STS crane

Abstract

An STS (Ship-to-Shore) crane comprises a boom (3) supported to a top part of a portal frame structure (1) and having a first boom portion (3a) intended to extend to seaside (S), and a second boom portion (3b) intended to extend to landside (Q); a trolley (4) adapted to move along the boom (3), supported by trolley rails (6) arranged on it; a hoisting mechanism arranged on top of the boom (3) and having a rope drum (7) for hoisting ropes (8), whereby the hoisting ropes are routed from the rope drum through boom (3) ends to the trolley (4); auxiliary trolleys (9, 10) supported by the trolley rails (6), with a first auxiliary trolley (9) and a second auxiliary trolley (10) arranged to move along the boom (3) on both seaside and landside of the trolley (4) to support and / or to tighten the hoisting ropes (8); a drive roping (13, 14) of the auxiliary trolleys (9, 10) for moving the auxiliary trolleys. The STS crane comprises a rope block (30) configured to connect together two ropes (13.1, 14; 13.2, 14) of the drive roping (13, 14) for moving the auxiliary trolleys (9, 10); and the rope block (30) is detachably connected to at least one of the auxiliary trolleys (9, 10) to provide a driving connection from the drive roping (13, 14) to drive the at least one auxiliary trolley, and the rope block (30) is disconnectable from said at least one auxiliary trolley to disconnect said driving connection.

Description

[0001] STS CRANE

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The invention relates to an STS crane (Ship-to Shore). In particular, the invention relates to an STS crane which comprises a portal frame structure; a boom which is supported to a top part of the portal frame structure and which has a portion intended to extend on a ship’s side, i.e. seaside, as well as a portion intended to extend on a quay side, i.e. landside; a trolley, i.e. a main trolley, adapted to move along the boom, supported by trolley rails arranged on the boom, a hoisting mechanism which is arranged on top of the boom and which has a rope drum for hoisting ropes, whereby the hoisting ropes are routed from the rope drum through boom ends to the trolley; and auxiliary trolleys which are arranged to move along the boom on both seaside and landside of the trolley to support and / or to tighten the hoisting ropes.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] An STS crane may comprise a drive roping of the auxiliary trolleys to move the auxiliary trolleys, i.e. catenary trolleys.

[0006] An STS crane may comprise a folding joint on the boom portion intended to extend on the ship’s side for folding up the folding portion of the boom extending to the direction of the ship from the folding joint.

[0007] In an STS crane, the trolley moves along the length of the boom to get on top of a container to be lifted. With a long boom, the horizontal roping of the hoisting ropes develop sagging, which is restrained by means of auxiliary trolleys. As a result of the trolley moving along the entire length of the boom, the auxiliary trolleys with the supporting rope pulleys that support the hoisting ropes must be able to move and give way to the trolleys because otherwise there could be, instead of the trolley, static rope pulleys supported to the boom. An auxiliary trolley may run at the midpoint of the rope length being supported, whereby sagging may be most effectively prevented. Excess sagging causes the ropes to shift off their rope pulleys. Hanging ropes also cause noise due to the usual windy conditions at a port.

[0008] When a ship arrives at a quay alongside a crane, the boom (part of the boom) is usually raised to an upper position to make room. Once the ship has settled in place, the boom may again be lowered to its normal use position, a horizontal lower position.

[0009] Raising the boom to the upper position requires special arrangements for the drive roping of the auxiliary trolleys so that the point of the folding joint ofthe boom, insofar as the roping is concerned, may be passed. This is due to the fact that the drive roping of the auxiliary trolleys, i.e., catenary roping, travels along different lines than the hoisting ropes of the actual trolley. However, the drive roping of the auxiliary trolleys is used from the trolley, and as the trolley is moving, the auxiliary trolleys typically move at half the speed of the trolley. All this requires separate systems to tighten the roping of the auxiliary trolleys in a usage situation and to compensate for the geometrical changes in a boom raising situation. The length of the boom is gradually getting longer as size of ships which carry containers are getting larger, and especially wider. When the length of the boom is increased, the need to tighten all the ropes increases. EP 3606859 Bl discloses an example of an STS crane.

