Portal type gantry crane

Abstract

Bridge crane (1) that comprises a left track (8) and a right track (10) mounted on top of the beam (2). The left track and the right track support a left trolley (9) and a right trolley (10), wherein the left trolley supports a hoisting wire (12) at the left side of the beam and the right trolley supports a hoisting wire (14) at the right side of the beam. Thus, a bridge crane according to the invention has a single beam that supports two trolleys that can operate independently from each other along the length of the beam. Furthermore, the tracks are provided with an inner support rail (27), located on top of the beam, the inner support rail having a downward facing contact surface for guiding at least one moment support wheel (23) of the respective trolley.

Description

[0001] Title: Portal type gantry crane

[0002] A bridge crane has a frame comprising one or more cross beams supported by two or more legs on two parallel rails, such that the frame can travel along the rails. On or more trolleys are supported by the frame such that they can travel Along the beam. The one or more trolleys support a load connector via a hoisting wire. Thus the bridge crane can lift a load using a load connector, and move that load over a rectangular foot print. Unlike mobile cranes or construction cranes, bridge cranes are typically used for manufacturing or maintenance applications, where efficiency or downtime are critical factors.

[0003] From publication CN 108455451 is known a double-upper trolley gantry crane that is configured for tilting a load. The bridge is provided with two trolleys. One trolley is a lower trolley, that is mounted at the bottom of the beam. The lower trolley has a single hoist that located in a central plane of the beam. The other trolley is an upper trolley. The upper trolley is a double sided trolley that bridges the top of the beam. The double sided trolley has a left side hoist on the left side and has a right side hoist on the right side of the beam. The double sided trolley has a width that allows for the hoisting wire of the left hoist to pass the lower trolley on the left side thereof, and for the hoisting wire of the right hoist to pass the lower trolley on the right side thereof. The double sided trolley is provided with a spreader, having one end supported by the left side hoist and an opposite end supported by the right side hoist, to enable the trolley to engage a load in a central plane of the beam.

[0004] Using two trolleys for lifting the same load, the bridge crane can also be used for tilting that load. One trolley supports a bottom end of the load while the other trolley supports the top end of the load. The supported load can be tilted in a plane parallel to the main beam of the bridge crane by lifting or lowering the top end of the load relative to the bottom end. While the load is tilted, the trolleys are moved towards, or away from, each other, such that the hoisting wires supporting the load remain substantially vertical.

[0005] It is submitted that the two sided trolley bridging the beam of the bridge crane is heavy and complicated. Furthermore, the double sided trolley requires a spreader for balanced lifting.

[0006] It is an object of the invention to provide an alternative bridge crane, preferably an improved bridge crane. It is a further object of the invention to provide a bridge crane in which the above mentioned drawbacks are eliminated altogether or occur in a greatly reduced extent. It is yet a further object of the invention to provide an agile crane with two or more trolleys that can be used individually or in combination to lift loads and preferably to tilt loads.

[0007] The invention therefore provides a bridge crane according to claim 1.

[0008] A bridge crane according to the invention comprises:

[0009] - a beam, wherein the beam comprises a left section and a right section that are joint to each other in a virtual vertical plane through a longitudinal axis of the beam;

[0010] - support legs, wherein the support legs support the main beam;

[0011] - a left track, mounted on the left section of the main beam;

[0012] - a right track, mounted on the right section of the main beam;

[0013] - a left trolley, supported by the left track, the left trolley having a set of hoisting sheaves;

[0014] - a right trolley, supported by the right track, the right trolley having a set of hoisting sheaves;

[0015] - a first hoisting wire and an associated winch for the left trolley, wherein the hoisting wire is guided by the set of hoisting sheaves of the left trolley and supports a left load connector;

[0016] - a second hoisting wire and an associated winch for the right trolley, wherein the hoisting wire is guided by the set of hoisting sheaves of the right trolley and supports a right load connector;

[0017] - a left trolley drive for driving the left trolley along the left track;

[0018] - a right trolley drive for driving the right trolley, independent from the left trolley, along the right track; wherein the left trolley and the right trolley each comprise:

[0019] - at least two load support wheels to transfer a weight load from the trolley to the track, and at least one moment support wheel, to transfer a moment load from the trolley to the track, and wherein the left track and the right track each comprise: - an outer support rail, located at or near a top corner of the beam, the outer support rail having an upward facing contact surface for guiding the at least two load support wheels of the respective trolley,

[0020] - an inner support rail, located on top of the beam, the inner support rail having a downward facing contact surface for guiding the at least one moment support wheel of the respective trolley.

