, i.e. PACT=PMAX-PACC. This step E4-1 is followed by a step E4-3, or “PACT DISTRIBUTION” step, during which the actuation power PACT is distributed over the mounting equipment(s) 91, so that each mounting equipment receives an electrical power which is less than or equal to this actuation power PACT.If only one assembly equipment is in play (e.g. the folding / unfolding hydraulic unit) then all PACT actuation power is allocated to that single assembly equipment.

[0120] In a second situation, if on the other hand all the cut-off conditions are satisfied, then a step E4-2, or “PMAX DISTRIBUTION” step, is executed, during which the maximum available power PMAX is distributed only to the actuation equipment 91, 92 (which here are the mounting equipment 91), so that these mounting equipment 91 receive an actuation power PACT which is equivalent to the maximum available power PMAX, i.e. PACT=PMAX. This step E4-2 is followed by a step E4-4, or “PACT DISTRIBUTION” step, during which the actuation power PACT is distributed to the mounting equipment(s) 91, so that each mounting equipment receives an electrical power which is less than or equal to this maximum available power PMAX. If only one mounting equipment is involved, then all the maximum available power PMAX is allocated to this single mounting equipment.

[0121] In the same way, if during the configuration selection step T2, the working configuration is selected, then a step of verifying the cut-off conditions T5, or “CUT-OFF VERIFICATION” step, is executed, in which the cut-off conditions of the various accessory equipment 93, 94 are checked, which leads to two situations.

[0122] In a first situation, if at least one cut-off condition is not satisfied, then a step E5-1, or “PMAX DISTRIBUTION” step, is executed, during which the maximum available power PMAX is distributed over the actuation equipment 91, 92 (which here are the work equipment 92) and over the uncut accessory equipment(s), so that these work equipment 92 receive an actuation power PACT which is equivalent to the maximum available power PMAX reduced by the accessory power PACC, i.e. PACT=PMAX-PACC.

[0123] In a second situation, if on the other hand all the cut-off conditions are satisfied, then a step E5-2, or “PMAX DISTRIBUTION” step, is executed, during which the maximum available power PMAX is distributed only to the actuation equipment 91, 92 (which here are the work equipment 92), so that these work equipment 92 receive an actuation power PACT which is equivalent to the maximum available power PMAX, i.e. PACT=PMAX.

[0124] Step E5-1 is followed by a schema selection step T6, or “SCHEMA SELECTION” step, and similarly step E5-1 is followed by a schema selection step T7, or “SCHEMA SELECTION” step.

[0125] The T6 or T7 diagram selection step is a step during which a selection is made of a PACT actuation power distribution diagram on the different work equipment 92, from among the following two distribution diagrams: a first scheme SCH1 in which the work equipment 92 are activated and therefore powered sequentially (i.e. one after the other, not in combination), so that each work equipment is powered, when activated, by the actuating power PACT; and a second scheme SCH2 in which the work equipment 92 are activated and therefore powered simultaneously (i.e. one at the same time as the other, in combination), so that all the work equipment 92 are powered together by the actuating power PACT.

[0126] Thus, if the first scheme SCH1 is selected during the scheme selection step T6, then a step E6-1, or “PACT DISTRIBUTION” step, is executed, during which the PACT actuation power (with the reminder PACT=PMAX-PACC) is allocated fully and sequentially to each piece of work equipment when activated, such that each piece of work equipment receives, when activated, an electrical power that is less than or equal to this PACT actuation power. On the other hand, if the second scheme SCH2 is selected during the scheme selection step T6, then a step E6-2, or “PACT DISTRIBUTION” step, is executed, during which the PACT actuation power (with the reminder PACT=PMAX-PACC) is distributed over the different pieces of work equipment 92 that are activated (and therefore requiring energy) in a combined manner.