[0010] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] An object of the invention provide an improved STS crane. This object is achieved by the STS crane according to claim 1.

[0012] Preferred embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims.

[0013] There is provided a new STS (Ship-to-Shore) crane comprising a portal frame structure;

[0014] a boom supported to a top part of the portal frame structure and having a first boom portion intended to extend to seaside, and a second boom portion intended to extend to landside;

[0015] a trolley adapted to move along the boom, supported by trolley rails arranged on it;

[0016] a hoisting mechanism arranged on top of the boom and having a rope drum for hoisting ropes, whereby the hoisting ropes are routed from the rope drum through boom ends to the trolley;

[0017] auxiliary trolleys supported by the trolley rails, with a first auxiliary trolley and a second auxiliary trolley arranged to move along the boom on both seaside and landside of the trolley to support and / or to tighten the hoisting ropes;

[0018] a drive roping of the auxiliary trolleys for moving the auxiliary trolleys; and

[0019] a folding joint on the first boom portion intended to extend to the seaside for folding up a folding portion of the boom extending to the seaside from the folding joint.

[0020] The STS crane comprises a rope block configured to connect together two ropes of the drive roping for moving the auxiliary trolleys; andthe rope block is detachably connected to at least one of the auxiliary trolleys to provide a driving connection from the drive roping to drive the at least one auxiliary trolley, and the rope block is disconnectable from said at least one auxiliary trolley to disconnect said driving connection.

[0021] According to an embodiment the rope block is disconnectable from the at least one auxiliary trolley to disconnect said driving connection, while maintaining the connection of the two ropes of the drive roping.

[0022] According to an embodiment the STS crane is configured such that: a first rope block, connecting together two ropes of the drive roping for moving the first auxiliary trolley, is connected to the first auxiliary trolley to provide a driving connection from the drive roping to drive the first auxiliary trolley, and

[0023] a second rope block, connecting together two ropes of the drive roping for moving the second auxiliary trolley, is connected to the second auxiliary trolley to provide a driving connection to drive the second auxiliary trolley.

[0024] According to an embodiment the STS crane is configured such that: a first rope block connecting together two ropes of the drive roping for moving the first auxiliary trolley is connected to the first auxiliary trolley to provide a driving connection from the drive roping to drive the first auxiliary trolley, and a second rope block, connecting together two ropes of the drive roping for moving the second auxiliary trolley, is disconnected from the second auxiliary trolley to disconnect the driving connection of the second auxiliary trolley,

[0025] while maintaining the connection of each two ropes of the drive roping. According to an embodiment the drive roping comprises two shorter drive ropes; a longer drive rope; and one rope block for the at least one auxiliary trolley, the rope block connecting one shorter drive rope and an end of the longer drive rope.

[0026] According to an embodiment one shorter drive rope which is arranged to pass over a rope block sheave comprised by the respective rope block and one end of the longer drive rope are connected together by the respective rope block.

[0027] According to an embodiment the STS crane is configured such that: a first rope block, connecting together a first shorter drive rope and a first end of a longer drive rope for moving the first auxiliary trolley, is connectable to the first auxiliary trolley and disconnectable from the first auxiliary trolley; and a second rope block, connecting together a second shorter drive rope and a second end of the longer drive rope for moving the second auxiliary trolley,is connectable to the second auxiliary trolley and disconnectable from the second auxiliary trolley.

[0028] According to an embodiment the auxiliary trolleys are releasably connectable together with a longer drive rope via respective at least one rope block, the longer drive rope passing over a rope sheave at boom seaside end and a rope sheave at boom landside end; and

[0029] the first auxiliary trolley and the trolley are releasably connectable by a first shorter drive rope, and the second auxiliary trolley and the trolley are releasably connectable by a second shorter first drive rope.

[0030] According to an embodiment a first shorter drive rope at seaside is connected at its first end to the folding portion of the boom, passes over a first rope block connectable to the first auxiliary trolley and is connected at its second end to the trolley.

[0031] According to an embodiment a second shorter drive rope at landside is connected at its first end to the boom at landside relative to folding joint, passes over a second rope block connectable to the second auxiliary trolley and is connected at its second end to the trolley.

[0032] According to an embodiment the auxiliary trolleys are arranged on different sides of the folding joint on the boom.