[0021] A bridge crane according to the invention comprises a left track and a right track mounted on top of the beam. The left track and the right track support a left trolley and a right trolley, wherein the left trolley supports a hoisting wire at the left side of the beam and the right trolley supports a hoisting wire at the right side of the beam. Thus, a bridge crane according to the invention has a single beam that supports two trolleys that can operate independently from each other along the length of the beam. The invention therefore provides an alternative bridge crane. Furthermore, the invention thus provides an agile crane with two or more trolleys that can be used individually or in combination to lift loads.

[0022] By providing the tracks with an inner support rail, located on top of the beam, the inner support rail having a downward facing contact surface for guiding the at least one moment support wheel of the respective trolley, allows for compact trolleys that can lift a load without the need of a spreader. The invention therefore provides an improved bridge crane.

[0023] The inner and outer track are mounted on top of the beam and are spaced relative to each other in a mainly horizontal direction. The tracks thus allow for the trolleys to have a flat configuration wherein the hoisting wire departs from the hoisting sheaves at the bottom of the trolley.

[0024] Because the trolley tracks, and the trolleys supported by the trolley tracks, are mounted on top of the beam, the set of hoisting sheaves can be mounted near or at the bottom of the trolley. Thus, when the hoisting wire departs from the hoisting sheaves, it exits the trolley, and the trolley does not extend along the free hanging hoisting wire. Thus, the part of the trolley that extends over the side of the beam can be compact, without being too close to the free hanging hoisting wire.

[0025] Also, because the cart does not extend downwards alongside the left or right side of the beam, the hoisting wire supported by the trolley can be passed close to the beam. With a trolley of a crane according to the invention, the set of hoisting sheaves can be mounted close to the beam, which provides a stable configuration with a reduced moment force when supporting a load. This is in particular beneficial when the hoisting wire is reeved one or more times between a set of sheaves mounted on the load connector and the set of hoisting sheaves of the trolley.

[0026] In addition, because the trolley tracks are mounted on top of the beam, there is no trolley support rail between the free hanging hoisting wire and the side of the beam of the crane. Thus the hoisting wire can be supported relatively close to the side of the beam of the crane while maintaining a save operational distance. This is in particular beneficial when the one or more of the hoisting sheaves have a rotational axis that extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the beam of the crane, because this provides the hoisting wire with freedom of movement in e plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the beam.

[0027] The left track and a right track extend along the length of the beam, and along opposite sides of the beam. The left track and the right track thus are parallel to the longitudinal axis of the beam. The virtual plane through the longitudinal axis is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the beam. The virtual plane thus comprises the longitudinal axis of the beam. The virtual plane separates the left section of the beam from the right section of the beam.

[0028] The left track and the right track respectively comprises a left inner support rail and a right inner support rail, each inner support rail having a downward facing contact surface for guiding at least one moment support wheel of respectively the left trolley and the right trolley. The left inner support rail and the right inner support rail extend along the length of the beam and are parallel to the longitudinal axis of the beam. The contact surfaces of the inner support rails are each configured to support a moment support wheel of the respective trolleys, to transfer a moment load from the respective trolleys to the support rail. It is submitted that by supporting the moment load, the inner support rails each prevent a pivoting of the respective trolleys about pivot axis that are parallel to the longitudinal axis of the beam.

[0029] The bridge crane according to the invention having a left trolley and a right trolley allows for supporting a load, for example a pile, at opposite ends thereof, and thus allows for pivoting the load by raising or lowering one end, e.g. a bottom end, of the load relative to the opposite end, e.g. a top end, of the load. Thus, the load can be pivoted about an axis that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the beam of the bridge crane. In an embodiment, the set of hoisting sheaves of the left trolley and the set of hoisting sheaves of the right trolley each comprise at least two transfer sheaves, for guiding the hoisting wire from an essentially horizontal orientation towards an essentially vertical orientation, the transfer sheaves having a rotational axis that is parallel to the main beam.

[0030] It is submitted that a hoisting sheave allows for adjustment of the angle relative to the vertical, at which the hoisting wire departs from a hoisting sheave, in the plane perpendicular to the rotational axis of the hoisting sheave. Providing the transfer sheaves with their rotational axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the beam, allows for the angle relative to the vertical of the free hanging section of hoisting wire that departs from the particular transfer sheave to be adjusted, and thus for the load connector to be moved in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the beam. Therefore, this configuration of the trolleys allows for tilting a load in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the beam.

[0031] In an embodiment, the set of hoisting sheaves of the left trolley and the set of hoisting sheaves of the right trolley each comprise at least one reeving sheave for reeving the hoisting wire.