[0127] Similarly, if the first scheme SCH1 is selected during the scheme selection step T7, then a step E7-1, or “PACT DISTRIBUTION” step, is executed, during which the PACT actuation power (with PACT=PMAX as a reminder) is allocated fully and sequentially to each piece of work equipment when activated, such that each piece of work equipment receives, when activated, an electrical power that is less than or equal to this PACT actuation power. On the other hand, if the second scheme SCH2 is selected during the scheme selection step T7, then a step E7-2, or “PACT DISTRIBUTION” step, is executed, during which the PACT actuation power (with PACT=PMAX as a reminder) is distributed over the different pieces of work equipment 92 that are activated (and therefore requiring energy) in a combined manner.

[0128] According to one possibility, a storage in a memory of a plurality of preferential distribution modes is implemented, each preferential distribution mode being associated with distribution percentages of the PACT actuation power on the different work equipment 92 in the second diagram, with for example a distribution as follows: PACT = PLEV + PDIS + PORIEN , with PLEV=q1.PACT, PDIS=q2.PACT and PORIEN=q3.PACT, where q1, q2 and q3 are quantities or percentages of distribution, with q1+q2+q3=1.

[0129] Each preferential distribution mode is thus associated with different distribution dates or percentages q1, q2 and q3. These distribution modes are implemented if the actuation power PACT is less than the sum of the powers requested by the work equipment 92. Indeed, if the actuation power PACT is greater than or equal to the sum of the powers requested by the work equipment 92, then all the work equipment 92 can be supplied at their full power.

[0130] Also, the distribution method F can implement a step of selecting a distribution mode MREP, or step “SELECTION OF DISTRIBUTION MODE”, so that step E6-2 or step E7-2 executes a distribution of the actuating power PACT on the different work equipment 92 in accordance with the selected preferential distribution mode.

[0131] The rest of the description concerns the crane G which includes the electrical equipment 9 supplied electrically, via the conversion circuit Q presented in figure 8 , by the primary power source R capable of supplying the primary power PR and the rechargeable secondary power source B capable of supplying the secondary power PB.

[0132] This G crane includes: a monitoring unit M for monitoring the general power requested PGEN which corresponds, as a reminder, to the power requested by all the electrical equipment 9 and the charge level NC of the rechargeable secondary power source B, and the control / command unit CC connected to the monitoring unit M and to the conversion circuit Q, and configured to implement the method P for managing the electrical power supply of the figure 6 previously described.

[0133] There may be an electrical recharging interface 22 between the primary power source R and the rechargeable secondary power source B intended to adapt the voltage supplied by the primary power source R to a recharging voltage of the rechargeable secondary power source B. The electrical recharging interface 22 makes it possible to recharge the rechargeable secondary power source B when the primary power source R is connected and the electrical power consumption of the crane G is lower than the primary power PR supplied by the primary power source R.

[0134] The CC control / command unit is also configured for the implementation of the F distribution method of the figure 7 to distribute the maximum available power PMAX to the electrical equipment 9 of crane G.

[0135] Also, this control / command unit CC is connected, on the one hand, to a user interface INT allowing a selection between the raw mode MBRUT and the optimized mode MOPT and, on the other hand, to an electrical circuit connecting the at least one power source to the electrical equipment 9 to control a distribution of the maximum available power PMAX according to the mode selected from the raw mode MBRUT and the optimized mode MOPT.

[0136] According to one possibility, the primary power source R delivers a primary power supply voltage of single-phase or three-phase type, for example 230 or 400 volts, and the conversion circuit Q ensures a conversion of said primary power supply voltage into a three-phase power supply voltage. The three-phase power supply voltage can be obtained by assembling three single-phase converters coupled or synchronized together to generate a three-phase power supply voltage.

[0137] The monitoring unit M can be a microcontroller and the conversion circuit Q can be an AC / AC electrical converter comprising a rectifier RECT and an inverter OND as shown in the figure 8 , the rectifier RECT used to convert an alternating voltage from the primary power source R into a direct voltage that can be injected into the input of a step-up electrical component TRANS intended to raise the value of the electrical signal such as an electrical transformer for example, and the inverter OND used to convert the direct voltage at the output of the step-up component TRANS or of the rechargeable secondary power source B into an alternating voltage intended to supply an electrical interface circuit 20 preceding the user interface INT.

