Crane with derrick ballast

Abstract

To change the weight of a derrick ballast in a simple, fast and flexible manner.SOLUTION: A derrick ballast 20 comprises at least two ballast element groups 25 which may be stacked on top of each other and a cross member 30 connected to the derrick boom 18 by a ballast bracing 19 and connected to the upper rotating body by guides 11. According to the present invention, the cross member may be connected to the stack of the ballast element group by at least one retaining element. The retaining element has first connection means for removably connecting the retaining element to second connection means of the ballast element group composing the stack, and may be connected to a part of the stack of the ballast element group composing the stack by moving the retaining element and / or the cross member with respect to the unconnected stack.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The invention relates to a crane according to the preamble of claim 1 and to a derrick ballast for such a crane. [Background technology]

[0002] This type of crane, also known as a derrick crane, typically has a crawler chassis. With additional derrick ballast, these cranes are especially adapted to lift and move heavy loads. In these cranes, the main boom (hereinafter referred to as "boom", typically a lattice boom) and the derrick boom are connected together by an adjustable luffing boom. This derrick boom is typically connected to an adjustable A-frame of the upper rotating bed by derrick bracing. By adjusting the A-frame, the inclination of the derrick boom relative to the upper rotating bed can be adjusted for assembling and dismantling the derrick. During operation of the crane, the angle of the derrick boom generally does not change. The luffing movement of the main boom is achieved by adjusting the luffing rope between the boom and the derrick boom.

[0003] The moment that the boom exerts on the boom system due to the load it carries must be absorbed by the derrick boom. In addition, the entire "crane" system must remain stable. This means that the overall center of gravity must be at the end that is tilted. When lifting heavy loads, this is not possible with the upper bed ballast alone. For this reason, the derrick ballast is needed as additional ballast. It is connected to the free end of the derrick boom by a ballast bracing with a variable length. The length of this ballast bracing can be adjusted, for example, using a hydraulic tension cylinder.

[0004] Derrick ballasts of the suspended ballast type or of the ballast carrier type that can be moved on the floor with stacked ballast elements are known from the prior art. Suspended ballasts can generally assume two operating modes: they can be placed on the floor or they can be suspended on ballast bracings of variable length. These two conditions usually depend on the load moment to be absorbed.

[0005] The horizontal distance between the axis of rotation of the superstructure or upper rotating body and the center of gravity of the derrick ballast is called the ballast radius. With suspended ballast, the ballast radius can be adjusted either by tilting the derrick boom or by guides between the rear of the upper rotating body and the suspended ballast.

[0006] A lot of ballast is needed to raise a long boom installation. Once raised, the crane generally requires less ballast for the assumed load. The disadvantage of suspended ballast is that the crane or the upper bed can only be rotated and moved, or the suspended ballast changed, when the derrick ballast is raised off the ground. However, this condition can only be achieved if the system is balanced with a certain load on the hook. The larger or heavier the suspended ballast is, the higher the minimum load that must be placed on the hook. Depending on the configuration, a certain minimum load must be placed on the hook to prevent the suspended ballast from falling to the ground. As long as the required minimum load on the hook is greater than the hook weight including the lifting machine, the suspended ballast must be lowered when this load is removed from the hook. It is no longer possible to rotate and move the crane or to change the suspended ballast. This situation can severely limit or make lift planning difficult. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The present invention is therefore based on the object of providing a solution for adapting such a derrick ballast in an easy, fast and flexible way so that lifting operations are carried out. In particular, it should be possible to change the weight of the derrick ballast in a simple, fast and flexible way.

[0008] According to the invention, this object is achieved by a crane having the features of claim 1 and by a derrick ballast having the features of claim 15. Advantageous embodiments of the invention follow from the dependent claims and the following description.

[0009] Thus, a crane is proposed, which comprises an undercarriage, an upper rotating body rotatably arranged on the undercarriage, a boom connected to the upper rotating body for hoisting, a derrick boom articulated to the upper rotating body, a guide connected to the upper rotating body and a derrick ballast. The undercarriage is in particular mobile and may have a crawler chassis. The boom is supported by a derrick boom, preferably by the above-mentioned variable length hoisting boom. The derrick boom is preferably connected to an adjustable A-frame of the upper rotating body by a derrick rigging system. The derrick boom may be connected to the A-frame, which is permanently connected to the upper rotating body by a derrick rigging system, in particular by a variable length hoisting cable. The derrick ballast is in particular configured as a float ballast.

