Crane subassembly for installing a tub mounted crane.

Abstract

A crane subassembly (12) including a crane house (2) and a winch carrier (71) and an installation method for assembling the crane subassembly (12) to a substructure (10) of a crane The winch carrier has a carrier body (710) for supporting several winches (31, 70) on several winch seats (712). The crane house (2) comprises a plurality of carrier mounts (281) and the winch carrier (71) comprises an associated plurality of complementary carrier mounts (781) for mounting the winch carrier to the crane house. In the installation method, the crane house (2) is lowered relative to the winch carrier (71) to level the carrier mounts (281, 781) with each other. Preferably, the crane assembly (12) is remote assembled by mounting a pre-assembled lower skid (91), a winch skid (92) and the crane house (2) to each other before its placement onto the substructure (10).

Description

[0001] P37003PC00 / KHO

[0002] Title: Crane subassembly for installing a tub mounted crane.

[0003] The invention relates to a crane subassembly including a crane house for installation of a tub mounted crane and an installation method in which the crane subassembly is used.

[0004] NL8500551 and DE33408866A1 disclose a tub mounted crane having a tub, a crane house, a gantry and a boom. The tub mounted crane is arranged for heavy lifting purposes and has a tub diameter of at least 15m. The crane house is mounted onto the tub and has a slew bearing flange at a lower section to allow the crane house to rotate relative to the tub. The boom is pivotable about a horizontal axis connected to a boom connector of the crane house. The boom connector is rigidly fixated to the crane house to obtain a proper load distribution from a hoisting hook to the tub. The gantry has a front framework which is connected to a front base mount at the boom connector and a rear framework being connected at a rear base mount at an upper side of the crane house. The tub mounted crane comprises a plurality of winches inside the crane house. The winches are installed on a floor of the crane house.

[0005] WO1 8143807 discloses a crane housing of a tub mounted crane. The crane housing comprises a cylinder-shaped circumferential wall with a lower section being delimited by a lower end of the wall. The lower end is adapted to be mounted to a slew bearing. An upper section of the circumferential wall is delimited by an upper end of the wall.

[0006] The tub mounted crane has a winch carrier, also called a backpack or a winch unit, which is supported by the crane housing at a rear side. The winch unit comprises one or more winches. A luffing winch of the winch unit is operable to set a boom angle of the boom by using one or more luffing wires extending between a gantry apex and an outer end of the boom. At least one other winch of the winch carrier is operable to haul in and payout a hoisting wire to lift or lower a hoist load. The weight of the winch unit at the rear side of the crane housing is beneficially used as a ballast.

[0007] The crane housing is provided with a floor which at least partially closes off a bottom of the cylinder-shaped wall. The floor is arranged to support further equipment, like electronic equipment, additional winches and or slew drive motors of the crane inside crane housing.

[0008] W02024 / 0101453 discloses a similar crane house. Here, the crane house is called a support structure for a crane. The support structure has a lower end with a circular shape for connecting it with a slew bearing. The support structure has an upper end with a polygonal shape defined by a peripheral box frame for supporting a boom and a gantry, here called a support frame, of the crane. The box frame allows a central opening in which equipment or a jack-up leg can be accommodated.

[0009] These tub mounted cranes are very large structures which are capital intensive. It is a challenge to reduce involved capital investments.

[0010] Regarding the above-mentioned prior art, it is remarked that any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like included in the present specification is for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention, and is not to be taken as an admission that any such matters form part of the prior art or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present invention before the priority date of each claim of this application.

[0011] The general object of the present invention is to at least partially eliminate the above mentioned drawback and / or to provide a usable alternative. More specific, it is an object of the invention to provide a crane subassembly which allows a reduction of involved capital investments in building a tub mounted crane.

[0012] According to the invention, this object is achieved by a crane subassembly according to claim 1.

[0013] According to the invention, a crane subassembly for installation of a tub mounted crane is provided which comprises a crane house and a winch carrier.

[0014] The crane house has a circumferential wall which defines an inner space. The circumferential wall has a lower section delimited by a lower end of the wall and an upper section delimited by an upper end of the wall. The lower end is adapted to be mounted to a slew bearing. Particularly, the lower section is provided with a slew bearing flange. At an upper region, the crane house has a boom connector for mounting a boom to the crane house. Further, at the upper region, the crane house has at least one base mount for mounting a gantry to the crane house. Here, in this application, gantry means a crane frame of a superstructure of the tub mounted crane which crane frame is arranged for supporting the boom.

[0015] The winch carrier is arranged to carry several winches. The winch carrier may be arranged to support one or more luffing winches and / or one or more hoisting winches. The winch carrier has a carrier body. The carrier body includes a platform for supporting several winches. The platform is provided with a plurality of winch seats for each receiving a winch.

[0016] The crane subassembly according to the invention provides an improvement in that the crane house comprises a plurality of carrier mounts and in that the winch carrier comprises an associated plurality of complementary carrier mounts for mounting the winch carrier to the crane house. The carrier mounts may enable a releasable connection of the winch carrier inside the inner space to the crane house. Preferably, at least one of the carrier mounts of the crane house and the complementary carrier mounts of the winch carrier provide a pin-hole assembly for mounting the winch carrier to the crane house by insertion of a pin-shaped element through a hole of a mounting. Beneficially, the winch carrier including several winches can be installed and tested in a preparing step before installing the winch carrier inside the crane house. The winch carrier including several winches can be installed and tested at another location remote from a construction site where the crane house is built. After installation and fulfilling test requirements, the winch carrier can be transported to the crane house, whereafter the crane house and winch carrier can be assembled together. The crane subassembly allows an installation method according to the invention in which the winch carrier provided with several pre-assembled winches is subsequently mounted to the crane house. Herewith, a logistic advantage, can be achieved which allows a reduction of capital investment in building a tub mounted crane.

[0017] In an embodiment of the crane subassembly, the plurality of carrier mounts are positioned at an inner side of the circumferential wall of the crane house. Particularly, the plurality of carrier mounts are positioned at a middle section of the circumferential wall in which the middle section is provided with stiffeners. Herewith, the winch carrier can be mounted to the crane house in a rigid manner which allows a proper load distribution during hoisting.

[0018] In an embodiment of the crane subassembly, the platform has a rectangular outer shape. The complementary carrier mounts are provided along an outer edge region of the platform. Particularly, each corner of the platform is provided with a complementary carrier mount.

[0019] In an embodiment of the crane subassembly, the several winch seats on the platform are positioned in an array. Particularly, the platform comprises at least two arrays of winch seats.

[0020] In an embodiment of the crane subassembly, all hoisting winches and particularly all luffing winches are carried by the winch carrier. All hoisting and possibly all luffing winches are positioned on the winch carrier in a pre-assembly. The hoisting and luffing winches are the largest winches of a tub mounted frame. Beneficially, all hoisting winches are installed on the winch carrier and can be tested before mounting the winch carrier to the crane house.

[0021] In an embodiment of the crane subassembly, a rear outer side of the crane house remains free from a winch assembly, a so-called backpack of winches. Beneficially, the available space at the rear side of the crane house enables other operations, like a gantry lowering operation in which a rear framework of the gantry is lowered along the rear side of the crane house.

[0022] In an embodiment of crane subassembly, the winch carrier is part of a crane house skid. In particular, the crane house skid includes a lower skid and a winch skid. The crane house skid is preferably modular. The winch skid is configured to hold components for operating a set of winches. The lower skid is arranged to hold components for operating another functionality. In particular, the lower skid has a framework which is configured to hold a heave motion unit. The winch skid is mountable onto the lower skid. In particular, the winch skid comprises a framework which is mountable to a framework of the lower skid. This modular configuration of the crane house skid is beneficial to shorten a total assembly time, because the lower skid and the winch skid can be preassembled and possibly also tested in parallel before mounted to each other to complete the crane house skid.

[0023] In an embodiment of the crane subassembly, the crane subassembly further comprises an assembly structure, also called an assembly table, which is configured for aligning the winch carrier with respect to the crane house. The assembly structure may include separate assembly frames being combined together to support a which carrier. The separate assembly frames may together form the assembly table. The assembly table has a table frame which defines a predetermined table height corresponding with a built-in height of the winch carrier relative to the crane house. In particular, the assembly table comprises a plurality of crane house supports for levelling the crane house relative to a winch carrier being placed on the table frame. Herewith, the built-in height is determined by the crane house supports. Preferably, the crane house supports are connected to the table frame. Alternatively, a crane house support may be a separate item which can for example be placed onto a ground surface aside the table frame for supporting and levelling the crane house. In a variant, at least one of the crane house supports may be connected to the winch carrier.

