Arrangement and method for extending hoisting rope

Abstract

An arrangement for extending a hoisting rope, the arrangement comprising: a hoist (100); which comprises at least one rope drum (1 ); a first hoisting rope (2) and a second hoisting rope (3), which are arranged to be wound in and out from the at least one rope drum. The arrangement comprises a rope extension for connecting the first and second hoisting ropes to each other, which rope extension comprises at least one joint (20) comprising a first end member (2.1 ) arranged at an end of the first hoisting rope (2) and a second end member (3.2) arranged at an end of the second hoisting rope (3), wherein in the joint (20), the first end member (2.1 ) and the second end member (3.2) are arranged to be fastened to each other: directly, or via a flexible connecting member (8). A method for extending a hoisting rope in a hoist (100).

Description

[0001] ARRANGEMENT AND METHOD FOR EXTENDING HOISTING ROPE

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The invention relates to an arrangement and a method for extending a hoisting rope.

[0004] TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

[0005] It is known to replace the hoisting rope in a hoist which comprises a hoist rope drum and a balance beam located at the centre of the rope drum. A fixed sheave is placed on the balance beam, also referred to as a scale, around which sheave the hoisting rope may rotate. A single hoisting rope can be replaced by pulling the new rope into place with the old rope.

[0006] A drawback in previously known devices is the twisting of the hoisting member, such as a hook, at high hoisting heights. It is known to prevent twisting by using one or more ropes connected to the payload or the hoisting member and coupled to the side. In offshore operations, for example, it is known to use a mechanical winch, the so-called tugger winch, to prevent the payload from twisting.

[0007] SUMMARY

[0008] An object of the invention is a new arrangement and a method so that the above-mentioned problems can be solved. The objective of the invention is achieved by an arrangement and a method for extending a hoisting rope, characterised by what is stated in the independent claims. Preferable embodiments of the invention are the subject of dependent claims.

[0009] The arrangement and the method according to the invention enable simpler replacement of the hoisting rope compared to previous solutions. In addition, the attachment of the hoisting rope end is simpler than in some known solutions, which use wedge sockets in a support beam, where adjusting the length of the hoisting rope is problematic because the difference in length causes tilting of the hook. The extension of the hoisting rope and the solution for fastening the end of the hoisting rope according to the invention allow for compensation of differences in the length of the hoisting ropes during the installation of the hoisting rope on the hoist and when replacing hoisting ropes. The presented solution makes it possible to eliminate the twisting problem without expensive replacement and retrofitting of the support beam. The presented solution also avoids expensive and complicated adjustment of the hoisting rope end, for example with turnbuckles and additional folding sheaves. The solutions presented avoid a solution where the left- and right-handed hoisting ropes are attached to a balance beam, i.e. a scale. A scale is a spaceconsuming solution, which means that compromises must be made in the positioning of a crane in a building or unwanted construction costs have to be incurred.

[0010] By the solutions presented, it is possible to minimize and prevent payload twisting when the payload and hook move in a vertical direction.

[0011] In particular, by the solutions presented, it is possible to minimize and prevent twisting of the hoisting member supported by the hoisting ropes, when the load and hook move in a vertical direction, on which hoisting member lower sheaves are arranged for the hoisting ropes to circulate around.

[0012] The twisting of the hoisting member supported by the hoisting ropes refers here to a different phenomenon than the rotation of the hook relative to the hoisting member. In other words, the hook can additionally rotate around a vertical axis relative to the hoisting member which is supported by the hoisting ropes.

[0013] In the presented solution, the rope base can be wider than in known solutions; the upper and lower sheaves are arranged at a location with a wider distance between them so that there is a distance between the upper sheaves and a distance between the lower sheaves, whereby the distance between the ropes extending vertically downward from the upper sheaves increases, and the rope base formed by the ropes is stiffer, i.e., the ropes resist the rotation of the payload "as a whole," meaning that in this situation, the ropes do not begin to twist around each other, causing the rigging to "shorten," i.e., fight against gravity. Gravity tends to keep the ropes straight.

[0014] Therefore, the advantage is that less hoisting personnel and / or equipment is needed to prevent the load from twisting, making the hoisting operation safer. In the proposed solution, the hoisting member, such as the hook, is positioned in the desired horizontal position with the hook arm vertically.