[0010] The derrick ballast comprises at least two stackable ballast elements, preferably in the form of plates, and a cross member connected to the derrick boom by a ballast bracing and to the upper bed by the aforementioned guide. The guide connecting the derrick ballast to the upper bed has a variable length, which can be changed, for example, by an actuator. This makes it possible to change the ballast radius and thus the maximum permissible load, also in the ballasted state.

[0011] According to the invention, the cross member can be connected to the stack of ballast elements by at least one retaining element, preferably by several retaining elements. A cross member can thus represent a ballast frame which can carry, for example, the partial ballast of a derrick ballast. When the term "retaining element" is used below, this refers to at least one retaining element, i.e. it always includes the case of several retaining elements.

[0012] According to the invention, the retaining element comprises a first connection means for releasably connecting the retaining element to a second connection means of a ballast element group of the stack and is configured such that the retaining element can be connected to a part of a stack of the ballast element group of the stack by moving the retaining element and / or the cross member, for example, relative to an unconnected stack that is placed on the ground.

[0013] In other words, the cross member or the retaining element(s) may be detachable from the stack of ballast elements, for example after it has been placed on the ground, and the retaining element(s) may then be reconnected to some ballast elements of the stack, or to the bottommost ballast element of the stack, so that the stack now held by the cross member is smaller than the previous stack (and thus represents a portion of the stack). This makes it possible to reduce the weight of the ballast lifted by the cross member. Of course, the reverse is also possible. A portion of the lifted stack may be placed on top of another portion of the ballast elements, the connection with the retaining element(s) released and a connection with a larger stack than before established. This makes it possible to increase the weight of the ballast lifted by the cross member.

[0014] This makes it possible to optimize the suspended ballast for a performed or planned lift at any time without additional auxiliary machinery (e.g. an auxiliary crane).The limitations of known suspended ballasts described in the introduction are significantly reduced by the solution according to the invention and the planning scope in project planning of a lift is significantly increased.

[0015] The solution according to the invention thus provides an autonomously and variably mountable suspended ballast, where in particular the term "autonomously" is understood as "can be used without auxiliary devices" and the phrase "variably mountable" is understood as "any mounting within the scope of a given ballast unit".

[0016] A part of the stack may consist of any number of ballast elements from the original stack, in the simplest case only the topmost ballast element of the stack may be connected to the retaining element, since even one ballast element may be considered as part of the stack.

[0017] The at least one holding element may be releasably connected to the ballast element, for example by means of a bolted connection, a screw connection, a hook connection, a holding claw, a fixing clamp, a sliding bolt, a connecting wedge, a fixing cylinder and / or a connecting tube. Any combination of the abovementioned connection means is also conceivable. A particularly simple solution results from using a bolted connection.

[0018] In a possible embodiment, the derrick ballast comprises at least four retaining elements. Preferably, the cross member has exactly four retaining elements in order to minimize the complexity of the structure and the effort involved in changing the ballast. However, devices with more than four retaining elements are also conceivable. Preferably, the second connection means are arranged on the sides of the ballast elements. In a preferred embodiment, the retaining elements are arranged in the area of ​​the four corners or at the four corners of the cross member in a plan view and can be connected to the second connection means arranged on the sides of the ballast elements.

[0019] In a further possible embodiment it is provided that the holding element is adjustably mounted on the cross member. Preferably, the holding element is mounted on the cross member so that it can be moved vertically. The term "vertical" refers to the crane standing on a flat horizontal surface. Preferably, the holding element can be fixed in at least two different positions on the cross member by fastening means. This fastening element can be a bolt.

[0020] This solution makes it possible to change the position of the first connection means, for example relative to the cross member and / or relative to the attachment points of the ballast bracings and guides on the cross member. This may have the effect that different combinations of ballast elements or parts of stacks of different sizes can be connected to the retaining element by adjusting the retaining element in order to change the weight of the derrick ballast. This retaining element may project downwards from the cross member, for example so as to hang downwards (as in the case where the retaining element is or comprises a chain).

[0021] Alternatively or additionally, it may be possible to change the position of the first connection means relative to the detached ballast elements, which may be lowered to the ground, by lifting the cross-member using a guide, so that a different number of ballast elements can be connected to the retaining element. In this case, the retaining element may be fixed to the cross-member, i.e. non-adjustable.

[0022] In a further possible embodiment, it is provided that the holding element is configured as or comprises a tie rod. This may be understood to mean any element that is configured for transmitting tensile forces, for example a tube, rod or bar, which may be made, for example, of steel or fiber composite material. Preferably, this tie rod is oriented vertically. Preferably, the first connection means are arranged longitudinally along the tie rod, i.e. they may form, for example, a linear arrangement.