[0032] In a further embodiment, the at least one reeving sheave has a rotational axis that is perpendicular to the main beam and is swivelably supported such that its axis of rotation can pivot in a plane perpendicular to the beam. In this configuration the reeving sheave is supported between the two guide sheaves, and preferably bridges the gab between the two guide sheaves. Because the sheave is pivotable supported, it allows for load connector that is supported by a reeved hoisting wire, that allows for movement of the load connector in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the beam. Thus, the trolleys allow for supporting a load that has a length, in a direction perpendicular to the beam, that is larger than the width of the beam. Furthermore, providing for trolleys that can support the hoisting wire and the load connector at an angle to the vertical allows for tilting a load, in particular for tilting a load in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the beam.

[0033] In an alternative embodiment, the set of hoisting sheaves is provided with multiple, parallel hoisting sheaves, each having a rotational axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the beam and configured for allowing adjustment of the angle of the free hanging section of hoisting wire.

[0034] Providing a single beam bridge crane with a left side trolley and a right side trolley, that are each configured to support a hoisting wire at an angle to the vertical and in a plane perpendicular to the beam, allows for tilting a load in a plane perpendicular to the beam of the bridge crane. Thus there is no need for using a spreader when lifting or tilting a load using both trolleys.

[0035] Also, because the tracks of the bridge crane are provided with an inner support rail, located on top of the beam and having a downward facing contact surface for guiding a moment support wheel of the respective trolley, there is no need for a double sided trolley that bridges the beam to enable a balanced and stable tilting of a load.

[0036] Furthermore, the invention thus provides an agile crane with two or more trolleys that can be used individually or in combination to lift loads and to tilt loads.

[0037] In an embodiment, the beam is a box type beam that comprises a left panel, a right panel, a top panel and a bottom panel, each extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the beam, and preferably wherein the beam comprising multiple bulkheads that each extend in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the beam.

[0038] In a further embodiment, the outer rail of the left track and the outer rail of the right track are mounted to the left panel and the right panel respectively. This allows for an optimal load transfer between the outer rails and the side panels of the beam

[0039] In an embodiment, the outer support rail of the left track and the outer support rail of the right track are each mounted on top of the beam, preferably at the left top corner and the right top corner of the beam.

[0040] In an embodiment, the inner support rail of the left track and the inner support rail of the right track are respectively located on a left side and a right side of the virtual plane, and preferably, at or near the virtual plane.

[0041] In a further embodiment, the inner support rail of the left track and the inner support rail of the right track are respectively located on a left side and a right side of the virtual plane, and at or near the virtual plane.

[0042] It is submitted that the inner support rail, more in particular the downward facing contact surface of the inner support rail, of a bridge crane according to the invention guides the at least one moment support wheel of the respective trolley at least when a load is support by the trolley.

[0043] In an embodiment, the left trolley and the right trolley are each provided with at least one counter moment support wheel for supporting the cart when there is no moment enacted upon the cart, and the beam is provided with an auxiliary inner rail having an upward facing support surface or the inner support rail has an upward facing contact surface for guiding the counter moment support wheel. In such a configuration, the at least one counter moment support wheel supports the trolley when the load connector is not supporting a load, or in an embodiment, when the load connector is supporting a light load.

[0044] In an embodiment, the left track and the right track each have a lateral support rail with an inward facing support surface and has a lateral support rail with an outward facing support surface, or have a lateral support rail with an inward facing support surface and an outward facing support surface, and wherein the left trolley and the right trolley have a lateral support wheel for engaging the inward facing support surface and a lateral support wheel for engaging the outward facing support surface, or have a lateral support wheel for engaging the inward facing support surface and the outward facing support surface.

[0045] In a further embodiment, for each track the lateral support rail with the inward facing support surface and the lateral support rail with an outward facing support surface, or the lateral support rail with an inward facing support surface and an outward facing support surface, are / is located below the upward facing support surface of the outer support rail of the respective track.

[0046] In yet a further embodiment, for each track the lateral support rails or the lateral support rail are / is incorporated in the outer support rail, and the lateral support rail has an inward facing support surface and an outward facing support surface for respectively guiding an inward lateral support wheel and an outward lateral support wheel.

[0047] In an embodiment, the bridge crane comprises an auxiliary left trolley supported by the left track and comprises an auxiliary right trolley supported by the right track. The auxiliary left trolley and the auxiliary right trolley preferably have a similar configuration as respectively the left trolley and the right trolley. Such an embodiment has four individually operatable trolleys. Such an embodiment thus allows not only for lifting a load in a plane perpendicular to the beam, but also allows for tilting a load in a plane parallel to the beam. When tilting a load in a plane parallel to the beam, the trolleys are moved along the tracks during the tilting of the load to maintain keep the hoisting wires in an essentially vertical orientation.