[0015] In the presented solution, it is possible to arrange the rotating of the hook in the hoisting member by a hook rotating mechanism.

[0016] According to an embodiment the arrangement comprises a hook rotating mechanism in the hoisting member.

[0017] According to an embodiment, space has been arranged horizontally in the hoisting member between the lower sheaves for the placement of the rotating mechanism. According to an embodiment the rotating mechanism has been vertically located between the upper and lower sheaves which enables lifting the hoisting member as high as possible when a distance and space has been arranged between the upper sheaves.

[0018] According to an embodiment the rotating mechanism in the uppermost position of the hoisting member is located in the center of a tetragon, with upper and lower sheaves at the comers of the tetragon. In this case, the tetragon is not necessarily a geometrically perfect square, but it is quadrangular in shape. Due to the advantageous placement of the sheaves, a high height of lifting can be achieved, the design of the upwardly positioned hoist can be kept low, and savings can be made in the investment as the construction of the building on the site can be kept low. The hook and payload are then preferably rotated by the rotating mechanism, like a rotating machinery comprising an electric motor and a gear, especially for handling heavier and larger payloads.

[0019] The arrangement according to the invention is defined in claim 1 . The method according to the invention is defined in claim 14.

[0020] There is provided a new arrangement for extending a hoisting rope, the arrangement comprising: a hoist; which comprises at least one rope drum; a first hoisting rope and a second hoisting rope, which are arranged to be wound in and out from the at least one rope drum. The arrangement comprises a rope extension for connecting the first and second hoisting ropes to each other, which rope extension comprises at least one joint comprising a first end member arranged at an end of the first hoisting rope and a second end member arranged at an end of the second hoisting rope, wherein in the joint, the first end member and the second end member are arranged to be fastened to each other: directly, or via a flexible connecting member.

[0021] According to an embodiment the rope extension comprises a flexible connecting member for connecting the first and second hoisting ropes to each other by at least two joints; the connecting member comprises, at its first end, a third end member which is connectable to the first end member arranged at the end of the first hoisting rope; and the connecting member comprises, at its second end, a fourth end member which is connectable to the second end member arranged at the end of the second hoisting rope.

[0022] According to an embodiment the handedness of the first hoisting rope and the second hoisting rope is opposite. The handedness of a rope refers to the direction in which the yams in the rope are braided. According to an embodiment in the connecting element, the section between the third and fourth end elements comprises flexible tension-resistant material, such as rope / wire comprising steel and / or synthetic material; or belt or similar elongated material.

[0023] According to an embodiment the joint of the rope extension is arranged at a point in the rigging of the hoisting ropes where the speed of the hoisting rope during the hoisting movement is zero or the hoisting rope is almost stationary, or the movement of the hoisting rope is minimal.

[0024] According to an embodiment the hoist comprises the first rope and the second rope attached to the rope drum; a first lower sheave movable in the vertical direction for the first rope; a second lower sheave movable in the vertical direction for the second rope; a first upper sheave rotatably mounted near the rope drum for the first rope; and a second upper sheave rotatably mounted near the rope drum for the second rope.

[0025] According to an embodiment, a rotation axis of the first upper sheave is on the same vertical plane as a rotation axis of the rope drum, and a rotation axis of the second upper sheave is on the same vertical plane as the rotation axis of the rope drum. In this way, the upper sheaves are located near the rope drum. In this way, the upper sheaves are located adjacent to the rope drum and not below the rope drum.

[0026] According to an embodiment, the first upper sheave and the second upper sheave are located on the same vertical plane, for example, in connection with a load beam of the hoist. According to an embodiment, the first upper sheave and the second upper sheave form an upper sheave assembly located on the same vertical plane.

[0027] According to an embodiment, the first lower sheave and the second lower sheave are located on the same vertical plane in the hoisting member.

[0028] According to an embodiment, the vertical distance between the rotation axes of the upper sheaves and the rotation axes of the lower sheaves is at minimum greater than the diameter of any of the said upper or lower sheaves. This enables the rope extension and an allowed rope angle between the upper and lower sheaves.