[0024] In an embodiment of the crane subassembly, the crane house has an open bottom side. The crane house may lack a crane house floor. The crane house may have a partly open crane house floor extending around the circumferential wall. Preferably, the crane house has a ringshaped crane house floor at the lower section which leaves an open mid area. In particular, the winch carrier is mountable to the crane house after placement of the winch carrier in the mid area. The open bottom side of the crane house allows an installation method according to the invention, wherein in a step the crane house is positioned from above over the winch carrier. The crane house can be lowered onto the winch carrier being positioned on the assembly structure, whereafter the winch carrier is mounted to the crane house.

[0025] In an embodiment of the crane subassembly, the crane house has a crane house deck which is open worked to allow wires originating from winches below the crane house deck to pass along. The crane house deck partially closes of a top of the circumferential wall.

[0026] Further, the invention relates to a tub mounted crane for transferring a hoist load, which the mounted crane comprises a substructure, also called a tub, on which a superstructure including operating machinery is mounted, wherein the superstructure comprises a crane subassembly according to the invention as described above. The tub mounted crane comprises a crane house, a boom connected to the crane house, a gantry, also called a luffing frame, for supporting the boom, a hoisting system for hoisting the hoist load, and a boom hoist for raising and lowering the boom.

[0027] The crane house is rotatably connected to the tub for allowing a slew motion of the superstructure relative to the tub around a vertical axis. The crane house comprises a boom connector which defines a horizontal boom pivot axis for connecting a boom to the crane house. The boom is arranged to support a hoist load. The boom has a longitudinal axis extending from a proximal end portion to a distal end portion which includes a head structure. The boom is pivotally connected to the crane house via the boom connector, so that the boom is pivotal about a boom pivot axis. The gantry is arranged to support the boom and is mounted to the crane house. The hoisting system is arranged for hoisting the hoist load. The hoisting system comprises at least one hoisting winch with an associated hoisting wire. The hoisting wire extends from the hoisting winch to the head structure of the boom. The boom hoist is arranged for raising and lowering the boom by pivoting the boom about the boom pivot axis over a boom angle. The boom hoist comprises at least one boom hoist winch, also called a luffing winch, for hauling in and paying out a luffing wire to respectively raise and lower the boom. The boom hoist comprises a boom suspension for supporting the boom. The boom suspension extends between a top of the gantry, also called a gantry apex, and the head structure of the boom.

[0028] The tub mounted crane according to the invention is improved in that a crane subassembly is provided including a winch carrier having a carrier body which includes a platform for supporting several winches, wherein the carrier body is provided with several winch seats for each receiving a winch and in that the crane house comprises a plurality of carrier mounts and in that the winch carrier comprises an associated plurality of complementary carrier mounts for mounting the winch carrier to the crane house.

[0029] In an embodiment of the tub mounted crane, the winch carrier comprises at least four winch seats. In particular, the winch carrier comprises side-by-side positioned winch seats. Preferably, the winch carrier comprises eight winch seats. More preferably, the winch carrier comprises two arrays of side-by-side positioned winches, in particular eight side-by-side positioned winches.

[0030] In an embodiment of the tub mounted crane, the winch carrier is releasably mounted to the crane house. The winch carrier is mounted by a mechanical connection to the crane house which allows a de-mounting of the winch carrier. Preferably, the winch carrier is mounted by a pin-hole assembly to the crane house. Alternatively, the winch carrier may be welded to the crane house.

[0031] Further, the invention relates to an installation method for assembling a crane subassembly to a substructure of a crane. In particular, the installation method is configured for assembling a crane subassembly to a substructure, a so-called tub, of a tub mounted crane. In the installation method, use is made of a crane subassembly including a crane house and a winch carrier. Preferably, use is made of a crane subassembly according to the invention as described above. The method comprises a step of placing the winch carrier on an assembly structure, also called an assembly table, for assembling several winches to the winch carrier. The method comprises a step of assembling several winches to the winch carrier, wherein each winch carrier is mounted to a winch seat of a carrier body. The method comprises a step of placing a crane house over the winch carrier. The method comprises the step of lowering the crane house relative to the winch carrier to align winch carrier mounts at an inner side over a circumferential wall of the crane house with associated complementary winch carrier mounts at the winch carrier. The method comprises the step of connecting the winch carrier mounts of the crane house to the complementary winch carrier mounts of the winch carrier. Preferably, the winch carrier is connected to the crane house by a mechanical connection, like a bolt connection or a pin-hole assembly.

[0032] In an embodiment of the installation method, the winch carrier is connected by welding to the crane house. The connection of the carrier mounts of the crane house to the complementary carrier mounts of the winch carrier may be carried out by welding, wherein a carrier mount include a weld stud to be welded to an associated weld stud of a complementary carrier mount. In an embodiment of the installation method, the method further comprises a step of testing a functionality of each winch installed on the carrier body. The testing may be carried out a preassembly phase before connecting the winch carrier to the crane house. The testing may be carried out in a preparational step before placement of the crane house. Herewith, a test protocol to be carried out after an assembly of the winch carrier to the crane house can be shortened which may provide a logistic advantage and reduce costs involved.

[0033] In an embodiment of the installation method according to the invention, the winch carrier is part of a crane house skid, in particular a winch skid, which winch skid forms a sub-assembly for operating a set of winches. The winch skid may comprise a framework, at least one E-room, e.g. a container including a control unit, and / or a hydraulic pressure unit. Preferably, the framework of the winch skid is configured to be stacked onto another framework to build up the crane house skid. In a step of the installation method, the crane house is hoisted and placed onto the crane house skid.

[0034] In an embodiment of the installation method according to the invention, the crane house skid further comprises a lower skid for holding a heave motion unit. In a step of the installation method, the lower skid is pre-assembled and wherein in a step of the installation method the winch skid is separately pre-assembled, whereafter the winch skid is mounted as a subassembly on top of the lower skid to form the crane house skid. In a step of the installation method, the winch skid is hoisted and placed on top of the lower skid to build the crane house skid. Preferably, the crane house is mounted to the crane house skid after assembling the crane house skid by mounting the pre-assembled winch skid to the pre-assembled lower skid. Beneficially, a parallel pre-assembling and possible also testing may substantially shorten a total assembly duration.

[0035] In an embodiment of the installation method, the crane subassembly of the winch carrier and the crane house is assembled in a preparational step at a location remote from the substructure. The crane subassembly is assembled before placing the crane subassembly onto the substructure of a crane be assembled. The crane house including the winch carrier is in an assembled condition placed onto the substructure.

[0036] In an alternative embodiment of the installation method, the crane subassembly is mounted at the substructure of the crane in separate steps. In a step of the installation method, the winch carrier is positioned onto the substructure and subsequently in a next step of the installation method, the crane house is positioned above and lowered onto the substructure. In particular, in carrying out the installation method by these successive steps, the assembly table for positioning the winch carrier relative to the substructure is connected to the substructure.

[0037] Thus, the invention provides a crane subassembly including a crane house and a winch carrier and an installation method for assembling the crane subassembly to a substructure of a crane. The winch carrier has a carrier body for supporting several winches on several winch seats. The crane house comprises a plurality of carrier mounts and the winch carrier comprises an associated plurality of complementary carrier mounts for mounting the winch carrier to the crane house. In the installation method, the crane house is lowered relative to the winch carrier being placed on an assembly table to level the carrier mounts with each other. Instead of successively placing the winch carrier onto the substructure and then lowering the crane house, preferably, the crane assembly is assembled at another location before placement onto the substructure.

[0038] Embodiments according to an aspect of the invention are described by the following clauses:

[0039] 1. A crane subassembly (12) for installation of a tub mounted crane (TMC), which crane subassembly comprises

[0040] - a crane house (2) which crane house has a circumferential wall (21) which defines an inner space, which circumferential wall (21) has a lower section (26) delimited by a lower end of the wall (211), which lower end (211) is adapted to be mounted to a slew bearing and an upper section (27) delimited by an upper end (212) of the circumferential wall (21), in which the crane house has a boom connector (22) at an upper region of the crane house for mounting a boom (3) to the crane house and at least one base mount (400, 410) for mounting a gantry (4) to the crane house; and

[0041] - a winch carrier (71) having a carrier body (710) which in particular includes a platform (711) for supporting several winches (31 , 70), wherein the carrier body (710) is provided with several winch seats (712) for each receiving a winch (31 , 70), wherein the crane house (2) comprises a plurality of carrier mounts (281) and wherein the winch carrier (71) comprises an associated plurality of complementary carrier mounts (781) for mounting the winch carrier to the crane house.

[0042] 2. Crane subassembly (12) according to clause 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of carrier mounts (281) and complementary carrier mounts (781) provide a pin-hole assembly for mounting the winch carrier (71) to the crane house (2) by insertion of a pin-shaped element. 3. Crane subassembly (12) according to clause 1 or 2, wherein the plurality of carrier mounts (281) are positioned at an inner side of the circumferential wall (21), in particular at a middle section (25) of the circumferential wall (21), which middle section is provided with stiffeners (250).