[0033] According to an embodiment the rope block allows a length adjustable connection between two drive ropes, preferably by a rotation movement of a rope sheave comprised by the rope block.

[0034] According to an embodiment a steering of the auxiliary trolleys is provided by one trolley rail by means of guide wheels at a first side of the auxiliary trolley; and preferably the opposite second side of the auxiliary trolley comprises at least one flangeless wheel.

[0035] According to an embodiment the drive ropes of the auxiliary trolleys are pre-stretched; and / or the drive roping of the auxiliary trolleys are connected to a length adjustment and tightening device.

[0036] According to an embodiment the length adjustment and tightening device is mechanical and / or electrical.

[0037] According to an embodiment the STS crane is configured to continue hoisting activities when one or more auxiliary trolleys are disconnected from the auxiliary trolley drive ropes.According to an embodiment the rope block comprises a rope block sheave adapted to receive the (shorter) drive rope between its first end fastening point to the boom and second end fastening point to the trolley.

[0038] According to an embodiment the rope block comprises a drive rope fastening element such as a wedge socket adapted to fix to the rope block an end of the (longer) drive rope between two auxiliary trolleys.

[0039] According to an embodiment the auxiliary trolley comprises three vertically supporting wheels arranged to support the auxiliary trolley on the trolley rails.

[0040] According to an embodiment the auxiliary trolley comprises on one side two vertically supporting guided wheels and on the opposite other side one vertically supporting wheel.

[0041] There may be a joint between the rope block and the trolley structure to enable the block and trolley to be quickly coupled and uncoupled. Between the rope block and the trolley structure there may be for example a pin or a bolt connection that will be used for coupling and decoupling.

[0042] When the boom is raised, the position of the auxiliary trolley is such that it as a lightweight structure rises up on the ropes when the boom is in the upward position.

[0043] Near the boom, maintenance work is more flexible in terms of time, as the movement of the auxiliary trolleys and the movement of the trolley are not linked. The new arrangement additionally makes the boom easier to service on both ends. The auxiliary trolley or auxiliary trolleys may be separately moved to the end of the trolley rails for service, for example by manually pushing them. In the end of the boom there may be a dedicated service platform for maintenance of the boom, and this platform can be utilized also to maintain the auxiliary trolley as well. The auxiliary trolleys may be made considerably more light-weight.

[0044] There can be only one rope system for the auxiliary trolleys compared to the conventional solution of two rope systems each arranged at both sides of the auxiliary trolleys.

[0045] The drive ropes of the rope arrangement at the auxiliary trolleys are not terminated in the structures of the auxiliary trolleys but in a disconnectable rope block from the auxiliary trolley in which the auxiliary trolley drive ropes stay connected to each other when the driving connection of said ropes is decoupled from the auxiliary trolley.The invention allows to drive a first auxiliary trolley by movement of the main trolley, while a second auxiliary trolley may be disconnected from the driving connection of the drive ropes.

[0046] The rope block is configured to be connectable to the frame structure of the auxiliary trolley by a mechanism that can be disconnected when required, for example for maintenance of the auxiliary trolley.

[0047] When the rope block is connected to the auxiliary trolley, the rope block pulls the auxiliary trolley when the main hoisting trolley moves and so does the auxiliary trolley.

[0048] The disconnection option allows moving the auxiliary trolley manually or by winch to the tip of the boom or to the rear of the boom for inspection, maintenance or repair.

[0049] In addition, the rope block disconnection option means that the auxiliary trolleys do not require separate and dedicated maintenance platforms at all and the weight of the auxiliary trolleys is significantly lower.

[0050] Because the steering of the auxiliary trolley may be taken from one trolley rail by means of guide rollers, the other end of the auxiliary trolley can be made lighter with a flangeless wheel instead of guide rollers.

[0051] The invention is enabling the rope pulled STS catenary system with lesser components and creating a new way to maintain and inspect auxiliary trolleys. The inventive solution allows that inspections and maintenance of the catenary ropes and an energy chain can be carried out on the boom beams.