[0029] According to an embodiment, the horizontal distance between the rotation axes of the upper sheaves is at minimum the outer diameter of the upper sheave + twice the diameter of the hoisting rope. At maximum, the horizontal distance can be increased as needed within the limits of the lifting height required for the rigging, i.e. , the horizontal distance can be increased within the limits of the rope drum length and so that there are still sufficient revolutions (friction revolutions) for reliable securing of the rope ends to the rope drum itself.

[0030] According to an embodiment the first hoisting rope is left-handed, and the second hoisting rope is right-handed.

[0031] According to an embodiment the connecting member is arranged to pass over the upper sheaves, preferably in grooves of the upper sheaves.

[0032] According to an embodiment the connecting member is arranged to pass over the upper sheaves as an upside-down ll-loop.

[0033] According to an embodiment the connecting member is arranged to pass under the lower sheaves, preferably in grooves of the lower sheaves.

[0034] According to an embodiment the connecting member is arranged to pass under the lower sheaves as an upwardly opening ll-loop.

[0035] According to an embodiment the lower sheaves are arranged on a hoisting member which preferably comprises a hook and / or another auxiliary hoisting means.

[0036] According to an embodiment by the rope extension, preferably by the flexible connecting element comprised by the rope extension, a connection transmitting the tension of the hoisting ropes has been formed between two long hoisting ropes.

[0037] According to an embodiment the connecting element comprises a short additional rope relative to the two long hoisting ropes, the ends of the additional rope being configured to be connected to the ends of the hoisting ropes.

[0038] According to an embodiment the joint is configured to prevent the ends of two hoisting ropes having different handedness from twisting relative to each other.

[0039] According to an embodiment twisting rope forces of the two hoisting ropes having different handedness are configured to counteract each other.

[0040] According to an embodiment the rope extension comprises at least one fastening means for fastening the ends of both hoisting ropes to each other, or the rope extension comprises at least two fastening means for fastening the ends of both hoisting ropes to the ends of the connecting member.

[0041] According to an embodiment at least one of the fastening means comprises a metal piece by which each pair of end members is arranged to be connected to each other.

[0042] According to an embodiment at least one of the fastening means comprises a U-shaped fastener, such as a shackle or wire rope lock; or a body with at least one nest or recess; to which U-shaped fastener or body at least one of the said pairs of end members is configured to be received.

[0043] According to an embodiment at least one of the end members is a metallic piece. According to an embodiment, the end member is connected by pressing and / or soldering and / or casting to a corresponding end in the connecting member and / or hoisting rope. According to one embodiment, at least one of the end elements comprises a rotationally symmetrical and / or spherical and / or pear-shaped and / or conical and / or cylindrical shape.

[0044] There is also provided a new method for extending a hoisting rope in a hoist, which hoist comprises at least one rope drum; a first hoisting rope and a second hoisting rope, which are arranged to be wound out and in from at least one rope drum. In the method, connecting the first and second hoisting ropes to each other by a rope extension, which rope extension comprises at least one joint comprising a first end member arranged at an end of the first hoisting rope and a second end member arranged at an end of the second hoisting rope, wherein connecting in the joint the first end member and the second end member to each other: directly, or via a flexible connecting member.

[0045] According to an embodiment connecting a third end member comprised by the flexible connecting member at its first end to the first end member arranged at the end of the first hoisting rope; and connecting a fourth end member comprised by the flexible connecting member at its second end to the second end member arranged at the end of the second hoisting rope.

[0046] According to an embodiment adjusting the length of the hoisting ropes before connecting the hoisting ropes to each other by the connecting member and fastening means.

[0047] According to an embodiment arranging the joint of the rope extension at a point in the rigging of the hoisting ropes where the speed of the hoisting rope during the hoisting movement is zero or the hoisting rope is almost stationary, or the movement of the hoisting rope is minimal.

[0048] According to an embodiment, the installation length of the lefthanded and right-handed hoisting ropes is aimed to be the same, whereby the connection in the U-loop of the connecting member formed around the sheaves is implemented within the installation accuracy, which is of the order of +-200 mm in the direction of the left-handed and right-handed rope lengths.