[0043] 4. Crane subassembly (12) according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the platform (711) has a rectangular outer shape, wherein the complementary carrier mounts (781) are provided along an outer edge region of the platform, in particular at each corner of the rectangular platform (711).

[0044] 5. Crane subassembly (12) according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the several winch seats (712) are positioned in an array, wherein in particular the platform is provided with at least two arrays of winch seats (721).

[0045] 6. Crane subassembly (12) according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein all hoisting winches (70) and in particular all luffing winches (31), of the tub mounted crane (1) are positioned on the winch carrier (71).

[0046] 7. Crane subassembly (12) according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein a rear outer side of the crane house (2) remains free from a winch assembly, a so-called backpack of winches.

[0047] 8. Crane subassembly (12) according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the crane subassembly (12) further comprises an assembly table (120) which is configured for aligning the winch carrier (71) with respect to the crane house (2), wherein the assembly table (120) has a table frame (121) defining a predetermined table height which corresponds with a built- in height of the winch carrier (71) relative to the crane house (2).

[0048] 9. Crane subassembly (12) according to clause 8, wherein at least one of the winch carrier (71) and the assembly table (120) comprise at least one crane house support (122) for supporting the crane house (2) relative to a winch carrier (71) being placed on the table frame (121), such that the build-in height is determined by a plurality of crane house supports (122).

[0049] 10. Crane subassembly (12) according to clause 9, wherein at least one crane house support (122) is connected to the table frame (121) and / or the winch carrier (71). 11. Crane subassembly (12) according to clause 9, wherein at least one crane house support (122) is a separate item, wherein in particular the built-in height is determined with a reference to a ground surface (GS).

[0050] 12. Crane subassembly (12) according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the crane house (2) has an open bottom side.

[0051] 13. Crane subassembly (12) according to clause 12, wherein the crane house comprises a crane house floor including an open mid area for receiving the winch carrier (71) inside the crane house (2).

[0052] 14. Crane subassembly (12) according to clause 13, wherein the winch carrier (71) is mountable in the mid area to the crane house (2).

[0053] 15. Crane subassembly (12) according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein a crane house deck (23) is open worked to allow wires originating from winches below the crane house deck to pass along.

[0054] 16. A tub mounted crane (TMC) for transferring a hoist load, which tub mounted crane comprises a substructure (10) on which a superstructure (11) including operating machinery is mounted, in which the superstructure comprises:

[0055] - a crane house (2), which crane house is rotatably connected to the substructure for allowing a slew motion of the superstructure relative to the substructure around a vertical axis, wherein the crane house comprises a boom connector (22) which defines a horizontal boom pivot axis (03) for connecting a boom (3) to the crane house (2);

[0056] - a boom (3) for supporting a hoist load, in which the boom has a longitudinal axis extending from a proximal end portion (301) to a distal end portion including a head structure (302), in which the boom is pivotally connected to the crane house (2) via the boom connector (22), so that the boom is pivotal about the boom pivot axis (03);

[0057] - a gantry (4) for supporting the boom (3), which gantry is mounted to the crane house;

[0058] - a hoisting system (7) for hoisting the hoist load, which hoisting system comprises at least one hoisting winch (70) with an associated hoisting wire which hoisting wire extends from the hoisting winch to the head structure (302) of the boom;

[0059] - a boom hoist (30) for raising and lowering the boom (3) by pivoting the boom about the boom pivot axis (03) over a boom angle, in which the boom hoist comprises at least one boom hoist winch (31), also called a luffing winch, for hauling in and paying out a luffing wire to respectively raise and lower the boom, and in which the boom hoist comprises a boom suspension (6) for supporting the boom, which boom suspension extends between a top of the gantry, a so-called gantry apex (43), and the head structure (302) of the boom, wherein the tub mounted crane (TMC) comprises a crane subassembly (12) of a winch carrier (71) being connected to the crane house (2), wherein the winch carrier (71) has a carrier body (710) which includes a platform (711) for supporting several winches (31 , 70), wherein the carrier body (710) is provided with several winch seats (712) for each receiving a winch (31 ; 70), wherein the crane house (2) comprises a plurality of carrier mounts (281), and in that the winch carrier (71) comprises an associated plurality of complementary carrier mounts (781) for mounting the winch carrier to the crane house.

[0060] 17. Tub mounted crane (TMC) according to clause 16, wherein the winch carrier (71) is releasably mounted by a mechanical connection to the crane house (2).

[0061] 18. Installation method for assembling a crane subassembly (12) to a substructure (10) of a crane, in particular a tub mounted crane (TMC), wherein use is made of a crane subassembly including a crane house (2) and a winch carrier (71), in particular a crane subassembly according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the method comprises the steps of:

[0062] - placing the winch carrier (71) on an assembly table (120) for assembling several winches (31 , 70) to the winch carrier;

[0063] - assembling several winches to the winch carrier, wherein each winch is mounted to a winch seat (712) of a carrier body (710);

[0064] - placing a crane house (2) above the winch carrier (71);

[0065] - lowering the crane house (2) relative to the winch carrier (71) to level carrier mounts (281) at an inner side of a circumferential wall (21) of the crane house (2) with associated complementary carrier mounts (781) at the winch carrier;

[0066] - connecting the carrier mounts (281) of the crane house to the winch carrier mounts (781) of the winch carrier.

[0067] 19. Installation method according to clause 18, wherein the method further comprises a step of testing a functionality of each winch (31 , 70) installed on the carrier body (710) .

[0068] 20. Installation method according to clause 18 or 19, wherein the crane subassembly (12) is assembled in a preparational step remote from the substructure (10) before placing the crane subassembly (12) on the substructure (10) of a tub mounted crane (TMC) to be assembled. 21. Installation method according to clause 18 or 19, wherein the crane subassembly (12) is mounted at the substructure (10) of the tub mounted crane, wherein in a step of the installation method the winch carrier (71) is positioned onto the substructure (10) and wherein in a next step of the installation method the crane house (2) is positioned above and lowered onto the substructure (10).

[0069] 22. Installation method according to clause 21 , wherein the assembly table (120) for positioning the winch carrier (71) relative to the substructure (10) is connected to the substructure (10).

[0070] The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the appended drawings. The drawings show a practical embodiment according to the invention, which may not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the invention. Specific features may also be considered apart from the shown embodiment and may be taken into account in a broader context as a delimiting feature, not only for the shown embodiment but as a common feature for all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims, in which:

[0071] Fig. 1 shows a side view of a tub mounted crane which has a tub which is mounted to a hull of a vessel, a superstructure having an upstanding gantry on top of a slewable crane house and an extending boom supported by a boom rest;

[0072] Fig. 2 shows an enlarged view of the gantry of the tub mounted crane which is provided with a lowering mechanism for raising and lowering the gantry to obtain a total crane height reduction;

[0073] Fig. 3 and 4 show a backwards tilting of a front framework of the gantry, wherein a base of a rear framework is lowered along a back side of the crane house and guided by a link framework of the lowering mechanism until the link framework abuts against an end stop at the tub;

[0074] Fig. 5 shows an enlarged view of the crane house which is provided with a boom connector defining a horizontal boom pivot axis, a front base mount for mounting the front framework and a rear base mount for mounting the rear framework to the crane house, wherein a tugger winch is provided for tensioning the base of the rear framework in case of an operation of the lowering mechanism;

[0075] Fig. 6 shows an enlarged view of the base of the rear framework being positioned in a seat forming the rear base mount and wherein the base of the rear framework is connected to a link framework of the lowering mechanism; Fig. 7 shows a side view of Fig. 6 in which the base of the rear framework has a fork end provided with a fork end hole in alignment with upstanding plates with plate holes for receiving a pin to fasten the base of the rear framework by a pin-hole assembly;

[0076] Fig. 8 is an enlarged view of Fig. 6 in which the link framework is not shown;

[0077] Fig. 9 shows a sectional side view of an embodiment of a crane subassembly according to the invention having a winch carrier mounted in an innerspace of a crane house by carrier mounts;

[0078] Fig. 10 and 11 show respectively and upper and lower perspective view of a cylindrical shaped crane house of a tub mounted crane;

[0079] Fig. 12 shows a side view of the winch carrier of Fig. 9 which winch carrier supports several winches on winch seats;

[0080] Fig. 13 shows a top view of the crane subassembly of Fig. 9 wherein two arrays of winches are carried by a winch carrier;

[0081] Fig. 14 - 16 show an embodiment of an installation method for assembling a crane subassembly, wherein in successive steps a winch carrier is provided with winches on an assembly table, a crane house is lowered and mounted to the winch carrier, and the crane house is placed together with the winch carrier on top of a substructure;

[0082] Fig. 17 and 18 show an alternative embodiment of an installation method, wherein a winch carrier is first placed on a substructure, whereafter a crane house is lowered and mounted to the winch carrier;

[0083] Fig. 19 shows in a perspective view a crane house positioned above a crane house skid which together form a crane subassembly;

[0084] Fig. 20 shows in a perspective view the crane house in a lowered position and mounted to the crane house skid;

[0085] Fig. 21 shows in a perspective view the crane subassembly hoisted to be placed onto a tub of a crane vessel;

[0086] Fig. 22 schematically shows a lower skid of the crane house skid;

[0087] Fig. 23-25 schematically shows steps of an assembling of a winch skid;

[0088] Fig. 26 schematically shows an assembling of the crane house skid being built by mounting the winch skid onto the lower skid;

[0089] Fig. 27 schematically shows the crane house including a slew bearing; and

[0090] Fig. 28 schematically shows an assembling of the crane house and the crane house skid to obtain the crane subassembly.