[0048] In a further embodiment, the auxiliary left trolley and the auxiliary right trolley have a similar configuration as respectively the left trolley and the right trolley.

[0049] It is noted that in an embodiment wherein the trolleys are configured to allow for adjustment of the angle of the hoisting wires in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the beam, they typically do not allow for adjustment of the angle of the hoisting wires in a plane parallel to the beam. To enable the trolleys to tilt a load in a plane parallel to the beam, the trolleys are moved towards or away from each other while the load is tilted. Thus, the hoisting wires remains substantially vertical.

[0050] In an embodiment, the winch associated with the first hoisting wire and the winch associated with the second hoisting wire are each mounted on the main beam or on one of the legs of the bridge crane. Such an embodiment allows for compact trolleys.

[0051] In an alternative embodiment, the winches are mounted on the trolleys.

[0052] In an embodiment, the cross section of the beam tapers in the downward direction.

[0053] In an embodiment, the bridge crane is a single beam bridge crane.

[0054] In an embodiment, the moment support wheel is level with the set of hoisting sheaves, when seen in top view, and preferably the trolley comprises support wheels, preferably a first and a second set of support wheels, on opposite side of the set of hoisting sheaves.

[0055] In an embodiment, for the left trolley and for the right trolley, the hoisting wire departs from at least one of the one or more hoisting sheaves below the downward facing contact surface of the inner support rail for guiding the moment support wheel and preferably below the upward facing contact surface of the outer support rail for guiding the load support wheel.

[0056] The invention furthermore provides a method for tilting a load using a bridge crane according to the invention. The method according to the invention comprises:

[0057] - supporting a load in a horizontal orientation, with a top end and a bottom end substantially level, the left trolly supporting the bottom end and the right trolley supporting the top end; - tilting the load from the horizontal orientation into a vertical orientation, with the top end substantially vertically above the bottom end, by lifting the top end using the right trolley and / or by lowering the bottom end using the left trolley.

[0058] The invention furthermore provides a single beam bridge crane configured for tilting products in a plane perpendicular to the main beam, the bridge crane comprising:

[0059] - a beam, wherein the beam comprises a left section and a right section that are joint to each other in a virtual vertical plane through a longitudinal axis of the beam;

[0060] - support legs, wherein the support legs support the main beam;

[0061] - a left track, mounted on the left section of the main beam;

[0062] - a right track, mounted on the right section of the main beam;

[0063] - a left trolley, supported by the left track, the left trolley having a set of hoisting sheaves;

[0064] - a right trolley, supported by the right track, the right trolley having a set of hoisting sheaves;

[0065] - a first hoisting wire and an associated winch for the left trolley, wherein the hoisting wire is guided by the set of hoisting sheaves of the left trolley and supports a left load connector;

[0066] - a second hoisting wire and an associated winch for the right trolley, wherein the hoisting wire is guided by the set of hoisting sheaves of the right trolley and supports a right load connector;

[0067] - a left trolley drive for driving the left trolley along the left track;

[0068] - a right trolley drive for driving the right trolley, independent from the left trolley, along the right track; wherein the left trolley and the right trolley each comprise:

[0069] - at least two load support wheels to transfer a weight load from the trolley to the track, and at least one moment support wheel, to transfer a moment load from the trolley to the track, and wherein the left track and the right track each comprise:

[0070] - an outer support rail, located at or near a top corner of the beam, the outer support rail having an upward facing contact surface for guiding the at least two load support wheels of the respective trolley,

[0071] - an inner support rail, located on top of the beam, the inner support rail having a downward facing contact surface for guiding the at least one moment support wheel of the respective trolley.

[0072] Advantageous embodiments of the bridge crane according to the invention and the method according to the invention are disclosed in the sub claims and in the description, in which the invention is further illustrated and elucidated on the basis of a number of exemplary embodiments, of which some are shown in the schematic drawing. In the figures, components corresponding in terms or construction and / or function are provided with the same last two digits of the reference numbers.

[0073] Whilst primarily presented for illustrative purposes with reference to one or more of the figures, any of the technical features addressed below may be combined with any of the independent claims of this application either alone or in any other technically possible combination with one or more other technical features.

[0074] In the drawings:

[0075] Fig. 1 shows a view of the right side of a bridge crane according to the invention;

[0076] Fig. 2 shows an enlarged frontal view of a section of the bridge crane of Fig. 1 ;

[0077] Fig. 3 shows a frontal view of a left trolley of the bridge crane of Fig. 1 ; and Fig. 4A-4C show subsequent steps of a method according to the invention.