[0138] According to one embodiment, the monitoring unit M selects the power source from among the primary power source R and the rechargeable secondary power source B by switching on or off electrical switches 10, 11, 12. The electrical switches 10, 11, 12 shown in the figure 8 can designate electromechanical relays for example.

[0139] If switch 10 is closed, then the power transfer from the primary power source R to the electrical equipment 9 of crane G is activated. If switch 11 is closed, then the power transfer from the primary power source R to the rechargeable secondary power source B is activated, in other words the rechargeable secondary power source B is recharged. If switch 12 is closed, then the power transfer from the rechargeable secondary power source B to the electrical equipment 9 of crane G is activated.

[0140] The Q conversion circuit may also include at least one frequency converter not shown in the figure 8 as well as a current measuring component connected to the output of the secondary rechargeable power source such as an electrical shunt not shown in the figure 8 .

[0141] The G crane further includes the INT user interface connected to the control unit CC command for: selecting the management sub-mode from among the previously described management sub-modes which are the automatic sub-mode “AUTO”, the economic sub-mode “ECO” and the extreme sub-mode “EXTR”; selecting between the raw mode “MBRUT” and the optimized mode “MOPT”; selecting the classification of the user accessory equipment 94 from among the “non-essential” classification and the “essential” classification; selecting the distribution scheme from among the first scheme SCH1 and the second scheme SCH2; selecting a preferential distribution mode from among the preferential distribution modes stored in the memory.

[0142] The control-command unit CC can be connected to the monitoring unit M by a communication bus 15 so that the control-command unit CC can permanently receive information on electrical quantities from the monitoring unit M such as an input voltage of the rectifier RECT or even an output voltage of the inverter OND, so that the control-command unit CC can adjust parameters of the conversion circuit Q such as switching on or off the electrical switches 10, 11, 12 for example.

[0143] The control unit CC can also receive from the monitoring unit M the power supply mode implemented by the power supply management method P or a value of the primary supply voltage.

[0144] The control unit CC can transfer to the monitoring unit M the primary power PR entered by a user in the user interface INT and which can be used by the monitoring unit M for the calculation of the maximum available power PMAX.

[0145] Furthermore, according to one embodiment, the control-command unit CC is capable of finding the power supply mode implemented by the electrical power supply management method P on the basis of the state of the electrical switches 10, 11, 12 or on the basis of a value of the primary voltage sent by the monitoring unit M via the communication bus 15.

[0146] According to one possibility, the control-command unit CC first calculates the maximum available power PMAX according to the power source(s) supplying the electrical power, as well as the power supply mode implemented, then the control-command unit CC manages the distribution of the maximum available power PMAX on the different electrical equipment 9 of the crane G.

[0147] According to one possibility, a user of crane G, for example a pilot of crane G, provides the primary power PR, the management sub-mode and one or more preferential distribution modes.

[0148] According to one possibility, the control-command unit CC indicates to the user of the crane G via the user interface INT the charge level NC of the rechargeable secondary power source B, the power supply mode implemented and standby information if the system switches to standby mode.

[0149] The charge level NC of the rechargeable secondary power source B is estimated by the control unit CC from, for example, a charge and discharge current of the rechargeable secondary power source B, thus, the control unit CC can, for example, know the capacity of the battery in Ah or Wh. A calibration can be carried out when the rechargeable secondary power source B is fully charged.

