Boom Tipover Arrest Mechanism for Sudden Load Loss in Lifting Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Lifting devices are susceptible to boom tipover during sudden loss of load, which can lead to damage and instability, particularly in offshore operations.

Innovation Solution

A lifting device equipped with an auxiliary device that includes a contact surface and a drive and control system to stop or block boom movement when a predetermined force is exceeded, preventing tipover by absorbing kinetic energy and transmitting forces to the ground.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the lifting device operates without an auxiliary tipover prevention device, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability and safety of the lifting device deteriorates due to risk of boom tipover during sudden load loss

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveboom stability during sudden load lossVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The auxiliary device is positioned in advance at a predetermined location where the boom will contact it during tipover. The device is ready before any accident occurs, with its contact surface pre-aligned to intercept the boom's movement path, enabling immediate prevention of tipover without requiring complex real-time detection or activation systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The auxiliary device acts as an intermediary element between the boom and the base structure. It provides a dedicated contact interface that mediates the interaction during tipover events, transferring the boom's kinetic energy to the base through a controlled contact mechanism rather than allowing direct uncontrolled impact

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Speed

If the contact surface of the auxiliary device is positioned close to the boom, then the response time for preventing tipover is reduced, but the risk of normal operation interference increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresponse speed of tipover preventionVSAvoidinterference with normal boom operation

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The contact surface of the auxiliary device is specifically positioned and oriented to interact with the boom only in the abnormal tipover condition. Its location and angular orientation are designed so that during normal lifting operations, the boom passes by without contact, while during tipover, the contact surface is precisely where the boom will intersect, enabling selective engagement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The auxiliary device is pre-positioned to counteract the tipover movement before it can fully develop. By having the contact surface ready at the predicted boom path during tipover, the device applies opposing force immediately when contact occurs, preventing the harmful tipover motion without interfering with normal operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Strength

If the auxiliary device uses a rigid blocking mechanism, then the effectiveness of stopping boom movement is increased, but the risk of damage to the boom or auxiliary device increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblocking force of auxiliary deviceVSAvoiddamage risk to boom and auxiliary device

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The auxiliary device incorporates energy absorption capabilities in its blocking mechanism, designed to cushion the impact when the boom contacts it during tipover. This beforehand cushioning allows the device to stop the boom effectively while dissipating the kinetic energy in a controlled manner, preventing damage to both the boom and the auxiliary device itself

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The auxiliary device effectively prevents boom tipover and reduces the risk of damage by immediately stopping or blocking boom movement, maintaining stability during sudden load loss.

Implementation Method 1

provides a contact surface which is in contact with a contact surface of the boom or comes into contact with a contact surface of the boom in the case of tipover

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectKinetic energy absorption: Damping

Implementation Method 2

The base is configured to transmit the forces acting on the boom to a ground surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectForce transmission: Impact Force

Data Source

PatentUS12473181B2Lifting device provided with an auxiliary device for counteracting tipover of the boom in sudden loss of load

Publication Date: 2025.11.18 GEOSEA

AI summary

Provided is a lifting device with a force-absorbing base to which a boom with hoisting cable for lifting a load in substantially vertical direction is tiltably connected. The lifting device is provided with an auxiliary device for counteracting tipover of the boom in the case of sudden loss of load. The auxiliary device is connected to the base of the lifting device, provides a contact surface which is in permanent contact with a contact surface of the boom or comes into contact therewith in the case of tipover, and further comprises a drive and control system which is configured to stop the boom movement when a predetermined force between the contact surfaces is exceeded as a result of the boom tipping over. The described auxiliary device can take an autonomous form and can be arranged on a lifting device.