[0078] Figure 1 shows a view of the right side of a bridge crane 1 according to the invention. The bridge crane comprises a beam 2 and support legs 3 that support the beam. The beam has a longitudinal axis 7. Furthermore, the bridge crane 1 is a single beam bridge crane.

[0079] Figure 2 shows in closeup a frontal view the beam 2 of the bridge crane 1, and a top end of the support legs 3 supporting the beam. The beam 2 comprises a left section 4 and a right section 5. The left section 4 and the right section 5 are joint to each other in a virtual vertical plane 6 through the longitudinal axis 7 of the beam. It Is submitted that in Figure 1 the virtual plane is parallel to the plane of the drawing. On top of the beam 2 are a left track 8 supporting a left trolley 9 and a right track 10 supporting a right trolley 11. The left track 8 is mounted on the left section 4 of the beam 2, and the right track 10 is mounted on the right section 5 of the beam 2.

[0080] A left trolley drive 20 is provided for driving the left trolley along the left track, and a right trolley drive 21 for driving the right trolley, independent from the left trolley, along the right track. The trolley tracks extend along the beam, so that the trolleys can, independently of each other, be moved along the beam. In the embodiment shown, the left trolley drive and the right trolley drive are mounted on the respective trolleys.

[0081] The left trolley 9 is depicted in isolation in figure 3.

[0082] The bridge crane further comprises a first hoisting wire 12 and an associated winch 13 for the left trolley 9. The hoisting wire is guided by a set of hoisting sheaves 16 of the left trolley and supports a left load connector 17. The bridge crane further comprises a second hoisting wire 14 and an associated winch 15 for the right trolley 9. The hoisting wire is guided by a set of hoisting sheaves 18 of the right trolley and supports a left load connector 19.

[0083] In the exemplary embodiment shown, the winch 13 associated with the first hoisting wire 12 and the winch 15 associated with the second hoisting wire 14 are each mounted on one of the legs of the bridge crane. The bridge crane is provided with hoisting wire support wheels, not shown, that guide the hoisting wires up to the beam and along the beam towards the trolleys. The trolleys are provided with a hoisting wire support wheel, not shown, that guides the hoisting wire towards the hoisting sheaves.

[0084] The left trolley 9 and the right trolley 10 each comprise at least two load support wheels 22 to transfer a weight load from the trolley to the track, and at least one moment support wheel 23, to transfer a moment load from the trolley to the track.

[0085] According to the invention, the bridge crane is, more in particular the left track and the right track of the bridge crane are, configured to cooperate with the load support wheels and the moment support wheels of the trolleys.

[0086] The left track 8 and the right track 10 each comprise an outer support rail 24, located at or near a top corner 25 of the beam 2. The outer support rails 24 each have an upward facing contact surface 26 for guiding the at least two load support wheels 22 of the respective trolley.

[0087] The left track 8 and the right track 10 furthermore each comprise an inner support rail 27, located on top of the beam 2. The inner support rails each have a downward facing contact surface 28 for guiding the at least one moment support wheel 23 of the respective trolley.

[0088] Figure 3 shows a frontal view of the left trolley of the bridge crane of Figure 1.

[0089] The bridge crane 1 comprises the left track 8 and a right track 10 mounted on top of the beam 2. The left track 8 and the right track 10 support a left trolley 9 and a right trolley 11. The left trolley 9 supports the first hoisting wire 12 at the left side of the beam and the right trolley 11 supports the second hoisting wire 14 at the right side of the beam. Providing the tracks with an inner support rail, located on top of the beam, the inner support rail having a downward facing contact surface for guiding the at least one moment support wheel of the respective trolley, allows for compact trolleys that can lift a load without the need of a spreader.

[0090] The inner and outer track are mounted on top of the beam and are spaced relative to each other in a mainly horizontal direction. The tracks thus allow for the trolleys to have a flat configuration wherein the hoisting wire departs from the hoisting sheaves at the bottom of the trolley.

[0091] Because the trolley tracks, and the trolleys supported by the trolley tracks, are mounted on top of the beam, the set of hoisting sheaves can be mounted near or at the bottom of the trolley, see for example figure 2. Thus, when the hoisting wire departs from the hoisting sheaves, it exits the trolley, and the trolley does not extend along the free hanging hoisting wire. Thus, the part of the trolley that extends over the side of the beam can be compact, without being too close to the free hanging hoisting wire.