[0049] According to some preferred embodiments, the method is configured to be carried out in an arrangement according to any of the embodiments described above. According to an embodiment, the axes of the upper sheaves are rotated 90 degrees relative to the axis of said at least one rope drum. Thus, the upper sheaves can be positioned higher than if the said axes of the upper sheaves and the rope drum were parallel, without being restricted by the position and size of said at least one rope drum. According to an embodiment, the axes of the upper sheaves are rotated 90 degrees relative to the axis of said at least one rope drum without being restricted by the position and size of said at least one rope drum.

[0050] DRAWINGS

[0051] The invention is now described in more detail in connection with preferred embodiments, with reference to the accompanying example drawings, in which:

[0052] Figures 1 , 2, and 3 show an arrangement according to a first embodiment of the invention,

[0053] Figures 4 and 5 show an arrangement according to a second embodiment of the invention,

[0054] Figures 6 and 7 show an arrangement according to a third embodiment of the invention, and

[0055] Figures 8 and 9 show an arrangement according to a fourth embodiment of the invention.

[0056] DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0057] Figures 1-9 illustrate the arrangement and method for extending a hoisting rope on a hoist 100.

[0058] In Figure 1 , the arrangement comprises a rope extension comprising two joints 20 for connecting the first and second hoisting ropes 2; 3 to each other. In the arrangement shown in Figure 1 , the rope extension comprises a flexible connecting member 8, by which the first hoisting rope 2 and the second hoisting rope 3 of the hoist are connected to each other.

[0059] A rope extension has been formed at the ends of the said hoisting ropes 2, 3, which allows the hoist rope assembly to be installed and replaced in two sections, and whereby the length of the ropes can be adjusted at least at the end of the rope rigging phase before the ropes are connected to each other. Preferably, when using the connecting member 8 shown in Figures 1- 3, hoisting ropes 2, 3 of the same length are used and the rigging equalizes the length differences. Figures 1-3 in particular show an arrangement for extending the hoisting rope, in which the two hoisting ropes 2, 3 of the hoist, which have opposite handedness, are connected to each other by the flexible connecting member 8.

[0060] When the handedness of the first hoisting rope and the second hoisting rope is opposite, the solution has the additional advantage of avoiding the problematic twisting of the hoisting member 10, which is caused by the so- called through-rigged single-handed hoisting rope. At the same time, it is possible to adjust the length of the ropes or longitudinal compensation, which is achieved by the rigging.

[0061] According to an embodiment, the connecting element 8 is used as a retrofit for hoisting devices already delivered, in which the tendency of right- and left-handed ropes at high hoisting heights causes twisting of the hoisting member, such as a hook.

[0062] In Figures 1-3, the flexible connecting member 8 forms a connection between the two long hoisting ropes 2 and 3, transmitting the tension of the ropes.

[0063] In Figures 1-3, the joints 20 of the ends of the connecting member 8 to two long lifting ropes 2, 3 are arranged, for example, in the area between upper sheaves 6, 7 of fixed height in connection with a load beam of the hoist and corresponding lower sheaves 4, 5 movable vertically below them.

[0064] According to an embodiment, the connecting member 8 comprises a short so-called additional rope relative to the two long hoisting ropes 2, 3, the ends of which are connected to the ends of the hoisting ropes 2, 3.

[0065] According to an embodiment, the connecting member 8 is arranged to pass over the upper sheaves 6 and 7 as an upside-down ll-loop.

[0066] According to an embodiment, in the arrangement, the joint 20 of the rope extension formed by the connecting member 8 is arranged at a point in the rigging of the hoisting ropes where the speed of the rope during the hoisting movement is zero or the rope is almost stationary, or the movement in the direction of the rope is minimal.

[0067] Naturally, the connecting member 8 can also be applied to connect two hoisting ropes to each other in hoisting arrangements other than those specifically illustrated in the example in Figure 1. The arrangement thus facilitates the adjustment of the length of the hoisting ropes, which is necessary, for example, in retrofitting.

[0068] The rope extension comprises an extension of the left-handed hoisting rope 2 and the right-handed hoisting rope 3, which can be wound in and out of the rope drum 1 of the hoist 100. The hoist 100 is shown schematically with a dotted line. Preferably, both hoisting ropes are moved by the same rotation of the rope drum.

