Cantilever Crane System for Jack-Up Rig Operations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current lifting operations below a cantilever on a jack-up rig are cumbersome and time-consuming, often requiring separate tower arrangements for wireline operations, which are laborious and inefficient, and existing crane systems like the GustoMSC SmartCrane are large, heavy, complex, and costly.
Innovation Solution
A crane system comprising a crane with a suspension member attached to a T or Y-shaped skid beam, allowing the crane to hang and move along the skid beam, eliminating the need for a discrete base and providing greater flexibility, with options for rolling or sliding supporting means and a driving device for movement, enabling efficient hoisting operations across a larger area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a separate tower arrangement is rigged below the cantilever for wireline operations, then lifting operations can be performed, but the operations become cumbersome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the crane function with the existing cantilever structure by attaching the crane to the skid beams of the cantilever. This merging eliminates the need for separate tower arrangements and integrates lifting operations into the standard cantilever configuration, thereby improving operational efficiency and reducing time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The crane system is designed to be universally applicable to various lifting operations below the cantilever. By making the crane an integral part of the cantilever structure, it can perform multiple functions (wireline operations, drilling support, etc.) without requiring separate specialized equipment for each operation type.
2Ease of operation
If a crane is arranged on the side of the cantilever, then lifting operations can be performed, but the crane becomes very large, heavy, complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The crane is merged with the cantilever structure by attaching it to the skid beams, which are already part of the cantilever system. This integration allows the crane to utilize the existing structural support and positioning mechanisms, thereby reducing the overall complexity, size, and cost compared to a standalone side-mounted crane.
Solution Approach 2:
The crane system is segmented into modular components that can be independently attached to and detached from the skid beams. This segmentation allows for easier assembly, disassembly, and maintenance, reducing the operational complexity while maintaining full lifting capability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the cantilever is moved to a retracted position, then the rig can be moved or stored, but the crane may conflict with the jack-up rig structure
Solution Approach 1:
The crane system is designed with dynamic adaptability to the cantilever's position changes. The crane can be moved along with the cantilever or repositioned relative to the rig floor, allowing the system to adapt to both projecting and retracted cantilever positions without causing conflicts with the jack-up rig structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The skid beams act as intermediaries between the crane and the rig structure. They provide a movable mounting platform that decouples the crane from the fixed rig structure, allowing independent movement and positioning that prevents conflicts during retraction while maintaining operational capability.
Data Source
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AI summary
A crane system (1) for a cantilever (3) belonging to a jack-up rig (2), the crane system (1) comprising a crane (10A, 10B) with a suspension member (13), the suspension member (13) being arranged over the crane (10A, 10B), a skid beam (30) at- tached to a lower portion of the cantilever (3), the skid beam (30) being displaceably connected to a plurality of slides (22A, 22B) arranged on the jack-up rig (2), the crane (10A, 10B) handing on the skid beam (30). A method of using the crane system (1) is described as well.