[0091] Fig. 9-18 show an embodiment of a crane subassembly 12 according to the invention which includes a crane house 2 and a winch carrier 2, and an embodiment of an installation method according to the invention. According to an aspect of the invention, in Fig. 1-8, a vessel crane, in particular a tub mounted crane, is shown in an embodiment according to the invention and denoted overall by reference numeral 1. Identical reference signs are used in the drawings to indicate identical or functionally similar components.

[0092] The tub mounted crane 1 is provided on board of a crane vessel 100. The tub mounted crane 1 has a pedestal, also called a tub 10, which is mounted to a hull 101 of the crane vessel. The crane vessel is configured for heavy lifting, e.g. more than 1500Mtons, in particular more than 5000Mtons. Based on a proven track record in delivering high capacity offshore cranes over the last decades, nowadays Huisman offers a range of Tub Mounted Cranes with lifting capacities up to 12,000mt. The tub mounted crane 1 is suitable to be used for transferring materials to and fro a quay, a marine vessel, a barge, a jacket, or another structure by elevating and rotating.

[0093] The shown crane vessel 100 has a semi-submersible design which allows it to partially submerge in water. By pumping water in or out of ballast tanks, the crane vessel 100 can adjust its height in the water. This height adjustment capability serve to improve stability during heavy lifting operations.

[0094] In another embodiment, the crane vessel 100 may be a jack-up vessel. Such a jack-up vessel comprises a hull 101 with openings in the hull, wherein the openings extend vertically through the hull 101 to receive a respective jack-up leg. For each leg, a leg driving device may be provided to allow to move the corresponding leg up and down relative to the hull in a vertical direction to allow the hull to be lifted out of a water body. The legs are retracted for sailing with the vessel.

[0095] The top mounted crane 1 comprises a substructure formed by the tub 10 onto which a rotatable superstructure 11 is mounted. The superstructure is rotatable about a vertical axis 01 . The superstructure 11 comprises operating machinery to carry out hoisting operations.

[0096] The superstructure 11 comprises a crane house 2, a gantry 4 on top of the crane house and a boom 3 being pivotable about a horizontal boom pivot axis 03 at a proximal boom end portion 301.

[0097] In particular, in such a heavy lifting crane vessel 100, the boom pivot axis 03 is positioned at a height level of at least 20m, in particular about 30m above a deck level DL. The boom may have a boom length of at least 80m. As shown in Fig. 5, the boom 3 of the crane 1 has a latticed structure. The boom comprises an A-frame with two boom legs that are connected at one end to the crane house 2 so as to be pivotal about the boom pivot axis 03 of a boom connector 22. The latticed boom legs may adjoin another in a box structure.

[0098] The crane house 2 is rotatably connected to the tub 10 to allow a rotation of the superstructure 11 about a -practically seen- vertical axis 01 . The crane house 2 is rotatably connected to the tub 10 for allowing a slew motion of the revolving superstructure 11 relative to the substructure. The crane house comprises a boom connector 22 which defines the horizontal boom pivot axis 03. The crane house 2 may include a cab where an operator manoeuvres the crane’s controls.

[0099] The crane comprises a boom hoist 30, which may also be called a luffing assembly. The boom hoist is arranged to set an angular orientation of the boom 3 relative to the crane house 2. The boom hoist 30 is configured to raise and lower the boom by pivoting the boom 3 about a boom angle about the boom pivot axis 03 defined by the boom connector 22. The boom hoist 30 comprises at least one boom hoist winch, also called a luffing winch 31. The luffing winch 31 is arranged to wind and unwind a luffing wire 32. The at least one luffing winch 31 is positioned at the crane house. Preferably, the at least one luffing winch 31 is positioned at the rear region at an upper region of the crane house 2. The luffing wire 32 is reeved along the gantry and extends in a multiple fall arrangements between a gantry apex and a distal end portion of the boom.

[0100] The superstructure 11 comprises a hoisting system 7 for hoisting a hoist load by a load suspension device 8. Here, the load suspension device 8 includes a main load suspension device 81 provided with a main hoisting wire 810, a multi sheave main block and a hook. Further, the load suspension device 8 includes an auxiliary load suspension device 82 and a whip line 83, also called a fast line. The auxiliary load suspension device 82 and the whip line 83 are connected to a jib 38 provided at a head structure 302 of the boom 3.

[0101] The hoisting system 7 comprises at least one hoisting winch 70. The at least one hoisting winch 70 is positioned at the crane house 2. Here, a hoisting winch assembly 71 is provided including a plurality of hoisting winches 70. The hoisting winch assembly 71 is situated at the upper region of the crane house 2. Hoisting wires 701 extend from the hoisting winch assembly 71 to the head structure 302 of the boom.

[0102] In Fig. 1 , the gantry, also called a luffing frame, is shown in a raised position RP. As shown in Fig. 2-4, the gantry 4 is collapsible from the raised position RP to a lowered position LP for reducing a total crane height during sailing of the vessel. The gantry 4 comprises a front framework 40 and a rear framework 41 which are each mounted on top of the crane house 2. The front framework 40 is positioned at a front region on top of the crane house 2. In the raised position RP, at their bases, the front framework 40 and the rear framework 41 are each connected to the crane house 2 by respectively a front and rear base mount 400, 410. The bases are connected by a pin-hole assembly.

[0103] The front base mount 400 of the front framework 40 includes a base pivot 040 which defines a front pivot axis 040. The base pivot allows the front framework 40 to tilt in a vertical plane. The base pivot 040 allows a pivotal movement of the front framework 40 relative to the crane house 2.

[0104] Here, the base pivot 040 of the front framework is positioned above the boom pivot axis 03 of the boom connector 22. Here, the front base mount is integral with the boom connector 22.

[0105] The base of the rear framework is connected to the crane house 2 by the rear base mount 410. The rear base mount 410 is positioned at a rear region on top of the crane house 2. In particular, the rear base mount 410 is provided at the crane house deck 23.

[0106] The rear base mount 401 of the rear framework is here formed a pin-hole assembly, see Fig. 6 and 7. The base of the rear framework has a through hole for receiving a pin. The pin-hole assembly has a seat 411 , also called a base rest, at the crane house 2 for receiving the base of the rear framework. The seat has a seat hole 413 for receiving the pin to fixate the base of the rear framework to the seat.

[0107] Here, the seat 411 has at least one upstanding plate 412. Each plate 412 has a plate hole 413 for receiving the pin. The seat 411 is here formed by a left and right upstanding plate 412 which are each fixated to the crane house. Each plate 412 has a seat portion for supporting the base of the rear frame work.

[0108] The base of the rear framework has a plate shaped end provided with a through hole. Here, the base of the rear framework has a fork end 414 including a left and right fork leg which are each provided with a fork end hole 415. In the pin-hole assembly, the fork end holes 415 are in alignment with the left and right upstanding plate holes 413.

[0109] At an upper end, the front framework and rear framework 40, 41 are connected to each other by a top pivot 42 at a gantry apex 43. Herewith, seen in a side view, the gantry has an upside down V-shape in which the V-legs are formed by the front framework 40 and rear framework 41.

[0110] As shown in detail in Fig. 2, according to an aspect of the invention, the superstructure of the tub mounted crane 1 further comprises a lowering mechanism 5 for lowering the gantry 4. The lowering mechanism 5 includes a link framework 50 and a lock system 51 , see also Fig. 6, 7 and 8.

[0111] The link framework 50 is arranged for displacing the rear framework 41 in downwards and upwards direction to respectively lower and raise the gantry. At one end, the link framework 50 is pivotally connected by a first link pivot 051 to the base of the rear framework of the gantry for displacing the base of the rear framework. At an opposite end, the link framework 50 is pivotally connected by a second link pivot 052 to the crane house 2. During a displacement, the link framework 50 provides a guidance to the base of the rear framework. By displacing the base of the rear framework, the gantry 4 can be lowered to reduce a total crane height.