[0069] Preferably, the hoist comprises a rope drum 1 , a left-handed rope 2 attached to the rope drum, a right-handed rope 3 attached to the rope drum, a first vertically movable lower sheave 4 for the left-handed rope 2, a second vertically movable lower sheave 5 for the right-handed rope 3, a first upper sheave 6 for the left-handed rope 2, which is rotatably mounted near the rope drum 1 , a second upper sheave 7 for the right-handed rope 3, which is rotatably mounted near the rope drum 1 . The area marked with a dotted line on the hoist 100 is where a hoist beam is located, to which the rope drum 1 and the upper sheaves 6, 7 are attached. The hoist beam is preferably covered from above and at least partially open from below, allowing the ropes to run downwards from the upper sheaves 6, 7.

[0070] In Figure 1 , the rope extension comprises on the left side a first end member 2.1 at the end opposite to the starting end of the left-handed rope 2 which is attached to the rope drum, and on the right side a second end member 3.2 at the end opposite to the starting end of the right-handed rope 3 which is attached to the rope drum.

[0071] In Figures 1-3, the rope extension comprises the flexible connecting device 8, which is detachably connectable between the left-handed rope 2 and the right-handed rope 3, comprising, in the representation in Figure 1 , a third end member 8.3 at its first end on the left and a fourth end member 8.4 at its second end on the right.

[0072] According to an embodiment, the section between the end members 8.3 and 8.4 in the connecting member 8 comprises a flexible tension- resistant material such as rope, wire or belt, which preferably corresponds in strength to at least the strength of the hoisting ropes 2, 3, and in the examples shown in Figures 1-3, the connecting member 8 is arranged to pass, for example, like the hoisting ropes 2, 3 over the upper sheaves 6, 7, preferably in the grooves of the upper sheaves in a manner corresponding to the hoisting rope.

[0073] In Figure 1 , the rope extension comprises at least two fastening means 9 for fastening the ends of both ropes 2, 3 to the ends of the connecting member 8.

[0074] According to some embodiments, at least one of the fastening means 9 comprises a metal piece by which each pair of end members 8.3- 2.1 ; 8.4-3.2 is arranged to be connected to each other. According to an embodiment, the fastening means 9 comprises a U-shaped fastener, such as a shackle, a rope lock or a wire lock. According to an embodiment, the fastening means 9 comprises a body having at least one nest or recess into which at least one of the said end members is configured to be received. Preferably, at least one of the pairs of end members is configured to be received in the U-shaped fastener or body.

[0075] At the end of the hoisting rope 2, the first end member 2.1 is detachably connectable to the third end member 8.3 of the flexible connecting member 8; and at the end of the hoisting rope 3, the second end member 3.2 is detachably connectable to the fourth end member 8.4 of the flexible connecting member 8.

[0076] According to some embodiments, at least one of the end elements 8.3; 8.4; 2.1 ; 3.2 is a metal piece. Preferably, the end element is connected by pressing and / or soldering and / or casting to a corresponding end in the connecting member 8 and / or the hoisting rope 2, 3.

[0077] According to some embodiments, at least one of the end elements 8.3; 8.4; 2.1 ; 3.2 comprises a fastening loop for the fastening means 9.

[0078] According to some embodiments, at least one of the end elements 8.3; 8.4; 2.1 ; 3.2 comprises a rotationally symmetrical and / or spherical and / or pear-shaped and / or conical and / or cylindrical shape.

[0079] According to an embodiment, the rope extension allows the ends of the lifting ropes 2, 3 to rotate relative to the ends of the connecting member 8 in an unloaded state.

[0080] According to some embodiments, the vertically movable lower sheaves 4, 5 are arranged in a hoisting member 10, which comprises, according to some embodiments, a hook 11 and / or other auxiliary hoisting means such as a hoist beam. The hoisting member 10 moves upward as the length of the hoisting ropes 2, 3 wound onto the rope drum 1 decreases, and downward as the length unwound from the rope drum 1 increases, while the lower sheaves 4, 5 rotate relative to the hoisting member 10. The hoisting member 10 is shown schematically with a dashed line. The hoisting member 10 can be protected by a housing so that it is closed at the bottom and sides but allowing the hook 11 to protrude downward. The hook can rotate around its vertical axis. The housing is open at least to the extent that the ropes upwards can pass freely in the direction of the upper sheaves.

