Relocatable Boom Traverse for Stable Crane Tagline Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing dimensions and mass of modern wind turbine rotor blades pose significant challenges for crane tagline systems, leading to excessive guide wire deflection and reduced accuracy in load positioning and orientation during lifting operations.
Innovation Solution
A relocatable traverse system is integrated into the crane boom, allowing the relocatable traverse to be mounted at various positions along the boom to support the guide wire closely above the travelling block at the desired lifting height, thereby minimizing guide wire deflection and enhancing load control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the tagline system is used to lift large and heavy wind turbine rotor blades to high positions, then the lifting capacity and height are improved, but the guide wire deflects excessively leading to reduced positioning accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The guide wire is divided into multiple segments by introducing additional support points (traverses) along its length. This segmentation reduces the span between supports, thereby minimizing deflection under load while maintaining the ability to lift heavy components to high positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution moves from a single-line guide wire to a three-dimensional structure by adding traverses that extend laterally from the boom. This dimensional expansion creates additional support points that constrain guide wire deflection without interfering with vertical lifting motion.
2Length of stationary object
If the crane boom length is increased to reach higher lifting positions, then the lifting height is improved, but the guide wire deflection increases due to greater span
Solution Approach 1:
The guide wire span is segmented into shorter sections by introducing traverses at intervals along the boom. This allows the boom to be long while the guide wire itself experiences reduced deflection due to frequent support points.
Solution Approach 2:
The traverse acts as an intermediary support element between the boom and the guide wire. It provides lateral support to the guide wire without restricting the vertical lifting function, effectively mediating between the need for long boom and guide wire stability.
3Stability of the object's composition
If tensioning of the guide wire is increased to reduce deflection, then the guide wire stability is improved, but the system complexity and potential damage risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of applying high tension to a continuous guide wire, the system segments the wire and provides mechanical support at each segment point. This reduces the tension required while maintaining stability, and avoids the complexity of high-tensioning mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The traverse serves as an intermediary that provides structural support to the guide wire, reducing the need for high tensioning forces. This intermediary approach simplifies the tensioning system while maintaining guide wire stability during lifting operations.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3a~3b
Figure 4
AI summary
A crane has a crane boom which is provided with a tagline system for controlling a load lifted by the crane, e.g. a wind turbine rotor blade in horizontal orientation. The tagline system comprises a guide wire (10) and a tagline assembly, which comprises a tagline (15), a tagline winch (16), and a travelling block that is mounted on the guide wire for travel along the guide wire. The tagline system further comprises at a relocatable traverse (30) which is configured to be mounted on the crane boom and to project from the crane boom. The traverse provides, at a spacing from the crane boom, a support for the guide wire. The relocatable traverse is mountable at a selected one of the multiple mounting locations (25-28) along the crane boom.