[0112] Seen from aside -in the side views of Fig. 2, 3 and 6- , the link framework 50 has an upside down L-shape. The link top 501 is provided with a first link pivot 051 at an end of a short leg of the L-shape. Here, as shown in Fig. 6, the first link pivot 051 is formed by a pin-hole coupling in which the hole has an oblong shape. The link base 501 is provided with a second link pivot 052 at an end of a long leg of the L-shape. The second link pivot 052 connects the link base 50 to the crane house 2. The second link pivot 052 has a horizontal pivot axis which allows the link framework 50 to rotate in a vertical plane with respect to the crane house 2.

[0113] The lock system 51 is arranged for locking the rear framework 41 in position when the gantry is in the raised position RP. The lock system 51 includes at least one lock member 510 to lock or release the base of the rear framework 41 , see also Fig. 7 and 8. In a locked state, the gantry 4 is fixed to the crane house 2. The fixation by the lock system 51 provides a solid and rigid connection of the gantry 4 to the crane house 2 which is required for hoisting operations. In an unlocked state, the rear framework 41 of the gantry is displaceable which allows a lowering of the gantry 4.

[0114] As shown in Fig. 3 and 4, the base of the rear framework is guided by the link framework 50 along a back side of the crane house. When lowering the base of the rear framework, the link framework 50 pivots about an angle of until about 180° along a back side of the crane house. In Fig. 3, an initial displacement of the base of the rear framework 41 to an intermediate position 4T at a back of the crane house is shown. In Fig. 4, a further lowering of the base of the rear framework is shown, wherein the link framework 50 finally abuts against the substructure, which is here the tub of the tub mounted crane. Initially, in the raised position RP of the gantry, the link framework 50 is in an upright position. During lowering, the link framework 50 rotates in a direction away from the crane house 2 (backwards) as indicated by the references 42, 42’ and 42”.

[0115] The link framework 50 rotates until the link top 501 abuts against an end stop 52. The end stop 52 is mounted at an outer side of a tub wall of the tub 10 for stopping the link framework 50. The tub wall may be provided with a reinforcement structure. After lowering the gantry 4, the link framework 50 has rotated about an angle of about 180°.

[0116] As shown in Fig. 3 and 4 by the lowering of the gantry apex, a total crane height reduction is obtained. By using the link framework 50 for collapsing the gantry 4 of such a heavy lift crane 1 which might have a gantry height of for example about 90m from a water line WL, the gantry apex 43 can even be lowered about a distance of at least 20m. In particular, the gantry apex 43 can be lowered until a total crane height of at most 65m above a waterline to allow a crane vessel 100 to pass large bridges like the Great Belt Bridge of Denmark.

[0117] Fig. 5 shows an enlarged view of the crane house 2 including a tugger winch 53 for tensioning the base of the rear framework by a tugger wire 530 during an operation of the lowering mechanism. Fig. 6 shows an enlarged view of the base portion of the rear framework 41 being positioned in the seat 411 on top of the crane house 2, wherein the tugger wire 530 is fastened to the base of the rear framework.

[0118] As shown in Fig. 4, a guide element for guiding the tugger wire is positioned at the crane house deck 23. The guide element is a guide roller 531. The guide roller is positioned at a rear edge region on top of the crane house for conducting the tugger wire across the crane house when the base of the rear framework is situated behind the crane house.

[0119] In a method for lowering a base of a rear framework, the tugger winch 53 is operated to exert a pull force when carrying out a displacement of the base of the rear framework 41 relative to the crane house 2.

[0120] The tugger winch 53 is positioned at a front region of the crane house 2. The tugger winch 53 is positioned at the base of the front framework 40. A tugger wire 530 extends from the tugger winch 53 to the base of the rear framework 41 . As shown in Fig. 6, an end of the tugger wire 530 is connected to the base of the rear framework 41 . The tugger wire 530 extends along a tugger wire path which is determined by several tugger wire sheaves 531. In the illustrated embodiment, a tugger wire sheave 531 is connected to the boom 3 and another tugger wire sheave 531 is connected to the front framework 40, such that the tugger wire path extends from the tugger winch 53 via the boom 3 and the front framework 40 to the base of the rear framework 41. It is remarked that another tugger wire path is also conceivable.

[0121] Fig. 6, 7 and 8 further show the lock system 51 which is arranged for locking the rear framework 41 in position when the gantry 4 is in the raised position RP. The lock system 51 includes at least one lock member 510 to lock the base of the rear framework 41. The at least one lock member 51 fixates the base of the rear framework 41 to the crane house 2.

[0122] The lock member 510 is formed by a pin which is receivable in the through hole at the base of the rear framework 41 . The lock system 51 comprises a lock member actuator 511 for driving the lock member 510 into or out of the through hole for respectively locking or unlocking the base of the rear framework 41. Here, the lock member actuator 511 is a hydraulic actuator. The hydraulic actuator may be self-sustained and being provided with a pump unit and a battery for incidentally actuating the lock member 510.

[0123] According to an aspect of the invention, Fig. 1 shows a vessel crane 1 in a side view. The vessel crane 1 is suitable to be installed on board of a crane vessel 100. The vessel crane 1 is mountable to a hull 101 of a vessel. Here, the vessel crane is a tub mounted crane, a so-called a TMC. The vessel crane 1 is arranged to transfer a hoist load from one to another position. The vessel crane 1 may transfer the hoist load to or from a marine vessel, a barge, a jacket or another structure.

[0124] The vessel crane 1 comprises a substructure 10. Here, the substructure includes a pedestal, also called a tub. A superstructure 11 is mounted on top of the substructure 10. The superstructure includes operating machinery for carrying out a hoisting operation.

[0125] The superstructure 11 comprises a crane house 2. The crane house is rotatably connected to the substructure to allow a slew motion of the superstructure relative to the substructure around a vertical axis 01 . The crane house comprises a boom connector 22. The boom connector 22 defines a horizontal pivot axis for connecting a boom to the crane house. The superstructure 11 comprises a boom 3 for supporting a hoist load. The boom has a longitudinal axis which extends from a proximal end portion 301 of the boom to a distal end portion of the boom. The distal end portion of the boom is provided with a head structure 302. The boom is pivotally connected to the crane house 2 via the boom connector 22, so that the boom is pivotable about a boom pivot axis 03.

[0126] The superstructure 11 comprises a gantry 4. The gantry 4 is a crane frame which is arranged to support the boom 3 of the vessel crane 1 . The gantry 4 is mounted on the crane house 2. To reduce a total crane height during travelling of the crane vessel, the gantry 4 is collapsible from a raised position RP to a lowered position LP. The gantry 4 comprises a front framework 40 and a rear frame 41. In the raised position RP, the front framework 40 and the rear framework are at their bases mounted to the crane house 2. The gantry has a gantry apex 43. The gantry apex 43 is formed by a connection of a top of the front framework to a top of the rear framework. The front framework and the rear framework are connected to each other by a top pivot 42.

[0127] The superstructure 11 comprises a hoisting system 7 for hoisting the hoist load. The hoisting system 7 comprises at least one hoisting winch 70 which is provided with a hoisting wire 701. The hoisting wire extends from the hoisting winch 70 to the head structure 302 of the boom 3. Here, the head structure 302 includes a jib 38. The jib 38 is arranged to carry an auxiliary load suspension device 82 and a fast line.

[0128] The superstructure 11 comprises a boom hoist 30 for raising and lowering the boom 3. The boom can be raised and lowered by pivoting the boom about the boom pivot axis 03 over a boom angle. The boom 3 is supported by a boom rest 39.

[0129] The boom hoist 30 is provided with at least one boom hoist winch 31 for hauling in and paying out a luffing wire 32. By hauling in the luffing wire, the boom 3 can be raised and vice versa by paying out the luffing wire, the boom 3 can be lowered.

[0130] Further, the boom hoist 30 comprises a boom suspension 6 for supporting the boom. The boom suspension 6 extends between the gantry apex 43 and the head structure 302 of the boom 3. The boom suspension contains the luffing wire which is configured in a multiple fall arrangement 60. The multiple fall arrangement 60 extends between a gantry sheave block 61 and a boom sheave block 62. The gantry sheave block 61 is positioned at a side of the gantry apex 43. The boom sheave block 62 is positioned at a side of the head structure 302 of the boom 3. When a crane vessel 100 provided with the vessel crane 1 is travelling to another location, it may occur that the crane vessel has to pass a bridge with a maximum clearance height. In incidental cases, it may then be necessary to reduce a total crane height of the vessel crane 1 on board of the crane vessel 100. A total crane height can then be reduced by lowering the gantry 4.