[0092] Furthermore, with a trolley of a crane according to the invention, the set of hoisting sheaves can be mounted close to the beam, which provides a stable configuration with a reduced moment force when supporting a load. This is in particular beneficial when the hoisting wire is reeved one or more times between a set of sheaves mounted on the load connector and the set of hoisting sheaves of the trolley.

[0093] Also, because the cart does not extend downwards alongside the left or right side of the beam, the hoisting wire supported by the trolley can be passed close to the beam. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the set of hoisting sheaves 16 of the left trolley 9 and the set of hoisting sheaves 18 of the right trolley each comprise two transfer sheaves 16A, for guiding the hoisting wire from an essentially horizontal orientation towards an essentially vertical orientation, the transfer sheaves having a rotational axis that is parallel to the main beam. In the figures, the substantially horizontal section of the hoisting wire is not shown.

[0094] It is submitted that in the exemplary embodiment shown, the hoisting sheaves allow for adjustment of the angle relative to the vertical, at which the hoisting wire departs from a hoisting sheave, in the plane perpendicular to the rotational axis of the hoisting sheave. In figure 2, the left trolley is shown with two sections of the first hoisting wire departing from the hoisting sheaves in a downward direction, i.e. the sections hoisting wire have a vertical orientation. The right trolley is shown with two sections of the second hoisting wire at an angle to the vertical.

[0095] Providing the transfer sheaves with their rotational axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the beam, allows for the angle relative to the vertical of the free hanging section of hoisting wire that departs from the particular transfer sheave to be adjusted, and thus for the load connector to be moved in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the beam. Therefore, this configuration of the trolleys allows for tilting a load in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the beam.

[0096] In the embodiment shown, the set of hoisting sheaves of the left trolley and the set of hoisting sheaves of the right trolley each comprise a reeving sheave 16B for reeving the hoisting wire. The reeving sheave has a rotational axis 29 that is perpendicular to the main beam and is swivelably supported such that the axis of rotation can pivot in a plane perpendicular to the beam, i.e. parallel to the plane of the drawing in figure 2. In this configuration the reeving sheave 16B is supported between the two guide sheaves 16A, of which one is shown in the figure.

[0097] Because the reeving sheave is pivotable supported, it allows for the load connector that is supported by the reeved hoisting wire, that allows for movement of the load connector in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the beam. Thus, the trolleys allow for supporting a load that has a length, in a direction perpendicular to the beam, that is larger than the width of the beam, see figure 4A. Furthermore, providing for trolleys that can support the hoisting wire and the load connector at an angle to the vertical allows for tilting a load, in particular for tilting a load in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the beam, see figures 4A-4C.

[0098] The exemplary embodiment shown in the figures allows for a method for tilting a load using a bridge crane according to the invention. The figures 4A to 4c show subsequent steps of such a method. The method according to the invention comprises:

[0099] - supporting a load in a horizontal orientation, with a top end and a bottom end substantially level, the left trolly supporting the bottom end and the right trolley supporting the top end, see figure 4A;

[0100] - tilting the load from the horizontal orientation into a vertical orientation, with the top end substantially vertically above the bottom end, by lifting the top end using the right trolley and / or by lowering the bottom end using the left trolley, see figure 4B.

[0101] Figure 4C shows the left trolley and the right trolley supporting the load in an upright position.

[0102] In the embodiment shown, the beam 2 is a box type beam that comprises a left panel 30, a right panel 31 , a top panel 32 and a bottom panel 33, each extending parallel to the longitudinal axis 7 of the beam 2. The beam 2 is furthermore provided with multiple bulkheads that each extend in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the beam. These bulkheads are not depicted in the figures.

[0103] Furthermore, in the embodiment shown, see figure 2, the outer support rail 24 of the left track 8 and the outer rail 24 of the right track 10 are mounted to the left panel 30 and the right panel 31 at the at the left top corner and the right top corner of the beam respectively. This allows for an optimal load transfer between the outer rails and the side panels of the beam. The outer support rails extend above the top panel of the beam, and the upward facing support surface of the outer support rails is thus located above the top panel of the beam.

[0104] Furthermore, in the exemplary embodiment shown, the inner support rail 27 of the left track 8 and the inner support rail 27 of the right track 10 are respectively located on a left side and a right side of the vertical virtual plane, the virtual plane comprising the longitudinal axis of the beam 2, and near that virtual plane.

[0105] It is submitted that the inner support rail, more in particular the downward facing contact surface of the inner support rail, of a bridge crane according to the invention guides the at least one moment support wheel of the respective trolley at least when a load is support by the trolley. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the left trolley 9 and the right trolley 11 are each provided with two counter moment support wheels 34, of which on is shown in figure 3, for supporting the cart when there is no moment enacted upon the cart. Furthermore, in the exemplary embodiment shown, the inner support rail 27 has an upward facing contact surface 35 for guiding the counter moment support wheel. The counter moment support wheels support the trolley when the load connector is not supporting a load, and the trolley is thus not subjected to a moment force.