[0052] The auxiliary reeving ropes, i.e., drive ropes for the auxiliary trolley, and the auxiliary trolley can be coupled and decoupled in a novel way. This can be done connecting the auxiliary trolley ropes to a separate rope block instead of connecting them to the auxiliary trolley structure.

[0053] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0054] Embodiments of the present invention are described below, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings:

[0055] Figure 1 shows an overall view of an STS crane at a port;

[0056] Figure 2 shows a simplified perspective view showing the principle of an STS crane boom with the associated basic components,

[0057] Figure 3 shows the view F3 of Figure 2 in more detail with two variants of a first side of an auxiliary trolley,

[0058] Figure 4 shows the view F4 of Figure 2 in more detail with a first side of a main trolley,Figure 5 shows a rope block connecting two auxiliary trolley ropes at seaside end of a crane boom,

[0059] Figure 6 shows the rope block connected to the auxiliary trolley, and Figure 7 shows the rope block disconnected from the auxiliary trolley allowing relative movement of the rope block and the auxiliary trolley.

[0060] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0061] The STS (Ship-to-Shore) crane of the drawings has a gantry-like portal frame structure 1 arranged to move, supported by wheels 2, along rails R arranged on a quay Q. A boom 3 is supported to the top part of the portal frame structure 1.

[0062] The boom 3 is arranged substantially horizontal in its operating position and has a first boom portion 3a intended to extend to a side of a ship S; i.e. seaside, alongside the quay Q, and a second boom portion 3b intended to extend to the side of the quay Q, i.e. landside. A trolley 4, supported by wheels 5, optionally guided by side guide wheels 5.1, is arranged to move along the boom 3, supported by trolley rails 6 arranged on the boom 3. On top of the boom 3, advantageously near the portal frame structure 1 or supported to it, a hoisting mechanism is arranged, which has a rope drum 7 for hoisting ropes 8, whereby these hoisting ropes have been guided from the rope drum 7 through the ends of the boom 3 to the trolley 4. In the trolley 4, the hoisting ropes are led through sheave systems to a hoisting member of the trolley 4, but these elements unessential from the point of the invention are not shown in the drawings.

[0063] In addition, along the boom, on both sides of the trolley 4, auxiliary trolleys 9, 10 with a first auxiliary trolley 9 and a second auxiliary trolley 10 have been arranged. The first auxiliary trolley 9 and the second auxiliary trolley 10 are arranged to move along the boom 3 on the trolley rails 6. The purpose of the auxiliary trolleys 9, 10 is to support and / or tighten the hoisting ropes.

[0064] To move the auxiliary trolleys 9, 10, a drive roping 13; 13.1, 13.2; 14 of the auxiliary trolleys has been arranged, actuated by the movement of the trolley 4.

[0065] To support and / or tighten the hoisting ropes 8, the auxiliary trolleys 9, 10 have rope support pulleys 15 which are provided with rope grooves and on which the hoisting ropes 8 rest. When the drive roping 13, 14 passes over the frame 23 of the auxiliary trolley 9, 10, there may be a sliding surface 23.1 installed on the surface a horizontal bottom part of this frame, over which the drive roping 13, 14 may slide.For the ship S to be unloaded at a port to get alongside the quay Q without problems, the first boom portion 3a of the boom 3 of the STS crane, extending in the ship’s direction, has a folding joint 16 for the purpose of folding up a folding portion 3c extending further from this joint in the direction of the ship S.

[0066] According to an embodiment the auxiliary trolleys 9, 10 comprise guided wheels 20 which are guided on the trolley rails 6. According to an embodiment each auxiliary trolley 9, 10 comprises on its first side 9.1; 10.1 a pair of guided wheels 20. According to an embodiment the wheels 20 comprise guide wheels with guide flanges adapted to move on opposite sides of the trolley rail 6. According to an embodiment the wheels 20 are guided on the trolley rails 6 by side guiding wheels 20.1 arranged to roll on opposite sides of the trolley rails 6. According to an embodiment each auxiliary trolley 9, 10 comprises on its first side 9.1; 10.1 a pair of side guiding wheels 20.1.

[0067] According to an embodiment the guided wheels 20 are arranged on the first side 9.1; 10.1 of the auxiliary trolleys 9, 10 which is driven by the drive roping 13, 14. According to an embodiment the guided wheels 20 are arranged on first side 9.1; 10.1 of the auxiliary trolleys 9, 10 on which side the rope block 30 with the drive roping 13, 14 is connectable.