Claims

1. A management method (P) for managing electrical power supply for electrically powering electrical equipment (9) of a crane (G), via a conversion circuit (Q), from a primary power supply source (R) capable of providing a primary power (PR) and from a rechargeable secondary power supply source (B) capable of providing a secondary power (PB), wherein said management method comprises a monitoring of a requested general power (PGEN) which corresponds to a power requested by all the electrical equipment (9) and a monitoring of a charge level (NC) of the rechargeable secondary power supply source (B), and wherein the management method (P) implements, depending on said requested general power (PGEN) and said charge level (NC), at least the following management modes: - a recharging mode (MCHARG) in which the requested general power (PGEN) is zero and the primary power supply source (R) is available and connected to the rechargeable secondary power supply source (B) to recharge it according to its charge level (NC); - a mixed recharging / powering mode (MMIXT) in which the requested general power (PGEN) is non-zero, and the primary power supply source (R) is available and connected, on the one hand, to the electrical equipment (9) to electrically power them and, on the other hand, to the rechargeable secondary power supply source (B) to recharge it depending on the charge level (NC); - a main power supply mode (MPRINC) in which the requested general power (PGEN) is non-zero, and only the primary power supply source is connected to the electrical equipment (9) to electrically power them; - a hybrid power supply mode (MHYBR) in which the requested general power (PGEN) is non-zero, and the primary power supply source (R) and the rechargeable secondary power supply source (B) are both connected to the electrical equipment (9) to electrically power them; and - an autonomous power supply mode (MAUTON) in which the requested general power (PGEN) is non-zero, and only the rechargeable secondary power supply source (B) is connected to the electrical equipment (9) to electrically power them according to the charge level (NC); wherein the electrical equipment (9) are powered by an available maximum power (PMAX) which corresponds to a minimum between a maximum conversion power (PCONV) and a source power (PS), wherein the maximum conversion power (PCONV) corresponds to a maximum power that can be delivered at the output of the conversion circuit (Q) and wherein the source power (PS) corresponds to: - the sum of the secondary power (PB) and of the primary power (PR) in the hybrid power supply mode (MHYBR); - the secondary power (PB) in the autonomous power supply mode (MAUTON); - the primary power (PR) in the main power supply mode (MPRINC); and - the primary power (PR) minus a recharging power (PCH) used to recharge the rechargeable secondary power supply source (B) in the mixed recharging / powering mode (MMIXT); the management method (P) being characterized in that it implements, in the autonomous power supply mode (MAUTON) and in the hybrid power supply mode (MHYBR), an adaptation of the secondary power (PB) as a function at least of the charge level (NC), said secondary power (PB) being lower than or equal to a secondary maximum power (PBMAX) which corresponds to a maximum power that can be delivered by the rechargeable secondary power supply source (B); and the management method (P) being characterized in that it implements a selection, in the hybrid power supply mode (MHYBR) and in the autonomous power supply mode (MAUTON), of a management sub-mode amongst several management sub-modes comprising at least: - an automatic sub-mode (AUTO) in which the secondary power (PB) is monitored so as to correspond to ka times the secondary maximum power (PBMAX), wherein ka is a coefficient that is less than or equal to 1 and which decreases with the charge level (NC) until the charge level (NC) drops below a low threshold (SB); - an economical sub-mode (ECO) in which the secondary power (PB) is monitored so as to correspond to ke times the secondary maximum power (PBMAX), wherein ke is a coefficient lower than ka and which decreases with the charge level (NC) until the charge level (NC) drops below a low threshold (SB).

2. The management method (P) according to claim 1, wherein: - in the automatic sub-mode (AUTO), the coefficient ka is equal to kamax as long as the charge level (NC) of the rechargeable secondary power supply source is above a high threshold (SH), then the coefficient ka is equal to kamin when the charge level (NC) is comprised between the low threshold (SB) and the high threshold (SH), and finally the coefficient ka is zero when the charge level (NC) of the rechargeable secondary power supply source is below the low threshold (SB), wherein kamax is higher than kamin; and - in the economical sub-mode (ECO), the coefficient ke is equal to kemax as long as the charge level (NC) of the rechargeable secondary power supply source (B) is above the high threshold (SH), then the coefficient ke is equal to kemin when the charge level (NC) of the rechargeable secondary power supply source (B) is comprised between the low threshold (SB) and the high threshold (SH), and finally the coefficient ke is zero when the charge level (NC) of the rechargeable secondary power supply source (B) is below the low threshold (SB), wherein kemax is higher than kemin, kamax is higher than kemax and kamin is higher than kemin.

3. The management method (P) according to claim 2, wherein kamax is comprised between 0.8 and 1, kamin is comprised between 0.5 and 0.7, kemax is comprised between 0.6 and 0.8 and kemin is comprised between 0.2 and 0.4.

4. The management method (P) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the low threshold (SB) is comprised between 5 and 15% of a charge capacity of the rechargeable secondary power supply source (B) and the high threshold (SH) is comprised between 40 and 60% of a charge capacity of the rechargeable secondary power supply source (B).