[0081] According to some embodiments, the rope drumvl and the upper sheaves 6, 7 are arranged to move with the trolley 12 of the hoist 100, which is preferably arranged to move horizontally on the main girder (not shown in the figures). The main girder is configured to move on wheels, whereby the direction of movement is transverse to the direction of the trolley configured to move on the main girder. The main girder is part of a crane, which may be a bridge crane, a gantry crane or a semi-gantry crane. The trolley 12 is shown schematically with a dashed line.

[0082] In the arrangements shown in Figures 1-9, small length differences in ropes 2 and 3 are compensated for during the installation phase, whereby locations of the ends of the first and second ropes, preferably of the left- and right-handed rope ends, i.e. of the joints 20 of the end members at the ends of the hoisting ropes, are allowed to move slightly, most preferably in the area between the upper sheaves and the vertically movable lower sheaves.

[0083] Figures 1-5 illustrate examples of so-called even rigging, i.e., 2 x n rigging, where n is a positive even integer. In this case, the stationary or almost stationary rope is located in connection with the upper sheaves 6 and 7.

[0084] For example:

[0085] Figure 1 shows the principle of 2 x 10 rigging with two joints 20,

[0086] Figures 2 and 3 show the principle of 2 x 4 rigging with two joints 20, and

[0087] Figures 4 and 5 show the principle of a 2 x 4 rigging with one joint 20.

[0088] In Figures 4 and 5, the rope extension comprises one joint 20 for connecting the first and second hoisting ropes 2; 3 to each other. In Figures 4 and 5, the first end member 2.1 and the second end member 3.2 are connected directly to each other with one joint 20, without the connecting member 8.

[0089] Figures 6-9 illustrate examples of so-called odd rigging, i.e., 2 x n rigging, where n is an odd integer greater than or equal to 1 . In this case, the stationary or almost stationary rope is located vertically in connection with the lower sheaves 4, 5 of the vertically movable hoisting member 10.

[0090] For example:

[0091] Figures 6 and 7 show the principle of 2 x 3 rigging with two joints 20, and

[0092] Figures 8 and 9 show the principle of a 2 x 3 rigging with one joint 20.

[0093] In Figures 6 and 7, the rope extension comprises two joints 20 for connecting the first and second hoisting ropes 2; 3 to each other. In Figures 6 and 7, the first end member 2.1 and the second end member 3.2 are connected to each other by two joints 20 via the flexible connecting member 8. In Figures 8 and 9, the rope extension comprises one joint 20 for connecting the first and second hoisting ropes 2; 3 to each other. In Figures 8 and 9, the first end member 2.1 and the second end member 3.2 are connected directly to each other by one joint 20, without the connecting member 8.

[0094] When a 3D figure is arranged in a 2D plane (Figures 2 and 3, Figures 4 and 5, Figures 6 and 7, and Figures 8 and 9), the rope drum is shown "cut" in the middle and the sections of the rope drums and the rope riggings below them are spread out to the sides in the 2D plane.

[0095] Preferably, one rope drum is used as the rope drum, but it is also possible to move the first and second hoisting ropes with two separate rope drums that can operate synchronously.

[0096] According to some examples, the arrangement may have the following characteristics. Preferably, the diameter of the hoisting rope is about 30-50 mm. Preferably, the diameter of the rope drum is about 1600-3000 mm. Preferably, the length of the rope drum is about 3-9 m. Preferably, the diameter of the sheaves 4, 5, 6, 7 is about 900-1200 mm. Preferably, there remains a lateral distance between the sheaves. Preferably, the hoisting height of the hoist 100 is about 15-150 m, more preferably 15-50 m. Preferably, the hoisting capacity of the hoist 100 is about 200-1400 tons.

[0097] According to some embodiments, at least one joint 20 is arranged in a downward direction at a distance of about 300-500 mm, preferably about 400 mm, from the side quadrant of the upper sheave when the rigging of the hoisting ropes is so-called even, as shown in examples 1-5.