[0068] According to an embodiment the auxiliary trolley comprises three vertically supporting wheels 20; 21 arranged to support the auxiliary trolley 9; 10 on the trolley rails 6.

[0069] According to an embodiment the opposite second side 9.2; 10.2 of the auxiliary trolley comprises at least one supporting wheel 21, for example a roller.

[0070] According to an embodiment the opposite second side 9.2; 10.2 of the auxiliary trolley comprises one supporting wheel 21.

[0071] According to an embodiment the auxiliary trolley 9; 10 comprises on one side 9.1; 10.1 two vertically supporting guided wheels 20 and on the opposite other side 9.2; 10.2 one vertically supporting wheel 21.

[0072] According to an embodiment the drive roping 13, 14 is connected on the first side 9.1; 10.1 of the auxiliary trolleys 9; 10 which is guided on the trolley rails 6.

[0073] According to an embodiment the auxiliary trolley 9; 10 comprises a U-shaped form.

[0074] According to an embodiment one side of the auxiliary trolley is moved by the drive roping 13, 14 and the other side remains light. According to an embodiment said other side comprises mainly a frame vertical structure such as a verticalbeam with the auxiliary trolley supporting wheel 21 and the hoisting rope 8 support pulley 15.

[0075] The STS crane comprises a rope block 30 configured to connect together two ropes 13.1, 14; 13.2, 14 of the drive roping 13, 14 for moving the auxiliary trolleys 9, 10.

[0076] The rope block 30 is detachably connected to at least one of the auxiliary trolleys to provide a driving connection from the drive roping 13, 14 to drive the at least one auxiliary trolley, and the rope block 30 is disconnectable from said at least one auxiliary trolley to disconnect said driving connection.

[0077] According to an embodiment the rope block 30 is disconnectable from the at least one auxiliary trolley 9, 10 to disconnect said driving connection, while maintaining the connection of the two ropes 13, 14 of the drive roping.

[0078] According to an embodiment a first rope block 30.1, connecting together two ropes 13.1, 14 of the drive roping for moving the first auxiliary trolley 9, is connected to the first auxiliary trolley to provide a driving connection from the drive roping to drive the first auxiliary trolley, and

[0079] a second rope block 30.2, connecting together two ropes 13.2, 14 of the drive roping for moving the second auxiliary trolley 10, is connected to the second auxiliary trolley to provide a driving connection to drive the second auxiliary trolley.

[0080] According to an embodiment the first rope block 30; 30.1 connecting together two ropes 13.1, 14 of the drive roping for moving the first auxiliary trolley 9 is connected to the first auxiliary trolley to provide a driving connection from the drive roping to drive the first auxiliary trolley, and

[0081] a second rope block 30; 30.2, connecting together two ropes 13.2, 14 of the drive roping for moving the second auxiliary trolley 10, is disconnected from the second auxiliary trolley to disconnect the driving connection of the second auxiliary trolley,

[0082] while maintaining the connection of each two ropes of the drive roping. According to an embodiment the drive roping 13, 14 comprises two shorter drive ropes 13.1., 13.2; a longer drive rope 14; and one rope block 30 for the at least one auxiliary trolley, the rope block 30 connecting one shorter drive rope 13.1; 13.2 and an end 14.1; 14.2 of the longer drive rope.

[0083] According to an embodiment one shorter drive rope 13.1, 13.2 which is arranged to pass over a rope block sheave 31 comprised by the respective ropeblock 30; 30.1, 30.2 and one end 14.1; 14.2 of the longer drive rope 14 are connected together by the respective rope block 30.1, 30.2.

[0084] According to an embodiment the first rope block 30.1, connecting together the first shorter drive rope 13.1 and a first end 14.1 of the longer drive rope 14 for moving the first auxiliary trolley 9, is connectable to the first auxiliary trolley and disconnectable from the first auxiliary trolley; and

[0085] the second rope block 30.2, connecting together the second shorter drive rope 13.2 and a second end 14.2 of the longer drive rope 14 for moving the second auxiliary trolley 10, is connectable to the second auxiliary trolley and disconnectable from the second auxiliary trolley.

