Auxiliary Winch Lifting Unit for Varying Weight Loads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Offshore wind farms face high maintenance costs due to the need for cranes/davits capable of lifting heavy loads, which are more expensive than those designed for lighter loads, necessitating a solution for efficiently handling loads of varying weights.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a crane/davit with a beam and winch assembly, and a lifting unit with a frame and winch assembly, where either the crane or lifting unit includes an auxiliary winch and wire assembly for easy mounting and positioning, allowing for the sharing of higher lifting capacity units with minimal modifications to existing cranes, enabling efficient handling of high-load lifts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If cranes/davits with high lifting capacity are installed to handle heavy loads, then the ability to lift heavy loads is improved, but the cost of the crane system increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting system is divided into two independent components: an existing crane/davit structure and a separate lifting unit with winch and wire assembly. This segmentation allows the crane to maintain its original design for light loads while the lifting unit provides additional heavy load capability when needed, avoiding the need to upgrade the entire crane system.
Solution Approach 2:
The lifting unit is designed as a universal attachment that can be coupled to the crane beam to provide heavy lifting capability. When not needed for heavy loads, the lifting unit can be decoupled or stored, allowing the crane to function normally for light loads. This multi-functional approach enables one system to handle both light and heavy loading scenarios.
2Force
If a lifting unit is added to the crane system, then the lifting capacity for heavy loads is improved, but the complexity of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into modular components (crane, lifting unit with frame, winch and wire assembly) that can be independently managed. The auxiliary winch and wire assembly is positioned on either the crane or lifting unit, allowing flexible configuration that minimizes operational complexity while maintaining heavy lifting capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The auxiliary winch and wire assembly acts as an intermediary mechanism that simplifies the coupling and positioning of the lifting unit to the crane beam. By providing a dedicated mounting mechanism, the system avoids complex manual attachment procedures and reduces the operational complexity of integrating heavy lifting capability.
3Reliability
If expensive high-capacity cranes are used for all loads, then heavy load lifting is ensured, but the cost efficiency for light load operations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts its lifting capacity based on the load requirements. For light loads, only the crane is used, providing cost-efficient operation. When heavy loads need to be lifted, the lifting unit is coupled to the crane beam, dynamically increasing the system's lifting capacity. This dynamic configuration optimizes cost efficiency by matching the lifting capability to the actual load requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes its operational parameters by adding or removing the lifting unit based on load requirements. This parameter change allows the system to operate in different capacity modes (light load mode using crane only, heavy load mode using crane with lifting unit), optimizing cost efficiency for each operational scenario while ensuring reliability when heavy loads are present.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a system for lifting loads of varying weight comprising a crane with a beam, and a lifting unit. Either the crane or the lifting unit comprises an auxiliary winch and wire assembly for mounting the lifting unit to the crane beam.