[0131] Depending on a particular vessel crane configuration, such a gantry 4 might be lowered in different ways. It may be possible by tilting the front framework 40 about a base pivot 040 and folding a rear framework in a backwards direction as disclosed in for example EP3.825.274 or as disclosed in for example W02020 / 204719 by folding a rear framework in a forward direction. In another method of lowering the gantry 4, the rear framework 41 may comprise an integral rigid body in which a base of the rear framework is to be demounted from a rear base mount 410 of the crane house 2 to be subsequently lowered at a back side of the crane house 2.

[0132] Generally, the gantry 4 is lowered by tilting the front framework in a backwards direction about the base pivot 040. During a tilting motion of the front framework 40, the boom is maintained stationary. Preferably, the boom 3 remains on the boom rest 39 when tilting the front framework 40. After placing the boom 3 onto the boom rest 39, the boom suspension 6 can be slackened. To allow the front framework 40 to move away from the boom, the boom suspension 6 has to be lengthened. Thus, the tilting of the front framework 40 requires a lengthening of the boom suspension 6 which can be achieved by paying out luffing wire from the boom hoist which 31. As a consequence, the boom hoist winch 30 may be configured to contain an additional length of luffing wire 32 to allow this tilting of the front framework 40.

[0133] According to an aspect of the invention, in Figs. 9-18, a crane subassembly according to the invention is denoted overall by reference numeral 12. Identical reference signs are used in the drawings to indicate identical or functionally similar components.

[0134] Fig. 9 shows an enlarged view of a crane, a so-called tub mounted crane TMC, having a crane house 2 being positioned on a substructure 10, a pedestal, a so-called crane tub, simply called a tub.

[0135] The tub mounted crane is preferably configured to be installed on board of a vessel having a hull 101 , e.g. a semi-submersible crane vessel, and a deck structure, a vessel deck 102, on which the crane according to an embodiment of the invention can be mounted. It will be appreciated that the crane is of the same type as disclosed in WO2015 / 088332. The crane may also be connected to a ground surface GS, e.g. on a quay, for onshore operations. The crane is a slewing crane comprising a fixed substructure 10 and a rotatable superstructure 11 . Here, the substructure is formed by the crane tub which is mounted to the deck structure 102. A slew bearing is arranged between the crane house 2 and the substructure 10 to allow slewing of the crane house relative to the substructure about a substantially vertical slewing axis, practically called a vertical axis. Preferably, the slew bearing is a roller slew bearing comprising raceways and a multitude of rollers arranged between said raceways and embodied to absorb vertical loads, radial loads, as well as tilting loads.

[0136] The crane house 2 is configured to support a boom 3 at a front side of the crane house 2. Further, the crane house is configured to support a gantry 4, also called a luffing frame. Here, the gantry 4 is positioned on top of the crane house. Other arrangements of a mounting of a gantry to the crane house are also conceivable. A plurality of possible gantry arrangements is known from the prior art.

[0137] The crane house 2 may be embodied as disclosed in WO2018 / 143807. Fig. 15 and 16 show this known crane house in further detail. The crane house 2 has a substantially cylindrical shape. The crane house comprises a substantially cylinder-shaped circumferential wall 21 that is preferably made of steel.

[0138] In this embodiment, the circumferential wall comprises a lower section 26, an upper section 27 and a middle section 25 in between the lower section and the upper section. These sections are integrated into one continuous wall 21 and here primarily serve as an indication of a region of the circumferential wall.

[0139] The lower section 26 is delimited by the circumferential stiffeners and a slew bearing flange at a lower end 211 of the wall. The slew bearing flange is embodied to connect the lower end of the wall to a slew roller bearing of substantially the same diameter. For example, a diameter of 15m or more. The illustrated embodiment, the diameter is about 30m.

[0140] The upper section 27 is delimited by the circumferential stiffener and an upper end 212 of the wall, where a crane house deck 23 adjoins the upper end of the wall and partially closes off a top of the cylinder-shaped wall.

[0141] The middle section 25 is here delimited by stiffeners on the inside of the wall 21 . The stiffeners may be vertically spaced apart and spaced from the neighbouring lower end 211 and upper distribute loads as they adjoin box element end portions of a base mount or a boom connector for respectively mounting the gantry or boom. The stiffeners may comprise oblique strengthening ribs and assist to maintain the cylindrical shape of the structure of the crane house during operation.

[0142] A boom connector 22 is connected to an upper section 27 of the wall for supporting the boom 3 of the crane at the front side of the crane house. The boom connector 22 defines a first horizontal pivot axis 03 for the boom to allow the boom to be pivoted up and down.

[0143] In this embodiment, the crane house 2 is configured to support a gantry 4 having a gantry structure comprising an inclined front framework 40 which is at its lower end supported by a front gantry attachment structure, a front base mount 400, which is here incorporated with the boom connector 22, and a substantially vertical rear framework 41 , also called a back stay member, supported by a rear gantry attachment structure, a rear base mount 410.

[0144] In an assembled state of the gantry 4, the front framework 40 and the rear framework 41 are pivotally connected to each other at the top. The connection of the front and rear framework at the top form a gantry apex 43.

[0145] Although not illustrated in the drawings of WO2018 / 143807, the disclosed crane house is provided with a floor that at least partially closes off a bottom of the cylinder-shaped wall. In this prior art, this floor is used to support further equipment, e.g. electronic equipment, any winches, slew drive motors, of the crane inside the crane house.

[0146] Fig. 12 shows a winch carrier 71 for carrying one or more winches. In particular, the winch carrier 71 is configured to carry a plurality of hosting winches 70. The winch carrier has a carrier body 710 which forms a platform 711. The platform 711 has a plurality of winch seats 712. Each winch seat 712 is configured to receive a winch. A winch can be mounted to the winch seat.

[0147] Here, the winch seats 712 are positioned in an array. As shown in the top view of fig.13, the platform may provide multiple arrays, here two arrays of winch seats.

[0148] As shown in fig. 13, the crane house deck 23 is open worked to allow wires originating from winches 31 ;70 below the crane house deck to pass along. Luffing wires 32 and hoisting wires 701 may pass through a crane house deck aperture to extend between a winch and the gantry apex 43. Fig. 14-16 show successive steps of an embodiment of an installation method for assembling a crane subassembly 12. Fig. 14 shows an assembly table 120 which is configured for installation of the winches 31 , 70 onto the winch carrier 71. The assembly table has a table frame 121 which provides a predetermined table height. The table height is adapted to an associated built-in height of the winch carrier 71 being required for an associated crane house 2 to form the crane subassembly 12. The assembly table may include a plurality of crane house supports 122 for supporting the crane house 3 relative to a winch carrier 71 being placed on the assembly table 121 .

[0149] Fig. 15 shows a step of an installation method wherein the winch carrier 71 is situated in an inner space of the crane house 2. In the step of the installation method, the crane house 2 is placed from above over the winch carrier. To allow the crane house to receive the winch carrier from below, the crane house has an open bottom.

[0150] The crane house 2 may have a ring-shaped crane house floor extending along the circumferential wall. The ring-shaped crane house floor provides an open mid area for receiving the winch carrier 71 inside the crane house 2.

[0151] As shown in Fig. 15, the crane subassembly 12 comprises a plurality of carrier mounts 281 , 781 for connecting the winch carrier 71 to the crane house 2. The carrier mounts 281 of the crane house are positioned at an inner side of the circumferential wall 21. In particular, the carrier mounts 281 are positioned at the middle section 25 of the circumferential wall. The carrier mounts 781 of the winch carrier 71 are situated at an outer contour. Preferably, a pair of associated carrier mounts 281 , 781 comprise each a part of a pin-hole assembly which allows the winch carrier 71 to be fastened to the crane house 2 by inserting a pin-shaped element into a hole of the carrier mounts.

[0152] Fig. 16 shows a step of the installation method, wherein the crane house 2 together with the winch carrier 71 is placed on top of the substructure 10 of the crane. The crane house 2 is lifted from the assembly table 120 together with the winch carrier 71 and positioned on top of the substructure 10. After a positioning and alignment, the sub assembly of the crane house 2 and the winch carrier 71 is mounted to the substructure 10.

[0153] Fig. 17 and 18 show an alternative embodiment of the installation method, wherein the winch carrier 71 is placed on the substructure before placing the crane house 2. Winches are preferably mounted to the winch carrier 71 in preparation of the placement of the winch carrier 71 onto the substructure. The winch carrier 71 is accurately positioned on the substructure by using a positioning frame being configured to correctly position the winch carrier 71 on the substructure 10. Subsequently, the crane house 2 is placed over the winch carrier 71 and the winch carrier 71 is mounted to the crane house 2. After mounting the winch carrier 71 to the crane house, the positioning frame may be removed.