[0086] According to an embodiment the auxiliary trolleys 9, 10 are releasably connectable together with the longer drive rope 14 via respective at least one rope block 30.1, 30.2, the longer drive rope passing over a rope sheave 22 at boom 3 seaside end 3.1 and a rope sheave 19 at boom 3 landside end 3.2; and

[0087] the first auxiliary trolley 9 and the trolley 4 are releasably connectable by the first shorter drive rope 13.1, and the second auxiliary trolley 10 and the trolley 4 are releasably connectable by the second shorter first drive rope 13.2.

[0088] According to an embodiment the first shorter drive rope 13.1 at seaside S is connected at its first end 13.1.1 to the folding portion 3c of the boom, passes over a first rope block 30.1 connectable to the first auxiliary trolley 9 and is connected at its second end 13.1.2 to the trolley 4.

[0089] According to an embodiment the second shorter drive rope 13.2 at landside Q is connected at its first end 13.2.1 to the boom 3 at landside relative to folding joint 16, passes over a second rope block 30.2 connectable to the second auxiliary trolley 10 and is connected at its second end 13.2.2 to the trolley 4.

[0090] According to an embodiment the rope block 30 allows a length adjustable connection between two drive ropes, preferably by a rotation movement of the rope sheave 31 comprised by the rope block.

[0091] According to an embodiment the auxiliary trolley 9, 10 comprises a storage 24 for storing optional detached connecting means such as bolts when the rope block 30 is disconnected from the auxiliary trolley. According to an embodiment the storage 24 comprises a magnetic storage.

[0092] Figure 3 shows the view F3 of Figure 2 in more detail. The left part of Figure 3 shows the hoisting rope 8 resting on and supported by a hoisting rope wheel 15 which is attached to a vertical frame structure 23 of the auxiliary trolley at a first vertical distance from the horizontal frame structure of the auxiliarytrolley. The right part of Figure 3 shows the hoisting rope 8 resting on and supported by a hoisting rope wheel 15 which is attached to a vertical frame structure of the auxiliary trolley at a second vertical distance from the horizontal frame structure of the auxiliary trolley. The second vertical distance is shorter than the first vertical distance.

[0093] Figure 4 shows the view F4 of Figure 2 in more detail with a first side 4.1 of a main trolley 4. The second ends 13.1.2; 13.2.2 of the separate shorter auxiliary trolley ropes 13.1; 13.2. are connected to the trolley 4 first side 4.1.

[0094] The shown auxiliary trolley roping 13, 14 causes that when the trolley 4 moves at lx speed, the auxiliary trolleys 9; 10 move at 0,5x speed.

[0095] Figure 5 shows the rope block 30 connecting two auxiliary trolley ropes 13.1; 14 at seaside end 3.1 of the boom 3.

[0096] Figure 6 shows the rope block 30 connected to the auxiliary trolley frame 23, and Figure 7 shows the rope block disconnected from the auxiliary trolley allowing relative movement shown by arrow M of the rope block and the auxiliary trolley.

[0097] According to an embodiment the rope block 30 comprises a body 33 and rope block sheave 31 rotatably connected to the body. Further the rope block 30 comprises drive rope fastening element 32 such as a wedge socket 32 connected to the body 33.

[0098] According to an embodiment the rope block 30 comprises a bearing housing 34 fixed to the body 33. The bearing housing 34 allows rotatably connecting a rotation axle 35 of the rope block sheave 31 to the body, for example by a bearing.

[0099] Accordingto an embodiment the body 33 comprises an extension 36 for connecting to a recess 26 in the frame structure 23 of the auxiliary trolley 9, 10. And vice versa, the body 33 may comprise a recess 36 for connecting to an extension 26 in the frame structure 23 of the auxiliary trolley 9, 10. This recess / exten-sion combination allows to bear drive force due to the drive roping mainly as shear force. According to an embodiment the extension / recess 36 is formed in the bearing housing 34.