[0023] By adjusting the retaining element, the first connection means are therefore moved relative to the ballast plates or their second connection means so that different first connection means can be connected to different second connection means and the number of ballast elements of a part of the stack connected to the cross-member can be changed. Alternatively, only one ballast element (in particular the bottommost ballast element of a nested stack) may be connected to the retaining element so that by adjusting the retaining element the first connection means can be brought into overlap or engagement with the second connection means of another ballast element.

[0024] In a further possible embodiment, in order to removably fasten the retaining element to the cross member, preferably in order to connect the retaining element to a second connecting means of the ballast element group using similar (i.e. identically configured) fastening means, it is provided that said fastening means can be brought into an engaging state with the first connecting means of the retaining element.

[0025] In a further possible embodiment, it is provided that the fastening means are configured as bolts or screws and that the first and / or second connecting means comprise holes for receiving said bolts or screws. In the simplest case, the first and second connecting means are bolt holes and the fastening means are bolts. Here, such bolts are also used to bolt the holding elements to the ballast elements of the stack. However, instead of bolts, other fastening means can also be used, such as slide bolts, screws or a combination of these means.

[0026] In further possible embodiments, it is provided that the retaining element is configured as a chain or rope or comprises such a chain or rope. The retaining element may be a combination of a tie rod and / or a chain and / or a rope. Alternatively or additionally, the retaining element may comprise or be configured as at least one fiber composite element. Furthermore, the retaining element may be or comprise a pull tab.

[0027] In a further possible embodiment, it is provided that the derrick ballast is configured such that the cross member is preferably substantially rectangular in plan view and the ballast elements attached to the cross member are located below the cross member. The ballast elements are also preferably substantially rectangular when viewed from above, whereby preferably four retaining elements are arranged at the corners of the cross member, so that the ballast elements are retained at four points on the cross member. This results in a stable and secure attachment of the ballast elements to the cross member.

[0028] In further possible embodiments, it is provided that the retaining element and / or the cross-member is or comprises a steel structure, in particular a sheet metal and / or tubular structure or a sheet metal and / or tubular framework structure. Likewise, the embodiment of the retaining element and / or the cross-member (or at least a part thereof) as a casting and / or as an element produced by additive manufacturing or 3D printing is conceivable. The cross-member can be made completely or partly of fiber composite material. This limits the self-weight and at the same time provides high stability.

[0029] In a further possible embodiment, it is provided that the derrick ballast comprises a ballast base plate on which further ballast elements are stored and / or stacked. The cross member with the ballast elements attached thereto by means of at least one retaining element in particular represents a part of the ballast of the entire derrick ballast, which part of the ballast can be separated from the remaining derrick ballast, in particular from said ballast base plate, preferably used as a suspended ballast. The cross member can be removably connected to the ballast base plate, in particular by a bolted connection, regardless of whether ballast elements are attached thereto or not (i.e. loaded or unloaded).

[0030] This allows the size of the derrick ballast "in use" to be flexibly changed. For example, when assembling the boom, if a particularly large ballast moment is required or for lifting operations with particularly large loads, the entire derrick ballast can be used (i.e. the cross-member with the ballast elements attached to it is connected to the ballast base plate and further ballast elements are stored in the ballast base plate). In lifting operations with smaller loads, the cross-member can be separated from the ballast base plate and used with the complete stack of ballast elements or with part of the stack as a smaller suspended ballast. The remaining derrick ballast (i.e. the ballast base plate with the other ballast elements) remains placed on the ground during the lifting operation. If necessary, the part of the ballast with the cross-member can be reconnected to the ballast base plate.

[0031] Data recorded by the support systems and / or sensors may be used to facilitate the connection process, which requires the precise location of the cross-member relative to the ballast base plate. For example, using movement data recorded from crane movements and gear rotations, and / or using GPS data from one or more GPS modules, the precise location of the cross-member on the ballast base plate may be obtained. Such GPS modules may be located, for example, on the upper bed, the cross-member and / or the ballast base plate.

[0032] In a further possible embodiment, it is provided that the derrick ballast comprises a coupling part connected or connectable to the cross member and comprises attachment means to which the ballast bracing can be attached. The guide is preferably also connected to the coupling part so as to be able to pivot, in particular around a horizontal pivot axis. This coupling part can also be part of the derrick ballast. The cross member can be integrated or rigidly connected to the coupling part, for example welded. Alternatively, the cross member can be removably connected to the coupling part by means of fastening elements. In the latter case, by moving the cross member relative to the coupling part, the first connection means can also be adjusted with respect to the unconnected ballast elements.