[0098] According to certain embodiments, at least one joint 20 is arranged in an upward direction at a distance of about 300-500 mm, preferably about 400 mm, from the side quadrant of the lower sheave when the rigging of the hoisting ropes is so-called odd, as shown in the examples in Figures 6-9.

[0099] In the method for extending the hoisting rope in hoist 100, which hoist comprises at least one rope drum 1 ; a first hoisting rope 2 and a second hoisting rope 3, which are arranged to be wound out and in from the at least one rope drum; the first and second hoisting ropes 2; 3 are connected to each other by a rope extension, which rope extension comprises at least one joint 20, which comprises a first end member 2.1 arranged at an end of the first hoisting rope 2 and a second end member 3.2 arranged at an end of the second hoisting rope 3. In the joint 20, the first end member 2.1 and the second end member 3.2 are connected to each other: directly or by a flexible connecting member 8. According to some preferred embodiments, a third end member 8.3 comprised by the flexible connecting member 8 at its first end is connected to a first end member 2.1 arranged at the end of the first hoisting rope 2; and a fourth end member 8.4 comprised by the flexible connecting member 8 at its second end is connected to the second end member 3.2 arranged at the end of the second hoisting rope 3.

[0100] According to some preferred embodiments, the method is configured to be carried out in an arrangement according to any of the embodiments described above.

[0101] According to an embodiment, in the method, the hoist rope assembly is installed and / or replaced in two sections, i.e. , the first and second ropes can be installed or replaced as separate ropes.

[0102] According to an embodiment, the length of the hoisting ropes 2, 3 is adjusted before the ropes are connected to each other by the connecting member 8 and the fastening means 9.

[0103] According to some preferred embodiments, the rope joint 20 of the rope extension is arranged at a point in the rigging of the hoisting ropes 2; 3 where the speed of the hoisting rope during the hoisting movement is zero or the hoisting rope is almost stationary or the movement in the direction of the hoisting rope is minimal.

[0104] The solution presented relates to a hoisting environment in which a large force is generated between the upper and lower sheaves and in which the rope, once installed, travels back and forth several times during its service life. In this case, the upper and lower sheaves move apart and toward each other repeatedly as the load is hoisted and lowered by the hoist.

[0105] It is obvious to a skilled person that, as technology develops, the basic idea of the invention can be implemented in many different ways. The invention and its embodiments are therefore not limited to the examples described above but may vary within the scope of the claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . An arrangement for extending a hoisting rope, the arrangement comprising: a hoist (100); which comprises at least one rope drum (1 ); a first hoisting rope (2) and a second hoisting rope (3), which are arranged to be wound in and out from the at least one rope drum; characterized in that the arrangement comprises a rope extension for connecting the first and second hoisting ropes to each other, which rope extension comprises at least one joint (20) comprising a first end member (2.1 ) arranged at an end of the first hoisting rope (2) and a second end member (3.2) arranged at an end of the second hoisting rope (3), wherein in the joint (20), the first end member (2.1 ) and the second end member (3.2) are arranged to be fastened to each other: directly, or via a flexible connecting member (8).

2. The arrangement according to claim 1 , characterized in that the rope extension comprises a flexible connecting member (8) for connecting the first and second hoisting ropes (2; 3) to each other by at least two joints (20); the connecting member (8) comprises, at its first end, a third end member (8.3) which is connectable to the first end member (2.1 ) arranged at the end of the first hoisting rope (2); and the connecting member (8) comprises, at its second end, a fourth end member (8.4) which is connectable to the second end member (3.2) arranged at the end of the second hoisting rope (3).

3. The arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the handedness of the first hoisting rope (2) and the second hoisting rope (3) is opposite.

4. The arrangement according to any of claims 1-3, characterized in that in the connecting element (8), the section between the third and fourth end elements (8.3; 8.4) comprises flexible tension-resistant material.

5. The arrangement according to any of claims 1-4, characterized in that the joint (20) of the rope extension is arranged at a point in the riggingof the hoisting ropes (2; 3) where the speed of the hoisting rope during the hoisting movement is zero or the hoisting rope is almost stationary, or the movement in the direction of the hoisting rope is minimal.

