Rope Hoisting System With Chain Gripping Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hoisting systems face challenges in efficiently raising and lowering heavy loads in deep water environments, as metal wire ropes or cables can generate excessive heat due to tension, leading to damage, and existing systems often have limited hoisting capacity due to the weight of the ropes or cables themselves.
Innovation Solution
A gripping assembly with a chain and clamps that selectively grip a hoisting line, allowing the chain to move in a closed loop about sheaves, with clamps that close to grip and release the line, reducing the load on the hoisting line and minimizing heat generation, and a rack-and-pinion system for linear gear engagement to manage the load.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If metal wire ropes or cables are used for hoisting in deep water environments, then hoisting capacity is achieved, but excessive heat is generated due to tension leading to damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the hoisting line from direct contact with the load by introducing a gripping assembly that selectively grips and releases the line. The load is transferred to the chain and clamps during lifting, allowing the hoisting line to be released and lowered, thereby eliminating continuous tension and heat generation on the line.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between two load-bearing paths: the hoisting line carries the load during initial lifting, then the gripping assembly transfers the load to the chain and clamps. This dynamic redistribution allows the hoisting line to be released and lowered, preventing sustained high temperature exposure.
2Force
If heavy metal wire ropes are used to increase hoisting capacity, then load-bearing capability is improved, but the weight of the ropes themselves limits the effective hoisting capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The hoisting system is segmented into multiple independent components: the hoisting line, the gripping assembly, the chain, and the clamps. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, with the chain and clamps providing the primary load-bearing capability during lifting, while the hoisting line serves as a temporary transfer medium.
Solution Approach 2:
The chain and clamps act as a counterweight system that offsets the weight of the hoisting line. By transferring the load to the chain during lifting operations, the effective hoisting capacity is increased by the weight of the previously limiting hoisting line.
3Temperature
If a gripping assembly with multiple clamps is used to distribute load, then hoisting capacity is optimized and heat is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The clamps are designed with spring bias that automatically opens them after gripping the hoisting line during the lifting stroke. This self-opening mechanism eliminates the need for complex active control systems to release the clamps, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining the heat reduction benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The gripping assembly operates in periodic cycles: clamps close to grip the line during the upward stroke, transfer the load, then automatically open during the downward stroke. This periodic operation simplifies control requirements compared to continuous active control systems.
Data Source
AI summary
Various hoisting systems having an assembly for gripping a hoisting line are provided. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a hoisting system having a plurality of sheaves and a chain reeved about the plurality of sheaves. The chain includes links having clamps for selectively gripping a hoisting line. The hoisting system also includes a closing track having a travel path for the clamps of the links of the chain. This travel path includes an opening between two opposing surfaces and at least a portion of the opening has a width between the two opposing surfaces narrower than the widths of the clamps, when open, such that, when the links pass along the travel path of the closing track, the two opposing surfaces cause the clamps to close about the hoisting line. Additional systems, devices, and methods are also disclosed.