[0033] In a further possible embodiment, it is provided that the cross member comprises a first fastening means which can be removably connected to a second fastening means of the ballast base plate. The first fastening means and the second fastening means can be directly connected to each other, in particular fastened by bolts. Alternatively, the cross member and the ballast base plate can be connected to each other by a connecting element (e.g. a connecting piece or rod), which is connected to the first fastening means and to the second fastening means, in particular fastened by bolts. Alternatively, the first fastening means can be arranged at said connection.

[0034] In a further possible embodiment, it is provided that the ballast base plate comprises a central receiving area to which a part of the ballast comprising the cross-member can be attached. A stack of ballast elements connected to the cross-member can be placed in this receiving area. The ballast base plate preferably has placement surfaces on both sides of the central receiving area, on which further ballast elements can be placed. In this case, in the connected state (i.e. when the entire derrick ballast is "in use"), the cross-member and the stack or parts of the stack of ballast elements connected thereto are placed between the towers of at least two further ballast elements, which are provided on the ballast base plate.

[0035] In a further possible embodiment, it is provided that the second connection means of the ballast elements of the stack, which can be connected to the first connection means of the retaining element, are arranged on a common straight line, which in the connected state runs parallel to the longitudinal axis of the retaining element, in particular coaxially. If there are several retaining elements, the second connection means associated with each retaining element are respectively arranged on such a straight line, where the straight lines are preferably parallel to one another.

[0036] Parallel movement of the retaining element relative to the second connection means, in particular vertical movement of the retaining element, enables in particular the portion of the first connection means to which a first number of ballast element groups of the stack are pre-assigned to be brought into overlapping or engaging with the second connection means of a second number of ballast element groups of the stack.

[0037] In other words, the translation of the retaining element means that the first connection means, which have previously been connected to a particular arrangement of the second connection means of the ballast element groups, can now be brought into overlapping or engagement with the second connection means of other ballast element groups, so that a different number of stacks or parts of stacks of the ballast element groups are now connected to the retaining element by establishing corresponding connections. This allows the ballast mounting of some ballasts with cross-members to be changed. The ballast elements not connected to the retaining element remain arranged on the floor.

[0038] Alternatively, only one ballast element (in particular the bottommost ballast element of a nested stack) may be connected to the retaining element such that the corresponding first connection means can be brought into overlapping or engaging with the second connection means of another ballast element by adjusting the retaining element.

[0039] The invention also relates to a derrick ballast for the crane according to the invention, which obviously has the same properties and advantages as the crane according to the invention. All the embodiments and configuration options of the derrick ballast and / or its subelements described for the crane therefore also apply to the derrick ballast according to the invention, in any combination. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0040] Further features, details and advantages of the invention can be seen from the exemplary embodiments described below with reference to the drawings. [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic overall view of an embodiment of a crane according to the present invention (shown on the left) and an enlarged view of a derrick ballast (shown on the right). [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a first example of a cross member of the derrick ballast. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a second embodiment of a cross member of the derrick ballast in a perspective view. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a side view of the cross member in different positions when converting the first part ballast. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a side view of the cross member in different positions when converting the first part ballast. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a side view of the cross member in different positions when converting the first part ballast. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a side view of the cross member in different positions when converting the first part ballast. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a side view of the cross member in different positions when converting the first part ballast. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0041] Figure 1 shows in the left-hand view a schematic perspective overall view of an embodiment of a crane 10 according to the invention. It comprises a mobile undercarriage 12 and a superstructure 14 mounted thereon so as to be rotatable about a vertical axis of rotation, at the rear of which there is a derrick ballast 20. The right-hand view shows an enlarged view of the rear of the superstructure together with the derrick ballast 20, indicated by a circle in the left-hand view.