[0106] Furthermore, in the exemplary embodiment shown, the left track 8 and the right track 10 each have a lateral support rail, incorporated in the outer support rail 24, with an inward facing support surface 36 and an outward facing support surface 37. The left trolley 9 and the right trolley 11 have a lateral support wheel 38 for engaging the inward facing support surface 36 and a lateral support wheel 39 for engaging the outward facing support surface 37. The lateral support wheels secure the left and the right trolley in a direction perpendicular to the length of the beam.

[0107] It is noted that in the exemplary embodiment shown, the lateral support rail, more in particular the section of the outer support rail, with an inward facing support surface and an outward facing support surface, is located below the upward facing support surface of the outer support rail of the respective track.

[0108] It is furthermore noted that in the exemplary embodiment shown, the moment support wheels of the trolleys, in cooperation with the inner support rail, do not provide the trolleys with lateral support.

[0109] In the exemplary embodiment shown, the bridge crane comprises an auxiliary left trolley, supported by the left track, and an auxiliary right trolley supported by the right track. The auxiliary left trolley and the auxiliary right trolley have a similar configuration as respectively the left trolley and the right trolley.

[0110] Such an embodiment has four individually operatable trolleys. The embodiment shown thus allows for lifting a load using the left and right trollies and the auxiliary left and auxiliary right trollies, for lifting a single load, and for tilting that load in a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis of the beam, see figure 1.

[0111] It is noted that the trolleys each comprise a trolley frame 40, that supports the load support wheels, the moment support wheels and the set hoisting sheaves. Ref signs

[0112] 01 bridge crane

[0113] 02 beam

[0114] 03 support legs

[0115] 04 left section beam

[0116] 05 right section beam

[0117] 06 virtual plane

[0118] 07 longitudinal axis beam

[0119] 08 left track

[0120] 09 left trolley

[0121] 10 right track

[0122] 11 right trolley

[0123] 11 B auxiliary right trolley

[0124] 12 first hoisting wire

[0125] 13 winch associated with first hoisting wire

[0126] 14 second hoisting wire

[0127] 15 winch associated with right hoisting wire

[0128] 16 set hoisting sheaves left trolly

[0129] 16A transfer hoisting sheaves

[0130] 16B reeving hoisting sheave

[0131] 17 left load connector

[0132] 18 set hoisting sheaves right trolly

[0133] 18A transfer hoisting sheaves

[0134] 18B reeving hoisting sheave

[0135] 19 right load connector

[0136] 20 left trolley drive

[0137] 21 right trolley drive

[0138] 22 load support wheels

[0139] 23 moment support wheels

[0140] 24 outer support rail

[0141] 25 top corner beam

[0142] 26 upward facing contact surface outer support rail

[0143] 27 inner support rail

[0144] 28 downward facing contact surface inner support rail

[0145] 29 rotational axis of reeving hoisting sheave

[0146] 30 left panel beam

[0147] 31 right panel beam 32 top panel beam

[0148] 33 bottom panel beam

[0149] 34 counter moment support wheel

[0150] 35 upward facing contact surface inner support rail 36 inward facing support surface lateral support rail

[0151] 37 outward facing surface lateral support rail

[0152] 38 lateral support wheel for engaging inward facing support surface

[0153] 39 lateral support wheel for engaging outward facing support surface

[0154] 40 trolley frame

Claims

CLAIMS1. Bridge crane, comprising:- a beam, wherein the beam comprises a left section and a right section that are joint to each other in a virtual vertical plane through a longitudinal axis of the beam;- support legs, wherein the support legs support the main beam;- a left track, mounted on the left section of the main beam;- a right track, mounted on the right section of the main beam;- a left trolley, supported by the left track, the left trolley having a set of hoisting sheaves;- a right trolley, supported by the right track, the right trolley having a set of hoisting sheaves;- a first hoisting wire and an associated winch for the left trolley, wherein the hoisting wire is guided by the set of hoisting sheaves of the left trolley and supports a left load connector;- a second hoisting wire and an associated winch for the right trolley, wherein the hoisting wire is guided by the set of hoisting sheaves of the right trolley and supports a right load connector;- a left trolley drive for driving the left trolley along the left track;- a right trolley drive for driving the right trolley, independent from the left trolley, along the right track; wherein the left trolley and the right trolley each comprise:- at least two load support wheels to transfer a weight load from the trolley to the track, and at least one moment support wheel, to transfer a moment load from the trolley to the track, and wherein the left track and the right track each comprise:- an outer support rail, located at or near a top corner of the beam, the outer support rail having an upward facing contact surface for guiding the at least two load support wheels of the respective trolley,- an inner support rail, located on top of the beam, the inner support rail having a downward facing contact surface for guiding the at least one moment support wheel of the respective trolley.