6. The arrangement according to any of claims 1-5, characterized in that the hoist (100) comprises the first rope (2) and the second rope (3) attached to the rope drum (1 ); a first lower sheave (4) movable in the vertical direction for the first rope (2); a second lower sheave (5) movable in the vertical direction for the second rope (3); a first upper sheave (6) rotatably mounted near the rope drum (1 ) for the first rope (2); and a second upper sheave (7) rotatably mounted near the rope drum (1 ) for the second rope (3); and preferably the first hoisting rope is left-handed and the second hoisting rope is right- handed.

7. The arrangement according to claim 6, characterized in that the connecting member (8) is arranged to pass over the upper sheaves (6; 7), preferably in grooves of the upper sheaves, and preferably the connecting member is arranged to pass over the upper sheaves as an upside-down ll-loop.

8. The arrangement according to claim 6, characterized in that the connecting member (8) is arranged to pass under the lower sheaves (4; 5), preferably in grooves of the lower sheaves, and preferably the connecting member is arranged to pass under the lower sheaves (4; 5) as an upwardly opening ll-loop.

9. The arrangement according to any of claims 6-8, characterized in that the lower sheaves (4; 5) are arranged on a hoisting member (10) which preferably comprises a hook (11 ) and / or another auxiliary hoisting means.

10. The arrangement according to any of claims 1-9, characterized in that by the rope extension, preferably by the flexible connecting element (8) comprised by the rope extension, a connection transmitting the tension of the hoisting ropes has been formed between two long hoisting ropes (2; 3), and preferably the connecting element (8) comprises a short additional rope relative to the two long hoisting ropes (2; 3), the ends of the additional rope being configured to be connected to the ends of the hoisting ropes (2; 3).

11. The arrangement according to any of claims 1-10, characterized in that the joint (20) is configured to prevent the ends of two hoisting ropes having different handedness from twisting relative to each other; or twisting rope forces of the two hoisting ropes having different handedness are configured to counteract each other.

12. The arrangement according to any of claims 1-11 , characterized in that the rope extension comprises at least one fastening means (9) for fastening the ends of both hoisting ropes (2; 3) to each other, or that the rope extension comprises at least two fastening means (9) for fastening the ends of both hoisting ropes (2; 3) to the ends of the connecting member (8); and preferably at least one of the fastening means (9) comprises a metal piece by which each pair of end members (8.3-2.1 ; 8.4-3.2) is arranged to be connected to each other.

13. The arrangement according to claim 12, characterized in that at least one of the fastening means (9) comprises a U-shaped fastener, such as a shackle, rope lock or wire rope lock; or a body with at least one nest or recess; to which U-shaped fastener or body at least one of the said pairs of end members is configured to be received.

14. A method for extending a hoisting rope in a hoist (100), which hoist comprises at least one rope drum (1 ); a first hoisting rope (2) and a second hoisting rope (3), which are arranged to be wound out and in from at least one rope drum, characterized by connecting the first and second hoisting ropes (2;3) to each other by a rope extension, which rope extension comprises at least one joint (20) comprising a first end member (2.1 ) arranged at an end of the first hoisting rope (2) and a second end member (3.2) arranged at an end of the second hoisting rope (3), wherein connecting in the joint (20) the first end member (2.1 ) and the second end member (3.2) to each other: directly, or via a flexible connecting member (8).

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized by connecting a third end member (8.3) comprised by the flexible connecting member (8)at its first end to the first end member (2.1 ) arranged at the end of the first hoisting rope (2); and connecting a fourth end member (8.4) comprised by the flexible connecting member (8) at its second end to the second end member (3.2) ar- ranged at the end of the second hoisting rope (3).

16. The method according to claim 14 or 15, characterized by adjusting the length of the hoisting ropes (2; 3) before connecting the hoisting ropes to each other by the connecting member (8) and fastening means (9).

17. The method according to any of claims 14-16, characterized by arranging the joint (20) of the rope extension at a point in the rigging of the hoisting ropes (2; 3) where the speed of the hoisting rope during the hoisting movement is zero or the hoisting rope is almost stationary, or the movement of the hoisting rope is minimal.

Images