[0042] The crane 10 in the exemplary embodiment shown here is a crawler crane with a lattice boom as the main boom 16 (hereinafter simply called "boom"), which is articulated to the upper rotating bed 14 about a horizontal luffing axis. The undercarriage 12 is equipped with a crawler chassis and is supported on the ground by two lateral crawler carriers of the crawler chassis. In addition to the boom 16, the crane 10 has a derrick boom 18, which is also articulated to the upper rotating bed 14 so as to be able to pivot about a horizontal pivot axis. A super rotating bed ballast 15 with a number of ballast elements (in the exemplary embodiment shown here, stacked on top of each other to form two lateral ballast stacks) is arranged at the rear of the upper rotating bed. This derrick boom 18 is connected to the boom 16 by a boom bracing 17, in particular a luffing boom of variable length. The derrick boom 18 is in turn connected to the rotating A-frame of the upper rotating bed by a derrick bracing. The derrick boom 18 may also be connected by a boom bracing system 17, specifically a fixed A-frame 17 connected to the upper rotating bed by a variable length hoisting cable.

[0043] In addition to the upper bed ballast 15, the crane 10 has a derrick ballast 20, which is configured as a suspended ballast. This derrick ballast 20 comprises a ballast base plate 22, on which a number of ballast elements 21, 25 are arranged. The derrick ballast 20 is connected to the rear of the upper bed by a guide 11, preferably adjustable in length, and to the tip, i.e. the free end, of the derrick boom 18 by a ballast bracing 19, also adjustable in length. In the exemplary embodiment shown here, the ballast bracing 19 comprises two parallel bracing wires, the length of which can be adjusted, for example, by hydraulic tension cylinders in each case, but at least one of the cylinders can be adjustable, so that the weight actively acting by the derrick ballast 20 can be height adjustable.

[0044] With regard to the function of the luffing boom, the derrick bracing and the ballast bracing 19 as well as the derrick ballast 20, reference is made to the descriptions in the introduction, which also apply to the crane 10 according to the exemplary embodiment shown here, and therefore repeated descriptions are largely omitted.

[0045] In the exemplary embodiment shown here, the derrick ballast 20 is constructed so as to be separable. It comprises a first part ballast comprising a centrally located stack of ballast elements 21 and a cross member 30, and a second part ballast comprising a ballast base plate 22 and two lateral stacks of further ballast elements 25. In the connected state, the first part ballast is located in a central receiving area 27 of the derrick ballast 20. This derrick ballast 20 is connected to the guides 11 and the ballast bracing 19 by the cross member 30 and can therefore be lifted over the cross member when connected.

[0046] The first ballast part comprises a first fastening means 34, while the ballast base plate 22 comprises a second fastening means 24 in the area of ​​a central receiving area 27. This first ballast part can be detachably connected, in particular bolted, to the ballast base plate 22 and thereby to the second ballast part by means of the first fastening means 34 and the second fastening means 24, so that the derrick ballast 20 can be lifted together and put into a floating state. This first fastening means 34 and the second fastening means 24 can be connected to each other directly or by means of a connecting element. In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1, a connecting rod is arranged between the first fastening means 34 and the second fastening means 24.

[0047] The guide 11 is preferably connected to the upper rotating body 14 so that it can pivot about a horizontal pivot axis, and can be preferably pivoted about said pivot axis by means of actuators, for example one or more hydraulic cylinders. This allows the derrick ballast 20 to be adjusted vertically, for example to be placed on the ground or lifted off the ground. At the same time, the ballast bracing 19 can be adjusted, in particular by means of the aforementioned tension cylinders. In particular, the guide 11 is also connected to the derrick ballast 20 so that it can pivot about a horizontal pivot axis.

[0048] For difficult lifting operations, when large loads have to be moved or when raising the boom 16, large ballast moments are required, so that the first and second part ballasts are connected to each other and the entire derrick ballast 20 can be used as a suspended ballast. However, in many cases of lifting operations, only smaller ballast moments are required. In this case, the first part ballast with the cross-member 30 and the ballast stack 21 can be separated from the ballast base plate 22, i.e. from the second part ballast, and used as a smaller suspended ballast. The second part ballast can thus remain on the ground and be reconnected to the first part ballast later. For example, by detecting the position of the lowered second part ballast and the position of the crane 10 and / or the first part ballast, this connection process can be assisted by a positioning system to ensure that the first part ballast is lowered correctly. This can be realized, for example, with the assistance of recorded movement data of the gear movements and rotations or by a GPS system.

[0049] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a first exemplary embodiment of a cross member 30 of the first part ballast. It corresponds to a variant of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. The cross member 30 is substantially triangular when viewed from the side and comprises two lateral parts 36 arranged parallel to one another. Naturally, other shapes, for example rectangular shapes when viewed from the side, are also conceivable. The lateral parts 36 are connected to one another by connecting pieces 37. In this exemplary embodiment, there are two connecting rods 37, which connect the lower corners of the triangular lateral parts 36.