2. Bridge crane according to claim 1 , wherein the set of hoisting sheaves of the left trolley and the set of hoisting sheaves of the right trolley each comprise at least two transfer sheaves, for guiding the hoisting wire from an essentially horizontal orientation towards an essentially vertical orientation, the transfer sheaves having a rotational axis that is parallel to the main beam.

3. Bridge crane according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the set of hoisting sheaves of the left trolley and the set of hoisting sheaves of the right trolley each comprise at least one reeving sheave for reeving the hoisting wire, preferably wherein the at least one reeving sheave has a rotational axis that is perpendicular to the main beam and is swivelably supported such that its axis of rotation can pivot in a plane perpendicular to the beam.

4. Bridge crane according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the beam is a box type beam that comprises a left panel, a right panel, a top panel and a bottom panel, each extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the beam, and preferably wherein the beam comprising multiple bulkheads that each extend in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the beam.

5. Bridge crane according to claim 4, wherein the outer rail of the left track and the outer rail of the right track are mounted to the left panel and the right panel respectively.

6. Bridge crane according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the outer support rail of the left track and the outer support rail of the right track are each mounted on top of the beam, preferably at the left top corner and the right top corner of the beam.

7. Bridge crane according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the inner support rail of the left track and the inner support rail of the right track are respectively located on a left side and a right side of the virtual plane, and preferably, at or near the virtual plane.

8. Bridge crane according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the left trolley and the right trolley are each provided with at least one counter moment support wheel for supporting the cart when there is no moment enacted upon the cart, and the beam is provided with an auxiliary inner rail having an upward facing support surface or the inner support rail has an upward facing contact surface for guiding the counter moment support wheel.

9. Bridge crane according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the left track and the right track each have a lateral support rail with an inward facing support surface and has a lateral support rail with an outward facing support surface, or have a lateral support rail with an inward facing support surface and an outward facing support surface, and wherein the left trolley and the right trolley have a lateral support wheel for engaging the inward facing support surface and a lateral support wheel for engaging the outward facing support surface, or have a lateral support wheel for engaging the inward facing support surface and the outward facing support surface.

10. Bridge crane according to claim 9, wherein for each track the lateral support rail with the inward facing support surface and the lateral support rail with an outward facing support surface, or the lateral support rail with an inward facing support surface and an outward facing support surface, are / is located below the upward facing support surface of the outer support rail of the respective track.

11. Bridge crane according to claim 10, wherein for each track the lateral support rails or the lateral support rail are / is incorporated in the outer support rail, and the lateral support rail has an inward facing support surface and an outward facing support surface for respectively guiding an inward lateral support wheel and an outward lateral support wheel.

12. Bridge crane according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the bridge crane comprises an auxiliary left trolley supported by the left track and comprises an auxiliary right trolley supported by the right track, and preferably the auxiliary left trolley and the auxiliary right trolley have a similar configuration as respectively the left trolley and the right trolley.

13. Bridge crane according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the winch associated with the first hoisting wire and the winch associated with the second hoisting wire are each mounted on the main beam or on one of the legs of the bridge crane.

14. Bridge crane according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the cross section of the beam tapers in the downward direction.

15. Bridge crane according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the bridge crane is a single beam bridge crane.

16. Bridge crane according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the moment support wheel is level with the set of hoisting sheaves, when seen in top view, and preferably the trolley comprises support wheels, preferably a first and a second set of support wheels, on opposite side of the set of hoisting sheaves17. Bridge crane according to any of the preceding claims, wherein for the left trolley and for the right trolley, the hoisting wire departs from at least one of the one or more hoisting sheaves below the downward facing contact surface of the inner support rail for guiding the moment support wheel and preferably below the upward facing contact surface of the outer support rail for guiding the load support wheel.

18. Method for tilting a load using a bridge crane according to any of the preceding claims, the method comprising:- supporting a load in a horizontal orientation, with a top end and a bottom end substantially level, the left trolly supporting the bottom end and the right trolley supporting the top end;- tilting the load from the horizontal orientation into a vertical orientation, with the top end substantially vertically above the bottom end, by lifting the top end using the right trolley and / or by lowering the bottom end using the left trolley.

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