[0100] According to an embodiment the body 33 comprises fastening holes / threads 37 for fastening the body 33 to the frame structure 23. According to an embodiment the fastening holes / threads 37 are formed in the bearing housing 34.According to an embodiment rope block 30 is fastened to the frame structure 23 by a bolt joint.

[0101] Bolts of the bolt joint are easy the screw and unscrew for connecting and respectively disconnecting the rope block to / from the auxiliary trolley, in particular when there is a shear force receiving solution therebetween such as the aforementioned combination of the extension / recess 36 / 26.

[0102] According to an embodiment there is a releasable joint between the rope block 30 and the auxiliary trolley structure to enable the rope block and auxiliary trolley to be easy and quickly coupled and uncoupled. Between the rope block and the auxiliary trolley structure there may be for example a pin or a bolt connection that will be used for coupling and decoupling.

[0103] According to an embodiment the drive ropes 13, 14 are pre-stretched and connected to a length adjustment and tightening device 18 which may be mechanical and / or electrical.

[0104] According to an embodiment the length adjustment and tightening device 18 comprises a tightening device sheave 19. According to an embodiment the longer drive rope 14 is arranged to pass via the tightening device sheave 19.

[0105] According to an embodiment the STS crane comprises a maintenance platform (not show in the Figures) at the seaside S end 3.1 of the boom 3.

[0106] It will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that, as the technology advances, the inventive concept can be implemented in various ways. The invention and its embodiments are not limited to the examples described above but may vary within the scope of the claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An STS (Ship-to-Shore) crane comprisinga portal frame structure (1);a boom (3) supported to a top part of the portal frame structure (1) and having a first boom portion (3a) intended to extend to seaside (S), and a second boom portion (3b) intended to extend to landside (Q);a trolley (4) adapted to move along the boom (3), supported by trolley rails (6) arranged on it;a hoisting mechanism arranged on top of the boom (3) and having a rope drum (7) for hoisting ropes (8), whereby the hoisting ropes are routed from the rope drum through boom (3) ends to the trolley (4);auxiliary trolleys (9, 10) supported by the trolley rails (6), with a first auxiliary trolley (9) and a second auxiliary trolley (10) arranged to move along the boom (3) on both seaside and landside of the trolley (4) to support and / or to tighten the hoisting ropes (8);a drive roping (13, 14) of the auxiliary trolleys (9, 10) for moving the auxiliary trolleys; anda folding joint (16) on the first boom portion (3a) intended to extend to the seaside (S) for folding up a folding portion (3c) of the boom (3) extending to the seaside from the folding joint (16);characterised in thatthe STS crane comprises a rope block (30) configured to connect together two ropes (13.1, 14; 13.2, 14) of the drive roping (13, 14) for moving the auxiliary trolleys (9, 10); andthe rope block (30) is detachably connected to at least one of the auxiliary trolleys (9, 10) to provide a driving connection from the drive roping (13, 14) to drive the at least one auxiliary trolley, and the rope block (30) is disconnectable from said at least one auxiliary trolley to disconnect said driving connection.

2. The STS crane as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the rope block (30) is disconnectable from the at least one auxiliary trolley (9, 10) to disconnect said driving connection, while maintaining the connection of the two ropes (13, 14) of the drive roping.

3. The STS crane as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the STS crane is configured such that:a first rope block (30.1), connecting together two ropes (13.1, 14) of the drive roping for moving the first auxiliary trolley (9), is connected to the first auxiliary trolley to provide a driving connection from the drive roping to drive the first auxiliary trolley, anda second rope block (30.2), connecting together two ropes (13.2, 14) of the drive roping for moving the second auxiliary trolley (10), is connected to the second auxiliary trolley to provide a driving connection to drive the second auxiliary trolley.

4. The STS crane as claimed in any of claims 1 to 2, characterised in that the STS crane is configured such that:a first rope block (30; 30.1) connecting together two ropes (13.1, 14) of the drive roping for moving the first auxiliary trolley (9) is connected to the first auxiliary trolley to provide a driving connection from the drive roping to drive the first auxiliary trolley, anda second rope block (30; 30.2), connecting together two ropes (13.2, 14) of the drive roping for moving the second auxiliary trolley (10), is disconnected from the second auxiliary trolley to disconnect the driving connection of the second auxiliary trolley,while maintaining the connection of each two ropes of the drive roping.