[0050] For example, two fork clamps 38 are attached to each of the connecting rods 37 and a retaining element 32 is housed in each of the fork clamps 38. In the exemplary embodiment shown here, the retaining elements 32 are configured as vertically oriented and elongated retaining rods, which may for example be manufactured from steel or fiber composite material. Other forms of retaining elements 32 are also conceivable, such as chains (see FIG. 3), ropes, pull straps, etc.

[0051] The four holding elements 32 have a number of holes serving as first connection means 33. These can in particular be configured as bolt holes for forming a bolted connection with a corresponding bolt 26, but can also have another shape, for example a hook element. In the exemplary embodiment shown here, the first connection means 33 are arranged longitudinally along the holding elements 32 and serve at the same time to removably fasten the ballast element group 21 to the holding elements 32 and to fasten the holding elements 32 to the forks 38. For this purpose, the ballast element group 21 has corresponding second connection means 23 on its sides, which can be configured as bolt holes in a laterally projecting connection (see FIG. 6). The forks 38 also have corresponding connection means. The connection between the holding elements 32 and the ballast element group 21, as well as between the holding elements 32 and the forks 38, is in particular by means of fastening bolts 26. Alternatively, a screw connection could be envisaged.

[0052] The retaining elements 32 can be removably fixed to the forks 38 so that by withdrawing the fixing bolts 26 which serve as the fixing means 26, the retaining elements 32 can be moved and in particular vertically adjusted relative to the cross member 30. Then, for example by using other first connection means 33, they can be bolted to different positions on the forks 38. This allows the length of the retaining elements to be varied downwards in the direction of the ballast element 21, the step size of which depends on the distance between the first connection means 33 and the first connection means 33.

[0053] This configuration allows the number of ballast elements 21 attached to the retaining element 32 and thus lifted by the cross member 30 to be flexibly and easily changed. For example, it is possible to place a ballast stack on the floor, release the connection to the retaining element 32, lift the retaining element 32 and / or the cross member 30, and connect a part of the stack (i.e. a stack with fewer ballast elements 21 stacked on top of each other than the stack previously placed) to the retaining element 32. This allows the weight of the first part ballast to be changed quickly and easily. This process is shown by way of example in Figures 4-7 in a side view of the cross member, the first exemplary embodiment of the cross member of Figure 2 being used for this purpose.

[0054] 4 shows the first part ballast in a loaded state (in this exemplary embodiment, these are four ballast element groups 21 arranged one above the other). Here, only the lowest ballast element 21 can be connected to the holding element 32 by a fixing bolt 26, while the other ballast element groups 21 are located on top of each other and are connected to each other, for example, by other connecting elements (for example interlocking protrusions and recesses), so that they do not slip. Alternatively, it may be provided that all ballast element groups 21 are connected to the holding element 32 by a plurality of first connecting means 33.

[0055] As shown in Fig. 5, to reduce the weight of this partial ballast, it is placed on the floor by lowering the guide 11. In this lowered state, the connection between the ballast element group 21 (i.e. the lowest ballast element 21 in the example shown) and the retaining element 32 is released. Afterwards, this guide is raised so that the cross member 30, and thus also the retaining element 32, moves vertically relative to the lowered stack 21. In the reduced-weight state, the cross member 30 is raised until it is at the height of the second connecting means 23 of these upper ballast element groups 21, where the first connecting means 33 of the retaining element 32 are reconnected to the cross member 30. In the exemplary embodiment of Fig. 6, only the topmost ballast element 21 is connected to the cross member 30 and this ballast element 21 forms a partial stack of the original stack of four ballast element groups 21. The second connection means 23 of the uppermost ballast element 21 is bolted to the matching (in this exemplary embodiment the lowermost) first connection means 33 of the retaining element 32 (see FIG. 6).

[0056] The cross member 30 is then raised again, where the released or unconnected ballast elements 21 of the original stack (in FIG. 7 these are the lower three ballast element groups 21) remain on the floor, and only the partial stack 21' connected to the retaining element 32 (in FIG. 7 the uppermost ballast element 21') is raised, this time providing a suspended ballast of reduced weight.

[0057] Again, to change the ballast loading, the partial ballast element 21' is repositioned on top of the laid ballast elements 21, the retaining element 32 is disconnected, the cross member 30 is lowered the appropriate distance and the second connection means 23 of the required partial ballast (or the second connection means 23 of the lowermost ballast element 21 of the required partial ballast) is reconnected to the retaining element 32.