[0154] Fig. 19 shows an embodiment of the crane subassembly 12 according to the invention in which a crane house 2 is positioned above a winch carrier 71 which is supported by a crane house skid 9. The crane house skid 9 has a framework which has a ground support for placing the crane house skid 9 onto a ground surface. The crane house skid 9 is arranged to include components for operating a set of winches 93 carried by the winch carrier 71.

[0155] Here, the crane house skid 9 includes a lower skid 91 and a winch skid 92. The lower skid 91 is arranged to include components for operating a heave motion unit 95. The winch skid 92 is arranged to include components for operating the set of winches 93. The winch skid 92 is mountable on top of the lower skid 91. The lower skid 91 and the winch skid 92 each form a separate subassembly. Beneficially, the lower skid 91 and the winch skid 92 can be assembled and possibly also tested independent from each other at a separate location before being built together.

[0156] The winch skid 92 is arranged to carry components for operating the winches 31 , 70 carried by the winch carrier 71 . The winch carrier 71 is mountable to the winch skid 92. The winch carrier 71 has a carrier body 710 which includes a platform 711 for supporting the several winches 31 , 70. The carrier body 710 is provided with several winch seats 712 for each receiving a winch.

[0157] The winch carrier 71 is mountable as a separate subassembly to the winch skid 92. The winch skid 92 forms and assembly table 124 assembling several winches to the winch carrier. The winch skid 92 may include at least one E-room and / or a hydraulic pressure unit 953 for operating each winch 31 , 70. The E-room may be formed by a sea container. The E-room may comprise a control unit for controlling a winch.

[0158] The lower skid 91 has a framework which is configured to install components of the heave motion unit 95. The heave motion unit 95 may include a heave compensation frame 950, a pressure vessel unit (PVU), at least one passive cylinder 952 and / or a hydraulic pressure unit HPU 953.

[0159] Fig. 19-21 shows successive steps of assembling the crane subassembly 12 and installation of the crane subassembly 12 in a pedestal 10, a so-called tub, of a crane vessel. In Fig. 19, the crane house 2 is held by a hoisting device (not shown) above the crane house skid 9 formed by the lower skid 91 and the winch skid 92 which includes the winch carrier 71. The crane house 2 has at least one carrier mount 281 and the crane house skid 9 has at least one associated complementary carrier mount 781.

[0160] As further shown in Fig. 20, in a step of an installation method, the crane house 2 is lowered and placed over the crane house skid 9. The crane house 2 is lowered onto the crane house skid 9 until the at least one carrier mount 281 is aligned with the at least one complementary carrier mount 781. Subsequently, the crane house 2 is mounted to the crane house skid 9. Preferably, the crane house 2 is mechanically mounted to the crane house skid 9 which allows a future de-mounting of the crane house 2 from the winch carrier. Such a de-mounting may be beneficial in case of servicing.

[0161] As further shown in Fig. 22, in a subsequent step of the installation method, the crane subassembly 12 is hoisted and positioned onto a pedestal, a so-called tub 10, of a tub mounted crane, a so-called TMC. The crane subassembly 12 may be lowered until the slew bearing 20 attached to the crane house 2 is positioned onto an upper edge of the tub 10.

[0162] Figures 22-28 schematically illustrate an embodiment of an installation method of a crane house skid 9.

[0163] As is shown in figure.22, the crane house skid 9 comprises a lower skid 91 which has a heave compensation frame 950 for supporting a heave motion unit 95. The heave compensation frame 950 has a ground support for placing the lower skid 91 on a ground surface. The heave motion unit 95 may comprise a pressure vessel unit PVU 951 , at least one passive cylinder 952, a control unit CU and / or a hydraulic pressure unit HPU 953. The lower skid 91 may hold a functioning heave motion unit 95. The heave motion unit 95 may be tested before further steps of the installation method are carried out.

[0164] As shown in Fig. 23, the winch skid 92 has a framework which at a top region is provided with a winch carrier 71. The winch carrier 71 forms a platform 711 which provides several winch seats 712.

[0165] As shown in Fig. 24, a set of winches 93 is mounted on top of the winch carrier 71. As shown in figure 25, a set of E-rooms 94 are mounted to the framework of the winch skid 92. In a step of the installation method, an operation of each winch 93 may now be tested. By building the winch skid 92 separate from the lower skid 91 , the assembly of the set of winches 93 and the heave motion unit 95 can be carried out in parallel which is beneficial to shorten a total assembly duration of the crane subassembly 12.

[0166] As shown in Fig. 26, in a step of the installation method, the crane house skid 9 may be obtained by mounting the winch skid 92 on top of the lower skid 91. Herewith, all installed components of the set of winches 93 and the heave motion unit 95 come together. The framework of the winch skid 92 may be aligned with the framework of the lower skid 91 to obtain a proper positioning.

[0167] As shown in Fig. 27, in a preparational step of the installation method for assembling a crane subassembly 12, the slew bearing 20 maybe mounted to the lower end 211 of the circumferential wall 21 of the crane house 2. Subsequently, as shown in Fig. 28, the crane house 2 including the slew bearing 20 may be positioned onto the crane house skid 9. Alternatively, the slew bearing 20 may be mounted to the tub 10 before receiving the crane subassembly 12 when installing the tub mounted crane.

[0168] Thus, crane subassembly 12 including a crane house 2 and a winch carrier 71 and an installation method for assembling the crane subassembly 12 to a substructure 10 of a crane. The winch carrier has a carrier body 710 for supporting several winches 31 , 70 on several winch seats 712. The crane house 2 comprises a plurality of carrier mounts 281 and the winch carrier 71 comprises an associated plurality of complementary carrier mounts 781 for mounting the winch carrier to the crane house. In the installation method, the crane house 2 is lowered relative to the winch carrier 71 to level the carrier mounts 281 , 781 with each other. Preferably, the crane assembly 12 is remote assembled by mounting a pre-assembled lower skid 91 , a winch skid 92 and the crane house 2 to each other before its placement onto the substructure 10.

[0169] Although the present invention has been described in detail, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed. It is intended that all such changes and modifications be encompassed within the scope of the present disclosure and claims.

[0170] Further, it is remarked that any feature of the system according to the invention which is described in the embodiments and / or mentioned in the dependent claims is in itself considered patentable without any dependency to another presented feature. In particular, any measure presented in a dependent claim is also considered patentable without dependency of the independent claim.

[0171] Reference signs list:

[0172] TMC tub mounted crane 26 lower section

[0173] DL deck level 27 upper section

[0174] WL water line 40 28 inner space

[0175] 281 carrier mount

[0176] RP raised position

[0177] LP lowered position 3 boom

[0178] 03 boom pivot axis

[0179] H hoist position (of sheave) 45 301 proximal boom end portion

[0180] GT gantry tilt position (of sheave) 302 distal boom end portion; head structure

[0181] 30 boom hoist; luffing assembly

[0182] GS ground surface 31 boom hoist winch; luffing winch

[0183] 32 luffing wire

[0184] 1 tub mounted crane 50

[0185] 01 vertical axis 38 jib

[0186] 100 crane vessel 39 boom rest

[0187] 101 hull

[0188] 102 vessel deck 4 gantry; luffing frame; A-frame

[0189] 10 tub; pedestal; substructure 55 40 front framework

[0190] 11 superstructure 400 front base mount

[0191] 12 crane subassembly 040 base pivot

[0192] 120 assembly table 41 rear framework

[0193] 121 table frame 410 rear base mount

[0194] 122 crane house support 60 411 seat

[0195] 412 upstanding plate

[0196] 2 crane house 413 seat hole; plate hole

[0197] 20 slew bearing 414 fork end

[0198] 21 circumferential wall 415 fork end hole

[0199] 211 lower end 65 42 top pivot

[0200] 22 boom connector 43 gantry apex

[0201] 23 crane house deck

[0202] 212 upper end 5 lowering mechanism

[0203] 25 middle section 50 link framework 501 link top 701 hoisting wire

[0204] 051 first link pivot 71 winch carrier

[0205] 502 link base 710 carrier body

[0206] 052 second link pivot 711 platform

[0207] 30 712 winch seat

[0208] 51 lock system 781 complementary carrier mount

[0209] 510 lock member

[0210] 511 lock member actuator 8 load suspension device

[0211] 81 main load suspension device

[0212] 52 end stop 35 82 auxiliary load suspension device

[0213] 53 tugger winch 83 whip line; fast line

[0214] 530 tugger wire

[0215] 531 guide roller; tugger wire sheave 9 crane house skid

[0216] 91 lower skid

[0217] 6 boom suspension 40 92 winch skid

[0218] 60 multiple fall arrangement 93 set of winches

[0219] 61 gantry sheave block 94 E-room

[0220] 610 gantry sheave frame 95 heave motion unit

[0221] 611 complimentary connector member 950 heave compensation frame

[0222] 62 boom sheave block 45 951 PVU (pressure vessel unit)