5. The STS crane as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the drive roping (13, 14) comprises two shorter drive ropes (13; 13.1, 13.2); a longer drive rope (14); and one rope block (30) for the at least one auxiliary trolley, the rope block (30) connecting one shorter drive rope (13.1; 13.2) and an end (14.1; 14.2) of the longer drive rope; and preferablyone shorter drive rope (13; 13.1, 13.2) which is arranged to pass over a rope block sheave (31) comprised by the respective rope block (30; 30.1, 30.2) and one end (14.1; 14.2) of the longer drive rope (14) are connected together by the respective rope block (30; 30.1, 30.2).

6. The STS crane as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the STS crane is configured such that:a first rope block (30.1), connecting together a first shorter drive rope (13.1) and a first end (14.1) of a longer drive rope (14) for movingthe first auxiliarytrolley (9), is connectable to the first auxiliary trolley (9) and disconnectable from the first auxiliary trolley; anda second rope block (30.2), connecting together a second shorter drive rope (13.2) and a second end (14.2) of the longer drive rope (14) for moving the second auxiliary trolley (10), is connectable to the second auxiliary trolley (10) and disconnectable from the second auxiliary trolley.

7. The STS crane as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the auxiliary trolleys (9, 10) are releasably connectable together with a longer drive rope (14) via respective at least one rope block (30; 30.1, 30.2), the longer drive rope passing over a rope sheave (22) at boom (3) seaside end (3.1) and a rope sheave (19) at boom (3) landside end (3.2); andthe first auxiliary trolley (9) and the trolley (4) are releasably connectable by a first shorter drive rope (13.1), and the second auxiliary trolley (10) and the trolley (4) are releasably connectable by a second shorter first drive rope (13.2).

8. The STS crane as claimed in any of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that a first shorter drive rope (13.1) at seaside (S) is connected at its first end (13.1.1) to the folding portion (3c) of the boom, passes over a first rope block (30; 30.1) connectable to the first auxiliary trolley (9) and is connected at its second end (13.1.2) to the trolley (4); and / ora second shorter drive rope (13.2) at landside (Q) is connected at its first end (13.2.1) to the boom (3) at landside relative to folding joint (16), passes over a second rope block (30; 30.2) connectable to the second auxiliary trolley (10) and is connected at its second end (13.2.2) to the trolley (4).

9. The STS crane as claimed in any of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the auxiliary trolleys (9, 10) are arranged on different sides of the folding joint (16) on the boom (3).

10. The STS crane as claimed in any of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the rope block (30) allows a length adjustable connection between two drive ropes (13, 14), preferably by a rotation movement of a rope block sheave (31) comprised by the rope block.

11. The STS crane as claimed in any of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that a steering of the auxiliary trolleys (9, 10) is provided by one trolley rail (6) by means of guided supporting wheels (20) at a first side (9.1; 10.1) of the auxiliary trolley; and preferably the opposite second side (9.2; 10.2) of the auxiliary trolley comprises at least one supporting wheel (21).

12. The STS crane as claimed in any of claims 1 to 11, characterised in that the drive ropes (13, 14) of the auxiliary trolleys (9, 10) are pre-stretched; and / or the drive roping (13, 14) of the auxiliary trolleys are connected to a length adjustment and tightening device (18).

13. The STS crane as claimed in any of claims 1 to 12, characterised in that the rope block (30) comprises a rope block sheave (31) adapted to receive the drive rope (13; 13.1, 13.2) between its first end (13.1.1, 13.2.1) fastening point to the boom (3) and second end fastening point (13.1.2, 13.2.2) to the trolley (4).

14. The STS crane as claimed in any of claims 1 to 13, characterised in that the rope block (30) comprises a drive rope fastening element (32) such as a wedge socket adapted to fix to the rope block an end (14.1, 14.2) of the drive rope (14) between two auxiliary trolleys (9, 10).

15. The STS crane as claimed in any of claims 1 to 14, characterised in that the auxiliary trolley (9; 10) comprises on one side (9.1; 10.1) two vertically supporting guided wheels (20) and on the opposite other side (9.2; 10.2) one vertically supporting wheel (21).

Images