[0058] Alternatively, the connection between the retaining element 32 and the fork 38 can be released and the retaining element 32 can be moved relative to the cross member 30 for re-ballasting. This option is shown in Figure 8 after the partial laminate 21' has been re-ballasted and lifted.

[0059] As mentioned above, it is possible that only the bottommost ballast element 21 of the lifted stack is connected to the retaining element 32 (as shown in Figures 4-8) or that all ballast elements 21 of the lifted stack are connected to the retaining element 32. In the former case, the first connection means 33 may be arranged only in the upper region of the retaining element 32, in order to enable the retaining element 32 to be connected to the forks 38 in different positions relative to the cross member 30.

[0060] As shown in Fig. 2, the first-part ballast may comprise a coupling 40, which has fasteners 42 (in particular bolt holes) for fastening the ballast bracing 19 and the corresponding connection points for the guides 11. The cross-members 30 may be removably connected to the coupling 40. Fig. 2 shows a configuration in which the side parts 36 each have a metal plate construction with gaps into which the connectors 44 of the coupling 40 may be inserted. The connectors 44 may be removably connected to the side parts 36 by means of fastening elements 39, for example bolts.

[0061] As can also be seen in Figures 1 and 4-8, in one exemplary embodiment, the first fastening means 34 connecting the first part ballast to the ballast base plate 22 may be arranged in the connection portion 40, for example in an extension of the aforementioned connector 44, so that the cross member 30 is not directly connected to the guide 11 and ballast bracing 19, nor to the ballast base plate 22.

[0062] FIG. 3 shows another exemplary embodiment of a cross member 30 according to the invention. Here, the connecting part 40 is also designed differently and does not have a tab with the first fastening means 34. Instead, the first fastening means 34 is formed in the cross member 30. In this exemplary embodiment, it comprises four lateral parts 36, where two lateral parts 36 are connected to one another, in particular releasably, on one side by a connecting piece 31 (i.e. in the form of a connecting piece or rod, as shown in FIG. 3, where the connecting piece 31 may be configured as a tubular or adapted profile structure). Also, the lateral parts 36 of the respective sides are connected to one another by the connecting piece 37, with the retaining element 32 being arranged in the connecting piece 37. Furthermore, the cross member 30 can be connected to the connecting part 40 releasably or fixedly.

[0063] As in the embodiment of Fig. 2, the retaining elements 32 may be configured as tie rods. Fig. 3 shows another embodiment, where the retaining elements 32 are configured as chains hanging down from connecting pieces 37, each having a first connection means 33 on the underside for connection to the respective bottommost ballast element 21 of the stack to be lifted. In this exemplary embodiment, the first connection means 33 are configured as eyelets, carabiners or pull straps, but alternatively connections with one or more holes for receiving bolts or screws may be provided. The reballasting process is similar to the process shown in Figs. 4-7.

[0064] Preferably, and independently of the embodiment shown, the cross member 30 may remain attached only to the connection 40 or may be completely removed, depending on the variant of the ballast mounting.

[0065] The cross member 30 represents the support structure of the first part of the derrick ballast 20 according to the invention, i.e. the support structure of the "autonomously variably separable suspended ballast" thus realized. The cross member 30 may be a steel structure, which may be manufactured, for example, by casting or 3D printing processes, in the form of a sheet metal or tubular truss structure. In addition, the cross member 30 may be made of alternative materials, such as fiber composites, high strength aluminum, etc.

[0066] As connecting elements for connecting the retaining elements 32 to the cross member 30 and / or the ballast elements 21 bolts, screws, retaining claws, fixing clamps, sliding bolts, connecting wedges, fixing cylinders and / or fixing tubes can be used. [Explanation of symbols]

[0067] 10. Crane 11 Guide 12 Undercarriage 13 Tension frame / A frame 14 Upper rotating body 16. Boom 17 Boom bracing 18 Derrick Boom 19 Ballast bracing 20 Derrick Ballast 21 Ballast elements 21' Ballast element 22 Ballast base plate 23 Second connection means 24 Second fixing means 25 Further ballast elements 26 Fixing means 27 Central Containment Area 30 Cross member 31 Connecting piece 32 Retention element 33 First connection means 34 First fixing means 36 Side part 37 Connection piece 38 Clamp 39 Fixed elements 40 Connection part 42 Clasp 44 Connector