[0223] 621 complimentary connector member 952 passive cylinder

[0224] 66 transfer winch 953 HPU (hydraulic pressure unit)

[0225] 7 hoisting system

[0226] 70 hoisting winch

Claims

CLAIMS1. A crane subassembly (12) for installation of a tub mounted crane (TMC), which crane subassembly comprises- a crane house (2) which crane house has a circumferential wall (21) which defines an inner space, which circumferential wall (21) has a lower section (26) delimited by a lower end of the wall (211), which lower end (211) is adapted to be mounted to a slew bearing and an upper section (27) delimited by an upper end (212) of the circumferential wall (21), in which the crane house has a boom connector (22) at an upper region of the crane house for mounting a boom (3) to the crane house and at least one base mount (400, 410) for mounting a gantry (4) to the crane house; and- a winch carrier (71) having a carrier body (710) which in particular includes a platform (711) for supporting several winches (31 , 70), wherein the carrier body (710) is provided with several winch seats (712) for each receiving a winch (31 , 70), wherein the crane house (2) comprises a plurality of carrier mounts (281 ) and wherein the winch carrier (71) comprises an associated plurality of complementary carrier mounts (781) for mounting the winch carrier to the crane house, wherein the winch carrier (71) is releasably mounted by a mechanical connection to the crane house (2) which allows a de-mounting of the winch carrier.

2. Crane subassembly (12) according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of carrier mounts (281) and complementary carrier mounts (781) provide a pin-hole assembly for mounting the winch carrier (71) to the crane house (2) by insertion of a pin-shaped element.

3. Crane subassembly (12) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one of the plurality of carrier mounts (281) are positioned at an inner side of the circumferential wall (21), in particular at a middle section (25) of the circumferential wall (21), which middle section is provided with stiffeners (250).

4. Crane subassembly (12) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the platform (711) has a rectangular outer shape, wherein the complementary carrier mounts (781) are provided along an outer edge region of the platform, in particular at each corner of the rectangular platform (711).

5. Crane subassembly (12) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the several winch seats (712) are positioned in an array, wherein in particular the platform is provided with at least two arrays of winch seats (721).

6. Crane subassembly (12) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein all hoisting winches (70) and in particular all luffing winches (31), of the tub mounted crane (1) are positioned on the winch carrier (71).

7. Crane subassembly (12) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a rear outer side of the crane house (2) remains free from a winch assembly, a so-called backpack of winches.

8. Crane subassembly (12) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the winch carrier (71) is part of a crane house skid (9), wherein in particular the crane house skid (9) includes a lower skid (91) and a winch skid (92).

9. Crane subassembly (12) according to claim 8, wherein the lower skid (91) has a framework which is configured to hold a heave motion unit (95).

10. Crane subassembly (12) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the crane subassembly (12) further comprises an assembly table (120) which is configured for aligning the winch carrier (71) with respect to the crane house (2), wherein the assembly table (120) has a table frame (121) defining a predetermined table height which corresponds with a built- in height of the winch carrier (71) relative to the crane house (2).

11. Crane subassembly (12) according to claim 10, wherein at least one of the winch carrier (71) and the assembly table (120) comprise at least one crane house support (122) for supporting the crane house (2) relative to a winch carrier (71) being placed on the table frame(121), such that the build-in height is determined by a plurality of crane house supports (122).

12. Crane subassembly (12) according to claim 11 , wherein at least one crane house support(122) is connected to the table frame (121) and / or the winch carrier (71).

13. Crane subassembly (12) according to claim 12, wherein at least one crane house support (122) is a separate item, wherein in particular the built-in height is determined with a reference to a ground surface (GS).

14. Crane subassembly (12) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the crane house (2) has an open bottom side, wherein in particular the crane house comprises a crane house floor including an open mid area for receiving the winch carrier (71) inside the crane house (2).

15. Crane subassembly (12) according to claim 14, wherein the winch carrier (71) is mountable in the mid area to the crane house (2).

16. Crane subassembly (12) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a crane house deck (23) is open worked to allow wires originating from winches below the crane house deck to pass along.

17. A tub mounted crane (TMC) for transferring a hoist load, which tub mounted crane comprises a substructure (10) on which a superstructure (11) including operating machinery is mounted, in which the superstructure comprises:- a crane house (2), which crane house is rotatably connected to the substructure for allowing a slew motion of the superstructure relative to the substructure around a vertical axis, wherein the crane house comprises a boom connector (22) which defines a horizontal boom pivot axis (03) for connecting a boom (3) to the crane house (2);- a boom (3) for supporting a hoist load, in which the boom has a longitudinal axis extending from a proximal end portion (301) to a distal end portion including a head structure (302), in which the boom is pivotally connected to the crane house (2) via the boom connector (22), so that the boom is pivotal about the boom pivot axis (03);- a gantry (4) for supporting the boom (3), which gantry is mounted to the crane house;- a hoisting system (7) for hoisting the hoist load, which hoisting system comprises at least one hoisting winch (70) with an associated hoisting wire which hoisting wire extends from the hoisting winch to the head structure (302) of the boom;- a boom hoist (30) for raising and lowering the boom (3) by pivoting the boom about the boom pivot axis (03) over a boom angle, in which the boom hoist comprises at least one boom hoist winch (31), also called a luffing winch, for hauling in and paying out a luffing wire to respectively raise and lower the boom, and in which the boom hoist comprises a boom suspension (6) for supporting the boom, which boom suspension extends between a top of the gantry, a so-called gantry apex (43), and the head structure (302) of the boom, wherein the tub mounted crane (TMC) comprises a crane subassembly (12) of a winch carrier (71) being connected to the crane house (2), wherein the winch carrier (71) has a carrier body (710) which includes a platform (711) for supporting several winches (31 , 70), wherein the carrier body (710) is provided with several winch seats (712) for each receiving a winch (31 ; 70), wherein the crane house (2) comprises a plurality of carrier mounts (281), and in that the winch carrier (71) comprises an associated plurality of complementary carrier mounts (781) for mounting the winch carrier (71) to the crane house, wherein the winch carrier (71) is releasably mounted by a mechanical connection to the crane house (2) which allows a de-mounting of the winch carrier.

18. Installation method for assembling a crane subassembly (12) to a substructure (10) of a crane, in particular a tub mounted crane (TMC), wherein use is made of a crane subassembly including a crane house (2) and a winch carrier (71), in particular a crane subassembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the method comprises the steps of:- assembling several winches to a winch carrier (71), wherein each winch (31 ,70) is mounted to a winch seat (712) of a carrier body (710);- placing a crane house (2) above the winch carrier (71);- lowering the crane house (2) relative to the winch carrier (71) to level carrier mounts (281) at an inner side of a circumferential wall (21) of the crane house (2) with associated complementary carrier mounts (781) at the winch carrier;- connecting the carrier mounts (281) of the crane house to the winch carrier mounts (781) of the winch carrier.

19. Installation method according to claim 18, wherein the method further comprises a step of testing a functionality of each winch (31 , 70) installed on the carrier body (710) before installing the winch carrier inside the crane house.

20. Installation method according to claim 18 or 19, wherein the winch carrier (71) is part of a crane house skid (9), in particular a winch skid (92), which winch skid (92) forms a subassembly for operating a set of winches (93).

21. Installation method according to claim 20, wherein the crane house skid (9) further comprises a lower skid (91) for holding a heave motion unit (95), wherein in a step of the installation method, the lower skid (91) is pre-assembled and wherein in a step of the installation method the winch skid (92) is separately pre-assembled, whereafter the winch skid (92) is mounted as a subassembly on top of the lower skid (91) to form the crane house skid (9).

22. Installation method according to any of the claims 18-21 , wherein the crane subassembly (12) is assembled in a preparational step remote from the substructure (10) before placing the crane subassembly (12) on the substructure (10) of a tub mounted crane (TMC) to be assembled.

23. Installation method according to any of the claims 18-21 , wherein the crane subassembly (12) is mounted at the substructure (10) of the tub mounted crane, wherein in a step of the installation method the winch carrier (71) is positioned onto the substructure (10) and whereinin a next step of the installation method the crane house (2) is positioned above and lowered onto the substructure (10).

24. Installation method according to any of the claims 18-23, wherein the method comprises a step of placing the winch carrier (71) on an assembly table (120) for assembling several winches (31 , 70) to the winch carrier, wherein in particular the assembly table (120) for positioning the winch carrier (71) relative to the substructure (10) is connected to the substructure (10).

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