5. The management method (P) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, in the autonomous power supply mode (MAUTON) and whether in the automatic sub-mode (AUTO) or in the economical sub-mode (ECO), the management method (P) automatically switches into a standby mode (MV) after the charge level (NC) of the rechargeable secondary power supply source (B) drops below the low threshold (SB), wherein in the standby mode (MV) only predefined safety equipment amongst the electrical equipment (9) are powered to allow the crane (G) to be safe-guarded.

6. The management method (P) according to claim 5, wherein, in the standby mode (MV), the secondary power (PB) is monitored to match the secondary maximum power (PBMAX) in order to power the safety equipment at least while safeguarding the crane (G).

7. The management method (P) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the management sub-modes also comprise an extreme sub-mode (EXTR) in which the secondary power (PB) corresponds to the secondary maximum power (PBMAX) regardless of the value of the charge level (NC) of the rechargeable secondary power supply source (B).

8. The management method according to claims 5 and 7, wherein, in the extreme sub-mode (EXTR), when the charge level (NC) of the rechargeable secondary power supply source (B) drops below the low threshold (SB), then only the safety equipment are powered to allow the crane to be safe-guarded.

9. The management method (P) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein an allocation method for allocating the available maximum power (PMAX) over the different electrical equipment (9) is implemented, regardless of the management mode amongst the hybrid power supply mode (MHYBR), the autonomous power supply mode (MAUTON), the main power supply mode (MPRINC) and the mixed recharging / powering mode (MMIXT).

10. The management method (P) according to claim 9, wherein the allocation method comprises a step of selecting between: - a raw mode (MBRUT) in which the available maximum power (PMAX) is allocated over predefined actuation equipment (91, 92) and over predefined accessory equipment (93, 94) among the electrical equipment (9), the actuation equipment (91, 92) being defined according to a configuration of the crane (G); and - an optimized mode (MOPT) in which the available maximum power (PMAX) is allocated over the predefined actuation equipment (91, 92) and also over the accessory equipment (93, 94) but according to cutoff conditions associated to the accessory equipment (93, 94), so that according to their respective cut-off conditions the accessory equipment (93, 94) are powered or not.

11. The management method (P) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, when the requested general power (PGEN) is non-zero, the following management modes are automatically implemented: - the autonomous power supply mode (MAUTON) is automatically implemented if the primary power supply source (R) is not available; - the main power supply mode (MPRINC) or the mixed recharging / powering mode (MMIXT) is automatically implemented according to the charge level (NC) of the rechargeable secondary power supply source (B), if the primary power supply source (R) is available and if the requested general power (PGEN) is lower than the primary power (PR); - the hybrid power supply mode (MHYBR) is automatically implemented if the primary power supply source (R) is available and if the requested general power (PGEN) is higher than the primary power (PR).

12. A crane (G) comprising electrical equipment (9) electrically powered, via a conversion circuit (Q), by a primary power supply source (R) capable of providing a primary power (PR) and a rechargeable secondary power supply source (B) capable of providing a secondary power (PB), characterized in that the said crane (G) comprises a monitoring unit (M) for monitoring a requested general power (PGEN) which corresponds to a power requested by all the electrical equipment (9) and a charge level (NC) of the rechargeable secondary power supply source (B), and characterized in that the said crane (G) comprises a control / command unit (CC), connected to the monitoring unit (M) and to the conversion circuit (Q), and configured to implement the management method (P) in accordance with any one of the preceding claims.

13. The crane (CR) according to claim 12, wherein the electrical equipment (9) comprise safety equipment configured to allow the crane (G) to be safe-guarded.

14. The crane (G) according to claim 12 or 13, further comprising a user interface (INT) connected to the control - command unit (CC) to select, in the hybrid power supply mode (MHYBR), in the autonomous power supply mode (MAUTON), in the main power supply mode (MPRINC) and in the mixed recharging / powering mode (MMIXT), a management sub-mode amongst several management sub-modes of the management method (P) according to any one of claims 2 to 9.