Claims

1. A crane (10) comprising a lower carrier (12), a super-rotating carrier (14) rotatably mounted on the lower carrier (12), a boom (16) connected to the super-rotating carrier (14) so ​​as to be raised and lowered, a derrick boom (18) articulated to the super-rotating carrier (14) and supporting the boom (16), a guide (11) connected to the super-rotating carrier (14), and a derrick ballast (20) configured in particular as a suspended ballast, The derrick ballast (20) comprises at least two ballast element groups (21) which can be stacked on top of each other, and a cross member (30) connected to the derrick boom (18) by a ballast bracing (19) and to the upper rotating body (14) by the guide (11); The cross member (30) may be connected to the stack of ballast elements (21) by at least one retaining element (32), said retaining element (32) comprises first connecting means (33) for releasably connecting said retaining element (32) to second connecting means (23) of said ballast elements (21) constituting said stack, the retaining element (32) is configured so that it can be connected to a part of the stack of the ballast elements (21) that constitute the stack by moving the retaining element (32) and / or the cross member (30) relative to the unconnected stack, Crane (10).

2. The derrick ballast (20) preferably comprises at least four of the retaining elements (32) which can be connected to the second connection means (23) on the sides of the ballast elements (21), the retaining elements (32) are preferably arranged in the area of ​​the four corners of the cross member (30) in a plan view, The crane (10) of claim 1.

3. said holding element (32) is adjustably, in particular vertically, movable on said cross member (30) and can be fixed in at least two different positions on said cross member (30) preferably by means of fixing means (26), The retaining element (32) in particular projects downwards from the cross member (30). A crane (10) according to claim 1 or 2.

4. said retaining element (32) being configured as a tie rod or in particular comprising a vertically oriented tie rod, The first connection means (33) are preferably arranged longitudinally along the tie rod (32). The crane (10) of claim 3.

5. The fastening means (26) can be brought into engagement with the first connecting means (33) of the retaining element (32) for releasably fastening the retaining element (32) to the cross member (30), Preferably, the connection of the retaining element (32) to the second connection means (23) of the ballast elements (21) is made by the same fastening means (26). A crane (10) according to claim 3 or 4.

6. The fastening means (26) are configured as bolts or screws, the first connection means (33) and / or the second connection means (23) are provided with holes for receiving the bolts or screws; A crane (10) according to any one of claims 3 to 5.

7. the retaining element (32) is configured as or comprises a chain or rope, A crane (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The derrick ballast (20) is configured such that the ballast elements (21) attached to the cross member (30) are positioned below the cross member (30); The cross member (30) is preferably substantially rectangular in plan view. A crane (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. the retaining element (32) and / or the cross member (30) comprise a steel structure, in particular a sheet metal, and / or a tubular structure, and / or at least one casting, and / or at least one element produced by additive manufacturing and / or at least one element produced from fiber composite material, A crane (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The derrick ballast (20) comprises a ballast base plate (22) on which further ballast elements (25) may be provided; whether or not said cross-member (30) is fitted with said ballast elements (21), said cross-member (30) may be releasably connected to said ballast base plate (22), in particular by means of a bolted connection; A crane (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. The derrick ballast (20) comprises a connection portion (40), the connecting portion (40) is connected or connectable to the cross member (30) and comprises a fastener (42) to which the ballast bracing (19) can be fixed; said coupling (40) is preferably connected to said guide (11), in particular to said guide so as to be pivotable about a horizontal pivot axis; A crane (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. the cross member (30) or the connection (40) comprises a first fastening means (34) which can be removably connected to a second fastening means (24) of the ballast base plate (22); A crane (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. the ballast base plate (22) comprises a central receiving area (27) to which the cross member (30) can be fixed and preferably in which the stack of ballast elements (21) connected to the cross member (30) can be arranged, The ballast base plate (22) preferably comprises, on either side of the central receiving area (27), placement surfaces on which the further ballast elements (25) can be placed. A crane (10) according to claim 11 or 12.

14. the second connection means (23) of the ballast elements (21) of the stack, which can be connected to the first connection means (33) of the retaining element (32), are arranged parallel to the longitudinal axis of the retaining element (32), in particular on a common straight line which, in the connected state, extends coaxially with the longitudinal axis of the retaining element (32); In particular, by translation of the retaining element (32) relative to the second connection means (23), the part of the first connection means (33) previously associated with a first number of the ballast elements (21) of the stack can be brought into overlapping or engagement with the second connection means (23) of a second number of the ballast elements (21) of the stack. A crane (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. A derrick ballast (20) for a crane (10) according to any one of claims 1-14.

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